Nikkei slips as another earthquake hit Japan Sunday, as Tepco head pressured to quit after costing shareholders $26 billion; fear of radiation and shortages drives panic buying of Japanese goods; auto industry suffers as Toyota, Honda and others stand to lose billions in revenue; and Wal-Mart reopens 12 quake-hit stores.

Google to launch in-app billing for Android; woos celebs to create themed channels on YouTube; and works on mobile payments as near field communications battle looms. CEO Larry Page, meanwhile, is working on cutting red tape and fostering internal communications.

BlackBerry-maker RIM is in "slow-motion decline," says WSJ, while acquires mobile tool developer.

Facebook is reportedly in talks to hire former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs; and updates Questions in boost for brands.Continue reading...

• CNN looks at advertising on airport bathroom mirrors (best read while listening to above).

• We missed Charlie Sheen's Ustream debut Saturday night (which was panned) be see that he was skewered on SNL (with Lindsay Lohan), planning branded merchandise and being wooed by the producer of AMC's hit Walking Dead series.

• We also see that ... AmEx is teaming up with Foursquare ... Angry Birds will integrate with Facebook next month ... CBS and Turner feature Kings of Leon in March Madness campaign ... and some classic ad icons are getting a makeover.

More weekend headlines:Continue reading...

Conan O'Brien isn't just a Cartoon Network-worthy superhero character courtesy of TBS sibling Warner Bros. animation — he's soaring in late-night TV. Thanks to time-shifted viewing on DVRs, his late-night talk show was #1 in the fourth quarter of 2010 among viewers in the 18-49 age bracket and the coveted 18-34 viewer demo.

Apple announces Black Friday sale.

BP's $2 billion Gulf compensation fund fails to quell critics.

Citi launches "financial capability" site to educate consumers.

Coty is buying Philosophy, one of of Oprah's "Ultimate Favorite Things" brands.

Disney's video games chief steps down.

Gawker forced to remove Sarah Palin book excerpts.

GM plans 100-dealer network for Baojun in China.Continue reading...

Turner Broadcasting and NBC Universal are thisclose to signing Piers Morgan to CNN to succeed Larry King, reports the New York Times. His deal: a possible three-year contract valued up to $8 million, adds the New York Post.

Morgan, whose CNN negotiations surfaced last month, is best-known in the U.S. as the snarky British judge on America’s Got Talent, albeit a slightly gentler version of his countryman Simon Cowell. Word is that Morgan will sign if he can continue as a judge through 2013.

He's made it known his dream job is at CNN, which has reportedly spoken to a variety of on-air talent including Katie Couric to take over King's timeslot when he steps down later this year. Is Morgan a worthy successor to King — and a smart move for the CNN brand?Continue reading...

In sad news for the Village People, the YMCA follows KFC, NPR and AARP in formally adopting its acronym and shedding three letters to become just the Y. Individual branches will still be known as "The YMCA of ____." (Update: Village People respond, more details here.)

BP shares rise on news it's making progress on oil spill containment but not making promises — and that it's rumored to be in talks to sell assets to Apache, and facing a possible ExxonMobil takeover bid. Louisiana is pitching BP on a scheme to get unemployed commercial fishermen back on the job.

Spain's octopus-predicted triumph over the Netherlands in the World Cup final drew Nelson Mandela to the closing ceremony while Uruguay's Diego Forlan won the Adidas Golden Ball (not the unpopular Jabulani) for individual achievement. A likely terrorist attack in Uganda killing at least 60 World Cup fans marred yesterday's celebrations.Continue reading...

Apple releases iOS 4 and targeted ads as it starts collecting and sharing iPhone users' locations. Facebook also plans to add geolocation feature "soon."

Amazon cuts Kindle price as Barnes & Noble discounts Nook e-reader.

AT&T looks to repair image through customer care-based social networking.

BP CEO Tony Hayward is expected to visit Russia to shore up company's interests.

Coca-Cola, Heineken and Diageo support U.K. pub-rating website.

Foursquare teams up with C-SPAN for political education.Continue reading...

In today's just-wrapped press conference, US President Obama said he holds BP responsible, with the federal government, for stopping the spill: "Make no mistake. BP is operating at our direction." He also vowed to tighten regulation on offshore drilling, and closed by saying the spill is all he thinks about. "This has concrete implications not just for this generation, but future generations." To watch the video and read a transcript of his remarks and Q&A, click here. In other news:

Microsoft's unseating by Apple was downplayed by CEO Steve Ballmer.

News Corp. may shed digital properties including Beliefnet and Jamba/Jamster mobile arm.

Target ad resonated more than Home Depot, AmEx and Macy ads during Lost finale.

US TV upfront ad marketplace is heating up and could wrap up shortly.Continue reading...