David Magee

Detroit's economy wasn't exactly in great standing before the housing bubble burst, before the automotive manufacturing that supports the community burst. It was already a case of haves, and have-nots. But when it all came crumbling down, with automakers slashing jobs and two filing for bankrtuptcy -- General Motors and Chrysler -- the shaky pedestal gave way.

Judges in the Eyes on Design awards said the Ford Fusion, beating production vehicle finalists the the Cadillac ATS and new BMW 3-Series, looked like an effortless design and appeared more expensive than it really is. Ford gave the Fusion, already a top-seller, a major redesign in an effort to breakthrough stiff mid-size competition from perennial leaders the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake registered 7.3 magnitude, striking off the coast of teh Aceh province just after midnight early Wednesday. The earthquake's center was 18 miles beneath the ocean floor, the USGS said.

Buick, a GM brand, developed the new Encore to compete at a more upscale level than the Toyota RAV 4 or the Honda CR-V. Buick did not announce pricing for the Encore, but it is expected to be comparable with class products including the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1.

Already, Hyundai is selling all the Elantra's it can make, said John Krafcik, the company's North American CEO. But that doesn't mean Hyundai won't leverage the Elantra's Car of the Year award to the benefit of the brand. Krafcik said it's an overall boost to the company's image with consumers, particularly in the small-car segment revealing that Hyundai has top of the line products.

Ford's plans for Lincoln include more than well-designed and enginneered luxury product, Farley said. The brand plans to up the ante with a more customized personal service at its Lincoln dealerships, which have been asked to invest in upgrading facilities and overall grade. Lincoln hopes to grow to 800,000 units sold annually, as a formidable foe with other luxury brands including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Lexus.

It's time for the BCS National Championship Game 2012, between No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama, and if you are away from a TV live streaming is available for tonight's contest.

The SEC powerhouse teams that happen to play in the same conference division -- the SEC West -- will square off in a rematch of their regular season game that LSU won 9-6 in overtime. The Tigers ended up undefeated, effectively obliterating opponents outside of the close game with the Crimson Tide, while Alabama lost only to the Tigers.

The Detroit Auto Show 2012 has been so far a testament to value and design combinations, key elements that deliver winning car products. The Hyundai Elantra kicked off the first day of the North American International Auto Show -- as it's officially called -- Monday with a somewhat surprising win as Car of the Year. The compact Elantra, cited by voting jurors for its low price and high efficiency with 40 miles per gallon, beat the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Passat for the annual honor.

The name e-Bugster is derived from the obvious -- e is for electric, Bug is the nickname of the iconic Beetle, and speedster describes the open-top two seater, the company said.

The SUV made by Land Rover's Range Rover brand, called by one pundit small but capable and luxurious, beat out other award finalists the BMW X3 and Honda's CR-V. The Evoque went into production in July 2011.

President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America Jonathan Browning told journalists the company will use global resources and a focus on the U.S. is a global (company) priority.

As recently as when Bill Ford Jr., now the company chairman, was CEO of Ford and Rick Wagoner was CEO of GM, meetings meant Wagoner tried to claim the head seat at the table by virtue of his company's position as the largest automaker in Detroit. Bill Ford wasn't yielding, it's just that Wagoner had that expectation.

The Elantra beat out other finalists the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Passat to win the honor. The Land Rover Evoque won the truck of the year award. The car and truck of the year awards, in a 19th year, are chosen by 50 automotive journalists. To be eligible, a vehicle must be all new or substantially changed. Finalists for the truck of the year award included the BMW X3, Honda CR-V and the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.

The Elantra beat out competing finalists Volkswagen Passat and the Ford Focus to claim the honor at the open of the 2012 North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center. Media days for the Detroit auto show began Monday morning, before it opens to the public on Jan. 14.

McNichol, who lives with her partner Martie Allen and has for two decades, decided to make a public statement about her sexuality as she approaches the age of 50. She told People Magazine in a statement through her publicist she wants to be open about who she is.

No longer will it be Jay Z on one hand in the public and Beyonce on the other in the public. The new baby just brought them together in the public eye as a couple and professionally in a very unique way. Already, the question is being asked: How long before Blue Ivy Carter has a hit song?

The teams were tied 70-70 with just 21 seconds left in overtime in the Division 1 NCAA basketball game on Jan. 5. Louisiana-Lafayette inbounded the ball, but the team had six players on the floor. Nobody seem to notice, however -- not even the game's referees. Elfrid Payton took the ball to a game-winning layup with three seconds left, and the time expired with the Ragin' Cajuns claiming the 72-70 victory.

It's about sustainability of profits, and sustainability through efficient products that contribute to both the broader environment and consumer benefit that will be at the heart of every automaker's presentations. America's Big Three, in particular, have revealed they are still among the biggest and best global forces to be reckoned with through profitability and strong, advanced product in the past year or two.

The one-cent copper coin was minted in 1793 -- the first year the United States made and distributed coins. It is reportedly in rare and perfect shape, with no wear on lettering or other features including the Lady Liberty face.

The very idea that a 30-story building could be built in 15 days -- or 360 hours -- is mind-boggling. But that's what happened in China, as a 30-story hotel went up in just 15 days.

In the early minutes of the debate, held at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire and sponsored by ABC News, Yahoo! News, and WMUR News, it was Ron Paul's turn to talk early in the debate. When he spoke, the microphone hummed with feedback due to a sound system issue.

Halley's Comet is the only short-period comet viewable from Earth by the naked eye, making it the only one most people have the opportunity to see in a lifetime. Other naked-eye comets appear only once in thousands of years.

The debate will be held at St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, at 9 p.m. It is sponsored by ABC News, Yahoo! News and WMUR-TV.

It's not exactly an offensive explosion, but the tensions are high and Cincinnati and Houston are slugging it out for the right to advance in the NFL playoffs 2012. It's the first NFL playoff game, and former President George Bush and his wife, Barbara, are on hand in Houston for the big event.

The bite-size cookie will come with a dusting of confectioner's sugar and the taste of a lemony twist. The Girl Scouts describe the new cookie like this: Celebrate the anniversary of the Girl Scouts with these bite-sized, lemon-wedge cookies dusted in powdered sugar and bursting with lemon flavor. Enjoy these delightful treats, remember where Girl Scouts began...and smile.

John McCain was going strong, making his endorsement for president 2012 at a Republican rally for Republican candidate Mitt Romney in South Carolina. It's just that as you can see from the video below, McCain endorses Obama -- the current Democratic President -- instead of Romney, the Republican hopeful.

Featuring guests including Drake, Nas, Pharell and Maybach Music Group's Wale and Meek Mill, the mixtape has become a hot Internet property in the past day. Ross, who survived a medical scare in October delaying the release of his new album God Forgives I Don't, got his stage name from drug trafficker Freeway Rick Ross.

Since its initial release in 2010, the Apple iPad tablet has survived an onslaught of competition to remain the world's most popular tablet. Now, it has even survived a 100,000-plus foot drop from the sky.