Booming sales in China and new versions of key models pushed automaker BMW AG's earnings higher by 18 percent in the first quarter to €1.35 billion ($1.77 billion).

Sales were flat in Europe where the economy is slack, but the Munich-based maker of luxury cars and SUVs saw a 36 percent jump in deliveries in China, where it now sells more vehicles than it does in the United States.

What if you knew, even before your child was born, that she wouldn't look like everyone else?

Clara Beatty's parents knew.

In a flashy presentation to advertisers, YouTube promoted its new channels of original programming, while pledging to spend $200 million to help market them.

That's roughly twice what the Google Inc.-owned video site has spent launching some 100 channels of niche-oriented programming. The channels are an ambitious initiative from YouTube, approximately halfway through its rollout.

Dubai is splashing into the business of underwater hotels again.

The Gulf emirate's state shipbuilding division Drydocks World said in a statement on Thursday that it has signed on with a Swiss company to become the sole Middle East construction contractor of the futuristic hotels.

Chelsea looks certain to finish outside the top four of the English Premier League for the first time in 10 years after a 2-0 home defeat against Newcastle on Wednesday.

Papiss Cisse scored twice at Stamford Bridge to take his tally to 13 goals in 12 appearances for Newcastle, which now looks to be going head-to-head with Tottenham for a top-four place.

Research in Motion Ltd. says future BlackBerry models will still offer physical keyboards.

Some reports suggested RIM would ditch the physical keys favored by its users, but CEO Thorsten Heins said Wednesday that RIM won't lose the focus on physical keypads.

Federal authorities charged 107 doctors, nurses and social workers in seven cities with Medicare fraud Wednesday in a nationwide crackdown on unrelated scams that allegedly billed the taxpayer-funded program of $452 million — the highest dollar amount in a single Medicare bust in U.S. history.

It was the latest in a string of major arrests in the past two years as authorities have targeted fraud that's believed to cost the government between $60 billion and $90 billion each year. Stopping Medicare's budget from hemorrhaging that money will be key to paying for President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

An elephant named Shanthi at the U.S. national zoo plays a harmonica with her trunk and appears to love doing it.

Video released Wednesday by the zoo in Washington shows the 36-year-old Asian elephant has a harmonica attached to her stall and plays tunes even when no humans are within view.

One of the art world's most recognizable images — Edvard Munch's "The Scream" — sold Wednesday for a record $119,922,500 at auction in New York City.

The 1895 artwork — a modern symbol of human anxiety — was sold at Sotheby's. Neither the buyer's name nor any details about the buyer was released.

England's national team is back in the hands of an Englishman — albeit one who spent much of his coaching career abroad.

Roy Hodgson was hired Tuesday as the coach tasked with ending England's 46-year title drought, with the Football Association hoping his international experience and homegrown heritage will blend into a perfect mix.