Toyota is planning to increase production by 24 percent in 2012 as it recovers from the effects of the Japanese earthquake and the floods in Thailand.

The company said it plans to produce almost 8.5 million vehicles next year (Lexus and Toyota brands) and to increase sales by 20 percent to 8.65 million.

Figures released a few days ago show that Toyota aims to increase production in Japan by 23 percent to 3.4 million and overseas by 25 percent to 5.25 million.

Los Alamos trackers will use state-of-the-art technology to mark the course taken by St. Nick and his eight tiny and highly efficient reindeer.

"We expect Santa and his team to arrive in northern New Mexico about midnight on Christmas Eve," said scientist Diane Roussel-Dupré of the Lab’s Space Data Systems group.

Los Alamos supports Santa trackers at North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which has been following Santa’s Christmas runs since the 1950s.

Los Alamos National Laboratory announces top ten science stories of 2011

Los Alamos National Laboratory's top ten science stories of 2011 illustrate the broad variety of scientific excellence that's the hallmark of the Laboratory. This year's stories include alternative energy research, world record magnetic fields, disease tracking, the study of Mars, climate change, fuel cells, solar wind, and magnetic reconnection.

SPX Corporation has completed its acquisition of CLYDEUNION Pumps, a UK based global supplier of pump technologies used in oil and gas processing, power generation and other industrial applications.

In the final agreement as amended 22 December, 2011, the total purchase price comprises £500 million sterling, paid at closing, plus a potential earn-out payment in 2013 based on 2012 EBITDA performance.

International Airlines Group (IAG) and Germany’s flag carrier Lufthansa have reached a binding agreement for IAG to acquire UK-based airline British Midland Limited (bmi).

IAG will pay £172.5 million for bmi, which consists of three distinct business units—bmi mainline, bmi regional and bmibaby.

Canadian business software company Intelex is to open its first overseas office in the United Kingdom.

The office will open in London in February 2012, and will serve as a beachhead for the company’s coming European and Eurasian expansion, as well as helping to serve existing clients in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Stephen Ross, Intelex’s vice president of sales and a 10-year veteran of the Intelex team, will relocate to London, England, to help launch the new office.

Sulaiman Al-Rumaih, vice president of the Energy and Industrial division of the Tamimi Group, talks about the dynamic expansion of the business within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond. Jayne Alverca reports.

Henk Pauw, CEO of Sohar Aluminium, talks to Gay Sutton about the company’s role in promoting industry in Oman and creating jobs for local people.

Nyanza Bottling Company Limited (NBCL), a joint venture between Sumaria Corporation and the CMG Group of Companies, is one of East Africa’s most dynamic companies. Christopher M Gachuma talks to Jayne Alverca about his passion for excellence.

Steel making facilities in Singapore are among the most modern and ecologically sound to be found anywhere, as Alan Swaby learns.

There’s no doubt that Singapore punches well above its weight. Barely 40 kilometres at its widest, the island is so developed that buildings can only go skywards. And despite decades of development, work continues at a rapid rate, with the construction industry consuming over 1.25 million tons of reinforcing steelwork each year.