IBT Staff Reporter

Fresh signs the giant U.S. economy is gaining momentum drove major world stock markets and the euro higher on Friday, with activity likely to be thin in the last session before the Christmas holiday.

Fresh signs the giant U.S. economy is gaining momentum drove major world stock markets and the euro higher on Friday, with activity likely to be thin in the last session before the Christmas holiday.

The economy is gaining momentum and should push through next year with only a few bruises despite an almost certain European recession and slower global growth.

The economy is gaining momentum and should push through next year with only a few bruises despite an almost certain European recession and slower global growth.

Asian stocks rose more than 1 percent and U.S. index futures also gained on Friday, as signs of a strengthening economy in the United States encouraged a year-end bounce for riskier assets.

Petronas is in talks with several oil majors including Shell and Exxon Mobil to develop petrochemical plants within its $20 billion refinery complex in southern Malaysia, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

China's $410 billion sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corp. is set to receive additional funding of up to $50 billion, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Friday.

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and nights, the festival

Soletron, a start-up backed by former Adobe Systems Inc Chief Executive Bruce Chizen, is building an online marketplace for streetwear and sneakers, a market that is worth almost $60 billion by one estimate.

AT&T Inc said late on Thursday that it won regulatory approval to buy wireless spectrum from U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm Inc, a move that would boost the company's 4G network.

Prince William and wife Kate stepped out Wednesday night to share and give back to the Centrepoint homeless charity in south London which William's mother, the late Princess Diana strongly supported.

In a town where the cars are the stars, a tractor with a top speed of 8-miles-per-hour is ready for its closeup.

The Vancouver Canucks took down another leading Western Conference team on Wednesday with a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.

Former American Idol finalist Adam Lambert brushed off his arrest in Finland on Thursday, blaming his bad behavior on travel, booze and irrational confusion and adding lesson learned on Twitter.

The TSX finished higher for a third-straight session on Thursday as worries over European bank lending eased and U.S. economic data pointed to gradual economic improvements, sending financial and energy issues up sharply.

Gaming software maker Cantor Entertainment Technology Inc filed with U.S. regulators on Thursday to raise up to $100 million in an initial public offering of its Class A common stock.

In a sign that Canada's resistance to paying into an IMF bailout fund for Europe might be fading, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said on Thursday the idea would be generally supported if all the Group of 20 nations agreed to pay in more.

Rambus Inc said it has signed a patent licensing deal with Broadcom Inc , resolving all previous claims related to its technology.

The Supreme Court of Canada ruled against the federal government's plan to create a single, national securities regulator, forcing Ottawa to rethink its campaign to replace the current patchwork of provincial watchdogs and regulations.

First it was a bronze statue in Hungary. Now it's a Grammy.

Siemens said it is working to fix security flaws in industrial controls products that the U.S. government warned could make public utilities, hospitals and other critical parts of the country's infrastructure vulnerable to attack by hackers.

Respected commodities hedge fund BlueGold has veered from its energy-focused strategy, betting half its money on equities and other trades that are worrying investors as it turns in its first down year.

Canada's top court derailed government plans to consolidate a patchwork system of provincial securities regulators on Thursday, ruling that proposed federal legislation violated provincial rights and forcing the government back to the drawing board.

A federal grand jury in Los Angeles has indicted a Turkish national on terrorism-support charges for allegedly wiring money to Pakistan to help fund attacks against American military personnel.

The performance finale for Fox's The X Factor grabbed the top ratings spot for the night and pushed the network to an overall victory on a slow night all around, according to preliminary numbers.

Rihanna's single We Found Love on Thursday held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for the eighth straight week, making it the singer's longest-running No. 1 single of her career.

When actors decide to direct, it's often a dicey proposition. Some are naturals (Clint Eastwood) but others turn out films that are unwatchable, self-indulgent hokum (anyone else sit through Nicholas Cage's Sonny in 2002?).

Britney Spears, Nene Leakes... Helen Mirren? Add the dame and Oscar winner to the list of Glee guest stars, as Fox confirms to TheWrap that she has recorded a guest voice performance for the series' January 17 episode.

Every year, the entertainment industry gifts us with its share of moments so shocking that you just have to ask yourself, WTF?!