IBT Staff Reporter

The digital TV switch may be delayed till June this year if new legislation released Thursday gets approved.

Madonna was the highest-grossing pop act of 2008, but the amount of album sales the singer sold, is at its lowest in 11 years reflecting the decline in CD sales.

Bank of America on Friday said it has secured a $20 billion government investment to assist in acquiring brokerage Merrill Lynch. The government will also cover a majority of losses linked to Merrill's assets.

Citigroup Inc lost $8.29 billion in its latest quarter, marking five straight quarters of losses as it unveiled a restructuring plan that divides the company into two major units. Investors were pleased with the news, sending shares up 9.7 percent in pre-market trading on Friday.

On Friday before the break of dawn, Israeli aircraft artillery struck about 40 targets all over Gaza, the military said. The attacks continue following yesterdays shelling of the U.N. headquarters in the area by Israeli soldiers.

U.S. DVD sales and rentals of both standard DVDs and Blu-ray discs dropped yet again in 2008 from the previous year.

European officials are urging Russia and Ukraine to quickly enforce an agreement to resume delivery of natural gas to many of the freezing nations affected by a dispute which has paralyzed supply delivery. Millions of people are enduring heat and cooking gas shortages as well as sub-zero temperatures at this time.

In an attempt to keep up with the country's soaring inflation, Zimbabwe will introduce a 100 trillion dollar note.

A recent study conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Durham, High intake of coffee, tea and caffeinated energy drinks could be linked to a greater tendency to hallucinate.

Daria Drive, a dead-end street that leads to Daria Place, where the President George Bush and Laura Bush will soon transition from first family to private citizens in just over a week.

In most states, your travel agent is required to be licensed to sell insurance. They’re certified by the insurance company and registered with the state. Your agent should be familiar...

When you’re on vacation, you want to relax—not worry about how much your hotel accommodations will cost you. After reading about how to find great airfare deals in TravelMuse’s previous Travel Tips column, read below for how you can save money while you sleep so you can spend more of your vacation money on fun.Book off-season or for slow periods during the week, and be flexible with dates. If y...

Once I got into an argument with a friend over the hot-button issue of cannoli. We were standing in Mike’s Pastry, a popular stop for bus tourists and presidential candidates in Boston’s North End. My friend’s problem was not so much with the cannoli (which he called “flaky” and “cheesy”) as with a prominently displayed photograph of Bill Clinton gobbling one up. “How can you like this place?......

Who says there aren?t any surprises anymore?Sure, the 25 best hotels on the T+L 500?the annual list of the world?s top 500 properties, as chosen by Travel + Leisure readers?include many familiar names: Four Seasons, Oberoi, Ritz-Carlton, and Taj. There are also familiar places: former maharajah?s palaces in India, swanky city hotels in the U.S., and opulent game reserves in South Africa all score....

Matt Murphy, 38, a Capricorn from New York City, is planning a big trip in 2009 but agonizing between a jaunt to tango in Buenos Aires or a nightlife jag in Shanghai. The price is the same, but which trip fits his personality better? Maybe astrology has the answer.Every January, stargazers unveil their yearlong predictions for each sign; the in-depth life guides run through money...

Biotech company Genentech reported Thursday its sales of anti cancer drugs raised the company's fourth quarter revenue 47 percent.

The W-hotel, built on the occasion of the last Olympic Games, is the latest addition to the lively Kowloon district. The hotel has 393 luxury guest rooms, with a striking view of the Hong Kong skyline. The rooms are very well-equipped with the latest technological gadgets; there is even an LCD screen hanging in every bathroom!In addition, the hotel offers its ?whatever/whenever service? - guests ...

As Brazil becomes one of the world?s major players in investment opportunity, airlines are vying to offer new flights and routes. American Airlines launched service from Miami (MIA) to Recife (REC) and Salvador da Bahia (SSA) on Nov. 2 and to Belo Horizonte (CNF) on Nov. 4. Delta Air Lines inaugurated daily flights from Atlanta (ATL) to Rio de Janeiro (GIG) and Manaus (MAO) in late November, alo.....

Intel Corp., the world's biggest chip maker, said on Thursday its fourth quarter net income plunged 90 percent.

General Motors Corp. reduced its vehicle sales forecast on 2009 Thursday citing ongoing uncertainty of global market conditions.

Got a 79 Chrysler Cordoba in your driveway? Congress is considering a proposal that would reward American up to $4,500 if they trade old cars to cash to scrapping companies, depending on the car.

A press conference on Friday will be held to introduce Jim Schwartz the defensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans as the replacement for the fired Rod Marinelli of Detroit Lions.

Tampa Bay is a body of water in west-central Florida. A nice place to live, with new condos and restaurants popping up all the time, downtown Tampa has a somewhat lively, if not quite bustling, daytime vibe but how safe it is to be there on the day of the Super Bowl event?

Jeremy Piven has finally addressed the rumors about his recent mercury poisoning, after unexpectedly dropping out from a play he was working on.

Australian Dollar: Yesterday's employment data showed a rise in the official unemployment rate from 4.4% to 4.5% with the economy shedding 1,200 jobs in December. The

The former Full House star Jodie Sweetin speaks out for the first time about her estranged husband's, Cody Herpin, allegations of a substance abuse relapse.

House Democrats want less tax cuts than what president-elect Obama proposed last week, according an $850 million economic stimulus plan unveiled today.

Clemson Tigers will collide with the undefeated and second-ranked Wake Forest team on Saturday afternoon.

A US airways plane that landed in the Hudson River in New York City hit a bird that disabled two engines aviation officials said.