IBT Staff Reporter

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission approved AT&T Inc's $944 million bid to buy Centennial Communications Corp , two sources familiar with the decision said on Thursday.

Verizon made a last minute announcement today that its moved up the launch of the Motorola Droid for just one of its stores in New York City.

In closing arguments in the trial of the first high-profile Wall Streeters on fraud charges stemming from the financial crisis, a U.S. prosecutor said two hedge fund managers told black and white lies, but a defense lawyer attacked the government for misleading the jury.

General Motors Co on Thursday said it was readying a plan to restructure Opel and could pay off debt due this month as German workers went on strike to protest the automakers decision to keep the European unit.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Thursday said it was mulling whether changes are needed to regulations governing access to telephone lines largely controlled by telecom giants.

The U.S. Federal Reserve's balance sheet grew slightly in the latest week on increased holdings of government and mortgage agency debt, Fed data showed on Thursday.

Bank of America Corp's credit card loss rate may have peaked in the third quarter, but it will remain elevated for a substantial number of quarters, the bank's head of consumer banking said on Thursday.

Fourteen people were charged with fraud and conspiracy in a dramatic widening of an insider trading scandal that has ensnared hedge fund managers, top Silicon Valley executives and a bevy of white-shoe advisers.

Fannie Mae, the largest provider of funding for U.S. home loans, said on Thursday bad mortgages and a federal foreclosure prevention program left it with a $18.9 billion loss, forcing it to tap the Treasury again to plug a hole in its net worth.

Starbucks Corp raised its financial forecasts for 2010 in the latest sign a year-long turnaround effort is boosting margins and putting it back on track for growth, sending shares up 4 percent.

More than half of all Russians do not know who built the Berlin Wall, one of the most enduring symbols of the Cold War, an opinion poll showed on Thursday.

The U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution on Thursday urging Israel and the Palestinians to investigate war crimes charges leveled in a controversial U.N. report on the Gaza war.

Starbucks Corp reported a stronger-than-expected quarterly profit and raised its forecast, in the latest signs that the chain is turning around after closing cafes and slashing costs, and its shares rose 4.1 percent.

Starbucks Corp reported a stronger-than-expected quarterly profit and raised its forecast, in the latest signs that the chain is turning around after closing cafes and slashing costs, and its shares rose 4.1 percent.

Bank of America Corp CEO Ken Lewis' year-end retirement is fast approaching and the bank's search committee is still hunting for a successor.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday he did not wish to run for re-election in January, voicing disappointment at Washington for favoring Israel in arguments over re-launching peace talks.

Sanyo Electric Co Ltd plans to ramp up investment in its battery and solar business as the world's largest maker of rechargeable batteries moves closer to being acquired by Japan's Panasonic Corp, a senior executive said in an interview on Thursday.

Irish rockers U2 were among the early winners at the MTV Europe Music Awards on Thursday, picking up the best live act award hours after treating 10,000 fans to a free concert in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.

Oprah Winfrey has not yet made a decision on a possible move of her syndicated chat show -- one of the TV industry's biggest money makers -- to her new cable network OWN, her production company said on Thursday.

Widespread recovery doubts; More Caught in Trading Scandal; Microsoft-Yahoo Pact May Go Global

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday said a draft nuclear cooperation deal between Iran and three major powers will not be changed and urged Iran to accept it as is.

After being beaten by singer Chris Brown in February, pop star Rihanna felt embarrassed she fell in love with the type of man he was and left him to set an example for young women, she said in an interview on Thursday.

The U.S. Export-Import Bank on Thursday said it will provide up to $250 million to help finance exports of U.S.-built-and-designed technology used in generating renewable energy including solar, wind and geothermal.

Malawi threatened on Thursday to arrest protesting villagers blocking construction of Madonna's multi-million dollar girls academy, a new controversy for the singer in the African country where she has adopted two children.

The U.S. Congress approved more aid for jobless workers and broadened tax breaks for homebuyers and businesses on Thursday and sent the measure to President Barack Obama to sign into law.

With a close vote looming in the U.S. House of Representatives, President Barack Obama's push for healthcare reform was boosted Thursday by the support of powerful lobbies representing doctors and seniors.

A U.N. climate treaty may need an extra year beyond a December deadline to agree details, delegates at U.N. talks said on Thursday even as a U.S. Senate committee approved a carbon-capping bill.

He may not be a household name in the United States, but Michael Fassbender is fast becoming one of the hottest young stars in Hollywood.

U.S. stocks jumped on Thursday, pushing the S&P 500 up for a fourth day, as economic data boosted confidence in the recovery and strong results from Cisco Systems suggested a rebound in technology spending.