The demise of the HD DVD video disc format appeared to hand the future of home entertainment to Blu-ray, but struggles continue.

A partnership with Netflix will bring access to the 12,000 films and shows in its Watch Instantly library.

Faced with declining advertising revenue, The Times joins many other newspapers across the country in a break with tradition.

The 7 inch single is still making music after 60 years

Reuters - Asian stocks hit a two-month high on Monday, with investors betting the global economy will start to recover later this year by shedding some of their big holdings of safe-haven government bonds.

Reuters - Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC was examined at least eight times in 16 years by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other regulators, who often came armed with suspicions, the Wall Street Journal said.

Reuters - Japan's Sony Corp is likely to announce closures of Japanese factories and major divisions early next month, the Times of London said on Monday, but the company denied any such plan existed.

AFP - More than 40 Hong Kong toy makers who lost money following the collapse of US retailer KB Toys said Monday they would be seeking compensation from trading firm Li & Fung.

The price of oil rises above $47 a barrel on fears of heightened Middle East tension after Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Waterford Wedgwood appoints a receiver and says some of its subsidiaries are set to be placed into administration.

European Union officials are to meet to assess the impact of falling gas supplies after the Russia-Ukraine dispute.

Reuters - Asian stocks rose to a two-month high on Monday, with expectations for a global economic recovery later this year on the back of massive government spending prompting investors to wade back into riskier assets.

Global stocks were mostly higher Monday, adding to their New Year gains for a second session.

Stock markets in Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong have a strong start to 2009 on hopes of fresh stimulus packages.

US President-elect Barack Obama is due to meet Congressional leaders on Monday to sell them his multi-billion dollar stimulus package.

European Union envoys are to discuss their response as several countries report falling Russian gas supplies.

The final closure of the remaining 200 Woolworth stores will take place on Tuesday, the retailer's administrator says.

Reuters - Investors jumped into equities on Monday, the first full day of 2009 trading for many, as low prices and hopes for a global economic recovery later this year prompted a shift into riskier assets.

A number of firms owned by Waterford Wedgwood enter administration, as the parent firm appoints a receiver.

Vehicle sales in Japan fell 22% in December compared with the same month in 2007, making it the worst December on record.

Classic 20th century designs including Concorde, the telephone kiosk and mini skirt are in the Royal Mail's next special stamp set.

Adams Childrenswear closes 111 of its 271 stores in the UK, five days after calling in the administrators.

Global stocks were mostly higher Monday, adding to their New Year gains for a second session.

The chief executive of Apple, Steven P. Jobs, announced that he was being treated for a ?hormone imbalance? but was staying on as head of the company.

Steve Jobs, head of Apple, has disclosed in a statement that he is being treated for a hormone imbalance.

There has been no substantial disruption to European gas supplies due to a dispute between Russia and Ukraine, the EU says.

How Waterford Wedgwood ran out of steam

Reuters - Pfizer Inc , the world's biggest pharmaceutical group, is open to acquisitions, its chief executive Jeff Kindler told the Financial Times in an interview.

Reuters - Stocks fell in opening trading on Monday as investors took profits on strong gains racked up last week, offsetting bets that President-elect Barack Obama's plan for tax cuts will help revive the economy.

Stocks fell in early trading as car companies prepared to release what are expected to be weak year-end auto sales.

Construction spending fell less than expected as record activity on nonresidential projects helped offset another steep decline in housing, the government said.

The book retailer said that George L. Jones would be succeeded by Ron Marshall, a private equity executive with experience turning around ailing companies.

Margaret Thatcher's economics adviser, Sir Alan Walters, dies, aged 82.

Reuters - Tyson Foods Inc Chief Executive Dick Bond said on Monday that he was leaving the No. 1 U.S. meat company, effective immediately.

Reuters - Walgreen Co's sales at drugstores open at least a year rose in December, while Rite Aid Corp's showed a decline as cash-strapped consumers bought just the basics even during the holiday season.

AP - The Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Monday it has begun purchasing mortgage-backed securities in an effort to bolster the battered housing market.

Other major automakers, including foreign and domestic brands, were expected to report even bleaker numbers.

The trustee overseeing Bernard L. Madoff?s firm has sent the forms to customers seeking to recover collectively billions from the money manager?s alleged Ponzi scheme.

The program is aimed at driving down the price of mortgages and making home loans more available.

The food company, facing volatile commodity prices, weak demand and an oversupply of meat, said Richard L. Bond would be replaced by a former chief executive, Leland E. Tollett.

US President-elect Barack Obama is seeing Congressional leaders to discuss his stimulus plan, which reports say could total $800bn.

Lady Thatcher leads tributes to her 'fearless' economics adviser Sir Alan Walters, who has died aged 82.

Reuters - Ford Motor Co said on Monday its U.S. auto sales fell 32.4 percent in December, including all of its brands, as the U.S. auto industry suffered pressure from the downturn in the U.S. economy.

Reuters - Shares of top phone companies AT&T Inc and Verizon Communications Inc fell on Monday after Bernstein Research downgraded their ratings and price targets.

Sales fell 37 percent at Toyota, 35 percent at Honda and 32 percent at the Ford. G.M. and Nissan reported 31 percent declines over December a year ago.

After three sessions of gains that fueled hopes for a January rebound, Wall Street fell as car companies released December sales and oil prices clawed back from five-year lows.

Steven P. Jobs said that he was being treated for a hormone imbalance but would remain in his job.

House members are seeking answers as to how Bernard L. Madoff was able to hide his alleged Ponzi scheme.

The Ministry of Public Security and six other agencies would work together ?to purify the Internet?s cultural environment,? the government said in a statement.

The 250-year old Irish maker of luxury crystal and ceramics said its main businesses were placed into receivership after it failed to find a buyer.

Japanese carmaker Subaru sees US sales climb in 2008, amid grim sales figures in the rest of the industry.

Reuters - Chrysler says U.S. sales fall 53 percent in December from year earlier.

Reuters - A new bail hearing was set for Monday in the Bernard Madoff case, according to a source, with the accused swindler showing up at the courthouse.

Lawmakers said the agency ?failed miserably? after warnings that could have uncovered the alleged scheme.

For business travelers facing sudden illness or acts of terrorism, several companies offer help.

Passed over for the top job, Philip Bennett decides it is time to leave.

Doctors will be able to make face-to-face Web calls on patients in Hawaii starting Jan. 15.

US carmakers report sharp falls in their sales in December as the economic slowdown drives customers away from showrooms.

The US Congress begins an inquiry into a suspected $50bn (£32bn) fraud allegedly run by the American hedge fund manager, Bernard Madoff.

Russia's Vladimir Putin tells Gazprom to reduce gas sent via Ukraine to Europe over allegations Kiev is siphoning some off.

Reuters - Major automakers reported U.S. sales in December that plunged by more than a third, closing out the weakest year for the battered industry in over a decade and a half in its largest single market.

Reuters - General Electric Co's finance arm on Monday launched a $10 billion sale of FDIC-backed debt, the largest sale under the government guarantee program since its inception last November.

Reuters - The Federal Reserve on Monday kick-started its latest unconventional program to boost the moribund economy, this time taking aim at the heart of the slumping housing market.

The disgraced financier Bernard L. Madoff tried to hide at least $1 million in assets from government investigators, federal prosecutors told a judge Monday.

President-elect Barack Obama took his recovery package to Capitol Hill, working to build a bipartisan coalition to endorse his plan of tax cuts and new spending.

The measures are those that the Bush administration opposed, vetoed or declined to act upon.

For business travelers facing sudden illness or acts of terrorism, several companies offer help.

High manufacturing costs, declining demand for luxury goods in the current economic downturn, and a weak dollar overstretched the finances at the Irish maker of luxury crystal and ceramics.

The book retailer said that George L. Jones would be succeeded by Ron Marshall, a private equity executive with experience turning around ailing companies.

US President-elect Barack Obama says that America's economy is very sick and that the situation is worsening.

A ban on the short-selling of financial shares is to be lifted, the UK's financial regulator confirms.

The final closure of the remaining 200 Woolworths stores is due to take place, the retailer's administrator says.

Reuters - Legislation designed to stem foreclosures by allowing bankruptcy judges to erase some mortgage debt will be introduced by Congressional Democrats on Tuesday, and hopes are high that it will pass after a similar plan failed last year.

Gasoline prices have risen by several cents amid indicators that the national average could jump to $2 a gallon or higher this spring.

The measures are those that the Bush administration opposed, vetoed or declined to act upon.

The food company, facing volatile commodity prices, weak demand and an oversupply of meat, said Richard L. Bond would be replaced by a former chief executive, Leland E. Tollett.

Reuters - U.S. auto sales plunged by 36 percent in December led by outsized declines at Chrysler LLC, Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) and Toyota Motor Corp(7203.T) as the battered industry closed out its weakest year since 1992 in its largest single market.

The across-the-board decline in car sales is certain to put more pressure on the fragile finances of manufacturers.

Bernard L. Madoff tried to hide at least $1 million in assets from investigators, prosecutors told a judge.

Some 10,000 air operators would lose at least some of their exemption status if a new security plan is adopted.

After three sessions of gains that fueled hopes for a January rebound, Wall Street fell as car companies released December sales and oil prices clawed back from five-year lows.

HBO?s ?Big Love? is beginning an aggressive ad campaign to remind its audience just what was happening to the polygamous Henrickson family.

A reporter goes on the trail of an annoying airport announcement.

President-elect Barack Obama is working to build a bipartisan coalition to endorse his plan of tax cuts and new spending.

The S.E.C. has been deteriorating for years. Rebuilding it will require political backing and greater industry expertise.

The financial crisis left last year with the fewest public offerings of venture-backed start-ups since 1977.

The Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation agreed to buy TV Guide Network and TVGuide.com from the Macrovision Solutions Corporation for $255 million.

As far as some travelers are concerned, making the best of travel means meeting new people.

Many heavy hitters on Wall Street, even those who did not get burned badly, should be glad that 2008 is history.

Russia's Gazprom cuts gas transiting Ukraine by a fifth, accusing Kiev of stealing gas intended for EU states.

Reuters - Asian stocks edged up for a seventh day on Tuesday, boosted by hopes for a global economic recovery later in 2009, though the rising yen and falling high-yielding currencies suggested such optimism was limited.