IBT Staff Reporter

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rejected on Monday an effort to patent a way to smooth energy costs, but pleased some high-tech industries by saying the current test for business method patents may be too narrow.

Two senior Queensland Health officials were reportedly fired ahead of the release of a report on a payroll fiasco.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York has been probing major financial firms' exposure to BP Plc to ensure that if the oil giant buckles under the costs of the Gulf oil spill, it won't put Wall Street or the global financial system at risk, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

After staging an early morning rally the Aussie dollar ran into some stiff resistance ahead of 0.8780 to pull back and enter offshore exchange around 0.8720.

U.S. President Barack Obama endorsed on Monday plans by regulators to nearly double the spectrum now available for wireless devices.

Visa may be everywhere you want to be, but not if you stick an e in front of it.

Apple Inc had sold 1.7 million units of the iPhone 4 worldwide by Saturday, June 26, its most successful product launch yet, the company said on Monday.

Europe's debt debacle poses some risks for the United States, but is unlikely to derail the country's solid economic recovery, top Federal Reserve officials said.

Since the recent dustup over the resignation and replacement of General Stanley McChrystal, I ventured out to the local bookstore to pick up the current issue of Rolling Stone magazine to read for myself the story that took down a top general in war time and what possible lessons can be learned.

U.S. stocks ended slightly lower on Monday as gains in consumer-related stocks, including tobacco shares, were offset by losses in the energy sector.

U.S. consumer spending rose moderately in May, even as savings touched the highest level in eight months, indicating a tepid economic recovery was still intact.

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an effort to patent a business method, but offered no alternative to the prevailing standard, giving little clarity to companies seeking to protect such inventions.

Turns out the rich may not be so different from you and me: They, too, are falling behind on their mortgages.

The Supreme Court upheld a ruling refusing to give a patent for a business method, but also criticized the prevailing standard for deciding whether to allow such patents.

Electric carmaker Tesla Motors raised the number of shares it will sell in its initial public offering by 20 percent, an early sign that investor interest in the startup is strong.

Stocks were little changed on Monday as data showing a rise in consumer spending was offset by investors' anxiousness before economic reports, including monthly payrolls, later in the week.

Scuba diving enthusiasts will be flipping their fins with anticipation over the news that there will soon be another wreck-site to explore off the Cayman Islands.

We travel the world for pleasure, business or to meet family and friends, and mostly, we let ourselves be transported by planes, trains, cars and whatever means are appropriate.

Bankers voiced relief on Monday after world leaders abandoned a global bank levy and eased the timetable for new capital requirements at a G20 summit in Canada which posed questions about the forum's effectiveness.

The Supreme Court said on Monday that it rejected separate appeals by cigarette makers and the Obama administration stemming from the government's racketeering lawsuit against the tobacco industry, a case that initially sought $280 billion from the industry.

The Supreme Court said on Monday that it would hear an appeal by Janus Capital Group of a ruling that reinstated a class-action securities fraud lawsuit against the mutual fund company.

Stocks rose on Monday, rebounding after losses last week and data showed consumer spending rose slightly more than expected in May.

Consumer spending rose moderately in May even as savings touched the highest level in eight months, suggesting a tepid economic recovery was still intact.

Bankers voiced relief on Monday after world leaders abandoned a global bank levy and eased the timetable for new capital requirements at a G20 summit in Canada which posed questions about the forum's effectiveness.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected separate appeals by cigarette makers and the Obama administration stemming from the government's racketeering lawsuit against the tobacco industry, a case that initially sought $280 billion from the industry.

Stock markets perked up on Monday after world leaders abandoned a global bank levy and eased the timetable for new capital requirements at a G20 summit in Canada which posed questions about the forum's effectiveness.

BP said it had spent $300 million on its Gulf of Mexico oil spill response effort in the past three days, hitting the $100 million/day spend rate for the first time and bringing its total bill to $2.65 billion so far.

Stocks fell on Monday as better-than-expected data on consumer spending failed to ease renewed caution about the economy.

Stock index futures edged higher on Monday after global leaders pledged to tackle government deficits and investors looked ahead to earnings and economic data for a rebound after Wall Street's steep decline last week.