IBT Staff Reporter

UBS sought to defuse criticism over management responsibility for the bank's troubles and bonuses by posting its highest pretax profit since the credit crisis began and a big slowdown in client withdrawals.

Apple's plunge into the advertising market announced this past week gave Google a big boost in arguing for regulators to approve its acquisition of mobile advertising leader AdMob, Google CEO Eric Schmidt said on Sunday.

Warren Buffett has taken steps to minimize disruption for the day he steps down from the helm of Berkshire Hathaway Inc , but concern over his succession and a weaker insurance environment limits the stock's growth potential, Barclays Capital said.

MasterCard Inc named Chief Operating Officer Ajay Banga as chief executive officer in the culmination of a plan laid 10 months ago to ensure its leadership succession.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a flat open on Monday as euro zone finance ministers approved a massive emergency aid plan for debt-stricken Greece, easing sovereign debt concerns.

U.S. regulators did not properly supervise Washington Mutual Inc, even as the savings and loan began to crumble because of the subprime mortgage crisis, a federal investigation concluded, the New York Times reported.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Monday, aided by easing sovereign debt concerns after euro zone finance ministers approved a massive emergency aid plan for debt-stricken Greece.

Smartphone maker Palm Inc , which has not turned a profit in its battles with rivals Apple and RIM, has begun seeking offers for the firm, Bloomberg said, citing three people familiar with the situation.

(Corrects 2006/2007 profit figure to $56 million from $35 million in sixth paragraph)

U.S. stock index futures rose on Monday, aided by easing sovereign debt concerns after euro zone finance ministers approved a massive emergency aid plan for debt-stricken Greece.

Global IT spending will increase 5.3 percent this year to $3.39 trillion, boosted by strong consumer demand for PCs, and a weakening U.S. dollar, research firm Gartner said on Monday.

Japan's Sharp Corp said it would begin selling 3D-capable LCD TVs in Japan this summer, the latest consumer electronics maker to enter the market for what is expected to be the industry's next growth driver.

UBS delivered its highest pretax profit since the credit crisis began, just ahead of a likely tense shareholder meeting, and said withdrawals had slowed substantially as the bank rebuilds client trust.

Teaching staff from The University of Queensland have released an innovative learning tool to help students gain a better understanding of the core methods of direct practice in social work and the human services.

Released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), the report found that for an average person who is out of work and who has a disability, completing a VET qualification increases their likelihood of getting a job from 9% to 29% (in the first year after completion).

Although calls for reform of youth mental health by Patrick McGorry, Australian of the Year, have generated considerable support, including by GetUp, through a community launched campaign, further analysis of his opinion piece in Weekend Health called Mental health needs early care, Feb 6-7) shows an unclear interpretation of evidence.

The livestock industry and the federal government are allocating $5 million for the research on foot and mouth disease overseas, rather than importing the live virus.

Scientists at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have found that breast stem cells are extremely sensitive to the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone, a finding that opens the way for the development of new preventions and treatments for breast cancer.

Five residents around a single block in Singleton have brain tumours, rising fears that a cancer cluster has erupted in the heavily polluted Hunter Valley mining town.

Good morning dear traders, I hope you had a fine weekend and your trading was great last Friday.

Palm Inc , the loss-making smartphone maker, is looking to sell itself and is seeking bids for the company as early as this week, Bloomberg said, citing three people familiar with the situation.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Monday, helped in part by easing worries over sovereign debt after euro zone finance ministers approved a massive aid plan for debt-stricken Greece.

Further mergers among airlines are essential in order to cut costs and improve competitiveness in an industry seen sustaining combined losses of $2.8 billion this year, the head of airline industry body IATA said on Monday.

NEW YORK - After 2-1/2 years of work and an investment of about $10 million, DreamWorks Animation has started rolling out its first online virtual world -- a browser-based Web theme park tied to its Kung Fu Panda movie franchise.

UBS AG delivered its highest pretax profit since the start of the credit crisis ahead of a likely tense shareholder meeting and said withdrawals were substantially lower at all divisions.

Further mergers among airlines are essential in order to cut costs and improve competitiveness in an industry seen sustaining combined losses of $2.8 billion this year, the head of airline industry body IATA said on Monday.

New York state could glean considerable sums from UBS clients who have evaded taxes by hiding money in offshore accounts once the federal government starts handing over its data to the states, a New York state tax official said.

Japan's Sharp Corp said it would begin selling 3D TVs this summer, the latest consumer electronics maker to enter the market for what is expected to be the industry's next hit product.

The euro posted its sharpest daily gain in two months on Monday and Asian stocks hit 22-month highs after a giant emergency aid plan for Greece boosted demand for riskier assets across the board.