BUSINESS

LG Electronics has denied claims that its smart TVs record household conversations in standby mode, while researchers allege the sets captured audio, mapped networks and sent data to LG Ad Solutions.

Elon Musk has threatened legal action against Alex Gibney over a critical documentary, disputing claims about Starlink and denouncing the film before its scheduled US theatrical release.

Paladin Energy shares fell 9.5% after brokers lowered production forecasts for its Namibian mine and warned that developing its Canadian project could require a major capital raise.

Frontier Communications customers reported internet outages early Friday, marking the second disruption reported this week as Downdetector recorded a surge in complaints and Frontier had yet to explain the cause.

Capstone Copper shares fell 8.6% amid a broad mining-sector sell-off, despite second-quarter revenue exceeding estimates and continued positive analyst sentiment towards the copper producer.

Develop Global shares fell 10.06% to $4.83 amid broader ASX weakness, despite strong year-to-date gains and upcoming decisions on its Pioneer Dome lithium project.

Insurance Australia Group shares gained 3.14% as Australian financial stocks rebounded, while investors assessed the insurer's earnings, dividend outlook, RACQ acquisition and sector prospects.

The ASX 200 fell 0.75% on Friday for its fourth straight decline as surging oil prices, higher bond yields and Middle East tensions unsettled investors.

SolarWinds acknowledged an ongoing Service Desk incident affecting North American users after Downdetector recorded a surge in reports, with the company investigating elevated 500 errors and offering no resolution timeline.

Apple introduces the iPhone Duo, its first foldable phone, priced at $1,999. It features a unique design and competes with Samsung and Google's foldables in terms of size, weight, and functionality.

BARCELONA, Spain — People with asthma who started semaglutide, the drug sold as Ozempic and Wegovy, had nearly 40% fewer attacks than similar patients on older diabetes pills, researchers told a European lung meeting this week.

Western Digital shares fell 2.7% as investors locked in gains from AI storage trades. Despite strong fiscal 2026 results, the stock's rally cooled, prompting questions about future earnings visibility.

SanDisk's stock surged over 630% in 2026 due to AI-related NAND flash memory demand, despite a recent pullback. The company forecasts strong future growth with new business agreements and strategic shifts.

SK Hynix shares fell amid a broader memory chip sector pullback, despite strong AI-driven demand and recent upgrades from financial institutions citing tight supply and robust demand for AI chips.

Intel's stock fell 5.5% following a $20 billion share sale and Apple's move away from Intel Macs. Despite strong revenue growth, Intel faces challenges with market dynamics and future investments.

Micron Technology's stock fell amid a broader semiconductor decline, despite strong performance driven by a global memory chip shortage and AI demand. Investors await its upcoming earnings report.

AMD shares fell amid broader semiconductor sector weakness, despite strong business fundamentals and significant growth in AI infrastructure partnerships and data center revenue throughout 2026.

Nvidia's $20 billion deal with AI startup Groq is under DOJ investigation for potential antitrust issues, raising concerns about competition in the AI chip industry and impacting Nvidia's stock.

Apple's launch of the foldable iPhone Duo has drawn mixed reactions from analysts, with some predicting significant revenue impact while others remain sceptical about consumer adoption.

Japan's Nikkei 225 index rose 0.20% as easing oil prices and bond yields provided relief, despite a strong yen and looming Bank of Japan rate hike concerns.

Sue Bird and LeBron James feature in Polymarket's new ad campaign, sparking debate over athlete involvement in prediction markets amidst legal scrutiny and competition with rival Kalshi.

AT&T CEO John Stankey views Apple's foldable iPhone Duo as another niche product, questioning its broad appeal despite Apple's strong market influence and competitive pricing.

OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra model has achieved significant milestones, including passing a 48-step CAPTCHA test and demonstrating advanced cybersecurity capabilities, while AI-generated characters are making waves in Hollywood.

Apple introduces the foldable iPhone Duo, featuring a unique StandBy mode that transforms it into a bedside clock. The device offers a 7.6-inch display and advanced features for $1,999.

Jacob Coxon, a former AI researcher at Anthropic, resigned, warning that AI advancements could pose an existential threat to humanity by 2030, urging for responsible development and coordination among labs.

Samsung and Apple are competing in the foldable phone market with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and iPhone Duo. Apple's pricing strategy and Samsung's marketing efforts highlight the intense rivalry.

South Korea's KOSPI index hovers above 7,000 amid rising oil prices and AI demand. Memory stocks and energy costs create market volatility, with institutional and retail investors reacting differently.

Apple announces the iPhone Duo, its first foldable phone, with preorders starting October 16 and availability in over 70 countries by October 23, following a staggered release strategy.

Cameron Howlett, founder of Independent Wealth Partners, champions independent financial advice in Victoria, rejecting commissions to ensure client-focused guidance. His approach has earned industry recognition and client trust.