BUSINESS

An HSBC report confirmed previous speculations that Australia would dislodge Qatar as the world's biggest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter in 2018. Its major markets would be mainly Asian nations, particularly China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and India.

One of the two things said to be permanent in life is set to hit Australians in the next four years. And it would be a painful and big hit, costing them $25 billion until 2018.

In the US, personal income rose by 0.2% in September with spending down by 0.2%. Both results were slightly weaker than expected. The final reading on consumer sentiment in October was 86.9, up from 84.6 and at a 7-year high.

Lava from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano is already threatening homes in Pahoa.

More states in the U.S. have joined New York, New Jersey and Illinois and issued much stricter regulations concerning the Ebola virus.

FIFA highly supports the staging of the World Cup 2018 in Russia.

Getting infected with Ebola is also fatal to one's pocket.

The report highlights the advantage of savings on time and travel costs despite the limited space in inner city.

A Russian government agency has warned its young people against taking selfies.

Australian shares recovered this afternoon to make up for most of the earlier losses. The ASX 200 Index fell by 0.1 per cent following a 0.8 per cent improvement on Monday.

Australian shares are falling for just the second time in 11 days, with the ASX200 down by 0.4 per cent. Despite wiping out more than half of Monday's improvements, local stock are hanging close to one month highs.

Agents from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has been directed to inspect all vessels entering the waters of United Kingdom for potential Ebola infections.

US earnings season continues to deliver as expected - estimates have been low. However, 79.8% of those companies that have reported have beaten earnings per share estimates, and 60.5% have beaten revenue estimates.

Walmart created a section on its website, named “Fat Girl Costumes.”

In the US, pending home sales rose by 0.3% in September after falling by 1% in August. US building permits were revised higher to a lift of 2.8% in September (previously 1.5%). The Markit "flash" service sector PMI slipped from 58.9 to 57.3 in October - the lowestresult since April.

Monday afternoon provided more encouragement for market optimists with the ASX 200 remaining in the vicinity of session highs over the second half of the day. This fact was impressive for the fact that miners moved back into the red as a group following a recovery earlier in the morning.

Civil rights groups in the U.S. are worried the mandatory isolation for people returning from Ebola infected nations could set off abuse of police powers.

In Raqqa, the ISIS continues to administer its caliphate government with very visible warnings of its strict terror.

GDF Suez and BP have discovered a major UK North Sea source of oil.

Apple shares have surged to a new high last week when stock price surged beyond the $100 mark.

Global markets are focusing on Europe this morning as results from the ECB's stress tests were finally released. The results were relatively in line with expectations despite announcing an overall gross capital shortfall of €24.6 billion. This equates to around 0.2% of the region's GDP and was spread across 25 banks. Regardless, the main takeaway was the fact some banks have already embarked in some recapitalisation and this has reduced the shortfall to a mere €9.5 billion (from 13 banks...

Apple has another PR crisis up its way for its newly launched iPad Air 2 courtesy of a YouTube user named Martin Macht who did a bend test on the device.

Australian shares improved for the fourth time this week, taking the gains for the five days to 2.65 per cent. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) rose by 0.55 per cent today with no sectors missing out on the gains.

Australia's fertility rate has declined to its lowest in 10 years. Low confidence in the economy may be holding back people from investing in family.

Jennifer Lawrence bought a new property.

Australian shares are rising for the eighth time in nine sessions and have completely made up for yesterday's pullback. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is up 0.3 per cent or 19pts to 5388. If the gains are maintained this afternoon this will be the best week for local shares since mid-February.

Medical historian Dr. Howard Markel of the University of Michigan said this won't be the first time health practitioners will refuse patients afflicted with a deadly virus as like that of the Ebola.

Edward Baptist's book pointing out that slavery was the foundation of US economic development lures a lot of interest.

The LG G Watch R will be available for purchase in European countries, North America, Asia and others through retail sites and Play Store in November.