BUSINESS

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.

Retail sector throws up sudden twists as new format stores can upset any well run chain.

Individuals designated as suicide bombers by the ISIS are first drugged so they can perform the supposed act of martyrdom.

Equities bounced back strongly in a move triggered by a round of PMI prints from China and the eurozone. This eased some of the global growth concerns that had escalated recently and the gains managed to extend through US trade as earnings continued to impress. Results from Caterpillar, Microsoft and 3M were all strong, but Amazon didn't do particularly well after-market. Caterpillar is generally considered a bellwether for growth and while it's encouraging to see the company perform well,...

The 1-minute, 56-second advert by Australian model Miranda Kerr surely sold thousands of EasyTone sneakers for athletic shoe brand Reebok. However, an Australian Federal Court declared on Tuesday that the commercial made false claims that the shoe was better for calves, thighs and buttocks of its user.

US economic data, jobless claims rose by 17,000 to 283,000 last week. US markit "flash" manufacturing fell by 57.5 to 56.2 October. Across the sub-indices, new orders growth eased markedly, with new export sales falling sharply. US FHFA home prices rose 0.5% in August to be up 4.8% over the year. The US leading indicators index rose by 0.8% in September - pointing to solid growth economic for the rest of the year.

The WHO targets to release an Ebola blood serum within two weeks.

Canadian biopharmaceuticals firm Tekmira has started manufacturing in small numbers its TKM-Ebola drug.

Canadians are warned to take necessary precautions when travelling to the Caribbean region.

Travellers to the U.S. from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea are mandated to pass at five designated airports before being allowed entry into the country.

Australian shares are treading water ahead of an update on China's manufacturing sector at 12.45pm AEDT. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 0.1 per cent, losing ground for the first time in almost two weeks.

Growth prospects in the developed countries as well as some emerging markets look promising.