BUSINESS

It was a photo contest not meant to show the most vivid, beautiful and eye-turning picture. It was a photo contest meant to show off the most thought-provoking and livid picture that would most perfectly capture the state of Florida's water pollution problem.

Google Play gift cards are now going to be available in Canada.

Eighty-six per cent of consumer payments by Australians are done in other ways except cash, indicating how far ahead if the country in terms of becoming a cashless society.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed down 58 points or 0.4% while the S&P fell 0.1% to 1693 and the Nasdaq was flat.

The themes seen in early trade remained in place this afternoon. Volumes remained low as investors remained wary of US political developments.

Apple Inc CEO Tim Cook and billionaire investor Carl Icahn met for the first time in a cordial dinner and talked about a $150 billion share buyback. Mr Icahn disclosed in Aug. 2013 that he has a $1 billion stake in Apple Inc.

The World Economic Forum had its first Human Capital Index of the most successful countries in the world

One analyst says that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) still is a cheap stock

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) region stands to gain between 38 and 57 million additional international tourist arrivals by 2016 from visa facilitation and could lead to 2.6 million more jobs in APEC economies. These are the findings of a research report released by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). The findings of the report were presented at the APEC High Level Policy Dialogue held in Bali, Indonesia on Tuesday.

Another Apple iOS 7.02 security flaw through Siri was reported by an Israeli researcher

The Aussie dollar remains higher despite the U.S. government shutdown

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry arrived at his team's media day wearing something radically different. Instead of wearing Nike shoes, as he had been doing for the past four years, he was wearing Under Armour.

The Australian stock market pushed slightly higher at the open, following gains in US and European markets informed by hopes that the partial United States government shutdown will not seriously harm the economy.

Those already looking forward to their retirement may also well plan ahead for their golden age years. According to a Global AgeWatch Index report released by the UN Population Fund and advocacy group HelpAge International, the best country to grow old into is Sweden because of its superb social support, education and health coverage.

Two weeks after Apple made available two next-generation iPhone models in retail outlets in the U.S., the company's iPhone 5S was named by Business Insider as the best smartphone in a list of 15 mobile devices for October 2013.

Australia's property debate is turning into an all-out war. The property spruikers are taking a beating from all sides these days. How times have changed.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 62 points or 0.4% while the S&P gained 0.8% to 1695 as the Nasdaq rose 1.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) finished the session low - Oct. 1

The Australian share market has closed modestly lower on what was a very busy day for investors around the globe.

By 2016, Australia will be having its quietest hospital. For completion in three year's time, the new Royal Adelaide Hospital will be housing 800 beds with state-of-the-art facilities, including a helipad sitting atop its southwest corner.

The federal government of India, which seriously intends to cut the country's gold imports, has called on its many wealthy Hindu temples to disclose their gold holdings. But the institutions flatly rejected it, invoking the all familiar religious cliché 'God forbids.'

Gina Rinehart, Australia's richest person, stunned the New South Wales Supreme Court on Tuesday when she ended the prolonged family feud with her two estranged adult children. Ms Rinehart told the court she would step down as head of the Hope Margaret Hancock Trust as sought by John Hancock and Bianca Hope Rinehart.

The Australian share market is trading slightly firmer at lunchtime in the East, as US lawmakers scramble to make an 11th hour agreement on budget changes ahead of the October 1 deadline. If changes can't be agreed, there will be a shutdown of many (mainly non-essential) US government services. The looming deadline impacted offshore trade overnight, sending the Dow Jones Index down 0.8 per cent.

Apple iOS-powered tablet falls behind Android-powered tablets in terms of market share.

The October 17 release date of Windows 8.1 OS is barely two weeks away and Microsoft is ready with its first advertisement that highlights the return of the Start button.

Apple's iPhone has often been compared to Samsung smartphones or the mobile devices of other top cellphone brands such as HTC and Sony.

What emerging market trades for less than six times earnings and pays 4%?

By Greg PeelThe Dow fell 128 points or 0.8% while the S&P lost 0.6% and the Nasdaq dropped 0.4%.Here's a turn up.

By Greg PeelThe short burst of enthusiasm witnessed on the spot uranium market two weeks ago ran out of legs last week once the handful of prospective buyers were filled on their orders and left, industry consultant TradeTech reports.