BUSINESS

In US economic data, the Markit ´´flash´´ manufacturing purchasing manager's index rose from 56.4 to 57.5 in June, above forecasts near 56.5. Existing home sales rose by 4.9% to a 4.89 million annual rate in May, above forecasts of 4.73m. And the national activity index rose from minus 0.15 points to +0.21 points in May.

It was a solid start to the trading week, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) adding just over 31 points by the close of 0.6 per cent to 5432.7 points after China factory data came in above expectations.

Lego Group launches Lego Fusion that allows Lego fans to transform their physical Lego creations to the virtual world

World Cup fans can watch their favourite SBS content in single screen with the HbbTV beta launch

Two weeks ago, Beaufort Securities started its coverage on the shares of Audioboom Group PLC (BOOM.L) and issued a speculative buy rating for the company's stock.

Apple Inc. iWatch is reportedly ready for launch anytime soon but is being delayed due to a certification from the US Food and Drug Administration

The Australian sharemarket is kicking off the new week a little firmer, thanks to another record close in U.S. markets on Friday and some better than expected Chinese economic news this morning. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is up 0.9 per cent, with all sectors in the black at lunch.

Google's Loon project continues testing in New Zealand as balloons resembling jellyfishes float over skies to beam Wi-Fi. Last week, a balloon fell off the coast of New Zealand's South Island and terrified a bystander who called emergency services thinking it was a plane crash.

Risk currencies got off to a bit of a negative start this morning, despite a lack of fresh sentiment drivers for the region. Perhaps some reports suggesting escalating Iraq tension have seen risk modestly offered this morning. This is despite US equities finishing the week on a modestly positive note in a fairly quiet session. The only notable news out of the weekend were comments by ECB President Mario Draghi suggesting the ECB has prolonged banks' access to unlimited liquidity up to the end...

In US economic data, the Economic Cycle Research Institute index was up by 4.4% on a year earlier in the latest week, down from 4.5% in the previous week.

The ouster of former American Apparel Dov Charney is far from over. Charney hired a lawyer to battle his removal from the company he established in 1998 and grew.

The losses accelerated for the Australian sharemarket, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) slumping by 0.82 per cent. Despite today's weakness local shares still managed to rise by 0.3 per cent this week thanks to a 1.5 per cent surge on Thursday.

The ongoing construction work in quake-damaged Christchurch has boosted New Zealand's economy growth to its fastest rate in six years.

China's Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR) has announced the country has increased its 2014 mining quotes on light rare earths at 105,000 tonnes, a jump of 12 per cent from last year. Mining quotas for heavy rare earths and tungsten, in the meantime, were retained at 2013 levels.

It has been said that print media's survival is at risk because of new media. More people have stopped buying the traditional newspaper and instead shifted to the Internet or television and radio for news.

Almost 3 million Australians are downloading from Pirate Bay and Kickass Torrent

Japan is set to deploy into outer space two satellites that will specifically monitor the environmental damages made around the crippled Fukushima and Chernobyl nuclear power plants. The lift off will occur from a Russian space centre in the Ural region.

The Australian sharemarket is losing ground for the third time this week, with almost all sectors in the red at lunch. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down by 0.5 per cent, taking some of the shine off yesterday's 1.5 per cent surge. U.S. markets managed to edge higher despite the threat of further military intervention in Iraq.

A Brazil-bound Air Canada flight has been forced to return to Pearson Airport in Toronto after security was breached at Canada's largest airport.

In an irony of ironies, American Apparel CEO Dov Charney was fired on Wednesday by the board of directors from the company he founded for lack of apparel while dancing in front of two female employees.

Apple Inc has become a favorite stock of environmental mutual funds due to the company's efforts to "go green." Environment-conscious mutual fund managers are taking notice of Apple stock as it strives to become a socially and environmentally responsible company.

US equities inched higher yet again after a strong recovery off the lows. Unemployment claims and the Philly Fed manufacturing index continued to show good signs that the US economy is in a recovery. While equities continued to eke out gains, the highlight of the session was the rally in gold. After testing a key downtrend resistance twice this week, gold was finally off to the races after breaking this downtrend. With the Fed maintaining its dovish stance and Europe ready to provide unprecedent...

US President Obama has announced that the US will send 300 military advisers to Iraq and was still keeping open the possibility of targeted air strikes against rebel forces.

The fear of many Australian to be disconnected happened on Thursday when outage hit the three telecommunication companies, cutting Aussies off from their mobile phones.

The drop in demand for the key steelmaking ingredient continues that a major Australian exporter of iron ore further lowered this week its price of the commodity, while on miner went into administration.

Fresh record highs in US markets overnight helped local shares post their biggest gains of 2014. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) rose by 1.5 per cent, finishing above 5400pts for the first time in a week and largely making up for last week's 1.1 per cent tumble. Volume was also healthy due to index option expiry today. This tends to result in a spike in market activity.

The Australian sharemarket has broken a two day losing streak, helped by fresh record highs in US markets. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is up 0.9 per cent, making it the best day for local shares in over two months.

London-based Audioboom Group PLC (LSE: BOOM.L) is on an expansion mode. The provider of social media platform for audio producers to record either live or from the studio, upload and share audio by syndication and social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook has now about 2,000 content channels.

Apple Inc. is granted a faceprinting patent that automatically recognises ‘iconic images’