COMPANIES

After Apple's record June quarter earnings report, analysts and investors look forward to the launch of the iPhone 6. The highly anticipated next generation iPhone is a "significant factor" in the current economic activity in several economies in Asia.

A widow from Florida, Cynthia Robinson, won $23.6 billion in a lawsuit against the second-largest tobacco company in the United Stated, R.J. Reynolds.

The planned initial public offering (IPO) of Healthscope is expected to raise for the second-largest hospital operator in Australia $2.12 billion with private equity giants TPG Capital Management and Carlyle Group reportedly pricing the shares at $1.98, the upper end of the target range, Reuters reported.

It is not only Australians who would be affected by the cuts made in Radio Australia's budget, but also residents of nearby Pacific isles who rely on the broadcaster for weather updates.

Three of the big four banks in Australia cut their fixed interest rates on Wednesday to below 5 per cent as part of a rate war among the lenders. The rate war provides borrowers the opportunity to enjoy record-low interest rates on the long term.

The consensus in the global aviation industry is that embattled Malaysian Airlines is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. With two major air mishaps that could create a minimum $80 million hole in the Kuala Lumpur-based company's shaky finances, it would not be a surprise to hear the air carrier announcing its closure soon.

Two tech world giants, Apple and IBM recently decided to partner up on a project and expand their market.

The fruits peaches, plouts, nectarines, and plums which come from California were being recalled in the United States and Canada for possible contamination of bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes.

Apple Inc has released its official Q3 earnings report after the end of market trading on July 22. The company posted profits of $7.7 billion from a $37.4 billion in revenues. Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote in the earnings release that the company's record June quarter was due to the strong sales performance of the iPhone, Mac and continuous growth of the iOS ecosystem.

The largest snack food company in New Zealand is sold to the Philippines' Universal Robina Corporation (URC) for NZ$700 million or US$609 million. Griffins, owned by Pacific Equity Partners which is a private equity fund manager in Australia, will be paid NZ$100 immediately.

Fairfax Media Chief Executive Greg Hywood reaffirmed the company's commitment to radio amid talks it is discussing a merger with Macquarie Radio Network. He said at a Melbourne Press Club event that the 180-year-old newspaper company is thriving, while adjusting to new commercial reality and creating new revenues.

McDonald’s and KFC workers allegedly kept food on the floor before serving their customers. They have also been accused of mixing fresh meat with “expired” meat.

Foxconn and Pegatron Corp, the manufacturing partners of Apple Inc, will start mass production of 4.7 inches iPhone 6 on the third week of July and 5.5 inches iPhone 6 on the second week of August

Only Shanghai gained 0.17 per cent or 3.48 points to 2,059.07 over the weekend at the close of bourses in the Asian market, while most of the major stock exchange in the region logged losses after the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was hit by a missile and crashed on Thursday.

Almost $1.5 million would be deducted from Malaysian Airlines shaky finances as the embattled air carrier announced on Monday that it would grant $5,000 assistance to each of the families of the 298 victims of MH 17

The two houses of Australia's Parliament have passed on Friday legislation that would ease foreign ownership restrictions on flag carrier Qantas. However, the airline would still remain 51 per cent or majority owned by Australia.

Even before Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 disappeared mysteriously on March 8, 2014, the embattled air carrier was already struggling financially. The incident worsened the airline's financial standing as passengers, scared by what happened, cancelled bookings, while the company had to shoulder a lot of extra expenses related to the search and tending to the needs of the relatives of the 239 people aboard the ill-fated plane.

Line App - a leading messaging app filed for an Initial Public Offering two weeks ago in Tokyo Stock Exchange and valued at $9.85 billion.

The Sydney Federal Court approved on Thursday the $2.2 billion sale of Australian department store David Jones to Woolworths Holdings of South Africa. The go signal came after shareholders of the second-largest department store in the country approved the sale on Monday.

A computer glitch hit Australian grocery giant Woolworths on Thursday afternoon, causing scanners to charge as free items with price tags below $10.

Cleveland Clinic has secured the number one position in hospitals for cardiology and heart surgery for the twentieth time in a row.

According to a report by CNN, Disney theme park employees were arrested for alleged kiddie-sex crimes.

Sydney business leaders sought freer trader to boost growth in trade and capital and to create jobs. However, they stayed away from the issue of profit-sharing and climate change, which are considered vital issues by many G20 nations.

Finance experts have reiterated time and again that relying on savings to fund one's retirement is not advisable because inflation eats up the actual value of a person's retirement nest.

Porn producers are complaining that companies are keeping away from them, noting the change in tolerance for the X-rated industry especially after several HIV scares as some actors tested positive for the disease.

It is a sad day for the mainstream radio industry in Australia on Monday, July 14, as Radio Australia anticipates major job cuts. However, this fact-of-life among employees of being axed during hard times could be an opportunity for broadcasters to try new platforms to continue with their careers.

Charges of sexual harassment have been slapped against a top female executive of Yahoo! in California by one of her former female employees.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe capped his three-day visit to Australia by signing a free trade agreement (FTA) with Australia, which opens Japan's $5 trillion market to the Land Down Under.

After an erratic night of trading in Europe and the US the Aussie market started weaker but within the first 2 hours of trade managed to rally out of the red.