BUSINESS

Australian holders of Visa credit cards, which are susceptible to hacking and other fraudulent practices, could soon bid their plastic money good-bye. Such move is possible if they buy new Android smartphones and download an app developed by Aussie payments product provider Cuscal.

A seven-page memo to Qantas staff that was leaked to media said that 26 managers will get the axe as part of the embattled air carrier's cost-cutting programme in a bid to save $2 billion over three years.

Local stocks gained a little ground in afternoon trade and managed to finish off the day's lows, although still in the red. Following weakness on offshore markets overnight, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) closed lower by 27.5 points or 0.5 per cent to 5359.7.

Samsung confirmed that the Galaxy S5 will be launching in Australia on April 11

The Australian share market is trading lower on Thursday, down 0.9 per cent at lunchtime in the East following weakness on Wall Street overnight.

The World Trade Organization has ruled on a case lodged against China, saying the latter's restrictions of its rare earths exports violated global trade rules.

While yesterday's trade was dominated by the prospect of stimulus measures from the ECB and PBoC, today's trade looks like it will concentrate on a 'neutral' RBA. Although most describe the RBA as neutral, comments from Governor Glenn Stevens are taking the RBA right to the edge between neutral and hawkish.

In US economic data, durable goods rose 2.2% in February, following two months of declines. However orders for non-defence capital goods excluding aircraft (a proxy for business spending plans) unexpectedly fell 1.3% after rising 0.8% in January. The Markit ´´flash´´ services sector PMI rose from 53.3 to 55.5 in March.

With the three largest producers of iron ore in Australia targeting large increases in their output for the key steelmaking ingredient, the Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE) lowered on Wednesday its forecast for the commodity.

IT decision makers and businesses prefer the Apple Inc's Mac OS over Microsoft's Windows. According to a new survey in IT enterprises, almost half of them offer Macs to their employees while majority think Apple is more reliable than Microsoft in computer operating systems.

The Australian share market rose convincingly today, helped out by strong gains from our mining players and a positive offshore lead. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) closed off the highs of the day, but managed to rise 36.2 points or 0.7 per cent by close to 5387.2.

Apple sold its 500 millionth iPhone

The Australian share market is performing strongly at lunchtime in the East, following a rebound on European and US share markets overnight. European markets rose on Tuesday, lifted by expectations of stimulus measures from the European Central Bank, while a rebound in biotech shares helped Wall Street.

Effective end of April, Air Canada Rouge, Air Canada's low-cost subsidiary, will expand its service in Western Canada to serve a number of predominantly leisure markets.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has announced that the European Union has agreed to consider a free trade deal with New Zealand. Mr Key said that if the deal will push through, it would be a breakthrough for the country. Mr Key has discussed plans with the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission at the Nuclear Security Summit at Netherlands' The Hague. While attending the summit, Mr Key has been working to secure a free trade deal with EU countries since New Zealan...

The World Health Organization has ruled out that the Ebola-like symptoms of a Canadian traveler who recently went to Liberia in West Africa.

Will the iPhone 6 release date come a little sooner in the face of forecasted weaker results for Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) in the current quarter, likely extending far into the second half of 2014?

The bets are growing that further stimulus measures across Europe and China will be introduced over the coming months, as both the ECB and the PBoC look to give confidence and economic growth a further nudge.

In US economic data, the Conference Board consumer confidence measure lifted from 78.2 to 82.3 in March -a six-year high. Better weather and an improving labour market could lift confidence further. The S&P/Case-Shiller composite index of home prices in 20 metropolitan areas rose 0.8% in January. Prices rose 13.2% on a year ago. New home sales fell by 3.3% in February to an annual rate of 440,000 - the lowest level since September.

Embattled Malaysia Airlines, which is already spending a lot of money taking care of relatives of the 239 people aboard the ill-fated Flight 370, should brace for more expenses as its declaration that the passengers and crew are considered dead could lead to huge compensation claims.

Following the Monday night TV announcement by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak that the missing Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 jet likely crashed into the Indian Ocean, families of the 239 passenger and crew expressed grief and anger.

Rumoured iPhone 6 to Boost Apple (AAPL) Stock

The Australian share market closed in the red today, but managed to rally off earlier lows as mining stocks lifted into positive territory and as several companies lifted their earnings guidance.

Flappy Bird Creator Dong Nguyen will be incorporating the message, "Please take a break," in the game. The game author has plans to return his hit game to the App Store, according to several consultations of the app developer with his fans.

The campaign to establish if the male fruit fly that scared New Zealand in January was part of a breeding population has cost taxpayers a whopping $1 million.

The debate on big vs. small screen is a never ending saga. Although there are many parameters one would consider before choosing a handset, the screen size is always the deal breaker.

Sellers have dictated terms in early trade on the ASX on Tuesday. The unconvincing tone on Wall St in addition to underlying concerns about the state of Chinese growth have been enough to keep every ASX sector in the red.

Apple Inc shares are expected to get a boost from the release of the new iPhone anticipated to have a bigger screen. According to the latest edition of Barron's, Apple stock could increase by 20 per cent in 2015. The iPhone 6 is rumoured to be launched in the summer or fall. Since the iPhone 5S hit the market last September 2013, Apple's flagship product still continues to enjoy solid sales despite several critics saying the iPhone 5S lacks innovation. The premium iPhone is in stores for ...

When iPhone 5C has been released, there were many negative feedbacks and criticisms mainly brought by the plastic appearance of the phone, which was far-off from Apple's expected standards.