BUSINESS

Top Reason BlackBerry Rejected Justin Bieber as its Ambassador [VIDEO]

All Justin Bieber wanted from BlackBerry was $200,000 and 20 devices and he would be glad to be the company’s Ambassador. But the officials of the company, then known Research In Motion (RIM), thought it was a bad idea. Fifteen million sales of album after and $55 million earnings in the last twelve months, Bieber was no longer the rising star he was when he made the offer.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 12/9/13

The Australian share market ignored positive economic data out of China and the US and instead started the week in the red, as investors ran scared following a shock profit warning from Australia's largest insurer QBE (QBE). The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) closed lower by 37.6pts or 0.7 per cent to 5148.4 points.

Auckland Airport Taxi Drivers Go On Hunger Strike

Members of the Auckland Taxi Association are on a hunger strike starting Monday after their talk with the airport company failed. Around 180 taxi drivers at the Auckland International Airport are demanding better working conditions and taxi-rank positions among other issues.
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Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 12/9/13

Local trade on Monday was defined by continued weakness in the face of solid gains for US stocks on Friday. US markets were able to embrace the better than expected employment data (unemployment at a 5 year low with job creation beating expectations of 200k jobs added in November).

Australian Corporate Bond Price Tables

PDF file attached.Corporate bonds offer an alternative to equity investment in providing a fixed "coupon", or interest payment, unlike equities which pay (or not) non-fixed dividend payments, and a maturity date, unlike equities which are open-ended.

Australian Stock Market Report – Morning 12/9/13

In US economic news, employment (non-farm payrolls) rose by 203,000 in November, ahead of forecasts for a gain of 180,000. The unemployment rate fell from 7.3% to a five-year low of 7.0%. Meanwhile personal income fell 0.1% in October while spending rose 0.3%. And consumer sentiment rose from 75.1 to 82.5 in December.

Apple's iPhone Not Good Enough For U.S. President Barack Obama

U.S. Pres. Barack Obama, leader of the free world, has reportedly not allowed the use Apple's iPhone for security reasons. The Pentagon and the U.S. Department of Defense might have given Apple's iPhone security clearance for official use but the smartphone is apparently still not secure enough for Mr. Obama.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 12/6/13

The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) slipped by 0.2 per cent today, taking the losses this week to a significant 2.3 per cent. This makes it the worst week for local stocks in six months. Shares have fallen for five of the past six trading sessions. Volume was quite light however due to the all-important non-farm payrolls report in the U.S. tonight. This is a measure of how many jobs were added or lost in November and has the potential to set the tone for local shares and currencies next week. If much...

New Zealand Tech Companies Top Performers in Fast 500 Asia Pacific Index

New Zealand firms are in the spotlight for making it to the top 100 of the annual Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific Index. A list of the region's fastest growing technology firms was recently announced in Hong Kong with 40 Kiwi tech companies in the list, and 16 in the top 100.

Holiday 2013 Gift Guide: Top 5 Gifts for Women [PHOTOS]

There are a lot of choices for Christmas gifts meant for women. It can range from jewelry to makeup, clothes, shoes, bags, watches or even gadgets. However, due to the number of choices out there, it's difficult to choose which one to actually buy for women. The risk is that they may already have the gift you will be giving them. To help you with your shopping dilemma, here is a helpful Holiday 2013 Gift Guide featuring the Top 5 Gifts for Women.

Australian Stock Market Report – Midday 12/6/13

The selling that began with some conviction late Thursday afternoon has persisted in the early part of trade on Friday, although the ASX 200 is recovering from intraday weakness as banks pare declines. The question hanging over the market in the afternoon session will be whether it can hold the lows that have been established or will sellers continue to test the resolve of the market and gun for the low of the day which currently sits at 5154.6.

Holiday 2013 Gift Guide: Top 5 Gifts for Men [PHOTOS]

Let's face it, when it comes to gift giving, it's always difficult to find the perfect gift for the men in your life, whether he is a boyfriend, a husband, your dad, uncle or even brother. But, don't worry, here is a simple Holiday 2013 Gift Guide featuring the Top 5 Gifts for Men to give you some ideas on what to shop for this Christmas.

Australian Stock Market Report – Morning 12/6/13

In US economic news, weekly jobless claims (claims for unemployment insurance) fell by 23,000 to 298,000. The US economy grew at 3.6pct annual pace in the September quarter, up from the ´´flash´´ estimate of 2.8%. Factory orders fell by 0.9pct in October, close to forecasts. And according to Challenger, planned job layoffs fell from 45,730 to 45,314 in November.

Scariest Ad Ever? Japanese Tyre Company Gets Creative With Horror Ad [VIDEO]

Only the ads that invoke extreme sensations really get the attention of consumers. That’s why the most memorable commercials ever played on air and online are mostly either funny or poignant. But a tyre company in Japan decided to take a different yet apparently as effective route by creating what the media now calls the scariest ad ever made.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 12/5/13

The Australian sharemarket gradually extended its losses from around midday onward, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) slumping by 1.3 per cent following a flat start. The mining sector was the only thing limiting the losses for most of the day; however faded late in trade.

Apple Inc to Receive Carl Icahn's $50B Buyback Proposal in Annual Company Meeting

Billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn has reportedly submitted a proposal for Apple Inc to buy back $50 billion worth of stocks. According to CNBC, a source said Mr Icahn will present the stock buyback proposal during Apple's annual shareholders meeting. On Dec. 4, Mr Icahn posted on Twitter that he has informed Apple Inc of his intention to push for a vote for the company to increase its stock buyback program.

Vuzix M100 Smart Glasses Now Available for Preorder for $1,000 [WATCH]

The Vuzix M100 Smart Glasses, which is Google Glass' main competitor, is now available for preorder for $1,000. Compared to the price of a Google Glass developer or Explorer edition which is reportedly $1,500 or around £985 or $1,449 AUD, the Vuzix M100 Smart Glasses is relatively cheaper.

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