BUSINESS

The global potash cartel just broke up on Tuesday when Uralkali, the major Russian player, announced that it just ended its export partnership while accusing its former Belarus partner of operating outside their deal.

Google finally rolled out the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update. The latest update provides users with a software command that can prevent operating systems slowdown. In 2012, many users expressed their concerns about system lags on the first Nexus 7.

Overnight US share markets closed mixed as cautious investing pushed the DOW down 1pt at the end of trade ahead of the outcome of the Federal Reserve meeting later tonight. There was a large sell-off in material and energy shares and a shakeup in the potash sector hurt the broader market but we have not seem too much of a reaction on our market today.

At least two people have died from the heat wave currently enveloping eastern and southern China, which on Tuesday has breached the 35 degrees C (95 degrees F) mark. For the first time ever, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) has activated a level two emergency heat wave response as meteorologists forecast temperatures could reach 38 degrees C to 41 degrees C well into the first week of August.

Apart from the customary mandated paid sick and vacation leaves, a Russian lawmaker is proposing to offer another two paid days off for its menstruating women employee labour force.

Australian consumers have found themselves appalled at recent report uncovering taxpayers Down Under are paying 50 to 100 percent more than the U.S. buyers of the same technology products. The report by the parliamentary IT pricing inquiry committee prompted calls for consumer protection and policy change.

The increasing number of cases of iPhone 5 electric shocks has prompted an Australian national association to spearhead a campaign aims at raising awareness and enjoining Aussies to take extra precautions in using electric appliances at home.

Reports about HTC releasing a “One Max” smartphone version continue to surface. According to sources, HTC is gearing up to release the HTC One Max as the rival product of Samsung’s forthcoming Galaxy Note 3 phablet. Many anticipate how HTC will par with Samsung but analysts point out that the company may have to do more if they want to play with the Korean tech giant.

Apples iPhone 5C is real after all and rumors are now confirmed that the retail giant is launching what has been dubbed as low-cost iPhone. Does this mean Apple will no longer produce iPhone 5S? Will the new iPhone 5C tag along with iPhone 6 release rumored to take place in the fall?

Omnicom CEO John Wren and Publicis Groupe Chairman and CEO Maurice Lévy, will be co-CEOs as they unveiled the agreement at a press conference in Paris yesterday.

FCC filing of another Sony flagship device, Xperia i1 Honami, hints the product release by end of September. The filed documentation states Sony’s latest attempt in the smartphone market. Just as its other device, Xperia Z and Ultra, continue to make waves, it seems the Japan-based electronics company is going all out on its transformation.

Samsung started working on developing and manufacturing their line of processor chips. Reports indicate the Exynos 5 Octa 5420 will be the first of these chips and it will be powering up two 10 and 12.2-inch tablets.

Besides recently losing a substantial part of its tablet market share to rival Android and hair-raising stories of Chinese iPhone users being electrocuted while charging their smartphones, another headache is coming Apple's way from China.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed down one point, while the S&P 500 was flat at 1685 and the Nasdaq rose 0.5%.

-Japanese oil demand growth unlikely-Improved Chinese steel sentiment-Iron ore purity to feature-Australian producers currently profitableBy Eva BrocklehurstJapan's oil demand development is normally low profile as the market focuses squarely on China and India.

MID WEEK UPDATEAs predicted the market has started the week flat with gains starting today. The weekly upside resistance at 5058 is in focus as the index continues to creep higher.

Despite partnering with Google for the release of the Nexus 7.2, Asus stops at nothing, putting out their line of tablets out in the market. Just last week, Asus announced their upcoming Memo Pad FHD10. The 10.1 inch tablet belongs to the new era of portable computing devices hitting the market later this year.

After initial weakness, the local share market managed to finish flat today after comments from Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens sent buyers back in.

Multiple explosions rocked Tavares, Florida, on Monday night, June 29 when large propane tanks exploded at a gas plant in the area, leaving seven people hurt and 15 others remain unaccounted for.

Manufacturers of Russian vodkas stand to suffer potential losses after the global LGBT movement has unilaterally decided to ban the type of alcoholic drinks from gay bars in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's crackdown against the sector in his home country.

The Australian share market is lower at lunchtime in the East, as investors show caution ahead of a speech by RBA Governor Glenn Stevens.

By Peter Switzer, Switzer Super ReportBeing known and hailed in the media as a so-called money guru effectively means that most people are more likely to ask me about what the RBA is going to do before they ask me how I am!And while I know I sound like I'm a shares junkie in most of my writings...

The Reserve Bank of Australia's Governor Glenn Stevens is expected to Australian dollar's outlook within the week as investors are showing confidence in the market. Governor Stevens said he will give the signal whether he will cut rates further in August.

By Andrew NelsonThe steady and significant retreat of the uranium price over the month of July gathered even more pace last week.

The steady increase of the number victims of Apple iPhone 5 electric shock worldwide, including Australia, has prompted the giant IT company to issue safety reminders and guidelines in determining authentic iPhone and iPad chargers.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 joins the line of tablets and phablets featuring the powerful Snapdragon 800 from Qualcomm. Google and Sony already revealed the new Nexus 7.2 and Xperia Z ultra respectively. With reports showing Samsung will be using Snapdragon 800 on its Note 3, the market can anticipate an interesting battle between these devices.

Mining giant Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) placed on hold its planned $5 billion expansion of the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia because of the Mongolian Parliament's stand that it must approve the financing for the project.

By Greg PeelThe Dow fell 36 points, or 0.2%, while the S&P lost 0.4% to 1685 and the Nasdaq dropped 0.

Australian consumers have found themselves appalled at recent report uncovering taxpayers Down Under are paying 50 to 100 percent more than the U.S. buyers of the same technology products. The report by the parliamentary IT pricing inquiry committee enrages the tech consumers, who helped complete the report that began in 2012.