BUSINESS

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) releases on March 16 its next generation iPad, which features a higher-resolution display, a new processor, and support for high-speed 4G LTE data networks. Apple correctly says in an ad that the new iPad is "resolutionary," as it boasts of a retina display -- a 2,048-by-1,536-pixel display that has four times the number of pixels of the previous models. However, the device is far from being revolutionary. The third generation iPad doesn't have the Siri pers...

Popular photo sharing app Instagram announced that its Android version is nearly ready and will be available soon to Android subscribers.

New Zealand’s Telecom has cut 400 jobs in 2011, most of which are out of redundancies while others were resignations that were not replaced, the company said in its latest report.

Global travel agency operator Flight Centre has rejected allegations that it attempted to arrange price fixing deals with specific airlines, calling the charges filed last week by government regulators as 'stupid'.

Guided by findings of a new research study, Australia will expand its tourism machinery to include enticing those in China's growing second-tier cities which ironically have a population bigger than New York City in the U.S.

Glencore International offered to buy Canada's largest grain company, Viterra, for $5.3 billion, the Sunday Telegraph reports.

It is not just interest rates that are changing at Westpac, but also within the managerial level officials. The changes, announced on Friday by Westpac Chief Executive Gail Kelly, were timed with the release of the lender's 2011 annual report.

The Australian share market has started the trading week on a subdued note, following continuing concern about the Greek debt situation and on news China has recorded its worst trade deficit in 20 years. At lunchtime in the East, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 9.5pts or 0.2pct to 4291.

The potentially damaging labour dispute in Brisbane Airport has been solved after Qantas demanded a contractor, BCS Infrastructure Support, to sort out the problem. Latest report said BCS offered electricians, baggage support staff and mechanical fitters belonging to the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) higher pay.

The Australian Dollar was pushed temporarily lower throughout local hours on Friday and a surprising trade deficit for the month of January was reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

By Kathleen Brooks, Research Director UK EMEA, FOREX.comThe markets have brushed off the Greek news from the weekend including the repercussions from the debt swap and the Eurogroup meeting later today that is set to rubber stamp the release of the second round of bailout funds for Athens.

By Kathleen Brooks, Research Director UK EMEA, FOREX.comHighlights:- What now for the euro?- To hike or to cut? A global central banker's dilemma- Why the rise in oil prices should grab our attentionWhat now for the euro?The debt deal agreed by Greece and its private sector bond holders to wipe...

It has been a busy week for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), the world's most valuable tech company. On Wednesday, it unveiled its next generation iPad, which features a higher-resolution display, a new processor, and support for high-speed 4G LTE data networks.

Glencore, bent on securing enough support from Xstrata shareholders, has taken an offensive stance on its quest to push through with the highly touted 'merger of equals' worth $US36 billion amidst spirited opposition from investors of the target firm.

Some 600 jobs will be lost in the insurance industry over the next three years as Insurance Australia Group (IAG) revealed on Friday plans to reduce its workforce to counter the high costs that hit the firm last year.

Australian users hooked on social media activities breached the six billion mark in 2011, according to a marketing report recently released by Internet research company Experian Hitwise.

ANZ Bank announced on Friday that it would raise it fixed home loan interest rate by 20 basis points to 6.34 per cent. It is the first among the big four to adjust interest rates after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) retained this week the current overnight cash rate at 4.25 per cent.

Local stocks are tracking higher on the final day of the trading week on growing optimism Greece will receive enough support for its debt swap deal. Private sector creditors are expected to sign off on the agreement by 5pm AEDT. At lunchtime in the East, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is up 18.4pts or 0.4pct to 4280.6.

Embattled Australian flag carrier, Qantas, is back to square one after it stopped talks with Malaysia Airlines for a premium carrier in Kuala Lumpur. Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce explained the bog down of talks to failure of both airlines "to reach mutually agreeable commercial terms."

Economists warned on Friday that the country's unemployment rate would continue to rise in the coming months. They explained their outlook to jobs generation moving at a slower pace compared to the growth in labor force.

Residential prices in Oman are significantly down from their 2008 peak, especially within Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITCs).

Rudi Filapek-Vandyck, Editor FNArenaI joined Twitter. Not because I am curious what this celebrity has to say about her kids, or to read that another one is waiting for a connecting flight, impatiently.

Hybrid, clean diesel, electric and natural gas models have been named Green Car of the Year since the award began in 2006.

Yesterday's labour force data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics won't make the current state of the economy's health any clearer. They were confusing.

After a solid January when the market grew around 5% in January, but since then it had slowed. In February it barely grew, rising 0.8%.

U.S. stocks coasted higher Thursday as optimism increased that Greece will complete a debt-swap deal.

New claims for unemployment insurance in the US rose by 8,000 to 362,000 in the latest week, ahead of forecasts near 351,000.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 70 points or 0.6% while the S&P gained 1.0% to 1365 and the Nasdaq added 1.

By Rudi Filapek-Vandyck, Editor FNArenaYour Editor had the pleasure to host this week's Friday Afternoon Round Table and thus the formalities on screen were a little bit different than usual.