Vittorio Hernandez

In a big turnaround from their previous decision, four of the biggest Australian banks said on Tuesday that they will pass in full the 25 basis points overnight cash rate made by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) on the same day.

Because of its low prices that attracted American consumers who were still reeling from the prolonged recession, Wal-Mart Stores regained the number 1 ranking in the Fortune 500 list for 2012.

The Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) somewhat surprise decision to cut rates for the first time this calendar year helped reduce market weakness. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) slipped by just 0.2 per cent or 11 pts to 5,122.7. At around 2.45pm (AEST), the ASX200 index was up by 0.2 per cent while the Australian dollar hit a low of US101.7 cents just before 3pm (AEST).

After a flat start, sellers have moved in to the Australian share market at lunch, sending the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) down by almost half a per cent.

There were 70 super rich Australians who earned in 2010-11 at least $1 million each but did not pay income taxes in 2012. Among the 70, their total earnings reached $194 million but because of tax reduction strategies used by their accountants, they reduced their total taxable income to $20,000 each.

Australians as well as residents of eastern Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Gilbert Islands would be able to view the solar eclipse on May 10.

Speculations are circulating that Microsoft will soon release in the market a smaller and cheaper Surface tablet.

Acer introduced to the public over the weekend the Aspire R7, a convertible all-in-one laptop with a display that can move around in different ways through a new Ezel hinge.

The Australian share market has started the week's trade on a positive note, following a positive lead from Wall Street at the end of last week on the back of better than expected US Jobs numbers.

The Australian sharemarket is higher thanks to a better than expected US jobs on Friday, however a portion of the gains were wiped out due to a weaker than forecast retail spending report. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is up 1.1 per cent or 54.4 pts to 5159.8. The mining sector is the standout at lunch thanks to a strong rise in commodity prices, in particular copper which jumped by 6.2 per cent.

For people deciding to replace their old Android smartphones, making a choice is now more difficult as new models are coming out one after the other with features so enticing.

The Australian Livestock Exporters' Council suspended over the weekend live export of cattle to Egypt following the release of video footing by Animals Australia showing extreme cruel practices on animals for culling at Egyptian abattoirs.

News of a New York real estate company offering its employees a 15 per cent pay increase if they would tattoo the firm's logo on their body renewed public interest in skin advertising.

The UNESCO warned Australia over the weekend that it would remove the Great Barrier Reef from its World Heritage Site list and place it in the In Danger list by February 2014.

A $169 three-way tablet war is brewing with the entry of the new Acer Iconia A1. The 7.9-inch tablet is going against the Nexus 7 and HP Slate.

Sexy, blonde bombshells like Pamela Anderson are not sufficient enticements for the 53-year-old bachelor president of the Philippines, Benigno Aquino III, particularly if the subject matter is an ailing elephant.

The political career of Conservative MP for the Ribble Valley may be at risk following the arrest on Saturday of 55-year-0ld Nigel Martin Evans on charges of rape and sexual assault filed by two men in their 20s.

The Australian sharemarket improved for the second consecutive week, albeit only modestly. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) edged higher by 0.5 per cent over the five past days and finished largely flat today.

The European Central Bank's (ECB) first rate cut in 10 months overnight is encouraging buyers on the local market for the third time this week. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is up 0.3 per cent, taking the gains this week to 0.76 per cent. Monthly non-farm payrolls tonight in the US will keep investors on edge for the next 10 hours. The creation of around 150,000 is now expected by the market for April.

When in a foreign land, tourists often pose in front of famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower or Statue of Liberty as proof that they have the good fortune to travel to these places. And in the era of social media, they would post those photos and videos in Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumbler and YouTube.

The Australian dollar has edged slightly higher overnight following the European Central Bank's decision to cut its key interest rate and the release of better US economic data.

Female drivers had long been the butt of jokes of motorists, but a woman driver in Ireland unwittingly became a YouTube sensation for her very poor parking skills.

When Benigno Aquino III was proclaimed Philippine president in 2010, Filipinos were speculating who would be the country's first lady since the son of a former president was still a bachelor at 50.

With the FOMC and ECB meetings out of the way now, investors will be encouraged to see central banks remaining committed to stimulating the global economy. There has been increasing pressure on the ECB and BoE to join other major central banks in conducting easing measures.

nvestment guru Warren Buffet just opened an account with Twitter with the handle @WarrenBuffet, and he already has more than 188,000 followers in a matter of hours.

Singapore is a tiny city-state, but it looms large in the international aviation industry since its national air carrier and airport topped two separate lists of best airlines and gateways made by Business Insider.

It's 27 days of verbal wanking for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the city celebrates May as the National Masturbation Month.

This early, technology pundits are anticipating another platform where rivals Apple and Samsung will fight over - page-turning patent.

n US economic data, claims for unemployment insurance fell by 18,000 to a five-year low of 324,000. The trade deficit fell from $43.63bn to $38.83bn as a 2.8pct fall in imports outpaced a 0.9pct fall in exports. Productivity grew at a 0.7pct annual pace in the first quarter, short of forecasts for a 1.2pct gain.