February 25, 2014
LinkedIn testing Chinese language site
Professional networking service LinkedIn has launched a beta or test version of its Chinese language site. The firm said the move is aimed at offering a more localised service to its users in China. It is expected to boost LinkedIn's growth in…
February 25, 2014
Walt Disney World increases prices at its theme parks
Disney has raised the price of a one-day ticket to its Magic Kingdom theme park in Orlando, Florida by $4 to $99 (£59.50). Magic Kingdom is the world's most visited theme park, with more than 17 million visitors in 2012. Ticket prices at other…
February 25, 2014
Netflix agrees Comcast streaming deal
Netflix has agreed a deal with Comcast, the biggest internet service provider in the US, that will see its videos streamed faster and more smoothly. The multi-year deal will see Netflix servers connected directly to Comcast's network, removing…
February 25, 2014
Cuban cigar sales jump 8% in 2013
Sales of Cuba's famous cigars jumped 8% in 2013, helped by strong demand from the island's smokers and China, said Habanos SA. Total sales reached $447m (£269m) up from $416m in 2012, according to the firm, which is co-owned by Cubatabaco and…
February 21, 2014
OECS public servants assured no salary cuts
Public servants across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) have been given the assurance that there will be no cuts in their salaries while the governments battle the effects of a current global economic downturn. The decision came…
February 21, 2014
Government reiterates that Bank of Bahamas is safe
The Bahamas government has again sought to reassure nationals that it was not interfering in the operations of the Bank of Bahamas (BOB) in which it has 65 per cent majority share holding. “The Government does not control or interfere in the…
February 21, 2014
Shell in $2.6bn Australia asset sale
Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell has agreed to sell its Australian downstream business to oil trading firm Vitol for $2.6bn (£1.6bn). The sale includes Shell's refinery in Geelong, 870 service stations, its bulk fuels and chemicals unit and part of its…
February 21, 2014
Wal-Mart reports fall in quarterly profits
The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, has reported a 22% drop in quarterly profit and given a weaker-than-expected earnings forecast for the coming year. Net income for the three months to 31 January fell to $4.4bn (£2.6bn) from $5.6bn a year…
February 21, 2014
BAE Systems shares down 10% on lower earnings forecast
Shares in BAE Systems have dropped 10% after the defence group announced a big fall in profits in 2013 and said earnings would decline this year. Pre-tax profits for the year fell by two-thirds to £442m, down from £1.2bn in the previous year,…
February 20, 2014
Facebook to buy messaging app WhatsApp for $19bn
Facebook has bought messaging app WhatsApp in a deal worth a total of $19bn (£11.4bn) in cash and shares. It is the social networking giant's biggest acquisition to date. WhatsApp has over 450 million monthly users and is popular with people…