IBT Staff Reporter

Six weeks after suffering a huge disappointment with the loss of AIA's massive IPO, equity capital markets bankers in this region received an unexpected present in their inboxes from one of China's largest banks.

The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for unemployment insurance rose unexpectedly last week, reflecting seasonal volatility, according to a government report on Thursday.

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Reuters Life!) - Apple's iPad tablet computer hasn't been out a week yet but there are already over 830 video games that have been developed to suit the large format, high definition, multi-touch screen.

Stock index futures fell on Thursday, following global stocks lower, as persistent fears over Greece's public finances unsettled investors worried about sovereign debt defaults in Europe.

A nascent pickup in consumer spending has expanded beyond discounters to teen clothing chains and other store chains, according to the first batch of March sales reports from U.S. retailers.

The yuan and other Asian currencies rose sharply on Thursday as speculation intensified that China might soon unveil a long-awaited shift in its exchange-rate regime by revaluing its currency.

Stock index futures fell on Thursday, following global stocks lower, as persistent fears over Greece's public finances unsettled investors worried about sovereign debt defaults in Europe.

Nokia will offer free music with its mobile phones in China, as it looks to emerging markets to boost the download service that is struggling to compete with Apple Inc's popular iTunes.

Costco Wholesale Corp on Thursday reported a higher-than-expected 10 percent rise in March sales at stores open at least a year, bolstered by an increase in gasoline prices and strong foreign currencies.

Nokia will launch its music downloading service in China, the world's largest mobile market, looking to emerging markets to invigorate the struggling service that competes with Apple Inc's popular iTunes.

World shares fell on Thursday ahead of meetings of the European Central Bank and Bank of England and as worries about Greece's financial stability intensified.

British Airways and Spanish carrier Iberia signed a merger agreement on Thursday, sealing a long-awaited deal to create the world's third largest airline by revenue.

Nokia will launch its music download service in China, the world's largest mobile market, looking to emerging markets to invigorate the struggling service that competes with Apple's iTunes.

Alice Springs Hospital will be holding a week-long eye surgery blitz in an effort to help improve vision outcomes for the Aborigines.

World shares fell on Thursday as ahead of meetings of the European Central Bank and Bank of England and as worries about Greece's financial stability intensified.

British Airways and Spanish carrier Iberia signed a merger agreement on Thursday, sealing a long-awaited deal to create Europe's second largest airline by passenger kilometers.

According to an Australian survey, more than 80 per cent of respondents said their high level of debt was a significant cause of stress.

Living Cell Technologies Ltd, which has developed a way to transplant working insulin-producing cells from pigs to humans.

According to a new research, an experimental vaccine for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is a progressive respiratory disease that affects millions of people, may reduce flare-ups in those with severe forms of the illness.

Childcare center will increase fees by next year due to new staffing ratios to be introduced next year.

People in Orange are advised not to touch grey headed flying foxes under any circumstances, Greater Western Area Health Services (GWAHS)'s latest warn issued.

As part of the effort to increase standards of Indigenous health, doctors and health workers will be expected to find out if their patients of Aboriginal origin despite the appearance or country of birth.

Asian stocks fell on Thursday after racking up strong gains in recent weeks, while the euro slipped further as Greece's borrowing costs reached a new high.

'Suntan Man', Gold Coast's famous icon who sprayed holidaymakers with suntan lotion on Surfers Paradise beach for 30 years, became a true bronzed Aussie half a decade after his death.

Martina Navratilova, famous woman tennis player of her time, is diagnosed with breast cancer.

Asian stocks fell on Thursday after racking up strong gains in recent weeks, while the euro slipped further as Greece's borrowing costs reached a new high.

A senior Toyota Motor Corp executive in the United States warned in a January email that the automaker needed to come clean on a safety defect that caused accelerator pedals to become stuck open.

A top Federal Communications Commission official acknowledged on Wednesday that the Obama administration's ambitious plan to expand broadband access could be impacted by a court ruling that limited the agency's authority to regulate operations of network providers.

UAL Corp's United Airlines is in merger talks with US Airways in a deal that could create the second-largest carrier in the United States, two sources familiar with the matter said.