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Apple Shares Top $600 Ahead of iPad Launch

Apple shares briefly soared past $600 for the first time on Wall Street on Thursday, a day ahead of the launch of the next-generation iPad.

Shares of the Cupertino, California-based gadget-maker hit $600.01 shortly after the ringing of the opening bell at 9:30 am (1330 GMT). An hour later, they were trading at $590.12, up 0.09 percent over Wednesday's close.

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When 'Take This Job and Shove it' Isn't Enough

Sometimes, giving two weeks' notice just isn't enough.

The Goldman Sachs muppet manifesto — a departing executive's lengthy and very public screed against the company's blind pursuit of profits — is only the latest example of taking bridge-burning to an art form.

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France Pays Lower Rates at Bond Auctions

The French treasury said Thursday that it had sold a total of 8.46 billion euros ($11 billion) in short- to medium-term bonds at sharply lower interest rates, a development seen also in Spain.

Pressure thus appeared to be easing on indebted Eurozone members since a Greek bailout was secured and the European Central Bank made a second massive injection of cash into the Eurozone banking sector.

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Italy's Public Debt Hits Record 1.94 Trillion Euros

Italy's public debt reached a record 1.94 trillion euros ($2.47 trillion) in January, the Bank of Italy said Thursday, pushed upwards in part by higher borrowing costs.

The public debt increased by 37.9 billion euros from December, the central bank said, citing seasonal factors, the higher cost of servicing Italian debt and a contribution to the European financial rescue fund.

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Oil Mixed in Asian Trade

Oil prices were mixed in Asian trade Thursday, as investors weighed concerns over a supply disruption in the Middle East and a surge in US crude stockpiles, analysts said.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in April was up 38 cents to $105.81 while Brent North Sea crude for April delivery shed four cents to $124.93 in the afternoon.

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Annan Presses Assad for Quick Answers

U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan on Wednesday pressed President Bashar al-Assad to quickly answer proposals to end Syria's strife ahead of a new diplomatic surge aimed at passing a Security Council resolution on the crisis.

Annan, who on Friday will brief the U.N. Security Council on his mission, announced that he has received one response from Assad's government.

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Mauritius, Seychelles to Jointly Manage Indian Ocean Shelf

Mauritius and the Seychelles on Tuesday signed a pact to jointly manage a continental shelf in the Indian Ocean spanning 396,000 square kilometers in what was described as a path breaking accord.

The pact came after the two island nations obtained conjoint rights on the Mascarene Islands continental shelf in March last year. The treaty was signed during a visit by Seychelles President James Michel.

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Saudi Oil Chief Pledges to Offset Shortfalls

Saudi Arabia's oil minister said Wednesday that his country and other oil exporters are ready to offset any shortfalls in supply because of market volatility — an apparent reference to showdowns with Iran over its nuclear program.

"There is ample production and refining capacity ... Saudi Arabia and others remain poised to make good any shortfalls — perceived or real — in crude oil supply," said Ali Al-Naimi at a major oil conference in Kuwait where he addressed envoys alongside Iranian oil minister Rostam Ghasemi. A transcript of Al-Naimi's remarks was given to reporters.

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Disney to Hire 1,000 U.S. Military Veterans

The Walt Disney Company will give jobs or career opportunities to at least 1,000 returning U.S. military veterans over the next three years, the entertainment and theme park giant said Tuesday.

As part of a "Heroes Work Here" initiative, announced at its annual shareholder meeting, the company will also invest in non-profit organizations that provide training and other support services to veterans.

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French Total Seeks Business in Iraqi Kurdistan

French oil giant Total is in talks to tap opportunities to invest in autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan, its chief said Tuesday as Baghdad insists contracts should go through the central government.

"Kurdistan is part of Iraq. A lot of companies are investing in Kurdistan-Iraq and we don't see why Total couldn't do it," Total chief executive officer Christophe de Margerie told reporters in Kuwait.

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