The consolidation of security software companies FireEye and Mandiant was said to have signaled the hesitation of US firms to entrust the federal government the responsibility to protect its computer systems and will turn to private security providers instead, said a New York Times report.

Shares in French liquor company Remy Cointreau declined by more than 2% to €59.19 per share on Friday, following the resignation of its chief executive officer Frederic Pflanz. Pflanz quit his post three months after being promoted from his role as chief operating officer.

Ezra Klein of The Washington Post's Wonkblog might be leaving the newspaper, said four sources, after his proposed news media venture was rejected by upper management, including owner Jeff Bezos.

Indian business tycoon and Cosmo Films Ltd Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ashok Jaipura bought the Malaiwana luxury residences estate in Phuket, Thailand for an undisclosed sum.

With its 25.2% gain, activist investor Daniel Loeb's Third Point beat rivals in 2013, Reuters reported. Loeb's hedge fund stayed in line with the Standard & Poor's 500 Index which rose 29.6% in the same period.

Blackberry Ltd has said in a statement on January 2 that it will be parting ways with its global creative director, musician and celebrity Alicia Keys.

Joseph Lieberman, a former US senator from Connecticut and onetime vice-presidential candidate, will join private equity firm Victory Park Capital Advisors LLC as chairman of its executive board.

Business news site ValueWalk pointed out in its report that several top players on HSBC Holdings plc's list of best performing hedge funds for 2013 were found to have made value equity plays.

French unions led by the National Union of Autonomous Trade Unions (UNSA) have called on Lufthansa France workers at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris to go on strike this weekend. Workers are protesting against outsourcing ground operations, which would threaten 199 jobs.

The Rady Venture Fund, a part of pioneering model business school The Rady School of Management, was said to have helped over 60 small businesses in starting up in the San Diego area and launched over a hundred products while providing a hands-on experience for the management school's business students.