Vittorio Hernandez

Samsung continues to attempt to provide one of the most robust smartphone line-ups ever through gadgets devices like the Galaxy S3 Mini that offer consumers more Android smartphone options. One new handset, the Galaxy Premier, has surfaced with the first actual picture of the phone finally leaked.

Overseas markets generally stabilised overnight following the sharp sell-off yesterday. European markets were higher even with weak manufacturing numbers and lower metals prices. The US markets lost ground towards the close of trade the Dow finishing down 25 points and the NASDAQ only down 8points but still in the red.

Droppings from Blantyre Farm's 22,000 pigs helped the enterprise be on record as Australia's first farm eligible to earn carbon credits under the Gillard government's carbon farming initiative. The hog manure is converted to methane through the commercial-scale system built by Quantum Power that the farm operator installed.

The ANZ Banking Group will have less believable reason not to pass in full any future overnight cash rate cuts to be made by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) since it reported on Thursday another record-breaking profit.

Gina Rinehart, Australia's richest woman, had her sweet revenge on Wednesday against the Fairfax Media board which slammed the door on her face a few weeks ago when she sought a director's seat.

The accusations of misogyny continues to hound Opposition leader Tony Abbott long after Prime Minister Julia Gillard used strong words in Parliament on her nemesis to describe his dislike for powerful women.

A weak offshore lead impacted local stocks today, sending the Australian share market down 0.8pct. Worries about Spain's spiking borrowing costs saw European markets hit 6 week lows while US investors were spooked by disappointing earnings results. Adding to the downbeat mood, ratings agency Moody´s downgraded five Spanish regions. The All Ordinaries Index closed down 37.4pts to 4530.6.

With the official release of Windows 8 on Friday, Microsoft has created a tablet PC to compete with other similar devices from iOS and Android and even from other manufacturers that will use the same operating system.

The Optimus G, since it was designed to a flagship standard and powered by the latest in handheld computing, cannot hope for a warm welcome from its competitors. However, it is due every bit of their respect. Although LG is not asking for it, the technology giant is apparently ready to earn it.

The Australian share market managed only a small win yesterday but all or the gains have been wiped out today. Overnight we saw wide spread selling on European and US Stock and commodity markets.

While Australian consumers are reeling from spiraling electricity bills by up to 60 per cent, power utilities are raking it in by overcharging households and businesses by up to $3 billion.

Embattled independent MP Craig Thomson is back in the headlines after the New South Wales (NSW) police conducted an early morning raid on his house. The search, which reportedly led to the seizure of computers, is part of the ongoing investigation on Mr Thomson's alleged misuse of Health Services Union (HSU) funds.

Young Filipino tourists in the age bracket 18 to 30 could soon work legally in New Zealand for 12 months under a working holiday agreement which the Philippines and New Zealand governments signed on Tuesday.

Prince Charles and wife Camilla will attend the Melbourne Cup race in Victoria as part of their three-nation Pacific tour in November to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee. The royal couple will also visit the Hobbit film studios in New Zealand.

The Australian share market managed only a small win today. No local economic data was released but a raft of companies held their Annual General Meetings (AGM) while the Australian dollar was well supported ahead of tomorrow's key inflation numbers. After reaching an intra-day high of 4588.7pts, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) closed higher by 3.4pts or 0.1pct to 4568.

When Windows 7 was rolled out by Microsoft three years ago this very day, it was considered a time for celebration. Microsoft was emerging from a very dark time with its troubled Windows Vista operating system, which was long delayed and generally disliked by many users. Windows 7 fixed Vista, and in the process, it also fixed Microsoft.

Within three days, Windows 8 will make its official debut to the tech world- an event which is awaited by the global IT community. On the same day, several computer manufacturers are also releasing their new gadgets capable of running on the new OS.

The US markets turned higher into the close of trade. With Apple share and related tech stocks rallying higher. Today on the Australian share market we saw investors buying back into fiancé stocks and key banks. The materials and energy stocks rose in morning trade even with a fall in metal and oil prices overnight. By lunchtime in the East, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) was up 13 points after starting 23 points higher.

All of Australia's big four bank registered increases in their satisfaction level for September. However, the biggest gain was logged by the National Australia Bank (NAB) which enjoyed an 80.3 per cent satisfaction rating.

BP has started the construction of its $20 million facility at Largs North in Adelaide. It is the first phase of the oil and gas giant's $41 million investment over the next five years.

A 32-year-old male Australian who is an Islam convert recounted on Sunday before the Burwood Local Court the physical ordeal he suffered under the hands of four fellow Muslims for drinking alcohol and taking drugs.

Australian supermarket giant Coles announced on Monday that it is phasing out its factory farming practices a year ahead of its promise. Keeping the pledge means Coles will free 34,000 mother pigs from cramped stalls and 350,000 hens from cages.

The Australian share market eased from 14 month highs today, following a weak lead from offshore markets and lower commodity prices. US stocks fell on Friday night on disappointing earnings results and with investors spooked on the 25th anniversary of the 1987 stock market crash. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) closed down 28.9pts or 0.6pct to 4565.6pts.

Hewlett-Packard has come up with slick design that could give the iPad a jolt.

LG will produce a smartphone, while Samsung will make a high-end tablet. Also to debut will be an upgraded version of the Nexus 7, indicating the rash of tech firms to roll out new devices.

The Australian share market is modestly lower at lunchtime in the East, following Wall Street's lead. The US Dow Jones Index closed down 0.1pct while technology shares saw the NASDAQ fall by 1pct. At lunchtime in the East, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 7.8pts or 0.2pct to 4573.1.

U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton will visit Australia on Nov 14 to participate in the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN), Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr announced on Saturday.

A photograph of a large gold nugget allegedly found near Kalgoorlio-Boulder is stirring Australia's gold mining community. However, because of the lack of ownership and unknown origin of the photograph, there are doubts that the gold find is just a hoax.

While Buckingham Palace is preparing for the royal visit of Prince Charles and Camilla in Australia in a few weeks, the Australian Republic Movement (ARM) is pushing for replacing the British monarch with an Australian head of state.