Vittorio Hernandez

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Newly diagnosed diabetics often cry upon learning of their chronic ailment. Apart from having to make lifestyle changes to manage their ailments, many diabetics also need to conquer their fear of needles since insulin injections and blood sugar testing are often part of the regimen to manage to diabetes.

As more Australians shift to services offered under the National Broadband Network (NBN), comparison Web site, WhistleOut, pointed to five likely strategies that Internet service providers (ISPs) will put in place to gain a larger share of the market.

It will be another bleak season for Australia's retail industry this Christmas, according to a study by IBISWorld released on Tuesday.

The local share market is trading in the red in the early session, although the losses aren't as severe as was predicted following losses in European and US share markets overnight. Volatility returned to global markets overnight as investors questioned whether or not the new governments in Italy and Greece would actually be able to solve the European debt crisis. At lunchtime in the East, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 17.8pts or 0.4pct to 4351.3.

A showdown looms between Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh over the state's opposition to uranium mining. Bligh said the state has no plan to review or revise the policy.

Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) said its $30-billion proposed Browse liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Western Australia would have a low risk to the environment.

Berkshire Hathaway, the investment firm of U.S. billionaire Warren Buffett, purchased $10.7 billion shares in technology giant IBM equivalent to 64 million shares.

Despite estimated cash earnings of $1.75 billion for the first three months of its financial year, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) is not very optimistic on its outlook for the months ahead due to the challenging operating conditions.

A significant number of Australian employers have been abusing contracting arrangements which deprived workers in certain industries millions of dollars in unpaid salaries in the last financial years.

Although the Australian government is apparently battling an uphill fight over carbon tax, renewable energy and similar issues as the debate gets lively, trends support the Labor government position that the country should shift toward renewables and away from coal.

It was a week of foreign investors snapping up Australian start-up firms. On top of the list is the acquisition by U.S. retail giant Wal-Mart of tech start-up Grapple, which just became a part of Walmart Labs.

Investor optimism has returned following weekend developments in Europe, sending the local share market up sharply in early trade. After reaching a high of 4423 points in the first half hour of trade the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is up 33.8pts or 0.8pct at lunchtime in the East to 4392.4.

Victoria Health Minister David Davis said on Sunday that the state will back the move by public hospitals to turnover to Fair Work Australia (FWA) the planned nurses' strike which could lead to bed closures.

Toyota Motor Corporation announced over the weekend that it is recalling about 550,000 cars from the market due to steering issues. In Australia, affected by the manufacturer recall are 21,792 Camry V6 vehicles made in Toyota's plant in Altona, Australia.

The Greens are seeking a debate on a reported plan to expand American troops in Australia. Greens leader Senator Bob Green said it is Parliament's duty to debate the pros and cons of a wide U.S. military presence in the country.

The widespread availability of digital television has changed the viewing habits of Australians. According to the Roy Morgan Single Source report, 58 per cent of Aussies aged 14 years old and above are watching digital TV channels.

Amid continued debate over Australia's carbon tax, the country's greenhouse gas emission rose by 3.8 per cent in October, according to the Emissions Insights report of RepuTex carbon analytics for the last month.

Gay rights advocates are supporting a bill in the Queensland Parliament that seeks to recognise same-sex unions. The bill was introduced by Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser.

Despite Australia being a prosperous nation, 11 per cent of adults in the country and 12 per cent of children live in poverty. About one million Australian children do not always have enough to eat. Efforts of Foodbank, the largest hunger relief organization in Australia, to reach these needy residents got a boost following the commitment by the Australian dairy industry to provide one million litres of milk yearly for residents in need.

Western Australia and BHP Billiton (ASX: BHP) agreed on Thursday to increase the royalty rate for iron ore after it amended the State Agreements Acts. The deal, however, is subject to approval by the state's parliament.

There was a little bit more optimism on global markets overnight after Greece got a new Prime Minister and Italian borrowing costs stabilised. However the local share market has given up early gains to trade flat at lunchtime in the East.

Rail firm QR National is building a rail system in Queensland that would transport coal from the Galilee Basin to port even if coal mining companies in the area have plans to develop their own rail system.

More choices would be available for Australians who would subscribe to broadband services under the National Broadband Network (NBN).

With about 1,500 claims from Thais, Insurance Australia Group (IAG) is expected to pay out $150 million in flood claims following the recent inundation of Thailand.

Australian retailer Myer announced on Thursday plans to shutter underperforming stores and boost its online presence to reach an overall sales target of $4 billion by 2015.

After Vodafone Hutchinson Australia logged a 222 per cent jump in complaints before the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman for the year with 55,600 complaints, the company announced on Thursday that it will put in place measures to improve service.

Australian budget carrier Jetstar made aviation history on Wednesday by allowing its passengers from Auckland to Melbourne to use iPads made available by the air carrier during their flight.

Besides carbon tax protesters who promised to make their voices heard when U.S. President Barack Obama visits Australia next week, the mother of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange will also hold a protest outside Parliament House.