POLITICS & POLICY

Treasurer Joe Hockey released the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook on Tuesday, Dec 17

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is rumoured to be the next UN secretary-general in replacement of general Ban Ki-moon.

A new Code of Conduct for asylum seekers will take effect Saturday, Dec 21

The withdrawal of Australian combat troops from Afghanistan has finally been completed on Sunday. For the families of the Australian soldiers, it was indeed a reason to celebrate their being home this Christmas 2013.

China has released to the world the first pictures captured by its first lunar rover Jade Rabbit from the moon.

Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott has declined to take side in the same-sex marriage debate as some of his colleagues continue to fight over the legalisation of gay marriage. Liberal backbencher Cory Bernardi has called for the removal of Malcolm Turnbull from office after Mr Turnbull expressed his support for the ACT's Marriage Equality Bill.

A new report on climate change has revealed that the New Zealand government is failing on its response to climate change. The Sixth National Communication on Climate Change was released by Generation Zero, a youth climate group in New Zealand.

The cities of Dalian and Tianjin located in northern China have joined the list of jurisdictions where car sales and ownership are imposed on its local constituents, in a bid to help curb the nation's growing "airpocalypse" problem.

China's changing coal consumption is threatening the existence of Australian coal mines. As China rallies to war to work for cleaner air, the most visible casualties of this war would be the Australian coal mines which are at risk of getting stranded, if not all together abandoned.

Australia’s Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook. to be announced on Tuesday. will confirm $50 billion budget deficit

The year 2013 would go down in Australia's history as the year when the Land Down Under had three prime minister.

Jang Song Thaek, previously considered to be one of the most powerful people in North Korea, has been executed by the government.

Scientology has been officially recognised as a religion after Britain's highest court ruled that worshipping a god is not an important aspect of religion. The five Supreme Court justices set aside 158 years of law and redefined religion for members of scientology to be married.

There is still hope for the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Australia with Federal Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull saying that Parliament may consider changing marriage laws to permit same-sex couples to marry in Australia.

With Christmas Day fast approaching, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford appears to be in a reconciliatory mood as he invited media and members of the city council to his mum's house in Etobicoke for the Ford annual Christmas party on Wednesday, Dec 11.

The sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela’s memorial claimed that he saw angels streaking into the Johannesburg’s FNB stadium, which might explain why his interpretations were called “gibberish” by sign language experts.

Russia has decided not to dispute Canada’s claim to the North Pole.

Despite leading the New Zealand delegation in Nelson Mandela's memorial service in South Africa, Prime Minister John Key was not recognised in a photo slideshow of the New York Daily News and was only named as an "unidentified guest."

Royal Australian Navy's Fleet Air Firm confirms acquisition of the first 'Seahawk Romeo' in Australia

The parliament of New Zealand on Wednesday has modernized its royal succession law, thus finally allowing a Queen to become the country's head of state.

The Australian Defence Force announces update on investigation over alleged sexual initiation rites aboard HMAS Ballarat.

Toyota, allegedly, is using Holden's closure to compel workers to accept poorer work conditions.

An Iranian woman was banned from having her scholarship due to WMD link allegations

Israel demands help from Australia against Iran's nuclear programme

New Zealand had originally five members in its delegation ready to attend Nelson Mandela's memorial service in South Africa and join other world leaders, celebrities and royals in attendance. However, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said he was only allowed to bring one member of his delegation inside the World Cup soccer stadium in Johannesburg. Mr Key selected Labour and opposition leader David Cunliffe. Mr Cunliffe later on gave up his seat so Minister of Maori Affairs Pita Sharples ca...

Uruguay has become the first among all nations of the world to legalise the production and sale of the marijuana cannabis drug.

The Western Australian (WA) Government has launched several Shark Kill Zones along its beach shorelines to address shark-related deaths in the area and to counteract shark risks in WA. The planned shark safety measures were announced by WA Premier Colin Barnett and WA Fisheries Minister Troy Buswell on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013.

Two of China's most influential news outlets tried to make satire pieces of the polluted haze that enveloped the country over the weekend. However, the people didn't find it funny at all. Moreover, other Chinese media didn't think second thoughts to air out their opinions on the issue.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: There are market expectations that the Fed may taper its bond purchases in December after the strong US payrolls report last Friday.