POLITICS & POLICY

Ukraine has to put the house in order before facing the arm twisting by Russia

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The AUD is a little higher as risk appetite improved overnight.

Canada Post may be able to make home delivery exemptions to the disabled, but only upon receipt of a doctor's note.

The goodwill from a burden free budget will be politically correct

When church and state move in different directions wrong messages go out

Delays in claims processing can devastate many lives

New Zealand Labour is calling on the government to provide assistance and increase humanitarian aid to Iraq. A spokesman for the Labour party's foreign affairs said Iraq "urgently" needs more help. However, according to reports, Prime Minister John Key declared it would be "extremely unlikely" to follow Australia in sending troops to Iraq.

The world's appetite for the safe haven yellow metal gold has dropped in the second quarter of 2014 by as much as 16 per cent compared a year ago, the World Gold Council said on Thursday.

National Party is playing up the education card after Labour did it successfully

The U.S. government has categorically denied the conspiracy theories linking it with the terror group ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria).

Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott indicated that the option of sending troops to Iraq was open.

After a five-year stint in a US jail, Canada's self-declared "Prince of Pot" Marc Emery has returned to his homeland. The first thing on his agenda back home is to hold a rally in Toronto to press for the legalization of marijuana.

Both Israel and Hamas getting ready for a give and take deal to have peace for Gaza residents

It's like receiving an early Christmas gift. Canada's federal finance government on Tuesday hinted that Canadian families and individuals are up to receive relief from their tax burdens. But analysts think the hype is just part of the election propaganda for 2015.

Edward Snowden was photographed with a US national flag on the cover of WIRED. The former NSA man created another controversy by embracing the American flag as he continued to be Russia’s guest of honour.

Damages from the two hailstorms that hit north of Calgary could reach over $25 million, the Insurance Bureau of Canada said, with the agency describing the event as catastrophic.

Controversial new Palmer United Party Senator Jacqui Lambie is again creating headlines by issuing comments and statements that shock Australia. The lawmaker, who called Prime Minister Tony Abbott a psychotic politician and said in a radio interview that her suitors should be well hung, warned on Wednesday of mass suicides among Aussie youth.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key is not worried about the release of Nicky Hager's book, an investigative journalist who wrote about New Zealand's political fall-out ahead of the 2002 election and the National Party's strategy. The prime minister thought the book was scheduled for release ahead of the September election to "maximise sales."

Canada has deployed two icebreakers to the cold Arctic region to amass evidence that will prove it has more jurisdiction over the area than Russia.

Hard economics thrives over short term political gains

Australia Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has intensified efforts to condemn Moscow over the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in Ukraine. Bishop has accused Russia of using humanitarian aid as an opportunity to occupy Ukraine.

US is getting some support from UK for the humanitarian aid delivery to the civilians trapped in Sinjar mountains

Extremist group ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham) has reportedly issued Islamic State passports to give an air of legitimacy the unrecognised area of the Middle East under their control.

Until a safe corridor is worked out the return of Yazidis from the mountains and their safety will continue to be an issue

Russia's transition from belligerence to profound sympathy is raising the suspicion of Ukraine

Russia has dispatched an aid convoy to eastern Ukraine, fuelling earlier suspicions by the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) of an invasion. The humanitarian aid was said to be in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

As negotiators from Israel and Palestine accepted a 72-hour ceasefire proposed by Egypt on August 10, mediators were uncertain of the outcome after renewed negotiations. The ceasefire in Gaza started one minute after midnight on August 11. According to reports, both parties had agreed to resume negotiations in Egypt toward a more long-lasting solution.

A proper closure for the mysterious disappearance of MH 370 has become a universal demand

Militant outfits luring unemployed youth through religious appeals