POLITICS & POLICY

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

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar remained in a tight range during a quiet session.

Ron Paul suggests that the U.S. does not have an evidence to prove Russia is involved in the downing of MH17.

A prominent New Zealand party leader has been accused of racism after making a joke about Asians as he expressed his objection to China's investment in agriculture. New Zealand First party leader Winston Peters told the audience at a campaign launch last August 10 that he supported efforts to tighten restrictions on foreign ownership.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said on Tuesday that she had the passport of jihadist Khaled Sharrouf canceled and his family faces legal action if they return to Australia. Sharrouf shocked the world by posting on Twitter photos of his young son holding the decapitated head of a Syrian soldier.

When Tony Abbott was still the Opposition leader, his nemesis were female members of the handbag brigade, led by then Prime Minister Julia Gillard who called him a misogynist on the Parliament hall. Now, besides grappling with his dwindling voter support, the PM has a growing number of new nemeses - school-going and letter-writing children of lesbians who could not understand why their two mums could not legally get married in Australia.

An Aussie activist who is working with ISIS in Iraq posted his seven-year-old son’s photo online, where the young boy is seen holding the cut off head of a Syrian soldier.

Iraq's new political instability will invite many unpleasant consequences, if it is not managed well

Russia is carefully de-escalating the Ukraine conflict and that is bolstering the morale of official forces to take more rebel cities in Eastern Ukraine

Australia mulls uranium sales ban to Russia. NATO delivers US$4.5 million worth of non-lethal military aid to Ukraine.

Tourists on Hawaii are now back to enjoying their vacation after back-to-back Tropical Storm Iselle and Hurricane Julio have passed the island.