POLITICS & POLICY

GSCB Bill: Poll Reveals Three-Fourths of New Zealanders Concerned with Privacy, Only Half Trusts Government

A Fairfax poll in New Zealand revealed that more than three-quarters of New Zealand citizens were concerned about the government reforming spy laws in the passing of the GSCB Bill. In a survey of 1,000 New Zealanders, the poll found that 75.3 per cent of the people expressed that they were either "very concerned," "somewhat concerned" or "little concerned" about the Government Communications Security Bureau (GSCB) to monitor their activities including foreigners who are in New...
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Snowden Saga: Media for Freedom versus Government for Security

It is an epic war and will be studied for generations - media for freedom versus governments for security – the Snowden saga continues. On Tuesday, even as David Miranda sued Britain over his detention, UK defended its action saying that the government and the police have a duty to protect the public and national security.

New Zealander Abducted and Tortured in China for Five Days

A New Zealand citizen was reportedly abducted and tortured for five days in July 2013 after he travelled to China to check on his elderly parents. Nick Wang, 52-year old Chinese native and a former Chinese newspaper editor in New Zealand, has apparently displeased the Chinese Embassy since his media reports were about Chinese authorities.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 21 August 2013

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar weakened yesterday to the low 0.9000's but has opened this morning slightly higher after a lackluster trading session offshore.

New Zealand's GCSB Bill Passes Into Law, PM John Key Ignores Journalist's Question and Walks Out [VIDEO]

New Zealand's GCSB Bill or the Government Communications Security Bureau and Related Legislation Amendment Bill will be passed into law despite the objections of the Opposition. A viral video of the prime minister in a post-cabinet press conference has triggered reactions in social media. Mr Key was poised to answer questions regarding the passage of the GCSB bill. One journalist practically interrogated the prime minister and specifically pointed out Mr Key's disagreement with expert de...

Kevin Rudd Vs Tony Abbott: Fight Gets Uglier as Election Date Nears [VIDEOS]

As the election date nears, the fight between Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott gets uglier. Kevin Rudd has defended the Australian Labour Party’s new ad campaign that showed Tony Abbott and a message that said, “If he wins, you lose.”Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott called Labour's negative ads as "outlandish" and "low politics".

Investigate Australia for Drone Strikes, Rights Groups Demand

Human rights groups in Australia have demanded that the U.N. expand its investigation scope to include Australia’s role in the deadly U.S. drone strikes. At a time when the country is gearing up for elections, this news could come as a major embarrassment for the government and stir up discussion on Australia’s role in the killing innocent civilians.

In India, Anything about Narendra Modi Makes News

The Indian media seems to be gleefully lapping up every mention about controversial Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. This time a comment by former Australian High Commissioner to India John McCarthy has drawn all the attention.

Egypt: Hosni Mubarak May be Freed This Week

If all goes well for him, ousted Egyptian autocrat, Hosni Mubarak could walk free from prison by the end of the week. This after an Egyptian court trying the former president cleared him of corruption charges on Monday.

Westland Milk Scare: New Zealand PM John Key Downplays Concerns on Nitrate Levels Discovered in China [VIDEOS]

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key downplayed growing concerns on the latest milk scare causing China to issue another import ban but this time on Westland Milk Products. The Prime Minister said the latest milk scare news has come to New Zealand at the worst possible moment with the government's inquiry on Fonterra, the country's dairy giant that caused an international uproar over botulism fears.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 20 August 2013

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar fell back to the low .9100's after trading above 0.9200 yesterday as concerns about the timing of the US Federal Reserve's tapering program weighed on our local currency.

Another Jail-break in Indonesia, 30 Inmates Escape

About 30 inmates escaped from the riot-hit Labuhan Ruku prison in the Indonesian island of Sumatra on Sunday. The incident which occurred in Batubara, Northern Sumatra is the latest in the several cases of prison riots and jail breaks that have happened in the country.

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