POLITICS & POLICY

New Zealand MP Withdraws Euthanasia Bill, Pro-Life Groups Rejoice

New Zealand lawmaker, Maryan Street withdrew her End of Life Choices Bill from the ballot in an unprecedented move. The New Zealand Parliament member said she was concerned about the debate and controversy the euthanasia bill might bring during the election year.

Canada Launches Database of Stolen, Lost Smartphones

Canada and its network of mobile service providers has launched a database of stolen and lost smartphones to curb the rising incidences of theft in the country. Essentially, any wireless device including cellphones and tablets that was reported lost or stolen may no longer be activated or reconnected.
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Refugees in Australia: Protest Rally Against Deportation Decision

Australia’s West Papuan refugee community and supporters of refugee rights will hold a protest rally outside the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on Monday from 8 am till 5 pm against the department’s decision to deport seven West Papuan asylum seekers to Papua New Guinea, in spite of well grounded fears of their continued persecution.

Syria Civil War: Syrian Opposition Told to Forge Unity for Geneva Peace Conference; Iran May Participate in Talks

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday urged the National Coalition for the Syrian opposition forces to reach out to other groups and agree on a united delegation for an upcoming peace conference in Geneva. Reports suggest that the peace conference will be held in mid-November. Hectic parleys are on in New York, to firm up the exact date, which is expected to be finalised this week. Meanwhile, it was known that Iran may also participate in the peace talks.

LNG Fires Flaring Over Australia

Today's Weekend Daily Reckoning will wade into the shifty and dangerous swirls of Australia's oil and gas politics. Up for grabs are billions in royalties and earnings. But it may also be a tale of price spikes and lost jobs. In other words, it could get ugly.

Aussie Rich Kids to Meet Bill Gates for A Cause

Children of Australia's richest families will meet Microsoft founder Bill Gates in the U.S. Sep. 30-Oct. 3, 2013 as part of Philanthropy Australia's New Generation of Giving (New Gen) Program.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 30 September 2013

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar is softer this morning as the brinkmanship between the Republicans and Democrats continues as a otential government shutdown on October 1 becomes more of a possibility.

Syrian Civil War: Key Role for Opposition Groups to Make Peace Work, Avert Chaos

The Syrian National Coalition, a major opposition group, has critical roles and responsibilities in negotiating peace and fostering democracy, and helping to preserve the unity of their strife-torn country. This message was conveyed to the Syrian opposition group at the Ministerial Meeting of the Friends of the Syrian People at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Thursday.

UN: Officials Urge Renewed Efforts for Nuclear Weapon Free World

The United Nations Secretary-General and General Assembly President urged Member-States to take renewed steps to rid the world of nuclear weapons. At the first high-level meeting on the subject, held by the UN General Assembly, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the world cannot ignore the very tangible benefits, disarmament would bring for all humankind.

Asylum Seekers in Australia: 6 Flee West Papua as Indonesian Authorities Hunt Them

Six West Papuans have fled across the border to Australia after being sought by Indonesian authorities for participating in a Freedom Flotilla to West Papua ceremonial function at sea with Australian Indigenous Elders. A press release issued by the organisers of the Freedom Flotilla said, they six West Papuans have been detained by Australian Immigration after reaching Boigu Island in Australia on Tuesday.

2022 World Cup Construction Frenzy on Track to Leave 4,000 Workers Dead

An exclusive report published by The Guardian on Thursday has scrutinised the organisers for failing to provide safe working conditions for those employed in the construction of venues. Qatar won the bid in 2010 in what was a contentious vote, despite having just one world-class stadium. The country has been building ten more new stadia and expanding two more, in the run-up to the premiere football event in the world.

UN General Assembly Debate: Latin American Leaders Urge to Promote Social Justice and End Inequality

Calling for a new global commitment to peaceful, inclusive development, on day two of the UN General Assembly debate, leaders from the Latin American region warned the United Nations General Assembly that deepening inequality and unfair economic policies by powerful countries condemn vulnerable people to the margins of society and prevent small countries from enjoying the rights enshrined in the UN Charter.

China’s Synthetic Natural Gas Plants Should be Shelved, a Ticking Environmental Disaster

China is planning to build as much as to 40 massive projects to convert coal to synthetic natural gas (SNG) as it zealously works to curb its coal pollution emissions. But a group of researchers had strongly warned it best to all together shelve the project because the SNG plants will greatly increase China's greenhouse emissions, releasing yet another environmental disaster.

China’s Alibaba Shuns Hong Kong Bourse, Targets U.S. for IPO Plan

China's Alibaba, the country's largest e-commerce company, has shunned the Hong Kong bourse for its planned initial public offering (IPO). Reportedly estimated to be worth $70 billion up to $120 billion, the IPO is being mulled to be organized in the U.S., either by the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq.

Australia May End Up With No Climate Policy, UN to Release Comprehensive Climate Change Report

With the sacking of Tim Flannery and the removal of the Climate Change Commission, Australia might end up having no climate change policy. The new Australian Senate will more likely breeze through the repeal of Australia Labour's carbon tax. However, the Senate remains skeptical about the Coalition government's plan to push the Direct Action plan worth $3.2 billion as an alternative.

UN General Assembly Debate: Iranian President Rouhani Asserts Claim to Peaceful Use of Nuclear Technology and Proposes Immediate ‘Time-Bound’ Talks to Mitigate Concerns [Watch VIDEO]

Reasserting his country’s right to peaceful nuclear enrichment, the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani proposed immediate “time-bound” talks to resolve the nuclear issue. Addressing the 68th General Assembly of the United Nations on Tuesday, President Rouhani said, he had listened carefully to the statement made by President Obama [made earlier at the General Assembly].

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