POLITICS & POLICY

Asylum seekers from Africa are accusing Australian Navy personnel of torture on Wednesday. Their charges were corroborated by Hidayat, the Indonesian police chief, and backed by photos of the injuries.

Russian president Vladimir Putin isn’t homophobic because he loves Elton John “despite his orientation.” The controversial leader, who ensured the passing of the anti-gay propaganda law in his country, denied that he is prejudiced against homosexuals.

In an aggressive move to regain its position in the oil treaty dispute, East Timor asked the International Court of Justice Monday for Australia to return data and documents it confiscated from the former’s lawyer in December.

Andrew Grant steps down as CEO of CO2 Group Ltd, the largest carbon developer in Australia, as government draws on a new policy to adjust to climate change, thereby forcing the company to consider investing into new business areas.

If rumours have to be believed, U.S. President Barack Obama and the first lady of the country Michelle Obama are getting divorced.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar traded at a new 3½ year low on Friday as the market digested the weak local employment data from Thursday.

The Supreme Court of Chile is asking Australia to extradite Adriana Rivas, the woman accused of involvement in torture and murder during the military dictatorship period of 1973-1990 in Chile. She was an intelligent agent for her country’s secret police, and is now wanted for her role in the murder of a Community Party leader in 1976.

Not only did Lt Gen Gu Junshan owned dozens of homes and crates of luxury liquor, he also possessed a golden statue of Mao Zedong, a golden washbasin, a golden statue of a ship. The Chinese people aren't pleased.

Three Al-Jazeera journalists, including a highly praised Australian, were arrested for allegedly broadcasting fake news. The arrest took place in Cairo on Dec. 29, 2013.

The Keystone XL pipeline only has two options, either it's a go or no go. The massive project continues to tether as U.S. President Barack Obama decides whether to choose climate change over economics. Canadian support for the project, meantime, has gone cold.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar is slightly weaker this morning after a continuation of yesterday's moves in markets overnight.

Australian women who have political aspirations are discouraged to enter the world of politics because of former Prime Minister Julia Gillard's negative media image. According to a survey by the University of Adelaide and YWCA, 8 out of 10 women over the age of 31 were less likely to pursue a career in politics while 57 per cent of women between 18 and 21 years old were turned off by the media's treatment of Ms. Gillard.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The US budget committee has agreed on a spending plan through until September 30th, which alleviates concerns about the US fiscal situation, further supporting the USD.

Australia will be extending a US$50,000 cash assistance to the Tonga government to help survivors of the category five storm Cyclone Ian that lashed on the Ha'apai group of islands over the weekend.

Chinese netizens raged over the internet, unsatisfied over the suspended death sentence charged to a doctor found guilty of baby trafficking.

Mozaffar Khazaee alias Arash Khazaie was arrested at a New Jersey airport on Thursday for attempting to ship military secrets to Iran.

Same-sex relationships are now legally a no-no in Nigeria. Pres. Goodluck Jonathan has signed a bill on Monday criminalizing such unions.

China has held the first of what could be a series of tests to check on the speed of its new ultra-high speed missile vehicle, officials from the Pentagon said. They claimed the artillery aimed to distribute warheads through U.S. missile defenses.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: Overnight the Australian Dollar has held onto recent gains above USD0.9000 in quiet trade.

There have been strong suspicions about the couple’s rebellious background as jihadists.

New Zealand's Conservative Party leader Colin Craig has admitted to smacking his children despite the observance of the Smacking Law. Mr Craig believes that the legislation is "stupid" and wants to propose a repeal of the anti-smacking law.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar traded to .9000 on Friday night as the US non-farm payroll data fell well short of expectations.

The first recorded case Australian mortality in Syria is here. Sydney woman Amira Ali travelled to Syria to meet her husband and allegedly fell prey to the brutal internal strife between rebel forces in the country.

A dolphin was killed in a northern Sydney beach because of shark netting. The dolphin's death was proof that shark culling should not be allowed in Australia's beaches, according to an animal protection organisation. Fisheries officials have removed the animal and sent it to Taronga Zoo for further examination. The unnamed spokesman said dolphin deaths in nets were "not common at all."

Canada has decided to fight cyber-bullying by campaigning against it heavily on TV and through online ads.

Terri-Jean Bedford, a Canadian dominatrix, has many questions to ask Prime Minister Stephen Harper what is the real definition of the phrase sex act. Getting a comprehensive and definitive response would help the North American nation in its national debate on the sex industry.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Aussie Dollar hits a lower note after the US Federal Reserve December Policy meeting minutes and the release of some good US employment data.

Reports said that the Australian federal government is purchasing 16 large, hard-hulled engine-powered lifeboats to be used for sending back safely to Indonesia asylum seekers.

The privatization of the Australian Post has triggered a heated debate after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman, Rod Sims, was reportedly convincing Prime Minister Tony Abbott to consider selling government-owned assets.