POLITICS & POLICY

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.

Kim Jong Un probably didn’t have his uncle fed to dogs. The story that claims Jang Song Thaek had been executed by the North Korean leader by stripping him naked and feeding him to over a hundred of dogs was started by a satirical news site, and which was picked up by international media as a legitimate news.

China has announced it will be establishing three to five fully privately-owned banks in 2014 to help augur for the financial requirements of cash-starved smaller companies.

Canada is seeking new markets for military equipment and guns made in the country, and the developing nations seem to be the next destination.

Seven activists from Jamaat-e-Islami and Bangladesh Nationalist Party were arrested for attacking the Hindu community in Bangladesh

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un’s aunt has reportedly died due to causes that are still considered puzzling.

A total of 6.15 tonnes of raw elephant tusks and carved ivory pieces were crushed in China on Monday in a seemingly very public display of its commitment to wean out illegal smuggling activities. It was a first for its kind in China. The world certainly hopes it won't be the last.

Carbon polluters in Australia will not be punished under the Abbott government's Direct Action plan. Prime Minister Tony Abbott's climate policy was not designed to be punitive, according to Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt. Unlike Labour's carbon tax policy, the Coalition government does not penalise companies that fail to comply with emissions targets. Instead of penalties, the federal government will offer generous and flexible compliance settlements.

Paul Hellyer, former Defence Minister of Canada, has claimed that aliens are not ready to share their technological expertise with earth people since they are disgusted with pollution and wars.

Egypt did not allow 61 Shia Muslims from Canada to enter the country

Besides rejecting same-sex marriages, Australia's homophobia reached a new high with the government rejecting the partnership visa application of a gay man born in Pakistan and in a relationship with a male Brisbane doctor.