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Cost of Freedom: Manning and Snowden Demand Attention

It is a bit of news that Edward Snowden will be watching very closely. Like Snowden, who could not in his “good conscience allow the U.S. government to destroy privacy, Internet freedom and basic liberties for people around the world,” - Bradley Manning, 25, sentenced to prison for 35 years, on several charges of espionage, said he leaked the secret files in the hopes of sparking a public debate about U.S. foreign policy and the military.

Sexism and Gender Discrimination? Australian Women Still Earn Less Than Men

According to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, men continue to earn more money than women in the country. Australian men earn an average of 17.53 per cent more than women with a weekly average of $1,518.40. The figure is higher compared to women who have an average of $1,252.20 per week.

Vatican to Announce Canonisation Date of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII on Sept 30

It will be a date millions of Roman Catholics around the world will be looking forward to. On Sept 30, Pope Francis will host a meeting of cardinals to formally approve the canonisation of former popes John Paul II and John XXIII. Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes said that the date for the canonisation will be announced at that time.

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...

Australian Dollar Outlook - 22 August 2013

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar fell to a fresh three-year low, after US Federal Reserve policy-makers spoke of tapering in the July FOMC minutes, by suggesting "it might soon be time to slow somewhat the pace" of asset purchases.

Egypt Unrest: US, EU Mull Cutting Aid as the Political Crisis Deepens

The U.S. government, on Tuesday, condemned the military-backed interim government in Egypt for the detention of Mohammed Badie, the 70-year-old spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood terming it “certainly not the standard that the Egyptian people expect of their government.”

Indian Air Force Shows Air Craft Power to China, World

In a achievement that carries strategic significance for Indian defence forces, the Indian Air Force (IAF), on Tuesday, landed a C-130J "Super Hercules" tactical airlift aircraft at the rudimentary airstrip in Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) in eastern Ladakh in the Himalayan range.

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.

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