POLITICS & POLICY

Reserve Bank of Australia's Saddam Hussein Dealings Exposed, Australia Greens Call for Probe

The Australian Greens are demanding a full judicial inquiry with the authority of the Royal Commission to investigate the alleged "dirty deals" of the Reserve Bank of Australia including its subsidiaries. The Reserve Bank of Australia is currently under fire for using a front man to deal with the brother-in-law of Saddam Hussein. The front man was trying to close a deal involving the sale of plastic banknotes to the Iraqi government at the height of the sanctions imposed by the United Nat...

UN General Assembly Debate: Probe the Alleged Human Rights Abuses by Indonesia in Papua Provinces, Urges Vanuatu

Speaking at the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Vanuatu, on Saturday, called up the world body not to ignore the rights of the people of West Papua. Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Moana Carcasses Kalosil urged the United Nations to appoint a Special Representative to investigate alleged human rights abuses in the Papuan provinces of Indonesia. He also called upon the UN to discuss the political status of the province and rectify some historical errors.

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.
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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].

2013 Comet ISON: Mars Spacecraft to Capture Images and Observe Comet's Red Planet Flyby on October 1 [PHOTOS]

The European Space Agency (ESA) Mars Express spacecraft is currently preparing to capture and further observe the 2013 Comet ISON while making its closest flyby to planet Mars on Tuesday, October 1. Space.com reports that Comet ISON will pass by the Red Planet at 6.5 million miles (10.4 million kilometers) so the spacecraft that started the observation campaign on September 21 must have a superior view.

UN General Assembly Debate: U.S. President Obama Dares Nations to Confront ‘Profound New Challenges’ [Watch VIDEO]

Terming the prevention of slaughter within countries, whose institutions offer no hope to innocent men, women and children, as the new challenge the world faces today, U.S. President Barack Obama called upon nations to demonstrate the courage and determination to act decisively “when the breakdown of societies is so great [and] the violence against civilians so substantial.”

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