POLITICS & POLICY

If the 300,000 Kiwis living on special category visa in Australia were hoping for some good news on welfare benefits to come their way, this news will leave them disheartened. The sweet-talking Australian government feels New Zealanders in Australia already have enough benefits. Shredding hope that the policy would change anytime soon, the Australian position was reiterated not once, but twice on Wednesday - by Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Canberra and by his senior colleague Foreign Minister J...

With the 68th General Assembly Debates at the United Nations in New York coming to an end, the UN General Assembly President John Ashe called upon member states to “find the common ground as a basis for moving forward with decisive action.” The General Assembly president said the outcome of the week-long debates is the need to draw up a new global development agenda integrating economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection.

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed to be seized by the recent conciliatory overtures by the Iranians towards the U.S. and its allies on the nuclear question that he spent more than 30 minutes of his allocated time speaking about it.

The Middle East seems to give no respite to the international community. Just days after the world celebrated the Obama-Rouhani telephone call, as what could be the beginning of a new era in Middle East geopolitics, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (GA) platform to take tight-fisted potshots at the new Iranian President. His move was calculated and his effort obvious. Attempting to shred though the conciliatory approach of the Iranian Pres.....

Sky gazers can now start the preparations for viewing the fast approaching celestial display of the 2013 Comet ISON after making its closest approach to planet Mars on Tuesday, Oct. 1. The “Comet of the Century” is expected to become visible to the naked eye in early Nov. before its closest approach to the Sun on Nov. 28 and planet Earth on Dec. 26.

Japan, already without nuclear power supply, has signed a 20-year supply arrangement with U.S. oil company Chevron Corp for the latter's $29 billion Australian Wheatstone liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.

At least 17 countries around the world, including Australia, the U.S. and many from Europe, have signified interest in taking-in refugees fleeing the almost three-year old civil conflict currently rampaging Syria. The United Nations lauded the countries' collaborative effort, although the respective governments have yet to formally issue a quota-based number of refugees each is willing to take in.

Several prominent female personalities in Canada have voiced their opinion in favour of bringing back the original lyrics of “O Canada”.

It has been a known fact for childless couples around the world that they can opt to have children birthed for a fee by a surrogate from India. Many from Canada and the UK have done it and actually have been thankful in doing it. Thus, India's "rent-a-womb" industry has flourished so much that a local doctor has spearheaded the construction of the world's first baby factory, while the Indian government mulls over regulating the sector.

The Australian Defence Force finishes the Exercise IRON MOON 2013 North West, Australia.

The U.S. Consulate is open for Aussies seeking a work visa to the U.S.

After recovering from a losing streak in the middle of last week, the Dow fell again on Friday - down 70 points.

All hell broke loose last night. The government shutdown in the US suddenly 'got real' and there was uproar across the country. One commentator suggested releasing giant pandas 'into congress, let them maul [the politicians] out of office and then [the bears] shall run our government.'

It's the end of another empire. The US government, once the most trusted creditor in the world, is nearing a 'government shutdown'. Zero hour is supposedly tomorrow US time, so tonight our time. The media is having a field day with this one.

The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee of the European Parliament unanimously approved a legislative resolution to craft a law that would require all mobile phone manufacturers to make a universal charge to cut down on e-waste.

First female prime minister and former leader of the Australian Labour Party Julia Gillard has broken her silence over the party leadership, sexism in politics and losing power to Kevin Rudd. In a talk with Anne Summers at the Sydney Opera House, Ms Gillard threw a thinly-veiled barb at former prime minister Kevin Rudd for destabilising her government and turning against her despite being in the same party.

The United Nations (UN) team of chemical weapon investigators in Syria left the country after a six-day mission. Led by Swedish scientist Ake Sellström, the UN team is evaluating available information related to all allegations of chemical weapons, for the purpose of preparing its final report before the upcoming Geneva Peace Conference in mid-November.

Google Japan has decided to join its country's fascination with vending machines. The company has just launched a vending machine type in Tokyo that sells Android apps.

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 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.

The inaugural ASEAN Defence Minister’s Meeting (ADMM)–Plus Maritime Security training exercise commences in Sydney.

A Christchurch man is waging a one-man battle against prostitution in his community and could get into trouble for his tactics and community organising efforts

The United Nations Security Council, on Thursday, passed an Australia-sponsored landmark resolution seeking to restrict trade and distribution of illicit small arms and weapons. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop presided over the debate on the resolution. The resolution got an overwhelming 14 yes votes with no country voting against and the lone dissenter, Russia deciding to abstain.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s decision to visit Indonesia is his first trip abroad after assuming office is clear indication where the stakes lie for the new government. Unlike his predecessor, Kevin Rudd, who sought opportunities to align with the West on key international issues like Syria, Mr Abbott is more focused on sorting problems at home and in the immediate neighbourhood.

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...

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.

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.

Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's Twitter avatar is special according to director of the Museum of Australian Democary at Old Parliament House.

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.