POLITICS & POLICY

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar dropped to a one-year low following some positive comments on the US economy by the head of the Federal Reserve.

Taipei released on Tuesday a voyage data record that indicates non-intrusion of the Taiwanese fishing boat into Philippine waters on May 9. The alleged intrusion has claimed the life of one Taiwanese fisherman after a Philippine patrol boat reportedly fired on the fishing vessel 50 times.

With the way she handled the Greek debt crisis and the strong performance of the German economy amid the euro crisis, it is not surprising that German Chancellor Angela Merkel is the world's most powerful woman. Forbes magazine confirmed that by placing Ms Merkel no 1 on its annual list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women.

Apple to Face Senate’s Criticism over US Taxes

FBI authorities shot dead a Chechen immigrant after he attempted to strike an agent with knife while being questioned. Ibragim Todashev is under FBI inquiry after being linked to the Boston Marathon Bombing. Authorities gunned down 27-year-old Todashev in his Orlando home.

To indicate her disbelief in the concept of global warming, former Republican Party vice presidential candidate and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin posted a naughty remark in her Facebook account.

The State Liberals want ABC and SBS privatized and Tony Abbott is at the receiving end. State Liberals want Abbott to privatize the two companies should he win on September 14. The interest on ABC and SBS remains high despite issues of noncompliance with their charters.

As search-and-rescue officials finally closed the lid on Tuesday night for potential survivors or bodies, residents of Moore, Oklahoma, now focus on reclaiming their lives before the disruptive tornado hit their hometown on Monday afternoon. The official death tally was recorded at 24, with more than 230 injured. Damage to property was placed at an estimated US$3 billion.

Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart tells formal inquiry that church leaders have helped in cover-ups

Aftermath images and videos of the Oklahoma tornado are now posted on social networking web sites. It showed how the force of nature damaged the US state on Monday, May 20, with its projected width of 3.2km and speed of up to 320km/hr.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar is unchanged from yesterday's levels, trading at USD 0.9800, as currency markets debate the likelihood and even timing of the US Federal Reserve's winding down of its economic stimulus program.

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had a change of heart. Previously in opposition of same-sex marriage, Rudd announced his support for gay marriage explaining his decision was part of his personal journey. He also denied claims that he was only gunning for political points upon his announcement.

The Philippines has filed another diplomatic protest against China this time for the alleged encroachment of Chinese vessels in Ayungin Reef off the coast of Palawan.

There is no runaway winner for this year’s federal election as poll show the country is split on Prime Minister Support. While many Australians show strong support for the federal coalition, recent polls reveal that they are still divided on who should lead the country all together.

Cyber hackers from China are fearless as it resumes its cyber attacks to the U.S.

Australia is on the radar target of drug traffickers, based on data released on Monday which showed a whopping 154 per cent growth on the amount of illegal drugs confiscated in 2011-2012 versus a year ago.

North Korea has just fired its sixth missile as part of their right to exercise military drills

The growing women empowerment in Saudi Arabia has expanded to include the plight of foreign nationals, specifically Filipina maids. On Monday, the Middle Eastern nation signed a bilateral agreement with the Philippine government, vowing to protect the rights of its women who work as maids in the oil-rich nation.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar has recovered back above USD0.9800 overnight as markets took a breather from recent rallies.

Former Australian businessmen Matthew Joyce and Angus Reed have been slapped a 10-year imprisonment by the justice courts in United Arab Emirates following convictions of property fraud charges over a Dubai Waterfront project in 2009.

With a scarcity index of 21 percent, Venezuela not only suffers shortages in basic food staples. Now even toilet paper have run out of stocks causing people to hoard and madly rush to supermarkets each time a new delivery arrives.

China has ordered an embargo of lamb mutton and beef meat shipments from New Zealand after Chinese officials discovered problems with the accompanying paperwork on the food items.

An unemployed 48-year-old divorced British father is now detained in France for admitting the murders of his two very young children by slitting their throats, abruptly terminating what could have been the start of a series of father-children bonding moments without a third party.

In what could be a further testament to the growing culture of women empowerment in Saudi Arabia, a Saudi woman has conquered not only her fears but also the planet's highest mountain, Mount Everest.

At the crack of dawn on Sunday morning, Iran hanged two Iranian men for allegedly being agent spies of the U.S. CIA and the Israeli's Mossad, passing on classified and vital information to the latter agencies in exchange for money.

Stocks capped off another strong week with a broad rally, as a bigger-than-expected rise in consumer sentiment bolstered the view of an economy that is faring better than some had feared.

Bell FX Currency Outlook The Australian Dollar's recent fall has stabilised with the local currency opening trade this morning in the mid 0.9700's.

A Filipino overseas worker has been attacked by a youth gang in Taiwan and was hospitalised amid simmering tensions over the shooting of one Taiwanese fisherman by a Philippine coast guard board last week.

The website and twitter feeds of the Financial Times became the target of the Syrian Electronic Army, a group of online hackers and supporters of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad on Friday.