POLITICS & POLICY

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has announced the near-completion of security upgrades on its existing IT infrastructure that will soon require staffs to utilise smartcards to gain entry on the agency’s system.

The Australian Labor Party is set to reverse its ban on uranium sale to India, according to a Monday report carried by Fairfax media outlets, which also suggested that the turnaround would be in support of Primer Minister Gillard’s ‘Asian Century’ policy.

The local share market is trading in the red in the early session, although the losses aren't as severe as was predicted following losses in European and US share markets overnight. Volatility returned to global markets overnight as investors questioned whether or not the new governments in Italy and Greece would actually be able to solve the European debt crisis. At lunchtime in the East, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 17.8pts or 0.4pct to 4351.3.

A showdown looms between Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh over the state's opposition to uranium mining. Bligh said the state has no plan to review or revise the policy.

After news spread that the Royal sister has dumped her longtime boyfriend, Alex Loudon, many are wondering who will replace him in Pippa's long line of hopeful bachelors. Will it be Justin Timberlake or Prince Harry?

Some 3,000 police and soldiers raided and took over two of Brazil's biggest shantytowns Sunday as part of a crackdown against armed drug gangs and security preparations for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.

The continuing fiscal crisis affecting the eurozone, coupled with the alterations in Italy's political landscapes along with brewing conflicts in the Middle East, led prices of crude oil to withdraw on Monday.

Men's bodies are making political news these days; Chris Christie's girth, Scott Brown's nudity. Caryl Rivers says that's changing the body politic and giving guys a taste of what women have long endured.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao exchanged barbs during a closed door meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference in Hawaii on Saturday.

Israel's defense chief, Ehud Barak wants more explosions similar to the one that struck a missile base in Iran on Saturday that killed 17 soldiers, including the key figure behind the Islamic country's missile programme.

The Royal Couple's new apartment seem to have a "cursed" history when it comes to the princesses who lived in it, will Kate break the ill fate of the Palace?

China, the world's second-largest economy, will consume more energy than India, Brazil, even bigger than the European Union and the United States combined, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its World Energy Outlook report published early this month.

The savvy investor who knows how to play his cards well will opt to maintain a diversified portfolio rather than just focus on one commodity or equity to ensure steady and long-term capital gains.The same is being advised to Australia, most especially now that China's super-power status seems to be not so super powerful at all, with cracks seen anew in its latest property market report.

India, one of the world's emerging economies on Monday, has been advised by the International Energy Agency (IEA) to re-open its nuclear power plans to address its energy crisis.

East African country Kenya recently intensified its prospects in known gold fields in Western Kenya in a bid to take part in the escalating global pandemonium for the supposed soothing psychological effects of gold among investors.

A significant number of Australian employers have been abusing contracting arrangements which deprived workers in certain industries millions of dollars in unpaid salaries in the last financial years.

At the third annual Governor's Ball, hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 3 of the biggest names in the industry were noted for each of their unique achievements in their respected fields.

Although the Australian government is apparently battling an uphill fight over carbon tax, renewable energy and similar issues as the debate gets lively, trends support the Labor government position that the country should shift toward renewables and away from coal.

We are living through a time of great awakening. The people of our world are beginning to open their eyes and realize the stunning depth of the scams and collusion taking place all around them.

Residents in Thailand's Don Mueang district have defied the orders of authorities when they destroyed flood barriers made of sand bags to create a way for boats and access the flooded 20 housing estates.

The Duchess of Cambridge is known for her elegant taste in clothes, and has been constantly seen wearing navy, red, or pastel colors. Here, we take a look at some of her best black and white ensembles.

This Italian plumber has been through a lot. Aside from his day job, Mario has been moonlighting as a princess saver, go kart racer, a brawler, a doctor and even several impressive types of sportsmen. This year, Mario is revived in full 3d effect by handheld console, Nintendo 3DS

With China's property market suffering a decline, analysts speculate the world is heading for a severe recession as a weakening global steel production will pressure prices of iron ore to further go down, pulling along with it prices of other commodities.

China has announced it would cut down its export quotas of special metals in 2012, which could push world prices higher.

Leaders of Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam have agreed to the outlines of a free- trade agreement called Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) during a meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii on Saturday.

Its helps if Australia will learn from history, according to renowned economist John Hewson, and prepare as early as possible for the easing down of global demands for its resources exports.

Investor optimism has returned following weekend developments in Europe, sending the local share market up sharply in early trade. After reaching a high of 4423 points in the first half hour of trade the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is up 33.8pts or 0.8pct at lunchtime in the East to 4392.4.

Everyone has to start somewhere and as ABC News found out, even with noteworthy titles such as "CEO" and "Governor," these presidential candidates still had their share of really bad jobs. A look at their resume would suggest that even the future leader of the free world had his share of menial labor, and we're not just talking household chores here.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh tweets “We did it … we got back up again and we won the 2018 Commonwealth Games,” confirming reports that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has chosen Gold Coast on Saturday as the official venue for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.