POLITICS & POLICY

The recently concluded agreement between Malaysia and Australia has created strong reactions in Australia’s multicultural communities for its rejection of Australia’s international humanitarian obligations.

AFTERNOON REPORT (12pm AEST)The local share market is trading higher at lunchtime in the East, despite a negative offshore lead on continued worries over the US debt crisis. US President Barack Obama has addressed his nation within the last hour, telling Americans Democrats and Republicans have still not agreed on a solution to stop the government from defaulting on its debt repayments ahead of the August 2nd deadline. However, local stocks, which were heavily oversold yesterday, are today ...

Consumers are given better access to lower-priced internet service, according to Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy citing one of the key benefits of the National Broadband Network (NBN) network.

Hundreds of thousands face death and starvation in Somalia if the ongoing conflict in the region will keep international relief workers from reaching the affected areas, according to reports by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP).

MIDDAY REPORTLocal stocks have started the trading week in the red, after US leaders failed to agree on a deal to raise the government's borrowing power, or so-called "debt ceiling" before the August 2nd deadline. The debt ceiling is currently at $14.3 trillion, and the Democrats want it increased by $2.4 trillion in order to meet legal obligations, such as Social Security and Medicare payments. The Dow Futures is pointing to a negative start for Wall Street following the gridlock o...

Rigid security measures implemented by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly bordered beyond decency as foreign journalists covering the Israeli leader complained of intrusive checks imposed on them.

Australian producer prices rose by 0.8 percent in the second quarter, signifying a subdued inflation increase in the near term and no need to raise benchmark cash rates.

Anders Behring Breivik, the man blamed for Friday's twin terror attacks in Norway wishes to explain why he killed at least 93 people and wounded nearly 100 more when he appears in court for the first time.

See photos of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge when they're not as formal as they ought to be.

The Buckingham Palace is expecting to draw as much as 650,000 visitors this summer all because of the Duchess' sensational wedding gown on display.

View the best photos of Comic Con attendees in their costumes and be amazed at their craftsmanship and dedication.

Australia is missing out on the kind of economic windfall that will result from same-sex marriages in New York, according to Australian marriage equality advocates.

MIDDAY REPORT (12pm AEST)Local stocks are posting solid gains in early trade, following an upbeat session in European and US markets after Eurozone leaders agreed on a new bail-out package for Greece. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is firmer by 42.2pts in early trade or 0.9pct to 4668.4.

Solar peak bodies in Australia are growing more concerned that there has been no progress or policy announcement and that their Solar Solution and expert industry advice has been sidelined.

During the Melbourne visit of Oprah and her 92-man crew, they managed to spend $650,000 AUD in lavish hotel stays, dinners and chopper flights. The bad thing: Melbourne taxpayers paid for it all.

AFTERNOON REPORT (4.30pm AEST)Local stocks posted a slight win today, but importantly managed to hold onto yesterday's impressive gains, despite slight falls on Wall Street overnight. Sentiment was boosted by hopes European leaders will agree on a second bail-out package for Greece, while a disappointing flash read on China's manufacturing sector limited gains as markets around the Asian region fell. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) rose 7.8pts or 0.2pct to 4626.2 while the S&P/ASX 200 ...

The Queensland government is urged to put controls on the the coal seam gas sector that has excessively consumed the state's water supply.

Members of Australia's largest and most representative business organization, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) are taking the concerns of business and ACCI's member organizations about the proposed carbon tax to the community through support of an advertising campaign by the Australian Trade and Industry Alliance (ATI) which commenced on Thursday.

Recent media reports that finance sector jobs must be slashed in order to protect record finance industry profits have angered Australia’s finance sector workforce.

A price on carbon would hit regional communities across Queensland who would feel the impact of the estimated Australia wide loss of employment in existing coal mines, the Australian Coal Association (ACA) said on Thursday

The United Nations has officially declared Somalia’s food crisis a famine in several parts of the country.

What do Pamela Anderson, Jeremy Piven , Marilyn Manson and Denzel Washington all have in common? They were all nerds in high school!

Egypt's reshuffled cabinet will not be sworn in until Prime Minister Essam Sharaf recovers from a drop in blood pressure and returns to work, cabinet sources told Reuters on Tuesday.

Nigeria's Afribank has called off deal talks with Vine Capital over doubts the private equity firm has the ability to raise the necessary funds to recapitalize the rescued lender, banking sources said on Tuesday.

South Africa plans to set up a state-owned pharmaceutical company, a senior official in the ruling ANC party said on Tuesday, a move that could squeeze local players in one of the world's biggest market for anti-retroviral drugs.

Moviegoers at Llandudno Junction cinema were surprised last weekend when they saw the Royal couple inch their way into their seats to catch a late screening of the comedy "Bridesmaids".

Moviegoers at Llandudno Junction cinema were surprised last weekend when they saw the Royal couple inch their way into their seats to catch a late screening of the comedy "Bridesmaids".

Australian gaming company Tabcorp has paid $410 million to run retail betting operations in Victoria, the country's second most populous state.

Hacking group LulzSec defaced on Monday the website of U.S. tabloid The Sun, posting a fake article that media mogul Rupert Murdoch had been found dead.