POLITICS & POLICY

Russia granted residency permit to Edward Snowden while Vladimir Putin’s government imposed a “full embargo” on food products coming from EU and the United States. Putin may also have plans to ban airlines from entering the Siberian airspace.

ISIS took over Qaraqosh, the largest Christian town in Iraq, and asked the residents to convert to Islam or die. The village with a population of around 50,000 is now left to choose between Islam and death.

The U.S. Climate Prediction Center has said the much anticipated El Niño weather phenomenon has fizzled out in the equatorial Pacific. The chances of it happening in the Northern Hemisphere during autumn and early winter had dropped to 65 per cent, from a previous 80 per cent.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked U.S. lawmakers to help fight against "war crime" allegations as Palestinian leaders are about to approach the International Criminal Court against Israel. An Israeli website accused Arab nations of double standards on Gaza conflict.

The two-star officer was killed in random firing as Rafiqullah, the gunman who killed him, was shot dead as well. Here is what we know so far about the Afghan gunman.

Defiant Russia, which has banned all U.S. food on its land, as well as fruits and vegetables from the EU in response to sanctions, is feared to invade Ukraine anytime soon. NATO said around 20,000 combat-ready Russian troops are now present on Ukraine's eastern border.

The Israeli military has acquired a copy of a manual of Hamas' urban warfare. The manual carried the title, "Introduction to City War" and justifies the benefits of civilian casualties including the open admission that Israel avoids endangering them. Hamas believes that the destruction of civilian homes "increases the hatred of citizens towards attackers" and motivates them to support defenders of the city.

A senior official of the United Nations said that Ukraine violence would cause significant damage to millions of people. Russia, in the meantime, dismissed Pentagon’s claims that the Russian military was growing its strength near the Ukraine border.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has accused Kim Dotcom of being a "political sugar daddy" for "dabbling" in the coming election in the hopes of escaping U.S. extradition. The German founder of formerly popular file-sharing site Megaupload is now based in New Zealand and formed the Internet Party ahead of New Zealand's September 20 election. He has since formed an alliance with the Mana party.

The Toronto Police Services Board has refused extension to the outgoing police chief Bill Blair, reported National Post. The Board issued a statement stating its inability to renew the agreement of Blair and announced it was looking for a new face. Blair has the repute of being a no-nonsense police chief and many see his cold relations with the Mayor could be one reason for the denial of extension.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has roped in sanctions-hit Iran as a friend in need with a huge oil deal to side step the pressure of Western sanctions. The Telegraph reported that Russia signed a 5 year Oil deal with Iran.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar is slightly higher this morning and we look to local employment data today for some direction from here.

New Zealand’s Green Party leader and Napier candidate Paul Bailey urged the government to expel the Israeli ambassador from the country, reported New Zealand Herald. The Israeli ambassador Yosef Livne was on a visit to the Bay region of New Zealand since Tuesday.

The U.S. President Barack Obama has dismissed Russia as a nation not making anything. In an interview to the Economist magazine, the US President spoke about Russia and China in detail, reported Moscow Times.

The Australian coal industry stands to potentially lose some of its ardor as China, one of its major markets, has announced closing its coal-fired powerplants as well as banning the use of coal.

When it rains, it definitely does pour, at least for Hawaii which is advising its residents to brace for two storms next week. On the other end of the world, Japan is likewise being eyed by a monster typhoon.

The Gaza war symbolically broke the indifference of Hollywood stereotypes and many creative icons took a stand. The civilian casualties in Gaza thus helped in shedding the inhibitions of many Hollywood figures in coming out in the open though many beat a hasty retreat, reported the Guardian.

The owner of the white Volvo truck that is said to have carried the BUK missile that reportedly shot down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 has provided new evidence in the investigation. According to the latest report, the evidence provided by this man indicates that pro-Russian rebels are involved in the missile strike.

The heat of poll campaign in New Zealand is seeing blurring political lines and increased use of social media by candidates in carrying their sensitive political messages to the public citing different issues and concerns, reported NZ Herald.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar is a little lower following some USD strength last night.

Two Canadians, who have been living as expatriates in China for 30 years, are being investigated after having been accused of stealing state secrets related to the national defence research and the Chinese military.

A Canadian couple who owns and runs a café in China have been detained in that country for alleged espionage.

Australia's immigration department intentionally harms vulnerable asylum seekers. In a report by the Guardian, the chief psychiatrist taking care of the detainees' mental health has revealed that asylum seekers in detention centres were "suffering."

Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott has strengthened the country's terror laws and rejected reforms to the Racial Discrimination Act. Mr Abbott has required all telecommunications providers to retain customer data as federal law tightens to crack down on those who encouraged or incited terrorism.

No matter it is ceasefire or war time, the British government has decided to take a call on reviewing arms sales to Israel. The Downing Street has ordered a review of all the export licences in the aftermath of the Gaza assault that killed 1,700 Palestinians. An official spokesman of the PM’s office confirmed that the government is getting ready to review all the export licences to Israel

A U.S. general has reportedly been killed after an Afghan gunman opened fire at a Kabul training facility on Tuesday, August 5.

Israel announced the withdrawal of its military troops from Gaza as both Hamas and the Jewish nation agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire brokered by Egypt.

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), operator of stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant, will be unable to comply with a deadline of clearing out radioactive water around the facility.

The U.S. government sent undercover agents to incite a political insurgency in Cuba.