Jacob Cherian

According to data on the Chinese economy, growth in the second quarter declined to 7.5% from 7.7% in the quarter leading up to March. China is one of Australia's biggest importers of natural resources. Analysts say that demand for Australian resources is still high in China and is unlikely to fall.

On Sunday, an asylum boat was found at 50km from Broome off the coast of West Australia.A spokeswoman for Customs and Border Protection said the boat had 84 people on board.

Bombings and violence in the southern and central part of Iraq have taken the lives of 13 people, cites new reports Monday. As Iraq emerges as a Shi’ite-led state, it is still scarred by a history of attacks by extremists. The Iraq War, waged by the U.S. and its allies to contain terrorism led to toppling the despotic reign of Saddam Hussein regime.

More than 1000 police forces scoured the streets searching for 100 inmates who escaped from an overcrowded prison in Indonesia. The inmates set fire to the facility expressing their anger toward the police for poor living conditions in the jail.

In a confusing state of events following the ouster of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, diplomats are calling for a government that represents interests of all political parties, including the Muslim Brotherhood.

President Jacob Zuma of South Africa said that he was happy with former President Nelson Mandela's health. He was responding to treatment for lung infection. He added that the improvement comes after "a difficult last few days."

The U.S. has criticised Chinese authorities for not handing over the ex-NSA contractor who leaked sensitive surveillance information. China has undermined its credibility to develop trust with the U.S. in order to manage difficult situations, said Deputy Secretary of State, William Burns. He was speaking to officials on the sidelines of a meeting on trade and cyber security.

Reports have confirmed the death of one individual as tropical storm Chantal swirled past a southern island in the Dominican Republic – the island of Hispaniola. There was a threat of Chantal converting into a hurricane as it headed for Haiti and the Dominican Republic, while authorities in these two countries and Puerto Rico have warned of flooding that may result in landslides.

Reports say Australian Customs officers have confirmed at least seven asylum seekers jumped off their boats. An Aussie patrol boat assisted them but did not bring them on board, say reports. The asylum seekers were rescued on June 28 by the Royal Australian Navy ship, HMAS Larrakia. The rescue took place 217 nautical miles from Christmas Island.

According to a new study, air pollution from living near roads may increase the incidence of lung cancer, normally attributed to smoking. Research indicates that even small quantities of traffic fumes are equivalent to passive smoking.

According to a fire department spokeswoman, one of the two school girls who died at the scene of the Asiana Airlines Inc. plane crash may have been killed by a vehicle from the rescue operations.

According to recent reports, Edward Snowden, ex-U. S. National Security Agency agency has not formally accepted Venezuela's offer for asylum. The White House says he should return to the U.S.

Consumers were more optimistic about the outlook of the economy in July, though they were vexed about spending and personal finances, says report.

According to a top Kremlin official, Edward Snowden, who leaked sensitive U.S. intelligence information has decided to accept asylum in Venezuela.

According to leaked information to news agency Al Jazeera, a commissioned report to ascertain whether Osama bin Laden’s presence in Pakistan for a decade was a result of negligence or collusion has found gross mishandling in bringing the September 11th master-mind to justice.

According to a Calgary study, more than 50% of babies have flattened spots on the back of their heads by the time they are two months. This is attributed to sleeping on the back of the head, a step taken to reduce sudden infant death syndrome.

According to new research, a leukaemia drug may alleviate breast cancer. Currently, Australian scientists are examining how compounds called BH3-mimetics, containing anti-cancer properties can help breast cancer patients.

Australian bonds are lower on speculation that a job rise in the U.S. will lead to an easing of bond buying by the Federal Reserve. According to a report by the U.S. that claimed 195,000 new jobs emerged in June.

A statement issued by the General Synod of the Church of England offered an apology for failing to protect vulnerable adults, children, and young people from sexual and physical abuse. However, that statement expressing an 'unreserved apology' by Archbishops were scoffed as a meaningless gesture by abuse survivors.

Cuban leader, Raul Castro has expressed his support for granting asylum to U.S Fugitive Edward Snowden, who has fled the country after exposing sensitive information about a surveillance programme.`However, he has not offered details on a safe passage or if Cuba would offer refuge to the embattled former National Security Agency contractor

Protests from civil service employees, such as firefighters and union activists came to life after a 41 percent pay hike for MPs after Queensland acting premier Jeff Sweeney announced it a week ago.

Following an act of protest by about 400 local residents in Tecoma, work on the McDonald’s site has stopped. Proposal for the restaurant had been approved two years ago and the restaurant was under construction even as locals picketed outside the eatery.

President Evo Morales of Bolivia has made a move signalling that the U.S embassy in his country be shut down after an embarrassing situation when he was refused entry into European air space. The incident was brought on by suspicion that Edward Snowden, wanted by the U.S. for charges of espionage, was on board his plane.

Media reports say that after a visit to Sydney by talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, more Americans are checking out Sydney.

Inventor of the mouse, Douglas Engelbart, has died at the age of 88. Mr. Engelbart was a tech genius who not only came up with the idea of a mouse for a computer, but he had also put forward the concept of the ubiquitous Internet before other inventors and entrepreneurs commercialized it

Australia is slated to start a tour of India with 31/2 -week limited-overs from October to November. On October 10, the Aussie squad will be in Rajkot, playing a one-off Twenty20 International. And on November 2, they will complete their tour with their 7th One-Day International in Bangalore at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Fawad Ahmed was the most recent transfer to the Aussie cricket squad following a shift in immigration and visa policy by the Australian government. He was from Pakistan and was designated to play as a leg-spinner but he was too preoccupied with playing for his national side, cite media reports. Australia's cricket squad is now preparing to place another Pakistani spinner on the roster. His name is Usman Qadar, the son of prominent leg-spinner Abdul Qadar, a legendary player for the Pakis...

An oversight agency looking at environmental health has found that PepsiCo Inc (New York Stock Exchange: PEP) contains elevated levels of the carcinogen, 4-methylimidazole, also called 4-Mel. A carcinogen is a material that causes cancer.

Following the trail of a recent immigration bill backed by U.S. President Barack Obama and the Senate, Australia has passed a similar bill that enforces a provision for foreign firms to advertise and prove a need for skilled workers before a visa issued.