Sunny Peter

A joint team of international chemical weapons inspectors has arrived in Syria to being the daunting process of dismantling and destroying the country’s chemical weapons stockpile and manufacturing facilities.

Iran’s conciliatory approach at the UN and with the U.S. seems to be bearing some fruit. Notwithstanding Israeli opposition at the UN General Assembly annual debate on Tuesday, reports suggest Western governments are thinking about allowing Iran to continue some uranium enrichment. It could pave the way for smoother talks and better meeting of minds. The move comes after Iran said it wants to end its deadlock with Western powers, on the issue of alleged nuclear weapons within the next six month...

Never take your king literally, particularly when he says he is open to criticism. A Thai woman learnt it the hard way when she got a five year jail term for a 2008 web comment considered discourteous to the Thailand royals. But she must be relived she got away with a lesser term, in a country which has the world's toughest lese-majeste laws, with royal insults punishable by up to 15 years in prison for each offence committed.

If you thought Chinese have a reputation for uncouth behaviour while abroad, you may want to change your mind now. The next time you see a well-behaved Chinese tourist, know where the instructions came from.

The sentencing of a prominent U.S.-trained human rights lawyer to 30 months in prison in a tax evasion case by a Hanoi court on Wednesday could hit U.S.-Vietnam relations. Le Quoc Quan, 42, is one of Vietnam’s best-known activist-blogger. Following the sentencing, the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi issued a statement accusing Vietnam of using tax laws for political ends and urging the government to release other political prisoners.

If the 300,000 Kiwis living on special category visa in Australia were hoping for some good news on welfare benefits to come their way, this news will leave them disheartened. The sweet-talking Australian government feels New Zealanders in Australia already have enough benefits. Shredding hope that the policy would change anytime soon, the Australian position was reiterated not once, but twice on Wednesday - by Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Canberra and by his senior colleague Foreign Minister J...

With the 68th General Assembly Debates at the United Nations in New York coming to an end, the UN General Assembly President John Ashe called upon member states to “find the common ground as a basis for moving forward with decisive action.” The General Assembly president said the outcome of the week-long debates is the need to draw up a new global development agenda integrating economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection.

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed to be seized by the recent conciliatory overtures by the Iranians towards the U.S. and its allies on the nuclear question that he spent more than 30 minutes of his allocated time speaking about it.

The Middle East seems to give no respite to the international community. Just days after the world celebrated the Obama-Rouhani telephone call, as what could be the beginning of a new era in Middle East geopolitics, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (GA) platform to take tight-fisted potshots at the new Iranian President. His move was calculated and his effort obvious. Attempting to shred though the conciliatory approach of the Iranian Pres.....

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) region stands to gain between 38 and 57 million additional international tourist arrivals by 2016 from visa facilitation and could lead to 2.6 million more jobs in APEC economies. These are the findings of a research report released by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). The findings of the report were presented at the APEC High Level Policy Dialogue held in Bali, Indonesia on Tuesday.

The United Nations (UN) team of chemical weapon investigators in Syria left the country after a six-day mission. Led by Swedish scientist Ake Sellström, the UN team is evaluating available information related to all allegations of chemical weapons, for the purpose of preparing its final report before the upcoming Geneva Peace Conference in mid-November.

The Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia has announced five Australian films for its 2013 line-up. A press release issued by Screen Australia on Monday said, two Australian shorts will have their world premieres and three Australian features will screen at the festival. The festival will be held in Spain from Oct 11–20.

"Infrastructure is a key enabler of productivity growth," Rod Sims, chairman of Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), said. He stressed this statement to the delegates who attended the inaugural session of the International Symposium on Infrastructure Monday at the University of Wollongong. Sims discussed the essential need for effective regulation of infrastructure for Australia to reach its potential.

By 2016, Australia will be having its quietest hospital. For completion in three year's time, the new Royal Adelaide Hospital will be housing 800 beds with state-of-the-art facilities, including a helipad sitting atop its southwest corner.

With 6 in 10 Australians choosing not to use a smartphone app because of privacy concerns, the Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim says, mobile app developers need to put privacy first or they risk breaching the law.

The United Nations Security Council, on Thursday, passed an Australia-sponsored landmark resolution seeking to restrict trade and distribution of illicit small arms and weapons. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop presided over the debate on the resolution. The resolution got an overwhelming 14 yes votes with no country voting against and the lone dissenter, Russia deciding to abstain.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s decision to visit Indonesia is his first trip abroad after assuming office is clear indication where the stakes lie for the new government. Unlike his predecessor, Kevin Rudd, who sought opportunities to align with the West on key international issues like Syria, Mr Abbott is more focused on sorting problems at home and in the immediate neighbourhood.

Speaking at the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Vanuatu, on Saturday, called up the world body not to ignore the rights of the people of West Papua. Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Moana Carcasses Kalosil urged the United Nations to appoint a Special Representative to investigate alleged human rights abuses in the Papuan provinces of Indonesia. He also called upon the UN to discuss the political status of the province and rectify some historical errors.

Australia’s West Papuan refugee community and supporters of refugee rights will hold a protest rally outside the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on Monday from 8 am till 5 pm against the department’s decision to deport seven West Papuan asylum seekers to Papua New Guinea, in spite of well grounded fears of their continued persecution.

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday urged the National Coalition for the Syrian opposition forces to reach out to other groups and agree on a united delegation for an upcoming peace conference in Geneva. Reports suggest that the peace conference will be held in mid-November. Hectic parleys are on in New York, to firm up the exact date, which is expected to be finalised this week. Meanwhile, it was known that Iran may also participate in the peace talks.

The Syrian National Coalition, a major opposition group, has critical roles and responsibilities in negotiating peace and fostering democracy, and helping to preserve the unity of their strife-torn country. This message was conveyed to the Syrian opposition group at the Ministerial Meeting of the Friends of the Syrian People at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Thursday.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chairman Rod Sims on Thursday provided a regulator’s perspective on the importance of competition provisions in regional trade agreements. He was addressing trade negotiators at a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) seminar in Brisbane.

With the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA) International Mobile Roaming Standard taking effect Friday, Australian customers will have fewer shocks and surprises with their mobile bills.

The United Nations Secretary-General and General Assembly President urged Member-States to take renewed steps to rid the world of nuclear weapons. At the first high-level meeting on the subject, held by the UN General Assembly, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the world cannot ignore the very tangible benefits, disarmament would bring for all humankind.

Six West Papuans have fled across the border to Australia after being sought by Indonesian authorities for participating in a Freedom Flotilla to West Papua ceremonial function at sea with Australian Indigenous Elders. A press release issued by the organisers of the Freedom Flotilla said, they six West Papuans have been detained by Australian Immigration after reaching Boigu Island in Australia on Tuesday.

Stressing the importance of international solidarity in setting a new long-term global development agenda, leaders of African nations told the General Assembly that if the development agenda is properly managed, the world could see the 21st century becoming an “African century.”

Calling for a new global commitment to peaceful, inclusive development, on day two of the UN General Assembly debate, leaders from the Latin American region warned the United Nations General Assembly that deepening inequality and unfair economic policies by powerful countries condemn vulnerable people to the margins of society and prevent small countries from enjoying the rights enshrined in the UN Charter.

In one of the largest single seizures of ephedrine in Australian history, a multi-agency investigation resulted in a major seizure of 274kg of the banned substance hidden in a shipment of rice from India into Melbourne. Three people have been arrested in Australia and one person in India on charges for their alleged involvement in the importation and intended distribution of the substance.

Trident Taskforce arrested on Wednesdy a 46-year-old Brighton man for drug related offences. The arrest is part of a major operation undertaken by the multi-agency Trident Taskforce, to disrupt an alleged large drug importation and trafficking syndicate. According to a press release issued by the Australian Crime Commission (ACC), this is the third arrest by the Taskforce since it launched its anti-drug trafficking operation in Dec 2012.