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New Zealand to Ban 'Cruel' Animal Testing of Cosmetic Products

The New Zealand government is considering a ban on inhumane animal testing of cosmetic products. The proposed changes to its animal welfare laws will legally require the government to stop animal testing, according to animal charity SAFE. The animal charity is leading the Be Cruelty-Free NZ campaign together with the Humane Society International. The proposed revision in New Zealand's animal welfare laws was introduced by Green Party MP Mojo Mathers which would make animal testing of cosmetic...

Abbott Government Fails First Attempt to Repeal Carbon Tax as Labour, Greens Outnumber Coalition Votes

Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his Coalition government have failed in its first attempt to repeal Australia's carbon tax. The Australian Labour Party and the Greens used their numbers to their advantage in the Senate to block the carbon tax repeal with 33 votes against 29. According to reports, the move may possibly pave the way for a double dissolution election which may be decided by the government. The news of the block came following the Abbott government's immediate move to push a b...

Julia Gillard’s Famous Anti-Tony Abbott Misogyny Speech Becomes A Musical [VIDEO]

Julia Gillard’s famous speech about misogyny is now a musical. The former Australian prime minister delivered an impassioned speech against Tony Abbott’s apparent misogynistic treatment of her in 2012, which The Australian Voices have turned into a delightful musical.Ms Gillard was targeting Mr Abbott, who was then the leader of...
People celebrate and wave Russian flags as the preliminary results of today's referendum are announced in the Crimean city of Sevastopol on 16 March, 2014.

Pretty Woman: Japanese Netizens Notice Beautiful Crimean Attorney-General

U.S. residents are watching what will come next after U.S. President Barack Obama refused to accept the results of the referendum. Mr Obama told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the Crimean vote breaches the Ukrainian charter and was made under duress of military action from Russia. Amid the tense political atmosphere, Japanese netizens instead chose to focus on the captivating beauty of the new attorney-general of Crimea, 33-year-old Natalia Poklonskaya.
New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key Smiles After the General Election in Auckland.

New Zealand PM John Key Flies to China to Woo Consumers to Buy NZ-Made Products

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key is set to meet with Chinese officials on March 17, hoping to restore China's confidence in New Zealand products after the botulism scare in 2013 which attracted international scrutiny. Mr Key will meet with China's leaders to discuss the findings of the inquiry into Fonterra's whey protein contamination incident which caused millions worth of dairy products around the world including in China.

New Zealand's Synthetic Drug Law to Pave Way for Marijuana Legalisation

New Zealand's synthetic drug laws could pave the way for legalisation of marijuana in the country. Drug Policy Alliance executive director Ethan Nadelmann, who has been called the leading campaigner for marijuana legislation in the U.S., will be in Auckland this week to discuss cannabis law reform. Dr Nadelmann has been chosen to be the keynote speaker at the Pathway to Reform conference on March 20 which is organised by Star Trust, a synthetic drug industry group. According to Mr Nadelmann...

Australian Dollar Outlook - 17 March 2014

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar is little changed from Friday's level as it appears most attention is directed to the vote in the Crimea and its potential implications.
Rick Perry

Queensland and Texas Become Sister States

Queensland and Texas are now sisters. Premier Campbell Newman has met with Texas Governor Rick Perry to formalise a sister state agreement, strengthening the relationship between Australia’s Sunshine State and America’s Lone Star State.

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