POLITICS & POLICY

Members of the Slovak Parliament voted overwhelmingly (114 – 30 with 3 abstentions) to support the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) reversing an earlier move to oppose the expansion of the bloc’s rescue package.

A proposal put forth by four members of the New York State (NYS) Senate have surely caused the Founding Fathers of the US to roll over in their graves. Hinged upon the stated goal of protecting children against "cyberbullying," NYS Senators Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester), Diane Savino (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn), David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Orange), and David Valesky (D-Oneida) have proposed the passage of a ridiculous new bill that will essentially criminalize free speech.

Costamare, the Greek shipping company that owns the MV Rena, has apologized through its managing director to the people of New Zealand, particularly the locals of Tauranga, over the devastating effects of its vessel's crash on Astrolabe Reef off Tauranga.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced on Thursday it has lodged an appeal against a recent Federal Court decision that cleared Google Inc. from alleged online search and online advertisements malpractices.

It It seems that the Middleton sisters have influenced everything, from fashion to plastic surgeries, and now, even baby names.

Only one of 17 member-nations of the European Union decided to deny the expansion of the bailout package for Greece which put at risk attempts to bring to an end the sovereign debt crisis.

Prudent regulatory measures and government economic policies are crucial in averting the damaging impacts of credit booms that largely crippled many economies during the global financial crisis in 2008.

The Duchess of Cambridge has yet inspired another fashion accessory because of her elegant style, and this time, it is a line of sheer hosiery.

The approval on Wednesday of the controversial carbon tax by the Australia's House of Commons has generated debate even before the measure becomes a law. A day after the carbon tax bill won in a narrow voting, some people have started to collect the tax ahead of the bill becoming a law.

A day after the Lower House of Representatives of Australia passed the carbon tax plan, the government of PM Julia Gillard pushed further its goals of reinventing Australia into an environment-conscious nation. Government announced the appointment of Jillian Broadbent to chair the panel working on the design of the $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), as well as introduced two bills to establish the creation of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

As Australia's population ages, the number of residents suffering from dementia is expected to reach 385,000 patients in 2021.

The Coalition successfully moved on Wednesday to delay the final vote on Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s anti-tobacco measures that would have compelled cigarette manufacturers and sellers in Australia to market their products in plain packaging.

The Australian Maritime and Safety Authority will join hands with Maritime New Zealand in clean-up efforts near Tauranga Harbor in what could be the most terrible maritime pollution debacle in the country’s history.

Kate Middleton might be the future queen of England, but she sure knows how to dress down in a way that's sophisticated and still elegant.

Miley Cyrus makes headlines whenever she is snapped sporting a racy outfit or brazen behavior. Once again, Miley is put on the spotlight but all for a different reason now.

Anti-carbon tax protests marked the first day after the Labor government passed the controversial measure. Members of the public gallery loudly chanted making the question hour proceedings at times inaudible.

Barely a few hours after the House of Representatives approved yesterday the carbon tax plan, a few enterprising individuals have taken advantage of taxing consumers by already adding the tax on their goods and services, even as the controversial carbon tax plan has yet to gain final approval at the Australian Senate.

According to a report, Kate Middleton has gone from a size six to an eight after losing much weight for her wedding last April.

More than 60 ordinary Australians arrived at Parliament House this morning to talk about marriage equality with more than 40 MPs from both sides of the house, including cabinet ministers and senior opposition politicians.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian dollar has rallied strongly overnight as investors once again appear willing to take on more risk following positive news out of Europe.

Minutes from the last US Federal Reserve meeting highlighted that Fed officials discussed a fresh round of bond purchases among other tools to stimulate activity. However officials seemed to be holding back from a third round of QE. The minutes reiterated that the Fed had become a lot more concerned about the economic outlook. Commenting that ´´the risks to the growth outlook...were significant and tilted to the downside´´ and that the recovery is ´´more vulnerable to negative shocks´

Over a thousand hectares of banana plantations in the Philippines have been infected by a disease that has destroyed banana plantations in other Southeast Asian nations, and farm owners on Monday warned agriculture officials that it could wipe out the Philippine banana industry in three years unless it is managed now.

Philippine Embassy officials are expected Thursday to talk to the captain and crew of MV Rena, the stricken cargo ship that is now massively spewing oil in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty. MV Rena's captain, Filipino Mauro Balomanga, who was reportedly celebrating his 44th birthday at the time of the crash, has appeared in Tauranga District Court, and is now facing a charge under Section 65 of the Maritime Transport Act of operating a vessel, causing unnecessary danger or risk to a person or p...

Australia’s coal industry today reaffirmed its ongoing determination to argue for a fairer and better carbon tax.

Amid the passage of the carbon tax on Wednesday, the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) has launched a carbon tax calculator that households and small businesses can use to calculate the rise on their electricity bills.

Australia’s solar industry welcomed the passing of the Clean Energy Future package by the Australian House of Representatives. Parliament has passed the controversial bill by 74 votes to 72 on Wednesday.

Australia is now poised to finally implement a carbon pricing regime, as parliament has passed the controversial bill after more than a decade of debate over the contentious issue.

Master Builders Australia, the peak body for the building and construction sector, has expressed opposition to the government’s plan to abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC).

The fact that it heralded Australia's economy into what it is now is an understatement. Its contribution of 5 per cent into the country's GDP is fair enough proof of what the mining sector had done for Australia.