POLITICS & POLICY

Australians who make excess concessional contributions to their superannuation may benefit from changes announced by the government Thursday.

Australia's small and big banks have cut down the term deposit rates of their bank products, which could discourage consumers from hoarding cash and explore other investment options.

Those who are trying to find replicas of Pippa Middleton's bridesmaid gown now have an easier option, with mall giant Debenhams retailing the dress for a fair price.

The Australian Rock and Roll Hall of Famers have added another branch to their legendary empire by releasing their own line of high end wines.

MARKET CLOSE (4.30pm AEST)The Australian sharemarket pulled back in the second half of trade to wipe out a portion of yesterday's stellar gains. The ASX 200 index (XJO) fell 0.8 pct or 35.6 pts to 4247.3 while the broader All Ordinaries index (XAO) dropped 0.7 pct or 29.5 pts to 4317.3.

Western Australian towns along the coastline are among the most at risk to climate change in the world according a new report from the Climate Commission.

After announcing an expansion into Asia, Qantas Airways will be facing a government investigation over job losses at home.

Justin Bieber leads Hollywood celebrities honored at the 2011 Do Something Awards held in Los Angeles, California Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011. The Canada’s teen sensation has been recognized for making not just one but millions “less lonely girls” (and surely some teen boys) for his music.

The Texas governor has a clear environmental platform — whether you like it or not is a different story.

Pippa Middleton, whose relationship with cricketer Alex Loudon seemed a bit shaky, confirmed to the public that they are definitely back together after a PDA session at the sidelines of Loudon's game.

It's no wonder, Prince William and Kate Middleton is the world's most adored couple, and no one can deny how beautiful they look together, especially in these photos and videos.

This summer's Australian "Summadayze" tour will feature some of the most celebrated acts in music, including legendary rapper Snoop Dogg.

This week marks the 34th year of death anniversary of the King of Rock and Roll. But a report by the Associated Press says that thousands of Elvis devotees have something else to celebrate as they remember the singer on the day of his death on August 16, 1977.

MARKET CLOSE (4.30pm AEST)The ASX 200 index (XJO) rose 2.6 pct or 110.3 pts to 4282.9 while the broader All Ordinaries index (XAO) is up 2.6 pct or 108.9 pts to 4346.8. All sectors managed to post solid gains today, with the energy and mining sectors leading the way.

A new book about bizarre World War II plots revealed the strangest one of all: British spies planned to lace Adolf Hitler's food with female sex hormones to curb his aggressive tendencies.

Agricultural pesticides are causing a significant amount of damage to the nation's Great Barrier Reef, according to a report from the federal government.

It's easier than ever for students to get their hands on high-quality fake IDs.

This weekend stargazers were in for a double treat as the annual Perseid meteor shower dazzled from midnight of Aug. 12 and pre-dawn on Aug. 13.

Kate Middleton and Victoria Beckham are friends that have similar fashion preferences, with one focusing on a conservative flair while the other goes for glamorous and sexy.

Prime Minister David Cameron said on Thursday that government was considering blocking the use of social media services like FaceBook, Twitter, BlackBerry Messenger to prevent riots.

Now more than anything else do locals in many areas in London need to feel that much-needed support after the disturbing riots that ravaged the country’s many establishments, not to mention the devastating effects it caused many of the victims and their families.

Australia's central bank is again under pressure as to how it will play the key benchmark key rates in the near term as unemployment and inflation rates rose in recent weeks.

America never forgets. Or at least, it takes time for this “big great nation to heal”. After all these years, names who may have been big in the first place and became bigger after being implicated in murders or scandals and hot issues Americans feel strongly against, pay the price for being remembered for what they had done or embroiled themselves into.

The $14-million Madame Tussauds Museum is making its way Down Under and Australians are keeping their eyes on their favorite starswho will be featured in its opening in Darling Harbour, Sydney.

A motley group of London-based music labels are fearing the loss of stocks after a major distribution warehouse got burned to the ground due to the London riots.

After four nights of the worst riots in decades, Britain's capital is quiet but the aftermath of the unrest continues with courts open through the night to deal with 1,200 arrested looters.

It was another interesting session on the Australian share market, as investors reacted to fresh sovereign debt worries out of Europe and a surprise rise in the local unemployment rate. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) fell 1.5pct on open, outperforming near 5pct losses witnessed on Wall Street overnight.

Across Asia, regional markets are mixed following the wild ride in overnight equity markets that saw the US and European indices close sharply lower. After larger falls on the open, the major indexes have rallied to be trading well off their lows. The Shanghai Composite and Kospi are the best performers, up 0.4% and 0.3% while the Hang Seng and Nikkei 225 are both down 1.2%.

Australians campaigning for animal rights will rally across the country on Sunday, August 14, in support of legislation that will determine the future of the live export trade. This comes after the first shipment of cattle since the lifting of the live export ban to Indonesia left the Port of Darwin on Wednesday and the government announcing a new package of subsidised loans and grants to cattle producers affected by the suspension of trade.