POLITICS & POLICY

An all-female sect in Russia has anointed Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and believes the tough-talking former top Russian spy, is a reincarnation of the early Christian missionary Paul.

Although Prime Minister Gillard takes a narrow lead of three points against Opposition leader Tony Abbot, her popularity ratings continue to drop.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday claimed that notorious terrorist Osama bin Laden was a prisoner in U.S. custody for "sometime" before he was killed by American forces in a daring raid in Pakistan early this month.

Hundreds of Egyptian protesters demanding the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and the severance of ties with the Jewish state, clashed with police outside the Israeli embassy in Cairo. Army troopers fired tear gas and shots into the air to disperse the protesters.

Authorities in Guatemala said that 27 people were killed with their heads decapitated on a northern farm on the Mexican border. Police believe the killings were drug related as drug gangs operate in the area.

The solar industry today questioned both the sensibility and legality of the New South Wales Government’s decision to retroactively reduce the Solar Bonus Scheme and close it permanently.

The Federal Government’s population strategy released today reveals housing policy has become the latest Government evictee, according to the Residential Development Council.

The United States has been threatened by members of the terrorist Taliban army after their first retaliatory attack since the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.

At least 73 people were killed in twin bombings to hit a paramilitary force academy in north-west Pakistan Friday in what appears to be a retaliation to avenge the death of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden by U.S. security forces in Pakistan earlier this month.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard expressed Australia's sincerest gratitude to the Obama government for killing the most wanted terrorist.

A new amendment to the executive bill restricting the salary of a CEO to only 30 times the average wage of a regular employee of the same company is being pushed by the Greens into the government.

Asia is a vibrant economy with its cities bustling with activities. But the best Asian cities also offer some sins.

No election to test her directive on the carbon tax shall be called for as the parliament runs full term, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said.

The Philippine government has ordered a ban on the showing of violent, porn and racy movies in buses plying all roads.

Australia’s competitive advantage is in danger as the country’s freight advantage is being eroded, and as China lessens its dependence on Australian minerals, says a free market think tank.

The U.S. is losing hundreds of millions of dollars in prospective revenues and millions more in new jobs because of its strict visa policy that drives away millions of travelers. The burdensome visa program is hurting the U.S. travel industry, a study show.

The British Royal Navy has announced its plan to deploy a warship made from plastic to avoid triggering mines. The HMS Ramsey is scheduled to set to the gulf from its base at Faslane, it was reported.

At least 10 people were killed and dozens more injured when two successive earthquakes hit southeast Spain on Wednesday. The quake also damaged buildings and destroyed vehicles, in what officials described as one of the strongest quakes to hit the country in 50 years and inflicting the highest number of deaths.

A New Zealand court has ordered Australian airlines Qantas to pay fines worth NZ$6.5 million for fault of price fixing, records showed.

The tiny island nation of Samoa off the Pacific is catapulting itself 24 hours into the future on December.

"Till death do us part."And to prove just that, two Chinese couple held their wedding inside a cemetery to declare their intention to be together until death.

A six-year-old boy from Croatia dubbed "magnetic boy," is attracting curiosity from his family and friends because of his - you guessed it right - magnetic attraction.

Osama bin Laden's journal was seized during the May 2 dramatic US raid that ended his life.

The adult sons of Osama bin Laden have lashed out at U.S. President Obama, accusing the United States of violating its basic legal principles by killing an unarmed man and disposing of his body in the sea.

In the wake of the Fukushima nuclear plant crisis and three days after a top official announced Japan’s commitment to atomic power for its energy policy, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the government will rethink its plan to increase reliance on nuclear power.

About 100 residents from the village of Kawauchi, Japan were allowed to return home briefly on Tuesday to gather belongings left behind when they were asked to evacuate after the massive earthquake and tsunami damaged the nuclear reactors of the Fukushima Daichi nuclear power plant last March 11.

Critics and business leaders have been disappointed with the proposed federal budget of Australia unveiled last night for fiscal year 2011-2012.

A Chinese Kung Fu expert is carving a career with the use of his skills in the ancient Chinese martial art to hurl playing cards like throwing knives.

According to the latest U.S. monthly job report, the percentage of employed African-American men fell to its lowest level since records began in 1972. The figure belie expectations that the election of the first African-American in the White House could boost the blacks chances of getting jobs.