POLITICS & POLICY

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will sit on a meeting with several of Australia's biggest mining companies on Wednesday to discuss his new resource super tax profits.

BHP Billiton chief executive Marius Kloppers criticized the Federal Government for accusing Australia's mining industry on not paying its full share of tax.

Queensland's Premier Anna Blight will questions the new mining tax plan proposed by the federal government, stating that it poses a threat to the nation's mining industry.

The Federal Government is urging mining companies to cooperate with the new reforms on super profits tax.

Unions are disappointed with several businesses for opposing the federal government's superannuation increase, branding them as "selfish" and cannot see the brighter side of the reform

The government's plan to impose a 40 percent tax on above-normal mining profits got an ally from union members who criticized what they described as "disgraceful scare campaign" that the new levy would translate to job losses in the industry.

Australian Trade Minister Simon Cream arrived in India on Sunday for a weeklong visit aimed at strengthening the Aussie-India trade and economic partnership. Crean said he hopes to raise the level of relationship between Canberra and New Delhi to a new level.

Journalists from across the globe are celebrating World Press Freedom Day Monday. To commemorate the event, the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) had called on governments worldwide to remove the barriers to the free flow of information.

The People’s Bank of China has advised local banks on Sunday to increase their money reserves in a bid to rein in waves of fresh lending that could burst the property bubble and eventually lead to economic overheating.

Canberra's energy policies were criticized by AGL Energy for delaying its green power proposal, stating that it may threaten Australia's reputation as a suitable place for investments.

The Australian Industry Group commented that the Federal Government only addressed a few issues regarding the Henry review which was released on Sunday.

Bankers and accountants give their full support on the federal government's proposal on superannuation.

The opposition criticized the Federal Government "flimsy response" for a reform on the tax system.

The mining industry in Australia condemned the move by the State Government for an addition 40 per cent Resource Super Profits Tax - a move that could cost thousands of local jobs and affect the standard of living for the citizens.

The governments of Australia, the U.S. and the U.K. on Sunday warned of an "imminent' terror attacks in New Delhi targeting public areas, including markets in Connaught Place, Greater Kailash and Chandri Chwok.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd insists that the planned new tax and packaging rules on tobacco is not a political move, but is aimed at raising revenues and discourage Australians from lighting up.

The expansive oil spill off the Gulf of Mexico is threatening the way of life of the people in the state of Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal warned.

The mining sector in Western Australia will continue to lobby on the additional taxes on the sector, stating they oppose the confederation's move.

The government in South Australia will seek to regulate new liquor laws next week to complement the licensees dealings with drunks.

Better hide those bronzed skin when visiting Tehran, Iran. At least if you are a woman. On Thursday, Tehran police chief Brig. Gen. Hossien Sajedinia has warned that all women sporting a tan will be arrested and imprisoned because this violates the "spirit of Islamic law." Thus, any woman that looked like a "walking mannequin" will be punished.

The Surgeon General has warned that smoking is dangerous to your health. Now the Federal government said smoking is harmful to your finances, as taxes on cigarettes will rise by 25 percent by Thursday midnight.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued warning on Thursday that Asian economies are in danger of overheating as more capital influx could lead to inflationary pressures that could bust the region’s recent gains.

Australia's corporate watchdog has filed charges against 113 different companies between January 1 and March 31, 2010 for alleged violation of the Corporations Act. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) said the allegations were brought to court after receiving complaints from the public and insolvency practitioners.

For causing the collapse of the companies they were managing, six corporate directors were banned by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) from managing corporations for more than 20 years.

Labor opposition leader Eric Ripper of Western Australia condemned the Federation on its move to tax the mining industry - which contributed to the recovery from the global financial crisis.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said on Thursday morning that Federal Government will shred off the amount of tax that burdens the majority of the Australian citizens.

The tobacco industry will appeal to the State Government to fight the compulsory plain packaging for cigarettes.

She has been called a medical wonder. 10-year-old girl Rachael Shardlow miraculously survived being stung by a box jellyfish, one of the world's most venomous creatures, in December while swimming 23 kilometres upstream from the ocean mount in Calliope River, near Gladstone in Queensland.

A retired jeweler sorting through items donated to a Pennsylvania charity got the surprise of his life when he discovered an expensive 2.6 carat diamond and platinum ring estimated to be worth $US17,600 ($19,000).