The targeting of the ex-wife of a national political leader by a $61 million royal commission will add weight to Labor claims that the inquiry is part of a "political witch-hunt"

It comes as one of the elders of the labour movement, Bill Kelty, offered a strong defence of Mr Shorten's record as a unionist.

To date the commission's focus on Mr Shorten - at least publicly - has been limited to industrial and political issues from his time as AWU leader. 

Asylum seekers from a boat whose crew was allegedly paid thousands of dollars by Australian authorities to return to Indonesia have questioned why they were intercepted in international waters.

The claims came as the ABC obtained images showing the moment Australian authorities intercepted the boat.

The Obama administration said on Wednesday that it would take the first step toward regulating greenhouse gas emissions from airplanes, but it acknowledged it would most likely take years before stringent standards are enacted.

There has been a court case launched by American Atheists against the use of a remnant of the 9/11 disaster in New York... At first, the battle could be seen as petty... This is obviously pointed out by many Christian dudes who make a good case for their side of the story. But not all is as clear cut as it seems. It's all about symbolism and the fanaticism of religious beliefs. 

Here comes Rod Dreher:

Treasurer Joe Hockey's colleagues have come to his defence after he sparked controversy by saying the best path to home ownership was to get a good job that pays well.

Yes, we all (some of us, yoofy ones) seek a good job that pays good money... We oldies watch with apprehension the day that the sky is going to collapse on top of our retirement plan and prevent us from reaching a toilet in time.