Australian government has decided to grant refugee importance to all 42 Afghan men who survived in a boat explosion off the outlying territory of Ashmore Reef in the month of April. Five of the refugee died and dozen injured in the explosion. Police declared this month that passengers have purposely set fire to the boat they are unable to pinpoint accurately the main culprit involved. They added saying there were inadequate evidences to charge against them.

Government added saying these men could lose the visas if new facts come out and interrupt, as they were involved in the explosion. Department of Immigration and Citizen will grant permanent protection visas to all 42 men by this week. Chris Evans Immigration Minister said if any of these men being found has offender of a serious offence that person’s refugee status would be withdrawn. He added saying Australian police had already informed they would be laying no charges over the incident. Boat was carrying 47 Afghan refugee and 2 Indonesian crewmembers when it exploded after being seized by the Australian navy 600km off the North West coast of the country. However, charges were against Indonesian sailors for smuggling people however; they are not suspects in the fatal fire. Many of the surviving Afghan men have burns over the body. Immigration minister said they found to be frank refugees they are afraid to return to their homeland because of the current situation in Afghanistan and threat to their lives.

Reserve Bank of Australia raised its interest rate by a quarter of 25 points to 3.25 percent and became the first major economy to increase the cost of borrowing as an amid signs of economy strengthening. This move was surprising as the Australian economy was the only amongst developed countries to expand by first half of 2009.

Recent data showed hike in rates and economy improving and Australian dollar towering high to a 14 month high against US dollar. Glenn Stevens’s central bank governor said it was sensible to begin gradually reducing the stimulus provided by low interest rates. Government has helped economy with major stimulus spending. It has spent 42billion Australian dollars on schemes including cash handouts for pensioners and for low and middle class income families and for a number of infrastructure projects. This helped the economy to grow by 0.4 percent in the first quarter of this year, 0.6 percent in the second quarter recover from 0.5 percent reduction between October and December 2008. Rory Robertson interest rate at Macquarie said it would be a gradual move from an emergency rate of 3 percent to 4 percent. He added saying if the Australian economy continued to expand as expected rates then it could return to a more normal 5 percent in next year or two. Since 2008, this is the first time Australian central bank has increased interest rates. Australian economy has always managed to avoid falling into recession due to the strength of mining sector, which was a strong demand from China for iron ore and other commodities.

Jessica Watson teenage adventurer five-day sail from Queensland to Sydney proves and she is ready challenge a solo navigation throughout the globe. If Jessica becomes triumphant then she will become the youngest person to sail single handed around the world.

During her trip from Gold Coast, she faced five-metre high waves from Gold Coast, however conditions eased over weekend as she sailed closer to Sydney. She is expected to arrive in Sydney this morning sailed though The Heads after 3pm after being delayed by light winds. Jessica tie up her Yacht, Ella’s Pink Lady at the Spit in Middle Harbour then hugged her brother and supporters. She addressed to the media it is amazing to see people supporting me. This is Jessica’s second attempt to reach Sydney unfortunately; her yacht collided with a cargo ship. Jessica mentioned successful trip from Gold Coast gave a lot of confidence of handling it. Jessica is a source of inspiration for a father and his four-year-old daughter. She is   going to travel all around the world by herself in a boat. Jessica admitted her draw back of sailing is that she suffers from seasickness. Added saying she is going to miss people, people back home. She will take music and books for her entertainment and if getting bored then tackle with school work. Round the world trip would be tough as she eager to complete the journey without any problems or incidents. Round the world trip is supposed to take 240 days however, her departure date has not been announced and planning to set –off from Sydney within next two weeks.

A major earthquake hit the west coast of the Southern Island of New Zealand. The earthquake was of very high magnitude and measured 7.8 on the Richter scale. A tsunami warning has been issue post the earthquake. The earthquake happened at 20:22 hrs local time and the epicenter of the quake was 161 kilometers west of the Invercargill. The info was release by the United States Geological Survey a monitoring body that measures earthquakes around the world.

As of now there have been no confirmed reports that the earthquake created a tsunami and thus the warning as of now only applies for New Zealand. The tremors of the earthquake were felt in the city of Queenstown as the buildings shook violently. There was also an aftershock and it happened twenty minutes post the quake and measured 5.2 on the Richter scale. There have been no casualties but has downed power and phone lines in the region.

If we look at past history, there have been Tsunami’s as a result of offshore earthquakes including the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake which created a devastating tsunami and caused major loss of life and property and is one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. The main impact of the Tsunami was in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand.

Things don’t look bright for the Australian Navy as the sex betting ring scandal on HMAS Success has been exposed; the one sure impact will be lesser women recruits.

The already ebbed hiring service is set for evident further battering as the disgraceful news of Australian sailors who employed money bets in exchange for sex contest. A repugnant contest was run by the sailors to grace dollar values to those who could bed the highest number of women crew on the ship.

The infamous track of records were noted down in the notorious book, warmly called ‘The Ledger’, where dollar worth were assigned to each woman who were potential targets for the game. The sailors challenged each other to have sexual encounters with women in dubious spots like atop a pool table. Greater prize money was in the offing for those sailors who could make out with a woman officer or a lesbian.

This scandalous information was discerned during the ship’s tour in Singapore during May, ensuing which the sailors were ordered to come back home following an equity and diversity health check up and a formal interrogation. Though a number has not been established on the how many were game to this ordeal with the truth behind the accusations still being investigated.

If there is any legitimacy in these accusations, firm and immediate action will be handed out, to nip the problem in the bud that will act as a deterrent to any further misdeeds. The endeavour by the navy is to create an unbiased work atmosphere free of any mal-behaviour.

There are nearly 25 percent women naval novices and higher than 60 percent women in break year hire. The Royal Australian Navy is among the handful of navies globally who recruit women to service in submarines.