ON the first day of the term of Australia's new government its one-vote majority was insufficient to avoid defeat on a procedural question, raising doubts about its ability to survive for very long.
A survey by the US Pew Research Center found that atheists and agnostics were better informed about religious teachings and leaders than Catholics and Protestants.
ISRAEL'S military seized a 10-metre boat crewed by Israeli peace activists trying to take aid to Gaza. The crew said that Israeli soldiers had used excessive force, a claim denied by the government.
IN Britain the three month campaign for the leadership of the Labour Party resulted in a narrow surprise win for Ed Miliband the younger brother of the favourite David Miliband. The winner owed his victory to strong support from Trade Union members and the second choice transferable votes of three other candidates.