Australia's Perth Still Locked in Dry Spell, Sizzling Heat; Darker Arctic May Speed Up Global Warming
Australia's Perth is expected to experience more days and nights of scorching heat as the second longest dry spell continues. Weather reports predict temperatures as high as 37C will be reached in Perth. The Australian city is already feeling the heat as the dry spell drags and expected to peak again in February 23, Sunday. Records in Perth revealed that the city had only 0.2mm of rainfall. The current dry spell in Perth reached another new record as Feb 19 marked the third longest stretch wi...
Megaupload Founder Kim Dotcom to Appeal Court Ruling on Raid in New Zealand Mansion
Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom will appeal the verdict that the raid by authorities in his home in New Zealand was legal. Mr Dotcom has been fighting his extradition to the United States on charges of Internet piracy. He said he will file for a court appeal questioning the legality of the raid. Mr Dotcom again used his Twitter handle to announce he will not give up the fight against his extradition.
Asylum Seekers: Amnesty International Calls For Manus Island Probe As Tony Abbott Defends His Government
Amnesty International has called on the Australian government to investigate the death of one asylum seeker on Manus Island, including dozens more who sustained serious injuries. Australian authorities have detained over 1,000 asylum seekers described as "shameful" processing center in a Papua New Guinea island.
Air New Zealand Scores the Highest in British Mag's Satisfaction Ratings
Air New Zealand has topped a survey of the largest British consumer magazine. According to reports, "Which?" magazine asked 12,000 people through a survey of their airline experiences. The survey revealed that Air New Zealand along with Singapore Airlines had topped the list with a passenger satisfaction rating of 87 per cent.
Apple Inc Stocks Issued 'BUY' Rating by 29 Analysts; Tesla Motors (TSLA) Shares Soar Amid Rumoured Apple Merger
Apple Inc's head of managers and acquisitions, Adrian Perica, has reportedly met with Tesla Motors founder and CEO Elon Musk at the company's headquarters in 2013. The meeting was rumoured to have taken place around the same time analysts suggested that the Cupertino tech giant should acquire Tesla, the maker of the Model S.
Theory Of Early Animal Evolution Challenged; Study Finds Sponges Can Survive With 0.1% Oxygen
The early animals on Earth did not require much oxygen in the past. According to study conducted by Daniel Mills of the University of Southern Denmark, the most primitive creatures in the planet may have survived in water with barely little oxygen.
John Key Most Liked, Trusted Politician in New Zealand; Labour Trumps National in Poll as Best for Families
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has emerged the most liked and trusted politician in a recent poll. According to a Fairfax Media-Ipsos survey, 59.3 per cent of Kiwis say they like Mr Key, while 58.7 per cent say they trusted him.
New Zealanders Support Limit on Sugary Drinks; Coca-Cola Says Sugar Tax Can't Solve Obesity
A majority of New Zealanders have expressed their support on limiting the amount of sugar beverage companies put in their products. According to a national survey, 46 per cent of Kiwi adults said there must "definitely" be a limit to sugar in soft drinks, while 32 per cent answered "possibly" on imposing such limits.
Western Australia Shark Cull Policy Caught 66 Sharks, Killed 17; Zero Great Whites
Since Western Australia has introduced its shark cull policy and set up baited drum lines off the coasts of its popular beaches, a total of 66 sharks were captured, but no great white shark was caught. According to Fisheries Minister Ken Baston, 63 tiger sharks were caught on the drum lines which made the shark species account for 95 per cent of the total catch.
Australia's Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra Sizzling in 2030 Extreme Heat Levels
Extreme heat levels expected in 2030 are already being experienced in Australia's capital cities of Adelaide, Canberra and Melbourne. According to the report "Heatwaves, Hotter, Longer, More Often," the number of days with above 35 degrees Celsius temperatures have already reached levels previously predicted for 2030.
'Rubbish' Religious Education Declines In Australia And New Zealand Schools
Australian primary school principals in Victoria have decided to stop religious education from being taught in their schools despite a standing requirement to offer them to the students.
New Zealand Economy on Verge of Collapse? London-Based Analysts Likens Country to Ireland
Analysts based in London have likened New Zealand to Ireland in its state of pre-global financial crisis with an economy on the brink of collapse. In a Bloomberg report, SLJ Macro Partners Stephen Jen and colleague Faith Yimazn said it was only a matter of time before the New Zealand dollar will decline. Both analysts remarked that the reality is "quite different" despite the Kiwi dollar's strong performance as of late.
Apple Eats Away Windows PC Market Amid Opening Of First Store In Latin America
Apple Inc. is gradually eating away Microsoft's personal computer market share.
Shark Cull: Wearing Bold, Striped Wetsuits to Repel Sharks Better Than Baited Drumlines
Australian scientists believe that wearing striped wetsuits is better than baited drum lines in reducing shark attacks in Western Australia. Researchers from Shark Attack Mitigation Systems (SAMS) together with the University of Australia, has developed a wetsuit designed with to repel sharks.The recommendation to wear striped wetsuits to deter shark attacks came after the controversial shark cull policy in Western Australia which remains in the international spotlight.
IMF Concerned for Australia's Carbon Tax Repeal; Greg Hunt Defends Abbott's Direct Action Policy
Australia has been urged by International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Christine Lagarde to continue being the "pioneer" in the ongoing climate change debate. Ms Lagarde spoke ahead of the G20 meetings and acknowledged Australia's effort in being at the "forefront" of climate change issues.
Kiwi Pregnant Women Complain of Inhumane Hospital Care; Young Girl Reveals Doctor Told Her to 'Give it up'
New Zealand's Middlemore Hospital has been accused of neglecting pregnant women. Health Minister Tony Ryall has requested the Counties Manukau District Health Board to report its plan of action to prevent the "unacceptable" neglect Kiwi patients in maternity wards.
NZ Children at Risk: China-Made Face Paint Contains High Levels of Lead; Child Abuse Cases Rising
A face paint kit made in China has been recalled after Consumer New Zealand tests revealed it has extremely high levels of lead. The face paint brand, Carnival Colors, was found to contain 15,200mg of lead per kilogramme. The high levels of lead should not be allowed to use on face paints.
Apple Inc's Future Apple TV Expected to be Major Driver to Move Stock Closer to $1,000
The new Apple TV, one of Apple Inc’s most anticipated products in 2014, may be closer to reality as the Wall Street Journal supported an earlier report by Bloomberg. The latter said the new Apple TV may be in the middle of negotiations for content, citing Time Warner Cable as one of the possible providers for content services.
iPhone 6 Photos Leaked by Australian Teen on Own Web Site Copied from Graphics Artist in Netherlands?
An Australian teen who posted pictures of alleged images of Apple Inc's next iPhone 6 may have been duped. Victoria-based Sonny Dickson posted images of Apple's upcoming iPhone 6 on his Web site in the morning of Feb 13. At about the same period, the same iPhone 6 image were posted on Twitter by @mornray886.
Do You Have the 'Gay Gene'? Chicago Scientists Discover Genetic Link to Homosexuality
Scientists have discovered two DNA stretches linked to homosexuality in men. The confirmation of a "gay gene" is expected to support the argument that homosexuality is biological and not by environmental influences. The results of the controversial study by researchers from the Chicago University could also pave the way for discrimination against homosexuals. Insurance companies could require genetic tests to determine if their clients are gay. Genetic tests could also be used by pregnant ...
New Zealand Quakes Possible Cause of Orca Whales' Stranding Leading to Mysterious Deaths
Marine biologists are baffled by the mysterious deaths of nine orca whales stranded on New Zealand's Southland beach on Feb 12. New Zealand experts continue to investigate and conduct scientific testing to determine the cause.Nine orca whales including a calf had died while beached on Te WaeWae Bay overnight. The deaths of the orca whales were described as a tragedy for the entire species in New Zealand. According to reports, the population of orca whales in New Zealand waters is estima.....
Recession Feared With Death of Australia's Car Industry; Unemployment Rate Climbs to 10-Year High
Australia's once-booming car manufacturing industry is now dead with the final blow delivered by Japanese car maker Toyota when it announced it will pull out of the country in 2017. In May 2013, Ford Motors said it would stop manufacturing cars in Australia. In December, Holden by General Motors followed suit. Toyota has sealed the fate of Australia's car industry by closing its assembly plants by the end of 2017. The last announcement has triggered fears of recession in Australia.
Apple's Rumored 'iAnywhere' Could Be A Catalyst That Investors Need To Drive Stocks Up
Apple's decision to repurchase its stock worth $14 billion did not only get Carl Icahn, a billionaire activist investor, to drop his buyback proposal. It also indicated the company's confidence in hinting the launch of its new product categories.
NSW Man With Bleeding Leg Declares He Has AIDS, 100 Train Passengers Told To Evacuate
About 100 passengers were reportedly told to evacuate a train in Australia on Feb. 9 after a drunkman with a bleeding leg announced he had AIDs.
Australian Mom with Breast Cancer Beth Whaanga Receives Flak for Posting Photos of Scar-Filled Body on Facebook
A breast cancer survivor in Australia went to great lengths to spread cancer awareness by posting photos of her body after surgery in Facebook. Beth Whaanga, a 32-year-old mother of four, lost 100 Facebook friends because of her “nude” photos.
Toyota Prius Global Recall Affects 1,000 Units In New Zealand, 5,500 In Australia
Toyota has announced a global recall of 1.9 million units of its Prius hybrid cars, including 5,500 units in Australia and 1,000 in New Zealand due to defective software. The faulty control software was found to slow down the Prius.
Valentine's Day Gloom: Australian Women Running Out of Men, Cheap Imported Flowers Threat to Kiwi Rose Growers
New Zealand flower growers may possibly have a gloomy Valentine's Day as reports claim they are urging customers to check where the roses they buy come from. According to Bloomberg, local rose growers said cheap imported flowers could expose the country to biosecurity risk and drive prices of local flowers down. Meanwhile, Australia may be experiencing a man drought. According to McCrindle Research, six out of eight states and territories in Australia are currently experiencing a dwindling ma...
Apple Inc's iTunes Business a Possible Fortune 500 Company; Revenues Nearly Half as Google's Search Biz
Apple Inc's investors may have overlooked something that might ease their doubts regarding the company's future growth. Asymco's Horace Dediu stacked and compared revenue categories of Google's core business and Apple's iTunes division.
Australian Dad Arrested for Consenting to Marriage of 12-Year-Old Girl; Child Marriages in NSW Discovered
Following the arrest of the Islamic religious leader who was charged for solemnizing the marriage between a 26-year-old man and a 12-year-old girl in Australia, police arrested the girl's father on Feb 12 for his involvement on the case. Child abuse detectives in NSW charged the 61-year-old Australian from Hunter Valley for being an accessory to the crime of having sex with a child and consenting to underage marriage.
British Study Disproves Myth of Cellphones Causing Cancer
The popular belief that frequent cellphone use can cause cancer has been proven false. According to a British comprehensive study, cellphones do not increase the risk of leukemia or cancer. Society has a long-time fear of radiofrequency fields from mobile phones and towers due to the belief that they can cause the growth of brain tumours and increase the risk of cancer. The UK study dispels that myth and confirms the international consensus.
