Reissa Su

Google Inc has criticised the New Zealand government for its new spy bill's failure to address privacy concerns. The new spy bill or the GSCB Bill is a new law to improve online state surveillance. The commerce committee has sent the Telecommunications Interception Capability and Security Bill back to the Parliament.

A New Zealander found a foreign live insect larva inside a tobacco pouch. He was preparing to smoke when he saw the bug crawl out. The foreign live insect larva could have devastating effects to New Zealand's agriculture if it starts to infest crops.

Apple Inc just had a huge iPhone launch weekend in sales as the company reported it has sold 9 million units of the new iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C. Apple did not break down the number of units sold per device but nevertheless, the company broke its iPhone weekend sales record and has surpassed analyst expectations. Many analysts predicted Apple Inc would sell 5 to 6 million new iPhones.

Apple Inc. fans have been lining up outside Apple stores around the world on Sept. 20 to be one of the first consumers to get their hands on the latest iPhone models, the iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S. Despite the release of the two new iPhone models in the company retail stores, Apple Inc’s share price decreased slightly as Apple investors hold off and wait for the new iPhones’ initial sales data which will be released about a week after.

NASA is willing to pay $18,000 to anyone who will do nothing but lie down and sleep for 70 days straight. This news is not a hoax. According to NASA, the human test subject will participate in a study to determine how much a human body for 70 days can be like an astronaut's body during a space flight. The human test subject is expected to lie with the body tilted down slightly, with feet up and head down, 24 hours a day for 70 days.

A cat-eating festival in Peru has raised criticism as a congressman in Peru called for the ban of eating a barbecued cat as part of the country's annual religious festival. He joins animal rights activists in Peru who said that at least a hundred cats will be eaten as part of the celebrations of this weekend's feast of Santa Efigenia in La Quebrada, a small town in Lima, Peru.

An ancient forest was discovered beneath a melting glacier in Alaska by scientists who believed it was more than 1,000 years old. Parts of the ancient forest can be seen underneath the thawing Mendenhall Glacier in the southern part of Alaska, United States. Some of the old trees were still standing in their original position complete with bark and roots.

New Zealanders work longer hours but have low productivity levels when compared with other workers in other developed nations. According to report from the Productivity Commission, the output of New Zealand workers is a fifth less than their counterparts in other countries.

A New Zealander and an Australian were among the victims of a bloody massacre at a mall in Nairobi, Kenya. The Kenya mall attack claimed the lives of at least 68 people with 175 more injured. One of the victims was a Kiwi 34-year-old man, Andrew McLaren. The native from Hastings was injured from the Kenya attack. Mr McLaren was at the Westgate shopping mall when the bloodbath occurred on Sept. 21. The gunmen, believed to have links with terrorist group al-Qaeda, tossed grenades that killed p...

As Apple Inc's iOS 7 rolled out to compatible devices on Sept. 18, many iOS users experienced frustrating server errors trying to get Apple's latest iOS software. Despite complaints and reports of errors, many people with iPhones and iPads were able to successfully update to iOS 7.

An Australian diplomat in Thailand has reported an incident involving young Australians who were drugged, raped and robbed while partying on beaches. They were allegedly given drugged cocktail drinks made from native leaves potentially slipped by criminals who plan to take advantage of the situation.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has abolished the Climate Change Commission including Tim Flannery, internationally renowned climate change author and scientist. Mr Abbott, who once called scientific evidence of climate change as "absolute crap" removed the environmental agency on two days after he was officially sworn in as Prime Minister of Australia.

New Zealanders are apparently not concerned with online privacy issues despite the explosive NSA leaks that sparked worldwide uproar and sent whistleblower Edward Snowden to seek asylum in Russia. According to a survey in Roy Morgan Research's The Digital Universe, Kiwis are more likely to do their banking using their smartphones than Australians.

Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) remains one of the most widely followed stocks in the world despite critics saying that Apple is no longer an innovative company with the recent launch of its latest products, the iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S.

In the latest "Wrecking Ball' video by Miley Cyrus, the pop star can be seen swinging naked on a large, metallic ball which prompted a mix of reactions from fans and critics. Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" video generated 19.3 million views 24 hours after it was first posted on Vevo. In an attempt to imitate their idol, a group of students from Grand Valley State University (GVSU) in the U.S. state of Michigan paid homage to Miley Cyrus in a parody video of "Wrecking Ball".

A man in Australia narrowly escaped death by train after walking out in front of the oncoming locomotive accidentally. The 20-year-old Australian was waiting at a train station in Brisbane when he suddenly decided to cross the track after seeing a different train pass. He almost reached the other side when he noticed a train speeding towards him.

A New Zealand High Court judge said the man who was accused of assaulting two female German tourists was acquitted because the women were foolish enough to walk the streets of Auckland "dress as they were."

New Zealand has the fifth highest job turnover rates in the world, according to the Kelly Global Workforce Index. Experts said that New Zealanders are willing to take risks and change jobs more often in a reviving economic environment.

Apple Inc’s iOS7 is the biggest change to date of the company’s software since Apple disrupted the competition back in 2007. The new update will be available to users on Sept. 18. The new iOS7 may disrupt its own users with owners of older versions of Apple’s iPhone before iPhone 4 left out of the update. What happens when you don't update?

A woman from Raeford, N.C., has been arrested for having sex with dogs while her husband, who is a soldier stationed in Fort Bragg, filmed the act. Police said the couple had posted the animal sex video on the Internet.

The world's leaders may be failing in the fight against global warming, according to one of the officials of the United Nations. UN top climate official Halidor Thorgeirsson told reporters that people should pressure their respective politicians to take a stronger commitment against global warming.

A New Zealand-based beer company, Tui, sponsored a prank pulled off by a group of buddies. The Kiwi friends had to crawl under their buddy's house to hook up all of his plumbing to kegs filled with Tui beer. A commercial from New Zealand also gained popularity for warning against drug-driving in a the most hilarious way. The ad stars three children from New Zealand who were comical in playing their characters.

Aviation regulators from around the world had dismissed New Zealand's jetpack as a "flight of fancy" that didn't need special rules to guide its operation. However, the planned jetpack launch in 2014 has officials scratching their heads as the jetpack creators in New Zealand revealed that the jetpack can fly up to 7,000 feet in the air with a speed of 50 miles per hour.

UN experts who went to Damascus to verify claims of chemical weapons use by President Bashar al-Assad have confirmed "unequivocally and objectively" that the Syrian government was to blame for the chemical attack.

A new research published in the Medical Journal of Australia revealed a dramatic rise of harmful effects related to the use of crystal methamphetamine in the last few years. The study has raised concerns that crystal meth will soon rise to popularity in Australia. Crystal meth has grown prominent in the last few years due partly to the popularity of hit US TV series, Breaking Bad. The show features the story of Walter White, a brilliant chemist turned high school chemistry teacher diagnosed w...

New Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott has raised eyebrows when he deliberately axed the Tourism Minister from his Cabinet. A Gold Coast tourism industry leader described the move of Mr Abbott as alarming. Martin Winter, Gold Coast tourism head, said the absence of a Tourism minister may cause a division of responsibilities. Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb will be left in charge of international tourism while Industry Minister Ian McFarlane will be responsible for boosting domestic...

The Australian dollar and New Zealand dollar climbed to their respective month highs as investors became cautious ahead of the scheduled 2-day policy meeting of the US Federal Reserve which is expected to begin the slowdown of its massive stimulus program.

Two mountain climbers, one Australian and one British, fell to their deaths in New Zealand. According to Police Inspector Dave Gaskin, the two climbing accidents in consecutive days were unrelated. Both climbers died in Aoraki-Mt. Cook National Park. Mr Gaskin said the deaths of the Australian and British nationals will serve as a reminder to climbers to always be careful when climbing treacherous slopes.

Australia may be the first country in the world to outlaw smoking if electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are proven to be safe and effective. It is common knowledge that smoking is dangerous to health not only for the smoker but also for the people around. Australia is considering a ban on smoking to prohibit people from using "cancer sticks" which only endanger public health and safety.