Reissa Su

Prime Minister Tony Abbott and the Coalition government has failed to outperform the Australian Labor Party in the latest Newspoll. The poll results may be an indication of the Abbott government's collapse as Labor leads as the most preferred political party in a two-party basis.

Dec 10, 2013

Australian activist Trenton Oldfield, who disrupted the Oxford vs. Cambridge boat race in 2012, avoids UK deportation after he told the tribunal that he shouldn't be allowed to return to Australia since it's a "particularly racist country."

Dec 10, 2013

Australian fisherman John Macdonald has an unusual beer belly after drinking water from a beer can that he dropped in Brisbane River.

Dec 10, 2013

The New Zealand Family Planning Association (NZFPA) plans to introduce 5-year-old Kiwi children to sex education. NZFPA is an affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) which promotes contraception, sterilisation and abortion. The NZFPA is moving ahead with its plans of educating children as young as 5 years old on the concepts of contraception and abortion. Planned Parenthood is pushing for children in New Zealand to be educated on what a condom does while doing away wi...

Dec 10, 2013

While Android devices make up most of the world's smart phone market share, Apple Inc has increased its lead in the United States based on recent figures by comScore. According to the report, Apple Inc continues to dominate the smart phone market in the U.S. with 40.6 per cent. As Apple Inc continues to look forward to higher sales for the new versions of the iPhone and iPads in the holiday quarter, the company's stocks may be on its way to reaching $700 in 2014.

Dec 09, 2013

The Climate Council has warned Australia to prepare for more frequent and intense bushfires. The council, which was formerly funded by the Australian government before Prime Minister Tony Abbott scrapped the body, will release its report concerning the risks of bushfires.

Dec 09, 2013

While climate skeptics dismiss climate science as nothing more than a fantasy, scientists have used a powerful super computer to map the fictional Middle Earth in J.R.R Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series.

Dec 09, 2013

The long-awaited day has finally come for same-sex couples in Australia to marry legally. Over a dozen couples went down in history, as the first gay marriage ceremonies were held in the capital city of Canberra on Dec. 7.

Dec 09, 2013

A new report revealed that one out of four children in New Zealand live in poverty as more children stay in cramped homes. The Child Poverty Monitor also found that one out of six children is surviving without access to basic necessities. The report said the children may be missing out on meals and doctor's visits, and could be sleeping on the floor.

Dec 09, 2013

U.S. Pres. Barack Obama, leader of the free world, has reportedly not allowed the use Apple's iPhone for security reasons. The Pentagon and the U.S. Department of Defense might have given Apple's iPhone security clearance for official use but the smartphone is apparently still not secure enough for Mr. Obama.

Dec 07, 2013

Technology has paved the way for smart phones, smart cars, smart homes, smart TVs and smart watches. To add to the list of "smart" things, Microsoft has developed a "smart bra" to make women's underwear more intelligent. According to reports, researchers at Microsoft have created a smart bra prototype containing physiological sensors that can monitor a woman's heart beat and keep track of her emotions. Microsoft's smart bra can also prevent overheating.

Dec 06, 2013

The contraceptive pill Diane-35 is still being prescribed to women in Australia despite a temporary ban enforced in France earlier in 2013. ABC launched an investigation and found the banned contraceptive pill is still circulating in Australia. In Australia, the TGA has ordered the drug to be used only as a medication for acne and other hormonal conditions. While Diane-35 primarily works as a contraceptive, Australia does not allow its use for that specific purpose.

Dec 06, 2013

Microsoft has partnered with Australia's University of Melbourne in the opening of a new research centre to study the social uses and applications for natural user interface the likes used by Xbox Kinect.

Dec 06, 2013

New Zealand firms are in the spotlight for making it to the top 100 of the annual Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific Index. A list of the region's fastest growing technology firms was recently announced in Hong Kong with 40 Kiwi tech companies in the list, and 16 in the top 100.

Dec 06, 2013

In just one year, the number of Facebook links to news media sites has increased to an impressive rate of 170 per cent. The dramatic rise of sharing news and current events has provided a key shift in Facebook and how Australian users consume content.

Dec 05, 2013

Billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn has reportedly submitted a proposal for Apple Inc to buy back $50 billion worth of stocks. According to CNBC, a source said Mr Icahn will present the stock buyback proposal during Apple's annual shareholders meeting. On Dec. 4, Mr Icahn posted on Twitter that he has informed Apple Inc of his intention to push for a vote for the company to increase its stock buyback program.

Dec 05, 2013

Australia is set to hold the first same-sex marriage ceremonies on Dec. 7 since it was legalised in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Same-sex couples who are planning to get married in Australia on that day may grow frustrated when their unions will be declared invalid by the Australian High Court five days later.

Dec 05, 2013

New Zealand is declared by Forbes as the second best country for business in 2013 following Ireland which moved up to the top of the list from sixth place in 2012. Forbes listed New Zealand as the top country for business in 2012.

Dec 05, 2013

New Zealand has the distinction of being the world's second most giving country, thanks to the generosity of New Zealanders. The results of the World Giving Index Survey were released by Charities Aid Foundation based in the UK. New Zealand is tied at second place with Canada and Myanmar. According to the Giving Index, 40 per cent of Kiwis volunteered in various charitable institutions in 2012. The figure rose from 38 per cent in the previous list released in 2012.

Dec 05, 2013

A new report from the National Academy of Sciences revealed the effects of climate change may come not in a hundred years but within decades or sooner. The global issue of climate change has become a great concern for scientists.

Dec 04, 2013

Apple's iPhone 5C is very popular among previous users of Android devices. According to a report from Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, half of the customers who bought the iPhone 5C have switched from smartphone brands with Android OS.

Dec 04, 2013

New Zealand's education achievement ranking has dropped, according the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report released Dec. 3.

Dec 04, 2013

Australian and British scientists are one step closer to developing a safe and effective form of male contraception. Researchers have identified two types of proteins that can be blocked to prevent the entry of sperm cells from the testes from the moment of ejaculation.

Dec 04, 2013

Apple Inc has gotten a boost from the iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S sales. Kantar Worldpanel ComTech has released data on smartphone sales in key markets for 12 weeks ending Oct. 31.

Dec 03, 2013

A research study has confirmed that the electromagnetic radiation coming from WiFi can be dangerous to health. Safe Wireless Technology New Zealand (SWTNZ) said WiFi has negative effects to health and the New Zealand government has chosen to ignore the findings.

Dec 03, 2013

Following the spying claims made against Australia by Indonesia and the latest Edward Snowden leaks, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key sought confirmation from GCSB director Ian Fletcher that the spy agency does not collect metadata from Kiwis.

Dec 03, 2013

A class action by Australian and New Zealand victims of thalidomide, a morning sickness drug, has finally ended in a settlement of AU$89 million or NZ$99 million. The Victorian Supreme Court announced the settlement to be paid by German pharmaceutical company Grunenthal and Distillers, the Australian distributor of thalidomide bought by UK company Diageo in 1997.

Dec 03, 2013

A bird has stolen a video camera in Australia and shot footage of its journey in the skies. The sea eagle has captured scenes of Western Australia's remote town of Kimberley after getting the camera and taking it along on a 70-mile journey.

Dec 03, 2013

In observance of the World AIDS Day Dec. 1, Apple has turned its logo "red" in some of its Apple stores in the U.S. and Europe. The bright white Apple logo was covered in red tint to show the company's support for AIDS awareness.

Dec 02, 2013