Author: admin

  • Can Scientists Detect Life Without Knowing What it Looks Like? Research Using Machine Learning Offers a New Way

    Can Scientists Detect Life Without Knowing What it Looks Like? Research Using Machine Learning Offers a New Way

    Newswise — When NASA scientists opened the sample return canister from the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample mission in late 2023, they found something astonishing.

    Dust and rock collected from the asteroid Bennu contained…

    Continue Reading

  • Chinese yuan strengthens to 7.0573 against USD Wednesday-Xinhua

    BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) — The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, strengthened 29 pips to 7.0573 against the U.S. dollar Wednesday, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.

    In China’s spot foreign exchange market, the yuan is allowed to rise or fall by 2 percent from the central parity rate each trading day.

    The central parity rate of the yuan against the U.S. dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day.

    Continue Reading

  • Khawaja grabs lifeline as Australia reach 94-2 in 3rd Ashes Test – Idaho County Free Press

    Khawaja grabs lifeline as Australia reach 94-2 in 3rd Ashes Test – Idaho County Free Press

    1. Khawaja grabs lifeline as Australia reach 94-2 in 3rd Ashes Test  Idaho County Free Press
    2. Ball by Ball Commentary & Live Score – AUS vs ENG, 3rd Test  ESPNcricinfo
    3. Australia v England: Ashes third Test, day one – live  The Guardian
    4. The Ashes…

    Continue Reading

  • Match online – Chinadaily.com.cn

    Match online – Chinadaily.com.cn

    Editor’s note: In this weekly feature China Daily gives voice to Asia and its people. The stories presented come mainly from the Asia News Network (ANN), of which China Daily is among its 20 leading titles.

    A…

    Continue Reading

  • Researchers identify partner protein that supports appetite regulating-protein

    Researchers identify partner protein that supports appetite regulating-protein

    A protein essential to the human body for managing energy and regulating appetite relies on a partner protein, according to new research, and the findings could help researchers better understand genetic obesity.

    In a paper…

    Continue Reading

  • Festive spending: ANZ forecasts $5.1 billion boost during holiday ‘shut down’

    Festive spending: ANZ forecasts $5.1 billion boost during holiday ‘shut down’

    ANZ is forecasting a surge in consumer spending this festive season, with customers expected to inject $5.1 billion into the economy during the holiday shut down period (21 December 2025 to 5 January 2026) – a 4.7% increase on the same period last year.

    Spending is expected to be led by categories that capture the holiday spirit, including food and beverages, travel and leisure, digital goods, and precious stones and metals – together accounting for around half of total expenditure.

    ANZ General Manager, Deposits and Payments, Kate Britton said: “Customers are embracing the festive spirit and we’re seeing that reflected in their spending habits, both in the lead up to Christmas Day, and the sales that follow it. 

    “From travel and leisure to digital goods and luxury items, this seasonal boost offers a significant and welcome uplift for businesses across the country, as consumers use the down time to spoil themselves and their loved ones.” 

    One business seeing this trend firsthand is Michael Hill, a long-standing ANZ customer and leading jewellery retailer. CEO of Michael Hill International Limited, Jonathan Waecker, said: 

    “Christmas is one of our favourite moments of the year at Michael Hill, and the joy of gifting just keeps getting bigger. This season, we are celebrating with an incredible range of fine jewellery across key price points, making it easier than ever to find something truly special for the people you love.

    “Our iconic packaging is more beautiful than ever, so every gift feels magical from the moment it is unwrapped. It is a time filled with sparkle, celebration, and the delight of giving something that lasts.”

    Key trends from 2024 ANZ customer data highlights shifting consumer priorities:

    • Digital goods (such as digital games, platform subscriptions, digital books and apps) surged 50.9% year-on-year, while precious items rose 24%

    • Holiday-driven demand spikes were evident across hotels (+31.9%), vehicle rentals (+31.5%), and wineries (+24.3%), compared to normal trading weeks*

    *Normal trading weeks refer to weeks not influenced by an event or festival.

    State-by-state insights from 2024:

    • QLD, NT, and WA recorded the largest year-on-year increases (10%, 9%, and 8.8% respectively)

    • WA had the highest spend per capita ($1,465, up 6.2%), while QLD saw the strongest per capita growth (8%)

    Holiday spending patterns:

    • Boxing Day rebounds strongly, driven by post-Christmas sales, with $282m spent in 2024 on 26 December alone

    • Pre-Christmas spending is consistently high, with $415m spent on Christmas Eve in 2024, up from $295m in 2023

    Data refers to the period of 21 December to 5 January.

    Download PDF

    For media enquiries contact:

    Alexandra La Sala
    +61 499 292 554

    Kate Power
    +61 481 547 556

    anzcomau:newsroom/mediacentre/Media-Release

    Festive spending: ANZ forecasts $5.1 billion boost during holiday ‘shut down’

    2025-12-17

    /content/dam/anzcomau/mediacentre/images/mediareleases/2025/melbourne-shopping.jpg

    Continue Reading

  • Azusa Pacific Baseball Unveils 2026 Schedule

    Azusa Pacific Baseball Unveils 2026 Schedule

    AZUSA, Calif. — Azusa Pacific has officially announced the 2026 baseball schedule, revealing a rigorous slate…

    Continue Reading

  • SETI Institute In the News: November Roundup 2025

    SETI Institute In the News: November Roundup 2025

    Moss in space: spores survive nine-month ride on outside of ISS

    As space agencies plan for long-duration missions beyond Earth, researchers are testing how terrestrial life withstands extreme extraterrestrial environments. A…

    Continue Reading

  • Live updates: Rob and Michele Reiner’s son charged with murder in their deaths

    Live updates: Rob and Michele Reiner’s son charged with murder in their deaths

    Officials just provided new details on the death investigation of Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife, producer Michele Singer Reiner.

    Continue Reading

  • Rupee Slide Puts Spotlight on Limits to India’s Currency Defense – Bloomberg.com

    1. Rupee Slide Puts Spotlight on Limits to India’s Currency Defense  Bloomberg.com
    2. Indian rupee slips to record low, central bank intervention curbs fall  Reuters
    3. Indian Rupee hits record low, sapped by hedging demand and outflows  Business Recorder
    4. Rupee’s Decline Driven by Trade Deficit, U.S. Deal Talks, and Global Factors, Minister Tells Parliament  INDIA New England News
    5. Rupee’s Descent: No Panic, Strategic Patience Advised  Devdiscourse

    Continue Reading