Category: News
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Google’s Emergency Location Service will save lives
Over 70% of emergency calls come from mobile phones (Google Europe Blog, 2016). Time is of the essence and Google has tapped into this by creating an app titled Emergency Location Service. Instead of manually specifying your location, the app uses data from your phone like GPS, network and WiFi location to work out where you are. When you call…
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$201 million property in China jawdropping
Taohuayuan is mainland China’s most expensive property, sitting pretty inside the middle of Suzbou’s Dushu Lake. It’s currently listed for sale at a whopping $201 million (one billion Chinese Yuan). The property took three years to build and it’s no surprise why; as it boasts over 32 bedrooms and 32 bathrooms. The name Taohuayuan converts to ‘utopia’ or ‘peach blossom land’ in…
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Here’s what Wall Street expects from Apple earnings
Apple is reporting on their quarterly earnings on Tuesday, July 26 (American time). While traditionally the second quarter of the year is usually the worst for Apple, this year is looking to be worse than usual. Last year during this quarter, Apple generated $49.6 billion in revenue. CEO Tim Cook says Apple will do $41…
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UberEATS launches in Sydney
UberEats launches in Sydney today, the sixth city to enjoy the service outside of the US. After successfully launching in Melbourne in April this year, Uber has brought the service north. The whole process is similar to many of the delivery options available, taking restaurants that don’t usually deliver and combining them with the ride…
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OzHarvest saves untouched plane food from airlines to help local charities
OzHarvest Brisbane has started working with airlines flying in and out of Brisbane, collecting uneaten sandwiches, apples, muesli bars and biscuits, the ABC reports. The food charity was founded in 2004 and rescues quality excess food from commercial outlets across the country for delivery, direct and free of charge, to more than 200 charities. The…
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Tougher numeracy and literacy systems to be introduced by 2020
The HSC or Higher School Certificate could soon be referred to as the Higher Stress Certificate. The Federal Government announced it’s plans to introduce mandatory levels of numeracy on Tuesday, from 2020 onwards. The pressure will be on for parents, teachers and students alike. Australia is far behind the rest of the world when it comes to numeracy and literacy levels, and,…
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No drought insurance for farmers
A government report has rejected the feasibility of drought assistance for struggling farmers. The report was commissioned by the government to investigate whether the provision of drought assistance would benefit Australia’s significant agricultural sector. The report found that the move would be uneconomical, as 80% of government aid after droughts is allocated to livestock producers.…
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Contactless cards have arrived
Contactless smartphone payment systems are here and changing the way we deal with technology. Senior Director of Product Management at Google Pali Bhat told Fairfax Media that “60 per cent of Australians already make payments with a contactless card. It’s a logical cohesion that will see wallets become a thing of the past” (SMH, 2016). Gone are the…
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Wooden escalators well past their use by date
Sydney’s Town Hall and Wynyard station are among the seven remaining wooden escalators in the world, and, finally, after some 80 years, it seems they might be given the chop for good. The wooden escalator was first installed in Sydney in 1932, the same year the Sydney Harbour Bridge opened. The escalators have continued operation due to their classification…
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Schools to use gender neutral language as part of Safe Schools Program
Teachers at Cheltenham Girls High School, in northwest Sydney, have been asked to stop referring to their students as “girls”, ladies” and “women” and to instead use “gender-neutral” language like “students.” This is in line with Safe Schools, an initiative that aimed to “Create safer and more inclusive environments for same sex attracted, intersex and gender…