Solar energy is gaining momentum around the world, as people look for solutions to the problems of global warming and resource depletion. Whether it’s solar water heating, domestic photovoltaic panels, or large commercial facilities, there are a number of ways to extract energy from the sun and use it to power our daily lives. Can solar power ever be enough, […]
Simply going for a run or doing a few push-ups doesn’t seem to cut it in 2013, with a number of new fitness trends rocking parks, gyms, and homes around the world. The fitness industry is growing at a fast rate, thanks to increased health and body awareness and ongoing celebrity endorsement. Whether its a fast-paced obstacle course, an intense […]
Whether it’s a TV, a computer, or a smartphone, we spend more time in front of screens than ever before. While enhanced communication, improved entertainment, and better access to information are some of the advantages associated with digital technology, recent studies suggest there is a price we pay for too much “screen time”. Increased “screen time” is often linked with […]
The housing market in Australia has suffered from a lack of confidence in recent months, despite strong fundamentals and rising long-term consumer sentiment. In encouraging news for the sector, however, mortgage enquiries jumped in the June quarter, in what could be the first sign of renewal. Mortgage enquiries jumped by 6.9 percent in June, a significant reversal of the negative […]
The Reserve Bank cut interest rates by 25-basis points earlier in the month to an historic low of 2.5 percent. Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens said weak economic growth was behind the decision, with long term forecasts not being met by the latest figures. Interestingly, this is the first time the RBA has changed the rate during an election campaign, […]
Household demographics in Australia and New Zealand continue to evolve, as the traditional nuclear family loses its dominant position. Couples without children is about to replace couples with children as the most common household demographic in Australia, with childless or empty-nest couples already the dominant group in New Zealand. While the size of modern households has largely been on the […]