Breaking News, Business, Financial and Economic News, World News from EconoTimes

Become a contributor

Bookmark Econotimes

Mon, May 25, 2026 05:11 AM All times are UTC

Follow Series

©Econometrics LLC . All Rights Reserved.

Nic Rawlence

Lecturer in Ancient DNA, University of Otago
I have an undergraduate degree and Master of Science from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, and a PhD from the University of Adelaide (Australia). I worked as a postdoctoral fellow in Australia (University of Adelaide) and New Zealand (University of Waikato and University of Otago) before taking up a permanent position as a Lecturer in Ancient DNA in the Department of Zoology at the University of Otago in 2017. My research focuses on reconstructing past ecosystems and testing for the impact of climate change and humans on these ecosystems. I use ancient DNA, palaeontology and archaeology to address research questions.

Ancient DNA from an extinct native duck reveals how far birds flew to make New Zealand home

May 20, 2024 08:59 am UTC| Science Nature

Ask a bird lover if they have heard of the extinct giant moa or its ancient predator, Haasts eagle, and the answer will likely be yes. The same cant be said of New Zealands extinct, but equally unique, mergansers a group...

Humans, rats and dogs pushed the takahē into Fiordland – new genetic research maps its dramatic journey

Dec 05, 2023 05:36 am UTC| Nature

Takahē are a striking bird and a national treasure in Aotearoa New Zealand. But the history and origin story of this flightless swamp hen have become a point of scientific debate. Our latest research uncovered the...

The true origins of the world's smallest and weirdest whale

Jul 11, 2023 06:43 am UTC| Nature

The pygmy right whale, Caperea marginata, is the weirdest whale youve probably never heard of. It is the smallest of the living baleen whales and restricted to the Southern Hemisphere. Its tank-like skeleton is...

Taxonomy, the science of naming things, is under threat

Nov 14, 2018 11:52 am UTC| Science

Museums are cathedrals of science, but they are under threat worldwide as part of a malaise of undervaluing museum collections and the field of taxonomy, the science of naming biodiversity. The Museum of New Zealand Te...

Economy

AI-Driven Memory Chip Prices May Be Skewing U.S. Inflation Data, Fed Minutes Suggest

Minutes from the Federal Reserves April meeting revealed that several policymakers observed rising software-related prices contributing to higher core inflation. However, officials also indicated that these increases may...

Wall Street Faces Inflation Pressure as Strong Earnings Season Nears End

U.S. stocks may encounter increased volatility in the final stretch of a strong corporate earnings season as investors shift attention toward rising inflation, higher Treasury yields, and growing geopolitical tensions....

Wall Street Futures Rally as Oil Prices Drop Amid Optimism Over U.S.-Iran Talks

U.S. stock futures surged Sunday night after easing tensions in the Middle East sparked a sharp decline in oil prices and boosted investor confidence. Market optimism grew following signs of progress in negotiations...

Global Bond Selloff Pressures Stocks as Rising Oil Prices Fuel Inflation Fears

The global bond market has faced intense pressure over the past two weeks as investors reacted to soaring oil prices and growing inflation concerns tied to escalating Middle East tensions. The ongoing disruption around the...

Gold Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Hopes Boost Market Sentiment

Gold prices climbed sharply during early Asian trading on Monday as renewed optimism surrounding a possible U.S.-Iran peace agreement lifted investor confidence across global markets. The rally in bullion came alongside a...

Politics

Turkey Opposition Crisis Deepens as Police Storm CHP Headquarters

Turkeys political tensions escalated sharply after riot police forced their way into the headquarters of the main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) in Ankara, intensifying concerns over the future of Turkish...

Russia Launches Massive Missile and Drone Assault on Kyiv, Killing Civilians and Damaging Historic Sites

Russia carried out one of its largest attacks on Kyiv and nearby regions since the war began, launching hundreds of drones and missiles, including the nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile. The overnight assault...

Trump Says Iran Peace Deal Talks Ongoing as U.S. Blockade Remains in Place

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Washington is in no rush to finalize a peace agreement with Iran, stressing that the current naval blockade against the country will remain active until a formal deal is...

Trump’s White House Ballroom Push Draws Criticism Amid Rising Gas Prices

U.S. President Donald Trump is facing growing criticism after repeatedly promoting the construction of a new White House ballroom while many Americans struggle with high gas prices and economic uncertainty. During a visit...

Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Refugee Camp Kills Infant and Parents Amid Fragile Ceasefire

An Israeli airstrike on a residential apartment in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza killed three Palestinians on Sunday, including a six-month-old baby, according to local health officials. The victims were...

Science

Trump Administration Releases New UFO Files and Apollo Mission Records

The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified UFO-related files following an order from President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and government...

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

NASA Artemis II: First Crewed Moon Mission Since Apollo Takes Four Astronauts on 10-Day Lunar Journey

NASAs Artemis II mission launched Wednesday, marking humanitys return to crewed lunar exploration for the first time since the Apollo era. Carrying four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, this historic 10-day mission...

NASA's Artemis II Mission: First Crewed Lunar Journey Since Apollo

NASA's Artemis II Crew Arrives in Florida for Historic Moon Mission

The four astronauts chosen for NASAs Artemis II mission have touched down at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking the beginning of final launch preparations for the first crewed lunar journey in over 50 years. NASA...

Technology

Meta AI Push Could Add $26 Billion in Revenue by 2027, Wolfe Research Says

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) is projected to generate more than $26 billion in additional revenue by 2027 through artificial intelligence products, subscription services, and new advertising tools, according to a recent...

SpaceX Starship V3 Test Flight Boosts IPO Momentum Ahead of Historic Market Debut

SpaceX successfully completed a major test flight of its upgraded Starship V3 rocket, marking a significant achievement for Elon Musks aerospace company as it moves closer to a highly anticipated initial public offering....

PDG Explores $1 Billion Sale of China Data Center Assets

Princeton Digital Group (PDG), a major data center operator backed by private equity firm Warburg Pincus, has reportedly launched a sale process for its China-based assets that could be valued at as much as $1 billion,...

Lam Research Expands AI-Powered Semiconductor Tools and Arizona Operations

Lam Research is accelerating its investment in artificial intelligence and advanced sensing technology to improve semiconductor manufacturing efficiency while expanding its presence in Arizona and California. The...

Texas Sues Meta Over WhatsApp Encryption Claims

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms and its messaging service WhatsApp, accusing the companies of misleading consumers about WhatsApps encryption and privacy protections. The...