ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on August 21, 2026.
We’re building a New York-sized city every month. That’s worrying for our climate
A new study reveals what unsustainable construction practices are costing our climate – and what must change.
What Sanae Takaichi’s popularity among women says about gender equality in Japan
Many women find the prime minister’s long hours relatable, but this risks normalising the gendered stereotypes many women quietly endure on a daily basis.
Want to muck around with a real quantum computer? Now you can
A new facility in Queensland will allow researchers from academia and industry to test new ideas on a real quantum processor.
29 US states are suing Meta. What might it mean for the rest of the world?
A loss for Meta may force it to redesign Facebook and Instagram – and not just for US users.
Why a chronically underfunded arts sector will make NZ poorer – and duller
A thriving arts scene generates more money than it costs to run. But cutbacks, restructuring and stagnant budgets risk pushing many practitioners to the brink.
Victoria’s Big Build royal commission: do the terms of reference go far enough?
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll says the terms of reference are ‘the broadest, most extensive, wide-ranging powers’. But there’s one key weakness.
Fiji’s HIV epidemic has yet to reach a ‘turning point’, warns minister
RNZ Pacific reporters Fiji is now in a generalised HIV epidemic, which means the virus is firmly established and spreading within the general population. The number of people living with HIV in Fiji has risen sharply over the past decade. Fiji’s Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu declared an HIV outbreak in January 2025. READ
Is it illegal for the president to spend ‘patriotic’ donations on a White House ballroom or anything else?
Uncle Sam may receive charitable gifts, but that doesn’t give presidents free rein on how to spend those funds.
A majority Māori and Pacific All Blacks squad shows how far rugby’s ‘greatest rivalry’ has come
It’s 30 years since the All Blacks last played a test in South Africa – and only 56 years since Māori and Pacific players were first allowed to tour there.
Leaving abusive relationships can be harder for migrant women. Here’s what they need to feel safe
Pressure to hold the family together, visa worries and fear of social exclusion can make it harder to leave abusive relationships.
Does your kid hate costumes? Here’s how to handle Book Week and special events
Be curious about why children don’t want to dress up, rather than immediately trying to persuade them to join in.
China is launching a Moon mission to find water ice. It’s unlike anything NASA has done
We’ve known for a while now that the Moon has water. Accessing it will make it easier not just to visit, but to stay.
One year isn’t enough – why the government needs to keep up the pace of economic reform
At last, we have some tax reform. We should hope this is just the start.
Anti-abortion rhetoric is becoming entrenched in Australian right-wing politics
A new ‘born alive’ bill has been brought before federal parliament. While it won’t pass, it reveals the strategies of the growing anti-abortion push.
People are more likely to ditch the car and use an e-bike if they feel confident and safe
An e-bike is a good start. But training, guided rides and social connection give people the confidence to keep using them.
Australia’s EV sales are skyrocketing. Our charging infrastructure may soon struggle to keep up
Tighter regulation and careful planning will ensure our public chargers actually work.
Australia’s arts workers are finally being recognised by the Fair Work Commission. What changes now?
Adding the word ‘arts’ to the Amusement, Recreation, Events and Arts Award will give the arts sector a safety net – but the details will determine its robustness.
NZ is eyeing reform of its strained aged-care system. How might a reset deliver for Māori?
As the government considers major aged-care reform, research points to how a new system could better support kaumātua and whānau.
Darline Graham’s inherited Senate seat revives the ‘widow’s mandate’ with a sibling twist
Though Graham’s appointment may seem unusual, political inheritance has never been fully absent from American democracy.
France’s nuclear reactors are running hot and still keeping the lights on
As Canada develops new nuclear projects, some might worry that hotter weather could undermine nuclear reliability. However, France’s experience this summer suggests otherwise.