ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on September 25, 2026.
Could an ‘Australian AI’ protect us from being hacked? Cybersecurity isn’t that simple
News that an OpenAI agent hacked Medicare has prompted calls for Australia to develop its own AI system.
Trump’s US ratings drop to new record low as Democrats become clear favourites in both chambers of Congress
Trump’s net approval is below what any past president since Harry Truman had at this point in their term.
Curious Kids: does music affect how plants grow?
Some people may think it’s nice to listen to music with their plants. But is there any truth to the idea that certain music boosts plant growth?
September’s ozone hole was the biggest in 20 years. The warning signs appeared months ago
This spring’s ozone hole is likely to be among the top ten most severe of all time, bringing weather changes to New Zealand and Australia.
Seasonal weather chaos just part of picture of Pacific maritime tragedies, says climatologist
By Johnny Blades of RNZ Pacific As the Pacific Islands region reels from a series of recent maritime tragedies, a regional climatologist says it is imperative that boat operators take extra caution in a time of turbulent weather. There have been dozens of fatalities from incidents at sea in recent months in Papua New Guinea,
Pacific media must bring remote communities into the conversation, says Rabuka
By Prishanta Sharma in Savusavu Reaching communities beyond Pacific capitals must remain at the heart of journalism as technology creates new ways for the region to share its stories, says Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. Opening the 8th Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu, Rabuka said the vast distances separating Pacific communities should not prevent people
The English paid off the Vikings for almost a century. But was the Danegeld such a bad idea?
It’s easy to say now that paying the Vikings to go away ‘didn’t work’. But this obscures the fact paying off one Viking band didn’t ensure another would stop coming.
Canada’s $1-trillion investment push promises growth — but raises questions about who benefits
The federal government is betting on tax incentives and private capital to drive growth, but questions remain over costs, oversight and who benefits.
Canada must consider even unlikely threats — including an American invasion
Preparation is rarely wasted. Even when the scenario never materializes, the process strengthens institutions, sharpens strategic thinking, and improves readiness.
Card surcharges are banned from October 1. What’s changing at the checkout?
Australians use debit and credit cards to pay for almost three out of four payments. Here’s what will soon change for shoppers and businesses.
Are AFL grand finals really the hardest game of the year? We checked the data
The old cliché about the Grand Final being the toughest test was true – for a while.
Trump wants a diesel export ban. Australia would be uniquely exposed
It’s a bid to alleviate cost-of-living pressures in the US and claw back Trump’s voter base.
Are Australians really overeducated? It depends what education is for
According to a new survey, almost 50% of Australian workers say they are overeducated. But there are more reasons to study than getting a job.
Heroin used more often, cocaine use up. What new data says about drug use today
Established drugs – such as heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine – continue to demand attention. Here’s what else the latest drug trends tell us.
Swan Song: Diana’s brother flips the royal family the bird in his scathing new book
Charles Spencer’s book is as much about him as about the sister he claims to speak for. Beneath the score-settling, it’s a story of a brother still grieving.
What the U.S. Supreme Court’s pesticide ruling means for gardeners and farm workers
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on glyphosate relieves the sellers of hundreds of pesticides from obligations to warn customers about potential dangers.
Does fandom for the rock duo ‘Angine de Poitrine’ signal a prog rock renaissance?
Angine de Poitrine occupies a different part of the prog rock musical spectrum than Rush, who emerged from the classic prog rock era.
NZ’s supply chains are highly exposed. Could new AI agents make them more resilient?
AI agents are starting to transform procurement overseas. For isolated, trade-dependent New Zealand, they could offer a powerful tool against disruption.
Government hacks, rogue agents and no transparency: can we ever fully trust AI?
AI expert Nick Jennings speaks to The Conversation Weekly podcast about calls for an slowdown in the development of frontier AI models.
This 18th-century Gospel has reignited a fierce battle over Ethiopia’s looted heritage
The controversy highlights a broader, escalating global movement demanding the return of African antiquities.