ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on September 2, 2025.
Digital platforms are now the ultimate political power brokers, with consequences for democracy
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Francesco Bailo, Lecturer in Data Analytics in the Social Sciences, University of Sydney mos design/Unsplash Digital platforms have become the essential infrastructure of modern life. They power everything from our group chats to businesses, shopping, election campaigns and emergency coordination. They instantly connect us and continuously feed
Why was the Afghanistan earthquake so deadly? A disaster resilience expert explains
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Iftekhar Ahmed, Associate Professor in Construction Management/Disaster Resilience, University of Newcastle Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty images The death toll following the recent earthquake in Afghanistan continues to rise. Taliban-led health authorities now say at least 800 people have been killed and 2,000 injured. The earthquake struck just
Should I exercise if I’m still sore from last time?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hunter Bennett, Lecturer in Exercise Science, University of South Australia Alora Griffiths/Unsplash If you’re feeling sore from a run or gym session, you might wonder whether it’s better to push through or give your body a rest. This achy or stiff feeling in your muscles after exercise
Curious Kids: in ancient Egypt, did pyramids really have booby traps? Why was treasure hidden inside?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Serena Love, Honorary Research Fellow in Archaeology, The University of Queensland In ancient Egypt, did pyramids really have booby traps? Why was treasure hidden inside? – Effie, age 8, New Plymouth, New Zealand. When the ancient Egyptians built their giant pyramids, they wanted to keep the Pharaoh’s
Walden Bello on Gaza and the media silence: ‘It isn’t fear of the Zionists. It is far worse’
Israel is boosting its Zionist influence in the Pacific. Australia has exposed such media influence. The media in the Philippines is now under scrutiny. And Aotearoa New Zealand? COMMENTARY: By Walden Bello When the Flores and Velasco articles and posts whitewashing Israel’s genocidal policies in Gaza first came out a few days ago, I was
It was lonely during WWII. Those at home and away coped through letters
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Carson, Historian of Emotions and Australian Society, University of Adelaide State Library Victoria Gee I am lonely sweetheart, it may sound silly having so many men and cobbers around me, but when I say lonely I don’t mean lack of company, I am lonely for you,
My cat needs to be contained indoors – how do I make sure it stays happy?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Barbara Padalino, Associate Professor of Animal Behaviour, Husbandry and Welfare, Southern Cross University Alexander JT/Unsplash In Australia, there are some 5 million pet cats, and several million feral cats that live outdoors and away from human care, with devastating consequences for native wildlife. While there’s debate over
Ageing Australians are waiting too long for home care packages. Here’s why
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Woods, Professor of Health Economics, University of Technology Sydney Federal Aged Care Minister Sam Rae was heavily questioned in parliament yesterday for delaying the release of 83,000 new home care packages, from July 1 to November 1. In March 2025, more than 289,000 older Australians had
80 years since the end of World War II, a dangerous legacy lingers in the Pacific
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stacey Pizzino, Lecturer, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland Aerial view of Enewetak Atoll showing nuclear test craters. Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2021 On September 2, 1945, the second world war ended when Japan officially surrendered. Today, on the 80th anniversary, the physical legacy
It’s OK for people to cry at work. Here’s how you can respond as a colleague or manager
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn Johns, Associate Professor in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations, University of Technology Sydney Comeback Images/Getty Midway through a difficult discussion in her performance review, an employee named Jane finally cracks, and the tears start. Her boss doesn’t know what to do and handles the situation
It was lonely during WII. Those at home and away coped through letters
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Carson, Historian of Emotions and Australian Society, University of Adelaide State Library Victoria Gee I am lonely sweetheart, it may sound silly having so many men and cobbers around me, but when I say lonely I don’t mean lack of company, I am lonely for you,
250+ media ‘black out’ front pages and broadcasts to protest Israeli killing of journalists in Gaza
Reporters Without Borders In an unprecedented international operation organised by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the global campaigning movement Avaaz, more than 250 news outlets from over 70 countries simultaneously blacked out their front pages and website homepages, and interrupt their broadcasting to condemn the murder of journalists by the Israeli army in the Gaza
Fijian PM Rabuka hints at ‘historic’ referendum after landmark court ruling
By Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific digital/social lead Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has hinted that the country may “hold its first-ever referendum” following a landmark Supreme Court opinion aimed at amending the 2013 Constitution. On Friday, the nation’s highest court ruled that thresholds for constitutional amendments should be lowered — requiring only a two-thirds majority
Australia’s government says social media age checks ‘can be done’, despite errors and privacy risks
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa M. Given, Professor of Information Sciences & Director, Social Change Enabling Impact Platform, RMIT University We Are / Getty Images The Australian government today released a long-awaited report on a trial of automated tools for determining a person’s age. So-called age assurance technology is expected to
By sending non-visa holders to Nauru, Australia is shifting its responsibilities
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mary Anne Kenny, Associate Professor, School of Law, Murdoch University The Home Affairs minister, Tony Burke, revealed late last week he had visited Nauru in August and signed a memorandum of understanding with its government. Under the agreement, Nauru will grant long-term visas to members of a
Politicians have scapegoated immigration for decades. It’s time to flip the script
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jane McAdam, Scientia Professor and ARC Laureate Fellow, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, UNSW Sydney For decades now, public discourse about refugees and immigrants has become increasingly fractured, ugly and untrue. From John Howard’s “we will decide who comes to this country” mantra, to Kevin Rudd’s
What chaos at the US CDC could mean for the rest of the world
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Toole, Associate Principal Research Fellow, Burnet Institute Ever since Robert F Kennedy (RFK) Jr was appointed United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been under pressure to abandon its traditional evidence-based approach to public health in
China may not invade Taiwan, but rather blockade it. How would this work, and could it be effective?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Claudio Bozzi, Lecturer in Law, Deakin University US officials believe Chinese President Xi Xinping has set a deadline for his military to be capable of invading Taiwan by 2027 – the centennial anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). US Secretary of Defense Pete
Trump’s tariffs are headed to the US Supreme Court, prolonging the chaos on trade
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Deane, Professor of Trade Law and Taxation, Queensland University of Technology Trading partners of the United States are facing a fresh period of uncertainty after a US federal appeals court ruled President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs were illegal. In a 7-4 majority, the judges ruled Trump
Police plan for march which will shut Auckland Harbour Bridge this month
RNZ News New Zealand police say planning is well underway ahead of a pro-Palestinian march that will shut the Auckland Harbour bridge later this month. The organisers are expecting thousands to turn out for the “March for Humanity” which is due to be held on September 13. Police told RNZ they were working with partner
