ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on January 31, 2026.
Silver and gold hit record highs – then crashed. Before joining the rush, you need to know this
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Angel Zhong, Professor of Finance, RMIT University Zlaťáky.cz/Pexels, CC BY The start of 2026 has seen gold and silver surge to record highs – only to crash on Friday. Gold prices peaked above US$5,500 (A$7,900) per ounce for the first time on Thursday, well above previous highs.
Micronesia: Island US military veterans struggle to get healthcare
By Giff Johnson, editor, Marshall Islands Journal / RNZ Pacific correspondent The death earlier this month of a 26-year veteran of the US Army from the Micronesian island of Kosrae, who was an ardent advocate for healthcare benefits for island veterans, highlights the ongoing lack of promised US healthcare support for those who served in
Jonathan Cook: BBC pushes the case for an illegal war on Iran with even bigger lies than Trump’s
COMMENTARY: By Jonathan Cook Here is another example of utterly irresponsible journalism from the BBC on News at Ten. Diplomatic correspondent Caroline Hawley starts the Thursday edition by credulously amplifying a fantastical death toll of “tens of thousands of dead” from recent protests in Iran — figures provided by regime opponents. Contrast that with the
Open letter: Seven warning signals to the global warmongers who are claiming to lead
COMMENTARY: By Richard David Hames Dear warmongers: You are sleepwalking towards a war in the Middle East that could set the whole world ablaze. Do not pretend you don’t know this. Your generals know it. Your intelligence agencies know it. Financial markets know it. Every citizen with a memory longer than a news cycle can
Puzzling slow radio pulses are coming from space. A new study could finally explain them
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Csanád Horváth, PhD Candidate, Radio Astronomy, Curtin University Artists impression of the white dwarf in GPM J1839-10 interacting with its companion star, producing a powerful radio beam. Danielle Futselaar Cosmic radio pulses repeating every few minutes or hours, known as long-period transients, have puzzled astronomers since their
View from The Hill: Hastie pulls out but Liberal leadership battle remains in flux
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The battle over the Liberal leadership took a dramatic turn late on Friday when Andrew Hastie announced he was pulling out. His surprise announcement came just a day after a meeting between Hastie and the other aspirant – defence spokesman
The government has promised a $25 billion boost to hospital funding – but only hints at real reform
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Breadon, Program Director, Health and Aged Care, Grattan Institute Federal and state governments have finally resolved their long-running standoff on public hospital funding. The deal struck at National Cabinet on Friday includes a A$25 billion boost to hospital funding, and state government commitments on disability services
UpScrolled – the Australian pro-Palestine platform shaking up global social media
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – By Agnese Boffano in London As Meta, TikTok, Instagram and X continue to dominate online social spaces, a new platform called UpScrolled has entered the scene. It is not built around dances or memes, but instead positions itself as a space promising fewer shadowbans and greater
Sussan Ley fills frontbench holes temporarily, giving a brief window for Nationals to rethink Coalition split
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Opposition Leader Sussan Ley on Friday allocated responsibilities formerly held by the Nationals to existing Liberal shadow ministers on a temporary basis. This will get the opposition through the next parliamentary week, starting Tuesday. It also gives the Nationals a
UpScrolled – the pro-Palestine platform shaking up social media
By Agnese Boffano in London As Meta, TikTok, Instagram and X continue to dominate online social spaces, a new platform called UpScrolled has entered the scene. It is not built around dances or memes, but instead positions itself as a space promising fewer shadowbans and greater freedom of political expression, particularly for pro-Palestinian voices. So,
