ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 7, 2026.
Humid heat may increase the risk of premature birth. But aspirin could help
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stacey Savin, Postdoctoral researcher, Vascular Immunology of Pregnancy Group, University of Adelaide, University of Adelaide Pregnancy can be a time of joy and anticipation. But it can also be a nerve-wracking experience, with many factors affecting when and how a baby arrives. A new study, published today, … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
Landlords pay almost $7 billion a year more in tax than home owners, pushing rents higher
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Murphy, Visiting Fellow, Economics (modelling), Australian National University In Tuesday’s federal budget, the government is widely expected to bring in changes to how investment properties are taxed, including negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount. Ever since the Albanese government’s re-election, there have been growing … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
Moana Maniapoto: Why trashing the BSA is a sign of journalism and fairness being undermined
COMMENTARY: By Moana Maniapoto I was reluctant to enter into journalism because I valued the research and skills attached to the profession, particularly given it’s responsibility to hold the powerful to account. I was lucky enough to have the legendary Colin McRae as my producer. He said there are basically three rules. You must be … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
Does abolishing the BSA mean the end of NZ’s enforceable media standards in general?
ANALYSIS: By Peter Thompson The announcement by New Zealand’s Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith that the government was abolishing the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) came as no real surprise. But it leaves a big question hanging: will the news media still be held accountable to basic standards which protect the public interest and the … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
Is Richard Dawkins right about Claude? No. But it’s not surprising AI chatbots feel conscious to us
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julian Koplin, Lecturer in Bioethics, Monash University; The University of Melbourne In recent days, evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins wrote an op-ed suggesting AI chatbot Claude may be conscious. Dawkins did not express certainty that Claude is conscious. But he pointed out that Claude’s sophisticated abilities are difficult … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
Does abolishing the BSA mean the end of enforceable media standards in general?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Thompson, Associate Professor in Media and Communication, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington The announcement by Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith that the government was abolishing the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) came as no real surprise. But it leaves a big question hanging: … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
Election day in the UK: what to look out for – and when we’ll know the results
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hannah Bunting, Senior Lecturer in Quantitative British Politics and Co-director of The Elections Centre, University of Exeter Voters are casting their ballots in elections to 136 English local authorities, the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Senedd. For most, it’s the first opportunity to cast a ballot since … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
As David Attenborough turns 100, four experts explore his legacy, from science to storytelling
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chloe Brimicombe, Postdoctoral Researcher, Climate Science, University of Oxford Sir David Attenborough has mastered the craft of storytelling. He has undoubtedly inspired generations of people around the globe to love and care for the natural world. And in doing so, he’s become one of the most recognisable … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
5 great podcasts parents can listen to with children – backed by research
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Corey Martin, Lecturer and Podcast Producer, Department of Media and Communication, Swinburne University of Technology When it comes to sharing media with their children, many parents are left weighing up two imperfect options: screen time or reading. Screen time is convenient, but continues to be linked to … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
Transcribing speech is never neutral. It shapes power and bias
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Celeste Rodriguez Louro, Associate Professor, Chair of Linguistics and Director of Language Lab, The University of Western Australia Earlier this year I gave a talk about my research at Oxford’s All Souls College, and worked with a chef to design an accompanying menu. Thinking about my work … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
Increasing JobSeeker is long overdue. Here’s how we could do it, without breaking the budget
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Phillips, Associate Professor, POLIS@ANU Centre for Social Policy Research, Australian National University In the lead-up to the federal budget, there’s much focus on what the government will do to address cost-of-living pressures for households amid rising inflation and interest rates. Research shows where those cost-of-living stresses … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
Donations, access and secrecy: 3 tactics tobacco companies use to influence smoking laws
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Becky Freeman, Professor in Public Health, University of Sydney In April, the United Kingdom passed landmark laws that aim to create a “smokefree generation”. This means anyone born on or after January 1 2009 can never legally be sold tobacco products. The law is a triumph for … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
Urban trees cool the world’s cities more than we thought – but we can’t rely on them alone
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Manuel Esperon-Rodriguez, Researcher in Urban Transformation, Western Sydney University Cities and towns are usually 1–3°C hotter than the surrounding countryside, because asphalt, concrete and brick absorb heat from the sun and radiate it slowly. Some cities can be as much as 7°C hotter. This effect is known … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
NZ is overdue for a population strategy – but there is only so much governments can do
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tahu Kukutai, Professor of Demography, University of Waikato Across the world’s most advanced economies, demographic issues have risen to near the top of the policy agenda. Governments have implemented a range of measures to try and address the challenges of falling birth rates, ageing populations and shrinking … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
A new survey of 10,000 migrants reveals exploitation at work is the norm. Here’s how to fix it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laurie Berg, Associate Professor of Law, University of Technology Sydney A 28-year-old international student from Pakistan took a job as a chef in Queensland. His employer paid a flat hourly rate that was well below the legal minimum, with no payslips. When he eventually left, his employer … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
UN commissioner condemns Israeli kidnapping, detention of Brazilian flotilla activist
By Jamil Chade The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has condemned Israel, saying it has no right to detain Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila and demanding his “immediate and unconditional” release. In a statement on Tuesday, Thameen Al-Kheeta, spokesperson for the United Nations entity, said: “Israel must immediately and unconditionally release Saif Abukeshek and Thiago … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
New Caledonia suspends trade cooperation with Vanuatu in row over FLNKS meeting
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk New Caledonia’s government says it has suspended all trade cooperation with Vanuatu after the Vanuatu government hosted the pro-independence Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) in Port Vila. Vanuatu is hosting a series of talks under the theme “VOICE 2030” (Vanuatu Opportunities for Investment and … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
Media programmes at USP, FNU join forces for World Press Freedom Day talanoa
Wansolwara News The University of the South Pacific (USP) Journalism Programme has marked the 2026 World Press Freedom Day this year in partnership with the Fiji National University (FNU) School of Language, Communication and Literature. A successful collaboration between two universities, the event highlighted a strong partnership focused on advancing journalism education in the Pacific. … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
Israel’s kidnapping of two important pro-Palestine global activists reaffirms persecution
COMMENTARY: By Chris Hedges Nothing illustrates the inversion of the international and moral order more than the genocide in Gaza and the shipment of tens of billions of dollars of weapons to Israel by Western nations — especially the United States — to sustain it. Part of this inversion is the unrelenting persecution of those … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
The government’s plans to bolster Australia’s fuel stores are sensible – but 5 years too late
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tina Soliman-Hunter, Professor of Energy and Natural Resources Law, Macquarie University News the Australian government will spend over A$10 billion to boost fuel supplies is both welcome and well overdue. The plans announced today ahead of next week’s budget include $3.7 billion for publicly owned fuel reserves … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>