ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on September 2, 2026.
Victoria plans to get prisoners to help maintain roads. How common is prison work in Australia and what are the issues?
At best, prison work programs increase the chances of successful reintegration after release. At worst, they can be exploitative.
A landmark UN report says the world will overshoot the 1.5°C climate target. What happens now?
It’s no longer possible to hold climate change to 1.5. But it’s not game over – it’s game on.
Despite losing everything, communities along the Nepal-Tibet border are helping each other rebuild
Villagers are picking up the pieces after a catastrophic flash flood ripped through the region.
Australia’s economy grows by 2.1%, but people’s living standards aren’t keeping pace
The growth figures for June beat expectations – helped in part by record EV sales. But on a per-person basis, the economy is not doing so well.
Why Israel and Turkey are trading insults and jockeying for power in neighbouring Syria
Both sides say they do not want war. But both have soldiers in Syria, raising the risk of miscalculation.
Is sleep training likely to help or harm your baby?
Sleep is a learnt skill. While some babies learn to go to sleep easily, others need more help.
There’s a political push to ban pornography depicting choking. Would this work?
Politicians from the two major parties have suggested adopting laws similar to those in the United Kingdom, but enforcing them would be challenging.
Barring access and ‘positive’ news: how the Chinese government has controlled the narrative during the Tibet floods
The government has emphasised positive coverage of rescue efforts in Tibet. Across the border in Nepal, foreign journalists are telling a different story.
Raygun turned her Olympic flop into a media career. Now Netflix is helping with the rewrite
Netflix’s new documentary Untold Raygun: Breaking Badly tries to show the human behind the memes – but lacks thorough interrogation.
Interest rates have gone up again. Why it won’t affect the prices that matter most
The Reserve Bank has increased the official cash rate to 2.75%. But much of the inflation affecting New Zealand wallets is imported and beyond the bank’s control.
US expected to announce major fuel security deal at Pacific Islands Forum
By Teuila Fuatai of RNZ Pacific in Koror, Palau The United States is set to announce a fuel security deal worth US$60 million for the Pacific region, RNZ Pacific understands. Details are yet to be finalised, but RNZ Pacific understands it was discussed at a closed dialogue partners meeting at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)
Google’s AI overviews reinforce some conspiracy theories – new research
A new study shows stronger guardrails on search engines are needed to prevent the spread and legitimisation of conspiratorial beliefs.
Pacific leaders urged to be united behind 2050 climate action vision
By L.N. Reklai in Koror, Palau Pacific Islands Forum leaders are being urged to strengthen regional unity and ensure the Forum remains firmly Pacific-led as member countries work to deliver the goals of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Outgoing Forum Chair Solomon Islands and incoming Chair Palau, at the opening ceremony of
Families waiting for news from Nepal and Tibet will feel both hope and despair – and this can change minute to minute
As a supporter or friend, you don’t need to have the answers, and you shouldn’t speculate. Here’s how to just be there and offer practical support.
Why the rise in government debt is freaking out the bond market
With no clear plan to curb government spending in the US or in Australia, investors are pushing up interest rates to decade highs.
5 programs that show what ABC Indigenous made possible – and what we could lose if it’s axed
The ABC wants to dismantle the department behind some of its best television – and the best Australian television ever.
Despite years of rain, Blue Mountains forests still haven’t recovered from the Black Summer megafires
Heavy rains after the Black Summer megafires drove rapid regrowth of plants. But these signs of recovery can hide the true story.
Before the infinity nets, there was ‘The Pacific Ocean’ – what origin stories focusing on Yayoi Kusama’s mental illness miss about her art
Retrospectives on Yayoi Kusama often point to mental illness as the source of her inspiration. But before she made it big, she was a young girl inspired by traveling the world for the first time.
Integrating Cree worldview with western psychology: Q&A with a psychotherapist
In his new book, Cree behavioural scientist Louis Busch walks readers through teachings from several prominent Indigenous Knowledge Holders to reveal how suffering can provide both personal insight and communal strength.
What to do if your vote is challenged: Practical advice for midterm elections
On Election Day, you go to vote – and you’re told you’re not registered or you’re not eligible to vote. A civil rights lawyer provides a guide so voters can know their rights to cast a ballot.