ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on September 4, 2026.
Is everyone a robot? Will O’Mahony’s new play is a sharp, funny plunge into our AI world
From lights up to the production’s satisfying conclusion, Day (After Day) in the Life of the Useless is seriously funny and surprisingly moving.
Europe is under increased Russian attack. Are we seeing an undeclared war?
Recent drone and GPS jamming attacks on Germany and Romania have ratcheted up tensions between Russia and the rest of Europe.
Potholes are annoying and dangerous. Now they’re also political
A pothole is usually not the disease – it is the visible symptom. The main engineering challenge is trying to stop them forming in the first place.
‘I feel more comfortable asking questions’: how we worked with mosques to talk with Muslim women about reproductive health
In some communities, cultural norms can make it hard for women to ask about sex, contraception, periods, pregnancy or birth in mainstream health-care settings.
The controversy over Rachel Cusk’s Life of M misses the point
Life of M bleeds fact into fiction, but it requires much more of the reader than a simple guessing game of who’s who.
As global heating heads to 1.8C, is it time to consider the ‘Voldemort’ of climate policy?
The case for large-scale technologies that reflect solar radiation back into space rests on global warming’s grim reality.
How does subject scaling work for Year 12? And why is it unfair?
In Victoria, for instance, the subject which scales the highest is Latin. But it’s only offered by a handful of schools, most of which cater to privileged families.
Pacific Islands Forum winds up by condemning China nuclear test
By Lillian Hanly of RNZ Leaders in the Pacific have registered their concern over a nuclear-capable missile test conducted by China in July, calling on all states to provide advance warning ahead of any testing. Nauru – one of the 18 Pacific Island Forum (PIF) members – noted its dissent from the statement. Partners to
Zero-alcohol drinks are rising in popularity. What do young people think about them?
Booze-free drinks that mimic the taste of alcohol can help teenagers fit in socially. But new research suggests there are important limits to what they can replace.
Australia needs renewable energy fast – but building it is only half the battle
Regional communities often don’t oppose renewables, but want a say in where they go and who foots the bill.
Meta’s $18b settlement echoes past tobacco lawsuits – and how they avoided harsh penalties
A lawyer who worked on a class action against tobacco makers says the Meta deal mirrors the playbook of Big Tobacco – and will cost only a few days’ revenue.
School formals can increase body image anxiety for some teens. Here’s how parents can help
Many teens consider the school formal a rite of passage. But some young people might feel an enormous pressure to look a certain way.
I’m trying to lose weight. Will exercising make me hungrier and eat more?
Many people report exercise makes them incredibly hungry. Here’s what might be going on.
Experimental brain implants are on the rise. What happens after the trials are over?
Brain implants can change people’s lives during clinical trials, but what happens next can be just as important.
Hiking canyons can quickly turn deadly when storms hit – what you should know before going in
After the deadly Grand Canyon flood, a geologist and avid hiker explains what nature lovers need to prepare and watch for to stay safe.
What we forget when we remember 9/11
There is a strange nostalgia in realizing that something once so immediate now belongs increasingly to people who know it only as the past.
Inside the booming ‘shadow fleet’ industry keeping rogue states afloat
Countries like North Korea and Russia are developing ever-more sophisticated tactics to stay one step ahead of sanctions enforcers. Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast.
Qualified but overlooked: How bias keeps Indigenous job seekers from getting hired
New research shows that Indigenous applicants can face discrimination at the hiring stage, even when they have the same qualifications and experience as other candidates.
Human ‘safety drivers’ in Uber robotaxis could lose skills if all they do is observe
The minicabs will include a ‘safety driver’, but as human skills turn from doing to watching, driving expertise can deteriorate.
Nepal floods: Khalte residents knew the river could take their camp – and then it did
Khalte’s residents survived one disaster – but were left vulnerable to the next.