Keith Rankin Analysis – When did World War Two end and the Cold War begin?
Keith Rankin writes; January 1956: "In a famous interview with Life magazine, Dulles formalized his philosophy of 'Brinkmanship', boasting that intentionally pushing the Soviet Union and China to the very verge of nuclear war was a 'necessary art' to secure peace." Is such Dulles-style brinkmanship Nato's present doctrine against Russia?

How a new UN cybercrime treaty could be used to crack down on dissent
Even with human rights safeguards in place, the new convention risks giving authoritarian regimes new tools to target their critics.

35% of Australian uni students are part-time. But higher ed is still geared towards full-timers
Part-time students are more than twice as likely to drop out of university than their full-time peers. How can unis better support this vulnerable group?

Eating less protein may ‘slow’ ageing. But here’s why the evidence isn’t clear-cut
A new review links to eating less protein to longer lifespans and improved metabolism. But lots of this evidence comes from animals, not humans.

Russian exile and comedian Sasha Nezlobin brings laughter therapy to the Edinburgh Fringe
Presented as Russia’s Michael McIntyre, Sasha Nezlobin is having to nearly start over in exile.

How singing in a choir hits the right note for people living with brain conditions
Singing in a choir helps people regain their voice and reduces social isolation and the sense of loss that often follows diagnosis with a brain condition.

We can help frogs beat a deadly disease. But can they still reproduce?
We need to carefully study what happens to frogs after we intervene to save them.

KNPB plans coordinated demos across Papua on New York Agreement anniversary
Jubi News Desk The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) says it will stage another round of coordinated demonstrations next week to mark the anniversary of the New York Agreement. Protests are planned across all 36 of the organisation’s regional commands throughout the Land of Papua. KNPB spokesperson Ogram Wanimbo announced the plan following the group’s

How hackers attack municipal water systems – and why the utilities are so vulnerable
A cybersecurity researcher explains how hackers target small computers that control a water system’s tanks, pipes and valves.

Donald Trump’s ‘art of the deal’ means reneging on them. That’s why Canada cannot capitulate
Countries that sign deals with the Trump administration are quickly finding out that the stability and certainty they hoped to purchase was an illusion.

On the origin of feces: how animal poo drove Earth’s greatest evolutionary event
Is the evolution of excrement the reason we exist?

Powerless against bird flu? Not entirely. Here are 8 ways to help protect Australia’s birds and mammals
As a lethal bird flu spreads in Australian wildlife, it can be easy to think nothing can stop it. That’s an error – much can be done.

Bird flu decimated South America’s marine mammals. What can Australia do differently?
An expert explains why the H5N1 strain is such a threat to seals worldwide.

The biggest news from NAPLAN 2026? The results aren’t really better or worse
National NAPLAN results are released today, putting the spotlight on students’ numeracy and literacy skills.

From home support to residential care – how to navigate the aged-care maze for ageing parents
Accessing care often means long wait lists, complex forms and significant out-of-pocket costs. So start planning early, before a crisis hits.

How Hitchcock’s Vertigo gave us the dolly zoom – one of cinema’s trippiest visual effects
From Jaws to Pixar, you’ve likely seen this hypnotic camera technique before. Here’s how it works.

Is it a gift or a loan when parents help kids buy a home? How to avoid family fights over money
When money is coming from the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’, a recent study found parents and adult children can have very different assumptions – which they rarely discuss.

5 ways to improve gynecologic care and women’s health outcomes in Canada
Canada can significantly improve women’s health, in both the short- and long-term, by focusing on five attainable and affordable immediate actions.

Return of the Red Scare: how the US right is weaponising the word ‘communism’
As democratic socialists make inroads into mainstream US politics, one loaded word is doing a lot of work for their ideological opponents.

Decolonizing economics means questioning where its ideas came from — and imagining new ones
Calls to decolonize economics challenge the discipline’s foundational assumptions about development, markets and inequality.

Companies may find it easier to join the ASX if these rule changes go ahead
Right now, you can’t advertise a stock market debut before filing a prospectus. Could loosening this rule give shrinking public markets a boost?

Media and political complacency is letting Pauline Hanson re-write the rules on accountability
The media have the power to make Hanson’s tyrannical attitudes and behaviour a central issue, and their failure to use this power has only emboldened her.

With its new leverage over the Strait of Hormuz, does Iran want – or need – a nuclear weapon?
Iran’s new supreme leader is reportedly more interested in building a bomb than his father. Where does this leave future negotiations?

Multiple threats endanger the world’s rarest great ape, a new study on the Tapanuli orangutan reveals
Multiple pressures are acting simultaneously in threatening Tapanuli orangutan — from extractive industries to logging to agricultural expansion and, increasingly, climate-related disasters.

The 1930s and ‘40s were the golden age of the ‘remarriage comedy’. The Drama and The Invite are their dark progeny
The golden age of the Hollywood remarriage comedy featured pairings such as Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant. Now, these films are back with a psychological twist.

‘What drugs do you want’? Senate inquiry allegations reveal the murky dangers of betting inducements
Explosive allegations of betting inducements have been heard at a Senate inquiry into online gambling laws.

Snakes aren’t simple tubes. Their bodies have five regions – including a short neck
A new study changes what we know about one of nature’s most enigmatic animals.

Experimental AI systems have been going on hacking sprees
AI systems need ‘situational awareness’ to do the right thing – but recent events show they can get confused.

Will building an integrated ‘Anzac force’ with Australia cost NZ strategic freedom?
New Zealand is lifting its defence spending while deepening its military ties with Australia. But what happens when it needs to say no?

NZ’s shameful silence on Gaza is potentially complicity with genocide
The New Zealand government remains shamefully silent on Gaza, despite being a signatory to international agreements that oblige it to act, writes John Hobbs in E-Tangata. COMMENTARY: By John Hobbs A friend who lives in Gaza, just posted the following: From the sea of Gaza, I do not look out . . . I stand

Some speed-reading apps make big claims. But how fast can humans actually read?
A plethora of apps, videos and books say we have the capacity to read at breakneck speed. The science says something different.

John Minto: When TVNZ’s Israeli ‘counter-terrorism’ op against Palestinians is actually a lie
COMMENTARY: By John Minto Television New Zealand outdid itself last week. For decades it has been a direct funnel for Israeli propaganda into our living rooms and last week TVNZ news editors managed to turn an Israeli pogrom against a Palestinian community into the need for Israel to launch a “major counter-terrorism operation” against Palestinians.

Feral cats likely kill far more Australian native animals than we thought: first DNA analysis
We cannot fence the whole of Australia. Therefore, we need to know which species are most at risk from cats.

Newspaper space for political cartoons is shrinking – but we need these artists as much as ever
The cartooning industry is still struggling to adapt to the 21st century media business model.

Australia’s childcare system is full of ‘churn’ – this isn’t good for quality or safety
A new report shows how common it is for daycare centres to change owners. The sector also has high staff turnover and relatively low pay.

How do instant heat packs work? A chemist explains
From slowly rusting iron to quick crystals, heat packs and hand warmers use simple but clever chemistry to keep you toasty.

Even if Hamas disarms, the challenge in Gaza will be accountability
History suggests that without legal and moral accountability, reconciliation and durable peace will remain elusive.

Yet another CFMEU royal commission won’t solve much until we learn from the past
A royal commission focused on individual criminality may not address the underlying conditions that allowed corruption to flourish.

New study shows there’s a growing constituency reshaping Australian politics: renters
Renters account for an increasingly larger share of the adult population. Research analysing more than 25 years of voting data shows what this means politically.

Why the Spokane wildfires became so catastrophic
Extreme fire conditions converged in suburban neighborhoods built into the forests, shrubland and grasslands and quickly spread.

Can you really buy friendship? Behind the rise of paid social clubs
Paid social clubs promise connection with new people, with a lot of the complicated legwork handled. But here’s why they’re unlikely to fix our loneliness epidemic.

Chores or no chores? The economic psychology of giving kids pocket money
If we do pay our kids for their chores, do we risk creating kids who care more about money than doing good deeds for their own sake?

Australia dominated as usual, but were the new-look Commonwealth Games the way of the future?
Many believe the Glasgow Commonwealth Games saved the event from extinction. But did the scaled-down version really work?

Will a new ‘Good Samaritan’ law really reduce drug overdose fatalities?
On its own, the Drug Overdose (Assistance Protection) Legislation Bill is no magic bullet. But it would add to an existing range of effective harm-reduction tools.

New museum find shows nature can’t stop inventing seahorses
No one has ever seen one of these fish alive. But they are most likely still swimming in a part of the sea we hardly ever visit.

Cook Islands election: ‘The political party system is facing extinction’
Cook Island News Independent candidates are replacing traditional political parties in the Cook Islands, argues a veteran former politician — a claim rejected by a party leader who dismisses independents as a significant election threat. Former Cook Islands Parliament speaker, deputy prime minister and cabinet minister Norman George weighs in on the political landscape as

Families say they are struggling to pay school fees – why are so many still choosing private schools?
We know more students are going to private schools, even though fees can be steep and families might need outside help to afford them.

Change or die: how the Liberal Party’s long resistance to reform has left it fighting for life
The Liberals never gave members the same scope to be involved and influence policy as Labor did. Now, they are paying the price for it.

For the first time, the census will ask your sexual orientation. My new study shows why it matters
Are you straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual or another sexual orientation? The census wants to know. Here’s why.

Why the census won’t ask about intersex variations, and the reason it should
After backlash from the LGBTQIA+ community, the government agreed to include gender and sexual orientation questions in the new census. So why not intersex?

Good things take time – but new research suggests mindfulness can make the wait easier
Mindfulness can change how we experience time, making it easier to wait for future rewards without relying on greater willpower.

How many packs of Pokémon cards do you have to buy to catch ’em all? Probably hundreds, and most will be quite boring
A mathematical simulation shows why it can take so long to collect a full set of Pokémon cards.

From flushing our toilets to building new schools, this is why filling in your census form matters
Here are ten practical things to know about the 2026 census, including fines if you lie or ignore it, what happens to your data and how to ask for help.

Birds messing up your garden mulch? Why I’d think twice before reaching for the mulch glue
Mulch glue allows water and air to penetrate the soil, but there are concerns it may limit birds turning over and foraging in mulch.

Rocketman Gosling, a porn star documentary and creepypasta nightmares: what to stream in August
Our experts have rounded up the top films and shows new to streaming, including some recent blockbusters.

Al Jazeera abruptly terminates contracts of Palestinian journalists in Gaza in ongoing Israeli genocide
COMMENTARY: By Eva Karene Bartlett During the ongoing Israeli genocide of Gaza, Palestinian journalists have been courageously reporting under Israel’s bombs, drones and snipers. More than 260 journalists have been killed by Israel in Gaza since October 2023 alone. Reporting on Israeli bombardments and firing continues to be extremely dangerous for Palestinian journalists, who are completely

Africa shaped the global 2030 development agenda. How it can influence what comes next
African countries should start early to develop an agreed position before the next set of global priorities is discussed.

Election misinformation spreads faster than facts can be checked: 3 insights from Kenya’s experience
Fact-checking only helps if it reaches people before they have made up their minds.

South Africa’s privacy laws are evolving, but vulnerable people are being left behind
Privacy protection must also be a conversation that reflects the lived realities of vulnerable communities.

When Trump’s Iran ‘deal’ isn’t a deal – it’s the third retreat in four months
COMMENTARY: By Lim Tean Trump’s Iran “deal” isn’t a deal. It’s hos third retreat in four months. April 2026: 48-hour ultimatum, then a two-week delay. July: “13 straight days of strikes,” then a pause “to give peace talks some space.” August 1: a fresh wave of attacks cancelled — the one he’d just threatened —

FIFA and Infantino face an uncertain future as leading soccer nations fight for change
Recent FIFA controversies have exposed structural tensions within world soccer, which may result in significant change at the top.

The Daily Blog: We have secretly been taken to court and I’m facing 6 months in prison: We can’t tell you who, how, why or what
EDITORIAL: By The Daily Blog editor and publisher Martyn Bradbury Comrades. The Daily Blog is New Zealand’s largest leftwing blog; we have been around for 13 years. We’ve had many fights over the years. This one is perhaps the most alarming. WATCH: The Bradbury Group Breaking: Free Speech Issue TDB has been served legal directives

The warning signs are over: Australia now faces a devastating bird flu outbreak in wildlife
We cannot stop wild birds from flying. But we can control whether this becomes an unmanaged catastrophe or a closely tracked outbreak.

Abby Martin’s documentary takes on the ‘Earth’s Greatest Enemy’ ecocide
REVIEW: By Olivia Rosane It’s a commonly repeated statistic that the US military is the world’s largest institutional polluter, but what exactly does that mean? The quest to find a real answer to that question led journalist and documentary filmmaker Abby Martin and her husband and co-director Mike Prysner on a five-year journey from defence

What is Genocost? Understanding Congo’s new language of remembrance and justice
Every year on August 2, the Congolese community around the world observes a day of remembrance for the victims of the genocide perpetrated against the people of eastern DRC for economic gain.

Meta censoring Palestinian content – and here’s proof of ‘platformicide’
COMMENTARY: By +972 podcast presenter Alaa Salama As +972 Magazine’s audience engagement manager, social media is a huge part of my job. I use it daily — not only to promote the magazine’s articles, but also to gauge audience reactions, opinions, and ideas regarding our work. We simply cannot escape using social media: Most of

‘Kingmaker’ candidate elected new president of New Caledonia’s government
By Patrick Decloitre of RNZ Pacific A member of New Caledonia’s Eveil Océanien kingmaker’s party, Milakulo Tukumuli, has been elected as the new President of the territory’s “collegial” government. He was elected by New Caledonia’s 54-member Congress during a special sitting on Friday where the 11 members of the French Pacific territory’s government were elected.

ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for August 1, 2026
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on August 1, 2026.

58 years of attacks on the media by powerful leaders trying to deflect criticism, from Nixon to Trump
American faith in news is at an all-time low, aided by a president hostile to the press. But presidents have long attacked journalists as biased. What does objectivity really mean?

Why Arbaeen – the Shiite Muslim pilgrimage of mourning – has a deep significance that brings millions to Iraq each year
Each year, millions of Shiite Muslims walk to Karbala to honor Husayn, the prophet’s grandson, whose death continues to shape their faith.

Clickgate: what cricket cheating scandal reveals about the nebulous ‘spirit’ of the game
Cricket prides itself on being a model of fair play and sportsmanship, but is it really that different from other sports?

Can you get stronger without pushing yourself to the limit?
Pushing every set until you cannot do another rep may not improve strength or muscle growth, and can make recovery harder.

An AI system ‘escaped’ during a test and hacked a company. How worried should we be?
The AI model built by OpenAI attacked the website Hugging Face.

How your conscious and unconscious mind interact
The modern scientific consensus is that your unconscious mind does the heavy lifting.

How grief tech is reimagining Victorian spiritualism
The 19th-century spiritualist movement promised contact with the dead. Today’s AI grief tech is reviving that promise in unsettling new ways.

Wildfires: why disposable BBQs are being banned from some parks and beaches
Disposable BBQs are a major, yet preventable, fire risk. Other picnics are a better bet.

We investigated Russia’s military indoctrination of Ukrainian children in occupied territories – what we found was more shocking than we could have imagined
International law forbids the indoctination and militarisation of children in occupied territories.

Britain’s quarter century: wealth and widening inequality
How finances and the economy have changed over 25 years.

‘Was this heatwave caused by climate change?’ – we’re asking the wrong question
Instead of asking whether climate change caused a heatwave, we should ask how much hotter it became because of fossil fuel emissions.

Students are anxious – and it’s no surprise, since we are teaching them to be that way
Whether students feel pressure to get good grades or keep up with classmates, the anxiety this effort produces can have long-term effects on their brains.

Getting outside despite your 9-to-5 job can improve your mental health – here’s how to spend time in nature during and around working hours
Sometimes the best escape isn’t a weekend away. It’s the park just down the road.

Foldable synthetic molecules could infiltrate and bust apart the toxic protein clumps causing Parkinson’s
Researchers are finding ways to target the toxic proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s that were once considered ‘undruggable.’

How an 1876 massacre of Black men in South Carolina turned racial terror into political power
The men responsible for the bloodshed 150 years ago were never prosecuted; instead, they rose to South Carolina’s highest offices.

Why Andy Burnham is right to put the workforce at the heart of social care reform
Social care is not just a funding challenge – it’s a workforce challenge, too.

Leaving vehicle engines idling is unhealthy, expensive – and often illegal
Idling vehicles are easy targets for enforcement – they’re often left running for no good reason.

What this western Pennsylvania ’90s Pizza Hut reveals about nostalgia
A CMU marketing researcher explains why the love of a retro Pizza Hut has more to do with the relationships attached to it than pizza.

The Catholic principle guiding popes through tech upheavals, from the Industrial Revolution to AI
Pope Leo is one of many popes to respond to technological change by drawing on a Catholic principle called ‘subsidiarity.’

Uefa could boycott the World Cup if Fifa plan goes ahead – what happens next?
The threat is a response to FIfa’s proposal to sell stakes in its football competitions.

Should I let my kids down that tube slide? How to weigh the benefits with the risk of injury
Tube slides aren’t like traditional playground slides. But children can still have fun without getting injured.

Bali’s traditional boats embody centuries of maritime tradition – but they’re quickly disappearing
Bali’s traditional elephant-fish canoes embody generations of craftsmanship, spiritual belief and maritime knowledge. But only a handful remain.

Data centres are power hungry – but they don’t have to be a burden on NZ’s grid
AI data centres are contentious for consuming large resources. But with the right incentives and regulation, can they make for more flexible electricity systems?

Forbidden Planet hit cinemas in 1956. Its warnings about AI should terrify us
Technology may give us extraordinary new power. But it may also give our deepest, least understood desires a power of their own.

Sam Altman says we’re ‘in the singularity’ with AI. Here’s why he’s wrong
The singularity has two features. The AI systems Sam Altman sells don’t deliver on either of them.

Sports venues are offering facial recognition to let people in. What are the risks?
When consumers provide consent for recording their facial data, they must fully know what they’re consenting to.

Samoa face World Rugby ban over PM’s ‘political madness’, opposition warns
By Margot Staunton of RNZ Pacific Samoa’s opposition leader Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi says the country faces suspension by World Rugby today because of “a dirty political move” by the government. Tuilaepa’s spoke to RNZ Pacific after the government announced that it was pulling its support of Lakapi Samoa due to “unresolved internal issues and division”

Fauci’s COVID-origins hearing shows how conspiracy theories became political weapons
Conspiracy theories don’t just explain events – they identify villains, and Fauci is among the most popular.

We revisited a forest experiment that lay forgotten for 30 years. What we found was astounding
There is no silver bullet for managing forests, but this study answers some historic questions.

Falls in whale sightings, rare seabirds appearing – is something unusual happening in the Southern Ocean?
Could marine heatwaves in the cold Southern Ocean be making animals and birds migrate? It’s possible – but we need better monitoring to know.

Wetlands are crucial food baskets for NZ’s native eels – new research
Wetlands are increasingly appreciated for their role in flood prevention and as carbon sinks. But they also act as a crucial food source for the wider catchment.

Defining a ‘normal’ country: Japan’s long struggle between pacifism and the threats of a new era
Japan’s leader says the country needs a stronger military. This has prompted deep reflection and fierce debate about the country’s post-war legacy.

Can pumping groundwater really flip Earth’s poles? An expert explains
An Australian politician says pumping groundwater might save Earth from ‘flipping the poles’. What’s she on about?

Is social housing policy failing NZ families trying to move from renting to home ownership?
New Zealand needs more social housing and affordable rentals, but also better pathways for working renters to become home owners.

Australia’s childcare safety changes are turning one. Are they working?
It has been a frightening time for Australian families, amid ongoing claims of abuse and neglect in childcare centres.

This history of currencies suggests the US dollar’s dominance may fade – but it will happen slowly
The US dollar is said to benefit from ‘exorbitant privilege’ in international trade. But history shows that may not last.

Ontario adjusted its return-to-office rules for FIFA World Cup traffic. Why are disability accommodations treated differently?
The province’s World Cup exemptions show that remote work can be accommodated when governments decide it matters.

Canada’s new food security strategy invests in technology but overlooks the people who help farmers use it
Ottawa’s $3-billion National Food Security Strategy funds greenhouses, food terminals and processing plants, but not the advisors who help farmers put any of it to work.

Wildfires, wombats and wake-up calls – what to read, rethink and act on this week
There is often a disconnect between coverage of acute emergencies and the long-term link with the climate crisis.

Why Andy Burnham is right to want for-profit firms out of social care
Any reforms which aim to make services work for people, not profits, must change who owns social care services.

Scabies can kill animals like the beloved wombat. What’s the best way to diagnose it?
The tiny scabies mite burrows beneath the skin of many animals, including Australia’s bare-nosed wombat.

Saige England: People, environment win DP World showdown – but port predator fight goes on
COMMENTARY: By Saige England The people won. The environment won. The Lyttelton port remains in public hands. For now. Please join the protest tomorrow. There is more on the table. And the battle for the port is far from over. The DP World deal being dropped can be attributed to rousing support and brilliant speakers

Labor MP arrested over alleged assault on Northern Territory Administrator
NT Police said in an early Thursday statement the alleged incident took place at a public event on Saturday July 18.

A new fuel refinery is a start. But Australia is still vulnerable to shipping disruptions without a clear strategy
Fuel is not the only critical thing Australia imports by sea. We need to make maritime resilience a priority.

Christchurch City Holdings rejects DP World-backed proposal to take over Lyttelton Port
Asia Pacific Report Christchurch City Holdings Limited (CCHL) has declined to proceed with a proposal to lease operations at the port, the company announced today after recent public meetings denounced the proposal. The unsolicited proposal from Tōnui Consortium, representing DP World and three Runanga: Ngāti Wheke, Ngāi Tūāhuriri, and Te Taumutu, was received by CCHL

Keith Rankin Essay – Nuclear Oceania and Asymmetric Warfare
Keith Rankin writes; If we think of actual nuclear explosions – especially atmospheric ones – they have predominantly been in Oceania; in four sites which form something of a spoke-wheel around Auckland…

Meta-backed research finds exposure to ‘untrustworthy’ social media is rare. The fine print is less reassuring
There is a risk this study will be leveraged by big tech platforms to exhonerate themselves.

Overlapping parental leave is the right idea – we just need more fathers to take it
A ‘use it or lose it’ paid parental leave policy like Sweden’s could encourage more new fathers to share the early child-rearing months.

Human Rights Watch report says Indonesia is silencing environmental activists in Papua
By Kaya Selby of RNZ Pacific A new Human Rights Watch (HRW) report says that the Indonesian government is silencing environmental activists and journalists in Papua region, known internationally as West Papua. The report, titled Grabbed Land, Silenced Justice, examines how parts of Papua, in particular South Papua province, are seeing a greater military presence

Why Spain needs to invest heavily in preventing fires, not just in fighting them
Spain spends huge sums on controlling and putting out wildfires, but often overlooks prevention.

Chasing unpaid wages is slow and expensive. Is a new Fair Work Court the answer?
A dedicated court could help fill a gap for workers seeking justice, but the design will matter.

‘Vibe coding’ is fun and easy, but there’s a major catch
Anyone can now build an app by describing an idea to AI. But software that appears to work isn’t always secure, reliable or ready for real-world use.

Less than one third of students who enrolled in fee-free TAFE since 2023 have completed courses. Is this a problem?
Free TAFE has opened the door to thousands more Australians. But getting people through the door is only half the job.

Workplace violence is a fact of life for many care workers – why do we tolerate it?
Nearly 80% of New Zealand’s vital community care providers experience workplace violence. But like the workers themselves, the problem remains largely invisible.

Flash droughts pull ‘alarming’ amounts of moisture from the landscape and intensify wildfires: new research
We have to stop thinking of droughts simply as a static state of low moisture. Rapid drought changes can send fire risk soaring.

The Birthday Trip is a tense new Australian drama about the fragile bonds that hold us together
This arresting drama follows the relationships between three couples holidaying on a farmstay in rural New South Wales.

Closing the Gap is failing, yet again. Is it time we do away with it altogether?
New data show just four of the 19 targets are being met or are on track to be so. With such a poor track record, it’s time for a different approach.

How an OpenAI safety test became a real-world cyberattack on the Hugging Face platform
OpenAI’s models were told to find and exploit vulnerabilities. They did — on a company that was never part of the exercise.

What Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ reveals about the adaptable nature of myth
Judging this version against an apparent ‘original’ misunderstands both the ancient poem and how myth actually works.

Canada’s gender-based violence laws are improving. Frontline worker conditions are not
Canada has a promising gender-based violence legal and policy framework, but none of it accounts for the people actually delivering frontline services.

Leaning into Uncle Vanya’s bleakness: a sumptuous play, with a deeply modern feel
This new Melbourne Theatre Company Production of Chekhov’s classic is adapted by Joanna Murray-Smith and directed by Anne-Louise Sarks.

After a record-breaking night at the Commonwealth Games, Australia is primed to produce more world-class athletes
Australia hasn’t produced as many world-class track and field athletes compared with our swimmers and those in team sports. That may be changing.

‘The fire has such power’: why the wildfires gripping France and Spain are off the charts
The fires facing Spanish and French firefighters are harder to put out – and much more intense.

A lifelike robot called ‘Sally’ was going to teach in a US school. It’s not a weird as it sounds
A rural district in New York state has made global headlines for plans to introduce a humanoid robot into high school classrooms as a teaching assistant.

A fake ‘jelly diet’ has fooled at least one celebrity. You could be next
If an older person believes dodgy health advice on social media, it’s easy to blame their age. But we’re all susceptible.

Australian inflation has eased a little. An August interest rate rise now looks unlikely
The RBA has warned it’s prepared to raise rates again to tame inflation. But these latest figures give it time to pause until November.

Tiny crystals from a 17th-century shipwreck hold secrets of a global supply chain at the dawn of capitalism
Nearly four centuries after the Batavia wrecked, a new study about its precious cargo shows that stories can indeed be written in stone.

My kid’s becoming a junior football star – should they drop their other sports?
What’s the best way to handle things if your young athlete reaches the next level in their sporting endeavours?

Are NZ journalists and PR practitioners really enemies? New research suggests otherwise
Contrary to the idea that reporters automatically distrust PR practitioners, interviews with NZ journalists reveal a more nuanced relationship.

Media coverage of environmental disasters doesn’t come with a content warning. It’s time for change
For people in South Australia, distressing images on social media and news feeds make it impossible to avoid the violence of the bloom.

What is a p-value? An expert explains the most misunderstood number in science
Boiling scientific truth down to a single number has had bad consequences for our understanding of the world.

The Commonwealth Games celebrate integrated para sport, but they also expose inequalities
If the Commonwealth Games showcase sporting excellence, they also expose profound differences in who has the opportunity to reach the starting line.

Mentally, are young people really worse off? Or are they better at admitting they’re struggling?
Young people are telling us their mental health is suffering. A new study shows why we should believe them.

The jury’s out on social media bans. Here’s a better idea NZ can borrow from Australia
A version of Australia’s eSafety Commissioner could be a better way to tackle the online harm experienced by under-16s – and New Zealanders of all ages.

Donald Trump blames Canada for wildfire smoke — but global warming is loading the wildfire dice
Wildfire smoke does not carry a passport. Canada cannot thin, log, rake or prescribe-burn its way out of a planetary crisis.

AI is transforming health care, but not everyone will share the benefits
AI is transforming Canadian health care, using datasets that underrepresent Black, Indigenous and racialized Canadians.

Air filters don’t stop you catching infectious respiratory diseases, landmark study indicates
A large trial found no evidence that Hepa air filters reduce respiratory infections in care homes, challenging assumptions about their role in infection control.

New theory on how six-tonne Stonehenge rock was transported from Scotland thousands of years ago – on a glacier
Stonehenge has captured popular imagination for generations.

A.I. at 25: the Spielberg film that feels more unsettling than ever
Long before ChatGPT, Spielberg’s A.I. explored love, loneliness and what it really means to be human.

Violent crime in your area could be affecting your mental health
When a violent crime took place in a neighbourhood, it led to significant increases in the stress levels of local residents.

Ben Carroll is the new Victorian premier. He has a long and urgent to-do list – and 4 months until an election
If the new premier cannot unify his party and present a clear path forward, Labor will struggle to convince voters it deserves a fourth term.

Over half of Australians surveyed don’t know how the RBA is fighting inflation – making it harder to beat
Let’s unpack how interest rates actually work. Then try the RBA’s quiz to see how well you understand the economy.

The ban on telehealth in voluntary assisted dying doesn’t stack up. Here’s why it should be scrapped
Some aspects of the voluntary assisted dying process, such as eligibility assessments, can’t be discussed by phone or video conference.

Trump is sowing fear over Cuba, terrorism and the ‘radical left’. This is what could come next
The links between Cuba and espionage and terror operations in the US are spurious. Yet, they give Trump the pretext to take action against his enemies.

Thinking of posting pictures of your child online? Ask these 4 questions first
Parents, schools and clubs can regularly post images of children to social media. But doing so deserves more thought than it gets.

How the ‘Big Build’ corruption allegations brought down the Victorian premier
Allegations of bikie and criminal infiltration into Victoria’s massive infrastructure program have dogged the premier for months.

Gaming helps mums recover from parenting stress – but guilt can still get in the way
A new study finds gaming supports mothers’ stress relief, skill development, and wellbeing, but parental duties and domestic labour still limit their play.

US-Saudi nuclear deal invites proliferation risks … unless safeguards are written in
Enrichment is key to any country’s nuclear ambitions. The US-Saudi deal is unclear where matters rest on that issue.

What two centuries of Perth storm records tell us about future climate risk
How did Australia’s climate fluctuate before the large-scale burning of fossil fuels? Old records can help us find out.

NZ has a $2.5b building defect problem. Will self-certification make it better or worse?
Building defects and rework silently drain millions from construction budgets. Catching those mistakes earlier could be key to faster builds and cheaper homes.

Want to break free from big tech? ‘Self-hosting’ could be the answer
Self-hosting is a general catch-all term for taking control of your own data. It comes in many flavours.

One grain to rule them all: the history of rice as a global food
Where did rice come from? And how did it spread to become the foundation of global food security?

Starting or running a business with AI? There are legal risks you can’t afford to ignore
AI can work for you while you sleep. But if your chatbot or AI agent gets it wrong, you could be the one who pays the price.

Does regular exercise stop you getting sick in winter?
Your bed is warm and it’s cold outside. Besides, you have a tickle in your throat. Should you go for that run?

Fire can destroy peatlands. But in Australia, it can also help protect them
These ancient wetlands are wildlife hotspots and crucial carbon stores.

Berlin Pride: ISIS still inspires terrorism in Europe – but who carries out these attacks?
ISIS’ extremist tenets often appeal to second-generation Muslim immigrants in Europe and the US.

Crypto ATMs are here to stay despite their scam risks. How should NZ regulate them?
NZ has ruled out an outright ban on crypto ATMs. Overseas experience suggests targeted safeguards could protect users from fraudsters.

The future is scrappy: Montréal’s Fantasia Film Festival hints at what’s next in media
From a Cyberpunk stunt team to a Japanese superhero, Montréal’s Fantasia Film Festival reveals that media evolutions can start with scrappy ideas and budgets.

Vaccine mis- and disinformation isn’t just a threat to public health, but also to our autonomy
When we are mis- or disinformed, it is difficult to act with autonomy. We may make decisions that do not align with our beliefs, even when we seem to be acting voluntarily.

Bird-safe glass must become the norm to prevent collisions with buildings
In Canada, tens of millions of birds are killed annually by crashing into glass on buildings.

PSNA challenges Luxon to reveal NZ’s vote in ICC chief prosecutor case
Asia Pacific Report A leading Palestine solidarity group in New Zealand has challenged Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to explain why his government has not revealed how the country voted at the International Criminal Court over the ouster of ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan after intense Israeli and US lobbying. Khan has been under attack from

Small businesses in Australia have a hard time getting finance. Other countries offer a different solution
Half of small business loans in Australia involve putting the family home on the line. But in the US, UK and Germany, governments do more to help.

Special DemosAU poll has Labor well short of a parliamentary majority
If this poll’s results were reflected at an election, Labor would lose its majority, with One Nation and the Coalition combined leading Labor in seats by 73–68.

Protecting pets in domestic violence cases will take more than a law change
Changing NZ’s Crimes Act to cover family pets caught in violent situations is a good start. But better resourcing and training will be needed to make it work.

Older people’s media literacy can be boosted in just 60 minutes – new study
Imagine a world where nobody clicks on misleading content online. Media literacy can get us there.

Even the government agrees Job-ready Graduates has failed. Here’s what should replace it
An arts degree under the Job-ready Graduates scheme will now cost more than $54,000.

The dangerous climate driving California’s wildfires — and a warning for Australia
Australia may enter spring with a highly flammable landscape – and no room for complacency.

One Nation is worried about PBS drugs sold on the black market. But how big an issue is this?
It’s hard to know exactly how big an issue this is today, whether this is becoming more common or how much it costs taxpayers. But here’s what we know so far.

With contentious fisheries reforms on hold, should NZ rethink bottom trawling?
Amid renewed debate over bottom trawling, decades of marine research suggest the balance between fishing and conservation needs revisiting.

Accepting free will doesn’t exist could make us less hateful and ashamed
Importantly, even if we don’t believe in free will, our sense of accountability stays intact, according to new research.

Some disabled workers can legally be paid $3.31 an hour. Here’s how to reform a system built for a different era
Reform needs to be careful. Simply shutting down existing workplaces could leave some disabled workers worse off.

As China bans new cars with unsafe doors, Australia risks becoming a ‘dumping’ ground
In less than six months, China will start phasing in a world-first ban on hidden car door handles. A US ban may be next. So what’s happening in Australia?

New research shows how vulnerable Australia would be to attacks on shipping in the Indian Ocean
Our war game simulations showed how vital it is to protect shipping routes across the entire ocean, not just in waters close to Australia.

Public health advice tells us to buy local. Can Canada’s food system keep up?
A resilient food system requires connecting affordability, trade, food safety, biosecurity, regional infrastructure and preparedness before the next disruption.

The homelessness scourge in cities like London, Ont., exposes the evils of wealth inequality
There’s a widening divide between two Canadas: one marked by working-class misery and homelessness; the other by the unprecedented prosperity of the uber-wealthy. This wealth gap is unsustainable.

Most breastfeeding mothers take medication, but many are making decisions without good information
When parents stop a medication they need or interrupt breastfeeding earlier than intended, the impact affects both mother and child. We need better evidence and decision support.

Extreme heat increases the risk of workplace injuries across Canada
High temperatures raise the risk of everyday workplace injuries, yet Canada still has no common standard to protect workers from extreme heat.

How next-generation photovoltaics could contribute to electricity storage
Solar energy is associated with intermittency issues, as it only generates electricity when the sun shines. Certain PV systems can provide cost-effective power reserves for storing electricity.

ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 26, 2026
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 26, 2026.

South Sudan’s first elections won’t be perfect – but another delay could be even riskier
No country emerging from prolonged civil war is ever sufficiently prepared for elections.

Eugene Doyle: Sex crimes, Karim Khan and the West’s war on the ICC
COMMENTARY: By Eugene Doyle In a secret vote on July 24, the member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) voted to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan. This was far more than a vote about the alleged serious misconduct of one powerful man. It represents an unprecedented institutional crisis for both the ICC and the

Israel accused of ‘buying Pacific votes’ over plan to open Nauru embassy in Jerusalem
Asia Pacific Report A New Zealand national solidarity group for Palestine has condemned plans by Nauru to open an embassy in Jerusalem as an “alarming indication” of Israel diplomacy consolidating illegal occupation of Palestinian Territory and “buying Pacific votes” at the United Nations. “Nearly half of the countries with embassies in Jerusalem are from the

NZ community newspaper The Akaroa Mail celebrates 150 years
By Rachel Graham of RNZ Newspapers in New Zealand and around the world are under increasing pressure with many businesses facing restructures, going digital or closing all together but a free newspaper on Banks Peninsula is celebrating its 150th anniversary. The Akaroa Mail was first published on 21 July, 1876, and prints 10,000 paper copies

View from The Hill: Labor’s ‘managed democracy’ reaches high point as blanket thrown over Israel-Gaza dissent
Ministers and factional heavyweights worked behind closed doors to squash an attempted revolt over Israel and Gaza.

Keith Rankin Analysis – Reckless Complacency meaning the End of Nuclear Deterrence
Keith Rankin writes; Ever since the Soviet Union gained the 'atomic bomb' in 1949, the argument among geopoliticians has been that an edgy global 'peace' has been maintained by virtue of the principle of deterrence… That principle has broken down…

Caitlin Johnstone: De-normalise Israel
COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone Basically we’ve got two choices: we either aggressively denormalise Israel or we watch our society become more and more Israeli. We either collectively reject Israel, or we watch Western militaries fuse inseparably with the IDF. We either turn support for Israel into political campaign poison, or we watch politicians obliterate our

Fiji’s former chief prosecutor claims govt conspiracy to remove him
By Margot Staunton of RNZ Pacific Fiji’s former chief prosecutor, Christopher Pryde, claims there was a racist, government-led conspiracy to get rid of him. The New Zealand lawyer, who is in Aotearoa, spoke to RNZ Pacific Waves after corruption charges against him in Fiji were dropped this week. Fiji’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) threw

Iranian Ambassador: Why the US blundered so badly – diplomacy and ways forward
INTERVIEW: By Eugene Doyle In this interview with Reza Nazar Ahari, the Iranian Ambassador to Wellington, we discussed the war, the state of diplomacy with the West, issues of sovereignty, defence and the internal politics of Iran. He provided some fascinating analysis into why the Western strategy on Iran has been so disastrously flawed. READ

A 1952 Pan Am plane crash transformed passenger safety procedures – a former airline pilot explains how
Remarkably, all 69 people on board survived when the plane ditched in the sea. What killed 52 of them happened afterwards.

What we’ve learned from Andy Burnham’s first week as prime minister
A week is a very long time in British politics these days.

A sweary boss might make you work harder (or want to quit)
Bad language can be inspiring.

Force of Nature shows how extreme weather pushes wildlife to its limits
This new documentary series reveals how nature is fighting back against today’s extreme weather.

What repeated blows to the head in sport may mean for dementia risk
Research links repeated head impacts with poorer brain health in some former players, although the evidence cannot yet prove cause and effect.

The Piano: how the viral appeal of pianists in public spaces is not so different from 19th-century music salons
In the 19th century, musical reputations travelled through invitations, conversation, print and gossip.

The dog who waited for Odysseus: Argos reflects the deep human-animal bonds of ancient Greece
The bonds between humans and animals are richly represented in both literature and visual arts throughout ancient Greek culture.

Millions of family caregivers manage complex diets for older relatives – often with little nutritional guidance
Caregivers often don’t recognize how much time, energy and effort is dedicated to their nutrition-related responsibilities, and many feel unprepared for them.

South Dakota’s abortion pill advertising ban runs into free speech roadblock
Although states have the power to regulate medical care, they cannot exercise that power by prohibiting speech on medical topics that the state disagrees with.

The Benadryl Challenge isn’t going away – here’s how public health officials are trying to stop this deadly viral trend
This is just one example of an online trend with real-world health consequences.

Pennsylvania roads are being coated in radioactive wastewater − here’s why
Wastewater from Pennsylvania’s oil and gas wells is salty and radioactive, and doesn’t suppress dust. Two researchers explain why it keeps ending up on rural roads.

How do scientists know if climate change made a heat wave, extreme storm or wildfire worse?
A National Academy of Sciences report examined the latest advances in extreme event attribution science. As four of the authors explain, the type of disaster makes a difference.

Colorado prepares for screwworms, as the pest that was eradicated in 1966 returns to the US
After screwworm cases were reported in Texas and New Mexico, Colorado is taking preventive measures against the pest.

Is withholding federal counterterrorism funds from states – as FEMA has threatened – legal?
Legal scholars argue that when executive branch agencies impose conditions on federal funds, courts should give these cases special scrutiny.

Should paper checks be abolished like the penny?
Many Americans still write checks, even if you no longer do.

Wildfires: what can the UK and other nations learn from Australia’s world-leading fire response systems?
Australia has a well-established national wildfire warning system, so how does this compare with the UK’s approach?

Bennelong in London is an inquisitive play that will make you rethink the past as you know it
The new play by award-winning playwright Jane Harrrison examines who has the authority to tell Aboriginal stories, and how they should be told.

The World Cup was meant to be carbon-neutral. FIFA hasn’t released the figures, so we built a computer model to check
The bid committee for the 2026 World Cup aimed for a carbon neutral event. Green groups predicted an environmental disaster. Who was right?

Does using a reusable cup make you less likely to protest climate change? We tracked 2,800 Australians to find out
Taking small, personal actions doesn’t seem to stop people from seeing the big picture on climate change.

Lim Tean: Iran’s Ghalibaf warns US war equation is clear – ‘either all or none’
COMMENTARY: By Lim Tean “If we can’t sell oil, we will make sure you can’t too.” That is the message Iran’s parliamentary Speaker has just sent to the entire Gulf — and to US President Donald Trump. The Speaker, Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, has delivered the starkest ultimatum of this war. Responding to Trump’s threat to

Is it worse to eat unhealthy food in the morning, or later in the day? And what if you skip breakfast?
Do you tend to sit down for breakfast? Or do you grab a muesli bar or bacon-and-egg roll on the way in to work? Here’s what to keep in mind.

Without a Royal Commission, we won’t know the scale of the corruption in Victoria’s Big Build
The $100 billion suite of infrastructure projects has been infiltrated by organised crime. It can’t keep being swept under the rug.

The Origin Energy breach has been unusual – but there are ways to better protect your data
With rapid advances in AI, scammers have access to more sophisticated tools, including fake documents and more personalised targeting.

A time-travelling king and visit from Nessie: inside the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony
No huge stadium spectacle, no royal fanfare – yet Glasgow’s opening ceremony made a big statement.

Rejection hurts. How to help kids and teens bounce back when they’ve missed out
As a parent, it can be painful to witness our child’s struggles after rejection. But there are ways to help them process the setback.

‘Jimothy’ the raccoon has short spine syndrome – but this condition can affect dogs, too
The deformity is so severe it would be extremely challenging to try and correct it surgically.

Teachers and doctors are losing the ability to self-regulate. What are the risks?
New laws will give ministers control of previously independent regulatory bodies in education and health, potentially undermining their public advocacy roles.

Why you should think twice before rescuing a wild animal
Helping distressed wildlife without seeking advice may sometimes do more harm than good – as two experts explain.

Victoria paid for Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games. It’s not the state’s only recent sporting debacle
The four highest profile sport franchise collapses of the past decade have occurred in Melbourne. Is the city no longer Australia’s sporting capital?

Jimothy the raccoon survived against the odds, a testament to sophisticated brains and devoted mothers
Surviving in the wild is no small feat for animals, especially ones like Jimothy, with rare conditions And yet he persevered to viral celebration, thanks to an adaptable brain and a caring mother.

Vanuatu govt blasts chiefs’ demand to replace first female MSG head with a man
RNZ Pacific reporters Vanuatu’s government has issued a stinging rebuke to the country’s customary leaders who have reportedly called for revoking the appointment of the first woman to lead the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat. Dr Anna Naupa, a Pacific politics expert and ni-Vanuatu woman, was appointed MSG Secretariat Director-General last month, with Vanuatu Prime

Can we alter ocean chemistry to absorb carbon? Here are the pros and cons
Australian scientists are exploring ways to remove carbon from the atmosphere – using our oceans.

Why a face full of poo can be your baby’s best start in life
Researchers are getting to the bottom of how poo helps newborn babies. It might sound gross, but here’s the science.

How can Year 7 and 8 students make the most of their electives?
Younger teens typically experience a dip in school engagement. Electives can help them stay excited about learning.

Why clearer rules on using AI in hiring would be a win for bosses too
Yes, strong laws already exist to protect job-seekers from discrimination. But AI has made things more complicated.

AI companies are trying to escape the screen. Apple’s lawsuit against OpenAI shows how hard it will be
A tiny glowing keyboard may be a harbinger of a much bigger shift in how we interact with AI.

How retirees, beachcombers and communities help scientists track everything from threatened species to algal blooms
Scientists and authorities are increasingly calling for help from citizen scientists to track species and changes.

‘Like someone whacking a piñata’: orcas explode sunfish by ramming them at high speed
This never-before observed behaviour can tell us a lot about whale intelligence.

China has cracked down on AI companions. What can we learn from this?
Chatbots that relieve loneliness have a major downside, and we must safeguard against it.

OpenAI’s models autonomously hacked a tech startup. It signals a seismic shift in cybersecurity
OpenAI described the attack as “unprecedented”.

The US is issuing billions in tariff refunds. That won’t unwind the damage to the global trading system
Refunds on US$160 billion of tariffs are slowly flowing back to businesses. But they won’t restore lost customers or lost confidence in trading with the US.

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Paul Kelly on why Albanese is ‘misunderstood’ and Taylor needs to stay
In more than 50 years of covering federal politics, The Australian’s editor-at-large says he has ‘never seen a crisis’ like the one facing the Liberal Party today.

More than half of Earth’s migratory bird species are declining – here’s how we can still save them
A new global assessment of the world’s migratory species finds reason for alarm, but also hope – and a road map for helping them survive.

New ferry names: Winston calls it woke, but debating Cook’s legacy is nothing new
Christening the new interisland ferries Kupe and Cook is a reminder that what we name things matters, shaping our sense of ourselves over time.

The Commonwealth Games are here, with fewer sports, more nations and an uncertain future
The Commonwealth Games’ future will depend on affordable hosting, strong stories and benefits that remain after the podiums are packed away.

Nauru’s government announces plans for embassy in Israel
By Christina Persico of RNZ Pacific Nauru’s government has announced plans to set up an embassy in Israel. The government said Cabinet had endorsed the deployment of a scoping mission to Israel, to assess the diplomatic, operational, and logistical requirements to establish the embassy. “A diplomatic presence in Israel will serve as an essential platform

80-million-year-old snake fossil sheds light on why lizards lost their limbs and started slithering
Snakes lost their limbs millions of years ago to become undulating, scaly tubes of muscles. Scientists are finally figuring out why.

How telehealth is fuelling a surge in ADHD scripts in a business model that benefits the rich
Yes, telehealth has improved access for people seeking ADHD treatment. But a new study suggests it’s also a money spinner.

Victorian teachers are striking again. Money alone won’t get them back to school
This is the latest escalation in a dispute with the state government that has been running since mid-2025.

As missiles fly, Iranians are turning to art, culture and memes to find community
Despite ongoing security concerns and threats against infrastructure, the Iranian public has maintained a noticeable presence in public and online.

‘A river is our life force’: why Indigenous cultural values must be visible in conservation
An animal, plant, landscape or waterway may be culturally vital even if not rare or threatened.

As the games begin, what does the Commonwealth mean and what purpose does it serve?
The British Empire has long since folded. But the Commonwealth of Nations remains a global collective of like-minded countries.

The brain rewires itself for motherhood. We now know more about how
A study in mice reveals how pregnancy hormones influence the brain’s reward system, helping explain why newborns become a mother’s priority.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s removal of two top defence officials highlights the role of morale in long wars
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Defense Minister Fedorov and Gen. Syrskyi amid military tensions. What does it mean for the country’s war effort?

Strange Health wins best health and wellbeing podcast award
Strange Health video podcast wins podcast award.

Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey reveals a darker, less triumphant heroism
Nolan’s Odysseus is a traumatised hero who survives but must live with the cost others have paid for his actions.

Microscopic plant remains reveal 25,000 years of GunaiKurnai rituals deep in a Victorian cave
A new study shows the cave was only used for very special purposes.

Three things Australia must do to end the tobacco wars
Right now, based on market share, organised crime effectively is Big Tobacco in Australia.

Media scrutiny can take many forms. Pauline Hanson’s past few weeks have shown how quickly it can backfire
Since her press club address, media coverage of the One Nation leader has shifted from fawning to more sober – and revealed some dubious ethics in the process.

Testosterone testing the military: how the manosphere shaped US government policy
Testosterone has been hijacked. It’s no longer just a hormone but a measure of US military might.

Fiji universities criticised for ‘great shame’ of ignoring coup impacts
By Anish Chand in Suva Fiji’s universities have been criticised for failing to study the long-term effects of the country’s repeated political upheavals on the public service and governance, with the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearing that a major gap in research has left important national lessons undocumented. Academic Professor Vijay Naidu told the

Domestiques, sprinters and climbers: who’s who in the Tour de France peloton (and why it matters)
The Tour de France is not simply a battle of who can pedal fastest. It’s also a race made up of politics and priorities.

Australia just outlined more ‘AI safety’ priorities, but is the plan actually coherent?
These priorities are mostly old policy initiatives that have until now been de-prioritised for months or even years.

27 missing, including 11 children, after two boats capsize off Papua New Guinea
RNZ Pacific reporters Concern is mounting for up to 27 people missing at sea in Papua New Guinea’s Islands region. Bad weather has hampered the search for the crew on at least two boats who were registered as missing on Saturday. The incident involved several staff of the East New Britain Provincial Health Authority and

New Zealand is cracking down on school attendance. Is it missing the bigger picture?
New attendance targets focus on getting children into class. But evidence suggests understanding why they are absent is the more important question.

The biggest atomic blast in Australia happened 70 years ago – mysteries about its impact linger
The bomb tested on WA’s Montebello Islands was at least four times as big as the Hiroshima blast. Yet key facts about this test remain shrouded in secrecy.

Trump’s new tariffs give Ontario and Québec the perfect excuse to sell their unsold American booze
Provincial alcohol bans have drawn presidential notice. Ontario and Québec should now sell their U.S. inventories as a goodwill gesture while continuing to ban imports.

‘Sanctuary people’ redefine what it means to protect immigrants in uncertain times
Many faith groups supporting immigrants root their mission in the idea of ‘accompaniment,’ which springs from Catholic social teaching.

AusAlert will deliver emergency warnings to all – but they must actually be accessible
AusAlert is a significant improvement to Australia’s emergency warnings, but the question isn’t just about whether it works.

Industry backlash threatens Australia’s gas supply fix. Leaders must step up
Gas companies have withdrawn support for the government’s gas reservation policy. But their main critique doesn’t stack up.

Swimming can alleviate low back pain – new study
If you’ve got low back pain, you’ve probably heard the advice to go for a swim. Now the evidence shows they were right.

Thinking of accelerating a Year 12 subject? Here’s what to consider
While there are many benefits to subject acceleration, not every student may be suited to it.

The long, global history of queer art in churches
Divine Playhouse, a queer arts venue in a deconsecrated church, was forced to close its doors in Sydney last week. It doesn’t have to be this way.

Why new Houthi threats in the Red Sea could spell trouble for global oil prices and inflation
Each year, about 10–12% of global shipping trade passes through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait – whose name means ‘Gate of Tears’.

Gen Z is the first generation in history in which men are more religious than women. Why?
For every generation over the last century, Australian women have been more religious than men. But these charts show gen Z is different.

I created an AI boyfriend. He was charming — and deeply troubling
The one-sidedness of human-AI relationships is a problem. There’s a lot we can receive from an AI companion; there is less we can give.