Videos capture humpback whales stopping to snack as they migrate along Australia’s coast
The discovery challenges a long-held assumption about where and when whales feed – and could help us better protect them.

China’s AI and tech breakthroughs are built on decades of work. Here’s what other nations can learn
A recent study into China’s innovation boom found patenting activity has been accelerating for years and is built on a whole ecosystem, not a few lone heroes.

Tsunami of dirt: what caused Nepal’s deadly glacial flood?
The glaciers of the Himalayas aren’t safe from climate change. The sudden collapse of a glacier looks to have triggered disaster in Nepal.

From Frank-N-Furter to Pennywise, Tim Curry was a master shapeshifter who could terrify and delight
Best known for his role in the Rocky Horror Show, Curry’s career of more than five decades was defined by extraordinary range and theatricality.

‘The only method I have found that relieved my illness is to keep creating art’: remembering Yayoi Kusama
The Japanese artist, acclaimed for infinity mirror rooms, sprawling seas of polka dots, and dancing pumpkins, has died at 97.

Meta settles landmark US lawsuit for nearly $18bn and agrees to change Facebook and Instagram
Major changes for TikTok and YouTube could be about to follow.

Hantavirus infects wildlife farmers in Vietnam: A risk to Southeast Asia
Nearly 9% of Vietnamese wildlife farmers have been infected with hantavirus, pointing to the risks of current farming practices.

Nepal’s flash floods show the devastating power of ‘cascading hazards’
Early evidence suggests this was not an ordinary rain-driven flash flood. So what caused it?

Tina Arena: Unravel Me reveals the artist behind the accolades, and the challenges she’s surmounted
The new documentary Tina Arena: Unravel Me celebrates the groundbreaking Australian performer’s 50 year career.

Changes to Facebook and Instagram are key part of Meta’s $17B settlement with the states over harm to teens
Meta’s settlement calls for several key design changes to protect teens, but how the states will verify and enforce the changes is a big question mark.

Smart glasses make secret filming easier. What does NZ law actually protect you from?
Cheap camera glasses make covert filming easier than ever. But NZ law may leave gaps when the resulting footage is sexualised or shared online.

No safe tan: Why Canada’s sunburn problem keeps getting worse
Addressing sun exposure misinformation, such as online tanning trends and sunscreen myths, is important, but effective advice about UV protection is crucial, too. ‘No tan, no burn’ is the goal.

Iconic Australian mammals could be at real risk from bird flu. Could we protect them using vaccines in baits?
Edible bait vaccines made Europe virtually free from rabies. The approach could work against bird flu – if we invest in new vaccines.

Canada walked away from a U.S. trade deal. What happens now?
Ottawa’s decision to walk away may have been justified, but it is costly for an economy still heavily dependent on the U.S. market.

FDA approves breakthrough pancreatic cancer drug – an oncologist explains how daraxonrasib nearly doubles survival
Around 97% of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer die within five years. Researchers have figured out a way to target the mechanism that makes these tumors so deadly.

Here’s what to keep in mind before and after an aged care assessment
It might be tempting to focus on your ‘good days’. But here’s what to keep in mind when an assessor asks about your health and everyday life.

‘Frequently fumigate the hen-houses’: how ancient Greeks and Romans tried to treat sick birds
Greek and Roman writers were already asking how birds became sick, what signs to look for, and what could be done when disease appeared in them.

Australia’s lizards and snakes are in far more trouble than we thought. It’s time to act
Australia is famous for its lizards and snakes. But we found at least 127 species are threatened – almost twice as many as previously thought.

From Australia to the Andes, we’re discovering new biodiversity hotspots worldwide
Scientists are discovering previously unknown species in unexpected places, according to a new study.

School phone bans are working in Toronto elementary schools — and failing in high schools
Results of a teacher survey suggest high schools would be better off adopting bell-to-bell restrictions with consistent phone storage protocols.

Inflation eases less than expected, making another interest rate hike more likely
The Reserve Bank has warned that if we don’t see inflation coming down, it will have to raise interest rates again.

The Airport Chaplain: SBS’s global Netflix debut is heartfelt TV that will blow you away
The new drama starring Hugo Weaving and Shabana Azeez finds humour and humanity in one of the most chaotic places.

Jolene, I Will Always Love You and 9 to 5: the genius of Dolly Parton in three songs
The biggest legacy Dolly Parton leaves is her songwriting, and three songs define her more than any others.

Historic sulphur emissions the likely cause of damage to Murujuga rock art: new research
Murujuga has been cared for by Ngarda-Ngarli for more than 50,000 years. We’re studying how the extraordinary rock art it contains can be protected in the future.

Nursing students are rejecting careers in aged care. A staffing crisis is coming
Nursing students often opt out of aged care after their work placement. No amount of downstream reform will undo that first impression of an under-resourced sector.

Vaping is better than patches or gums for quitting smoking – updated review
The review found vapes containing nicotine were more effective at helping people quit cigarettes than these other methods.

Mixed results for One Nation and the Coalition in latest federal polls
A DemosAU poll has the Coalition up and One Nation down, while two other polls show Pauline Hanson’s party is still on the rise.

Pacific ‘catastrophe’ awaits if nations not alert to deep sea eco threat
COMMENTARY: By Kalinga Seneviratne In the past year there has been a scramble by the big powers to secure the continuing supply of “rare minerals” that are used in batteries driving electric cars and wind power turbines. There is a looming catastrophe awaiting the Pacific Ocean if countries in the region are not alert to the

Are earthquakes becoming more common? Here’s what the numbers say
Scientists have been able to catalogue the largest earthquakes for a very long time.

The ‘robot Olympics’ were spectacular – but will this technology end up helping humans?
Getting a robot to run 100m faster than Usain Bolt is impressive. But how about a humanoid that can make you a cup of tea in your own kitchen?

How the ‘backwoods Barbie’ Dolly Parton turned self-aware artifice into authentic artistry
Dolly Parton’s first hit was titled ‘Dumb Blonde’. The country music legend, who has died at 80, was anything but that.

‘This is a difficult task’: PNG parliament to finally address Bougainville vote
By Johnny Blades of RNZ Pacific Papua New Guinea’s prime minister has urged the nation to appreciate the gravity of the decision on Bougainville that Parliament is to debate this week. The PNG Parliament resumed on Tuesday and from Thursday MPs will debate whether to ratify the 97.7 percent vote by Bougainvilleans for independence in

RNZ tops trust survey, lifts radio and digital audiences
RNZ Larger audiences across radio and digital platforms have combined with stronger trust in RNZ than other outlets, new data suggest. RNZ’s results in the closely watched GfK radio survey were released on Tuesday morning. After a fall in the first survey of the year, RNZ National bounced back up to 509,200 listeners. Commercial talk

Mark Carney’s defiance: Canada shows the world how to respond to Donald Trump’s threats
Canada cannot match the U.S. economically, but it can make Donald Trump’s trade war politically costly as the U.S. heads toward midterm elections.

Keith Rankin Analysis – Is Mr Luxon Contemplating a Grand Coalition?
Keith Rankin writes; I see the two most probable outcomes for government in 2027 as a New Zealand version of the present reactionary-centrist German government, or a cautiously-radical pro-capitalist centre-left government in which the Greens and Opportunity together can inject a bit of spine and vision into Labour.

We finally have some encouraging news on Great Barrier Reef water quality
Sediment and nitrogen runoff carried by rivers is a major challenge to the Great Barrier Reef. Science confirms efforts to improve water quality are paying off.

Airport runway collisions and near-misses are happening more frequently, 22 years of data show
Aviation safety is in the spotlight after four incidents at Sydney airport in almost as many weeks.

Aldi is famous for its ‘dupes’. Where’s the line between clever lookalike and copyright breach?
Copyright can only protect the expression of an idea, not an idea, concept or style itself.

Parents are increasingly abusive towards teachers and principals. How can schools respond?
Some private schools have introduced behaviour contracts for parents. Meanwhile, some states let principals ban abusive parents from public school grounds.

OzAsia Festival to end after 20 years, in a huge blow for Asian-Australian art and culture
OzAsia is more than a festival, and its loss will be felt at a time when Asian-Australians need inclusion more than ever.

The Suburban Rail Loop will play a major role in the 2026 Victorian election. Why is it so controversial?
It is an unenviable position for a government to have potentially misallocated tens of billions of dollars to poorly selected infrastructure.

NZ election poll watch: right still leads left, but Opportunity could deny it a majority
With just over two months until the election, polls have settled into a new normal, with no clear frontrunner evident.

Can you eat too much tinned tuna?
Tinned tuna is affordable, high in protein and doesn’t need cooking, making it a convenient and nutritious lunchtime staple. Here’s how much you can eat.

Aussie players are smashing transfer records. Does this benefit or harm Australian soccer?
Several Socceroos have earned huge new deals at European clubs. These moves can both boost, and harm, Australian soccer as a whole.

Wage growth is higher in Australia. Could this regulatory fix help Kiwi workers catch up?
With inflation outpacing wage growth, NZ incomes are effectively going backwards. Australia’s collective bargaining rules could offer a remedy.

Can you teach yourself to detect AI writing? Maybe
There’s no single giveaway. But there are patterns.

Floating wetlands a promising way to decrease wastewater emissions: new research
The first full-scale trial of its kind, this floating wetland cut greenhouse gases by nearly a third over two years.

PNG’s tinder-dry Central Province and NCD struggle under El Niño
By Johnny Blades of RNZ Pacific Papua New Guinea’s Central Province is feeling the brunt of prolonged drought caused by the El Niño weather phase. Central and the National Capital District which is located within it, is extremely dry, its communities struggling with damaged crops and water sources in short supply. Port Moresby communities meanwhile

Knowing someone who attempted suicide raises young people’s own risk – new study
Having larger in-person networks appeared to protect young people against developing severe depression symptoms. But large online networks had the opposite effect.

Climate change may halve omega-3 fatty acids in fish and the organisms they eat
This is very bad news for human health but also for the health of other animals in the food web.

In 20th-century India, the perfect Hindu wife was… a man
Even though he wasn’t a woman, Bal Gandharva’s vision of the ‘traditional wife’ was given supremacy over every other form of womanhood.

The universe is full of strange ‘little red dots’. A new study shines light on their real nature
It turns out these little red dots might actually be evidence of supermassive black holes.

Australia’s lobbying rules ignore most lobbyists. It’s time for an overhaul
The current system allows powerful actors to attempt to influence government decision-making covertly. To improve transparency, here are four key reforms.

Talking to your children about consent and sexual violence can be hard. Here’s how to start the conversation
Parents have an important role to play in educating children about consent and relationships. But it can be hard to know where to begin.

When is selling clothes or other items online a hobby vs a business? These are the tax rules
When do you need to declare online sales income to the tax office? The answer can be as messy as your wardrobe – so two experts explain what you need to know.

From nightlife to life at night: cities must stay open later to beat the rising heat
From floodlit beaches to late-night libraries, city life has to change to beat the heat.

Legal wrangling over $12.5B Lakers sale shows how family trusts don’t guarantee a business stays in the family
Investors want to buy the basketball team for a record sum.

How will this year’s record-breaking El Niño affect NZ and the world? 5 things to know
From global temperature records to drought risk in New Zealand, the developing climate pattern could have far-reaching consequences.

Volodymyr Zelensky’s other war: Ukraine’s endless struggle with corruption
Corruption has plagued Ukraine for its whole history as an independent state.

The ‘wonder material’ graphene can be made using a kitchen blender, a mobile phone and a newspaper
The development could allow research teams with limited resources to manufacture graphene.

There’s rarely accountability for the deaths of aid workers. It’s time that changed – and Australia can help
Israel’s refusal to investigate the killing of Australian Zomi Frankcom relfects a long standing problem of insufficient accountability for aid worker deaths.

Backyard bird feeding could be a bird flu ‘superspreader’. An expert explains
This seemingly harmless hobby could accelerate the spread of the deadly H5N1 strain.

Borneo forest fires spike again: Why El Niño isn’t the sole culprit
Kalimantan’s land fires aren’t just down to El Niño—they are caused by soil losing its ability to hold water. Prevention must start by restoring the soil’s natural balance.

Insurers have a lot of data about us. Where do they get it, and how do they use it?
Your insurer could know a lot more than just what’s on your application form. It’s worth understanding where this information comes from and how it can be used.

Influencers claim ‘knees over toes’ exercises can help bullet proof your knees. Two experts explain
Many of these exercises deliberately bend the knee through a larger range of motion, boosting the work done by your thigh muscles. But they may not be for everyone.

Antarctic bacteria share ‘life-support’ genes to survive extreme conditions
Existence is hard in the frozen Antarctic soil – and microbes use ‘horizontal gene transfer’ to share the tools that keep them alive.

‘We are not in a safe place’: women reveal being abused while producing the food Australians eat
New research interviewing women involved with the federal government’s Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme shows why it needs urgent reform to stop worker exploitation.

NZ’s invasive pest control needs a new approach – starting with local government reform
Effective pest control depends on local teams but requires national oversight and funding. A federated system could strengthen New Zealand’s biosecurity response.

The AFL finals haven’t changed in 25 years, until now. What is the wildcard round?
The AFL’s new wildcard round kicks off the finals series, and the narratives about its introduction have fluctuated through the season.

An AI job boom? Here’s what the tedious, temporary work in data labelling is actually like
Interviews with data workers in China and Australia reveal the precarious, exploitative conditions of this new branch of the gig economy.

West Bank: RSF condemns Israeli army over escalating violence against Palestinian journalists
Pacific Media Watch Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned and highlighted recent attacks and obstructions committed by the Israeli military against Palestinian journalists reporting from the occupied West Bank. In a statement, RSF says this targeted violence is aimed at preventing media professionals from doing their jobs. It also condemned the documented violence by extremist

Whale-watching boat carrying NZ Anglican Church delegates capsizes in Tonga
By Kaya Selby of RNZ Pacific A whale-watching boat carrying several New Zealand Anglican Church delegates capsized and sank in Tonga on Saturday. RNZ Pacific understands several passengers were briefly hospitalised, but there were no serious injuries. Paramedics from New South Wales, who were in the country for a Rotary International training event, led the

One Nation is after a state seat on the outskirts of Perth. What happens next may re-shape Australian politics
The Secret Harbour byelection will take place on August 29. Traditionally a Labor seat, One Nation is posing a serious threat.

American revolution 2.0: how Trump has changed the US, and why it was powerless to stop him
Trump defies all we thought we knew about the US political system and the way electoral democracies work around the world.

Why freezing entry-level AFL final ticket prices is smart economics
Cheap tickets do come with some costs – including making them even harder to get.

Australia’s bird flu response: too little, but it’s not too late
Australia’s response to this deadly bird flu outbreak has been insufficient and too reactive.

How well do COVID antivirals actually work? Not as well as we thought
New research suggests that with high levels of vaccination and immunity from previous infections, COVID antivirals are no longer working as well.

Why your child’s Year 9 teacher matters for completing Year 12: new research
A new study suggests ‘effective teaching’ in Year 9 may play an important role in supporting students to stay on and finish Year 12.

More phones may soon let us prove photos are real – but will it solve the AI fake image crisis?
‘Pics or it didn’t happen’ is no longer a reliable test for what’s real.

Tasmanian film and TV have had a stellar decade. So why is the state gutting its local screen body?
With huge successes such as The Nightingale and Deadloch, Tasmania’s creatives have built a screen industry worth protecting.

Meet Loui Ridi, the Palestinian American in West Bank home besieged by ‘terrorist’ Israeli settlers
Democracy Now! ANJALI KAMAT: This is Democracy Now!, I’m Anjali Kamat. We turn to the occupied West Bank, where Israeli settlers are continuing to lay siege on homes in the village of Qusra, south of Nablus. The siege has attracted international attention, in part because one of the homes is owned by a Palestinian American.

Bondi Royal Commission: A ‘slippery slope to eroding our freedoms’
The “insidious fallout” of Australia’s Bondi Royal Commission is upon us. Before the Commission has even reported, the “slippery slope to eroding our freedoms has begun”, writes Jeffrey Loewenstein for Michael West Media. COMMENTARY: By Jeffrey Loewenstein As Australia’s Royal Commission into Antisemitism grinds through its 9th and final “Hearing Block”, one is now able

Using thunderquakes to X-ray Earth – a new study shows urban seismology in action
With the help of thunderstorms and everyday fiber-optic cables, these scientists are revealing a hidden world underground.

Zambia’s messy but decisive election: government shows strength; democracy shows weakness
How the re-elected government uses its new dominance will influence Zambian politics well beyond this election.

Jason Arday press coverage: the volume of articles on this story should make editors reflect
New analysis of articles about Arday show the volume of coverage he faced in the final weeks of his life.

China opens new Arctic trade route – but obstacles will prevent its wider use
As geopolitical turmoil forces ships to find new trade routes, melting Arctic ice offers a tempting shortcut.

Can baby monitors protect children without data security risks?
Connected devices could expose more data than parents expect.

Classical music lovers can be as fanatical as Swifties – just read their letters
Classical music lovers might think they’re different from pop music stans but letters show their love and devotion run just as deep.

‘Tree of justice’ protest: how Vietnamese youth are mobilising online to hold the powerful to account
What started with the death of young woman in a traffic accident has escalated into a general protest about a lack of accountability for the powerful.

The world’s biggest trees could hold the secret to coping with drought
Ecologists thought the largest trees would be most vulnerable to drought. The reality is more complex, with some forest giants unexpectedly resilient.

Lymphatic walking: the social media trend explained
Social media claims a special walking technique can boost your lymphatic system. Here’s what’s actually backed by evidence.

Why the probe into Nigel Farage’s finances didn’t hurt him at the ballot box
Scandals do not always have the impact that we might expect.

What three female figures in the Bayeux tapestry reveal about medieval women
The women of the Bayeux tapestry tell a story as compelling and important as the main depiction of the battle.

‘The Sun was dark and its darkness lasted for 18 months’ – what we can learn from worst volcanic eruptions in history
A volcanic eruption in 536 kicked off ‘the worst year to be alive’.

16% of Pennsylvania teens have considered suicide – but everyday connection may help
New Penn State research on nearly 200,000 Pennsylvania teens finds everyday bonds with family, school and community may help prevent youth suicide.

Why millions of people around the world will contract measles in 2026
Measles is making a comeback around the world. In places with low vaccination rates, a few cases can quickly become an epidemic.

A seemingly technical change to international student visas could disrupt teaching and research at US universities
US colleges and universities hosted nearly 1.2 million international students in the 2024-25 school year, an all-time high.

Antarctic krill fishing is now concentrated in the exact pattern conservation rules were designed to prevent
With location regulations no longer in force, fishing boats are harvesting thousands of tons of krill from very few areas, increasing competition with penguins, seals, whales and other marine life.

After a wildfire Britain’s moors and heaths can be green again within weeks – but the real recovery takes much longer
An ecologist explains what happens next.

The importance of teaching students what AI can’t do
Educators can confront AI head on by distinguishing its pattern-recognition skills from its inability to daydream, embody other people and authentically express itself.

More protein in your breakfast or snacks won’t give you more muscle without more work – a biologist separates the science from the marketing
Protein powders and protein-fortified versions of all manner of foods line grocery store shelves. But just because something has added protein doesn’t necessarily make it better.

We’re building a New York-sized city every month. That’s worrying for our climate
A new study reveals what unsustainable construction practices are costing our climate – and what must change.

What Sanae Takaichi’s popularity among women says about gender equality in Japan
Many women find the prime minister’s long hours relatable, but this risks normalising the gendered stereotypes many women quietly endure on a daily basis.

Want to muck around with a real quantum computer? Now you can
A new facility in Queensland will allow researchers from academia and industry to test new ideas on a real quantum processor.

29 US states are suing Meta. What might it mean for the rest of the world?
A loss for Meta may force it to redesign Facebook and Instagram – and not just for US users.

Why a chronically underfunded arts sector will make NZ poorer – and duller
A thriving arts scene generates more money than it costs to run. But cutbacks, restructuring and stagnant budgets risk pushing many practitioners to the brink.

Victoria’s Big Build royal commission: do the terms of reference go far enough?
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll says the terms of reference are ‘the broadest, most extensive, wide-ranging powers’. But there’s one key weakness.

Fiji’s HIV epidemic has yet to reach a ‘turning point’, warns minister
RNZ Pacific reporters Fiji is now in a generalised HIV epidemic, which means the virus is firmly established and spreading within the general population. The number of people living with HIV in Fiji has risen sharply over the past decade. Fiji’s Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu declared an HIV outbreak in January 2025. READ

Is it illegal for the president to spend ‘patriotic’ donations on a White House ballroom or anything else?
Uncle Sam may receive charitable gifts, but that doesn’t give presidents free rein on how to spend those funds.

A majority Māori and Pacific All Blacks squad shows how far rugby’s ‘greatest rivalry’ has come
It’s 30 years since the All Blacks last played a test in South Africa – and only 56 years since Māori and Pacific players were first allowed to tour there.

Leaving abusive relationships can be harder for migrant women. Here’s what they need to feel safe
Pressure to hold the family together, visa worries and fear of social exclusion can make it harder to leave abusive relationships.

Does your kid hate costumes? Here’s how to handle Book Week and special events
Be curious about why children don’t want to dress up, rather than immediately trying to persuade them to join in.

China is launching a Moon mission to find water ice. It’s unlike anything NASA has done
We’ve known for a while now that the Moon has water. Accessing it will make it easier not just to visit, but to stay.

One year isn’t enough – why the government needs to keep up the pace of economic reform
At last, we have some tax reform. We should hope this is just the start.

Anti-abortion rhetoric is becoming entrenched in Australian right-wing politics
A new ‘born alive’ bill has been brought before federal parliament. While it won’t pass, it reveals the strategies of the growing anti-abortion push.

People are more likely to ditch the car and use an e-bike if they feel confident and safe
An e-bike is a good start. But training, guided rides and social connection give people the confidence to keep using them.

Australia’s EV sales are skyrocketing. Our charging infrastructure may soon struggle to keep up
Tighter regulation and careful planning will ensure our public chargers actually work.

Australia’s arts workers are finally being recognised by the Fair Work Commission. What changes now?
Adding the word ‘arts’ to the Amusement, Recreation, Events and Arts Award will give the arts sector a safety net – but the details will determine its robustness.

NZ is eyeing reform of its strained aged-care system. How might a reset deliver for Māori?
As the government considers major aged-care reform, research points to how a new system could better support kaumātua and whānau.

Darline Graham’s inherited Senate seat revives the ‘widow’s mandate’ with a sibling twist
Though Graham’s appointment may seem unusual, political inheritance has never been fully absent from American democracy.

France’s nuclear reactors are running hot and still keeping the lights on
As Canada develops new nuclear projects, some might worry that hotter weather could undermine nuclear reliability. However, France’s experience this summer suggests otherwise.

Thriving Kids will start in October. But will the new support system be ready when families need it?
Parents are worried they’re about to lose a system that works and are wondering what will actually be there when their child needs help.

The ancients also worried about the risks of gambling. But even Roman emperors played dice
Authorities in Greek and Roman times tried hard to put limits on gambling. They weren’t particularly successful.

AI bias isn’t just an error in the algorithm. It’s a chain of human decisions
Technical fixes to AI systems aren’t enough. What’s needed is an overhaul of AI eco-systems to ensure they’re more inclusive.

When an overloaded ED gets it wrong, who should be accountable?
A recent case involving a patient harmed in an overcrowded ED highlights the need for a fresh look at how NZ investigates clinical errors.

Question Time has been televised for 35 years. We tracked how it has changed, and what it means for Australian democracy
New research shows Question Time has increasingly focused on the prime minister, raising questions about the ‘presidentialisation’ of Australian politics.

Some parents want to see primary schools go ‘device free’. There could be unintended consequences
The current debate risks turning into a zero-sum choice between screens and pen and paper.

Fertiliser prices and shortages are hamstringing our farmers. But we have other options
Compost, manure and food waste can be turned into biofertilisers made from natural materials.

Why is NZ spending far more on responding to climate disasters than on reducing future risk?
Only 3% of spending on natural hazards focuses on reducing risk, allowing governments to shift liability but leaving communities unprepared.

New research shows how psychedelics reorganise the patterns in your brain
Brains scans show a signature linked to a dissolved separation between the self and the world.

When can you access your super early? A finance and a legal expert explain
There are lessons from the COVID pandemic about why withdrawal rules are so strict.

After Supreme Court setback, Trump again targets immigration by expanding definition of birthright citizenship
Two new executive orders take aim at aspects of birthright citizenship the high court did not address in its June 2026 ruling.

Homebuyers are choosing homes with much higher carbon footprints than they realize
Clearer information about energy costs could help home buyers make lower-carbon choices without requiring them to compromise on affordability, space or location.

How we found a new transmissible cancer in bullhead catfish
Researchers found that tumours on different catfish were genetically similar, indicating the fish were catching the cancer from each other.

Zero-hours contracts are about to change in the UK – how managers respond will be crucial
Changes to zero hours contracts are designed to improve employment terms for workers. Will the cost to employers undermine the plan?

Why does salmonella cause serious illness in some people but not others?
Most people recover within a week. A UK outbreak involving 207 confirmed cases offers a window into the rare route from gut illness to bloodstream infection.

Could robots help tackle loneliness? BBC’s Ann Droid raises questions about the future of care
As robots enter social care, Ann Droid raises a bigger question: can machines ease loneliness without replacing human connection?

Wildfires and a summer of extreme heat mean Andy Burnham can’t stay quiet on climate any longer
The new prime minister may find that UK-China relations hold some answers to the climate challenge.

Ulez linked with better lung growth in children, research finds
Even modest differences in lung function and growth across childhood can matter for long-term health.

Were Denisovans tall compared to other ancient humans? We should be sceptical
Two Denisovan leg bones from Taiwan came from tall individuals. But we can’t generalise to a whole species just yet.

Extreme drought is changing Britain’s wildlife – and some effects won’t be seen until next year
Britain’s native species are adapted to a cool, wet climate. This summer is putting them under strain.

‘On another scale’ – PNG province unprepared for El Niño impacts, warns governor
RNZ Pacific The governor of Papua New Guinea’s Western Highlands Province says his province is unprepared to deal with the severe impacts of the El Niño weather event being experienced across the country. During an El Niño event, warmer ocean waters affect rainfall and wind patterns, often bringing drier-than-usual conditions and a higher risk of

One Nation wants to cut the tobacco tax. Would that curb the illicit cigarette market?
A 75% cut in tobacco tax won’t make cigarettes as cheap as you might think. Here’s what really helps smokers in a cost of living crisis.

Microfinance was supposed to save Asia’s poor. Why has it failed to live up to its promise?
For the poorest households in Asia, even small loans can lead to expensive debt traps.

Parasite linked to ‘mushy fish’ could be much more widespread than thought
Ordered kingfish sashimi recently? A parasite can infect some fish, yet they still look and taste the same when raw.

Offloading work tasks to AI comes with a cost – to our brains
We risk replacing genuine knowledge with “work slop”.

The emerging threat of violent, exploitative digital ‘com networks’: what do we need to know?
Perpetrators gradually build trust with young people before pressuring them to harm pets, siblings, or themselves.

During eruptions, misinformation can spread further than ash. How can we spot it?
From scary headlines to recycled eruption videos, new research reveals how common misconceptions can fuel misinformation about volcanoes.

Pacific humanitarian workers face major logistical and access challenges, says World Vision
RNZ Pacific reporters Access remains the biggest challenge for humanitarian workers in the Pacific Islands region, but humanitarians are not targeted as they are in other parts of the world, according to World Vision. To mark World Humanitarian Day, World Vision, an international Christian humanitarian and development organisation, is highlighting the unprecedented risks faced by

An ‘AI legal team’ has won its first case. It’s a rare win for access to justice
A recent ruling suggests that if used well, AI offers an opportunity to improve access to justice. Courts and tribunals will have to perform a careful balancing act.

Extreme heat is altering when, where and how we travel: new research
Australians love a holiday, but are increasingly making travel plans around unpredictable weather.

Why it might be time to rethink the human family tree
The way we classify humanity’s ancient relatives is a mess. But there’s a simple fix.

Does ‘AI-watermarking’ mean the party is over for cheating students?
If this new development – designed to show if a text is AI-generated – sounds too good to be true, that’s because it is.

Cannabis isn’t ‘safer’ in your 20s and 30s – it’s linked to an earlier onset of psychosis
A new study showed that for people who were susceptible to psychosis, cannabis use in their 30s was associated with an earlier onset of psychosis by 6.3 years.

The art of the match cut: how filmmakers make impossible transitions feel effortless
You may have never consciously noticed a match cut before, yet this simple editing technique completely transforms how we experience a film.

The Opportunity Party’s Treaty policy is closer to Labour than National. But is it a bottom line?
If the Opportunity Party holds the balance of power after the election, its ‘honouring te Tiriti’ policy could be a deal maker – or breaker.

Students need more than AI skills — they need accountable AI literacy
Beyond technical fluency, Canadian students need judgment to decide how to use AI and when it should not be used at all.

Canada’s AI strategy needs educators who feel prepared, not just trained
A survey and workshop project is designed to help educators reflect on their comfort with genAI, assessment and educational practices and their fears and challenges.

A-level results: why politics is the fastest growing subject
Young people are not disengaged from politics but increasingly interested in understanding it.

Working from home should be a right, not a reward
An Australian state is set to introduce a law supporting the right to work from home, and it’s already in place for some parents in Portugal. Should it happen elsewhere?

Can Britain’s railways cope with ever-more extreme heat? An expert Q&A
Heatwaves can cause tracks to buckle, forcing speed restrictions or closures. An engineering expert explains how railways can adapt to a hotter climate.

From Mel Gibson to Anthony LaPaglia: why Australian stages keep returning to Death of a Salesman
There have been more than 30 professional Australian productions of Death of a Salesman in 70 years. Now, Anthony LaPaglia steps into Willy Loman’s shoes.

Four months on, still no charges in death of man in Fiji military custody
RNZ Pacific reporters The Fiji Police Force has yet to charge any suspects four months after the alleged murder of the reportedly infamous Jone Vakarisi while he was in military custody. Vakarisi, 37, who was widely known for being on the wrong side of the law and reportedly linked to criminal networks, died on April

Boys are rarely taught to be caring. If they were, we could better prevent domestic violence
Rather than focusing only on what men should stop doing, we should also pay greater attention to the kinds of men we hope they become.

Bipartisan deal on gambling includes a review after three years
After striking an agreement with the opposition, the government agreed to somewhat toughen its original plan on the legislation.

Keith Rankin Analysis – Employed and Unemployed Labour in New Zealand from 1986 to 2026
Keith Rankin writes; … it is hard to get a firm measure of true unemployment; of the gap between labour supply and labour demand. A measure of untapped labour.
Conceptually, the best measure of unemployment is to subtract hours worked from hours offered, and then to get a percentage by dividing by hours offered.

The Taliban has brought Afghanistan close to collapse, but resistance is growing
Armed groups are challenging the group’s hold on power. Can they present a united front?

Democratic Party pledges ‘honest review’ after preliminary election wipeout in Cook Islands
By Rashneel Kumar, editor of the Cook Islands News Cook Islands’ Democratic Party leader Tina Pupuke-Browne has pledged an “honest campaign review” after preliminary results showed the party losing all its seats. Pupuke-Browne said the party will learn from its dismal 2026 general election performance, but added that it is “premature” to declare their final

Young men are ‘voicemaxxing’ to sound more attractive. But women aren’t impressed
Want a deeper voice to sound more ‘manly’? Why faking it might appeal to other men, but not women.

Retro smartphone accessories are trending, but ‘untethering’ isn’t for everyone
From corded handsets to lockable pouches, a new wave of products promises physical distance from our devices. But who gets to, and under what conditions?

The use of AI in biotechnology is changing faster than the rules governing either technology
The convergence of AI and biotechnology blurs boundaries and challenges existing regulations designed to consider technologies separately.

Galactic archaeologists find stars in the Milky Way came from another galaxy 12 billion years ago
The Milky Way contains a fossil record of galaxies it has absorbed.

From the coasts to the plains, bird flu could threaten not just birds – but their homes
From raucous honeyeaters to top predators, Australia’s birds are vital to nature.

Australian beekeepers can’t tackle Varroa mite alone. Here’s how we can help
The honeybee-killing Varroa mite is marching across the country, as two experts explain.

Australia must move up the AI ‘value chain’ to capture maximum value from the technology: Andrew Charlton
The assistant minister argues Australia needs to leverage its data centre advantage and translate that into benefits and growth for the broader economy.

With religious hostility surging in Australia, we need to rethink our approach to religious education
My research has found religious education can encourage critical thinking in children, instil kindness and tolerance, and help expand students’ worldviews.

Why a vote on taxing California’s billionaires is being watched around the world
A push in California to tax billionaires will be an important test of the political power of the rich – and the health of US democracy.

Oral exams are making a comeback to stop AI cheating. But they have their own problems
An oral exam can show how students have meaningfully engaged with a topic. But it shouldn’t be used as a litmus test for AI use.

4,000-year-old rock painting in Indonesia offers clues to one of humanity’s greatest migrations
The age of the rock art at Wetar means it could be one of the earliest places outside of Taiwan to document the Austronesian migration.

For Indigenous people, connection to Country can be a preventive health measure
When Indigenous people are displaced from or denied access to Country, measurable declines in mental health, physical health and emotional wellbeing follow.

NZ has spent years preparing for H5N1 bird flu. For some species, it may not be enough
With H5N1 now in New Zealand, protecting the most threatened birds will involve difficult decisions, careful prioritisation – and sometimes chance.

Fiji High Court orders release of seven devices seized from journalist Charlie Charters
By Andrew Naidu in Suva Fiji’s High Court has granted an application seeking the release of seven electronic devices seized by police from British-Fiji journalist and sports marketing official Charlie Charters. The application was heard before Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu after preliminary issues were raised concerning the proper parties to the proceedings and the transfer of

Can vitamin C cure a cold? How a Nobel Prize winner convinced us it could
When a chemist wrote a book about vitamin C curing the common cold, the world took note. How wrong we all were.

Mangaia trio backs CIP, bringing ‘supermajority’ within reach
By Teitimoana Tairi of the Cook Islands News The Cook Islands Party (CIP) could secure a supermajority for its fifth consecutive term in government after three independent female candidates who won seats in Mangaia agreed to join the party. CIP leads following the preliminary count of the 2026 general election with 12 seats, leaving them

Child-like sex dolls are being stopped at Australia’s border. They could be an early child protection warning
It’s illegal to import or possess them, but child-like sex dolls can be bought online. Each seizure is an opportunity to prevent real child sex abuse.

View from The Hill: Hard-right Alex Antic in strong position to become SA Liberal president
The state party’s Senate ticket is shaping up to be a bunfight, with three senators up for election but perhaps only one likely to survive at the 2028 election.

Sports leagues’ concussion guidelines must be broadened as brain health concerns rise
Many sporting leagues are trying to reduce concussion risk, but their policies mainly fail to mention a growing threat.

Hydrogen microgrids could help power remote communities – but beware the hype
Hydrogen makes it possible to store renewable energy for longer – but has its limitations.

Australia needs more people who think like scientists. Here’s what that means
Science equips us with the tools to reason, evaluate evidence, and make informed decisions in a complex, changing world.

Resolve poll suggests more voters support Labor’s federal budget changes than oppose them
While federal Labor remains ahead in most polls three months after the budget, Victorian Labor is trailing the Liberals ahead of the November state election.

Many NZ lawyers find their work rewarding – and distressing. How can they be supported?
NZ’s first large study of lawyer wellbeing finds widespread work-related distress – as well as some potential solutions to address it.

Large demos across West Papua meet with mixed responses by police
RNZ Pacific reporters Dozens of large demonstrations by West Papuans to mark a key anniversary of their homeland’s incorporation into Indonesia have been met with mixed and sometimes violent responses by police. Saturday was the anniversary of the infamous 1962 US-brokered New York Agreement under which Papua’s former colonial power, the Netherlands, agreed to transfer

Exclusive poll shows nearly half of respondents defecting from Victorian Labor. What do these voters care about?
Victorian voters surveyed named cost of living, crime and health as their top three policy issues, with just over three months until the next state election.

Poor genetic health threatens many species – but it’s fixable
Four experts explain what genetic health is and why it matters for our most vulnerable wildlife.

Of course parents want to keep tweens and teens safe. Here’s why you should also encourage them to take risks
Sometimes we think ‘if it feels scary, it must be unsafe’. But feeling nervous or excited is often part of the experience.

Why most homeowners don’t need to lose sleep over negative equity
Owing more to the bank than your home is worth is a daunting prospect. But if you’ve bought a place to live in, not as an investment, there’s little reason to panic.

Is bird flu infecting humans? How would we know?
Even with bird flu circulating in Australia, the risk to humans is low. But some groups are still at increased risk.

New EU laws make AI content labels compulsory – but might just make it harder to spot deepfakes
Labels alone won’t be enough to tackle the rise of deepfakes.

Women have always ‘method acted’ – they just don’t get called geniuses for it
Critiques of method acting misunderstand what method acting is – and dismiss the women who practise it.

NZ creates remarkably valuable tech firms. How can it keep more of the benefits?
A new stocktake of the tech ecosystem shows NZ has grown companies now valued at more than $133 billion. But is it as good at retaining them?

Fiji’s Palestine solidarity group queries ‘unprecedented’ security for Israeli embassy
By Jake Wise in Suva The Palestinian solidarity movement in Fiji is calling for greater transparency over the security arrangements surrounding the Israeli Embassy. Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) coordinator Shamima Ali, representing the movement, questioned what specific threat had prompted the heightened police presence around the embassy after police confirmed the additional security was

Foreign espionage increasing in Pacific, says NZ’s spy agency
RNZ News New Zealand’s spy agency says it is increasingly coming across espionage activity in the Pacific — and has identified individuals connected to an unnamed foreign intelligence service. The NZSIS reports that individually, Pacific states remain vulnerable to attempts at subversion, both in politically, and in the community. Security expert Al Gillespie told RNZ’s

Tracy-Moana Campbell: Genocide training for NZ teachers by Israel a ludicrous idea
COMMENTARY: By Tracy-Moana Campbell A country currently indicted for genocide has no business training our teachers in Aotearoa New Zealand on the topic of genocide. The notion is ludicrous. Under this National policy Kiwi teachers are going to be trained about genocide by Israelis. It is intended that some Kiwi teachers will be sent to

Palestine protesters told they are ‘rainbow people’ of hope after 150 weeks of Gaza protest
Asia Pacific Report Palestine protesters in Aotearoa New Zealand celebrated an unprecedented 150 weeks of continuous rallies in the heart of Auckland today and were told by a human rights advocate they were the “rainbow people — offering hope”. Kathy Voyles, who describes herself as a global citizen dividing her time between New Zealand and

‘Just lovely’: Karanga-a-Hape train station delights locals and visitors on open day
By Lucy Xia of RNZ Thousands have toured the metro City Rail Link’s deepest station — Karanga-a-Hape Station — ahead of its opening next month, and the station and its surrounds have come alive with music, performances and queues of people lining up to order food at St Kevin’s Arcade. The event today drew in

Strait of Hormuz: It’s not just the numbers – it’s the ships’ vote and that’s for Iran
Special Corespondent Maritime intelligence firm Kpler counted 13 vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. The number is small. But the number is not the story. The story is that nine of those 13 took the Iranian-approved route. The route American warned ships against using.

European ‘war fatigue’ may be growing – but Ukraine’s recent momentum could buy time
Ukraine’s uptick in fortunes bodes well for the ability of European leaders to keep their citizens on board with the war effort.

Four reasons why fully electric homes can be affordable and efficient
The EU’s new electrification plan aims to slash reliance on fossil fuels by doubling the number of heat pumps by 2030.

A brief history of embroidery – and how to get started yourself
These are the easiest embroidery techniques to attempt for beginners.

Quitting alcohol changes the brain and can increase the risk of compulsive drinking – new research in mice
Alcohol abstinence alters brain activity in ways that may drive someone with alcohol use disorder to relapse.

Radio telescopes help scientists map molecules in space and uncover where and how stars form
Interstellar maps can help scientists find patterns that tell them about fundamental chemical processes in the cosmos.

Taliban claims five years of peace in Afghanistan – but women and girls face oppression
The militant Islamist regime has introduced a series of oppressive laws restricting rights for women and girls.

Congress just passed a housing law that rewards states for reform — here’s why Colorado has a head start
A new federal law rewards states that ease housing rules. Colorado has been doing that for years, and its experience shows both what works and what does not.

Staying hopeful and true to oneself is a lesson these 5 kids books offer to kindergartners and other children
A children’s writer explains how ‘Where the Wild Things Are,’ ‘The Rabbit Listened’ and other stories can help prepare kindergarten students for this next phase of life.

One of the most common brain disorders is one of the most misunderstood – how functional neurological disorder is both ‘all in your head’ and beyond it
Millions of people suffer from debilitating symptoms their doctors don’t quite believe. But advances in neuroscience and education may be changing the tides for treatment.

From padded bras to penis injections: how changing body shape can give athletes a competitive edge
These stories sound bizarre, but they highlight the battle for marginal gain in competition.

Small businesses at the gateways to America’s national parks face 4 big risks – including changing boundaries and extreme weather
Policy changes, climate disruption, staffing shortages and housing costs are reshaping the risks of owning or starting a gateway business.

What the battle between Nigel Farage and Count Binface really tells us about Britain’s mood
Farage avoided the count, but will face a re-opened probe into his finances after winning the Clacton byelection.

What happens when someone’s chromosomes, sex hormones and body don’t align?
Biological sex isn’t always simple.

Britain’s quarter century: experts in sex, mental health, nutrition and addiction assess the nation’s changing wellbeing
How has the UK’s health changed since 2001?

How healthier farm animals can cut greenhouse gas emissions
Tackling livestock emissions involves more than just eating less meat.

Fiji court rules COI report into Malimali appointment was unlawful, null and void
By Iliesa Tora of RNZ Pacific The Fiji High Court has ruled that the Commission of Inquiry report into the appointment of Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner, in its entirety, is null and void. Justice Dane Tuiqereqere also found that the COI report was unlawful, and that its adverse findings were irrational and it has

With NDIS changes set to pass, here’s who bears the cost of making it ‘sustainable’
The government wants to cut $37.8 billion from the NDIS over 4 years. Much of this will come from tightening access to the scheme and reducing participants’ plans.

Fiji judge orders motion seeking return of journalists’ devices seized by police
By Rashika Kumar in Suva Counsel for Fiji-British journalist Charlie Charters has been ordered by High Court judge Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu to serve a motion seeking the return of the 7 electronic devices seized by police on the police chief today. The motion was filed after police re-seized the devices last Friday under a fresh

What is sudden adult death syndrome?
A healthy heart can still hide a fatal electrical fault. Genetic testing is helping families uncover the hidden risk behind sudden adult death syndrome.

Now that it’s big business, nostalgia is a thing of the past
The market for retro entertainment has never been bigger. But certain companies may be in danger of overdoing it.

Crocodiles can’t fly. Birds can. Scientists have finally figured out why
New research suggests crocodiles used to have hot blood and fast metabolisms, but gave it all up to lurk underwater waiting for prey.

‘A costly mistake’: new review finds giving WA billions in extra GST was unfair to other states
The 2018 “reforms” were bad policy. The sooner they are unwound the better.

Worried your toddler isn’t getting enough iron? Here’s what parents need to know
Drinking a lot of cow’s milk can increase your child’s risk of low iron. Here’s what to look out for.

ABBA’s Dancing Queen at 50: why we’ve spent half a century having the time of our lives
The Swedish pop song came out at a time when ABBA was trying to break into the American market. But it would go on to become a global anthem.

From Count Binface to AI Steve: why are we voting for joke candidates?
While their antics might make us pay attention to election campaigns, how did we end up with joke candidates as part of our political culture?

Russia is cutting off Ukraine’s grain exports again, threatening a critical harvest and global food security
Ukraine has proposed a deal to halt attacks on civilian targets in the Black Sea – an effort to allow grain shipments to resume from both countries.

Play-fighting or just fighting? New study suggests a rethink on how we play with cats
What many people think of as ‘play’ may not be play at all. In fact, these interactions could cause cats stress.

Church owning historic Carlile House talks with Auckland Council about demolishing it
By Luka Forman of RNZ Leaders of a church that owns a historic abandoned building in central Auckland have been in talks with Auckland Council about the possibility of demolishing it. The once-grand, two-storey Carlile House in Auckland’s Grey Lynn was built in 1886 and has had many uses over its long life — including

Indigenous people want violence out of their communities. Here’s a new approach
Elders say there are many drivers of community violence and unrest that go unaddressed by typical law and order responses. Here’s what they’re doing instead.

Fiji’s HIV outbreak is a public health emergency. Pacific neighbours must step up
This week’s Pacific HIV Symposium in Fiji is a response to a highly complex regional crisis, not one that stops at the island nation’s border.

From sportswear to protest attire: the surprisingly political history of the hoodie
Hooded garments are nothing new – we’ve even got hoodies that date back to the Iron Age. But how did the modern garment come to be everywhere?

As home loan applications drop, the big four banks face a growing challenge from Macquarie
Macquarie is among dozens of smaller lenders – but not yet the biggest four – to start offering slightly lower interest rates, as banks compete for fewer customers.

Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre turns 42 – reflections on a milestone
Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre Today, we mark an extraordinary milestone: 42 years of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC). As we reflect on this journey, we are reminded of the countless lives that have intersected with our work since 1984. Over the past four decades, 168,145 survivors have accessed the services of FWCC and its

Samoa opposition leader arrested over comments about PM
RNZ Pacific reporters Samoa’s opposition leader, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi has been arrested and charged with defamation towards Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt. Local media is reporting that the charges relate to allegations made by Tuilaepa during a media conference last week. During the conference he called the prime minister a liar and also alleged he

I lived through the first Taliban girls’ school ban — watching it happen again is heartbreaking
The author was banned from school by the Taliban as a girl in 1996. Years after the Taliban returned to power in 2021, she asks why the international community’s response has fallen so short.

Two subsea cables off Perth suffer ‘concerning’ damage. Lasers could help protect them
Australia’s access to the global internet depends on a surprisingly small number of undersea cables.

Trauma can trigger psychosis – and talk therapy can help treat both
Psychosis is not a diagnosis. It’s a cluster of symptoms that affect how you think and perceive reality.

The Coalition wants to see more Indigenous students go to private schools. Is this a smart idea?
The Coalition wants to looks at ‘what works’ in Indigenous education and ‘roll it out more broadly’ .

Storms of dust and sand are another sign our climate is changing. Two experts explain
These fine particles can do significant harm to transport networks, farming and even human health.

Could saunas and ice baths affect male fertility? Here’s what the evidence says
Online wellness trends claim saunas and cold plunges can boost male fertility. The evidence tells a more nuanced story – and some claims don’t stack up.

Break of Day’s tribute to invisible labour of working-class Australians is ultimately disappointing
In Steve Rodgers new play, now at Malthouse, solid performances are undermined by expository writing.

A new ADHD drug targets three brain chemicals instead of two. Here’s what that means
Along with dopamine and noradrenaline, this new drug also impacts levels of serotonin.

The media has made Donald Trump look more coherent than he is. It’s called ‘sanewashing’
The US president often provides meandering non-answers and strange speeches, but news reports omit the weirdness. Does it matter?

Why Meta is paying for controversial content – and what that means for the posts you see
Paying for engaging content is not the same as intending to fund extremism, but it creates a risk that harmful content will benefit.

Free Speech Union board member revealed in Daily Blog editor Martyn Bradbury’s ‘gagging’ case
Pacific Media Watch A court struggle featuring Daily Blog editor and media freedom defender Martyn Bradbury has taken a surprise turn, with Free Speech Union (FSU) board member and political commentator Ani O’Brien being revealed as the complainant behind “secret” proceedings, reports Radia Waatea. Bradbury, who is a regular commentator on Radio Waatea covering politics

Why does it feel like the US and Iran are stuck in an endless conflict loop?
Neither side can stomach a strategic defeat. Nor can they find a way to an exit ramp.

Regional and rural Australians ‘left behind’ by telco services – new report
The telecommunications ombudsman has recommended ‘an overhaul of how telecommunications services are regulated’.

NZ wants a high-tech future. Its proposed physics curriculum may make that harder
The government wants a knowledge-rich physics curriculum, but packing in too many topics without a clear order could backfire.

Polling booths open in Cook Islands election
By Tiana Haxton of RNZ Pacific Polling is open in the Cook Islands where 11,000 registered voters will elect their leaders for the next four years. Voting stations opened at 9am on Wednesday morning, Cook Islands time (7am Thursday NZT) and will close at 6pm. There are 24 constituencies, 10 on the main island of

Michigan’s local election officials are confident in voting integrity ahead of November’s midterm election
Despite their high confidence overall, almost half of surveyed election officials worried about the cost of running elections.

One Nation has long claimed to represent the ‘working class’ – and that makes it a serious threat to Labor
One Nation has staked its claim to being the working class party of choice, arguing Labor has long left the ‘battlers’ behind.

Why is everyone playing mahjong? The global revival of a centuries-old Chinese tradition
Mahjong is having a moment. But what happens when a Chinese tradition becomes a lifestyle trend?

High school students are protesting against One Nation. What’s the point if they can’t vote?
The argument that young people belong in school misses an important point: children and teenagers have political and civic rights.

Marine heatwaves are cooking our ocean ecosystems – and will only become more common
These underwater disasters can trigger coral bleaching and massive fish kills.

NZ’s new flood maps are missing a hidden threat – the water quietly rising from below
Adaptation plans don’t account for groundwater in shallow coastal aquifers, which can rise with sea levels, increasing the risk of flooding and damage.

WA police is using live facial recognition to make arrests. This trial is testing privacy law
Who gets to authorise such deployments? And who checks the safeguards?

Did you know there’s a vast reef network off the north coast of Australia? Few do – and that’s a problem
Due to the remote location and croc-inhabited waters, these northern reefs are largely overlooked and understudied.

Toronto students who live in residence get better grades, study finds
A study of more than 750,000 student records from four Toronto universities finds that living in residence is linked to better grades and higher satisfaction, especially for first-year students.

Alberta’s disability benefit overhaul shifts more economic risk onto people with disabilities
Alberta’s move to shift disability recipients onto a lower-paying, employment-focused benefit assumes people can make up the difference through work, savings or family. Research suggests few can.

Learned, not broken: Why we need to fix the pleasure gap, not women’s libido
Women’s changing libido has been treated as biological fact — the product of evolution or hormonal destiny. But differences in sexual experience early on can have a real and lasting impact.