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.

Pacific media figures pay tribute to Solomons legend George Atkin
RNZ Pacific reporters Tributes have flowed in for the renowned Solomon Islands journalist George Atkin, who has died. As well as being a former correspondent for the then-RNZ International and ABC Pacific, Atkin was a leading figure in journalism in Solomon Islands and in the Pacific Islands region. He was the first president of the

The experience of tickling and ticklishness is the same across cultures: new research
More than 98% of people have been tickled. But scientists still don’t understand why we do it

Massive Attack deliver history lesson on K-pop’s roots in political protest
The lyrics of a famous Korean pop song, covered by Massive Attack during recent shows, express frustration with the establishment and with political hypocrisy.

Luxon survives. But why do National and Labour both struggle with effective leadership?
Both major parties have had a revolving door of leaders. What is it about modern politics that makes the job so challenging – and are others doing any better?

Trump’s net approval is near record low, with Democrats favoured to gain control of Congress at midterms
The US president’s approval rating is well below other past presidents at this point in their terms.

People with psychosocial disability from mental illness will lose out from tightened NDIS eligibility
Symptoms and impacts may fluctuate and it can be difficult to show you’ve tried other treatments.

Would you throw away brand new clothes? Retailers in Europe are now banned from destroying unsold stock
Every year, thousands of tonnes of unsold clothing go to landfill. Australia could learn from the EU model.

High school students are planning to protest tomorrow. This is how they can stay safe
If this is your first protest, it is normal to feel nervous, excited, proud, or uncertain – sometimes all at once.

Palestinian Kiwis, Māori doctor file claim against NZ govt over Gaza spy satellites
Asia Pacific Report Lawyers for two Palestinian advocates with strong family ties to the Nakba in Gaza and a Māori medical doctor critical of the “colonial violence” in the occupied territories have filed a lawsuit today against New Zealand government support for BlackSky spy satellite launchings from the Rocket Lab site in Māhia. Their lawsuit

From Monday, food delivery workers will get minimum hourly pay. Here’s why it matters
Will prices rise to cover better pay and standards? Yes, almost certainly. But it also means your next food delivery can come with a side of a little less guilt.

Soursob weed is a persistent curse – but it can be beaten. Here’s how
When it comes to a battle of persistence between a weed and a human, the weed will win most of the time. That is one of the things that makes a weed a weed.

‘I don’t even know what things are going to look like in the next five years’: young Australians on growing up in a world in crisis
In this study, interviewees saw clear connections between the psychological, economic, social and political aspects of their lives.

Cost of living, water tariffs, mining on Cook Islanders’ minds ahead of election
By Tiana Haxton of RNZ Pacific The Cook Islands goes to the polls this week for its four-yearly general election. Like all countries in the region, the Cooks has had its fair share of challenges due to global shocks in recent years, and there’s a sense that voters are looking for some stability, particularly around

Flesh-eating bacteria are devouring limbs in warming waters worldwide − here’s how to protect yourself
Warmer ocean waters are fueling the spread of the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus. Infections can lead to a rare but fatal condition called necrotizing fasciitis.

The NAPLAN fine print we missed: the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students is growing
This gap was already a problem before the latest data. But the most recent results show how things are getting worse.

‘Climate whiplash’ is not simply a buzzword, but a symptom of a warming planet
This term describes dramatic swings between different kinds of extreme weather.

These 5 charts show how far rooftop solar and home batteries can take us – and why we still need the grid
Home batteries and rooftop solar have become enormously popular. But while powerful, these technologies won’t let us get rid of the grid.

Kids are being detained in police custody, in facilities never designed for them
When children are denied bail, they’re often taken to police watch houses. But these don’t have the staff or facilities to keep children safe and well.

Why the Aussie dollar is climbing back towards a 36-year high against the yen
Japan and the US both want the yen to strengthen, but for quite different reasons. But succeeding in this task has risks of its own.

Testimony as a target: how witnesses at the antisemitism royal commission are being abused online
New research looking at more than 1,300 posts directed toward witnesses reveals vitriolic abuse. Royal commissions need updating for the digital age.

Keith Rankin Essay – The Problem for National
Keith Rankin writes; My guess is that, if National does get to form a government (after the 2026 election) despite having no list MPs, then David Seymour will be insisting on becoming Minister of Finance. Or Shane Jones? New Zealand First might have more leverage than Act.

Keith Rankin Analysis – Generations of Working-Age New Zealanders
Keith Rankin writes; New Zealand's working-age population is in flux. Good for the international airlines which fly to Aotearoa, but potentially very difficult for the making of social policy. Mind you, if the policymakers don't really know about these dramatically fluctuating demographics, then they will be blissfully unaware of the difficulties which they face.

Colombia earthquake has killed at least 132. My research helps explain why it was so destructive
Many buildings in Colombia have thin concrete walls, which makes them extremely vulnerable to collapse.

Luxon’s leadership on the line – again. Neither National nor Labour stand to benefit
Whatever the outcome at tomorrow’s caucus meeting, Christopher Luxon has been found wanting as a political leader. But so has Labour’s Chris Hipkins.

Brain scans provide world-first evidence dogs can distinguish between human fear and sadness
Think your dog can tell when you’re angry rather than sad? New research inside dogs’ brains suggests the answer might be more complicated than you think.

Today’s Mediterranean diet leans on olive oil, vegies and fish. But the ancients mainly ate bread
The ancients ate mountains of bread and cheese, but you’d never know from today’s version of the Mediterranean diet.

Papua New Guinea seeks dialogue over new hefty $20,000 US visa bond
By Kaya Selby of RNZ Pacific Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has sought further dialogue with the United States over its new visa bond policy. In a statement, Marape acknowledged that the US had copped them with a “substantial” US$20,000 visa bond for ordinary business and tourism travel to the US, saying Papua

Why do certain lyrics touch us so deeply? We studied 35 years of hits to find out
An estimated 5.7 billion people listen to music. But there’s a lot we still don’t understand about why certain songs affect us the way they do.

Would Ted Lasso be a good sports coach in real life?
The best modern coaches combine high support with high expectations. But they also speak openly about vulnerability and empathy – and it works.

Let’s stop arguing about antisemitism and focus on researching it
This is what strong, empirical research into antisemitism can look like – and why it’s important.

Expanded citizen’s arrest powers could open a legal can of worms – here’s what to know
Ever wondered what it really means to make a citizen’s arrest? It’s more complicated and risky than you might think, despite the latest changes to the Crimes Act.

Two-way battle – no clear majority as Cook Islands prepares for polls
By Rashneel Kumar, editor of the Cook Islands News An exclusive poll reveals a tight election with no clear winner, as the surging Cook Islands United Party (CIUP) challenges the governing Cook Islands Party (CIP) while cost-of-living concerns dominate voter focus. With just two days to go before the country heads to the elections on

Australians have said they have ‘no religion’ on every census we’ve had – and it is growing every year
In Australia’s first census in 1911, only 0.4% of us said we had ‘no religion’. Now, ‘no religion’ is Australia’s biggest religious affiliation.

Complaints about online platforms often go nowhere. AI could actually be part of the solution
It’s almost impossible to get an online complaint resolved. Enter the chatbot.

What’s a doula? What do – and don’t – they do during childbirth?
Massage is in; examinations are out. Here’s what to think about if you’re considering hiring a doula.

Reef relief: how a late summer monsoon helped cool the Great Barrier Reef at just the right time
Scientists have been monitoring the reef’s health for the past 40 years.

Can the searing European summer put climate action back on the agenda – or will disaster response take over?
Wildfire, drought and heat have made climate change impossible to avoid this northern summer. But will authorities tackle the cause – or the symptoms?

Education ministers are worried about technology use in schools. Should they be?
There is no comprehensive national data on how much time an Australian child spends on a device at school. The rules are just as patchy.

After nearly 12 years in power, the Victorian government’s longevity has come at some cost to its integrity
Successive reports from integrity bodies have found the Labor government acted improperly across a range of issues over the years. It’s time that changed.

Dolphins learn how to use tools to hunt for fish from their mothers
Tool use among non-human animals is more widespread than you might think.

Local governments are using AI more and more. But are they doing it wisely?
AI systems can already monitor traffic lights, scan for potholes and answer residents’ questions – the hard part is making sure people can trust them.

Solomon Islands PM urges ‘no more secrecy’ over treaties with other countries
RNZ Pacific reporters Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has announced that a review of his country’s security agreement with China has begun. Wale has said he was only permitted to read the 2022 agreement one day before an official meeting in Canberra in May this year, shortly after he was elected prime minister. Highlighting

No degree is AI-proof. But delaying specialisation may offer students an edge
As AI transforms graduate careers, universities should rethink when students specialise and how they combine disciplinary expertise with broader skills.

First Nations peoples are often undercounted in Australia’s Census – here’s why that is a problem
Australia’s Census has a complicated history with Indigenous peoples. One major issue is an ongoing undercount of First Nations people.

Ashneel Jaynesh Prasad: Fiji’s flag – a conversation we must have
COMMENTARY: By Ashneel Jaynesh Prasad There are some conversations a nation keeps postponing because they are uncomfortable. Changing Fiji’s flag is one of them. We came close to having that conversation in 2015 and 2016. A nationwide design competition was launched, thousands of submissions poured in, opinions were fierce, and for a brief moment it

Newspoll has combined right vote down, but Albanese’s ratings slump
Despite a slump in Albanese’s approval rate, he maintains a comfortable lead as preferred prime minister.

Should the shingles vaccine be free for all adults? We asked 5 experts
There’s been a rise of shingles cases among adults aged 25–49. Why aren’t they eligible for a free vaccine?

What do parents want when it comes to childcare safety? More information for a start
New research surveyed more than 300 Australian parents to understand what they think about safety in childcare centres.

‘A hard-on more raging than a man’s’: what the tribas figure reveals about lesbians in ancient Rome
Lesbians were misrepresented and parodied by men in ancient Roman texts. Yet these depictions can reveal a lot if we read between the lines.

Calls to tax billionaires are growing. Is there a better way to tax the rich?
Here’s why billionaires can face lower tax rates than people whose income primarily comes from wages.

Are there too many political polls? We are in glut – and it may be about to get worse
Australia has more polls than ever. Research shows poll-focused media coverage increases public cynicism and damages political debate.

Generative AI has changed mathematics forever. Where to from here?
AI-powered breakthroughs are raising big questions about how to do mathematics – and why we do it in the first place.

Independence from Canada could cost Albertans a lot more than it saves them
Secession, the formal withdrawal of a region from a country, involves trade-offs. Preliminary research shows those trade-offs would be significant for Albertans.

New research estimates around 20 million insect species on Earth — doubling those facing extinction
When we lose insect species without even knowing they existed, we will never know where they lived, what they looked like, how they interacted with other species or the impact they had on ecosystems.

Why the real test of Canada’s AI strategy is in university classrooms
AI policy guiding university learning and teacher education must address how technology changes the social and emotional conditions of teaching and learning.

Move over longevity: Healthspan is what we should be chasing
Research has moved past the question of whether we can live longer. The new question is whether we’re willing to invest — seriously, equitably and early — in the things that will help us live better.

The ABC’s intellectual and moral decline comes at the worst possible time
COMMENTARY: By Joel Jenkins Of late, Australia’s public broadcaster ABC has been altering the way it sees the world around it. Bound by a national charter, but modified from within after years of ideological, technical, and operational transfer, the organisation is failing in its duty to inform Australians. This is occurring at a time of

The world has changed. African countries must rethink how they grow their economies
Africa still needs millions of better-paying jobs and higher productivity to reduce poverty. What has changed is the route to achieving those goals.

ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for August 9, 2026
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on August 9, 2026.

‘Triple tap’ in Gaza, Iran and the Hind Rajab atrocities condemned at Stop Wars rally
Asia Pacific Report “Triple-tap” attacks by Israeli and US forces against Palestine, Iran and Lebanon were condemned today at a Stop Wars Aotearoa rally against the atrocities in the Middle East in Auckland’s Aotea Square. New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters was also criticised in satirical theatre over accusations of racism and insults against immigrants.

Why finance jobs are widening income inequality in cities around the world
Our study found that financial hubs around the world have significantly higher levels of income inequality.

Australia, world leader in arresting climate protesters, drops 130 charges
By Michael West NSW Police have dropped charges against the remaining climate protesters from Rising Tide’s 2024 People’s Blockade of Newcastle Harbour — the site of the world’s largest coal port. Climate Defenders Australia, which represented 117 of the arrestees, had repeatedly petitioned police to withdraw anti-protest charges after they failed to prosecute test cases,

Pacific Islands Forum fails to reach consensus on anti-missile statement against China
By Susana Suisuiki of RNZ Pacific Disagreement from some China-aligned Pacific Islands countries has prevented regional countries within the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) issuing a joint statement against missile testing in the Pacific. At their meeting in Suva on Friday, PIF foreign ministers failed to agree on a unified statement against China after it fired

Trump’s slapdash Reflecting Pool renovations stand in stark contrast to years of deliberation and engineering ingenuity that went into its creation
The construction of the pool reflected a national ambition to build something unifying and enduring. The rushed renovation and political fallout of 2026 reveal how much that civic vision has changed.

Eleven must-see comedy shows at the Edinburgh Fringe
When it comes to the best of the Fringe’s comedy lineup this year, we’ve done all the heavy lifting so you don’t have to.

Should Andy Burnham be ‘relentless’ on small boat crossings? Experts react
Pressure is mounting on Andy Burnham to address small boat crossings into the UK.

Europe’s wildfires have raised the danger posed by unexploded WWII bombs
Europe is full of buried explosives left over from 20th century wars, and wildfires are now reaching them more regularly.

A SpaceX rocket section crashed into the Moon – we can’t let the Moon get polluted by space debris
The rocket section struck the lunar surface near Einstein crater on the Moon’s near side.

Democrats have a working class voter problem that progressives like Abdul El-Sayed are still struggling to solve
Class-war rhetoric from Democratic candidates jams working-class voters into a prefabricated progressive agenda, an expert on rural and working-class communities argues.

AI is flooding the online book market with poor translations – here’s how to spot them
AI translations push the crafted work of real translators – with qualifications, genuine language skills and experience – to the back of a very busy marketplace.

AI is making disinformation harder to spot – but we’ve found a new way to catch it
As AI-generated text becomes harder to identify, the real clues lie in how online conversations are being manipulated.

The Shards transforms Bret Easton Ellis’s 1980s LA nightmare into a warning for the present
Beneath the show’s wealth, sex and violence is an examination of how the freedoms and fears of the 1980s shaped the world we inhabit today.

Trump administration revives conspiracy theories about Cuba’s alleged manipulation of activism in the US
A State Department report on this alleged problem is new, but its claims about alleged communist machinations being behind activist movements in the US are old.

DIY peptide injections are risky, and people may make serious mistakes when administering them
On top of the risks of injecting untested and potentially contaminated products, user error may make this runaway wellness fad even more dangerous.

Can leaders ever reform prisons without playing politics? Four things Andy Burnham could do
What shapes leaders’ responses to issues of crime and justice is not that toughness wins, but that leniency-gone-wrong loses.

India’s cockroach movement: how satire became political power as youth protest forced change
What started as a humorous tweet inspired a movement to force political change in India.

A lot of casual friends, or only a few you’re really close with? New research questions that trade-off
Friendships are integral to human health and well being, yet researchers know very little about how people make friends. A new study investigated what people prioritize for new friendships.

White House plan for a ‘golden age’ of science ignores the structures that made the US a scientific superpower
A new White House science strategy, laid out in a report titled Science: A New Golden Age, challenges an 80-year-old model that made the US the global scientific leader.

The moral paradox of extreme wealth: Why people oppose it yet are reluctant to take steps to reduce it
Extreme inequality is commonplace, so why do people accept it?

Employers everywhere are using AI – but business schools aren’t preparing students for the shift
Amid the rise of AI, researchers found that employers still value skills like communication, professionalism and teamwork among prospective and new employees.

The typical gig worker is changing – and struggling more than ever to make ends meet
For many gig workers, app-based work is no longer just about extra cash but economic need, a new survey finds.

Dense breasts or breast cancer in the family? What screening changes mean for you
If you are at higher risk of breast cancer, screening looks set to change. Here’s what we know so far.

I feel deep sadness about bird flu and environmental loss. Is this normal?
Grief is an understandable response to witnessing harm to places and species that matter to us.

Ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz region may be biosecurity risks when they leave. What can we do?
Idle vessels accumulate biofouling quickly, especially in tropical waters. But there are precautions other ports can take against alien pests, parasites or disease.

You might be buying the wrong home battery. Here’s how to tell
Four experts explain why the design of your home matters more than the size of your home battery.

Gaza’s ‘road map’ is driven by Trump, but reluctant passengers and serious potholes could derail pathway to peace
Hamas sees disarmament as parallel to Israeli withdrawal from Gaza; Israel says no withdrawal before complete disarmament.

5 Bret Easton Ellis adaptations, ranked from worst to best
Bret Easton Ellis’ books seem perfect for the screen, but there’s an art to translating books like The Shards and American Psycho. Which adaptations worked – or didn’t?

Smart glasses are going mainstream. Do current privacy laws protect us from the risks?
It isn’t obvious anymore whether someone is wearing a high-tech computer on their face.

A secret waiver but no punishment: the AFL’s concussion conundrum just got murkier
An AFL player with concussion history signed a secret waiver to protect his club from future court action. It’s a sign something has to change.

Coalition leadership is hard. Luxon’s ‘nuclear option’ of electoral reform is not the answer
The history of electoral reform in NZ is full of policy surprises. But the prime minister’s latest announcement still makes little political sense.

Online shadow libraries – and why they’re being implicated in AI copyright lawsuits
Listen to expert on shadow libraries Balázs Bodó on The Conversation Weekly podcast.

Pacific foreign ministers to discuss Solomons’ idea for regional security treaty
By Teuila Fuatai of RNZ Pacific A proposal from the Solomon Islands government for a regional security treaty is being considered by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) foreign ministers in Suva on Friday, RNZ Pacific understands. The treaty proposal forms a key agenda item at the day-long annual meeting — the outcomes of which help

How drugs leach out of your sweat (and can spoil your sofa)
It sounds gross. Drugs seeping out of your body may be damaging your leather sofa. But how worried should we be, really?

85% of Australians will complete the census online. Here’s how to avoid potential scams
People still remember the 2016 #CensusFail. So how safe is the 2026 census?

Fruit and honey fuelled the early evolution of the human brain
Intelligence is an energetically expensive luxury. And a new study in Science shows meat has never been the main fuel source for our ancestors.

What three million online posts reveal about anti-First Nations hate in Australia
A new study examining online hate during the so-called March for Australia rallies found white supremacy was rife. But there are patterns we can see to help stop it.

These 3 charts show female-dominated jobs are actually the most exposed to AI
Of the top 20 occupations most at risk of being automated, 15 are dominated by women.

Australia has pledged to restore nature. But could we ever bring back lost ecosystems?
From oyster reefs to bandicoot grasslands, many Australian ecosystems no longer exist. Restoring nature is a good goal – but we cannot return to the past.

One in three students in years 7–9 show signs of school disengagement. What’s causing it?
Student disengagement during the early high school years shouldn’t be dismissed as ‘just being a teenager’.

How would NZ’s vital freight system handle a big earthquake? Our study sounds a warning
New research reveals a magnitude 8.5 earthquake is likely to trigger a cascade of problems for NZ’s freight networks. But how many are avoidable?

How Netflix’s ‘Little House on the Prairie’ expands the book and TV series for today
By providing a more expansive ‘Little House’ world, the show respects Wilder’s writing while redressing racist depictions.

Dry needling is different to acupuncture. So what’s involved? And is it effective?
This therapy is thought to relax the muscle, reduce inflammation, promote healing and reduce pain. But what does the science say?

More than half of children and teens are using AI for personal reasons. This comes with risks
Navigating personal problems are a normal part of growing up. Young people are now turning to AI for help.

Gaza genocide: Mourning the 112 victims of two families of Israeli attacks – why the world silence?
By Hamza Gwarzo Many of you have seen on social media globally what happened in Gaza this week. Why has the world remained silent? Why have the mainstream media remained silent? We, the people on social media, are the ones posting about it across different platforms.

Big US-style trucks are killing more pedestrians in Australia – our research proves it
Pedestrians are more likely to be killed by heavier cars – and even more so if the vehicle is taller, Australian-first research has found.

Manasseh Sogavare unleashes on Solomon Islands government over US agreement
By Johnny Blades of RNZ Pacific The US Shiprider Agreement signed by the new-look Solomon Islands government has been subject to fiery criticism in Parliament. The opposition leader Manasseh Sogavare continues to attack the agreement which he describes as an affront to the sovereignty of Solomon Islands, but the Prime Minister Matthew Wale insists the

Ryan Murphy’s new thriller The Shards takes place in 1981 – but it’s about the present
Based on Ellis’ 2023 book of the same name, new TV series The Shards follows elite Los Angeles teenagers as their world falls apart.

Giant ice mountains on the other side of Earth once dictated Australia’s climate – new study
Mountains of ice far away in the northern hemisphere surely couldn’t change rainfall in Australia – or could they?

Behind the betel nut smile: the quiet epidemic of oral cancer in Papua New Guinea
Chewing betel ‘quid’ is culturally ingrained in PNG. But it is also linked to high oral cancer rates. A new project aims to improve early detection and reporting.

The idea of the ‘company man’ was forged decades ago. Its problems still haunt leaders today
If we are serious about equality, appointing more women to leadership roles should be accompanied by questioning the model of leadership itself.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is proof audiences just want to see heroes doing hero stuff
The film’s huge success at opening weekend suggests ‘superhero fatigue’ was never the real problem.

Why Australia should urgently vaccinate wildlife most at risk from H5N1 bird flu
We should not wait for perfect certainty. It’s time to act before catastrophe.

We don’t know how well threatened species fight off bird flu – but we need to
As bird flu takes hold, we must find and conserve species with less genetic ability to fight the virus.

Health insurance rebates may change for the over-65s. Our new study shows what to expect
New research shows what happens if the extra health insurance rebate for the over-65s is scrapped, as planned. Here’s why the sky won’t fall in.

Pauline Hanson was once dubbed ‘queen of the men’s rights movement’. Her 30-year career shows why
As consistent as her beliefs on race and immigration, Hanson has been championing men’s rights causes for 30 years – at the expense of women.

Australia’s Year 3 numeracy scores have ‘dipped’ – should we be concerned?
Yes, there appears to be a downward trend in Year 3 numeracy. But the decline is small and not statistically significant.

See the Sun’s surface in higher detail than ever before in new telescope images
The closer you zoom in, the more fascinating it is.

Dodos probably weren’t as stupid as historians made them out to be: new research
Dodo skull scans show the famously extinct birds were no less brainy than their surviving relatives – and may have roamed at dusk and dawn.

Disabled people face greater climate change risks – and they can also help NZ adapt
New research shows disabled people remain overlooked in climate policy, despite lived experience that could help build more resilient communities.

Why AI wants you to buy more – and mindfulness could help you buy less
As AI makes advertising more personal and persuasive, mindful shopping habits could help consumers stay in control.

Once-weekly HIV pill as effective as daily dose, research shows
A weekly oral pill would give people living with HIV greater treatment choice.

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.