News

What’s a ‘Strombolian eruption?’ A volcanologist explains what happened at Mount Etna
At the more explosive end of the scale are Plinian eruptions. These include the famous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD, ...
‘Unfair and unreasonable’ – report finds $1.9 billion in unpaid child support in system rife with financial abuse
A damning report by the Commonwealth Ombudsman has found one third of complainants believe the child support system has ...
The Queensland government is cancelling renewable energy projects. Can the state still reach net zero?
Queensland’s new government has set about scrapping clean energy projects. But it’s shaping up as a go-slow period, not a ...
Why do some people need less sleep than others? A gene variation could have something to do with it
Sleep needs vary from person to person, and while a lucky few can thrive on less, most of us need seven to nine hours a night ...
As government cuts bite, public service unions can use ‘soft power’ as well as strikes to win support
For the public service, strikes are generally a last resort. But there are other sources of union power – in particular, deep ...
In her memoir, Jacinda Ardern shows a ‘different kind of power’ is possible – but also has its limits
Her new book weaves an authentically retold personal story with high political drama. But Ardern misses an opportunity to ...
Trump’s steel tariffs are unlikely to have a big impact on Australia. But we could be hurt by what happens globally
Most Australians will feel the effects of the tariffs through the indirect effects on US manufacturing and on America’s ...
1 in 3 men report using intimate partner violence. Here’s how we can better protect women – and help men
The results of a landmark longitudinal study into domestic violence paint a grim picture, but they also point to key solutions, especially before men offend.
Tax concessions on super need a rethink. These proposals would bring much needed reform
The debate over taxing super balances above $3 million misses the point. Broader reforms are needed to make super sustainable ...
Censorship into art: why Iranian director Jafar Panahi’s subversive stories are getting the world’s attention
Panahi received the 2025 Palme d'Or, the highest honour at the Cannes Film Festival. He’s also the focus of the 2025 Sydney ...
Why do our pupils dilate when we’re aroused? Anatomy experts explain
In romance novels and online advice columns, enlarged pupils are commonly enlisted as imagery to indicate sexual arousal and ...