We will never again have as much energy as now – it’s time to adapt
Peak fossil fuel and action on climate change will mean we have less energy available to power the future.
AU
Australia
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Analysis and Comment
HECS tax would have Pyne’s desired effect: stratifying unis
It seems the desired effect of Pyne's uni reforms is to stratify the system, making the top unis better and the middle-tier unis worse. A progressive tax would allow him to achieve this goal.
To clean up the financial system we need to watch the watchers
The clear case of regulatory capture in Australia's financial system is grounds for a new oversight body.
Children with gender dysphoria deserve better from the law
The legal steps they're required to take for gender dysphoria treatment places an unnecessary burden on children and their families.
ISIS is destroying ancient artefacts to send a message of intent
Ancient artefacts in the Archaeological Museum in Mosul in northern Iraq have been destroyed by ISIS in recent days, behaviour that forms part of a pattern. The question is why.
The death penalty in SE Asia: is there a trend towards abolition?
Australians Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan are being transferred to an Indonesian prison island where they will be executed.
Violent anti-communism is alive and well in democratic Indonesia
Gatherings of victims of Indonesia's 1965 anti-communist purge were attacked by groups of people last week in West Sumatra and Central Java.
Newly discovered moth is enigmatic evolutionary wonder
Amateurs and experts worked together to unravel the mystery of a new moth, the first discovery of its kind in 40 years.
Boris Nemtsov’s warning for Russia: corruption will cause collapse
Boris Nemtsov's warning about the festering bureaucratic corruption under Putin made him powerful enemies.
Illicit drugs: Australian sports intervene while WADA spectates
The World Anti-Doping Authority looks on from the sidelines in case there is an opportunity to punish athletes' use of illicit drugs out of competition.
Netanyahu’s address to Congress was more about politics than Iran
For many Israelis, the potential danger of a bad deal with Iran pales in comparison to the damage caused to US-Israeli relations by Benjamin Netanyahu’s trickery.
When too much science communication is barely enough
There is a wealth of science communication going on, but it's still not enough.
The national security issue that will hit Australia’s economy
It's critical the government recognises the link between cybersecurity protection and the strength of our digital economy.
Vain, deluded, indecisive, biased: this is the ‘average’ consumer
Who is the “typical” or “average” consumer? Is there such a thing? What do they look like? How do they make decisions? Am I an average (or perhaps a below average) consumer?
How to spot an Autism Spectrum Disorder in school-age children
A diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder is based solely on behaviour and is usually diagnosed by age four.
ICAC asks High Court to decide extent of its investigatory powers
ICAC argues that the alleged conduct of Margaret Cunneen and her son amounted to perversion of the course of justice.
What you can do at work to stop the violence in our homes
When Barbara, a 28-year-old mother of two pre-school boys, Josh and Noah, left her violent husband, she never expected to be punished for it at work.
Technology doesn’t judge: using the web to address domestic violence
For every woman who reports domestic abuse, many more remain silent through fear, shame or simply because they don’t know who to turn to. But new digital programs could help.
The Pacific islands ‘tuna cartel’ is boosting jobs by watching fish
A tiny handful of Pacific island nations control more than 50% of the world's tuna fishery, and their efforts to monitor international fishing vessels are set to become a major source of jobs.
Shaun Gladwell is returning to Sydney, and may not shed tears
With two exhibitions opening in Sydney this week, Shaun Gladwell is returning home, with a star still in the ascendant.
Finding meteorite impacts in Aboriginal oral tradition
We can learn much about meteor strikes in ancient Australia by examining the oral traditions of indigenous people.
Research and News
Abbott denies ‘mission creep’ as more Australian troops committed to Iraq
Tony Abbott says the troop escalation in Iraq marks "the next phase" of Australia's contribution to disrupt, degrade and ultimately defeat Islamic State.
Brandis censured by Senate over Triggs attacks
The Senate has censured Attorney-General George Brandis, saying he is "unfit to hold the office", over his behaviour in relation to Human Rights Commission President Gillian Triggs.
Former Liberal president tells party’s executive to ‘settle down’
Former Liberal president Shane Stone has hit out at party treasurer Philip Higginson for his scathing correspondence complaining about party governance.
Podcasts
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Talking politics with politicians and experts, from Capital Hill.
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Bali Nine
The death penalty in SE Asia: is there a trend towards abolition?
Australians Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan are being transferred to an Indonesian prison island where they will be executed.
Indonesia and Australia? You’d better watch your language
What do Indonesia and Australia expect and get from aid?
Impending Bali executions rely on mistaken ideas about drugs
Why Indonesia is likely to ignore protests and execute ‘Bali Nine’ duo
Indonesia’s stance on the death penalty has become incoherent
Jokowi should halt executions under Indonesia’s corrupt judicial system
Indonesian media reinforce death penalty as answer to ‘drug crisis’
Indonesia uses faulty stats on ‘drug crisis’ to justify death penalty
Metadata
We are all suspects now thanks to Australia’s data retention plans
The endorsement of Australia's data retention bill raises questions about why the reforms are being pushed now, when they had been resisted by others for so long.
NSW election
NSW Premier Mike Baird on health, privatisation, and Abbott’s shadow
'There's no doubt there's challenges in Canberra ... I would like Canberra to get on with the job of actually looking after the people it's supposed to be representing.' – Mike Baird
NSW polls show closer contest, but Coalition still favoured
The Powerhouse is going west – and arts funding should follow it
Sydney’s stuck in traffic, putting the brakes on women and the west
Sydney risks becoming a dumb, disposable city for the rich
In Conversation with Mike Baird: full transcript
Columnists
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The follies and flaws of Francis Fukuyama’s Political Order and Political Decay
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Won the battle, but is there a deeper lesson: why you should care about our frontline
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Michelle Grattan — “Medicare co-payment gone but government still lacks a policy – after all that!”
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Lauren Rosewarne — “It’s another teeny tiny step towards the cybersex future we were promised…”
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Duncan McDonnell — “The idea of a ‘charismatic’ leader is widely used and abused in public debate”
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Simon Redfern — “Asteroids that slammed into Earth and the moon were vaporised into a mist of iron”
Editors’ Picks
Autism
How to spot an Autism Spectrum Disorder in school-age children
A diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder is based solely on behaviour and is usually diagnosed by age four.
FactCheck
FactCheck: did 1200 refugees die at sea under Labor?
It is broadly correct to say 1200 asylum seekers died at sea under Labor. Globally and in our region, however, more asylum seekers than ever are leaving their country by boat.
Timeline
Medicare co-payment: a case study in policy implosion
Tony Abbott was in full confessional mode after Tuesday's formal interment of the Medicare co-payment.
Sporting events
Brisbane Olympics case difficult to make
Brisbane's Lord Mayor may want to see the city host the Olympic Games, but former hosts have made residents wary of promised benefits.
Health check
Health Check: how to exercise safely in the heat
Exercise alone can be hard, but exercising in the heat is a whole lot harder. Put simply, this is due to the balance between how much heat the body generates and how much it is capable of losing.
Epidemics
Could Ebola mutate faster than we can develop treatments?
Scientists around the world are trying to develop effective treatments for Ebola infection. But a process of viral mutation, known as "genetic drift", could potentially compromise their efforts.
Democracy
The murder of Boris Nemtsov – and three other deaths
The death of Boris Nemtsov is a watershed moment for Russia, that also sees the passing of certain assumptions in the country.
Work
Defending the indefensible: myths about the gender pay gap
"The statistics are wrong." "Women are less ambitious." "Women aren't as qualified." These are all justifications used to pay women less. And they are all wrong.
Domestic violence
Explainer: Victoria’s Royal Commission into Family Violence
It is difficult to capture just how important a royal commission with this focus is. For too long, family violence has taken, threatened and pervaded the lives of so many in the Victorian community.
"Revenge" porn
Reddit tackles ‘revenge porn’ and celebrity nudes
Reddit's new policy to remove unsolicited nude photos is a step in the right direction to prevent celebrity nude photos and revenge porn from appearing on its site.
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