Marshall Islands digital currency debuts this month in limited form

Marshall Islands’ Pioneering UBI: A Glimpse into the Future of Digital Welfare The Marshall Islands is making global headlines as the first nation to implement a nationwide Universal Basic Income (UBI) program, coupled with a groundbreaking digital currency, USDM1, and a dedicated digital wallet, Lomalo. While the rollout isn’t without its initial hurdles, it offers … Read more

Drug addiction is not a moral failing or a brain disease. It’s more complex.

Beyond “Brain Disease” and Moral Failing: A Fresh Understanding of Addiction Imagine being isolated, stripped of all distractions, with only one readily available option: a substance that promises escape. This thought experiment, posed by philosopher Hanna Pickard in her new book, What Would You Do Alone in a Cage With Nothing but Cocaine?, challenges conventional … Read more

Second meningococcal disease case in Dunedin student community

Meningococcal Concerns Rise in Dunedin Student Community: What You Need to Know A second case of meningococcal disease has been reported within the Dunedin student population, prompting health officials to reiterate the importance of awareness and preventative measures. The latest case, confirmed by Health New Zealand, follows a previous case at the University of Otago … Read more

New Iranian supreme leader calls for defiance, keeps key waterway shut

Iran’s New Supreme Leader Doubles Down on Hormuz Closure, Escalating Global Oil Fears Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, recently appointed as Iran’s Supreme Leader following the death of his father, has issued a firm directive to continue blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil transport. This move, coupled with threats to attack U.S. … Read more

Iran’s new supreme leader injured but ‘safe’, officials say

Iran’s New Leader: Navigating Crisis and Succession Mojtaba Khamenei has assumed the role of Iran’s Supreme Leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, in a strike amidst the ongoing US-Israeli war against the Islamic republic. Reports indicate the new leader sustained injuries in the same attack, though officials confirm he is “safe and … Read more

Government backtracks on live animal export plans

The Green Party has welcomed the government’s decision to halt plans to reinstate live animal exports. Animal Welfare Minister Andrew Hoggard stated he was unable to secure Cabinet support for overturning the existing ban, a commitment initially made within coalition agreements with both ACT and NZ First. Government Backtracks on Live Export Plans Green Party … Read more

Louis Theroux on the Manosphere: ‘It’s Highly Profitable to Be a Dick on the Internet’

The Manosphere’s Grip on Young Men: A Deep Dive into Online Extremism For over three decades, Louis Theroux has been a chronicler of the fringes of society, from extremist groups to controversial figures. His latest documentary, Inside the Manosphere, released on Netflix on March 11, 2026, marks what he calls the “final boss battle” in … Read more

Covid booster should be given alongside annual flu vaccine – experts

Recent Zealand Faces Ongoing COVID-19 Waves Amidst Declining Immunity New Zealand is currently experiencing its ninth wave of COVID-19, driven by waning immunity and decreasing booster vaccination rates. Recent data indicates 50 hospitalizations and 19 deaths attributed to the virus within a single week. Experts warn that this pattern of waves will continue as immunity … Read more

Air NZ suspends earning guidance amid global jet fuel markets volatility

Air New Zealand’s Fuel Crisis: A Ripple Effect for Regional New Zealand Air New Zealand has suspended its earnings guidance, citing “unprecedented” volatility in global jet fuel markets. This decision isn’t just an airline financial issue; it’s sending waves of concern through regional New Zealand, where air services are often a vital economic lifeline. The … Read more

New film on West Papua highlights ‘ecocide’

The struggle for self-determination in West Papua extends beyond armed conflict, according to a newly released documentary. The film, ‘Pesta Babi (Pig Feast)’, premiered in Auckland at a West Papua Forum organized by the West Papuan solidarity movement in New Zealand. Deforestation and Development Produced by West Papuan journalist Victor Mambor and directed by Dandhy … Read more