Tuesday, February 17, 2026
The large-scale disclosure of materials known as the “Epstein Files” has revealed “disturbing and credible evidence” of what independent human rights experts describe as a possible global criminal enterprise involving systematic sexual abuse, trafficking and exploitation of women and girls.
(Full Story)
|
By Alexander Howard, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of English and Writing, University of Sydney
The ‘vile’ side of humanity William Golding saw in World War II haunts his famous novel. He later came to dislike the book, dismissing it as ‘boring’ and ‘crude’.
(Full Story)
|
By Gaala Watson, Lecturer, Indigenous Business Hub, UQ Business School, The University of Queensland
The federal government is spending more on contracts for Indigenous business, while finally tackling ‘Black cladding’ fraud. But those reforms don’t go far enough.
(Full Story)
|
By Hunter Bennett, Lecturer in Exercise Science, Adelaide University
Lewis Ingram, Lecturer in Physiotherapy, Adelaide University
A new review suggests exercise might not help osteoarthritis after all. But don’t write off exercise just yet. Here’s what you can do to ease the pain.
(Full Story)
|
By Human Rights Watch
Click to expand Image Same-sex couples share a slow dance after exchanging vows at a commitment ceremony in Quezon City, Philippines, on February 14, 2026. © 2026 Jyor So/ZUMA via Reuters In a watershed moment for same-sex couples in the Philippines, the Supreme Court ruled on February 5 that a cohabiting same-sex partner has co-ownership rights to property they helped acquire during the relationship.The case involved a lesbian couple who bought property together but registered it under one partner’s name to facilitate the sale. When they separated, the partner whose name was on…
(Full Story)
|
By Nina Srinivasan Rathbun, Professor of International Relations, Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto; USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
The US administration may sense that Iran is weak and ready to do a deal. But negotiations could be undone by intransigent red lines.
(Full Story)
|
By Eef Hogervorst, Professor of Biological Psychology, Loughborough University
A major US study links air pollution to Alzheimer’s risk in older adults. With fine particles far exceeding safe limits globally, the findings carry urgent implications.
(Full Story)
|
By Peter Breadon, Program Director, Health and Aged Care, Grattan Institute
Mia Jessurun, Associate, Disability Program, Grattan Institute
Before COVID, Australia reached its target of 95% of one-year-olds fully immunised. Now, lower coverage means more babies are at risk of whooping cough and measles.
(Full Story)
|
By Thalia Anthony, Professor of Law, University of Technology Sydney
While accused Bondi gunman Naveed Akram’s case is among the worst of the worst, his severe incarceration has a flow-on effect to non-violent inmates nationally.
(Full Story)
|
By Katherine Sundermann, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning and Design, Monash University
Rather than selling off land to private developers, the government has better options. A policy from the 1990s provides a guide.
(Full Story)
|