Friday essay: peyotes in suburbia – the secret world of Sydney’s psychoactive cacti growers

Before I met the cactus expert, I didn’t even know psychoactive gardens existed. Of course I wanted to see one. So on a cool, rainy day...

Kenya banned plastic bags 6 years ago, but they are still in use – what went wrong

Kenya banned the use of plastic carrier bags in 2017, prompted by environmental and health costs. At the time, more than 100 million single-use plastic bags...

Inspiration, influence and theft: what the Ed Sheeran case can tell us about 70 years of pop music

Earlier today, a US court ruled in favour of singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, agreeing his song Thinking Out Loud did not breach musical copyright. The high-profile court...

Prom price index shows cost of celebration is getting relatively cheaper – even at a time of high inflation

Going to the prom can be an expensive affair for cash-strapped teenagers. Past estimates and surveys put the average cost anywhere from US$600 to $1,000 or...

Obesity in children is rising dramatically, and it comes with major – and sometimes lifelong – health consequences

In the past two decades, children have become more obese and have developed obesity at a younger age. A 2020 report found that 14.7 million children...

COVID is officially no longer a global health emergency – here’s what that means (and what we’ve learned along the way)

World Health Organisation (WHO) experts have officially declared that COVID no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (Pheic). This coincides with the WHO’s...

New funds will tackle Indigenous smoking. But here’s what else we know works for quit campaigns

Among all the talk this week about a crackdown on vaping – the most significant tobacco control reforms in a decade – has been the roll-out...

Biden’s dragging poll numbers won’t matter in 2024 if enough voters loathe his opponent even more

Commentators were quick to note President Joe Biden’s low job approval and favorability ratings after he announced his long-expected reelection bid on April 25, 2023. Others...

What does a king actually do?

Expert cites vital role of infra in bringing down food prices

MANILA – An economic development expert and member of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) policy-making Monetary Board (MB) recognizes the vital role of infrastructure projects under...