Congressional oversight is at the heart of America's democracy

Apr 05, 2019 10:19 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics Law

President Donald Trump increasingly acts as though he believes he can ignore Congress and set wide-ranging national policies on his own. He has, for instance, recently taken unilateral steps to cut off foreign aid to...

Pet owners want to be masters, not servants – which is why we value dogs more than cats

Apr 05, 2019 10:18 am UTC| Insights & Views Life

Cat videos may rule the internet, but dogs possess mastery of their owners hearts at least if spending is any guide. Dog owners spend US$240 a month caring for their pets, compared with $193 for cats, according to the...

The road to Brexit: how did the UK end up here?

Apr 05, 2019 10:18 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy

Britons are typically a polite bunch. Theyre fearful of giving offence and traditionally slow to take it. But the project of withdrawing from the European Union (Brexit) has got more people shouting their opinions and...

Japan: spring and prosperity the watchwords as country announces a new era

Apr 05, 2019 10:17 am UTC| Insights & Views

When Emperor Akihito abdicates on April 30 it will, quite literally, be the end of an era for Japan. Crown Prince Naruhito will formally accede to the Chrysanthemum Throne and the event will be marked by a change of era...

Cyclone Idai showed how some countries battle to handle disasters

Apr 05, 2019 10:17 am UTC| Insights & Views Nature

Cyclone Idai has caused enormous damage in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Hundreds of people have died, about 400,000 people lost their homes and an estimated 2.9 million people have been affected by the...

Why do we mix up faces? Game of Thrones might help us find the answer

Apr 05, 2019 10:16 am UTC| Insights & Views Entertainment

In the Game of Thrones universe, confusing a photograph of actor Jack Gleeson, who played the popular HBO TV shows despised sadist Joffrey Baratheon, for one of Maisie Williams, the beloved Arya Stark, is an egregious case...

Invasive ants: federal budget takes aim but will it be a lethal shot?

Apr 05, 2019 10:16 am UTC| Insights & Views Nature

Amid all the usual items we expect to see in the federal budget was one that raised eyebrows: A$28.8 million for three ant eradication programs. Yet amid the inevitable media puns about the government upping the ant-e,...