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On the weekend we are going to get an indication of just how much of a political force the One Nation is in outer-suburbs of the capital cities with the Secret Harbour by-election. There is the possibility of a political upset, with the resignation of former police minister Paul Papalia who is quitting due to an illness in the family. This traditional Labor seat swung in the opposite direction away from Labor at the last election, and it is expected to be a close race between Labor and One Nation.

Microfinance was envisioned as a banking service in the 1970s capable of lifting people out of poverty in Asia’s developing nations. However despite decades of implementation, microfinance has not fully achieved the goal of aiding impoverished communities into self-sufficiency. To discuss the current situation of microfinance, The Wire’s Toni Pankaluic spoke to Dr Ruipeng Liu , a Senior Lecturer in Finance at Deakin University. Producers: Toni Pankaluic Speakers: Dr Ruipeng Liu

They say truth is stranger from fiction, and with the increased technological developments we are seeing how artificial intelligence Is being imployed in may new, novel and strange ways.

Image by Strathfield Council Media. This August marked 35 years since the Strathfield massacre, when seven people were killed at Strathfield Plaza in August 1991. The tragedy had a profound impact on the local community and the memory of those who lost their lives continues to be remembered 35 years on. The Cumberland RSL Sub Branch has also played a role in remembering the tragedy and its impact on the community.

Domestic violence remains a major issue in Australia, affecting men and women, with one in four women and one in 14 men experiencing it in some form. But for migrant women it is more difficult to seek help because of the cultural beliefs and stigma around domestic violence and coercive control. Lecturer in Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern Queensland Dr Shikha Malviya lived a similar situation, and says the system needs to improve to support migrant women.

Governments have invested millions into reducing the road toll with some success. But what about investment to prevent accidental drug overdose deaths? Statistics show seven Australians per day die of overdose, almost twice as common as road deaths. So why is this number steadily growing? Pennington Institute produces an annual report and is global convenor of International Overdose Awareness Day every August 31.

As this year’s book week wraps up, its theme ‘symphony of stories,’ leaves a mark on inclusion and diversity. From narrative and scenes to rhymes, sounds and characters, just how influential are children’s books and stories in the formative years? CEO of Positive Minds Australia and Behavior consultant Madhavi Narwana-Parker reflects on the week, and the role books in building shared experiences and opening minds.

Developed in response to the 2023 senate inquiry into universal access to reproductive healthcare, Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Coalition, SPHERE have released nine new recommendations to reduce out-of-pocket costs and improve access to abortion care. Head of the Department of General Practice at Monash University Professor Danielle Mazza, says despite recent reforms and nation-wide  decriminalisation of abortion, affordability remains one of the most significant barriers to care.

Videos of robots triumphantly sprinting across finish lines or cartoonishly crashing into walls have popped up in media feeds over recent days. These clips were from the second World Humanoid Robot games being held in Beijing. The event not only featured robot boxing, tai-chi and soccer but also scenario based events for household and hotel services. The field of robotics has a rich history of competitions which become spaces for innovation. But what do these events signal for the future?

In June, an international group of mathematicians published the Leiden Declaration on Artificial Intelligence and Mathematics. With AI tools making increasingly significant contributions to mathematical research, it calls on the academic community to implement the technology carefully, and protect principles like peer review and transparency. The Declaration has so far been signed by over 3000 mathematicians around the world.