AU Edition - Today's top story: Having heard mountains of evidence, the antisemitism royal commission now faces a huge challenge August 27, 2026 AU Edition   After months of evidence, more than 300 witnesses, and over 20,000 submissions, the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, which was formed in the wake of the Bondi massacre, has concluded its public hearings. Since February, the commission has heard from a broad range of Australians, detailing how antisemitism shapes their experiences at work, at school and in everyday life. As researcher Matteo Vergani writes, there were three main themes in the evidence given. So what have we learned, and what comes next? Meanwhile, we heard yesterday of the death of the beloved Dolly Parton. While tributes detailed her humble beginnings and the brilliance of her music, the story less told has been the effect of her philanthropy, including in Australia. Claire Galea, who has researched Dolly’s Imagination Library program, has tracked the program’s effectiveness in increasing literacy and love of reading among children all over the world.   Erin Cooper-Douglas Public Policy Editor   Today's newsletter supported by Black Inc Books   Having heard mountains of evidence, the antisemitism royal commission now faces a huge challenge Matteo Vergani, Deakin University By its final block, the commission had heard from more than 300 witnesses and received more than 20,000 submissions. The evidence paints a concerning picture. Dolly Parton’s philanthropic Imagination Library had a proven effect in Australia, and around the world Claire Galea, Western Sydney University Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has distributed 318 million books worldwide. Nearly 50,000 Australian children are receiving a free book every month. Jolene, I Will Always Love You and 9 to 5: the genius of Dolly Parton in three songs Wendy Hargreaves, University of Southern Queensland The biggest legacy Dolly Parton leaves is her songwriting, and three songs define her more than any others. How the ‘backwoods Barbie’ Dolly Parton turned self-aware artifice into authentic artistry Rosemary Overell, University of Otago Dolly Parton’s first hit was titled ‘Dumb Blonde’. The country music legend, who has died at 80, was anything but that. Nepal-Tibet floods: when disaster strikes before communities recover from previous climate extremes, crisis escalates Taha Rezaei, University of Exeter; Mark Maslin, UCL Recovery time between climate disasters makes a huge difference to the consequences affecting local people. Inflation eases less than expected, making another interest rate hike more likely John Hawkins, University of Canberra The Reserve Bank has warned that if we don’t see inflation coming down, it will have to raise interest rates again. The PM has ruled out changing WA’s GST deal. But there’s another option to consider Chris Murphy, Australian National University The current deal costs Australians billions more than it should if we were fairly sharing money around the country. It’s not too late to have your say. Here’s what to keep in mind before and after an aged care assessment Dan Wadsworth, University of the Sunshine Coast It might be tempting to focus on your ‘good days’. But here’s what to keep in mind when an assessor asks about your health and everyday life. Beyond Harry Potter: five books you can enjoy together as a whole family Helen Joanne Adam, Edith Cowan University Parents might default to books they loved when they were younger. But this means families may be missing out on some great stories published more recently. Politics + Society Mixed results for One Nation and the Coalition in latest federal polls Adrian Beaumont, The University of Melbourne A DemosAU poll has the Coalition up and One Nation down, while two other polls show Pauline Hanson’s party is still on the rise. The ‘robot Olympics’ were spectacular – but will this technology end up helping humans? Jonathan Roberts, Queensland University of Technology Getting a robot to run 100m faster than Usain Bolt is impressive. But how about a humanoid that can make you a cup of tea in your own kitchen? Health + Medicine Vaping is better than patches or gums for quitting smoking – updated review Wayne Hall, The University of Queensland The review found vapes containing nicotine were more effective at helping people quit cigarettes than these other methods. Nursing students are rejecting careers in aged care. A staffing crisis is coming Samantha Heath, University of Waikato Nursing students often opt out of aged care after their work placement. No amount of downstream reform will undo that first impression of an under-resourced sector. Environment + Energy From Australia to the Andes, we’re discovering new biodiversity hotspots worldwide David Lindenmayer, Australian National University Scientists are discovering previously unknown species in unexpected places, according to a new study. Australia’s lizards and snakes are in far more trouble than we thought. It’s time to act Jules Farquhar, Monash University; Chris J Jolly, Macquarie University; Conrad Hoskin, James Cook University; David Chapple, Monash University; Margaret Haines, Monash University Australia is famous for its lizards and snakes. But we found at least 127 species are threatened – almost twice as many as previously thought. Working with nature can help NZ adapt to climate change. Where is the plan to do it? Bradley Case, Auckland University of Technology For nature-based climate adaptation, better data is only one part of the full system required to determine where to act, who decides and how action will be funded. Historic sulphur emissions the likely cause of damage to Murujuga rock art: new research Ben Mullins, Curtin University; Belinda Churnside, Indigenous Knowledge; Katy Evans, Curtin University; Nicola Armstrong, Curtin University