Life And Society

The summer holiday period often heralds celebration and cheer but, for sobriety coach Noelene Brown and many others, it can make for a lot of "tricky" social situations.

If you're hitting the road this summer and planning to take your cat or dog with you, it's time to start thinking about how you can get them adjusted to long car rides.

Tony Stamp looks back at some of his favourite reissued albums and compilations of 2024, including Japanese techno, Māori hip-hop, and Zambian pop. Video

A chance encounter with a stray cat one Christmas Eve brought reporter Katie Fitzgerald much more than she bargained for.

There is anecdotal evidence that "non-parents feel pressure to pick up the slack" - like working over Christmas - when those with caring responsibilities are unavailable, experts say.

I need a last minute Christmas gift, are any shops open? What if I forgot my share of the potluck?

The foodie-farmer is throwing a more "relaxed" Christmas party this year, with just a 20-odd guestlist. Audio

Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson describes his work as using "the medium of people".

Don't put up with friends lashing out, relishing your pain or minimising your struggles, says science writer David Robson. Audio

You wouldn't buy your kid a sibling as a present, so don't buy a companion animal without thinking very hard, an animal charity says. Audio