Rachel Pannett

Sydney

Rachel Pannett writes about global news for The Washington Post.

Education: Massey University, BA in Social Anthropology and Journalism

Rachel Pannett started as a journalist in her home country New Zealand, and has reported from around the world including Europe, North America and across the Asia-Pacific. She has covered wildfires and terrorist attacks, elections and political upheavals, and traced the journeys of Myanmar Rohingya refugees and Afghan migrants seeking a better life abroad. On a less-serious note, she has also written about beer-can boat races, Elvis impersonators in the Outback and Australia's 'Route 66'. She joined the Post's foreign desk in 2021 after more than a decade with The Wall Street Journal, where s
Latest from Rachel Pannett

A tax on tourism? To visit these destinations, it’ll cost you extra.

New Zealand announced it is nearly tripling its tourist tax, joining places from Venice to Bali, Indonesia, that are trying to offset overtourism.

September 5, 2024

Do cellphones cause brain cancer? A WHO review of 63 studies finds no link.

A review commissioned by the World Health Organization found wireless technology use has skyrocketed, but brain cancer rates have not gone up accordingly.

September 3, 2024
A review commissioned by the World Health Organization found no link between cellphone use and cancer.

A nature lover, a young father: Who were the 6 hostages found dead in Gaza?

Israel is mourning six slain hostages who were abducted by Hamas on Oct. 7. The government estimates 64 hostages remain alive in Gaza.

September 2, 2024
Six mock coffins on display during a protest outside the Kyria military headquarters in Tel Aviv on Sunday. Arnon Bar-David, head of the Histadrut labor union, addressed the crowd.

Italy opens investigation into captain in deadly yacht sinking, lawyer says

James Cutfield, a veteran sailor from New Zealand, is being investigated after the Bayesian capsized, killing seven, including tech figure Mike Lynch.

August 27, 2024
Rescuers transport a body bag after a yacht, which was carrying British entrepreneur Mike Lynch and other passengers, sank off the coast of Sicily last week.

Reuters safety adviser killed, journalists injured in hotel strike in Ukraine

Ryan Evans, a former British soldier providing security services to Reuters journalists, was killed when a hotel in Ukraine was hit by a missile.

August 25, 2024

Telegram founder Pavel Durov detained in France

Pavel Durov’s online messaging app Telegram has come under increasing scrutiny from governments concerned about its unmoderated messaging services.

August 25, 2024
Founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov delivers a keynote speech during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in 2016.

German feds take over festival stabbing case, citing suspected terrorism

A 26-year-old Syrian man turned himself in after a deadly attack at a festival. Officials are investigating him on suspicion of being an Islamic State member.

August 25, 2024
Police officers on Saturday night with a suspect in the festival killings in Solingen, Germany.

Hezbollah’s escalated attack ‘is over’ after trading airstrikes with Israel, leader says

Israel said it preemptively struck Hezbollah targets to foil an attack from the group. The escalation in Israel and Lebanon comes ahead of Gaza cease-fire talks in Cairo.

August 25, 2024

    Who was Mike Lynch, the British tech entrepreneur in superyacht sinking?

    The software millionaire was once considered Britain’s version of Bill Gates. The yacht trip followed his acquittal on U.S. fraud charges related to a tech deal.

    August 22, 2024
    Entrepreneur Mike Lynch attends the TechCrunch Disrupt London conference in 2016.

    A same-sex penguin pair captured hearts. After one died, the other sang.

    Sphen and Magic raised two chicks at an Australian aquarium, increased awareness about rainbow families and inspired a float at the Sydney Mardi Gras Pride parade.

    August 22, 2024
    Sphen, right, and Magic at the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium.