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

Michelin chef appeals to Christmas spirit of thieves who stole 2,500 pies

“I know you’re a criminal, but maybe just do something nice because it’s Christmas,” said British chef Tommy Banks, after thieves stole a van full of pies.

December 3, 2024
A British chef issued a plea for 2,500 stolen pies to be donated to charity.

Orcas have learned how to hunt and kill huge whale sharks, video shows

Off the coast of Mexico, scientists have observed a pod of killer whales adapting new skills to help them hunt these docile giants of the sea.

November 29, 2024
An orca surfaces near a whale watching boat off Point Loma in San Diego in January 2024.

Lebanon’s army moves south as part of cease-fire deal, as U.S. weighs more arms to Israel

The cease-fire deal is set to stop fighting for 60 days between Israel and Hezbollah. Regional neighbors hope it will lead to a wider de-escalation.

November 27, 2024

What to know about Lebanon’s army, set to play a key role in cease-fire

The cease-fire deal calls on Lebanon’s army and U.N. peacekeepers (UNIFIL) to keep Hezbollah away from Israel’s border.

November 27, 2024
Lebanese soldiers patrol around a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Nov. 11.

Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire deal begins

The deal to halt Israel’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, a victory for negotiators after weeks of intense talks, went into effect Wednesday morning.

November 26, 2024

Netflix show revisits killing of 6-year-old JonBenét Ramsey: What happened?

“Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey” is introducing a new generation to the mysterious 1996 killing of a child pageant star.

November 26, 2024

Israeli cabinet to meet Tuesday to discuss cease-fire deal with Lebanon, officials say

Intense negotiations over the past week have brought Israel and Lebanon closer to a deal, but it has not yet been finalized.

November 25, 2024

Dartmouth sorority and two fraternity members charged after student death

Won Jang, a student at the Ivy League college, drowned after attending a party hosted by sorority members where alcohol was served to underage attendees, police allege.

November 23, 2024
A sorority and two members of a fraternity were charged after the drowning death of a student at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Tom’s of Maine issued warning over bacteria found in toothpaste products

The FDA issued a warning letter, but not a recall, after an inspection found tainted water samples as well as a “black mold-like substance” at one of its plants.

November 21, 2024
The Food and Drug Administration observed “significant violations” during an inspection last spring of a Tom’s of Maine facility in Sanford, Maine.

Who is Gautam Adani? Indian billionaire hit with fraud charges in U.S.

Adani, an Indian business magnate and one of the richest men in Asia, faces new allegations of fraud to secure solar energy supply contracts.

November 21, 2024
Indian billionaire Gautam Adani is facing business and legal challenges, including charges announced on Wednesday by U.S. prosecutors related to an alleged bribery scheme.