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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese smiles as a man takes a selfie.

Election Diary: Albanese promises around-the-clock health line, with leaders to hold rallies

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Inside the elaborate farewell to Pope Francis

Carole Cusack & The Conversation Digital Storytelling Team

Visual feature
Pope Francis lying in state at St Peter's Basilica
Labor takes large leads in YouGov and Morgan polls as surge continues
Labor takes large leads in YouGov and Morgan polls as surge continues
Tensions over Kashmir and a warming planet have placed the Indus Waters Treaty on life support

Fazlul Haq, The Ohio State University

Mountains flank a blue river
80 years after Benito Mussolini’s death, what can democracies today learn from his fascist rise?
Hitler and Mussolini in Munich, Germany, June 18, 1940.
Grattan on Friday: Coalition’s campaign lacks good planning and enough elbow grease
Peter Dutton standing behind the shoulder of Andrew Hastie.
Preference deals can decide the outcome of a seat in an election – but not always
Preference deals can decide the outcome of a seat in an election – but not always
Scares and stunts in the home stretch: election special podcast
Listen
Two men walking down a church aisle, with lit with candles in the background.
5 ways to tackle Australia’s backlog of asylum cases
People participate in a refugee solidarity rally outside the Victorian office of the Australian Labor Party in Docklands, Melbourne, Monday, August 12, 2024
The ocean can look deceptively calm – until it isn’t. Here’s what ‘hazardous surf’ really means
Two swimmers stand on the edge of Bronte baths next to a large frothy wave.
Friday essay: ‘War has made me a pacifist’. Why are we so reluctant to acknowledge Australia’s anti-war veterans?
Friday essay: ‘War has made me a pacifist’. Why are we so reluctant to acknowledge Australia’s anti-war veterans?
The origin story of the Anzac biscuit is largely myth – but that shouldn’t obscure the history of women during the war
Anzac biscuits on a cookie rack
Lest we forget? Aside from Anzac Day, NZ has been slow to remember its military veterans
Military personal march during the Anzac Day dawn service at Auckland War Memorial Museum

Federal election 2025

Peter Dutton dressed in a suit and blue tie, holding a beer, while talking to a crowd inside the Townsville Returned and Services League Club.

Election Diary: Dutton tops list of most distrusted, amid deepening voter cynicism about political leaders

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

What is preferential voting and how does it work? Your guide to making your vote count
What is preferential voting and how does it work? Your guide to making your vote count
The major parties have announced their plans to address domestic and family violence. How do they stack up?
A protest sign saying enough, this is a national emergency
Why do Labor and the Coalition have so many similar policies? It’s simple mathematics
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton shaking hands.
Back to the fuel guzzlers? Coalition plans to end EV tax breaks would hobble the clean transport transition
car buyers, electric car.
Albanese government announces $1.2 billion plan to purchase critical minerals
Albanese government announces $1.2 billion plan to purchase critical minerals
When ‘equal’ does not mean ‘the same’: Liberals still do not understand their women problem
When ‘equal’ does not mean ‘the same’: Liberals still do not understand their women problem
This election, Gen Z and Millennials hold most of the voting power. How might they wield it?
A composite image of Canberra parliament house and young people on their phones
Election meme hits and duds – we’ve graded some of the best (and worst) of the campaign so far
Election meme hits and duds – we’ve graded some of the best (and worst) of the campaign so far
Full election coverage

Pope Francis

Composite of Cardinals in the running to become the next Pope

Who will the next pope be? Here are some top contenders

Pope Francis’s death reveals a hidden truth about public grief
Pope Francis’s death reveals a hidden truth about public grief
How will a new pope be chosen? An expert explains the conclave
How will a new pope be chosen? An expert explains the conclave
Pope Francis has died, aged 88. These were his greatest reforms – and controversies
Pope Francis has died, aged 88. These were his greatest reforms – and controversies
To truly understand Pope Francis’ theology – and impact – you need to look to his life in Buenos Aires
To truly understand Pope Francis’ theology – and impact – you need to look to his life in Buenos Aires
Read more on Pope Francis

Future of defence

Why AUKUS remains the right strategy for the future defence of Australia

Why AUKUS remains the right strategy for the future defence of Australia

Australia needs bold ideas on defence. The Coalition’s increased spending plan falls disappointingly short
Australia needs bold ideas on defence. The Coalition’s increased spending plan falls disappointingly short
Only a third of Australians support increasing defence spending: new research
Only a third of Australians support increasing defence spending: new research
What would Australia be willing to go to war over? This needs to be made clear
What would Australia be willing to go to war over? This needs to be made clear
Security without submarines: the military strategy Australia should pursue instead of AUKUS
Security without submarines: the military strategy Australia should pursue instead of AUKUS
Read the whole series

Gambling in Australia

Punters line up to bet with bookies during a race day

The biggest losers: how Australians became the world’s most enthusiastic gamblers

The gambling industry has women in its sights. Why aren’t policymakers paying attention?
A woman gambles on her phone
Gambling in Australia: how bad is the problem, who gets harmed most and where may we be heading?
Gambling in Australia: how bad is the problem, who gets harmed most and where may we be heading?
The ‘responsible gambling’ mantra does nothing to prevent harm. It probably makes things worse
A 'responsible gambling' leaflet
Read more on gambling

Australia's policy challenges

Cracks in social cohesion - the major parties must commit to reinvigorating multiculturalism

Cracks in social cohesion - the major parties must commit to reinvigorating multiculturalism

More bulk billing is fine. But what the health system really needs this election is genuine reform
More bulk billing is fine. But what the health system really needs this election is genuine reform
Cutting migrant numbers won’t help housing – the real immigration problems not being tackled this election
Cutting migrant numbers won’t help housing – the real immigration problems not being tackled this election
Post-election tax reform is the key to reversing Australia’s growing wealth divide
Post-election tax reform is the key to reversing Australia’s growing wealth divide
A fair go for young Australians in this election? Voters are weighing up intergenerational inequity
A fair go for young Australians in this election? Voters are weighing up intergenerational inequity
Read the whole series

More top stories

Black and white photo: the pair walk along a path.

The phrase ‘fuzzy wuzzy angels’ is far from affectionate – it reflects 500 years of racism

Let Them Theory: TikTok and Oprah love the ‘deeply individualistic’ self-help trend. Can it help you? We asked an expert
Two women (Oprah and Mel Robbins) and an arm tattoo that reads Let them, let me.
Markets are choppy. What should you do with your super if you are near retirement?
piles of coins with arrows going up and down
Sniping koalas from helicopters: here’s what’s wrong with Victoria’s unprecedented cull
koala in gum tree
Tremors, seizures and paralysis: this brain disorder is more common than multiple sclerosis – but often goes undiagnosed
Black and white illustration of a brain inside a head, with sparks flying around it.
More than 40 years on, the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act speaks to an enduring desire for a strong future
More than 40 years on, the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act speaks to an enduring desire for a strong future
IMF World Economic Outlook: economic uncertainty is now higher than it ever was during COVID
IMF World Economic Outlook: economic uncertainty is now higher than it ever was during COVID
Fossil teeth show extinct giant kangaroos spent their lives close to home – and perished when the climate changed
A person's hand holding up a glass disc containing a thin slice of a tooth.
This may be as good as it gets: NZ and Australia face a complicated puzzle when it comes to supermarket prices
An old man surveying frozen food aisle at Coles Supermarket
Provocative, progressive and fearless: why Beatrice Faust’s views still resonate in Australia
Provocative, progressive and fearless: why Beatrice Faust’s views still resonate in Australia
Feeling mad? New research suggests mindfulness could help manage anger and aggression
A woman lying on a yoga mat with headphones in and her eyes closed.
A traffic cone and a "road closed" sign on a flooded road

Rather than short-term fixes, communities need flexible plans to prepare for a range of likely climate impacts

Large blue planet with a bright red dot in the distance.

Scientists claim to have found evidence of alien life. But ‘biosignatures’ might hide more than they reveal

What would change your mind about climate change? We asked 5,000 Australians – here’s what they told us
person holding climate protest sign.
The billions spent on NZ’s accommodation supplement is failing to make rent affordable – so what will?
wooden house with rental tag lying on a wood table
Beating malaria: what can be done with shrinking funds and rising threats
Beating malaria: what can be done with shrinking funds and rising threats
Is it too late to solve some of our most wicked problems? The Australia Institute won’t let us die wondering
Is it too late to solve some of our most wicked problems? The Australia Institute won’t let us die wondering
A landmark ruling will tackle the gender pay gap for thousands of workers
Preschool teacher with kids
When rock music met ancient archeology: the enduring power of Pink Floyd Live at Pompeii
Pink Floyd in an Ancient Roman amphitheatre
Parents delay sending kids to school for social reasons and physical size. It’s not about academic advantage
A woman holds a child's hand in a playground.
‘I’m a failure’: how schema therapy tackles the deep-rooted beliefs that affect our mental health
Surreal illustration of three open skulls with labyrinths inside.
More top stories

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New research

Australian women are wary of AI being used in breast cancer screening – new research
A doctor looks at mammography images on screens.
Twinkling star reveals the shocking secrets of turbulent plasma in our cosmic neighbourhood
A red semi circle in space interwoven with a spiral pattern.
Prison needle programs could save double what they cost – our new modelling shows how
Outside view of an Australian prison in Western Australia.
Why healthy eating may be the best way to reduce food waste
Woman with a loaded shopping trolley checks the grocery receipt and shopping list using her smartphone
More new research

World

Could Trump be leading the world into recession?
exterior shot of a shop with closing down sale signs on it.
Kashmir attacks: Kashmiris trapped between tourism and terrorism
Members of the Save India Foundation protest about the Kashmir terror attack with a large INdian national flag, New Delhi 23 April 2025.
Is China the new cool? How Beijing is using pop culture to win the soft power war
A man in traditional Chinese garv stand next to a man with cymbals.
Judge finds ‘probable cause’ to hold Trump administration in contempt – a legal scholar explains
A US flag and a judge's gavel in front of it.
More world

Sport

Why can’t I keep still after intense exercise?
Young woman holding soccer ball pours water bottle on head.
How to tackle the ‘gender play gap’: 4 ways to encourage young women back into sport
A young woman stands in goal during a soccer game
Traded like assets, expected to be loyal: the unique double standard of being an Australian footy player
West Coast's Oscar Allen leads his team out for an AFL game in 2024.
Get big or die trying: social media is driving men’s use of steroids. Here’s how to mitigate the risks
A muscular man looks at himself in the mirror.
More sport

Australia's quarter-century of change

In 2000, Australia was defined by the Olympics, border politics and reconciliation. So what really has changed?
In 2000, Australia was defined by the Olympics, border politics and reconciliation. So what really has changed?
25 years into a new century and housing is less affordable than ever
A composite image of housing with a computer error message
Australia may no longer be ‘deputy sheriff’, but its reliance on the US has only grown deeper since 2000
A composite image of two 2000s computer windows with men in suits in them
Despite some key milestones since 2000, Australia still has a long way to go on gender equality
A composite image of a computer search window with Julia Gillard on YouTube
Read the whole series

Scam factories series

‘We could hear the screams until midnight’: life inside Southeast Asia’s brutal fraud compounds
A man looking out a window
From empty fields to locked cities: the rise of a billion-dollar criminal industry
Satellite photos of scam compound being built over 4 years.
Are they victims, perpetrators, or both? For scammers, freedom comes at a cost
Balconies of scam compound in Southeast Asia.
Scam Factories: three-episode podcast series
Listen
A row of apartment blocks with a red coloured sky in the background and the text 'Scam Factories' in front

Climate

Allowing forests to regrow and regenerate is a great way to restore habitat
Two koalas sleeping in a gum tree, with young trees in the background
Reality check: coral restoration won’t save the world’s reefs
A diver holding recording device checks a coral (_Acropora tenuis_ and _Acropora muricata_) 'rope' nursery in a 15m lagoon in the Maldives
Torrential rains created devastating inland seas in outback Queensland. Soon, they will fill Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre
flooding outback queensland
The 2025 budget has few savings and surprises but it also ignores climate change
The 2025 budget has few savings and surprises but it also ignores climate change
More climate coverage

Podcasts

Two blunders and tap dancing with the truth: election special podcast with Michelle Grattan and Amanda Dunn
Listen
Two blunders and tap dancing with the truth: election special podcast with Michelle Grattan and Amanda Dunn
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Warwick McKibbin on trying to model economic certainty in uncertain times
Listen
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Warwick McKibbin on trying to model economic certainty in uncertain times
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Hugh White on what the next PM should tell Trump and defending Australia – without the US
Listen
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Hugh White on what the next PM should tell Trump and defending Australia – without the US
How AI could influence the evolution of humanity – podcast
Listen
Illustration of evolution of humanity from primates to an unknown future with a blue light.
All episodes of Politics with Michelle Grattan
All episodes of The Conversation Weekly

Reviews

Graydon Carter hired Christopher Hitchens, pissed off Trump and revealed Deep Throat. He calls himself a ‘beta male’
Graydon Carter hired Christopher Hitchens, pissed off Trump and revealed Deep Throat. He calls himself a ‘beta male’
Is Russian misogyny enabling sexual violence in Ukraine? Yes, argues a bestselling author
Is Russian misogyny enabling sexual violence in Ukraine? Yes, argues a bestselling author
Could humanity be extinct within 10,000 years? A new book is the wake up call our species needs
Too men climb a hill as the sun sets on the horizon.
New Australian film The Correspondent is an extraordinary retelling of Peter Greste’s story
Film still: three men in jail.

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Most read this week

1.
LA is on fire. How will Australia cope when bushfires hit Sydney, Melbourne or another major city?

David Bowman, University of Tasmania

2.
Grattan on Friday: Peter Dutton’s tax indexation ‘aspiration’ has merit – so why didn’t we hear about it before?

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Grattan on Friday: Peter Dutton’s tax indexation ‘aspiration’ has merit – so why didn’t we hear about it before?
3.
Election Diary: Albanese promises around-the-clock health line, with leaders to hold rallies

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Election Diary: Albanese promises around-the-clock health line, with leaders to hold rallies
4.
Labor takes large leads in YouGov and Morgan polls as surge continues

Adrian Beaumont, The University of Melbourne

Labor takes large leads in YouGov and Morgan polls as surge continues
5.
Google loses online ad monopoly case. But it’s just one of many antitrust battles against big tech

Rob Nicholls, University of Sydney

Google loses online ad monopoly case. But it’s just one of many antitrust battles against big tech
6.
Grattan on Friday: Coalition’s campaign lacks good planning and enough elbow grease

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Grattan on Friday: Coalition’s campaign lacks good planning and enough elbow grease

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Events

Future of Disinformation

Melbourne Connect

Future of Disinformation
Calligraphy for Beginners: Medieval French Batarde

WEA Sydney

Calligraphy for Beginners: Medieval French Batarde
Nothin' But The Blues - A Musical Journey

WEA Sydney

Nothin' But The Blues - A Musical Journey
The Wrong Gods

Belvoir St Theatre

The Wrong Gods

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