Will Australia’s media do better at cracking down on lies this election? The signs aren’t good

| Insights & Views

Populism uses the freedoms of democracy against democracy. In particular, populists use freedom of speech to promote hate, incite prejudice, intensify social division and spread lies. At the same time, freedom of speech is...

Grattan on Friday: Albanese falls victim to a Chinese burn

| Insights & Views

As the Albanese government struggles to stay on its political feet, who would have thought the China issue would suddenly insert itself into the campaign, leaving the prime minister looking, at best, flat-footed? Improving...

Gene Hackman will be remembered as the Hollywood actor’s actor

| Insights & Views

Gene Hackman, an acting titan of 1970s and 80s Hollywood with more than 80 screen credits to his name, has died at 95. He was found dead in his home with his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, and his dog. Hackman had a rugged,...

The secret lives of polar bear families

| Insights & Views

Despite being the largest land carnivore and a top Arctic predator that can weigh over 600 kg, polar bears start off surprisingly small. Blind, almost hairless, and weighing just 600g at birth, cubs are born in maternity...

Israel’s bombing of Gaza caused untold environmental damage − recovery will take effort and time

| Insights & Views

The war in Gaza has come with an awful cost. Tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed, and thousands more are missing. And while a temporary ceasefire has allowed for increased aid delivery, easing the...

What is a charter school, really? Supreme Court ruling on whether Catholic charter is constitutional will hinge on whether they’re public or private

| Insights & Views

In April 2025, the Supreme Court will hear arguments about whether the nations first religious charter school can open in Oklahoma. The St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School would be funded by taxpayer money but...

Brutalism – the architectural style that dared to summon a new world from the ashes of World War II

| Insights & Views

Some viewers of The Brutalist are probably getting their first taste of Brutalism, the architectural style that gives the film its name. The film, which has been nominated for 10 Academy Awards, centers on the efforts of...