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Australia’s billionaire problem and the 'corruption of the democratic process'

Australia’s incoming political finance laws will cap donations and electioneering spending for the first time and bring faster disclosure, but the limits are generous, the rules overly complex, and the two-year delay suspiciously convenient for the major parties. Still, the reforms beat the status quo, though money may simply reappear in new guises.

Money has many ways to skin the democracy cat

Australia’s new political finance laws target big donations, but money buys influence in many other ways, from lobbying and media narratives to market power that shapes voter preferences. Real reform needs to go beyond donation caps to include competition policy, fairer public funding, and far greater transparency.

What US’ PERM freeze really costs India’s IT industry

The immediate impact of Washington’s decision on Green Card certification for eight IT employers may be limited, but the freeze adds uncertainty to an immigration system already strained by decades-long queues.

The Iran crisis runs through banks as much as oil routes..

The standoff over Hormuz highlights a broader contest over financial infrastructure and the weaponisation of interdependence.

News done slowly. Essential context from a global network of academic experts.
Evidence driven, solutions focused. Free to use under Creative Commons.

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Politics

Australia’s billionaire problem and the ‘corruption of the democratic process’

Australia’s incoming political finance laws will cap donations and electioneering spending for the first time and bring faster disclosure, but the limits are generous, the

BRICS 2026 reveals ambition contradictions and uncertain future

BRICS’ New Delhi Summit expanded the grouping’s ambitions, but geopolitical divisions and weak institutional clarity continue to challenge its future.

Why Indonesians feel increasingly bitter today

Indonesia’s rising public anger reflects deeper structural pressures—from elite impunity to digital manipulation—eroding trust in democratic institutions.

Why far-right ideas appeal beyond the fringe

Even as countries are faced with increasing diversity, governments are not holding up their end of the deal, corroding support for democracy.

Economy

From partnership to penalty: US tariffs shadow India trade deal

The promise of deeper economic cooperation is undermined by punitive measures that could torpedo the India-US pact even before it is signed.

Counting the cost-of-living, angrily

Fights over multiculturalism and gender are hiding the core of the Australian people’s despair — rising economic inequality.

E20 debate reveals India’s uneven energy transition trade-offs

India’s ethanol push boosts energy security and farm incomes, but consumers remain unconvinced amid mileage and price concerns.

India should not turn Trump’s trade battle into a political cause

Trump’s economic interests and India’s market realities favour negotiation over confrontation

Science

Research and innovation in India: Between expansion and integrity

Record patent filings in recent years suggest an expanding research ecosystem. Yet with only a fraction granted and even fewer commercially worked, scale may be

How migration made the human world

From Austronesian voyagers spreading from Taiwan to Indonesia and beyond, to the rise of empires and the slave trade, the flow of people has shaped

How science parks can transform Australian universities into innovation hubs

University-based science parks could become highly attractive sites for deeper engagement with industry, venture capitalists, and start-ups, and help procure government funding too, as proven

Sunset of the lab mouse era

2026 will mark a shift in the world of biomedical science. As regulators move to phase down animal testing, an alternative for cancer research is

Environment

India’s farms could become the next carbon market frontier

Scaling agricultural carbon credits could mobilise climate finance, support farmers and strengthen India’s emerging carbon market.

Himalayan floods, climate crisis and the need for disaster diplomacy

Devastating flash floods in Nepal highlight the growing risks from melting glaciers and climate change, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen early-warning systems and greater

Can climate rankings tell us which country is a good performer?

Environmental indices may appear objective, but the choices made in developing them are shaped by different worldviews that influence the results sharply.

Warming Himalayas: Nepal’s climate justice test

Nepal’s devastating Himalayan floods have exposed the human and economic cost of a warming region, reviving demand for climate justice.

Special Reports

In the era of AI-generated news, readers value trust over customised content

Special Report

The future of AI in journalism will depend on a balance between benefits and risk, and raising audience comfort, trust and news literacy. (more…)

Governments are hiding data, threatening democracy. Here’s how it affects you

Special Report

From being custodians of public knowledge, governments are turning to architects of manufactured ignorance. Amid disappearing evidence, citizens are struggling to hold power to account (more…)

AI and the news: How it helps, fails, and why that matters

Special Report, Technology

AI is reshaping the news ecosystem in the fields of search, fact-checking and personalised feeds. If used well, it can support journalism and strengthen democracy. (more…)

AI in journalism and democracy: Can we rely on it?

Special Report, Technology

GenAI tools are reshaping the information environment in ways most audiences never see. From the data that trains them to the labour that maintains them, their inner workings raise urgent questions for journalism and democratic accountability. (more…)

Reforming Australia’s migration to favour skilled workers, not family reunion

Special Report

Australia’s migration programme has failed to deliver what it promises. It brings in relatively few genuinely skilled workers, while favouring family migration. (more…)

The missing ingredients holding local news back

Special Report

From dwindling newspaper pages to news fatigue, regional communities feel a growing gap between their lives and their local coverage. Audiences are now asking for stories that reflect positivity, creativity and belonging. (more…)

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