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As thousands of Gazans started their journeys home on the weekend to assess what was left of the place they knew, optimism about the 20-point peace plan, brokered by US President Donald Trump and agreed to by both sides, has been high around the world.
But the big question is: will it actually hold?
As Andrew Thomas writes, the truth is we’ve been here before. What is in place in this peace deal is similar to previous ceasefire deals, and of course a ceasefire is not the same as an armistice.
A pause in fighting is undeniably a good thing, but for it to work this time three crucial steps are required.
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Amanda Dunn
Politics + Society Editor
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Andrew Thomas, Deakin University
There is a great deal of optimism surrounding Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan. But there truth is we’ve been here before.
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Chris Thompson, Australian Catholic University
Diane Keaton has died at the age of 79. We were the richer for her creative life, and the poorer for her loss.
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Jon C. Day, James Cook University
Globally important natural areas such as Ningaloo and Shark Bay have been hard hit in recent years. But Macquarie Island is recovering.
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Kylie Trask-Kerr, Australian Catholic University; Steven Lewis, Australian Catholic University
Get plenty of sleep, seek support from trusted friends and adults and read the exam question thoroughly. And remember: you have lots of options beyond your ATAR.
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 Samuel Cornell, The Conversation Digital Storytelling Team Social media tourism is encouraging risky behaviour and the death toll is mounting |
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David Smilde, Tulane University
Venezuelan opposition leader is the latest in a long list of controversial laureates.
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Warwick Smith, The University of Melbourne
A new economic update shows it’s more important than ever to think carefully about what progress means.
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Nick Fox, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University; Matt Williams, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University; Stephen Hill, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University
One prominent theory says conspiracy beliefs are triggered by elevated distress. But a new study finds limited evidence to support this claim.
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Politics + Society
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
The ACT senator had his club membership cancelled after going public with concerns about its link with the gambling industry.
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Marika Sosnowski, The University of Melbourne
These types of ceasefires are highly coercive agreements that enable the more powerful party to force the weaker party to agree to whatever they want.
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Myra Williamson, Auckland University of Technology
It has taken over 20 years, and the ICC is under intense pressure, but this week’s conviction of Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman is a major win for international law.
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Emma Shortis, RMIT University
Blood-and-soil style violent nationalism infuses everything the Trump administration is doing.
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Health + Medicine
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Konstantine Panegyres, The University of Western Australia
Ancient writers, especially physicians, had plenty to say about genitals and their care.
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Hannah Dahlen, Western Sydney University
Stories of big babies might make women all over the world cross their legs. But how common are big babies, and does their birth always lead to complications?
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Sarah Annesley, La Trobe University
Diagnosis for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome currently relies on sometimes controversial diagnostic criteria – and can take years.
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Environment + Energy
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John Woinarski, Charles Darwin University
Australia’s only known shrew has been declared extinct. Its loss emphasises the need for national protection of Australia’s rare and unique wildlife.
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Euan Ritchie, Deakin University; Phillipa C. McCormack, University of Adelaide; Yung En Chee, The University of Melbourne
Labor is close to a deal on its environmental law reforms. Will they be strong enough to protect nature?
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Science + Technology
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Mark A Gregory, RMIT University
While it might seem simple, there are many steps involved between you calling Triple Zero, and paramedics, police or firefighters arriving to help.
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Michael J. I. Brown, Monash University; Matthew Kenworthy, Leiden University
Satellites beaming sunlight down to Earth sound like science fiction – and they have astronomers very worried.
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Arts + Culture
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Katharina Wolf, Curtin University
In 2025, travellers are scrolling TikTok, watching Instagram reels, and browsing peer reviews. Tourism campaigns should meet people where they are.
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Books + Ideas
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Jamie Q. Roberts, University of Sydney
We believe things because doing so helps us belong and upholds a certain moral order, but not necessarily because they are true.
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Julian Murphet, University of Adelaide
Krasznahorkai’s language is the mad scream of a godless universe at our inexcusable squandering of every good thing given to us by chance.
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AI weapons on the battlefield
"This article reminds me of a famous quote from the movie War Games: 'The only winning move is not to play'."
David Stemmer
Going vego for the planet
"Thank you for speaking on the idea of vegetarianism as a viable contributor to the fight against global warming. I have been a vegetarian for 40 years and bore two children without the need for iron tablets and other supplements. And, before you imagine myself and my two daughters as pale-faced, scrawny wimps, we are the tall, strong ones that get looked at when a bag needs to go in the overhead lockers (we oblige!)."
Amanda Gillard
What makes a film Australian?
"Ruari Elkington's review of The Travellers discusses the Australianness of films like Together, filmed in Australia but set in America and about American characters. If our people and places can be used to make a genre film about Americans, is it ours? I would say that such a film is neither Australian nor un-Australian, but something else altogether. Popcorn."
Kym Houghton
We'd love to hear from you. You can email us with your thoughts on our stories and each day we'll publish an edited selection.
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