The Conversation - The rural-urban inflation gap

It shouldn’t seem so surprising when the pope says being gay ‘isn’t a crime’ – a Catholic theologian explains

Steven P. Millies, Catholic Theological Union

Catholic leaders’ attitudes toward LGBTQ people have shifted dramatically – but the actual theology behind them, not so much.

Combating antisemitism today: Holocaust education in the era of Twitter and TikTok

Alan Marcus, University of Connecticut

Antisemitism often appears and spreads on social media. But digital technology can be part of the solution, too.

Independent voters can be decisive in elections – but they’re pretty unpredictable, not ‘shadow partisans’

Thom Reilly, Arizona State University

Pollsters, pundits and politicians all get it wrong when it comes to independent voters, who have become a crucial – and sometimes decisive – group in American politics.

Power struggles in nature can be more subtle, nuanced and strategic than just dog-eat-dog

Lee Alan Dugatkin, University of Louisville

Life can be a struggle for power – not just for people but for nonhuman animals, too. An animal behaviorist explains how this quest can be more Shakespearean drama than boxing match.

LA’s long, troubled history with urban oil drilling is nearing an end after years of health concerns

Jill Johnston, University of Southern California; Bhavna Shamasunder, Occidental College

The Los Angeles area has over 20,000 active, idle or abandoned oil wells. The city and county have voted to ban new ones after studies showed health problems in residents living nearby.

Biden moves to protect the Tongass, North America’s largest rainforest, from logging and road building

Beverly Law, Oregon State University

Scientists are urging the Biden administration to protect mature US forests as a climate change strategy, starting with the Tongass National Forest in Alaska.

Beavers and oysters are helping restore lost ecosystems with their engineering skills

Daniel Merino, The Conversation; Nehal El-Hadi, The Conversation

Restoring entire ecosystems is a difficult and expensive process. Thankfully, certain species, called ecosystem engineers, can make restoration easier. Gaining social and political support is critical too.

Beirut port disaster: former Lebanon prime minister charged with homicide

How we cracked the mystery of Australia’s prehistoric giant eggs

Climate change: Africa has a major new carbon market initiative - what you need to know

Here’s the first question of this week’s edition:

Which actor scored the first Oscar nomination of his decadeslong career for the film "The Whale"?

1. A. Donald Sutherland
2. B. Ewan McGregor
3. C. Brendan Fraser
4. D. John Goodman

Test your knowledge