The Conversation

Contaminated milk from one plant in Illinois sickened thousands with ‘Salmonella’ in 1985 − as outbreaks rise in the US, lessons from this one remain true

Written by Michael Petros, Clinical Assistant Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago

A valve that mixed raw milk with pasteurized milk at Hillfarm Dairy may have been the source of contamination. This was the milk processing area of the plant.AP Photo/Mark Elias

In 1985, contaminated milk in Illinois led to a Salmonella outbreak that infected hundreds of thousands of people across the United States and caused at least 12 deaths. At...

North Korean spy drama in China may signal Beijing’s unease over growing Pyongyang-Moscow ties

Written by Linggong Kong, Ph.D. Candidate in Political Science, Auburn University

Chinese authorities in the northeastern city of Shenyang reportedly arrested a North Korean IT specialist in late April 2025, accusing him of stealing drone technology secrets.

The suspect, apparently linked to North Korea’s main missile development agency, was part of a wider network operating in China, according to the story, which first...

Measles could again become widespread as cases surge worldwide

Written by Rebecca Schein, Assistant Professor of Infectious Disease Pediatrics, Michigan State University

Measles is one of the most infectious diseases on the planet. Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Library via Getty Images

Globally, measles is on the rise across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America and parts of Europe. In 2025, North and South America saw 11 times more cases than during the same period last year. In Europe, measles rates are at their...

Repealing the estate tax could create headaches for the rich – as well as worsen inequality

Written by Reid Kress Weisbord, Distinguished Professor of Law and Judge Norma Shapiro Scholar, Rutgers University - Newark

As it stands, only a tiny fraction of America's wealthy are ever subjected to the estate tax. Krisanapong Detraphiphat/Getty Images

Nothing is more certain than death and taxes, Benjamin Franklin famously declared. And, since 1916, the federal government has imposed an estate tax on the transfer of property owned at death.

But the Trump...

Indonesia’s ‘thousand friends, zero enemies’ approach sees President Subianto courting China and US

Written by Gilang Kembara, Research Fellow, Nanyang Technological University

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto participates in a panel discussion in Antalya, Turkey, on April 11, 2025.Photo by Ahmet Serdar Eser/Anadolu via Getty Images

For much of April and into May, a team of negotiators from Indonesia have been in Washington to discuss trading relations between the world’s largest economy and another forecast to...

How to manage financial stress in uncertain times

Written by Jeffrey Anvari-Clark, Assistant Professor of Social Work, University of North Dakota

Having an action plan for personal finance is critical in uncertain times.Photo by Nicolas Guyonnet/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

American families are struggling to keep up with their bills.

The cost of food soared by more than 23% from 2020 to 2024. Other price increases, which are especially steep for vehicles, insurance, child care and...

Buddha’s foster mother played a key role in the orphaned prince’s life – and is a model for Buddhists on Mother’s Day

Written by Megan Bryson, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Tennessee

Prince Siddhartha with his foster mother Mahaprajapati.A 1910 painting by Maligawage Sarlis. Photo by MediaJet, 2009 via Wikimedia Commons

Mother’s Day offers an opportunity to reflect on what motherhood means in different religions and cultures. As a scholar of Buddhism and gender, I know how complicated Buddhist attitudes toward mothers...

Why ‘The Calling of Saint Matthew’ by Caravaggio was Pope Francis’ favorite painting − an art historian explains

Written by Virginia Raguin, Distinguished Professor of Humanities Emerita, College of the Holy Cross

'Calling of Saint Matthew,' in Chapel San Luigi.Virginia Raguin, CC BY

Pope Francis left a lasting legacy, not least his appreciation for art. In his 2025 biography, “Hope,” Francis spoke of his admiration for the Baroque painter Caravaggio. He recalled that during his travels to Rome as a cardinal, he prayed in front of the painting...

From the moment he steps onto the balcony, each pope signals his style of leadership – here’s how Pope Leo XIV’s appearance compares with Pope Francis’ first

Written by Daniel Speed Thompson, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Dayton

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV waves to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square shortly after his election on May 8, 2025.Vatican Media via AP

As crowds celebrated in St. Peter’s Square, a man in white and red stepped onto the balcony of the basilica, prompting cheers from the plaza.

It was American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost: Pope Leo XIV,...

A new pope’s first appearance on St. Peter’s balcony is rich with symbols − and Francis’ decision to rein in the pomp spoke volumes

Written by Daniel Speed Thompson, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Dayton

Pope Francis stands at the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on March 13, 2013, just after being announced as pontiff.AP Photo/Andrew Medichini

As the College of Cardinals gathers in the Sistine Chapel to vote for a new pope, crowds outside will watch for the most dramatic moment of the conclave, when a wisp of white smoke...