The Conversation

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...

How the US can mine its own critical minerals − without digging new holes

Written by Yuanzhi Tang, Professor of Biogeochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology

Piles of rare earth oxides praseodymium, cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, samarium and gadolinium.Peggy Greb/USDA-ARS

Every time you use your phone, open your computer or listen to your favorite music on AirPods, you are relying on critical minerals.

These materials are the tiny building blocks powering modern life. From lithium, cobalt, nickel and...

Can learning cursive help kids read better? Some policymakers think it’s worth a try

Written by Shawn Datchuk, Associate Professor of Special Education, University of Iowa

Pennsylvania is considering legislation that mandates cursive instruction in public schools.Angela Guthrie/iStock via Getty Images

Recently, my 8-year-old son received a birthday card from his grandmother. He opened the card, looked at it and said, “I can’t read cursive yet.”

Then he handed it to me to read.

If you have a child in...

Religious charter schools threaten to shift more money away from traditional public schools – and the Supreme Court is considering this idea

Written by Derek W. Black, Professor of Law, University of South Carolina

The Supreme Court is considering whether to allow churches to operate charter schools that teach religious topics like the Bible.Jonathan Kirn/The Image Bank via Getty Images

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on April 30, 2025, in what could be the most consequential case for public education since the court started requiring schools to...