Paul Keating, Taylor Swift, political donations and Woolworths.
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Saturday Feb 24
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This week we delved into Australia's broken political donations system, reported on Julian Assange's last legal roll of the dice, decided whether artificial intelligence will impact the many elections around the globe this year, and wondered whether it might be time for a new competition-loving politician like Paul Keating.

Meanwhile Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci resigned, prompting us to explain what “on the record” actually means and run through the culture warriors lining up to claim his scalp.

Plus Guy Rundle went to stood outside Taylor Swift's concert and loved it.

We hope you’re having a fantastic weekend.
Gina Rushton Gina Rushton,
Editor
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Australian media has been publishing AI-manipulated Barnaby Joyce images
CAM WILSON

Edited images of Joyce lying on a Canberra footpath were published by The Australian, 2GB, 9NEWS and other outlets run by Australia's biggest media companies.

An AI-edited image of Barnaby Joyce (Image: Supplied)
 
Frozen embryos are now people in Alabama as the US tips closer to theocracy
MICHAEL BRADLEY

In a ruling guided by pure biblical interpretation, frozen embryos — microscopic collections of cells — are now legally people in Alabama.

The Alabama Supreme Court in Montgomery, Alabama (Image: AAP/AP/Kim Chandler)
 
As Banducci checks out of Woolworths, another woman is tasked with saving a sinking ship
HANNAH FERGUSON

Amanda Bardwell replaces the humiliated Woolworths CEO at a time of public scrutiny, price gouging claims and a falling share price. It's a familiar example of pushing someone off the glass cliff.

Incoming Woolworths CEO Amanda Bardwell and her predecessor Brad Banducci (Images: AAP/Private Media)
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The simple, uncomplicated, welcome joy of Taylor Swift
GUY RUNDLE

Taylor Swift soars above her peers not because her fanbase is addled and easily led, but due to the exact opposite: they’re pre-teen epicureans, attuned to finding the best that is sung and strummed. 

Taylor Swift performing at the MCG (Image: AAP/Joel Carrett)
 
Australia’s political donations and lobbying system is broken by design
YEE-FUI NG

'Do ut des' — Latin for 'You give in order to have given back' — strikes at precisely what's rotten with federal donations and lobbying laws.

Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese (Images: AAP/Private Media)
 
In Western Australia, it’s too damn hot, I tellsya! I’m going troppo!
PATRICK MARLBOROUGH

Mining megacorps have evisercated my fair state for untold billions. Now we're baking in the job's final, sweltering days.

(Image: Private Media/Zennie)
 
Assange’s Belmarsh torture is an attack on journalism, free speech and inquiry
GUY RUNDLE

The UK and US are applying deliberate psychic torture, which may become extrajudicial execution.

Julian Assange (Image: EPA/Filip Singer)
 
‘Remain in the Yes’: Walk with us to keep Aboriginal women and children safe
ANTOINETTE BRAYBROOK

We need properly funded, community-controlled specialist services to combat domestic violence against Indigenous women and children.

CEO of Djirra Antoinette Braybrook (Image: Supplied)
 
Labor highlights tax cuts in Dunkley campaign, while Liberals go after Albo
ANTON NILSSON

Liberal ads in Dunkley tend to focus on small businesses. But a conservative lobby group supporting the party has taken a more aggressive tactic.

Peter Dutton, Anthony Albanese and campaign advertising for the Dunkley by-election (Images: Meta Ad Library/AAP)
 
Banducci has resigned after an ‘on the record’ bungle. But what does the phrase really mean?
DAANYAL SAEED

It's a term everyone has heard but few truly understand, and it can lead to awkward interactions with journalists and the media.

Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci (Image: AAP/DAN HIMBRECHTS)
 
With billions heading to polls, how will democracy handle the new age of AI?
JAMES HENNESSY

Ask not why people are inclined to believe fake content, but instead why they distrust those telling them it's real.

An AI-generated image of Joe Biden and Donald Trump (Image: Reddit/Midjourney/SonOfQuora)
 
Keating redux: Competition is having a moment with politicians, but powerful enemies are gathering
BERNARD KEANE

While politicians might now be talking about competition, there's a powerful constituency that prefers things just as they are, thanks.

Former prime minister Paul Keating (Image: AAP/Bianca De Marchi)
 
Will Albanese follow the Coalition handbook of staying schtum over on-water matters?
DAANYAL SAEED

Labor came to power promising greater transparency and accountability, but not much has changed in terms of disclosure around maritime arrivals. 

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton shakes hands with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (Image: AAP/Lukas Coch)
 
Culture warriors line up to take credit for Brad Banducci’s self-checkout
CHARLIE LEWIS

Forget Four Corners — according to parts of the media and certain politicians, a certain exhausted word was responsible for Brad Banducci's exit.

Departing Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci and Senator Matt Canavan (Images: AAP/Private Media)