When Pope Francis remarked in a speech earlier this month that surrogate motherhood was a “despicable practice” that should be universally banned, for some, it signalled a backwards step for the Catholic Church.

Only weeks earlier, the global religious leader had allowed same-sex couples to finally receive the blessings of a priest.

But before we write off the pope’s most recent comments, we have to ask ourselves: does he have a point?

Today, surrogate and surrogacy lawyer Sarah Jefford on the ethical minefields, and joys, of surrogacy.

And former religion editor and centre for public christianity’s Barney Zwartz on what we should know of the pope’s statement.

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The Albanese government has announced a review into the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says all options are on the table to force supermarkets to ease cost of living pressures on consumers. Even the option of significant government intervention. 

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Penny Wong copped criticism for her itinerary on her visit to Israel, representing Australia. 

And the Chinese Ambassador gave an interesting press conference in Canberra which took an interesting turn…

Today, chief political correspondent David Crowe, economics correspondent Rachel Clun and foreign affairs correspondent Matthew Knott join Jacqueline Maley on Inside Politics.

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here.

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If you’re getting the feeling that more and more Australians have fallen prey to cyber attackers recently, there’s a reason for that.

The number of hacks has recently grown by 300 per cent in the period of just 12 months.

And the devastation to Australians is multifold. Some have lost tens of thousands of dollars. Others have had deeply private information - including intimate health details, and court testimony they thought was given anonymously - exposed to the world.

Today, technology editor David Swan on who is committing these attacks, and why. And what Australians need to know, to avoid falling victim to one.

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Over the weekend, Taiwan elected a new president. This was a race that was watched incredibly closely by leaders in Washington and Canberra, for the ripple effect that it will have on so much of the world.

Because the president-elect, Lai Ching-te, is precisely the person China didn’t want to win. His campaign was centered on attacks against Beijing, and its plans to unify with the island. 

So, will Taiwan’s new president bring his nation closer to “war and decline”, as China has claimed? 

Today, North Asia correspondent Eryk Bagshaw, on why what happens on a small island half the size of Scotland has the power to affect not only the global economy, but the safety of millions.

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We are now more than 100 days into the war between Israel and Gaza. And as the suffering in Gaza continues to grow - with reports of famine and disease - so too, does the fear that the conflict has gained a new and worrying momentum.

Do the attacks by the United States and the United Kingdom last week on Houthi rebels in Yemen mean we've passed a point of no return with regards to where this conflict could spread?

Today, foreign affairs and national security correspondent, Matthew Knott, on how far this escalation could go. And Israel’s latest challenge - defending itself against allegations of genocide in The Hague.

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The federal government is reviewing the supermarket code of conduct over concerns about the gap between food prices charged by big supermarkets and those paid to farmers. 

While a separate senate inquiry will examine alleged price gouging by Coles and Woolworths in coming months.

Supermarkets have denied accusations of profiteering and say they’re experiencing economy-wide inflationary pressures. 

Today, business columnist Elizabeth Knight what an inquiry may be able to tell us.

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The Victorian government is stuck in limbo after its proposal for a wind turbine production terminal was rejected by federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek who argued the development would harm globally significant wetlands.

The dispute is the latest from a growing list of community and environmental group opposition to offshore wind farms along Australia’s east coast. 

Today, climate and energy correspondent Mike Foley, on how we reconcile both the development of a renewable energy grid, and the preservation of Australia’s critical wildlife and habitat.

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A plane door ripping open mid-flight, leaving a gaping hole thousands of metres above sea level is usually the stuff of nightmares or blockbuster Hollywood movies. But for those on Alaska Airlines flight 1282 last week, that became a reality.

The flight made an emergency return to Portland, where 171 passengers and six crew landed safely. But the incident caused air safety investigations all over the world to probe whether there may be issues with other Boeing aircraft in operation. 

Today, aviation reporter Amelia McGuire on what caused the hole in the Alaska Airlines flight and whether Australians have anything to worry about. 

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We’re days away from the first Republican primary, where in Iowa, Republican party members will nominate their chosen presidential candidate for 2024.

Polls place Donald Trump as the overwhelming front-runner to become the Republican presidential nominee, but Maine and Colorado have found Trump ineligible to run, with challenges pending across the country.

Today, North American correspondent Farrah Tomazin on the Supreme Court ruling on a civil war era provision that could bar Trump from running for presidential nominee.

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When Australia’s lead batsman and first Muslim player Usman Khawaja sought to express his politics on the field, his team and even the prime minister rallied behind him, but he was ultimately reprimanded for it. 

Khawaja wore a black armband during the first Test against Pakistan in Perth in a personal gesture of mourning for children killed in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas conflict. That was after being rejected for wearing shoes with the words ‘All lives are equal’ and ‘Freedom is a human right’ in the colours of the Palestinian flag.

Today, chief cricket writer Daniel Brettig on whether sport and politics can ever be separate. 

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