My sincere thanks to all who made a contribution to our June fundraising appeal with the terrific team at the Australian Cultural Fund.

As many will know, we exceeded our target and are looking forward to new and renewed initiatives now made possible. We will have more to say on this in coming weeks. My thanks also to those loyal readers and authors who were not in a position to contribute financially, but who offered practical assistance and sent lovely messages. Your generosity means we can continue to supply independent news and opinion, on issues that really matter.

This morning, the chair of Transparency International Australia, A.J. Brown, marks the second anniversary of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. After a rocky start, he says it’s now on its way to tackling serious integrity issues, but there are hurdles still to overcome. Evan Jones takes a forensic, two-part look [ 1, 2] at media presentation of the Greens on Gaza. Make sure you didn’t miss David Armstrong’s detailed analysis of what’s what in Asia this fortnight – from US tariff deals for Japan, India and Vietnam to the Dalai Lama’s succession plans.

Later this week, don’t miss Noel Turnbull’s detailed look at Pew research indicating a significant global downturn in views of Israel and steeper declines for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Erica Cervini will offer her view on the passionate debate about whether Australia should legalise commercial surrogacy. An Australian Law Reform Commission issues paper released last week raises a range of serious issues. The final report is due to be submitted to the attorney-general in 12 months. Pearls and Irritations will take part in this important national conversation.

Robert Mickens, who will be familiar to many readers for his Letter from Rome, is one of the best commentators on Catholic and papal politics and this week he digs into the deeply mysterious process of saint-making. Also, Eugene Doyle marks 40 years since the bombing of Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior, and much more.

Until next week.