Yesterday
How the LA fires became part of the culture wars
The hunt for blame has quickly turned into a Democrat v Republican, left versus right row, taking in everything from smelt fish to “woke” diversity policies.
- Benedict Smith and Susie Coen
‘Go back to South Africa’: Steve Bannon slams Elon Musk
In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, the right-wing firebrand said the billionaire should be denied access to the West Wing.
- Jeff Stein
This Month
- Opinion
- The AFR View
LA burning a reminder that climate action matters to Australia
In a hotter world, the risk of more common, more extreme weather is part of the prudent economic case for improving the environment.
- The AFR View
Like Elon Musk, Jane Hume wants to make government more efficient
Hume says her approach as a finance minister would be more efficient government and restoring a deregulation agenda for business across a suite of policy areas.
- John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Donald Trump
Who can best manage Trump – Albanese or Dutton?
Instead of caution and guile from Canberra, we have the absurd posturing of the prime minister and opposition leader on who is best fitted to influence the mad king.
- James Curran
Elon Musk blames female firefighters, DEI for LA disaster
The billionaire’s use of X to stoke partisan outrage about the disaster underscores how the platform has transformed into a megaphone for his political views.
- Updated
- Pranshu Verma, Will Oremus and Trisha Thadani
- Analysis
- World politics
The art of dealing with Donald Trump
The president-elect’s aggressive claims about potential territorial expansion are a crash course for allies in his negotiating tactics.
- Alex Rogers, Felicia Schwartz and Lucy Fisher
- Opinion
- Social media
Meta’s fact-check shift just confirms big tech’s cultural rethink
Mark Zuckerberg’s about-face on free speech is consistent with trends in US-based companies against a background of deepening polarisation and social division.
- Patrick Langrell
- Analysis
- Social media
A ‘new era’: Inside Mark Zuckerberg’s Trump reset
Meta and its chief executive have come full circle on content moderation, taking advantage of Donald Trump’s tech-friendly approach to loosen the reins.
- Amelia McGuire
Trump 2.0 has business racing to ditch diversity and climate goals
Corporates face a new reality – one where they stand to benefit immensely, as long as they don’t cross the White House. Australian companies are taking notice.
- Mark Wembridge
Elon Musk goes large in Europe
Musk has money, a pulpit, and the imprimatur of the White House. But does he actually have a plan for remaking Europe? If not, there are other Trumpians who do.
- Hans van Leeuwen
Musk hosts German far-right leader on X, stirs election meddling angst
In a wide-ranging, sometimes stilted conversation, the billionaire and chancellor candidate Alice Weidel agreed that the AfD was the answer.
- Sarah Marsh and Thomas Escritt
Musk ‘discussed removing Starmer from No 10’
UK Labour MPs believe that Elon Musk’s attacks on Sir Keir “probably help” the embattled prime minister.
- Genevieve Holl-Allen and Dominic Penna
Telstra moves to overtake Optus in race to plug into Musk’s Starlink
Telstra is hoping to steal a march on its rival, signing a new deal with SpaceX to connect its mobile customers to the billionaire’s satellite network.
- Tess Bennett
- Updated
- International affairs
Europe talks tough on Trump’s Greenland ambitions and Musk’s X posts
France’s foreign minister warns Trump could usher in a ‘survival of the fittest’ world, but the Danes are eager to hose things down.
- Updated
- Hans van Leeuwen
- Opinion
- UK politics
Elon Musk, the most powerful troll on Earth, targets the UK
As the world’s richest man and a member of Trump’s team, Musk has enormous influence, and his admirers in both America and Britain have taken up the cause.
- Michelle Goldberg
- Opinion
- International affairs
Musk is at war with America’s allies, quiet on its enemies
The Trump administration’s antipathy towards European liberal democracy is real. The eastern side of the Atlantic alliance thus faces a journey without maps.
- Edward Luce
- Analysis
- World politics
Why has Elon Musk reignited debate over the UK rape gangs scandal?
The mercurial billionaire and Donald Trump confidant has claimed on X that “hundreds of thousands” of “little British girls” were targeted for gang rape and murder. What’s behind these claims?
- Anna Gross and Jennifer Williams
Starmer leads European pushback against ‘troll’ Musk
The leaders of Germany, France and the UK have all railed gainst the increasingly punchy political interventions from the X owner and Donald Trump confidant.
- Hans van Leeuwen
Canada PM Justin Trudeau expected to announce resignation
The announcement could be made on Tuesday AEDT, according to local media; Anthony Albanese confirms he will not call election this weekend. Here’s how the day unfolded.
- Updated
- Lucy Slade