This Month
Why Trump is picking on Brazil – and how it could backfire
The US president is using tariffs, not just for building domestic manufacturing capacity, but for whatever takes his fancy. And boy does he fancy strongmen.
EU warns of retaliation over Trump’s 30pc tariffs
The US president has issued new threats against trading partners in letters posted to social media, as the giant European bloc mulls retaliations.
Xi is duchessing Albanese while Trump ignores him
Anthony Albanese’s highly choreographed visit to China showcases the lack of a similar invitation – or enthusiasm – from the Trump White House.
June
Why Brazil is too big and too important for Australia to ignore
Amid a shifting global order, expanding international ambitions and a tricky domestic balancing act, Brazil could have a greater impact on Australia than many realise.
How Russia used Brazil to create deep-cover spies
Elite intelligence officers started businesses, made friends and had love affairs – events that, over many years, became the building blocks of entirely new identities.
January
It’s their world now. The rise of Trump’s right across the globe
As he takes power, the president boasts of an international group of right-wing proxies with equally provocative styles and a hostility towards migrants and “wokery”.
Why this country thinks it will have to bring back daylight saving
Authorities in Brazil nearly brought back daylight saving late last year to conserve energy amid a historic drought that had threatened hydroelectric power generation.
December 2024
Biden (not Trump) has weakened America’s rule of law
In pardoning his son, the president has ensured that the distance between himself and Trump is now shrouded in fog.
March 2024
Narendra Modi figures out what Trump never has
Alone among strongmen, the Indian PM now concentrates on broadening support rather than just stoking the resentments of his base.
July 2023
Brazil to launch multibillion-dollar green transition
Investors welcome the bold environmentalist program proposed by left-wing president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
JBS Australia prepares for 1500 Brazilians
Wait until you hear of the good deeds of JBS Without Borders’ roving abattoir workers.
Brazil court bars Bolsonaro from elections until 2030
The decision upends the political future of the 68-year-old far-right former president, likely erasing any chance for him to regain power.
January 2023
Can Lula put Brazilian democracy back together again?
From the military to the Supreme Court, many of the country’s institutions are creaking under accusations of divided loyalties.
Brazil government acts against Bolsonaro backers, new protest fizzles
Mass demonstrations proposed on pro-Bolsonaro social media to “retake power” failed to materialise.
Rioters arrested, now Brazil goes after security officials
The nation’s top officials have turned their focus to the political and business elites suspected of inspiring, organising or aiding the rioters.
Bolsonaro in Florida hospital, supporters detained after riots
President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva accused rioters of trying to overthrow democracy and questioned why the army had not discouraged calls for a military coup outside their barracks.
Insurrection in Brazil raises questions over loyalty of security forces
Sunday’s storming of government buildings was their first big test under Lula. More will follow.
Assault on presidential palace, congress challenges Brazil’s democracy
The siege in Brazil’s political capital suggests a spreading plague of far-right disrupters in Western democracies, as hardliners radicalised by incendiary political rhetoric refuse to accept election losses.
Pro-Bolsonaro protesters storm Brazil’s Congress, Supreme Court
Thousands of demonstrators also invaded the presidential palace in scenes reminiscent of the January 6 attacks on the US Capitol.
Lula becomes Brazil’s president, with Bolsonaro in Florida
Mr Bolsonaro was supposed to pass Lula the presidential sash, an important symbol of the peaceful transition of power in a nation where many people still recall the 21-year military dictatorship that ended in 1985.