Today
- Opinion
- Russia-Ukraine war
Trump just handed Putin the biggest victory of all
The phone call between the leaders about a Ukraine peace deal is a big win for Vladimir Putin’s world view. He believes Ukraine should be frozen out of discussions.
- Roland Oliphant
- Analysis
- Population
Single this Valentine’s Day? You’re not alone
The central demographic story of modern times is rising rates of singledom; the data suggests there’s a global relationship recession among young adults.
- John Burn-Murdoch
- Analysis
- AI
AI regulation is like trying to install seat belts on a passing Lamborghini
The biggest surprise of the artificial intelligence summit in Paris has been that policymakers can’t grasp how soon powerful systems could arrive, or how disruptive they could be.
- Updated
- Kevin Roose
Yesterday
Trump relegated to Oval Office sidekick as Musk takes charge
The president added his approvals as he let Elon Musk expound on his plans to overhaul the government, in an extraordinary appearance.
- Maggie Haberman, Theodore Schleifer and Zolan Kanno-Youngs
- Analysis
- Culture wars
Justified or double standard? Sam Kerr loses the culture war
A jury unanimously decided Kerr was not guilty of a racial offence. But the court of public opinion remains divided: is it racist to use “white” as an insult?
- Hans van Leeuwen
This Month
- Analysis
- AI
Musk probably won’t take over OpenAI, but investors should still worry
Elon Musk’s attempts to buy OpenAI is the latest in a flood of potentially market-shaking events, which make the fortunes of the world’s biggest companies anyone’s guess.
- Paul Smith
- Analysis
- Trade wars
Why China is to blame for Trump’s metals tariffs
Existing American taxes already restrict steel and aluminium shipments from the Asian nation, which is now flooding other markets with its exports instead.
- Updated
- Keith Bradsher
- Analysis
- Sketch
The question time tactic that left Labor MPs visibly shocked
For months, Coalition MPs have accused the Albanese government of playing down violent acts of antisemitism. On Monday, Mark Dreyfus was jack of it.
- Ronald Mizen
- Analysis
- Carbon challenge
Australia is throwing away a $600b carbon capture opportunity
Australia is rapidly losing ground in carbon capture and storage, putting at risk the net zero emissions by 2050 and forfeiting a $600 billion opportunity.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
- Analysis
- Trump's White House
Elon Musk’s ultimate goal becomes clear
The defenestration of the federal workforce could clear the way for Trump and Musk to cancel federal spending or eliminate agencies without Congress approval.
- Jeff Stein, Elizabeth Dwoskin, Hannah Natanson and Jonathan O'Connell
- Analysis
- AUKUS
Trump has 500 million reasons to back AUKUS. It might not be enough
The new Pentagon chief has shut down one avenue of criticism of AUKUS but pitfalls remain.
- Andrew Tillett
- Analysis
- Federal election
Labor’s worst fears confirmed, Greens get another reality check
If the Werribee swing was replicated uniformly in Victoria at the federal election, Labor would lose about 11 seats.
- Phillip Coorey
- Analysis
- Federal election
Inside the money machine: what happens at a political fundraiser
Politicians may be reluctant to draw back the curtain. But with so many attendees, it’s hard to keep this business secret.
- Myriam Robin
- Analysis
- The Breakdown
Amazon CEO explains why he’s happy to run DeepSeek
Andy Jassy rushed to make DeepSeek’s open-source models available to his customers, in a move that will put downward pressure on the total costs of AI projects.
- Tess Bennett
- Analysis
- Tax reform
‘It’s not 2022 anymore’: How teal MPs are reshaping their pitch
The shift in language from teal MPs to focus more on hip pocket issues such as tax over the past year tells a story about a changing political landscape.
- Ronald Mizen
- Analysis
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Ethnic cleansing or real estate grab? Trump launches Gaza gamble
Bold, insanity, a money grab. Take your pick as to how to describe Donald Trump’s plan to “own” Gaza.
- Andrew Tillett
- Analysis
- Trade wars
China’s Xi plays cool hand in Trump’s tariff war
The presidents face off in trade negotiations, but Beijing’s measured response to new levies shows just how much it has learned since last time.
- Jessica Sier
- Analysis
- The Breakdown
Google playing catch-up on the hottest AI consumer trend of the year
AI agents can take over consumers’ web browsers to order groceries or book a restaurant for dinner. Google says its assistant is coming later this year.
- Tess Bennett
- Analysis
- Trump's America
Trump shows signs of being a paper tiger on tariffs
The president’s pause on tariffs feeds his growing reputation for stopping short of his bombast when it comes to trade, using the levies as a negotiating ploy.
- Josh Wingrove and Jenny Leonard
- Analysis
- Trade wars
The statistic Australia will use to avoid Trump’s tariffs
Since 1952, Australia has imported more from the US than it has exported, in a relationship that generates America’s fourth-largest surplus with its trade partners.
- Michael Read