Yesterday
Assad’s wife given ‘50/50 chance’ of survival as leukaemia returns
Asma al-Assad is thought to have flown to Moscow for treatment some time before the Kremlin persuaded her husband to flee in the face of lightning rebel advances.
- Updated
- Ben Farmer
This Month
On the brink: What’s going on in Germany, Canada and South Korea?
As Germany heads towards a caretaker government, Canada’s Trudeau faces a grave challenge and South Korea’s president is realising how much trouble a handbag can carry.
‘We need time’: Syrians in Europe resist calls to return home
Those who fled the 13-year civil war pointed to the political uncertainty after a rebel offensive swept into Damascus over the weekend.
- Laura Pitel, Eleni Varvitsioti and Amy Kazmin
Netanyahu set to take the stand in long-running corruption trial
The Israeli prime minister is accused of accepting tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of cigars and champagne from a billionaire Hollywood producer.
- Tia Goldenberg
No dinner with Putin, but Assad will not lack for luxury in Moscow
Nothing has been seen of the murderous Syrian tyrant since he fled Damascus, but he joins a dubious list of pro-Kremlin former dictators living in Moscow.
- James Kilner
November
Australia to escape Trump trade war – and may even benefit
Australia is unlikely to be hit with tariffs because of a US trade surplus, but it faces secondary impacts, says former US trade official Sarah Bianchi.
- Matthew Cranston and Michael Read
John Kehoe spots a bear (the grizzly kind). Here’s what he learnt
A three-night stay in a wilderness lodge off Canada’s south-west coast is a stunning way to connect – with nature, not the internet.
- Updated
- John Kehoe and Jennifer Palmer
October
- Updates
- Middle East conflict
Australia condemns Israel’s ban on UN aid agency UNRWA
Australia has joined international condemnation of Israel over its efforts to nobble top UN body that looks after almost 6 million Palestinian refugees.
- Updated
- Andrew Tillett
Turkey strikes Kurdish targets following deadly attack on defence firm
The defence ministry said more than 30 targets were “destroyed” in the aerial offensive, without providing details on the locations that were hit.
- Suzan Fraser
RBA left behind as central banks unleash jumbo rate cuts
Canada is the next in line to slash rates this week as policymakers take more aggressive action to arrest rapidly slowing growth. It’s a very different story in Australia.
- Cecile Lefort
Trudeau describes failed bid at quiet diplomacy with Modi over murder
The Canadian prime minister told a judicial inquiry into foreign interference that he tried to avoid a diplomatic blow-up over the killing of a Sikh activist last year.
- Brian Platt
Why you would go skiing in Whistler in spring
Fewer crowds, great restaurants and a private art collection offer much to explore in this ski town in April. That’s in addition to great snow.
- Carrie LaFrenz
Germany ‘reopens old wounds’ with border checks
There are fears for the future of Schengen and the freedom of movement it symbolises – regarded by EU citizens as one of the greatest accomplishments of European unity.
- Guy Chazan, Laura Dubois and Raphael Minder
Israel widens Lebanon strikes as it weighs Iran retaliation
The Israel Defence Forces said its air force attacked Hezbollah infrastructure across Beirut and other parts of Lebanon, adding to days of airstrikes.
- Maya Gebeily and Laila Bassam
- Opinion
- Middle East tensions
Iran is playing its last few cards as its missiles strike Israel
Iran has little chance of defeating Israel in an all-out war. Tehran is in no position to dictate terms, and it knows it.
- Patrick Gibbons
Canada’s housing affordability crisis to linger ‘for a decade’
Interest rates are just one factor keeping Canadians out of housing and cheaper money alone won’t shift the dial, experts say.
- Promit Mukherjee
September
Canada, Mexico target Asian LNG markets while US projects paused
America’s trade pact partners are taking advantage of a White House freeze on new permits to compete on gas exports.
- Alexandra White and Shotaro Tani
Brookfield’s Healthscope deal leaves a sick feeling
A weakened Healthscope is the face of the backlash agitating for more funding from the private health insurers.
- Jemima Whyte
Scholz alliance humbled as populists surge in regional votes
With a year to go until Germany’s national election, the results are punishing for Olaf Scholz’s federal coalition.
- Updated
- Michael Nienaber and Arne Delfs
August
Risk of broader Middle East war has eased: top US general
But Iran still poses a significant danger as it weighs a strike on Israel, says Air Force General C.Q. Brown
- Phil Stewart