Today
UK vows to spend 5 per cent of GDP by 2035 to hit NATO goal
The new promise marks a significant increase on the government’s current plans, to reach 2.6 per cent – including intelligence spending – by 2027.
This Month
Trump would love to target the Federal Reserve as well as Iran
The president sounds as angry with Jerome Powell as with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But what he decides to do about Iran will come much sooner than a Fed rate cut.
G7 summit opens with a focus on trade, wars — and not riling Trump
If there is a shared mission at this year’s G7 summit, in Canada’s Rocky Mountains, it is a desire to minimise any fireworks at a moment of combustible tensions.
Why Israel attacked Iran, and what to watch for next
After decades of tension, a shift in the conflict between the Jewish state and Islamic Republic to open warfare is now be a real possibility.
How AI guided Ukraine’s drones to hit Russian airfields
The daring operation this month against four air bases in Russia highlighted the devastating effects of a technological race being shaped by AI.
OECD: US growth to slow to 1.6pc this year, hobbled by trade wars
Global trade and the economic outlook have been clouded by Donald Trump’s sweeping taxes on imports, and the unpredictable way he’s rolled them out.
US to support Indo-Pacific allies against ‘imminent’ China threat: Hegseth
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reassured allies in the Indo-Pacific that they will not be left alone to face increasing military and economic pressure from China.
May
Kremlin says Trump has ‘emotional overload’ in latest war of words
The US president called the Russian president ‘absolutely crazy’, but Vladimir Putin’s spokesman suggested Trump was suffering “emotional overload”.
‘I wanted to show her how tall I’d grown’: A Ukrainian family reunited
Despite little progress in recent ceasefire talks, Ukraine and Russia are stepping up prisoner swaps. The best part of these is often seeing families reunited. Special correspondent Jack Wright reports.
Ritual, symbol and a popemobile tour mark Leo’s inaugural Mass
Pope Leo XIV launched the celebration with a rite of passage that has become synonymous with the papacy’s global reach.
‘Putin overplayed his hand’: Ukraine dares to hope war’s end in sight
Buoyed by more weapons support from Europe and a shift in US thinking, Ukrainians are looking to talks between Volodymyr Zelensky and a Russian delegation.
Follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen – and stay in her former home
Throughout the year of the author’s 250th birthday, the British spa town of Bath is celebrating its place as an Austen-lovers paradise.
Eurovision fans find Swiss franc’s latest surge hits a sour note
With the Swiss franc’s gains over the years, prices on the ground in Basel potentially make it one of the most expensive destinations in the event’s history.
US-China talks seek to save face, and their economies
Tariff negotiations between the two superpowers this weekend offer the prospect of retreat from a full-on trade war. But will the market’s sense of relief prove premature?
April
Chalmers announces $7.2b in savings to pay for spending spree
Treasurer Jim Chalmers provided an update to Labor’s election costings; Dutton says some veterans don’t want a Welcome to Country ceremony on Anzac Day. See how the day unfolded here.
Putin declares one-day Easter ceasefire, then breaks it
Shortly after the announcement, air raid sirens rang out in Kyiv. Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the plan as “yet another attempt by Putin to play with human lives”.
Trump says US will ‘100 per cent’ strike trade deal with EU
The US president raised hopes of a breakthrough during an Oval Office meeting with Italy’s leader Giorgia Meloni, whom he has called “a wonderful woman”.
Russian missiles kill more than 30 in Palm Sunday attack
Images from the scene showed lines of black body bags on the side of the road, while more bodies were seen wrapped in foil blankets among the debris.
Meet the train fanatic making global rail travel a whole lot easier
The founder of the online guide seat61.com, Mark Smith has turned his singular passion for train travel into a worldwide resource.
March
Is KKR’s bad bet on cycling the start of Europe’s private equity reckoning?
As one of the first pandemic era purchases to go into a full restructuring, Accell may be the canary in the European coal mine for a crop of PE deals struck at high valuations.