This Month
Australia’s social media age laws are imminent: what you need to know
Teenagers will soon be subject to new laws to get them off social media, but what is blocked, why are some sites excluded and will the laws work?
The Nationals want to dump net zero. Why that’s harder than it looks
Critics of Australia’s emissions target say it is an expensive handbrake on the country’s prosperity. But abandoning it would not be cost free either.
October
The US military has killed 57 in alleged drug boats. Is it legal?
Donald Trump is not the first president to use military force without approval, but ordering the killing of alleged drug traffickers is uncharted territory.
Mass migration or three-year low? Clearing up the data confusion
The government says net migration is declining, while protesters claim the opposite. Who is right? It comes down to the interpretation of two different ABS measures.
The 3 reasons China has the edge over the US (and the world)
The key to modern manufacturing and defence capability comes down to three industries. And after years of state investment, Beijing has the edge.
Silent siege: how Beijing is coercing Taipei without firing a shot
As Taiwan prepares to celebrate its National Day, China is tightening the screws through military pressure, trade bans, cyberattacks and diplomatic isolation.
How China is trying to take control of iron ore pricing
Beijing’s state-run iron ore giant is flexing its muscles, ordering mills to ditch BHP cargoes and reversing a decade of Australian pricing dominance.
The US government has shut down. Here’s how it could affect you
The average closure lasts eight days, but the last one in Donald Trump’s first term hit a record 34 days. What should we expect this time?
August
Everything you need to know about the productivity roundtable
From tax to AI, here’s what to expect when business, union and political leaders meet in Canberra for the three-day Economic Reform Roundtable.
Explaining the Reserve Bank’s reality check
The RBA’s productivity growth downgrade carries a grim message about our economy. These seven issues addressed by the bank outline why it’s a problem.
July
Why this once obscure piece of data could upend markets
The Federal Reserve meets later this week to decide on interest rates. But there’s one quarterly release from the US Treasury that should have top billing.
What this child’s puzzle tells us about how AI ‘thinks’
Silicon Valley is divided over whether AI chatbots can think. But does the answer matter if they can still do your job?
May
How to tune in on election night, and everything else you need to know
Here’s the rundown on how to tune in on election night, the final polls, and who the newspapers have endorsed.
April
Your iPhone is a target for thieves. Do this to help protect your data
Taking a few precautions, you can dramatically reduce the fallout that comes with a lost or stolen handset.
A closer look at parties’ rival housing policies (and 1 big risk)
Labor and the Coalition have announced big changes aimed at helping first-time buyers. Economists say the opposition’s tax breaks could end up costing more.
March
What I’m watching for in this year’s budget
The Financial Review’s economics editor’s six go-to measures to look for in Tuesday’s budget, which is Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ fourth one and precedes the election.
Victoria’s energy challenge explained (in 7 charts)
The state has been powered by vast reserves of cheap oil, gas and brown coal. But it faces blackouts in coming years – here’s how that happened.
How to get a tax break on your EV before it’s too late
The tax break means car buyers can afford an EV that’s $20,000 more expensive than the petrol version. Here’s how to take advantage of this perk.
February
Trump’s trade war: Who pays? Is it legal? Will Canada go into recession?
Here’s what to know about who pays, whether the tariffs are legal and what the impact may be.
January
How TikTok, YouTube and X police their platforms
Meta will replace its professional fact-checkers with a “community notes” system. How do other social media companies moderate content?