This Month
China premier hits out at Albanese over FIRB laws
In a speech to business leaders, Li Qiang rebuked the prime minister directly over Australia’s tough foreign ownership restrictions.
Trump says he won’t offer further tariff extensions
The US president said new tariff rates will be imposed from August and that he is close to sending a letter to the European Union.
King Charles hosts Macron in London for thorny state visit
The French president arrived in the UK for a tour that will focus on difficult issues such as the war in Ukraine and illegal immigrants.
Europe to stockpile critical minerals due to risk of war
General Carsten Breuer, the German chief of defence, warned last month that Russia could attack an EU member state within the next four years.
‘Rarely ends with words’: Burke’s plea to curb antisemitic attacks
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke calls on communities to intervene when they see signs people may be engaging in bigoted language.
Starmer backs Reeves after tearful Commons episode fuels bonds slump
The UK prime minister says he is ‘in lockstep’ with the chancellor, who will be in the position for a ‘very long time to come’.
Trump announces preliminary trade pact with Vietnam
According to the US president, the deal imposes a 20 per cent tariff on all imports from the Asian nation and a 40 per cent levy on any “transshipping”.
China’s grip on critical minerals revives supply fears at Quad meeting
Australia will work with the US and other Asia-Pacific partners to secure the commodities, even as the Trump administration continues to snub Canberra’s offer.
On big day for his bill, Trump heads to ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
The president’s expedition might have seemed a bit off-piste, but his visit to the detention centre was not without purpose.
‘Rob the poor to pay the rich’: Trump’s big, beautiful act of self-harm
Many Republicans could lose their seats in Congress as a result of the president’s “reverse Robin Hood” budget. The economics is terrible for everyone.
June
Iran could be enriching fuel again in a ‘matter of months’
The chief United Nations nuclear inspector said that the damage to the Islamic Republic’s facilities from the US attacks was “severe” but not “total”.
Republicans split by competing demands as Trump tax bill hits Senate
The president is closely watching the talks, and has been quick to issue a harsh social media broadside to anyone who criticises his signature legislation.
I detest Netanyahu, but on some things he’s actually right
People such as the Israeli leader and Donald Trump, who I generally regard as forces for ill in the world, turn out to be, at least on Iran, forces for good.
Albanese, Chalmers applaud moves to dump US ‘revenge’ tax
The prime minister and the treasurer have been lobbying Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to drop the tax, which threatened the returns of Australian super funds.
Investors’ new theory is nothing ever happens. It’s dumb and genius
For all the incredible drama we’ve seen on the world stage, markets are back near their record levels. Are those who spout this hypothesis actually right?
NATO agrees to Trump demand for bigger 5pc defence spend
The summit was tailored to the US president and his demands for increased defence spending from European allies.
Australia, Europe split over defence spending amid China, Russia risk
Anthony Albanese isn’t attending a summit of the world’s most powerful military alliance despite Europe’s alarm over Beijing’s “rapid” military build-up.
‘Another big success!’: Trump posts private texts from NATO chief
The US president has revealed personal messages from Mark Rutte praising him for his actions in Iran, showing how far world leaders will go to stroke his ego.
Idyllic Gulf expat bubble punctured by missiles
Overseas workers moved to an oasis of prosperity and security, then the explosions started. For many, this is their first experience of a Middle East war.
Trump’s F-bomb shows he still has lessons to learn on the Middle East
Since the rebuke, Iran and Israel’s truce seems to be holding. But peace in that region is never easy and the US president should wait before claiming victory.