This Month
- Opinion
- World politics
Why the world’s leading democracies are in crisis
The majority of G7 governments are now so burdened with domestic political problems that they are incapable of steering their own countries – let alone the free world.
- Gideon Rachman
Biden commutes sentences for 37 out of 40 inmates on federal death row
The move will frustrate Donald Trump’s plan to expand executions. Unlike executive orders, clemency decisions cannot be reversed by a president’s successor.
- Updated
- Nandita Bose
Australian fighter pilot to be extradited over China training claim
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said he considered all evidence before him before deciding father of six Daniel Duggan should face court in the United States.
- Luke Costin and Jacob Shteyman
This pro-Trump ETF just smashed its rivals
An exchange-traded fund created for “flag-waving conservatives” beat its political competitors this year and the benchmark S&P 500.
- Updated
- Saijel Kishan and Jeff Green
Trump hints at change of heart on TikTok ban
The role of the popular social media app in last month’s election victory may have convinced the president-elect to give parent company ByteDance a reprieve.
- Gram Slattery
- Opinion
- Inside China
China’s staggering manufacturing muscle needs to be seen to be believed
Since Trump was last in office, Beijing has doubled down on its efforts to gain global supremacy in electric cars, robots and rare materials. America could be toast if it doesn’t respond.
- Thomas Friedman
How long will Donald Trump’s dream run last?
The president-elect returns to Washington with a huge stock of political capital and a big to-do list.
- Matthew Cranston
- Opinion
- Global economy
Inflation risk crashes into political risk
Market tantrums and the fall in the Australian dollar in response to the US Fed show that next year is likely to be even more volatile.
- Jennifer Hewett
Trump torpedoes funding bill, triggering government shutdown fears
The president-elect has intervened in a bipartisan deal to continue government funding for programs, raising the odds of a federal shutdown before the holidays.
- Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking
As meme coins and bitcoin surge, NFTs have been left behind
While bitcoin has surged to fresh highs in the Trump crypto rally, the price recovery of Bored Apes and other NFT art collections has been much less pronounced.
- Tess Bennett
- Opinion
- Elon Musk
Why Musk has hit payday even before Trump takes office
The Tesla chief executive and other super-wealthy entrepreneurs could benefit from deregulation with the new president, but some are already reaping rewards.
- Edward Luce
Trump won’t torpedo AUKUS subs deal, says Marles
Despite fears the president-elect will cool on the pact as the US struggles to produce enough submarines, the Australian defence minister says he will back the deal.
- Updated
- Hans van Leeuwen
US November retail sales rev higher on new motor vehicles
Retail sales jumped 0.7 per cent last month, more than expected, and October’s sales were revised higher, consistent with the economy’s underlying momentum.
- Lucia Mutikani
‘Libel warfare’: ABC payout to Trump sends chill across US media
There are now fears that Trump, who has threatened libel lawsuits against news media for decades, could use presidential power to muzzle the press.
- Anna Nicolaou, Christopher Grimes and James Politi
US backs Oz firm’s graphite factory to loosen China’s EV grip
The energy department has offered Novonix a $1.2 billion loan to underwrite construction of the first large-scale synthetic graphite facility in North America when complete.
- Nic Fildes and Harry Dempsey
SoftBank woos Trump with $157b investment
The president-elect said he is embraced by business executives as technology leaders and founders flock to Florida ahead of his second term.
- Updated
- Akayla Gardner and Hadriana Lowenkron
Weak consumption drags on China as Trump tariff threat looms
Weaker retail figures come despite a boost from online shopping promotions and government-subsidised trade-in programs that have lifted sales in some sectors.
- Kevin Yao and Ethan Wang
- Opinion
- Middle East conflict
Right’s cancel culture distorts diplomacy
The government is under fierce attack for its UN voting patterns on Gaza, but it is voting in keeping with global norms.
- James Curran
Trump wins $24m defamation payout from ABC America
The outcome of the lawsuit marks an unusual victory for the president-elect in his ongoing legal campaign against national news organisations.
- Michael M. Grynbaum and Alan Feuer
- Opinion
- Crime
Why Luigi Mangione stars in a new era of villainy
What explains the public fascination with the man charged with murdering UnitedHealthcare chief Brian Thompson?
- Jo Ellison