Yesterday
- Analysis
- Energy transition
No-shows and early exits make climate talks a sideshow
The world leaders who skipped Baku last week are all in Brazil now. While COPs are always fraught and fractious, this one feels at risk of sliding into irrelevance.
- Updated
- Hans van Leeuwen
This Month
- Analysis
- Antisemitism
The meaning of Amsterdam’s ‘Jew Hunt’
Recent street violence in Amsterdam reveals profound changes in how the left and right deal with antisemitism. For European Jews, it’s a strange new world.
- Hans van Leeuwen
Oil and gas are ‘a gift of God’: COP29 leader
The Azerbaijan president’s opening speech was a striking start to the climate summit, already marred by uncertainty and absenteeism.
- Hans van Leeuwen
Why no one is turning up to this year’s climate summit
COP29 is meant to land a $US1 trillion deal to fund poor nations’ fight against climate change. But political and business leaders are a widespread no-show.
- Hans van Leeuwen
- Analysis
- US Votes 2024
Starmer, like Albo, faces a tricky task with Trump
Both left-wing leaders have to ensure political divergence does not disturb the US alliance. But Sir Keir has a particular problem: his name is Nigel Farage.
- Hans van Leeuwen
How Trump’s win could reshape the world’s biggest war zones
“I’m going to stop wars,” the president-elect said in his victory speech. In Ukraine, Russia and the Middle East, reactions ranged from wary optimism to a truculent shrug.
- Hans van Leeuwen
Israel defence minister unexpectedly sacked
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the popular Yoav Gallant have repeatedly been at odds throughout the war against Hamas in Gaza.
- Updated
Germany’s government at risk of collapse over economic policy
The main political parties are already laying out their campaign positions, and coalition leaders are barely talking.
- Steven Erlanger and Christopher F. Schuetze
Britain’s first black party leader is an anti-woke warrior
Kemi Badenoch won the protracted Conservative Party leadership contest, and has until 2029 to craft a pitch to defeat Labour.
- Hans van Leeuwen
- Opinion
- US Votes 2024
Does Putin want Trump to win?
The Russian leader was probably joking, or bluffing, when he said he supported Kamala Harris. But the second coming of Donald Trump won’t be easy either.
- Hans van Leeuwen
October
UK Labour budget smashes record for highest tax take in modern history
A blockbuster $79 billion taxation slug indicates Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s hope that ailing public services can be fixed before the 2029 election.
- Hans van Leeuwen
Japan PM vows to stay on after losing majority
Public support for the LDP has nosedived after revelations last year that members were secretly enriching themselves with funds from supporters.
- Updated
- Jessica Sier
Chalmers prepares for US tariffs and debt burden
The treasurer said he was working on scenarios for potential changes in America during and after its presidential election.
- Matthew Cranston
Britain’s PM reels after Trump attacks his Labour Party
The Republican campaign filed a complaint about UK volunteers working for Kamala Harris. It may be a tactical gambit but risks harming relations, even AUKUS.
- Updated
- Hans van Leeuwen
Australia’s latest hot export to Europe isn’t a product. It’s an idea
The rise of populist parties and the struggle to deter, process or deport illegal migrants has pushed Europe ever closer to Australia’s Nauru solution.
- Hans van Leeuwen
North Korean troops could turn Ukraine into ‘world war’, Zelensky says
The leaders of Ukraine and NATO welcomed Australia’s gift of tanks, as a ministerial summit fretted about Chinese and North Korean involvement.
- Hans van Leeuwen
- Analysis
- UK leadership
For a politician, Boris Johnson makes a very good journalist
‘Unleashed’ is a disarmingly self-deprecating tale of an eventful British decade. His observations aren’t always reliable, but they’re sharp and illuminating.
- Hans van Leeuwen
- Updated
- Middle East conflict
Biden, Netanyahu speak as Israel readies ‘lethal, precise’ attack plan
The two leaders were in discussions for the first time in almost two months as the IDF continued to press hard against Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
- Matthew Cranston and Hans van Leeuwen
Netanyahu defiant as Middle East braces
Benjamin Netanyahu is set to speak with US President Joe Biden over his retaliation plans against Iran amid fears of a widening war.
- Hans van Leeuwen
Israel takes fire on three fronts on anniversary of Hamas massacre
As the world commemorated the terrorist attack that triggered the conflict, rockets rained down on Israel from Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen.
- Updated
- Hans van Leeuwen and Matthew Cranston