USA
California wharf collapses after heavy surf from major storm
Three people were plunged into the sea after residents were warned to stay away from low-lying areas near the beaches.
- by Martha Mendoza and Stefanie Dazio
Latest
Biden commutes sentences of 37 inmates on death row
The order, made four weeks before he hands over power to Donald Trump, does not apply to cases of terrorism or hate-motivated mass murder.
Exclusive
Defence
Wife claims government buried decision on extradition of ex-fighter pilot to US
Seven months after Daniel Duggan lost his two-year legal battle to stay, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has approved the request to send him to the US.
- by James Massola and William Davis
Updated
Crime
‘One of the most depraved crimes’: Woman burnt to death on New York subway
Police have arrested a man suspected of intentionally setting a woman on fire after she fell asleep on a stationary train.
- by Susan Haigh
Opinion
Productivity
America and Australia tell a tale of two pandemics, and their political outcomes
While Australians challenged fireworks cancellations last week, the richest man in the world was busy lobbying America’s president-elect for a shutdown.
- by Sean Kelly
Health problems in the US, and the repercussions
Jacqueline Maley’s excellent analysis covers parts of the utterly broken system in the US that Luigi Mangione experienced in a failed healthcare system,
Trump taps TV’s Apprentice producer Mark Burnett as special envoy to the UK
The posting continues the president-elect’s trend of filling his incoming administration with people who have high-profile backgrounds in television or politics.
- by Will Weissert
The improbable island that’s just a one-hour ride from LA
Take part in a curious nature-watching tour that resembles an African safari, with 13 passengers in a converted Hummer vehicle that has ascending rows of seats.
- by Tim Richards
Updated
US politics
Congress approves funding bill, ignoring Trump demand over shutdown
Donald Trump urged the US government shutdown to “start now”, but a bipartisan a deal was approved by Republicans and Democrats alike at the last minute.
- by Lisa Mascaro, Farnoush Amiri and Matt Brown
Analysis
US politics
Musk helped kill a bill. But much of what he spread was misinformation
The X owner, an unelected figure, not only used his outsize influence on the platform to help sway the US Congress, he did so without regard for the facts.
- by Melissa Goldin
Of America’s two most famous ski towns, which one is the best?
We put two of North America’s glitziest ski towns up against each other in an alpine battle royale.
- by Steve Madgwick
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/united-states-of-america-gd5