agency closureWorldThe closure, which comes after moves by Elon Musk’s DOGE to exert control over the foreign-aid organisation, raise questions about whether he’ll follow a similar blueprint to close other agencies.
Michael R. Gordon and Ken Thomas
EXCLUSIVENationJacinta Nampijinpa Price says she will follow the principles of Margaret Thatcher in helping the Coalition give ‘power back to the people by implementing small government’.
The Weekend Australian MagazineFor all his trillions and SpaceX toys under development, Elon cannot escape the gravitational pull of mortality or the feeling of dread that fills the soul when contemplating the cold mechanics of the universe.
RoboticsTechnologyElon Musk says ‘there is a path for Tesla to becoming the most valuable company in the world’ as it ramps up production on self-driving cars and humanoid robots.
‘as soon as possible’WorldUS President Donald Trump said Elon Musk’s company will ‘soon’ begin a mission to repatriate the two astronauts who have been stranded for months on the International Space Station.
AFP
EditorialAustralian voters want strong leadership and substance.
Editorial
Breaking NewsPeter Dutton’s second-in-command has made a curious comparison during an Australia Day speech in her electorate.
Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer
team ‘strengthened’NationOpposition Indigenous Australians spokeswoman Jacinta Nampijinpa Price will take on an extra role as ‘government efficiency’ spokeswoman – evoking Elon Musk’s role under the US Trump administration.
AnalysisThe TimesIt’s been a good week for Elon Musk, TikTok and rioters, less so for migrants, civil servants and Mexico.
Hugh Tomlinson
Albatross dealThe Wall Street JournalThe banks have waited – and waited – for the window to sell without huge losses as platform owner Elon Musk tells staff that X is ‘barely breaking even’.
Justin Baer and Alexander Saeedy. Alexa Corse
The Weekend Australian MagazineThey’re the bane of summer days at the beach. But who knew bluebottles were so beautiful, and so interesting?
‘tensions’The Wall Street JournalBiotech-company founder departs DOGE after his goal of trimming regulations was overtaken by Musk’s priority of cutting spending.
Ken Thomas and John McCormick
Electric vehiclesTechnologyTesla’s Cybertruck has become America’s fifth most popular electric vehicle but overall 2024 was a disappointing year for the Elon Musk-helmed company.
TECH TUSSLEWorldWorld’s richest man casts doubt on the funding for the much-heralded $US500bn Stargate project in a continuing spat with the ChatGPT chief executive.
AFP
Trump presidencyThe WorldDonald Trump says unless Moscow moves to end the war with Ukraine he’ll impose tariffs and sanctions on Russia; Elon Musk pours cold water on the Stargate AI project.
Agencies
explainerUS PoliticsAt a post-inauguration rally, Elon Musk twice made a militaristic gesture, extending his arm with his palm face down, which led to a storm of fury as onlookers compared it to the Nazi salute.
Staff writers
Power and influenceUS PoliticsThe world’s three richest people were given prime positions at the US President’s inauguration, marking a dramatic shift from Silicon Valley’s hostile response to his first term.
AFP
‘worn out his welcome’WorldAmid reports of tensions with Elon Musk, the White House confirmed Vivek Ramaswamy has left the Department of Government Efficiency to campaign to be governor of Ohio.
Staff writers
Elon Musk and Peter Thiel will no doubt be in President Trump’s ear about the failures of US defence. Hopefully our government can listen in.
CES 2025TechnologyElectronics titans have tried for years to crack the home robot market, but one company thinks it finally has made the perfect one that will be big business.
BusinessNobody knows if the Musk-Trump relationship will work, but if it does the Western world will become a very different place.
Cosmic rivalryWorldElon Musk’s space company was conducting the seventh flight of its Starship rocket when the mishap occurred.
Micah Maidenberg
TRAVELNewsWireThe modern space race is causing headaches for Australian travellers at much lower altitudes, and billionaire Elon Musk is at the heart of it.
LEGAL FIGHTThe TimesChinese officials are reportedly considering selling the video-sharing app to the X owner or another entrepreneur they trust to stop its closure in the US.
Richard Spencer
telecommunicationsPoliticsLabor has blamed the Coalition’s ‘unreliable’ copper NBN for scores of Australians switching to Elon Musk’s Starlink, warning the foreign-owned network was a ‘risk’ in areas where there was no credible alternative.
newsNewsWireAnthony Albanese has been urged to partner with Elon Musk’s Starlink service to boost the National Broadband Network’s capabilities.
ExclusiveAviationQantas says it has no choice but to delay its direct flights to South Africa due to the potential impact of flying debris from Elon Musk’s SpaceX rockets.
Power or legacyThe TimesInsiders reveal the moods and methods of Donald Trump’s ‘first buddy’ — as we track his increasing fixation on Keir Starmer and visualise his inner circle.
Hugh Tomlinson
telecommunicationsTechnologyThe nation’s largest telco is working with Elon Musk’s Starlink to allow rural Australian customers in isolated areas to send text messages via satellites.
Free speechTechnologyThe CEO of Elon Musk’s X says ‘legacy’ news media has become ‘almost a fan service’ as she welcomes Meta’s decision to call time on fact-checking.