US Republicans lick wounds after losing fight
![John Kehoe John Kehoe](/web/20131022024956im_/http://m.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/SysConfig/WebPortal/afr/_files/images/columns/john_kehoe.png)
No winners emerged from the farcical 16-day political impasse in Washington that finally ended last week, though there was one clear loser: the Republican Party.
Zahra’s departure inspires rethink at DJs
![Chanticleer Chanticleer](/web/20131022024956im_/http://m.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/SysConfig/WebPortal/afr/_files/images/columns/chanticleer.png)
In the end it was the relentless pressure that became too much for Paul Zahra.
It’s time for car makers to stand on their own two feet
![Ben Potter Ben Potter](/web/20131022024956im_/http://m.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/SysConfig/WebPortal/afr/_files/images/columns/ben_potter.png)
When the late, great Labor industry minister John Button sought to soften the blow of tariff cuts for Australia’s uncompetitive car makers in the late 1980s with direct subsidies, he saw it as a temporary down payment on an industry that could stand on its own two feet.
Windows 8.1 lets the desktop team down
![Windows 8.1 lets the desktop team down](/web/20131022024956im_/http://m.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Web/Library/Editorial/Columnists/john_davidson.png)
The Windows 8.1 was meant to be the version of Windows 8 where Microsoft listened to all the public’s complaints about Windows 8, and addressed them.
US looks good, but serious doubts remain
![US looks good, but serious doubts remain](/web/20131022024956im_/http://m.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2013/10/20/Photos/0d3fce54-39d6-11e3-a334-c26c4e617206_karen_maley--90x110.png)
Investors’ deep-seated faith in the ability of central banks to keep markets perpetually levitating looks set to be tested in coming days, after global sharemarkets bolted to record levels last week.
Contrarians lock in profits is share rally does not last
![John Wasiliev John Wasiliev](/web/20131022024956im_/http://m.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/SysConfig/WebPortal/afr/_files/images/columns/john_wasiliev.png)
While some pundits are tipping smooth sailing ahead for the Australian sharemarket for the rest of 2013, others are concerned that possible profit taking or more subdued activity could temper such positive views.
AiG’s Willox challenges government at gas conference
![Matthew Stevens Matthew Stevens](/web/20131022024956im_/http://m.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/SysConfig/WebPortal/afr/_files/images/columns/matthew_stevens.png)
The inadequate approval process that saw governments state and commonwealth approve $80 billion of export gas terminals at Gladstone have left domestic customers exposed to rare cost and supply risk and the nation’s taxpayers really should pay the price of that failure.
Holy spirit! Parliament House goes Papal
![Holy spirit! Parliament House goes Papal](/web/20131022024956im_/http://m.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Web/Library/Editorial/Columnists/joe_aston.png)
Catholic is soooo hot right now, apparently...
How the world wearied of ‘too big to fail’ regulations
![How the world wearied of ‘too big to fail’ regulations](/web/20131022024956im_/http://m.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2013/10/21/Photos/fa13b586-3a1e-11e3-a334-c26c4e617206_Howard_Davies_web--90x110.png)
The troubles of JPMorgan, and its $US13 billion fine, have reopened the debate on what to do with banks that are too big to fail.
Treasury changes its tune on FTA investor-state provision
![Treasury changes its tune on FTA investor-state provision](/web/20131022024956im_/http://m.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2013/10/21/Photos/8bf18280-3a1a-11e3-a334-c26c4e617206_Alan_Oxley--90x110.png)
The free-trade agreement most likely to deliver an early harvest for the Abbott government is the one with South Korea. It will protect Australia’s $650 million beef export trade against American competition and expand trade with Korea.
Trade threatens to split Coalition
![Trade threatens to split Coalition](/web/20131022024956im_/http://m.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Web/Library/Editorial/Columnists/richard-denniss.png)
The issues of coal seam gas and free trade are combining to create a perfect storm for the National Party, and in turn, the Coalition government.
Preparing for the fire season, and other dangers
![Preparing for the fire season, and other dangers](/web/20131022024956im_/http://m.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2013/10/21/Photos/ce6e2c1a-3a1c-11e3-a334-c26c4e617206_richard_thornton_web--90x110.png)
The destruction and heartache caused by the fires on Sydney’s outskirts are yet another opportunity to count the full cost to all Australian communities.