Latest
Israel’s war in Gaza is among the most destructive in history, experts say
In just over two months, the offensive has wreaked more destruction than the razing of Syria’s Aleppo, Ukraine’s Mariupol or, proportionally, the Allied bombing of Germany in World War II.
- 26 mins ago
- Julia Frankel
Rudy Giuliani files for bankruptcy after courtroom loss
Court papers listed debts of as much as $US500 million ($738 million) and assets of up to $US10 million.
- Jeremy Hill and Rick Green
Singapore loses its sheen as its first family fights over legacy
Lee Kuan Yew united Singapore, but his death sparked a spectacular unravelling of his family that has left Singaporeans divided and asking questions about the future.
- Emma Connors
Half a million people in Gaza are ‘starving’: UN
As diplomatic efforts to secure aid deliveries and another cease-fire in the conflict, Israel carried out more strikes and other operations across Gaza.
- The Associated Press
Gunman kills at least 15 people in Prague university shooting
Czech police responded to the shooting at Charles University’s faculty of arts building in Jan Palach Square, later reporting the shooter had been “eliminated”.
- Reuters
Top US, Chinese military officials speak in sign of warming ties
Future steps include plans to hold talks on defence policy in January and a round of maritime consultations several months later.
- Courtney McBride
Opinion & Analysis
Shippers know the Suez is always a crisis waiting to happen
The channel should still be used, when it’s safe, as the savings are great. But knowing there’s a backup is enough assurance that the global economy won’t crash.
Contributor
The Houthi rebels ignored for 10 years who threaten global trade
Gulf experts say the West may have underestimated the power of the Iran-backed militant group.
Contributor
3 lessons from 2023’s massive crypto rally
Blockchain currencies didn’t just survive the collapse of FTX, they’ve been the investment of the year. Turns out, decentralised finance doesn’t need exchanges.
Contributor
The Fed should resist market bullying
The risk is that, to avoid unsettling market volatility, the Fed validates the market loosening with sizeable rate cuts but is forced to reverse course later.
Global financial commentator
From the Financial Times
Trump seeks to spin court ruling into political gold
The former president’s re-election bid may hinge on upcoming judgments in the US Supreme Court.
- James Politi, Stefania Palma and Alex Rogers
- Opinion
- Monetary policy
The Fed should resist market bullying
The risk is that, to avoid unsettling market volatility, the Fed validates the market loosening with sizeable rate cuts but is forced to reverse course later.
- Mohamed El-Erian
Google to pay $1b in antitrust settlement over Android app store
Terms of the settlement come after Epic Games, the maker of popular online game Fortnite, won a related case against the tech giant last week.
- Michael Acton
Yesterday
‘The golden geese are cooked’: Why Xi Jinping needs a new plan
With confidence sliding fast, Xi Jinping has a monumental task to kick-start an economy that’s no longer delivering on the China dream.
- Michael Smith
Egypt seeks to broker Gaza ceasefire as Hamas, Israel assert demands
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh visited Egypt for the first time in more than a month for discussions with Egyptian officials who are seeking to mediate another truce.
- Nidal al-Mughrabi, Bassam Masoud and Dan Williams
Boris Johnson: there is no moral equivalence between Israel and Hamas
Boris Johnson speaks with Jennifer Hewett at The Australian Financial Review Business Person of the Year dinner on December 14, 2023.
- Updated
- Opinion
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Shippers know the Suez is always a crisis waiting to happen
The channel should still be used, when it’s safe, as the savings are great. But knowing there’s a backup is enough assurance that the global economy won’t crash.
- Tim Culpan
Trump seeks to spin court ruling into political gold
The former president’s re-election bid may hinge on upcoming judgments in the US Supreme Court.
- James Politi, Stefania Palma and Alex Rogers
More states gear up to hear challenges to Trump’s eligibility
More than a dozen other states have pending legal challenges under the same amendment, according to US media reports.
- Matthew Cranston
Over 100 container ships reroute as US weighs Red Sea response
Insurance premiums are surging for those who do cross the Red Sea, freight rates are up and so are oil prices – all potential factors for more inflation.
- Stefan Nicola
EU, France deliver migration crackdowns as populists surge
A “breakthrough” deal could end years of infighting over illegal immigrants. Emmanuel Macron needed a key rival’s support for his tough reforms.
- Hans van Leeuwen
Hamas leader visits Egypt amid intensive talks on new ceasefire
Ismail Haniyeh, who usually lives in Qatar, typically wades publicly into diplomacy only when progress seems likely.
- Nidal al-Mughrabi, Bassam Masoud and Dan Williams
This Month
US guarantees Australian AUKUS submarine sovereignty
The US committees key to the passing of AUKUS laws say the US will hand over full control of submarines sold to Australia under the recently approved arrangements.
- Updated
- Matthew Cranston
- Analysis
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The Houthi rebels ignored for 10 years who threaten global trade
Gulf experts say the West may have underestimated the power of the Iran-backed militant group.
- James Rothwell and James Crisp
Colorado Supreme Court disqualifies Trump from holding office
The ruling makes Donald Trump the first presidential candidate in US history to be deemed ineligible for the White House under a rarely used provision of the US Constitution.
- Updated
- Andrew Goudsward and Jack Queen
Street fighting rages in Gazan city as UN delays vote again
Khan Younis residents reported intensifying gun battles on Wednesday between Hamas fighters and Israeli forces in the centre and eastern districts of the southern city.
- Nidal al-Mughrabi and Bassam Masoud
What the Colorado ruling means for Donald Trump
While it sounds like a potential dagger to the former president’s 2024 election hopes, it’s unlikely the Colorado Supreme Court landmark ruling will do much to hinder the Republican frontrunner.
- Susie Coen
- Opinion
- Cryptocurrencies
3 lessons from 2023’s massive crypto rally
Blockchain currencies didn’t just survive the collapse of FTX, they’ve been the investment of the year. Turns out, decentralised finance doesn’t need exchanges.
- Niall Ferguson
- Opinion
- Monetary policy
The Fed should resist market bullying
The risk is that, to avoid unsettling market volatility, the Fed validates the market loosening with sizeable rate cuts but is forced to reverse course later.
- Mohamed El-Erian
Shares hit a high; Trump not eligible; 2023 good and bad
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
West warns Houthis as US looks to expand Red Sea force
A surge in its harassment of merchant shipping in the Red Sea by the Houthi militant group has driven a rise in oil prices and raised concerns about global trade.
- Updated
- Matthew Cranston
Israel ready to pause fighting again for more hostages
Israeli President Isaac Herzog told ambassadors from around the world the country is prepared to agree to a pause in exchange for more hostages.
- Gwen Ackerman
Red Sea shipping chaos, by the numbers
Since the attacks ramped up last month, at least 13 vessels have been subject to incidents in the area. Ambrey Intelligence puts the figure even higher.
- Alex Longley
