Politics

Australia is working to finalise an upgraded security treaty with Fiji this week as China appears to have killed off efforts to clinch a similar deal with Vanuatu. 

The Reserve Bank has raised interest rates by another 25 basis points to 4.35 per cent, undoing last year’s relief. Governor Michele Bullock hinted at more pain and cautioned against higher government spending.

Testimonies of online hatred, school yard bullying, and community anxiety have opened the second day of the Royal Commission on Anti-Semitism and Social Cohesion in Sydney. 

The blockade remains, the war began 65 days ago, and the President still has to deal with the question of Iran’s uranium.

LATIKA M BOURKE: Big statements and warm optics aside, questions remain over whether Australia and Japan are delivering real action.

The motorcade of Vice President JD Vance went through the area not long before the shooting.

Flights are being diverted, airspace is under pressure and explosions have been heard across the UAE as the Middle East conflict intensifies.

A spokesperson said he developed a restrictive airway disease after 9/11 which ‘adds complications’ to respiratory illnesses.

A drone strike has ignited a major UAE oil hub, with missiles intercepted overhead and fears rising of a wider Gulf escalation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a two-day ceasefire in Ukraine later this week, officials say, while Ukraine says its truce will start earlier.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has met Anthony Albanese on Australian soil for the first time since she took the top job.

Tax breaks for electric vehicles will be significantly curtailed in a move expected to save the budget $1.7 billion as Treasurer Jim Chalmers says large cuts across the board will help reduce demand.

Ben Harvey explains why changes to negative gearing and State eviction laws are going to make the residential investment a black hole, as Government schemes to fix the housing shortage exacerbates the problem.

Prime Minister Albanese admitted that just 12 months in he’s already delivered all of his 2025 election promises, so underwhelming was his very short list of promises.