Former leader of the free world Donald Trump has lashed out at former prime minister Kevin Rudd, characterising him as “not the brightest bulb”. In an interview with former far right British politician Nigel Farage on London’s GB News channel, the second-time presidential hopeful responded to years-old comments made by Rudd. Prior to his appointment as US ambassador, Australia’s 26th …

Western governments have lined up to condemn Vladimir Putin’s landslide election victory as unfair and undemocratic, but China, India and North Korea congratulated the veteran Russian leader on extending his rule by a further six years. The contrasting reactions underscored the geopolitical fault lines that have gaped wider since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago, triggering …

Supermarkets that steamroll their customers and suppliers could be stripped of investments and properties under proposed laws. The Greens will push divestiture powers in the Senate this week, allowing the government to step in and break up food retail giants. The Nationals and some independents are also calling for such “big stick” laws. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ruled it …

Muslim voters are turning against the Labor government over its stance on the war in Gaza, new polling has revealed, as a video released on social media shows Labor frontbencher Anne Aly being harassed by pro-Palestinian activists. Five months into the conflict, polling group Redbridge ran two focus groups with 18 people from the Arabic and Turkish communities in the …

Exclusive: 12 prominent organisations sign open letter criticising lack of humanitarian access Twelve of Israel’s most prominent human rights organisations have signed an open letter accusing the country of failing to comply with the international court of justice’s (ICJ) provisional ruling that it should facilitate access of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The court in The Hague made a number of …

Optus – or at least a significant share of it – could be offloaded to a private equity firm in a deal worth up to $18 billion. Singtel, the company’s Singapore-based owner, is reportedly discussing a sale of Australia’s second-largest telco with Canadian asset manager Brookfield – a move that, if it goes through, could spark a price war that would …

“My boy, being a top spook is not compatible with being a media tart,” former ASIO director-general David Irvine is reported once to have responded jovially to a question from a journalist. And indeed, the “top spook” — one of very few ASIO employees who are allowed to be named in public — is by necessity a behind-the-scenes role most …

Exclusive: Australian National Imams Council and Islamic Council of Victoria say they will not attend Ramadan events amid ‘frustration’ in Muslim communities over response to Gaza conflict Two peak Muslim bodies have rejected invitations to premiers’ iftar dinners in New South Wales and Victoria, as members of the community turn against state governments over their response to the war in Gaza. The Australian …

Aryna Sabalenka has become the first woman to win back-to-back Australian Opens in 11 years following a straight-sets victory over Qinwen Zheng in the final. Sabalenka, who did not drop a set during the tournament, overpowered the Chinese 12th seed to triumph 6-3, 6-2 in one hour and 16 minutes on Rod Laver Arena. Follow all the action from the …

The Australian government has been “put on notice” by several human rights organisations following the top UN court ruling that South Africa’s accusation Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people is “plausible”. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has warned the Israeli government must do everything in its power to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza. It was among several …