Australian Greens potentially reclaiming populism from the left through lessons from Zack Polanski, the Nationals debating climate policy with Barnaby Joyce opting out of the party room, and net-zero opponents wanting Barnaby back in the Nationals tent highlight current political tensions and strategic shifts.
A major aluminium smelter is in talks over possible closure due to energy costs, while there are calls for RBA interest rate cuts to stimulate growth, and Bega Cheese is making tough decisions on closures to boost its bottom line.
Gina Rinehart's goldfields in Ecuador have become a battle zone as the military deploys rocket launchers, US-China trade deal optimism boosts global stocks, thousands of US flights are delayed due to a government shutdown, Trump heads to Tokyo for trade talks ahead of a Xi summit, ASEAN leaders look to build trade ties as Trump departs, the PM is tight-lipped on talks with China over a flare incident, and there's a strong sentiment that Australia should never have agreed to AUKUS.
**Time is running out for the irreplaceable $95 billion Great Barrier Reef, and a new koala park is seen as less about koalas and more about cashing in on carbon credits**.
Richard White is targeted as federal police raid WiseTech, social media giants are set to front up for a child-ban grilling, and Microsoft allegedly misled millions with an upgrade offer.
Controversy surrounds the Victor Chang Cardiac Institute and the Israel lobby, affecting research and academic freedom.