Escalating global conflicts, Australia's role in international security, and domestic policy responses to extremism are prominent, alongside economic impacts of ongoing wars and concerns over potential regional conflicts.

• Trump’s Blunder. Air wars don’t work. Iran ignores the lessons of history — Michael West -
• Australia’s ban on Islamist group ‘comes at a cost’ — Michael West -
• Stocks set for tough week, oil eyes big gains — Michael West -

• War with China in three years? Paul Keating unleashes on Nine’s ‘Red Alert’ hysteria — Crikey -
• Israel’s president should not have visited ASIO. It raises serious issues for Labor and the spooks — Crikey -
• Canada’s PM said Australia has joined efforts to ‘safeguard the Arctic’. What does that mean? — Crikey -

Issues of government transparency and accountability, concerns over censorship and political bullying, media influence on political narratives, and debates around electoral funding and immigration policy are key political discussions.

• Censorship is a tool of the state — but it's also a tool of the censored — Independent Australia -
• Surround and conquer: When bullying runs a campaign — Independent Australia -
• Legislative harakiri. A rare win for transparency as FOI bill dead — Michael West -

• EXCLUSIVE: Meta and Murdoch make AI pact and push Pauline's polls — Independent Australia -
• ‘Gerrymander’: teal backer takes aim at donations cap — Michael West -
• Pauline Hanson corrects her immigration arithmetic — Independent Australia -

US trade and employment figures, Australia's corporate earning season successes in banking and mining, and significant media acquisitions and industry-specific challenges mark the economic landscape.

• US tariff refund system will be ready ‘in 45 days’ — Michael West -
• Banks, miners the winners of a resilient earning season — Michael West -
• US unemployment rate ticks higher to 4.4 per cent — Michael West -

• Axel Springer to buy publisher of UK Daily Telegraph — Michael West -
• Beyond Meat beefs down name as it expands product range — Michael West -
• Troubled smelter faces shutdown move by regulator — Michael West -

The rise of women in trades, Australia's green energy transition with insights from Denmark, and criticism regarding wildlife protection following bushfire failures in Victoria highlight important societal and environmental topics.

• More female tradies are key to building the future — Michael West -
• Denmark has the word on energy but are we listening? — Michael West -
• Victoria’s wildlife pays the price for Labor’s bushfire failures — Independent Australia -