This Month
Russia not looking for global power clash: Putin
Vladimir Putin now casts the war as part of a holy struggle with the West, which he says has forgotten the role played by the Soviet Union in defeating Nazi Germany.
- Updated
- Guy Faulconbridge
Australia’s defence chief rejects Chinese spying claims
In his first comments on dramatic helicopter near miss, General Angus Campbell said a Chinese pilot had acted unsafely and unprofessionally.
- Andrew Tillett
Famous, poor and gay, this lawyer scandalised her class, and country
Constance Debré left her husband for women. Denied custody of her son, she turned the story into a book that shocked France.
- Claire Allfree
Xi urges Macron to help avoid a ‘new cold war’
The Chinese leader told his French counterpart that the two nations should uphold mutual benefits, and jointly oppose decoupling and the disruption of supply chains.
- William Horobin, Samy Adghirni and Li Liu
France’s cognac exports to China could be hit like Australian wine
China opened an anti-dumping investigation into brandy imported from the EU in January, sparking fears cognac could suffer a similar blow to that taken by Australian wine.
- Emma Rumney
- Analysis
- US election
Gallows humour and escape: Trump’s possible return rattles Washington
Much of official Washington is bracing for the former president’s return – this time with ‘retribution’ as his avowed mission, the discussion is about self-imposed exile.
- Peter Baker
Macron set to press visiting Xi on trade, Ukraine
France is backing a European Union probe into Chinese electric vehicle exports and in January Beijing opened an investigation into imports of brandy.
- John Irish and Ingrid Melander
April
Australia named top destination in the world for expats
Australia has been named the No.1 destination in the world for professionals seeking to relocate internationally.
- Euan Black
China set to launch high-stakes mission to moon’s ‘hidden’ side
China has made leaps forward in its lunar exploration, narrowing the technological chasm with the United States and Russia.
- Albee Zhang and Ryan Woo
Why China’s spies are being caught all over Europe
A flurry of arrests this week reflect the continent’s newly toughened response to Beijing’s espionage activities and political meddling.
- Andrew Higgins and Christopher F. Schuetze
Israel scaled back planned attack on Iran to avoid war
Israeli leaders originally discussed bombarding several military targets across Iran last week, including near the capital Tehran, in retaliation for the Iranian strike on April 13.
- Ronen Bergman and Patrick Kingsley
Chinese general uses naval gathering to restate hard line on Taiwan
‘We do not provoke trouble, but we will never flinch in face of provocation,’ said the vice chairman of the Communist Party’s Central Military Commission.
- Ng Han Guan
- Opinion
- Middle East tensions
Like Biden, Labor is on its own Israel journey
Penny Wong wants a two-state solution, but the reality is Gaza is looking more like the US quagmire in Iraq
- Updated
- James Curran
Investment wallpaper? It’s a thing
An atelier in France is reviving a lost art form to reimagine opulent modern interiors.
- Divya Bala
The beautiful French city built on the profits of pastel
Toulouse may be France’s fourth-biggest city, but its centre still has the intimacy of a substantial country town.
- Robert Bevan
The secrets of France’s other Olympic city
Less than four hours by train from the main event in Paris, Marseille will host the sailing and plenty of soccer – all with a relaxed beachside vibe.
- Hans van Leeuwen
NATO mulls $165b ‘Trump-proof’ military fund for Ukraine
The proposals would give the Western alliance a more direct role in co-ordinating the supply of arms, ammunition and equipment.
- Updated
- Andrew Gray and John Irish
Going to France for the Games? Here’s your restaurant guide
Three of France’s top chefs are designing the menus for the Athletes Village at the Olympics. But spectators can also win by visiting their buzzy, innovative restaurants.
- Hans van Leeuwen
‘Eating out in France is a lottery you’re likely to lose’
On a trip to see family in a country known for its culinary excellence, a former Financial Review restaurant critic finds both delights and disappointments.
- Stephen Downes
March
Putin admits Islamists behind attack, tries to implicate Ukraine
Vladimir Putin repeated his assertion that the assailants had been trying to flee to Ukraine, saying there were “many questions” to be examined.
- Lidia Kelly, Philippa Fletcher and Steve Holland
