Australian voters have handed incumbent Prime Minister Anthony Albanesea decisive second term, as his Labor Party secured at least 85 seats in the nation’s 150-member House of Representatives. Albanese’s victory on Saturday marks the first time since 2004 that an Australian prime minister has won consecutive terms. His campaign emphasized Australian values and a commitment to unity in the face of foreign threats – including a 10% tariff on exports imposed by US President Donald Trump midway through the campaign.
In contrast, the Conservatives ran a Trump-style campaign marked by culture war rhetoric on Indigenous issues and a controversial nuclear energy proposal, which failed to resonate with suburban and moderate voters. Branded “DOGE-y Dutton” over his intent to cut the public service, leader Peter Dutton also lost his own seat in Dickson, Queensland, which he had held for 24 years. Dutton had openly embraced Trump, calling him a “big thinker” after the US President announced his intentions to take over Gaza in February.
Start of a trend? Australia’s outcome mirrors Canada’s recent election result, which saw Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre lose to the governing Liberals under newly elected leader Mark Carney. Poilievre was also similarly defeated in the seat he had held for 20 years, and many Conservatives blamed “Trump mimicry” by the party’s campaign as a major factor.America’s new National Security Strategy confirms what Europeans have feared for months: Washington now sees a strong, unified European Union as a problem to be solved, not an ally to be supported.
In this episode of Tools and Weapons, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith sits down with Ed Policy, President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers, to discuss how purpose-driven leadership and innovation are shaping the future of one of the world’s most iconic sports franchises. Ed shares how technology and community-focused initiatives, from Titletown Tech to health and safety innovations on the field, are transforming not just the game of football, but the economy and culture of Green Bay itself. He explains how combining strategic vision with investment in local startups is keeping talent in the Midwest and creating opportunities that extend far beyond Lambeau Field.
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More than a week after Hondurans cast their ballots in a presidential election, the country is still stuck in a potentially-dangerous post-election fog.