Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Karen Middleton

Trump shouldn’t decide Rudd’s future – but the US president-elect is no ordinary leader

Kevin Rudd Donald Trump United States Australia Arthur Sinodinos Shinzo Abe Barack Obama Dan Scavino Washington D.C.
Donald Trump against a red background
‘The issue will be whether those around Donald Trump see making life hard for Kevin Rudd as a higher priority than maintaining good and close relations with a longtime ally.’ Photograph: Carlos Barría/Reuters

Eight years ago, almost to the day, Japan’s then-prime minister Shinzo Abe flew to New York to become the first foreign leader to meet with US president-elect Donald Trump.

Inside the Obama White House, they were not amused. Barack Obama’s chief of staff, Denis McDonough, emailed the heads of foreign missions to convey the president’s displeasure at Abe’s move and remind them it was a breach of protocol for other nations’ leaders to meet with an incoming US president while another was still in office.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Washington family’s Victorian doll Michael and its eerie dinner tradition
A Victorian doll named Michael occupies a unique place in Washington, DC’s history, not simply as an antique kept in a museum but as part of a family tradition shaped by superstition, grief and spiritualism. Displayed at the Heurich House Museum , Michael was reportedly seated at the dinner table…
The Times of India
The Times of India
Christian group tries to preach to women at Texas Roadhouse; the women respond with their own kind of blessing, leading to police intervention
They certainly weren't expecting that.
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
SNL stars and alum weigh in on Shane Gillis’ sexist monologue
Gillis’s comments on the late night sketch comedy show have sparked intense backlash
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Claude Lalanne’s bronze monkey armchair with ostrich leather seat sold for $1.079 million
Sotheby’s auction in December 2025 saw the sale of a remarkable gilt-bronze armchair by Claude Lalanne, which captured attention with its elaborate vines and monkey embellishments. This particular design, created in 1998, was the pioneer among Lalanne’s 'Singerie' armchairs to attract a successful sale. The high demand for Lalanne's artistry…
The Times of India
The Times of India
Jimmy Kimmel on Trump’s Nobel prize ‘snub’: ‘Thanks a lot, Norway. You made our baby cry’
The host discussed being called a ‘loser’ by Trump and the appointment of the new White House press secretary
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
5 Coffee Creamers That Add More Sugar Than You May Realize
Coffee creamer can make a morning cup taste like a coffeehouse treat, but a little splash can add more sugar than you might expect. Many popular flavored creamers contain around 5 grams of sugar per tablespoon, even when their sweetness doesn’t seem especially strong. The serving size is also smaller…
Grocery Coupon Guide
Grocery Coupon Guide
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play