
7 June 2025
Warren Report: Musk leveraged government access for personal gain
Since Election Day, Musk's staggering net worth has increased by over $100 billion, the report states.

7 June 2025
Build-up to the ultimate surveillance state has just begun
While most of us are transfixed daily by more horrific atrocities, potentially deadlier operations are likely to far outlast the genocide in Gaza.

7 June 2025
Albanese should remember his childhood – and the rhymes he learnt
There is much wisdom to be had in what was learnt in the first years of life,

In June, support independent media with a one-off tax-deductible donation
For the month of June Pearls and Irritations is running a fundraising campaign through the Australian Cultural Fund. Your donation will support the development of content for topics of particular of interest to Australia - Palestine, China, Climate Change and Immigration Policy and the development of a Young Writer's Handbook to encourage new young writers.
Please make your tax deductible one-off donation here.
Donate
7 June 2025
Ukraine attack will have no effect on outcome of war
The black eye given Russian security services will eventually heal while the artful destruction of a handful of bombers — like earlier high-profile, but misguided operations — will have zero effect on the war in Ukraine.

7 June 2025
US military waste contractor with flawed safety record backing Australian N-waste dump
A US military mega-contractor assisting an Australian company to develop a proposal for a nuclear waste dump in Central Australia has a flawed safety record in handling nuclear waste storage.

7 June 2025
Talk of a two-state solution may not go much further
A two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian problem has not been mentioned for ages, but was revived recently. However, it may end with just that – talk.

7 June 2025
Australia doing nothing to attract American scientific talent
Australia has an historic opportunity to expand its scientific research and reap significant benefits.

6 June 2025
Media shortcomings in covering terrorist Netanyahu’s daily Gaza mass murders
Opposition by former high officials in Israeli’s military and national security establishment and Israeli allies – France, England, and Germany – to the aimless killing of civilian families in Gaza is increasing.

6 June 2025
China and the art of war
I have a love-hate relationship with China. As a university student, I was entranced by China’s history and rich culture.

6 June 2025
Ali Kazak and the transformation of the politics of Palestine in Australia
It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing on 17 May of Ali Kazak, at the age of 78. Over five decades, Ali dedicated his enormous energy to building understanding and support for Palestine, the land of his birth.

6 June 2025
Inequality in an age of weather extremes
In tropical climes there are certain times of day When all the citizens retire to tear their clothes off and perspire. It’s one of the rules that the greatest fools obey, Because the sun is much too sultry And one must avoid its ultry-violet ray…
Latest on Palestine and Israel

7 June 2025
Talk of a two-state solution may not go much further
A two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian problem has not been mentioned for ages, but was revived recently. However, it may end with just that – talk.

6 June 2025
Media shortcomings in covering terrorist Netanyahu’s daily Gaza mass murders
Opposition by former high officials in Israeli’s military and national security establishment and Israeli allies – France, England, and Germany – to the aimless killing of civilian families in Gaza is increasing.

6 June 2025
Ali Kazak and the transformation of the politics of Palestine in Australia
It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing on 17 May of Ali Kazak, at the age of 78. Over five decades, Ali dedicated his enormous energy to building understanding and support for Palestine, the land of his birth.

6 June 2025
Bogus charges of antisemitism are the new McCarthyism
The word antisemitism has become so debased that depending on who is using it, I might well take it as a sign that the accused is worth listening to.

5 June 2025
'These could be our children': Israeli women opposing the war, an interview
Not only abroad, but also within his own country, Israel's Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is finally facing growing and substantial protests against his war in Gaza.

5 June 2025
When education funds genocide: students raise their voices in defiance
For more than a year, the world has been witnessing the genocidal massacres committed by Israel against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where tens of thousands have been killed, including university students and teachers, and academic institutions have been completely destroyed.

5 June 2025
We must confound the Zionist Lobby
The recent article by John Menadue recounts how far the Zionist Lobby has managed to exercise the leverage — and it is undeniably powerful leverage — of the malignant scourge of antisemitism to further its geopolitical strategy of creating Eretz Israel and thus grasping the rewards that would flow from it.

4 June 2025
Freedom flotilla sets sail for Gaza carrying aid and demands: 'End the blockade. End the genocide'
No matter how dangerous this mission is, it's nowhere near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the live-streamed genocide, said climate activist Greta Thunberg, who is aboard the Madleen.

Israel's war against Gaza
Media coverage of the war in Gaza since October 2023 has spread a series of lies propagated by Israel and the United States. This publication presents information, analysis, clarification, views and perspectives largely unavailable in mainstream media in Australia and elsewhere.
Download the PDFLatest on China

7 June 2025
Build-up to the ultimate surveillance state has just begun
While most of us are transfixed daily by more horrific atrocities, potentially deadlier operations are likely to far outlast the genocide in Gaza.

6 June 2025
China and the art of war
I have a love-hate relationship with China. As a university student, I was entranced by China’s history and rich culture.

5 June 2025
Shangri-la is not Shangri-la
Asia, and China's relationship with Asia, is a more complex environment than that understood by Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump and many in the West. This Shangri-la dialogue sought false friendship, and portended little peace and tranquillity.

Support our independent media with your donation
Pearls and Irritations leads the way in raising and analysing vital issues often neglected in mainstream media. Your contribution supports our independence and quality commentary on matters importance to Australia and our region.
DonateMore from Pearls and Irritations
Latest letters to the editor
When critique sounds suspiciously like conspiracy
Adam Slonim — St Kilda East
US won’t stop the murders of the hungry in Gaza
Geoff Taylor — Perth
Pre-1978 progress in China
Les Macdonald — Balmain NSW 2041
One month in, the honeymoon is over
Bob Pearce — Adelaide SA