4 October 2025
No justice or peace for Palestinians in Trump’s Plan
The Trump Plan is designed to reframe the issues in favour of Israel. Palestinians have been betrayed again.
4 October 2025
Bernie and AOC explain how Trump and GOP are about to double insurance premiums for millions of Americans
“This messaging is approximately 142 times better,” said one political observer, “than Democrats are getting from leadership.”
4 October 2025
Israel’s interception of the Gaza aid flotilla is a clear violation of international law
The Israel Defence Force has intercepted a flotilla of humanitarian vessels seeking to deliver aid to Gaza, taking control of multiple vessels and arresting activists, including Greta Thunberg.
Support our independent media
Pearls and Irritations is funded by our readers through flexible payment options. Choose to make a monthly or one off payment to support our informed commentary
Donate
4 October 2025
China’s youth: Between collectivism and the new individualism
On a recent trip through China, I was struck by the contrast between its classrooms and its city streets.
4 October 2025
States increase pressure on Commonwealth to address hospital cost increases
Hark back to December 2023. National Cabinet endorsed a historic agreement setting the parameters for future Commonwealth-state sharing of public hospital costs over the next decade.
4 October 2025
Is China’s reported ban on BHP a bluff, or a glimpse of the future?
Though they still haven’t been officially confirmed, reports China’s state-owned buyer told steelmakers to stop purchasing iron ore from Australian mining giant BHP have rattled both markets and Canberra.
4 October 2025
What do Palestinian Australians think of the Trump peace plan?
Irrespective of what Hamas’ decides, Trump’s peace plan is a bitter pill to swallow. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
4 October 2025
'They need to get cracking': Bowen on renewable targets and LNP’s 'poor decisions' in Queensland
Federal Energy and Climate Minister Chris Bowen says he is not ready to give up on the country’s ambitious renewable energy targets for 2030, but concedes that energy companies “need to get cracking” to ensure enough wind and solar projects are delivered on time.
4 October 2025
Erasing Gaza's ecosystem
Israel is rightly known for its technological prowess, not least when it comes to making war.
4 October 2025
Sanctions: Sanitised, silent killing
Many will remember the terrible effects of the crippling UN sanctions applied against Iraq, from the time of its invasion of Kuwait in 1990, to the fall of the government of Saddam Hussein, following the loss of the second Iraq war (2003).
3 October 2025
Ben Saul on Palestinian recognition and the Trump plan
At the National Press Club this week, Ben Saul argued that Australia is more than a modest middle power and must step up on Palestine.
Latest on Palestine and Israel
4 October 2025
No justice or peace for Palestinians in Trump’s Plan
The Trump Plan is designed to reframe the issues in favour of Israel. Palestinians have been betrayed again.
4 October 2025
Israel’s interception of the Gaza aid flotilla is a clear violation of international law
The Israel Defence Force has intercepted a flotilla of humanitarian vessels seeking to deliver aid to Gaza, taking control of multiple vessels and arresting activists, including Greta Thunberg.
4 October 2025
What do Palestinian Australians think of the Trump peace plan?
Irrespective of what Hamas’ decides, Trump’s peace plan is a bitter pill to swallow. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
4 October 2025
Erasing Gaza's ecosystem
Israel is rightly known for its technological prowess, not least when it comes to making war.
3 October 2025
Ben Saul on Palestinian recognition and the Trump plan
At the National Press Club this week, Ben Saul argued that Australia is more than a modest middle power and must step up on Palestine.
3 October 2025
Chris Sidoti's prescription for action on Palestine
At the National Press Club this week with Ben Saul, Chris Sidoti argues that recognition of Palestine is important, but that Australia must also comply with international law obligations, including acting on arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court.
3 October 2025
Israel intercepts Gaza Sumud Flotilla vessels: What we know so far
Despite carrying only a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid, the flotilla had pressed forward with its mission to establish a maritime corridor into Gaza.
3 October 2025
Trump-Netanyahu plan: Reproducing occupation under the name of 'peace'
What was recently proposed by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under the title peace deals is nothing but a rearrangement of the cards of power in the region, far from addressing the core of the Palestinian issue: justice.
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
4 October 2025
China’s youth: Between collectivism and the new individualism
On a recent trip through China, I was struck by the contrast between its classrooms and its city streets.
4 October 2025
Is China’s reported ban on BHP a bluff, or a glimpse of the future?
Though they still haven’t been officially confirmed, reports China’s state-owned buyer told steelmakers to stop purchasing iron ore from Australian mining giant BHP have rattled both markets and Canberra.
3 October 2025
We killed our car industry and now we're drafted to fight against Chinese EVs (again?)
The call is getting louder and louder: Australia needs to join allies in restricting Chinese electric vehicles.
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
Another 20th century giant has left the building
John Mosig — Kew, Victoria
How can something that has never existed end?
Les Macdonald — Balmain NSW 2041
Western application of law of the sea
Les Macdonald — Balmain NSW 2041
Silence is golden
Bob Pearce — Adelaide SA