Chris Sidoti on the International Court of Justice Gaza ruling
Chris Sidoti,  Sally Sara

Chris Sidoti on the International Court of Justice Gaza ruling

Yuji Iwasawa, president of the UN's highest court, says international law prohibits the use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of warfare.

UN expert says all nations with ties to Israel ‘responsible in some measure’ for Gaza genocide
Stephen Prager

UN expert says all nations with ties to Israel ‘responsible in some measure’ for Gaza genocide

Francesca Albanese wrote that states that supported Israel financially and militarily “could and should be held liable for aiding, assisting, or jointly participating in internationally wrongful acts.”

Modi cancels ASEAN trip, avoids meeting Trump – Asian Media Report
David Armstrong

Modi cancels ASEAN trip, avoids meeting Trump – Asian Media Report

In Asian media this week: Trump says he spoke to Modi but India denies call took place. Plus: Japan’s new coalition a shift to the right; Timor Leste finally gets seat at regional table; Life worse than death on Myanmar scam farm; Prabowo – control, populism and diminished accountability; Sri Lanka suffers from world’s worst plastics spill.


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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

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Misinformation was rife during the 2025 election. New research shows many people were unable to identify it
Sora Park,  Jee Young Lee,  Kieran McGuinness

Misinformation was rife during the 2025 election. New research shows many people were unable to identify it

Misinformation has become a routine part of daily life, shaping public discourse and distorting perceptions. A new report reveals that in the two weeks prior to the 2025 federal election, almost two-thirds (60%) of adults reported coming across election misinformation. Only 19% didn’t come across it and 21% were unsure.

‘Pro-Trump propagandists’ take over Pentagon Press Corps after signing loyalty pledge
Jessica Corbett

‘Pro-Trump propagandists’ take over Pentagon Press Corps after signing loyalty pledge

Critics called the department’s announcement “deeply weird and awful”, “so Orwellian”, and “real textbook fascism beginning to end.

Indonesia’s security depends on educating the minds behind its machines
Kurniawan Arif Maspul

Indonesia’s security depends on educating the minds behind its machines

Indonesia is investing in its regional influence — purchasing new fighters, drones, frigates and billions in defence contracts — while allowing its classrooms to deteriorate.

APEC: The curdled yoghurt of middle-power diplomacy
Jeffrey Robertson

APEC: The curdled yoghurt of middle-power diplomacy

When APEC was born in 1989, it was more than another acronym. It was a moment of triumph for middle powers — Australia, Canada, South Korea, and others — asserting that the post-Cold War world could be shaped not just by the great powers but by those who knew how to manage co-operation.

Trump, Xi and the ‘green paradox’: How China is building a climate-proof future
Holly Chik

Trump, Xi and the ‘green paradox’: How China is building a climate-proof future

Ambitious transformation of the country’s energy consumption and urban planning makes economic sense too, analysts say.

A Supreme Court showdown looms for Trump’s tariffs. Will it limit presidential power?
David Smith

A Supreme Court showdown looms for Trump’s tariffs. Will it limit presidential power?

On 5 November, the US Supreme Court will begin hearing arguments about the legality of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. As important as the tariff issue is, the stakes are much higher than that.

From proletariat to boxetariat: The new working class
Stewart Sweeney

From proletariat to boxetariat: The new working class

When Holden shut its gates at Elizabeth in 2017, Australia lost more than a car factory. It lost a symbol of national self-belief that we could design, build and export complex, high-value goods from Australia.

Albo, Trump and China: No one likes a loser
John Menadue

Albo, Trump and China: No one likes a loser

The first obvious takeaway is that our prime minister has been wise not to heed the Austral Americans urging him to get to Washington as soon as possible.

Latest on Palestine and Israel

Chris Sidoti on the International Court of Justice Gaza ruling
Chris Sidoti,  Sally Sara

Chris Sidoti on the International Court of Justice Gaza ruling

Yuji Iwasawa, president of the UN's highest court, says international law prohibits the use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of warfare.

UN expert says all nations with ties to Israel ‘responsible in some measure’ for Gaza genocide
Stephen Prager

UN expert says all nations with ties to Israel ‘responsible in some measure’ for Gaza genocide

Francesca Albanese wrote that states that supported Israel financially and militarily “could and should be held liable for aiding, assisting, or jointly participating in internationally wrongful acts.”

After ICJ ruling, can UN relief agency UNRWA resume full Gaza operations?
Simon Speakman Cordall

After ICJ ruling, can UN relief agency UNRWA resume full Gaza operations?

ICJ states that Israel must allow aid into Gaza, ensuring food, water, medicine, and shelter for the Palestinian population.

Hundreds of prominent Jews and Israelis urge world powers to hold Israel accountable 'for Gaza atrocities'
Etan Nechin

Hundreds of prominent Jews and Israelis urge world powers to hold Israel accountable 'for Gaza atrocities'

An open letter, signed by at least 460 Jewish and Israeli intellectuals, celebrities and political figures, calls on the UN and heads of state to address the underlying conditions of occupation, apartheid and the denial of Palestinian rights that are absent from US President Trump's Gaza ceasefire agreement.

The crumbling illusion: Why American public opinion on Israel is shifting
Jamal Kanj

The crumbling illusion: Why American public opinion on Israel is shifting

For the first time in decades, the public in the United States and across the West has begun to see Israel’s wars and occupation for what they truly are: acts of systemic injustice driven by malevolence and impunity.

Women are missing from peace negotiations, from strategic decision-making
Meg Schwarz

Women are missing from peace negotiations, from strategic decision-making

There’s a new international body being set up to oversee Gaza’s future, called the “Board of Peace.” It’s part of Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza, with Tony Blair already named as a leading figure.

On Israel, Zionism and being Jewish
Dennis Altman

On Israel, Zionism and being Jewish

No political conflict contains as many journalistic minefields as that between Israel and Palestine.

Chris Hedges' Edward Said memorial lecture: ‘Requiem for Gaza’
Chris Hedges

Chris Hedges' Edward Said memorial lecture: ‘Requiem for Gaza’

Journalist Chris Hedges delivers the 2025 Edward Said Memorial Lecture, “Requiem for Gaza” in Adelaide, Australia.


John Menadue's book on Israel's war against Gaza

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 PDF

Latest on China

Trump, Xi and the ‘green paradox’: How China is building a climate-proof future
Holly Chik

Trump, Xi and the ‘green paradox’: How China is building a climate-proof future

Ambitious transformation of the country’s energy consumption and urban planning makes economic sense too, analysts say.

To avert war, the West must shatter the mirror by which it views China
Weijian Shan

To avert war, the West must shatter the mirror by which it views China

The concept of the Thucydides Trap, predicting conflict between China and the US, projects the West’s conquest-driven history onto Chinese civilisation.

China’s FDI, not the BRI, drives a global green transition
Mausam Kumar

China’s FDI, not the BRI, drives a global green transition

Over the past few years, outward Chinese foreign direct investment commitments in green manufacturing have grown rapidly and now dwarf the Marshall Plan in their scale.


John Menadue

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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.

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More from Pearls and Irritations


Latest letters to the editor

At last! Some long-term thinking

John Mosig — Kew, Victoria

Is Fred Zhang to become another frustrated citizen of the Lucky Country, or are we about to make an investment in a future that takes it beyond rolling over to have our belly scratched and our food bowl raided? The technology that has been determined on these shores and developed overseas is legendary. From the black box carried by every plane flying to the solar cell technology employed globally, we have squandered opportunities to make Australia a technology and manufacturing powerhouse. With the geopolitical order shattering and climate change about to not just shift the goalposts, but to...
Manipulation defeated by the young

Les Macdonald — Balmain NSW 2041

As an 80-year-old, I have an abiding belief in the young who may save the West from the consequences of the indifference and ignorance of us oldies! This article re-enforces that belief, as does the their actions in saving the environment. It has been said by someone wise that we do not inherit the earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children. They are going to make sure we give it back in a livable form!
Decency and humanity – many Jews demonstrate that

Les Macdonald — Balmain NSW 2041

I have never doubted the feelings of millions of Jews around the world towards the obscene criminality being committed in their names. This article is the best illustration of that humanity so far!
Daoism and diplomacy

Les Macdonald — Balmain NSW 2041

Fred has explained well the subtlety of the Daoist philosophy which originated between the 6th and 4th centuries BC. It well illustrates the continuity and sophistication of Chinese civilisation over millennia. If Chinese culture is the great granddaddy, then the West is the wayward great, great, great, great grandchild that is yet to mature. The problem for the West is that we were the arrogant descendants of the primitive tribes roaming Europe in the Dark Ages when Chinese civilisation had been flowering for thousands of years and we retained the primitive instincts of fight or flight long after...



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