
11 October 2025
Celebrate the ceasefire, but don’t forget: Gaza survived on its own
Western leaders now claim credit for peace, but Gaza’s survival belongs to its people alone.

11 October 2025
Judge allows Kostakidis ‘antisemitism’ case to proceed
Justice Stephen McDonald told the court, in the course of a six-minute hearing on Thursday, that the contention the Zionist Federation of Australia had no case against journalist Mary Kostakidis had to be determined at trial, reports Joe Lauria.

11 October 2025
Price rally fuels surge in Southeast Asia gold businesses – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: Beijing in 11-month gold-buying streak. Plus: Takaichi the most conservative leadership choice; US looks to delegate Taiwan defence; Prabowo holds massive military parade; South Korea’s Lee challenges US wartime control; China’s harsh times feed a spiritual economy.

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
11 October 2025
Almost no Australians study Chinese any more. That’s a problem
Fewer than five Australians per year are graduating from honours programs in Chinese studies with language, raising fears the nation is losing the expertise needed to navigate its most complex foreign relationship.

11 October 2025
‘We must keep the pressure on’: Humanitarians say ceasefire doesn’t erase Gaza genocide
“This much-needed and welcomed ceasefire does not change the simple fact that Israel has just committed a genocide in Gaza,” wrote the co-founder of European Jews for Palestine.

11 October 2025
An Australian chemist just won the Nobel Prize. Here’s how his work is changing the world
The 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry has been awarded for the development of metal-organic frameworks: molecular structures that have large spaces within them, capable of capturing and storing gases and other chemicals.

11 October 2025
The Australian media is more concentrated than ever. Here are the three moments that got us here
In its announcement of the proposed merger with Southern Cross Media, Seven West described the deal as “consistent with Seven West’s stated strategic position of being in support of media consolidation in Australia”.

11 October 2025
Van Jones and the moral vacancy of American commentary on Gaza
The US pundit’s dead Gaza baby joke was not a slip of the tongue, but a window into a media culture that trivialises Palestinian suffering and deflects responsibility.

11 October 2025
The return of the KKK?
President Donald Trump is imposing a right-wing political ideology and practice that increasingly resembles what Christ Hedges has dubbed “Christian fascism.

11 October 2025
How the West will package the genocide after Netanyahu
In the not-too-distant future, the Netanyahu Government will fall. When this happens, it will become politically fashionable (and indeed necessary) for Western leaders outside the US to intellectually “package” the genocide in Gaza.

10 October 2025
Trump says Israel and Hamas sign off on first phase of Gaza ceasefire plan
Mediator Qatar said more details of the agreement would be announced at a later date.
Latest on Palestine and Israel

11 October 2025
Celebrate the ceasefire, but don’t forget: Gaza survived on its own
Western leaders now claim credit for peace, but Gaza’s survival belongs to its people alone.

11 October 2025
‘We must keep the pressure on’: Humanitarians say ceasefire doesn’t erase Gaza genocide
“This much-needed and welcomed ceasefire does not change the simple fact that Israel has just committed a genocide in Gaza,” wrote the co-founder of European Jews for Palestine.

11 October 2025
Van Jones and the moral vacancy of American commentary on Gaza
The US pundit’s dead Gaza baby joke was not a slip of the tongue, but a window into a media culture that trivialises Palestinian suffering and deflects responsibility.

11 October 2025
How the West will package the genocide after Netanyahu
In the not-too-distant future, the Netanyahu Government will fall. When this happens, it will become politically fashionable (and indeed necessary) for Western leaders outside the US to intellectually “package” the genocide in Gaza.

10 October 2025
Trump says Israel and Hamas sign off on first phase of Gaza ceasefire plan
Mediator Qatar said more details of the agreement would be announced at a later date.

10 October 2025
Jeffrey Sachs: Twenty-point plan minus the US-UK colonialism
Jeffrey D. Sachs and Sybil Fares offer a revised version of the Trump plan for an end of the war in Gaza and the occupation of the West Bank.

10 October 2025
Is Greta Thunberg the lone voice for justice in our world?
As the world moves from one crisis to another and our politicians ignore the immense injustices that are happening in their nation and in the world, what do ordinary non-violent citizens do to let their politicians know they aren’t happy with their lack of moral and ethical fortitude?

10 October 2025
Do you see me? Do you hear me? Does what I say matter?
In an age when millions feel invisible to those in power, these aren't rhetorical questions. They're the foundational need that either builds democracies or tears them apart.

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

11 October 2025
Almost no Australians study Chinese any more. That’s a problem
Fewer than five Australians per year are graduating from honours programs in Chinese studies with language, raising fears the nation is losing the expertise needed to navigate its most complex foreign relationship.

10 October 2025
A masterclass in agency: What Singapore can teach Australia about China
Singapore’s new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong sat down with the ABC on 2 October and offered something rare in Australia’s China debate: clarity, confidence, and a middle-power strategy that doesn’t involve shouting or submission.

6 October 2025
South Korea’s anti-China protests
This week, South Korean authorities expressed concern regarding the potential impact of anti-China protests during APEC.

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
Singapore does it right
Les Macdonald — Balmain NSW 2041
Security through diplomacy
Les Macdonald — Balmain NSW 2041
Shark nets save lives
John Dengate — Sydney
Graffiti is a hate crime too
Simon Tatz — Melbourne