Trump’s unilateral tariffs have pushed ASEAN closer to China
BA Hamzah

Trump’s unilateral tariffs have pushed ASEAN closer to China

economy politics world

President Donald Trump has achieved a ‘miracle’ in under 100 days. He suceeded in breaking diplomatic and trade relationships with neighbours like Canada and Mexico that took hundred of years to nurture. His unilateral tariffs have upset many including China, Japan, South Korea, and the ASEAN countries.

Why extremists see gold in the migration debate
Josh Roose

Why extremists see gold in the migration debate

An immigration debate in an era of rising extremism is fertile ground for a noisy minority keen to distort the facts to sell their white Australia.

Al Gore on climate and Trump – the whole speech
Al Gore

Al Gore on climate and Trump – the whole speech

Readers may have seen mainstream media coverage of former US vice-president Al Gore's speech at San Francisco Climate Week on 21 April. We think it is worth reading in full.


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

Environment: Australia’s exported fossil fuel emissions are treble our total domestic emissions
Peter Sainsbury

Environment: Australia’s exported fossil fuel emissions are treble our total domestic emissions

Australia’s exported coal and LNG produce three times more emissions than 27 million Australians. The US wastes prime agricultural land to inefficiently produce energy for cars. Shed snake skin protects young birds. Kosciuszko benefitting from fewer feral horses.

A monstrous media and murder in Gaza
Jonathan Cook

A monstrous media and murder in Gaza

Imagine how this would have been reported if Russian soldiers had executed Ukrainians in this way. Not like this, you can be sure.

The third Nakba in Israel’s war of genocide
Ali Kazak

The third Nakba in Israel’s war of genocide

Why does the Albanese Government shirk its responsibility?

How credible are the Coalition’s budget projections?
Michael Keating

How credible are the Coalition’s budget projections?

The Coalition’s costings finally reveal that in the next two years it will have a bigger deficit than Labor. In the second half of the four-year projection, the forecast net positive impact from the Coalition’s policy changes is questionable.

India, Pakistan trade threats after Kashmir massacre – Asian Media Report
David Armstrong

India, Pakistan trade threats after Kashmir massacre – Asian Media Report

In Asian media this week: Pakistan fears attack, India threatens crushing blow. Plus: China passes its first private-sector law; Trump needs a quick trade deal with Japan; Tariff plan: US wants to reset world monetary order; Singapore blocks foreign election posts; Bandung – when former colonies found a collective voice.

Major YouGov poll has Labor easily winning a majority of seats in election
Adrian Beaumont

Major YouGov poll has Labor easily winning a majority of seats in election

A YouGov MRP poll has Labor clearly winning a majority of seats in the federal election – 84 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives.

Being a good international citizen in a Trumpian world
Gareth Evans

Being a good international citizen in a Trumpian world

We live in troubling times, globally and regionally, with not the least of our troubles being the current occupant of the White House.

Latest on Palestine and Israel

A monstrous media and murder in Gaza
Jonathan Cook

A monstrous media and murder in Gaza

Imagine how this would have been reported if Russian soldiers had executed Ukrainians in this way. Not like this, you can be sure.

The third Nakba in Israel’s war of genocide
Ali Kazak

The third Nakba in Israel’s war of genocide

Why does the Albanese Government shirk its responsibility?

'I am not afraid of you,' freed Mohsen Mahdawi tells Donald Trump
Jessica Corbett

'I am not afraid of you,' freed Mohsen Mahdawi tells Donald Trump

A court's order for the release of a detained student protest leader, said one lawyer, is a victory for all people in this country invested in their ability to dissent and speak and protest.

Voting for humanity should come first in this election
Sue Wareham

Voting for humanity should come first in this election

The following is the text of a speech given by Sue Wareham at a public meeting Why genocide is a key election issue held on 27 April under the auspices of Australians for Humanity. Wareham is president of the Medical Association for Prevention of War (Australia).

Palestine is an election issue – Australians for Humanity
Australians for Humanity

Palestine is an election issue – Australians for Humanity

The genocide in Palestine is the moral issue of our time and a key election issue.

Human rights abuses by Israel – Amnesty report
Amnesty International

Human rights abuses by Israel – Amnesty report

Israel is perpetrating a “live-streamed genocide” in Gaza, committing illegal acts with the “specific intent” of wiping out Palestinians, Amnesty International said in their annual report released on Monday.

The Fall of Saigon 1975: Fifty years of repeating what was forgotten (Part 1)
Eugene Doyle

The Fall of Saigon 1975: Fifty years of repeating what was forgotten (Part 1)

The first demonstration I ever went to was at 12, against the Vietnam War. The first formal history lesson I received was a few months later when I commenced high school.


John Menadue

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.

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Latest on China

Nine's feeble bid for a China poll beat-up fails miserably: Anti-China Media Watch
Marcus Reubenstein

Nine's feeble bid for a China poll beat-up fails miserably: Anti-China Media Watch

china media politics

Chinese Communist Party-linked minions are being employed to quash Dutton’s hopes of electoral victory; LNP senator free to make spy allegations; Chinese-built tugboats threaten our sovereignty; and the awful truth emerges – most Australians don’t fear China.

Who holds the better cards – China or the US?
Richard Cullen

Who holds the better cards – China or the US?

The mainstream Western media and global, alternative media outlets have been delivering a remarkable converging stream of blistering commentary since 2 April on what is now widely called, even by The Economist, Trump’s tariff tantrum.

China’s not-so-quiet energy revolution: Towards the world’s first industrial electrostate
David Glynne Jones,  Derek Woolner

China’s not-so-quiet energy revolution: Towards the world’s first industrial electrostate

In 2023, China increased its deployment of solar and wind energy three-fold. This trend accelerated in 2024, with China installing nearly 65% of the world’s new low emission energy electricity generation.


More from Pearls and Irritations


Latest letters to the editor

Palestine, Israel and truth

Morag Fraser — Melbourne, Victoria

I applaud Pearls and Irritations and John Menadue for the forthright bravery of the piece 'Never again' not only for Jews, but for Palestinians and all humanity. Yes, it will stir outrage, and accusations of antisemitism. But whatever our loyalties or religious and political affiliations, we desperately need journalism that probes, does not cower in the face powerful interests, and tells complex and tragic truths directly and uncompromisingly.
A timely wake-up call

Gavan McCormack — Canberra, ACT

What a pleasure to read editor-in-chief John Menadue’s 27 April ANU lecture on the question of Palestine and Israel’s criminal (genocidal) measures against it, Such is the dominance exercised over global media by pro-Israel forces that it must call for courage on Menadue’s part to be so forthright in insisting on the attribution of major criminal responsibility. Appropriate to the title “Pearls and Irritations”, Menadue offers a pearl. That in doing so he has irritated many is plain from the response to date. Furthermore, however shocking, Menadue is on the side of international law. The International Criminal...
The indestructible pillars of bipartisanship

Bob Pearce — Adelaide SA

That will never change because at different times it suits both (all) of them. Whenever we talk (only talk) of reform, this one never even gets a mention.
Bravo, John Menadue

Richard Barnes — Melbourne

I just want to join with many others in congratulating John Menadue on his fine speech in support of Palestine and humanity at the ANU. John's clear principled stand makes me proud to be associated with P&I. As for the response of The Australian newspaper, I wonder whether there is anyone on their staff with a grasp of such a fundamental (and conservative) tenet as respect for one's wise elders.



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