Dementia president: Could it be that Trump has truly lost his mind?
Robert Reich

Dementia president: Could it be that Trump has truly lost his mind?

Given his behaviour, it could very well be that the president of the United States is going nuts.

Hedges Report: NPC Australia caves to Israel Lobby, cancels talk on our betrayal of Palestinian journalists
Chris Hedges

Hedges Report: NPC Australia caves to Israel Lobby, cancels talk on our betrayal of Palestinian journalists

The National Press Club of Australia cancelled my talk on how the media, by amplifying Israeli lies, have betrayed Palestinian journalists, 278 of whom have been assassinated by Israel.

A fresh perspective on climate
Ralph Evans

A fresh perspective on climate

The climate wars rage on interminably. A new perspective might help us see the way forward more clearly.


Donate

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

When cricket turns political: The Asia Cup Final and a missing handshake
Akshit Tyagi

When cricket turns political: The Asia Cup Final and a missing handshake

On 28 September 2025, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium hosted a tense Asia Cup final in which India defeated Pakistan, with young batsman Tilak Varma scoring a calm, unbeaten 69.

Exposing the language of oppression: Debra Dank's 'Terraglossia'
Tony Smith

Exposing the language of oppression: Debra Dank's 'Terraglossia'

At demonstrations about the genocide in Gaza, it has been encouraging to see that speakers have acknowledged the traditional owners of unceded sovereign lands.

No justice or peace for Palestinians in Trump’s Plan
John Menadue

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.

Bernie and AOC explain how Trump and GOP are about to double insurance premiums for millions of Americans
Brad Reed

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.”

Israel’s interception of the Gaza aid flotilla is a clear violation of international law
Donald Rothwell

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.

China’s youth: Between collectivism and the new individualism
John Frew

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.

States increase pressure on Commonwealth to address hospital cost increases
Stephen Duckett

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.

Is China’s reported ban on BHP a bluff, or a glimpse of the future?
Marina Yue Zhang

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.

Latest on Palestine and Israel

Hedges Report: NPC Australia caves to Israel Lobby, cancels talk on our betrayal of Palestinian journalists
Chris Hedges

Hedges Report: NPC Australia caves to Israel Lobby, cancels talk on our betrayal of Palestinian journalists

The National Press Club of Australia cancelled my talk on how the media, by amplifying Israeli lies, have betrayed Palestinian journalists, 278 of whom have been assassinated by Israel.

No justice or peace for Palestinians in Trump’s Plan
John Menadue

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.

Israel’s interception of the Gaza aid flotilla is a clear violation of international law
Donald Rothwell

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.

What do Palestinian Australians think of the Trump peace plan?
Shaoquett Moselmane

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.

Erasing Gaza's ecosystem
Richard Cullen

Erasing Gaza's ecosystem

Israel is rightly known for its technological prowess, not least when it comes to making war.

Ben Saul on Palestinian recognition and the Trump plan
Ben Saul

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.

Chris Sidoti's prescription for action on Palestine
Chris Sidoti

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.

Israel intercepts Gaza Sumud Flotilla vessels: What we know so far
Elizabeth Melimopoulos

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.


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

China’s youth: Between collectivism and the new individualism
John Frew

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.

Is China’s reported ban on BHP a bluff, or a glimpse of the future?
Marina Yue Zhang

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.

We killed our car industry and now we're drafted to fight against Chinese EVs (again?)
Fred Zhang

ANTI-CHINA MEDIA WATCH

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.


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.

Donate

More from Pearls and Irritations


Latest letters to the editor

Another 20th century giant has left the building

John Mosig — Kew, Victoria

As we slide deeper and deeper into the vortex of the 21st century, we’re farewelling more and more of the people who, through their intellect and character, have shaped the way we view the world in which we live. Jane Goodall joins Curie, Fleming, Gandhi and Einstein in that honoured pantheon. Through her work among our nearest cousins in their natural state, she confirmed we are risen apes, not the fallen angels our egotistical backstory would have us as. Whether this revelation is going to help us with the problem of living with each other and stabilising the climate...
How can something that has never existed end?

Les Macdonald — Balmain NSW 2041

I totally understand Amy's concern but I think it is based upon an assumption that doesn't accord with historical fact. The truth is, the framers of the US Constitution were not creating a democracy. They were very clear that they were creating a republic. They deliberately wrote that constitution to prevent democracy, but to create an image that could be sold as democracy. All that has really happened under the Orange Donald is that any pretence of democracy has now been utterly eliminated.
Western application of law of the sea

Les Macdonald — Balmain NSW 2041

The UN convention on the law of the sea (which is international law), in force since 1994, has been entered into by 170 state parties and covers such matters as freedom of navigation. Under Article 19 of the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention, a warship can sail within the 12 nautical-mile territorial sea of another nation's coastline “so long as it is not prejudicial to the peace, good order or security of the coastal State. The US has refused to sign on to the convention but uses it constantly against China, which has signed on to...
Silence is golden

Bob Pearce — Adelaide SA

Recently, a friend shared with me this quote, “When you put a clown in a castle he doesn’t become a king, but the castle becomes a circus. I have, for some time, been concerned how news about the US/Trump is dominating our local news, invading our news sovereignty if you like. I have imposed my own silence by tuning out local news which may work to the advantage of our local politics but I do miss the sports results.



Latest from Al Jazeera

Gaza protests under way in Europe as arrests made in London
Protests take place in Barcelona, Rome, Lisbon and London, where police made more than 100 arrests.
Munich airport resumes operations after more drone sightings halted flights
The German airport says that 46 flights had been cancelled or delayed, affecting 6,500 passengers.
Russian ‘savage’ attack on passenger train in Ukraine’s Sumy injures 30
President Zelenskyy condemns Moscow's latest attack on Ukraine's railway infrastructure.
Russian attack on passenger train in Ukraine’s Sumy kills one, injures 30
President Zelenskyy condemns Moscow's latest strike on Ukraine's railway infrastructure.
Israel says Gaza City still a ‘combat zone’ after Trump says ‘stop bombing’
The Israeli army repeats threat to Palestinians to leave northern Gaza to the south and not to return to Gaza City.
Death toll from Indonesia school collapse rises to 14 as more victims found
Authorities say they are using heavy equipment to look for the 49 people who remain missing.