John Menadue

GOOD READING AND LISTENING FOR THE WEEKEND ...

The ABCs Spirit of Things has woven together several ANZAC stories, including the revelation that the puggaree on our slouch hat is a variant of the Sikhs turban. The program starts with presenter Noel Debien interviewing Marist Brother John Lutterll, who has written a biography of an Australian who served in the Gallipoli campaign as a radio operator on the troopship Hessen Norman Thomas Gilroy. The interview is about the life, politics and theology of Australias first cardinal. It also provides insight into the enduring differences between the NSW and Victorian branches of the Labor Party.

The most eloquent and moving Anzac Day speech was from French Prime Minister douard Phillipe at the opening of the Monash Centre at Villers-Bretonneux.

To understand current developments in North and South Korea, a little history is useful. The New Yok Times has provided a two minute video of the history of the Korean War. In that context these photographs on the ABC website are extraordinary, because technically the two sides are still at war after 68 years

Don’t believe the official narrative in the Syrian chemical weapons controversy - Truthdig.

Can Anzac Day now return to a day of solemn reflection - Paul Daley, the Guardian.

Japan demands that the Koreas pull a dessert from summit menu because it mentions disputed islands - South China Morning Post.

The secrets of old parliament house revealed - Canberra Times

The demise of the nation state - Rana Dasgupta in the Guardian

The diggers built a proud banking culture and the suits ruined it - The New Daily

Never mind Fox: Trumps most reliable media mouthpiece is now Christian TV - Politico

Why Trump Is Winning and thePressIsLosing - New York Review of Books.

Caritas and other Catholic agencies divest from fossil fuels - La Croix International.

On Saturday Extra with Geraldine Doogue this 28th April, former ALP Minister for Trade, Craig Emerson discusses the livestock export industry; Alan Kohler on the pay structure of financial advisers; veteran middle east analyst, Anthony Bubalo discusses potential good news coming out from the Middle East; A Foreign Affair with guests Alan Dupont, Jonathan Pearlman and Gorana Grgic and former ambassador to China, Geoff Raby on his travels along the Silk Road. http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/saturdayextra/

Defend the ‘rule-based’ order in Asia at any cost? Hugh White

John Menadue

John Menadue is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Pearls and Irritations. He was formerly Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet under Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser, Ambassador to Japan, Secretary of the Department of Immigration and CEO of Qantas.