LESSONS FROM THE PALACE LETTERS In November 1977, then-Governor General Sir John Kerr made an intoxicated appearance at the Melbourne Cup; one month later he announced his retirement as the Queen’s representative. For Kerr, it seemed he had finally succumbed to the burden of a … Continue readingTHE CROWN WINS, BUT DOES IT SAVE THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL?
“We will today be terminating our relationship”, were the blunt words proclaiming that the United States of America will end their partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO). President Donald Trump, who had earlier this month threatened to pull funding, made the announcement Friday in … Continue readingTHE BREAKUP: US VS WHO
The Summer Olympic Games of 2020 have officially been postponed. As the COVID-19 pandemic continuously shifts global uncertainty the 32nd Olympiad that was to take place in Tokyo over July/August is now forecast for 2021. In a video posted on the game’s official website on … Continue readingPOSTPONED 2020 Tokyo Olympics: When pragmatism is an act of humanity
On the platforms at Flinders Street Station – one of the city’s major hubs of activity – a pre-recorded message sounds to waiting commuters and workers advising all to take extra of themselves and others. The message echoes routinely, every few minutes, telling everyone to … Continue readingThe Rationing of Reason: The Coronavirus and the Social Pandemic of Inconvenience
(Source: Isabel Infantes/AFP/Getty Images and Charles Platiau of Reuters) … Continue reading“INSERT RANT HERE”
Zimbabwe’s head of state, Robert Mugabe, has died at the age of 95 after months of medical treatment in Singapore. He died a world away from the nation that had defined him and whose legacy continues to define Zimbabwe. His end was far from the … Continue readingMUGABE & THE MEANING OF LEGACY
The above image is by artist Bindi Cole Chocka who successfully sued Herald Sun columnist Andrew Bolt for breaches to the Racial Discrimination Act. “Democracy may stand as something unique in history, a political premise designed wholly to pander to the dichotomous mind”, Boyd Rice … Continue readingTHE BIGOTRY OF TOLERANCE
April 11th, 2019 is another significant date the citizens of Sudan will add to their history. “Just fall, that is all” were the chants that echoed outside the residence of the now former President Omar al-Bashir whose thirty-year regime was toppled Thursday after months of … Continue readingTHE FALL OF OMAR EL-BASHIR: THE COUP TO END ALL COUPS?
Turkey’s accession to the European Union remains in limbo after the parliament voted to suspend the country’s bid for membership. The vote, which took place last week in Strasbourg, France returned with 370 voting in favour to suspend while 109 voted against and 143 abstained. … Continue readingTHE OTTOMAN PERIL: LIMINAL DIPLOMACY IN TURKEY’S ACCESSION TO THE EU
It is one of the most shuddering and tedious of social niceties – small talk. That persistent cycle of banality that encompasses “talk” often on weather, congestion and superficial interest in one’s personal life when really, many are simply waiting for that delicious caffeine fix. … Continue readingBARISTA TALK – WIDENING OUR PERSPECTIVE OF THE WORLD