Climate change has morphed into an abstract ideological issue, seemingly disconnected from everyday life. Sir David Attenborough’s biopic: A Life On Our Planet bridges the chasm between climate change as a concept and climate change as an everyday reality. Opening with the deserted Chernobyl, Attenborough … Continue readingBEARING WITNESS: SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH’S ‘A LIFE ON OUR PLANET’
New Zealand’s leader is an anomaly in this day and age. Seen as relentlessly energetic and enduringly optimistic, Jacinda Ardern stands in stark contrast to the dull and scripted nature of most politicians. A true crisis leader, her accomplishments hint at what the next generation … Continue readingIN TIMES OF FAILED LEADERSHIP, JACINDA ARDERN SHINES
Japan’s 99th prime minister Yoshihide Suga was quickly hailed as Shinzo Abe’s successor in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), after the former prime minister announced his decision to step down almost two months ago on the 28th of August 2020. Many have begun to speculate … Continue readingYOSHIHIDE SUGA: A NEW ERA OR CONTINUITY OF ABE FOREIGN POLICY?
WILL THE BELARUS PROTESTS TOPPLE LUKASHENKO BY LUDWIG COOK On 9 August 2020, Alexander Lukashenko was elected to his sixth term as President of Belarus. The official results credited him with 80% of the vote. The main opposing candidate, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, immediately contested the result … Continue readingEUROPE’S LAST DICTATOR
BY HAMAH HOSEN- Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, an archipelago in the South Pacific voted for a second chance at independence. On October 4th, New Caledonia’s status as a French overseas territory was once again being challenged after its narrow fail vote in 2018. The choice … Continue readingTHE RESULTS OF NEW CALEDONIA’S INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM
The arrest of high-profile Australian journalist Cheng Lei in China on suspicion of ‘criminal activity endangering China’s national security’ triggered a series of events that was coined by some commentators as a unique diplomatic standoff. This included Australian correspondents, Bill Birtles and Mike Smith, being … Continue readingJOURNALISTS: PAWNS IN A VOLATILE CHESSBOARD?
On paper, a live-action remake of “Mulan” would have made a great film and a significant insight into Chinese culture. It could have been massively popular, particularly amongst Chinese audiences, and it could have perhaps made a lot of money for Disney and Hollywood. With … Continue readingThe controversy of Disney’s Mulan
Donald J Trump has coronavirus. Let me put it to you differently – a 74 year old man with unknown health issues who is on the verge of obesity has coronavirus. Yes, the President of the United States, the leader of the free world and … Continue readingTRUMP’S CORONAVIRUS DIAGNOSIS | WHY WE SHOULD WORRY
Returning to Air Force One after a campaign speech in Bemidji, Minnesota, President Trump learnt of the passing of Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg from the media pool. Responding to journalists, he said: “She led an amazing life. What else can you say? She was … Continue readingEND OF AN ERA – DEATH OF THE NOTORIOUS RBG
AUSTRALIA’S FOREIGN POLICY NOT SO INDEPENDENT AFTER ALL Travelling to the US during Covid-19 is no small effort and by doing so Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Payne and Defence Minister Reynolds demonstrated just how important the Australia-US alliance is. The agenda at the Australia-US Ministerial … Continue readingAUSMIN 2020