Max Walden
@maxwalden.bsky.social
Journalist with the ABC’s Asia Pacific Newsroom. PhD from Melbourne Law School. Bad opinions are my own
Reposted by Max Walden
🇯🇵 Japanese shares rose to record highs after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's conservatives won a historic election landslide with a projected two-thirds majority.
➡️ u.afp.com/S2ab
➡️ u.afp.com/S2ab
February 9, 2026 at 9:34 AM
🇯🇵 Japanese shares rose to record highs after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's conservatives won a historic election landslide with a projected two-thirds majority.
➡️ u.afp.com/S2ab
➡️ u.afp.com/S2ab
Reposted by Max Walden
Zelensky says US pressing for Ukraine and Russia to end the nearly four-year war by June, with possible talks between the two sides in Florida next week
u.afp.com/S26V
u.afp.com/S26V
February 7, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Zelensky says US pressing for Ukraine and Russia to end the nearly four-year war by June, with possible talks between the two sides in Florida next week
u.afp.com/S26V
u.afp.com/S26V
Reposted by Max Walden
We are offering paid internships in our London newsroom lasting up to 12 months, to work on our social-media platforms and newsletters
The Economist is hiring Audience fellows for 2026
We are offering paid internships in our London newsroom lasting up to 12 months, to work on our social-media platforms and newsletters
econ.st
February 7, 2026 at 12:40 PM
We are offering paid internships in our London newsroom lasting up to 12 months, to work on our social-media platforms and newsletters
Thailand election stakes are high as progressives mount new challenge against establishment
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Before a single vote is cast, dark clouds gather over Thailand's progressives
As Thailand prepares to head to the polls, voters remain wary that in their version of democracy, the party they vote for is not always the one that takes power.
www.abc.net.au
February 7, 2026 at 2:47 AM
Thailand election stakes are high as progressives mount new challenge against establishment
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Excellent feature by Nikkei Asia - Catastrophe brings a reckoning for Sumatra's oil palm plantations
asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/bi...
asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/bi...
Catastrophe brings a reckoning for Sumatra's oil palm plantations
Indonesian island considers future of farms that magnified damage from floods and landslides
asia.nikkei.com
February 7, 2026 at 2:28 AM
Excellent feature by Nikkei Asia - Catastrophe brings a reckoning for Sumatra's oil palm plantations
asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/bi...
asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/bi...
Reposted by Max Walden
Once again, it turns out “fully autonomous” means “a guy in the Philippines.”
It Turns Out Waymos Are Being Controlled by Workers in the Philippines
During a Congressional hearing, Waymo's chief safety officer, Mauricio Peña, was grilled over the company's reliance on overseas workers.
futurism.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Once again, it turns out “fully autonomous” means “a guy in the Philippines.”
Reposted by Max Walden
Prabowo looks way happier than usual! Albo cracked him lol
February 6, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Prabowo looks way happier than usual! Albo cracked him lol
I appeared on Asia News Week last night to discuss the appearance of Anwar Ibrahim and Narendra Modi in Epstein's private emails.
youtu.be/wqA2Lep97bQ?...
youtu.be/wqA2Lep97bQ?...
India's Modi and Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim named in Epstein files | Asia News Week | ABC NEWS
YouTube video by ABC News (Australia)
youtu.be
February 6, 2026 at 9:43 PM
I appeared on Asia News Week last night to discuss the appearance of Anwar Ibrahim and Narendra Modi in Epstein's private emails.
youtu.be/wqA2Lep97bQ?...
youtu.be/wqA2Lep97bQ?...
"One night in 2023, Eric was scrolling on a social media channel he regularly browsed for porn ... He realised the couple he was watching - entering the room, setting down their bags, and later, having sex - was himself and his girlfriend." www.bbc.com/news/article...
We had sex in a Chinese hotel, then found we had been broadcast to thousands
A couple who stayed in Shenzhen discovered their intimate moments were filmed as spy-cam porn.
www.bbc.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:21 PM
"One night in 2023, Eric was scrolling on a social media channel he regularly browsed for porn ... He realised the couple he was watching - entering the room, setting down their bags, and later, having sex - was himself and his girlfriend." www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Max Walden
Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Oman for talks with US officials after weeks of escalating tensions and fears of a military confrontation between the two countries.
February 6, 2026 at 8:02 AM
Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Oman for talks with US officials after weeks of escalating tensions and fears of a military confrontation between the two countries.
French authorities sink tonnes of cocaine bound for Australia, then release suspects
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
France says Australia-bound drug ship isn't its problem after letting crew free
French authorities intercept a ship carrying five tonnes of cocaine bound for Australia, before releasing the vessel and its crew.
www.abc.net.au
February 6, 2026 at 4:11 AM
French authorities sink tonnes of cocaine bound for Australia, then release suspects
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Australian hardware giant Bunnings has won its fight to monitor its customers with artificial intelligence facial recognition technology to combat retail crime and reduce staff abuse.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Bunnings wins fight to use AI facial recognition tech to combat crime
Bunnings was reasonably entitled to use AI facial recognition technology to combat crime and staff abuse in its stores, the Administrative Review Tribunal finds.
www.abc.net.au
February 5, 2026 at 5:25 AM
Australian hardware giant Bunnings has won its fight to monitor its customers with artificial intelligence facial recognition technology to combat retail crime and reduce staff abuse.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
The attempted bombing of an Invasion Day rally crowd in Perth was a terrorist act, authorities have declared, as the accused's 'pro-white ideology' is investigated www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Invasion Day bomb declared terror act, as accused's 'pro-white ideology' probed
The attempted bombing of an Invasion Day rally in Perth's CBD last week is declared a terrorist attack by authorities.
www.abc.net.au
February 5, 2026 at 5:14 AM
The attempted bombing of an Invasion Day rally crowd in Perth was a terrorist act, authorities have declared, as the accused's 'pro-white ideology' is investigated www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission investigates 'apocalyptic Christian cult' Shincheonji
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Regulator probes charity status of 'apocalyptic Christian cult'
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission says it is investigating the charity status of Shincheonji, which featured prominently in the Victorian parliamentary inquiry into cults and fri...
www.abc.net.au
February 5, 2026 at 1:20 AM
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission investigates 'apocalyptic Christian cult' Shincheonji
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
India's government dismissed Epstein's suggestion he was involved in a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel in 2017 as "trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal".
The Malaysian and Indian prime ministers have denied connections with the late convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, after their names appeared in a tranche of files released by the US Department of Justice
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
India's Modi, Malaysia's Anwar brush off Epstein files mentions
The prime ministers of Malaysia and India deny having links with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein after their names appeared in a tranche of files released by the US Department of Justice.
www.abc.net.au
February 4, 2026 at 4:20 AM
India's government dismissed Epstein's suggestion he was involved in a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel in 2017 as "trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal".
The Malaysian and Indian prime ministers have denied connections with the late convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, after their names appeared in a tranche of files released by the US Department of Justice
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
India's Modi, Malaysia's Anwar brush off Epstein files mentions
The prime ministers of Malaysia and India deny having links with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein after their names appeared in a tranche of files released by the US Department of Justice.
www.abc.net.au
February 4, 2026 at 4:18 AM
The Malaysian and Indian prime ministers have denied connections with the late convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, after their names appeared in a tranche of files released by the US Department of Justice
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Crikey reports US agencies will be handed access to Australians’ biometric data, ID documents
www.crikey.com.au/2026/02/03/a...
www.crikey.com.au/2026/02/03/a...
Trump, ICE set to be handed access to Australians' biometric data, ID documents
The Albanese government is giving the Trump administration and agencies like ICE access to Australians' biometric data — and we're not being told anything about it.
www.crikey.com.au
February 3, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Crikey reports US agencies will be handed access to Australians’ biometric data, ID documents
www.crikey.com.au/2026/02/03/a...
www.crikey.com.au/2026/02/03/a...
Indonesia's foreign ministry: "participation in the Board of Peace is not merely a formality. It's a manifestation of its support for Palestine and a consistent commitment to supporting a just, sustainable peace process..." www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Why has Asia's largest Muslim nation joined Trump's Board of Peace?
Analysts say Asian countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam have signalled support for US President Donald Trump's new Board of Peace, not because they expect changes in Gaza, but to gain access to US ...
www.abc.net.au
February 3, 2026 at 2:04 AM
Indonesia's foreign ministry: "participation in the Board of Peace is not merely a formality. It's a manifestation of its support for Palestine and a consistent commitment to supporting a just, sustainable peace process..." www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Sam Kerr is back for the Asian Cup, half a lifetime after winning it as a teenager
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Sam Kerr is back for the Asian Cup after winning it as a teenager
Matildas captain Sam Kerr was just 16 when she helped the team win the Women's Asian Cup — their first, and to date only major trophy. Now she's leading the side at home, ready for another shot at glo...
www.abc.net.au
February 3, 2026 at 1:42 AM
Sam Kerr is back for the Asian Cup, half a lifetime after winning it as a teenager
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Reposted by Max Walden
An Australian "anarcho communist" X account is one of dozens that researchers say are part of a AI-powered digital influence campaign pushing pro-China propaganda
The accounts mix in normal posts with content promoting Chinese culture & attacking its government's enemies.
The accounts mix in normal posts with content promoting Chinese culture & attacking its government's enemies.
Fake 'Australian' social media army is pushing Chinese propaganda using stolen X accounts and AI, report claims
An anarcho-communist from Ballarat suddenly developed a keen interest in Philippine flood recovery corruption. In fact, it's part of an AI-powered troll farm.
www.crikey.com.au
February 2, 2026 at 1:34 AM
An Australian "anarcho communist" X account is one of dozens that researchers say are part of a AI-powered digital influence campaign pushing pro-China propaganda
The accounts mix in normal posts with content promoting Chinese culture & attacking its government's enemies.
The accounts mix in normal posts with content promoting Chinese culture & attacking its government's enemies.
Interesting read from The Economist on how Trump’s behaviour is driving some parts of the European far-right against him
economist.com/europe/2026/...
economist.com/europe/2026/...
Donald Trump’s bullying is irritating his European populist chums
French and German nationalists are not happy with America’s grab for Greenland
economist.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:38 AM
Interesting read from The Economist on how Trump’s behaviour is driving some parts of the European far-right against him
economist.com/europe/2026/...
economist.com/europe/2026/...
Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon boasted that he urged Australian billionaire Clive Palmer to bankroll an advertising campaign worth tens of millions during the 2019 federal election as part of a wider plan to disrupt global democracy. www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...
‘I had Clive Palmer do the … ads’: Trump lieutenant’s Australian election claim revealed in Epstein files
Trump ally Steve Bannon told paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in 2019 he had influenced an omnipresent election advertising campaign by the mining billionaire.
www.theage.com.au
February 1, 2026 at 3:27 AM
Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon boasted that he urged Australian billionaire Clive Palmer to bankroll an advertising campaign worth tens of millions during the 2019 federal election as part of a wider plan to disrupt global democracy. www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...
Children living in makeshift tents in Gaza are dying from hypothermia
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Children living in makeshift tents in Gaza are dying from hypothermia
Mohammed died from hypothermia while in his mother's arms after a cold night in Gaza. His family are one of hundreds of thousands of Gazans enduring harsh winter conditions in flimsy tents across the ...
www.abc.net.au
January 30, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Children living in makeshift tents in Gaza are dying from hypothermia
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Reposted by Max Walden
Federal agents arrested the former CNN anchor Don Lemon on Thursday on charges that he violated federal law during a Jan. 18 protest against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, his lawyer said. The case had been rejected last week by a magistrate judge. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
January 30, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Federal agents arrested the former CNN anchor Don Lemon on Thursday on charges that he violated federal law during a Jan. 18 protest against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, his lawyer said. The case had been rejected last week by a magistrate judge. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...