In both Muslim-majority and minority contexts, the halal industry is flourishing, driven by a significant annual increase in Muslim consumer spending. As businesses eagerly vie for a slice of the halal market pie, a crucial challenge looms: the absence of global halal standards.

As it is with all legends, the more distant the memory, the greater the reverence and the sketchier the details. This pithy observation comes towards the close of Herald van der Linde’s new history Majapahit, the story of East Java’s golden century and its international clout. 

In Britain, two men are vying for the votes of the British people at the general election on 4 July. For many, it is a peculiar choice.

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is the last African country maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Given China’s growing economic influence in Africa, why does Eswatini persist in its alliance with Taiwan?

While the flurry over Vladimir Putin’s visit with Xi Jinping last May caused a gush among many media outlets, the public declarations of an enduring alliance is more of the same old bluster rather than a serious démarche. A longer view of Sino-Russo relations tells a far more serpentine story.

This week in Australian foreign affairs: China's Premier Li to visit Australia; new investment for Women's Asian Cup; additional humanitarian assistance for Gaza; Australia re-elected to the UN Committee on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, and more.

The metropolis of Karachi is known as “Mini Pakistan,” with people from every part of country uniting in a sharing of unique languages, cultures, cuisines, and customs. It is also a city with many problems, from water crisess to electricity outages, and a population explosion that contributes to burgeoning crime. 

Russian military and political influence have dominated the past two centuries of Georgian history. Since its independence in 1991, Georgia has been trying to reduce its exposure to its great northern neighbour, however developments over the past month show that escaping Russia’s sphere of influence may be impossible.

The Australian government is shifting its funding from fossil fuels to green energy, yet it still allows foreign governments to finance fossil fuel projects in Australia. This incoherence impedes the nation's transition to renewable energy and contradicts its climate goals. 

The United Kingdom High Court granted Julian Assange leave to appeal his extradition to the United States on the grounds that he is at risk of discrimination due to his nationality. His treatment highlights the limits of Australian diplomatic influence.