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Max Walden

@maxwalden.bsky.social

Journalist with the ABC’s Asia Pacific Newsroom. PhD from Melbourne Law School. Bad opinions are my own

958 Followers  |  209 Following  |  549 Posts  |  Joined: 13.11.2024  |  1.7588

Latest posts by maxwalden.bsky.social on Bluesky

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'Everything destroyed' as Indonesia's Aceh grapples with disease after floods Hit by deadly floods, Indonesians in the region around Aceh Tamiang are grappling with worsening diseases and a lack of medical care at the lone hospital in the area.

'Everything destroyed' as Indonesia's Aceh grapples with disease after floods
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

07.12.2025 23:47 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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'My Malaysian grandmother': Cheating South Americans suspended by FIFA A football players' union says seven South American and European members of the Malaysian national team suspended over allegedly forged documents are "victims".

New from me - Malaysian football in chaos after FIFA suspends national players from Argentina, Spain and Brazil www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

06.12.2025 04:18 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 1
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Pacific guest workers are leaving their employers. We asked them why Pacific Islanders have been leaving Australia's guest worker scheme, a decision that breaches their visa conditions and leaves them "extremely vulnerable".

Australia's PALM workers are leaving their employers, becoming 'extremely vulnerable' in visa limbo www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

05.12.2025 00:59 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Neo-Nazi and family leave country after minister revoked visa The South African neo-Nazi who sparked controversy during a protest outside NSW parliament has left Australia after his visa was revoked.

Neo-Nazi Matthew Gruter leaves Australia after visa revoked by minister
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

04.12.2025 05:31 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Palm oil, mining blamed for cyclone devastation in Sumatra Indonesia's government says it will summon eight companies over their suspected role in worsening the scale of floods and landslides that have killed over 700 people. But environmental groups say auth...

Indonesia's govt says it will summon eight companies over their suspected role in worsening the scale of floods and landslides in Sumatra.

But NGOs say the govt is partly to blame for the destruction, given its approval of mining and logging permits. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

04.12.2025 01:26 — 👍 3    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Breaking: Rafah crossing will open to let Gazans cross into Egypt Israeli authorities have announced the Rafah border crossing from Gaza into Egypt will open "in coming days," but only for Palestinians wanting to leave the war-ravaged strip.

Israeli authorities have announced the Rafah border crossing from Gaza into Egypt will open "in coming days," but only for Palestinians wanting to leave the war-ravaged strip.

03.12.2025 08:28 — 👍 1    🔁 2    💬 3    📌 0
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More than 1 million people left homeless by deadly floods in South-East Asia More than 1,300 people are dead and 1.2 million displaced following devastating flooding and landslides in South-East Asia.

South-East Asian floods leave more than 1 million people homeless across Indonesia and Sri Lanka www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

02.12.2025 22:05 — 👍 4    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0
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Defending Lattouf sacking has cost the ABC more than $2.6m Industry estimates put costs in the matter at close to $1.5 million, but questions on notice reveal the case cost the ABC much more.

The ABC’s failed bid to defend its sacking of journalist Antoinette Lattouf in court has cost the public broadcaster at least $2.6 million over three years.
www.afr.com/companies/me...

02.12.2025 11:06 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Princess's popularity spurs calls to ditch male-only succession in Japan Historically, Japan has had numerous women monarchs. But current laws prevent the emperor's daughter from succeeding him — and politicians, including the prime minister, support the status quo.

Princess Aiko's popularity sparks calls to ditch male-only succession law in Japan
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

01.12.2025 22:48 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Burned nets and an arrest signal a growing Hong Kong-mainland divide The blaze that consumed Wang Fuk Court burned for two days, but its political shock waves may echo for weeks, even months.

One fire, two systems: Hong Kong's grief meets Beijing's red lines
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

01.12.2025 19:15 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 1
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A Filipino domestic worker, Rhodora Alcaraz, who rescued a three-month-old baby from a residential fire in Hong Kong has been praised for bravery by members of the Filipino community as well as her former employer.

01.12.2025 09:32 — 👍 82    🔁 9    💬 2    📌 2
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TikTok Addresses Claims of Racism at Awards in Sydney TikTok Australia has issued a statement addressing claims of racially-motivated exclusion and mistreatment at the TikTok Awards in Sydney.

TikTok Australia has issued a statement addressing what was meant to be a night of celebration for the app’s most popular creators, but turned into a flashpoint for allegations of racially-motivated exclusion and mistreatment.
au.variety.com/2025/tv/news...

01.12.2025 08:38 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Pope urges Lebanese to embrace reconciliation, stay in crisis-hit country.

Lebanon rolled out the red carpet and a 21-gun salute for Leo, who was greeted at the airport by children and a brass band as ships at the port sounded their horns

u.afp.com/Sh6Y

01.12.2025 03:40 — 👍 15    🔁 5    💬 0    📌 4
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Migrant domestic workers seek support, solace after Hong Kong fire HONG KONG: Sobs could be heard across Hong Kong's Victoria Park on the weekend as hundreds of migrant workers mourned victims of Hong Kong's worst fire in more than a century and prayed for missing fr...

Migrant domestic workers seek support, solace after Hong Kong fire www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/ho...

01.12.2025 03:37 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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'Big message of hope': Lebanese welcome Pope Leo as peacemaker As Pope Leo visits Lebanon, many locals hope he will bring peace to the region, viewing the visit as a message of solidarity.

Lebanese hopeful Pope Leo will bring peace as he visits the country
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

30.11.2025 21:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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'Rare' tropical cyclone thrashes South-East Asia as death toll hits 115 The death toll is expected to continue rising after a week of record-breaking rain, flash flooding and a "rare" tropical cyclone.

The death toll is expected to continue rising after a week of record-breaking rain, flash flooding and a "rare" tropical cyclone.

28.11.2025 05:28 — 👍 4    🔁 3    💬 1    📌 0
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49 dead as Indonesia intensifies search for flood and landslide victims Nearly 5,000 forced into shelters as over 2,000 houses and buildings are submerged

Rescuers searched Thursday in rivers and the rubble of villages for bodies and possible survivors after flash floods and landslides on Indonesia's Sumatra island left 49 people dead and 67 missing. asia.nikkei.com/economy/natu...

28.11.2025 00:41 — 👍 0    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Glass lift at Bali beach set for demolition after governor intervenes A controversial glass elevator at one of Bali's most picturesque beaches will have to be dismantled, with authorities citing planning violations.

Bali governor demands demolition of glass lift at Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

27.11.2025 02:33 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Floods leave at least 50 dead across Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia The Thai city of Hat Yai received its heaviest rainfall in 300 years, while mudslides killed dozens on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

Floods leave at least 50 dead across Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

26.11.2025 23:53 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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The 'concerning' link between childhood maltreatment and suicide risk Suicide Prevention Australia says there's an "urgent" need for action to stop the "significant and lasting" impact of childhood trauma.

Suicide Prevention Australia issues report linking adverse childhood experiences with suicide risk
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

26.11.2025 21:43 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Darren Lockyer channels 'Welcome to Wrexham' in bid to promote London club The London Broncos might be the only rugby league club in Britain to have experienced relegation before a season even began — and Darren Lockyer, through the help of PNG Players, is hoping to bring th...

This is a great read.

London Broncos rugby league hopes buoyed by Brisbane icon Darren Lockyer and players from PNG
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

26.11.2025 21:34 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
How a fake mosque proposal duped the media | Media Watch
YouTube video by ABC News In-depth How a fake mosque proposal duped the media | Media Watch

How a fake mosque proposal duped the media | Media Watch
youtu.be/DVodKi9OTuY?...

26.11.2025 01:48 — 👍 0    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Palestinians left without shelter after Gaza tent cities flood again Heavy rain causes significant flooding in Gaza, with thousands of Palestinians living in tents bearing the brunt of the sudden burst of winter weather.

Palestinians left without shelter after Gaza tent cities flood again www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

25.11.2025 22:26 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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Researcher cries after finding rare flower in Indonesia A team of researchers describe the "magical" experience of finding a rare species of flower in bloom deep in the Sumatran rainforest after a 23-hour trek.

A 13-year search for one of the world's rarest flowers in Indonesia ends in a 'magical experience' www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

25.11.2025 22:13 — 👍 4    🔁 2    💬 1    📌 0
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'The names have been selected': Crooked operators rig working visas Thousands of young Indonesians want the chance to come to Australia to work, but first they have to win a visa application "war" that puts them in the sights of scammers and dodgy operators promising ...

Fraudsters and intermediaries claiming to have access to Indonesian immigration officials have been scamming workers eager to come to Australia.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

25.11.2025 22:00 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Indonesia is investigating radioactive contamination at an industrial zone after US and Dutch authorities found unusual levels of radiation in some of the south-east Asian country’s biggest exports, including Nike and Adidas shoes. on.ft.com/3Mkld8y

25.11.2025 05:45 — 👍 42    🔁 18    💬 5    📌 3
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US says Myanmar 'safe', terminates nationals' protection status The US government is ending the temporary legal status of thousands of Myanmar nationals arguing they can safely return to the war-torn South-East Asian country.

The US government is ending temporary legal status for citizens of Myanmar, arguing they can safely return to the war-torn South-East Asian country.

The government cited the military junta's planned elections as evidence of an improving situation. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

25.11.2025 04:16 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Jakarta is now the world's largest city dwarfing Australia's entire population For decades Tokyo held the title of the most populous city on the planet. Yet the Indonesian and Bangladeshi capitals have overtaken the Japanese megacity.

The UN's Population Division has found what many have long suspected - greater Jakarta, not Tokyo, is the world's most populous city. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

25.11.2025 03:31 — 👍 6    🔁 4    💬 1    📌 0
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Govt bans social media for children under 16 from next year Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil says he expects all platforms to implement this ruling and prohibit the opening of new accounts by anyone under 16.

Following Australia's lead, Malaysia aims to implement a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16 from next year
www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nat...

24.11.2025 03:04 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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How migrant and overseas Christians are helping keep Australian churches alive Without 11 Pacific Islander ministers serving parishes in north Queensland, the region's Anglican church would collapse, according to bishop Keith Joseph.

How migrant and overseas Christians are helping keep Australian churches alive www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

24.11.2025 02:31 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

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