Michael Mathes
AFP US politics/Congress correspondent, lifelong human.
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/ 29 April 2008

Obama pastor reignites US debate on race

Barack Obama’s fiery former minister thrust his way back into the United States presidential campaign on Monday, again placing the divisive issue of race at the heart of the Democratic White House tussle. An unapologetic Reverend Jeremiah Wright hit back at weeks of criticism over his incendiary comments.

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/ 12 April 2005

Thai environmentalism won’t wave the white flag

Thailand’s natural beauty has long lured millions of foreign vacationers, but after the tsunami, a row is brewing over how best to protect the environment while accommodating surging tourism. Barely 100 days after giant waves pummelled the resort-cluttered Andaman coastline, the kingdom remains torn between safeguarding Mother Nature and promoting a multibillion-dollar industry.