World ,Asia

The group went into the cave to look for gold on May 19, but heavy rain triggered flash flooding that blocked the exit.

Powerful Asian leaders like Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping are preoccupied by the prospect of young people upsetting the social order. They have legitimate cause for concern.

The West has imposed widespread sanctions against Russia in an attempt to isolate Putin over his illegal invasion of Ukraine. They have been unsuccessful.

The accident has triggered a vast rescue operation with hundreds of emergency workers, promises of an “uncompromising” investigation and an intervention from President Xi Jinping.

Australia, as a middle power, has found itself in between two capricious giants whose leaders have proven themselves willing to weaponise trade for their own ends.