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Wednesday, 12 July

21:31

The recent Jenin operation looks different when considering Palestine as a weapons laboratory "IndyWatch Feed National"

A strong review of my new book, The Palestine Laboratory, by writer Syndication Bureau (focusing solely on the Middle East).

An extract:

The occupation of Palestine is the most funded and resourced state project in Israels history. On the surface, the occupation has been sold as a temporary defensive measure necessary for Israels survival. However, it satisfies many other needs. Given the biblical connection to the West Bank, the occupation provides a religious veneer to the project of secular Zionism. Control over holy cities with deep meaning in Jewish religious history rallies Jews worldwide to support Israel and its government.

More importantly, Israels military control over an entire population has facilitated the creation of a lucrative weapons industry. In his new book, The Palestine Laboratory: How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation Around the World, Australian journalist Antony Loewenstein has documented the intricate connection between the occupation of Palestine and the development of the modern weapons industry. Controlling millions of people requires more than a strong military. Israel has dominated virtually all aspects of Palestinian life with remarkable efficiency through a matrix of checkpoints, physical barriers, and advanced surveillance technologies.

Read the whole thing: What Drives Israels Lucrative Weapons Industry | by Joseph Dana | Jul, 2023 | Medium

The post The recent Jenin operation looks different when considering Palestine as a weapons laboratory appeared first on Antony Loewenstein.

16:11

AliExpress enabling frausters doing nothing about it? "IndyWatch Feed National"

Any selling medium does attract criminals and while in Australia there may be law against false or misleading advertising, Australian 'consumers' are at the mercy of others.

There are plenty of fraudsters, Chinese nationals, on AliEpress, where they are blatantly ripping off overseas buyers.

What is AliExpress doing about it? Very little, not enough.

What is the Chinese government doing about it? Nothing!

Would one seriously expect a government to act against its nationals defrauding 'round eyes', when (globally recognised) copyright law has zero effect or execution in China?

What about Team America World Police, when are they going to save the day?

As they say, buyer beware.

In any event you can see this video, for 'entertainment' purposes:

Fake SSD from AliExpress | How to recognize a fake


See also:

I Got Scammed - Fake 4TB Samsung SSD from AliExpress


And:

I bought a $58 "64TB" External Drive from AliExpress...same scam, bigger storage claim


14:39

Link "IndyWatch Feed National"

Above: Tim Wilms (The Unhinged) and Jarrad Searby (Proud Boys/National Socialist Network/Finks/Melbourne Magistrates Court) pose for the camera. Wilms is wearing RWDS merch popularised by the Proud Boys and, more recently, mass murderer Mauricio Garcia. This week on Yeah Nah Continue reading

14:11

Hmmm. Have we seen this before? "IndyWatch Feed National"

In the 1970s, Whitlam set up the Royal Commission into Human Relationships (fascinating stuff).

One of the many topics they considered was comprehensive sex education.

There is a need for early and continuous sex education and for an educational program which will help young people to be responsible to themselves and to each other and to decide and act with knowledge, not in fear or ignorance.

Royal Commission into Human Relationships, Final Report, 1977

Conservatives at the time went into a frenzy of pearl clutching, insisting that priests and parents were the only people who should ever talk to children about sex. They ignored the evidence that many parents didnt have the information their kids needed, or didnt know how to talk to kids about sex, or had deeply disturbing attitudes towards sex that needed disrupting.

Most of all they ignored all the parents who wanted schools and experts to teach their kids about sex because they knew it would make their kids safer and happier.

Almost 50 years later, the only thing thats changed is a different Royal Commission stopped even the LNP demanding that priests should talk to children about sex.

Effective consent education stops the weaponisation of fear and shame. It gives kids and teens the power to make safer, stronger choices about their own lives and bodies.

People who reject consent education and people who think their power base depends on weaponising fear and shame theres a Venn diagram thats pretty much a perfect circle.

If you want to know more about consent education, heres something I prepared earlier

...

13:24

Lies, Lies, and Autism, Part 5: Putting Something Malicious in a Vaccine "IndyWatch Feed National"

(L) Frank Rochelle, plaintiff veteran, Photo: CNN (C) Dan Olmsted of ageofautism.com, Photo: UPI (R) Dr John Walker-Smith, Photo: Wikipedia
(L) Frank Rochelle, plaintiff veteran, Photo: CNN (C) Dan Olmsted of ageofautism.com, Photo: UPI (R) Dr John Walker-Smith, Photo: Wikipedia

by Mary W Maxwell, LLB

Bioweapons are the type of weapon directed at human health. Of course, weapons such as a gun or a spear are also directed at human health, but here the method is to make the person sick rather than wounded. How to deliver a bioweapon? Put it in the food supply or water supply, inject it, or put it in an insect (or a rat?) which will then deliver it via a bite.

Its claimed that today there are higher-tech bioweapons. You get a chip put into your body which has a receiver of information. The perp can then send instructions for it to interfere with one of your bodys systems. Arent we just marvelous human beings that we have fi...

13:12

Federal Court does not recognise age pension discrimination, despite Australian Government's failure to close life expectancy gap "IndyWatch Feed National"

The Federal Court of Australia has dismissed the legal challenge seeking fair and equal access to the age pension for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Proud Wakka Wakka man Uncle Dennis* brought the case in which the Federal Government faced court for the first time in connection with its failure to close the gap in life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous people.

Despite recognising the ongoing gap in life expectancy, the Court did not accept that Australia's racial discrimination laws should give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people earlier access to the age pension.

It comes on the same day as The Closing the Gap Annual Data Compilation Report found that Australia is still not on track to meet the target of equal life expectancy by 2031. No progress towards this target was reported since the previous year.

The Albanese government has a responsibility to address age pension inequality out of court, by lowering the pension age for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The current pension age of 67 years does not account for the stark differences in life expectancy and health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people do not have the same opportunity to retire and receive support through the age pension as other Australians. Equal access to the pension would also support several Closing the Gap targets.

Uncle Dennis brought the case with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and the Human Rights Law Centre, with support from DLA Piper.

Proud Wakka Wakka man Uncle Dennis said:

Im frustrated with this white system, its not a system of the land. It doesnt give us a say. White people are living longer because they havent lost what we have lost. As an Aboriginal man, Ive seen too many of my people dying at a very early age. We are lucky to get to 50 years old. This case was about telling the truth, and asking the Government to work together with us, to give our people the same chance in life as everyone else.  

Things will never get better unless the Government closes the gaps it created. We didnt have a problem, a problem came here. Our language, our culture and our identity comes from here, it doesnt come from another country. Truth, justice and accountability are important.

Nerita Waight, CEO at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service said:
Everyone deserves to live a life with dignity but this is not possible for our communities who have been left with no choice but to live shorter lives in poverty because of decades of racist colonial policies and a continued lack of investment and change in the systems, institutions and policies that affect their lives day in day out. 

D......

12:32

Make it new? Art and knowledge in the age of automated content generation "IndyWatch Feed National"

In its combination of the already-known, AI cannot respond to the important challenges of our ageclimate change, various forms of prejudice, the inequalities of capitalism and settler colonialism, incipient fascisms. We need, more than ever, art and thought that gives us the authentically new, that tells us something about human life beyond the norms of media normativity of tech platforms and billionaire tyrants.

The post Make it new? Art and knowledge in the age of automated content generation appeared first on Overland literary journal.

11:42

World Federation of Trade Unions issued statement on the NATO Summit 2023 "IndyWatch Feed National"

The NATO summit in Vilnius is about to conclude. It faced some serious issues. Notably the situation in Ukraine and the controversy over an intended expansion into Asia. Critics point out that NATO is on a course towards war and that the push for the prevention of war and for a peaceful relationship between nations is critical to our collective future. The World Federation of Unions, representing 105 million workers in 133 countries issued the statement below just prior to the summit.

The World Federation of Trade Unions, on behalf of its 105 million workers who live, work and struggle in 133 countries of the 5 continents strongly condemns the imperialist plans of NATO and considers the 2023 Summit which is going to be held July 11-12 in Vilnius, Lithuania, one more blatant provocation to the whole peaceful humanity.

The peoples all over the globe know we well the bloody mission of this imperialist alliance is to maintain, and expand if possible, the existing favourable correlation of forces for the NATO countries in order to safeguard the profits of their monopolies.  In the imperialist system which is characterized by the fierce competitions of the imperialist forces for geopolitical control and the control of energy resources and their transport routes, both the peoples of the member-states of NATO and the other counties peoples have nothing to expect from the imperialist alliances and wars except death, suffering, poverty, and misery.

The class-oriented world trade union movement, the militant unions, and those who truly want peace consistently and continuously struggle against NATO which constitutes an aggressive war machine in the service of the interests of the imperialist countries of the alliance.   The peoples of the world have a first-hand experience of NATO crimes and they know that NATO means nothing but interventions, wars, juntas, refugees, starvation, destruction, and death.

The WFTU condemns the continuation of military interventions and wars, the accelerated militarization of international relations, and the soaring military expenditures; it demands an immediate end to all imperialist armed conflicts, full respect for the sovereignty, independence, and right of every people to freely choose their present and future.

We denounce the exclusions, discriminations, embargoes, and sanctions imposed by the US, NATO, and the EU against various countries, as they negatively impact the standard of living of low-income families, workers, poor small farmers, and popular strata in general.

...

11:42

Anyone With Drugs, Put Them On The Table: The Redgum Years In The Sunshine State "IndyWatch Feed National"

John Schumann (ex-Redgum lead singer/songwriter) and the Vagabond Crew are returning to Brisbane with The Redgum Years in August. Here, Schumann reflects on gigging in the dark days of the Bjelke-Petersen regime, and finds Redgums protest songs from the 70s and 80s still apply today.

It was September 1979. We were staying in some crappy three-star holiday units in Tweed Heads and Tim Woods, our tour manager, assembled us in one of the kitchens after breakfast.

Redgum was very much a part-time band then. Two of us were high-school teachers so touring opportunities were confined to school holidays. Tim, now a successful concert promoter, was the only member of the touring party who had the faintest idea about the music industry and Queensland.

Okay, anyone with any drugs at all I mean at all  put them on the table now.

People shuffled uncomfortably and little by little, small quantities of marijuana in tobacco tins and Gladbags and the odd morsel of crumbly black hash in tinfoil appeared on the Laminex table. It was pretty pathetic, really. These days the combined stash would be considered well within personal use limit for one person.

Iconic Australian band, Redgum.

Right. Were going into Queensland. Were Special Branch targets so we need to be as clean as a bottle of Dettol. Smoke it now, flush it, bury it somewhere I dont care. But its not coming across the border.

Wed released our first album, If You Dont Fight You Lose, barely a year before. One of my contributions was a strident song delivered in my strangulated, nasal tones called Letter to BJ. It was addressed to Queenslands notorious premier and it had garnered a fair bit of attention on both sides of the civil liberties argument. Plenty of Queenslanders were dying to see us play it live. Plenty more would have been just as happy to see our heads on pikes lining the road out of Tweed Heads.

...

11:15

What Is Zero Waste? "IndyWatch Feed National"

New to the zero waste movement? We explain exactly what is zero waste and how living a zero waste lifestyle can help reduce your impact on the planet.

10:28

Clive Palmer launches second ISDS case against the Australian government with third case likely "IndyWatch Feed National"

12 July, 2023:  The Attorney Generals Department has confirmed that Clive Palmers company, Zeph Investment which is registered in Singapore, has lodged a second Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) claim suing the Australian government for $41.3 billion under the 2012 ASEAN-Australia New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.

ISDS is a mechanism within some trade agreements which enables foreign (but not local) investors to sue governments for millions and even billions of dollars of compensation if they can argue, among other reasons, that a change in domestic law or policy has reduced the value of their investment.

Clive Palmer is claiming to be a Singaporean investor, as Zeph Investment is registered in Singapore, to utilise the ISDS mechanism to lodge his claim. He is alleging that the refusal of coal exploration permits in Queensland, which were refused on environmental grounds, entitles him to ISDS compensation.

Clive Palmers most recent ISDS case is just one of the two new prospective ISDS cases revealed in the May budget papers. The Attorney Generals Department has confirmed that Zeph Investment is expected to lodge a third ISDS case.

These cases follow two previous cases that Clive Palmer has taken against the Australian government. In October 2021, Clive Palmer lost his $27.8 billion High Court (non-ISDS) case against the Western Australian government over a disputed mining lease. He moved assets to  Singapore to take this case to an ISDS tribunal and in April 2023 he sued the Australian government for almost $300 billion.

Clive Palmers latest case means he is currently suing the Australian government for $337.3 billion under ISDS, not accounting for a potential third case. Even if Clive Palmer loses these cases, it can be expected to cost the Australian government billions in legal fees. A previous ISDS case between Phillip Morris and the Australian government over plain cigarette packaging cost Australia than $12 billion in legal fees and over 5 years to resolve.

09:46

Discussing Lachlan Murdoch with Paddy Manning "IndyWatch Feed National"

Journalist Paddy Manning has written a fascinating book on Lachlan Murdoch, the heir apparent of the global media empire, called The Successor.

I interviewed him about the book and his methods behind it at this years Newcastle Writers Festival:

 

The post Discussing Lachlan Murdoch with Paddy Manning appeared first on Antony Loewenstein.

09:08

Barnaby Hunts A Name For New Nationals Think Tank. Hilarity Ensues. "IndyWatch Feed National"

Apparently (and by apparently we mean possibly) the Nationals are contemplating a Think Tank and Political Activist Group to rival GetUp!, Advance Australia and the IPA. Which, for pretty obvious reasons isnt going to be easy. Because, you know, the words Barnaby Joyce and Think Tank appearing in the same sentence is almost certain to evoke fits of laughter in most quarters, and get in the way of the very thing that think tanks are supposed to promote namely, thinking.

Ever ready to assist, the Twitterverse has exploded with suggestions to help the Member for New England find his way through the confusing maze of word thingies (and in the interests of accuracy its also possible that the Twitterverse is equally responsible for creating the whole concept but wheres the fun in fact-checking that). The batting was opened by a Mr. Philip Riley, proud Wiradjuri man and retired schoolteacher, whose suggestions include Intellecta Nullius, All Hat No Cattle, and Happy Hour.

Other suggestions forthcoming include Septic Tank, Lie Down (a play on GetUp!, arf arf), Drink Up!, No Flies On Us, Empty Paddocks, No-one Left, Rorting Rooters, Bourbon Bangers, All Hat No Head, and Cattlemen Up No Trails.

Some of the more classy names included The Bull Dust Institute, The Mudguard Centre (all bright and shiny on top but filthy underneath), the Fertiliser Forum, and the Sir Les Patterson Foundation.

And in a flurry of suggestions, Greg Burch offered: Drink Tank, Gin Up!, Institute of Public Bars, Institute of Elicit Affairs, Institute of the Public Purse, and Integrous Nullius. Its possible Mr Burch is either no fan of the Nationals, or believes them to have a drinking problem.

Judy Lloyd Dalton offered more of an interpretive artwork than a name a photo of Barnaby Joyce sleeping through a session of parliament, prompting Mr Riley to remark, Hes got 2 of the Seven Dwarfs covered Sleepy and Dopey.

Keiran Dwyer also offered up some artwork:

07:40

No consultation with new planning body "IndyWatch Feed National"

NSW Reconstruction Authoritys key powers.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority has released a draft document, Protocols exercise of powers and functions under the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022, outlining its powers to act in relation to promoting community resilience to the impact of disasters in NSW. 

The Authority has absorbed both the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC) and Infrastructure NSWs HawkesburyNepean Valley Flood Risk Management Directorate (HNV).

The NRRC retains its Northern Rivers identity and continues to focus on rebuilding communities in the Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed local government areas. This includes delivering the Resilient Homes Program, states the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

While the draft document outlines that it seeks transparency and engagement with stakeholders, the Overview of NSW Reconstruction Authoritys key powers clearly identifi...

07:39

The two-tier economy "IndyWatch Feed National"

Have you tried to get a tradie recently?

How about booking your car in for a service, or hiring a removalist that can fit you in before Christmas?

If youve tried calling any of these local businesses recently, youve probably discovered that demand for basic services like these is majorly outstripping supply.

Welcome to the north coasts two-speed economy.

While the local retail sector struggles under the dual pressures of rising interest rates and the increased cost of living, industries involved in providing basic, grass roots services are booming.    

Many tradies have waiting periods of two months for an average-sized job, while some, such as carpenters and tilers, are almost impossible to get, unless youre willing to pay a premium.

The average wait to book your car in for a service in the Shire is two-to-four weeks, and if youre moving house within the local area youll want to plan at least eight weeks ahead.

A series of interviews conducted by The Echo with experts and those working in these industries suggest the boom and consequent shortages in these industries are the outcome of multiple factors.

They include the increase in demand for the building industry brought about by the 2022 floods, and the mass migration to the Northern Rivers during covid.

At the same time, there is a critical shortage of workers in some of these areas, particularly in the trades sector.  

Jason Bentley, from the Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce, said the region was definitely seeing different industries at different levels.

The trade sector is going gang busters. Some are struggling to keep up with demand.

But at the same time, others are having to close down their operations or move out of the area.

Jane Laverty, President of the Northern Rivers chapter of Business NSW, said businesses in the region typically fell into one of three lanes: those that were really struggling, those who were hanging in there, and those who were seeing ongoing very high demand.

Golden triangle

All of these businesses are facing what I call the golden triangle, which is housing, staffing and skills, she said.

These are the three biggest challenges that pretty much everyone is facing.......

06:50

Peter Duttons puppet is National Anti-Corruption Commission Deputy Commissioner Jaala Hinchcliffe. Has the NACC already been corrupted? "IndyWatch Feed National"

Peter Dutton and Jaala HinchcliffePeter Dutton covered up a lot of corruption in the previous government and one of his puppets he used to do the dirty work was Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity (ACLEI) []

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Tuesday, 11 July

22:33

Rental price growth has...peaked! "IndyWatch Feed Nsw"

Rental growth peaks

SQM Research has been ahead of the curve on picking rental market trends with its asking rents index ballooning more than 25 per cent higher in Sydney and some other cities.

In real time, they are now seeing the rental crisis easing as tenants push back on rental price increases and make more efficient use of the housing stock. 

Nationally the rental vacancy rate ticked up from 1.2 per cent to 1.3 per cent in June, and asking rents actually declined over the past week in Sydney, for the first time in ages. 


Looking at the smoothed 6-month trend, Brisbane and Adelaide and still very tight, but there are signs of pressures easing elsewhere. 


Of course, there is still rollicking rental demand expected over the next 5 years - and there probably is a seasonal element to this - but this does suggest that we may be through the immediate worst of the rental crisis, especially in Canberra and Hobart, and much of regional Australia to boot. ...

20:09

Fire at powdered milk factory burns for 2 days in Australia "IndyWatch Feed National"

Firefighters will need to lift the roof off a powdered milk factory in order to extinguish a fire that has been burning for almost two days on the New South Wales South Coast. The factory in Bomaderry, north of Nowra, caught alight at about 1:30pm on Monday. Several employees attempted to fight the fire before Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW crews took over. Shoalhaven Fire and Rescue Inspector Rick Jones said the factory was full of highly flammable powdered milk, which had prolonged the firefighting efforts. "The product itself is something that burns very fiercely, which was evident yesterday," he said.

19:29

City of Perth wants you to report anti-social behaviour to a hotline "IndyWatch Feed National"

READ MORE AT TOTT NEWS  Perth authorities, who already have a smart city network comprising...

19:00

Checking In "IndyWatch Feed National"

  What Happened to the Federalnaya sluzhba bezopasnosti Rossiyskoy Federatsii? The FSB answers directly to Vladimir Putin For the most part, it is the successor organization to the KGB in that the security of Russia is its mission. Since 2014, the FSB devoted substantial resources to preparing for a Russian takeover of Ukraine. Although Russias []

The post Checking In appeared first on Virtual Mirage.

18:30

When Net Zero Describes Common Sense And Progress, Rather Than Emissions "IndyWatch Feed National"

Australias path to net zero emissions isnt so much rocky as it breathtakingly foolish. That is unless were all okay with wide-scale habitat destruction both here and overseas) while wasting trillions of dollars in the process. Geoff Russell weighs in on the renewables vs nuclear debate, which seems to be going from the bizarre to the absurdum.

Mathematicians often use a form of proof called Reductio ad absurdum. If you want to prove something is false, then assume its true and see what that implies. If the implication is false or contrary to something we know is true, then the job is done.

Heres an example. Suppose Jill and Joe are having a discussion. Joe believes in the power of prayer and Jill wants to prove that praying for something doesnt work.

JOE: If I pray, then I can pass my exam.

Jill assumes prayer works and so tries to see what that implies.

JILL: If prayer works, then few, if any Christians would ever have died from cancer.

Thats true if most Christians with a cancer diagnosis respond by praying not to die (from the cancer).

Jill: So, since many Christians die of cancer (every day), prayer doesnt work.

Theres a bit of slack in that argument. Maybe Christians dont all take to prayer when given a cancer diagnosis, and maybe some die without being diagnosed. A mathematician doing mathematics would be more rigorous, but Reductio arguments are often used in this rough and ready way.

Of course, you can escape the argument by exploiting a common loop hole.

Joe: Prayer definitely works, just not all the time and only if you are devout.

Enter Net Zero Australia.

 

Best laid plans

All over the world, research groups are producing net-zero plans of one kind or another. The latest local work came out in April 2023, from Net Zero Australia (NZAU).

NZAU is a consortium of universities and consulting companies, with most of the people being from Melbourne University.

The University of Melbourne. (IMAGE: Geoff Penaluna, Flickr)....

18:00

Animal Liberation is hosting a webinar and you're invited "IndyWatch Feed National"

Our webinars are a great place to learn about animal rights issues and the campaigns that are working to create a kinder world. You will also discover ways you can get involved, and connect with like-minded people. See below to know some of the people who will be presenting there.

During this meeting you'll hear from:

Tara Ward, co-founder and volunteer principal solicitor for the Animal Defenders Office (ADO). The ADO is a nationally accredited, volunteer-run community legal centre based in Canberra. Tara has also taught animal law at the University of New South Wales since 2008, and is an animal welfare representative on a university's animal ethics committee. Tara will be discussing some recent cases, with a focus on animal advocates.

 

Alex Vince, Animal Liberation's campaign manager, will be showing a snippet of On The Fence, an upcoming documentary about Australia's most misunderstood apex predator, the dingo. Alex was interviewed about 1080 poison in this documentary.

 

Tracey and Mick, founders of Peanuts Wellbeing Sanctuary, will be sharing why they started Peanuts Wellbeing Sanctuary, and how they break the cycle of abuse for children and animals, by nurturing empathy and compassion towards others.

When: 6:30 pm (AEST), Thursday, 13th July 2023

Where: 

16:17

Piers Morgan Tried To Interview Roseanne Barr. It Went About As Well As Youd Expect "IndyWatch Feed National"

One of the challenging things about Roseanne Barr, at least over the past few years, has been working out whether or not she has a genuine mental illness (and is thus being exploited by morally bankrupt media types) or if, in fact, shes simply just a spectacularly shit human.

Unfortunately, Barrs latest media outing a bizarre, sycophantic, shouty interview from renowned whinging Pom Piers Morgan does nothing to solve the question. But first the brief background.

Morgan had Barr on overnight because, once again, the former comedian turned sitcom star has hit the headlines for saying things that, well, in the cold light of day look more stupid rant than funny. Which, unless youre Donald Trump, cant be put down to a deliberate career choice.

In Barrs case, at the end of last month she appeared on fellow comedian Theo Vons podcast, where, among many other wildly outlandish statements, she sarcastically claimed that Joe Biden had definitely won the 2020 presidential election over Trump. Barr, in case youve missed it, is a trenchant election denier, and so, to underscore her sarcasm, she also pretended to be a Holocaust denier. Which is never a good idea.

[Biden got 81 million votes in 36 districts]. That is the truth, and nobody died in the Holocaust either. Thats the truth. It should happen, six million Jews should die right now because they cause all the problems in the world but it never happened, Barr said.

In Barrs funny defence, she also told Von that Hollywood was full of Jews and that Americans should be grateful because if that wasnt the case, all youd have is f***ing fishing shows. But unfortunately for Barr, while sections of the left did indeed try to misuse the statements to make out Barr was genuinely anti-Semitic (it was clearly satirical and Barr is, in fact, Jewish), it still went down like a lead balloon within the Jewish community.

Jonathan Greenblatt from the Anti-Defamation League lead the charge: Sarcasm or not, Roseanne Barrs comments about Jews and the Holocaust are reprehensible and irresponsible.

And speaking of that, enter Piers Morgan, who was obviously hopeful he might wring a bit more out of the fortnight-old controversy. Morgan also apparently mistakenly believed he had an ally and friend in Roseanne Barr, who, like himself, has repeatedly been silenced and cancelled for her views (well let the fact Morgan has his own television show, and Barr her own publicist for a national tour fly through to the keeper).

...

16:02

The Fukushima Disaster: The hidden side of the story "IndyWatch Feed Nsw"

Arnie Gundersen speaks of the clich that the solution to pollution is dilution, but with the radiation from Fukushima being sent into the Pacific, there will be bio-accumulationwith vegetation absorbing radiation, little fish eating that vegetation and intensifying it and bigger fish eating the smaller fish and further bio-accumulating the radioactivity. Already, tuna off California have been found with radiation traced to Fukushima. With this planned further, and yet greater dispersal, thousands of people in the Pacific basin will die from radiation, he says.

Exposing the nuclear industry and its lies.  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/07/08/labour-explore-ai-ban-decisions-nuclear-weapons-david-lammy/

The Fukushima Disaster, The Hidden Side of the Story, is a just-released film documentary, a powerful, moving, information-full film that is superbly made. Directed and edited by Philippe Carillo, it is among the strongest ever made on the deadly dangers of nuclear technology. 

It begins with the words in 1961 of U.S. President John F. Kennedy: Every man, woman and child lives under a nuclear sword of Damocles, hanging by the slenderest of threads, capable of being cut at any moment by an accident, or miscalculation or by madness.

It then goes to the March 2011 disaster at the Fukushima Daichi nuclear power plants in Japan after they were struck by a tsunami. Their back-up diesel generators were kicked in but  did not run for long, notes the documentary. That led to three of the six plants explodingand theres video of thisreleasing an unpreceded amount of nuclear radiation into the air.

Fukushima is the worlds largest ever industrial catastrophe, says Professor John Keane of the University of Sydney in Australia. He says there was no emergency plan and, as to the owner of Fukushima, Tokyo Electric Power Company, with the accident its CEO for five nights and dayslocked himself inside his office.

Meanwhile, from TEPCO, there was only good news with two Japanese government agencies also involved in the cover-upthe Nuclear Industry Safety Agency and Ministry of Economy,...

15:02

Melbournes Triple R radio on The Palestine Laboratory "IndyWatch Feed National"

My interview with Melbournes Triple R Radio program, The Grapevine, about my new book, The Palestine Laboratory:

The Palestine Laboratory is a new book by journalist Antony Loewenstein that documents how Israels subjugation of the Palestinian people serves as a testing ground for weapons and surveillance systems that are then exported around the world.

Built on extensive research, interviews and on-the-ground reporting, the book draws on modern events including Harvey Weinstein, 9/11 and the current crisis in Ukraine to show the consequences of a military industrial complex that facilitates the persecution of groups in many parts of the world.

Antony joined Dylan and Kulja on The Grapevine to talk through it all.

Whats happening in Palestine is not staying there the occupation is being exported The technologies and tools that Israel has developed over decades whether its spyware drones or facial recognition technology is now a massive export business to countless countries around the world.

The post Melbournes Triple R radio on The Palestine Laboratory appeared first on Antony Loewenstein.

14:37

ROBODEBT PROSECUTIONS "IndyWatch Feed National"

7 UNIDENTIFIED PEOPLE MAY FACE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION

One of the outcomes from the Robodebt Royal Commission is a secret chapter that recommends civil action or criminal prosecutions. Years overdue, and far too lateb for deceased victims, but better late than never.

This postings URL: https://wp.me/p1n8TZ-3mo

Below are extracts from the report:

I have provided to you an additional chapter of the report which has not been included in the bound report and is sealed. It recommends the referral of individuals for civil action or criminal prosecution....

14:04

Get your paintbrushes and pencils ready! Art competition celebrates love of books "IndyWatch Feed Nsw"

Caroline Wang, Donald Smith, and Ramona Watt have already entered the competition. Picture: Wollongong City Council.

PRIMARY school students are encouraged to create an original artwork inspired by this years Childrens Book Week theme: Read, Grow, Inspire.

There are 13 prizes on offer and first-place winners in each category will receive an exciting Childrens Book Week prize pack valued up to $100.

The competition will be judged by Wollongong Art Gallery and Wollongong City Libraries staff.

To participate, pick up a free entry template by visiting Helensburgh, Thirroul or Corrimal libraries. Once your artwork is ready, drop it back in to your local library before Friday August 4 2023 for a chance to win.

Wollongong City Councils manager library and community services, Jenny Thompson said Childrens Book Week is a chance to highlight the stories which are in the libraries collection.

We want to help encourage young people in our community to fall in love with reading, Ms Thompson said.

This competition is a great way to celebrate everything thats great about books. I cant wait to see the a...

13:30

ABC National helps UDIA push to cover golf-courses with housing VIC "IndyWatch Feed National"

We predicted this would happen when the Vic government put developers in charge of and regional Victoria.  The seizure of these green public and private lands is now being normalised on public media. Affected and ordinary citizens are not being interviewed, or their community organisations, such as Planning Democracy, PPLVic, Sustainable Population Australia, only property developers, who are given an undeserved moral authority via the ABC, simply by promoting their opinion via interviews that allow them to justify overdevelopment and overpopulation without putting any of the obvious logical challenges to their false and self-interested arguments. Australians deserve more, much more from the ABC.

Max Shifman of the Urban Development Institute was interviewed on ABC Radio National 792 Brisbane today around 8.30 am about a push to develop golf courses in Melbourne's South Eastern suburbs - which would include the Mornington Peninsula. This interview used and abused the problem of Australian homelessness as an excuse to overturn hardwon community land and property rights that have to date prevented wholesale slaughter-planning. 

Shifman, without any acknowledgement of the utter irony, pointed to the 'need to house new migrants' who he suggested don't want to live in high rise appartments - contrary to the Vic Government's current 'policies' to build this stylel of dwelling (e.g. activity centres)  - but would rather detached homes. (So would most Australians, Mr Shifman - but not at the price the developer industry likes.)

The obvious rejoinder to the mention of migrants needing such developments to live in was that surely we should be limiting migration if it is causing us to disrupt communities and wildlife.  No such comment. The ABC is so apparently corrupt with regard to pleasing the developer-led agenda.

Of course, we have massive population pressure due to the political pressure groups that have been brought to bear on our polity by the property developer institutes and their financiers, who have got government to engage with a huge expanding migration program.  So, the Urban Development Institute has a history of issuing press releases to justify mass migration, yet we all have to put up with the ABC acting as if mass migration has nothing to do with such interest groups.

Every time I turn on the ABC, they are advocating more housing, more mi...

13:02

Dysfunctionality Critical Mass "IndyWatch Feed National"

The mid-term future looks uncomfortable

J.G.Olsen / Financial Expositor

The Present:

There are now so many syst...

13:00

Will the states new rental commissioner ease the pain for tenants? "IndyWatch Feed Northcoast"

The state government says renters will have a stronger voice to government thanks to the new Rental Commissioner they have appointed.

The government today announced that sector leader Trina Jones will become the first person to step into the role.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns. Photo Facebook.

The commissioner will work with the government to design and implement changes that rebalance the rental market, making it fairer and more modern.

She will work with the Government and stakeholders to get moving on the reforms open for consultation now, including:

  • making it easier for renters to have pets in their homes
  • ending no-grounds evictions
  • implementing a portable bonds scheme that allows renters to transfer bonds from one property to another
  • improving the protection of renters information and privacy.

Beyond these proposed changes, the Rental Commissioner will also reportedly be responsible for identifying and investigating other issues that are impacting the NSW rental market.

The commissioner will examine rental affordability and supply, encourage longer term rental agreements, investigate ways to improve energy efficiency for renters, develop educational resources for renters and owners, and monitor current tenancy laws.

The Governments appointment of NSWs first Rental Commissioner is an important step to addressing some of the issues facing renters and importantly giving them a voice,&#...

11:24

Alex Jones calls on God to blow up the earth before the Globalists do "IndyWatch Feed National"

During his show on Sunday, Infowar host and career conspiracy theories Alex Jones called on God to destroy the earth before the Globalists get a chance to. Jones said was hopeful God would answer his call for the sake of the children. We have to talk to the establishment and say you know you have []

10:48

Calls for roundabout at dangerous intersection "IndyWatch Feed Northcoast"

Intersection of Byron Bay Road and Byron Street, Lennox Head. Photo David Lowe.

The busy intersection at the corner of Byron Bay Road and Byron Street in Lennox Head is an accident waiting to happen, according to locals Jamie Hoile and Ballina Shire Councillor Eva Ramsey.

Cr Ramsey started a petition about the issue in May, which has 174 signatures and rising. She told The Echo that while the roundabout is not currently in Ballina Councils delivery program, it needs to be prioritised as a matter of urgency as Lennox becomes busier.

Eva Ramsey would like to see the speed limit reduced as drivers come down the hill on Byron Bay Road towards the intersection (heading north), as well as the construction of a new roundabout to avoid the problem of long delays for people leaving Lennox Head, particularly at peak times.

...

08:59

Royal Commission shines torch on Robodebt injustice "IndyWatch Feed National"

Contributed by Joe Montero

The Holmes Royal Commission has produced a damning report on Robodebt and presented 57 recommendations Robodebt has been confirmed as one of the biggest scandals in Australia history. Maybe it doesnt offer a clear alternative. But at least it does help shine a torch on a great injustice and found that it was illegal.

A clear outline of how the victims were targeted and made examples of for accepting payments from Centrelink was given. As was how vilification, the hard to navigate process, and the assignment of blame without proof, were used as weapons.

Robodebt was not a mistake, nor was it the result of bad legal advice. This was a deliberate policy to play the blame game for failed economic and social government policies, and in line with the application of neoliberalism. Robodebt and the pain it brought were deliberately intended to force as many as possible into the cheap labour market.

Every indicator suggests a likely connection between corruption in politics and corruption in business, through the granting of lucrative contracts.

We know that the way individuals were treated resulted in immense stress, despair, ill health, and that drove some to suicide. The trauma caused extended to families and impacted on communities.

In the preface to her report, Catherine Holmes noted that the incidence of fraud was miniscule.  This didnt prevent ministers and other politicians from blowing this out of proportion, to justify what was happening.

Now that Robodebt has become scandal, there is no shortage of politicians tut tutting about how terrible it was. They omit that part about the broad bipartisan support for it. There is a smell of insincerity here. The exception is former prime minister Scott Morrison, who continues to deny any wrong.

Cartoon by Megan Herbert

Robodebt was exposed through the effort of many of its victims, their supporters, and of course, the critical role played by whistleblowers within the system. If the politicians had not gone missing at the time, there wouldnt have been Robodebt.

The first recommendation in the report involves treating Centrelink recipients with respect and dignity, putting an end to the use of stigmatising language, and creating a process that is user friendly and efficient.

Instead of this, the post Robodebt system has delive...

08:22

Rail trail has smashed expectations, Tweed Council says "IndyWatch Feed Northcoast"

Data released by Tweed Shire Council today shows more than 70,500 people have used the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) since its opening four months ago, significantly exceeding expectations.

The figures released today were calculated using data retrieved from counters strategically placed along the 24 km length of the Tweed section of the NRRT, which runs from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek.

Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said there had been significant interest in the opening success of the NRRT, with all user counts significantly exceeding expectations.

People enjoying the Tweed rail trail. Image supplied

I am really proud to confirm that since its opening on 1 March 2023, the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail has welcomed approximately 70,551 people, which is an amazing achievement, Cr Cherry said.

Our Rail Trail is welcoming an average of 17,638 people per month, which is approximately 4,048 people per week or an average of 578 people per day.

The original business case for the Tweed section of the NRRT referenced goals of 27,000 people per year which is equivalent to 9,000 people in the first four months. We have absolutely smashed that goal, attracting more than double the anticipated annual number of visitors in our first four months alone.

We knew the Rail Trail would be extremely popular and there was a lot of interest in this facility but this has blown us away!

Cr Cherry said these figures should provide confidence to the NRRTs other member councils of Richmond Valley Council, Lismore City Council and Byron Shire Council who are all either committed or considering connecting to the Rail Trail for the benefit of the broader Northern Rivers community.

With these impressive patronage numbers has also come confirmation that 87% of trail users have used an associated Rail Trail experience and spent money with a local business, whether it be one of the many cafs, restaurants, accommodation providers or bike-related businesses such as hire, shuttle or transport services, Cr Cherry said.

Many businesses along the Rail Trail have told us about their successes and we are continually working on trail improvements, addressing som...

08:21

Lismore Region for Refugee Settlement welcomes first refugee family "IndyWatch Feed Northcoast"

After months of intensive fundraising, LRRS is very excited to announce the arrival on 12th July of our first refugee family.
The family comprises a mother and s thirteen year old son from South America.
Spokesperson for the group, Bridget Carr, said:
We will be setting them up with accommodation, clothes, and household goods in fact all their initial needs.
We will also arrange for a school and English lessons and connect the family with local services.
We will continue to help, and support them for their first year here until they are successfully
embedded in the community.
Ms Carr said the group could not have done this without the generous support of the local community.
A special vote of thanks goes out to the Acid Bleed jazz band who freely donated their time and talents for a very successful and enjoyable fundraiser, Ms Carr said.

The post Lismore Region for Refugee Settlement welcomes first refugee family appeared first on The Echo.

07:34

Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating partner- its a gay man "IndyWatch Feed National"

Above recent photograph: Two old Sydney gays. Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating with Sydney radio shock jock Alan Jones.

I dont know who Paul Keatings live-in gay partner is.

Below photograph: former Australian Prime Ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating.

...

06:05

Handling Trump Media Coverage: An Answer For Media Dummies "IndyWatch Feed National"

Donald TrumpThere are no 'mistakes' for the media to learn from. They can either cover Trump like everyone else, or they can give up on the news.

03:24

NATO is 'malicious poison' - former Australian PM "IndyWatch Feed National"

Paul Keating has argued that the military bloc should remain confined to Europe and the Atlantic and not try to expand into Asia. NATO has no place in Asia and should stick to its original focus, that is the security of the Transatlantic region, former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating has argued. The Labour politician, who served in office from 1991 to 1996, also warned against attempts to "circumscribe" China. In his statement published on Sunday, Keating appeared to refer to a recent report in Politico, which claimed French President Emmanuel Macron had blocked NATO's plans to establish a liaison office in Japan.

02:34

Mystery: Young Man Found Dead In Popular Hotel Room In Ughelli "IndyWatch Feed National"

YOUNG MAN

LAGOS JULY 10TH (URHOBOTODAY)-A 23 years old man, identified as Victor Benjamin has died in a popular hotel located along the East West Road axis in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Vanguard gathered that the deceased had lodged in room No: 414 of Wetland hotel Ughelli, on Saturday before his mysterious untimely death on Sunday.

According sources, The young man had gone to the hotel to relax and when his friends came looking for him, a receptionist told them that he has checked out of the hotel.

Not satisfied with the answer of the receptionist, they went to the room of the deceased only to find his lifeless body on the floor and they raised alarm. the anonymous source revealed.

When contacted via phone call, an investor in the hotel, Richard Kpedi Esq said, I was told a young man checked into the hotel at about 11-12 in the night and during the routine check and checkout time at about 1:pm his body was found on the floor.

When the house keeper got there he saw the man, he went and call his manager and he came, luckily for them, his relations were already coming because they said he came from Ghana.

He was rushed to the hospital in Ughelli there and when they got there, the doctors confirmed him dead on arrival.

We as a corporate organisation, we decide to inform the police and a statement under caution was taken from the management, before we talked about bail and all that.

I think the next thing now is to wait for the autopsy report and know the cause of his death

When contacted the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Edafe Bright said, I will find out.

However, a source from the Delta State Police Command who confirmed the incident stated that the deceased lodged in the on July 7 and at about 2:pm the next day being July 8, his corpse was found lying on the floor.

According to the security source who spoke on anonymous condition said, The Chief Security Officer, CSO, of Wetland Hotel Ughelli, Oglagha Selebibia came to incident the case about the guest and their discovery.

He was rushed to Shekinah, a private hospital where he was confirmed dead by the Doctor and his body has been deposited at the morgue awaiting the autopsy report and while further investigation is ongoing.

As at the time of this report, it was further gathered the Manager of the...

00:15

The UN holds a robot press conference about the state of AI "IndyWatch Feed National"

The AI for Good global summit hosted by the UN tech agency invited a panel of robots and their creators to a press conference to answer questions from reporters.

00:15

Trying to bring probity and ethics back into the ranks of the Australian Public Service in 2023 "IndyWatch Feed Northcoast"


 

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit is constituted by the Public Accounts and Audit Committee Act 1951. The Committee initiates its own inquiries into public administration matters and can conduct inquiries into matters referred to it by either House of Parliament.


The breakdown of the current membership of the Joint Committee is:


Five Upper House Senators 3 Labor, 1 Liberal, 1 Nationals; and

Nine Lower House MPs 6 Labor, 1 Liberal, 2 Liberal-Nationals.


This new inquiry into probity and ethics within the Australian Public Sector was referred to the Joint Committee by the Department of the House of Representatives.


Inquiry into probity and ethics in the Australian Public Sector


...

Monday, 10 July

13:06

Child Safety review in Queensland "IndyWatch Feed Northcoast"

The Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Seniors and Disability Services, Craig Crawford, says he is deeply concerned by reports of alleged criminal behaviour, abuse and neglect in the residential care system, and he has ordered a wide-ranging review of the states residential care system.

Mr  Crawford said he has asked for a top-level review led by the Director-General and including experts, advocates and frontline workers to report back later in the year. I will also be writing to Queensland Families and Childrens Commission (QFCC) Commissioner Luke Twyford seeking his oversight of the work and to report to me independently.

Children with complex needs

We are caring for children with complex needs, often with mental health issues and disabilities who come from trauma backgrounds.

Were always open to new ideas and options.

Mr Crawford says he has particularly asked for a focus on how children aged under 12, First Nations children, and disabled children are handled by the states residential care system.

This work is already underway and we want to work in partnership with Non-Government Organisations providing this care.

We have a lot of good people working hard to care for vulnerable children.

Encourage care workers to report criminal activity

I encourage any care worker who is worried to immediately report any criminal activity to Queensland Police Service.

Anyone who is concerned about the level of care being provided they can speak to Child Safety Officers, regional contacts or write to the Director-General or Minister and any concerns will be thoroughly investigated.

Later this year I will hold a roundtable with key stakeholders a mix of front line workers, providers and advocates about the findings and to discuss any other further options that can be actioned.

The post Child Safety review in Queensland appeared first on The Echo.

12:39

Alarm raised over increase in koalas killed by cars "IndyWatch Feed Northcoast"

Photo Tree Faerie.

The leading koala conservation organisation in the Northern Rivers say it is deeply concerned about the alarming rise in the number of koalas hit and killed by cars in the region. 

Friends of the Koala is urging the public to exercise heightened caution while driving, to avoid further harm to all wildlife. 

Save these numbers 

A spokesperson said, If you see a koala that looks injured, dead or is close to a road, call the 24/7 rescue team on 6622 1233 immediately. 

Save this number, and the phone numbers of Northern Rivers wildlife rescue organisations in your phone, so you are ready to report any sightings: Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers 6628 1866, WIRES 1300 094 737, and Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers 6672 4789. 

Over the past month, Friends of the Koala has witnessed a distressing surge in koala car hits across the Northern Rivers, with six koalas dying just this week.

The post Alarm raised over increase in koalas killed by cars appeared first on The Echo.

11:46

Yaegl ancestors finally at rest on Country "IndyWatch Feed Northcoast"

The Ancestors and their descendants on Yaegl Country. Photo Jamie Williams.

The remains of five Indigenous people, Ancestors of the Yaegl people of northern NSW, have been returned to their rightful place with a significant cultural ceremony honouring their repatriation back to Country.

The repatriation ceremony took place at the end of June in the Yaegl Nature Reserve, near Maclean, which was the designated burial site identified by the Yaegl community.

Australian Museums released three Ancestors

...

11:09

The Xrossing on fire at The Quad "IndyWatch Feed Northcoast"

Dylan Singh as Col Colleano in The Xrossing. Photo Kurt Petersen

With plenty of thrills and no spills, the highwire spectacular, The Xrossing presented by SeedArts at Lismore Quad on the weekend, drew hundreds of ooh-ers and ah-ers who delighted in the breathtaking performances.

...

06:34

The Future of Toys rising from the floods "IndyWatch Feed Northcoast"

Children go the chance to reimagine their flood affected toys. Photo supplied.

Future of Toys is an exhibition featuring new inventions from 22 children from across the Northern Rivers will open next week at Elevator ARI, presented in conjunction with the Lismore Regional Gallery.

Ahead of the exhibition the participants aged 6-12, brought in old toys and flood-affected objects and through a series of workshops, learned how to disassemble their objects into composite parts and transform them into new inventions that reflect their values and hopes for the future.

Participants utilised a range of emerging technologies to realise their inventions including a plastic shredder and extruder, made by artist and Future of Toys facilitator Ben Paul.

Our hopes for these workshops are to empower young people by giving them the tools to design and build inventions based on their hopes for the future, said Paul.

Lively discussions about concerns for the environment and love for community

Throughout the workshops participants engaged in lively discussions about their concerns for the environment and love for community, informing their final designs.

Matters the participants addressed included unhealthy waterways, e-waste, the need to care for stray dogs and the importance of building trust. Participants Seraphine and Emerson invented The Tricky Trusty Catcher to...

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