/qnotables20/ - ===Q Notables 2020===

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9696402 (211652ZJUN20) Notable: Julian Assange's secret lover lifts the lid on her romance with the WikiLeaks founder, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: South_African_born_lawyer_Stella_Morris_37_fell_in_love_with_Assange_48_in_2015_while_visiting_him_to_work_on_a_legal_bid_to_halt_his_extradition_to_America.jpg, South_African_born_lawyer_Stella_Morris_right_fell_in_love_with_the_controversial_WikiLeaks_founder_five_years_ago_while_visiting_him_to_work_on_a_legal_bid_to_halt_the_extraditions.jpg, Ms_Morris_revealed_she_and_Assange_recruited_their_friend_British_actor_Stephen_Hu_to_pose_as_the_children_s_father.jpg

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Julian Assange's secret lover lifts the lid on her romance with the WikiLeaks founder and how they managed to conceive two kids inside the Ecuadorian embassy without ANYONE knowing

Julian Assange's fiancee has lifted the lid on how she managed to have two children with the WikiLeaks founder while he was holed up inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

South African-born lawyer Stella Morris, 37, fell in love with Assange, 48, in 2015 while visiting him to work on a legal bid to halt his extradition to the U.S.

Assange faces espionage charges over the leaking of hundreds of thousands of classified U.S. intelligence documents.

Gabriel, three, and his brother Max, one, were conceived while Assange was hiding out in the Ecuadorian embassy, where he was granted political asylum in 2012 until last April when he was dragged out and taken to prison.

Ms Morris said she felt 'fortunate' to have met Assange, who 'had changed the world with Wikileaks'.

'We grew closer and became friends and watched movies together and I just loved spending time with him. It was very romantic and cautious and very sweet,' she told 60 Minutes on Sunday night.

'It wasn't easy but when you're with someone you love you can make impossible situations possible.'

When Gabriel was conceived in 2016, Assange had been inside the embassy for four years and was thought to be under constant surveillance by American security services.

But Ms Morris said she and Assange - who became engaged in 2017 - conceived both their sons in rooms of the embassy that didn't have CCTV cameras.

'Julian had private spaces, his bedroom and office had no cameras,' she said.

'But when I got pregnant the first time there were microphones everywhere, so I had to write it down on a piece of paper to tell him.

'We loved each other, and we wanted to start a family. All these other circumstances would change but that was a certainty. I got pregnant and we were over the moon,' she said.

Ms Morris was able to hide both her pregnancies from authorities and the media, who still weren't privy to any romantic relationship between the pair.

'I just piled on layers [of clothes] and complained about getting fat to hide it,' she said.

At the time, Assange was also wanted in Sweden where he was accused of rape. He has always denied the sex allegations, which have now been dropped.

In another revelation, Ms Morris revealed she and Assange recruited their friend, British actor Stephen Hu, to pose as the childrens' father to avoid suspicion.

Mr Hue would regularly bring Gabriel and Max to the embassy to visit Assange where they would keep up the ruse the actor was the toddlers' father.

Ms Morris was also careful to never arrive to the consulate at the same time as Mr Hu.

'It was mainly a security concern and that's why we went to extreme measures of trying to not expose my pregnancy. You don't take these steps lightly,' she said.

'[We brought in] Gabriel to the embassy with Stephen who would pose as the father just so Julian would be able to see his son regularly.'

But security staff were still skeptical of Mr Hu, prompting an investigation and the creation of a dossier of their findings.

The mother-of-two also claimed a security company working for the CIA in the embassy had plans to steal Gabriel's nappy for DNA testing to prove Assange's paternity.

'They had instructions to steal Gabriel's nappy in order to establish that Julian was the father in a bid to hurt Julian,' she said.

Ms Morris was tipped off by whistleblowers who worked for the company of the plan to run DNA tests on the toddler's nappy and dummy.

Ms Morris said she has been living in 'a permanent state of fear for years' following the incident.

'The real issue was I thought that our family would be targeted by the same people that were trying to harm Julian,' she said.

It's alleged that recordings of Assange's conversations with his doctors and lawyers were sent back to U.S. authorities to strengthen their extradition case.

According to the security firm whistleblowers, there were plots to forcibly remove Assange from the embassy and poison him.

'I think it's hard for people to understand that such lawlessness is possible,' Ms Morris said.

(continued)

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8444321/Julian-Assanges-secret-lover-lifts-lid-shock-romance-WikiLeaks-founder.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9696519 (211702ZJUN20) Notable: Anti-Covid drug may be ready in Australia by the end of the year, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Monash_University_senior_research_fellow_Dr_Tom_Karagiannis_has_likened_COVID_19_to_a_really_nasty_cold_coming_from_the_same_virus_family.jpg

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Anti-Covid drug may be ready in Australia by the end of the year

A global breakthrough on a new antiviral drug that scientists believe could block the coronavirus has been made in Australia.

Monash University researchers have conducted extensive modelling of a new antiviral drug to show it has significant blocking ability against the virus that causes COVID-19.

Researchers hope the drug, which could be administered by an inhaler, might be available as early as the end of the year.

Scientists around the world have been trying to identify compounds that may interact with viral molecular targets, preventing infection or helping treat symptoms of the disease.

The global challenge has been an absence of a treatment against SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes COVID-19.

Monash University senior research fellow Tom Karagiannis said there had been great interest in finding compounds that could interact with viral molecular targets. Dr Karagiannis and his team have tested the way a designer molecule called a-­ketoamide blocks one of the proteins needed to replicate the virus that causes COVID-19.

After the 2002 SARS outbreak, German researchers designed compounds with broad spectrum anti-coronaviral activity called a-ketoamides. Last month, the same German researchers published new data on an improved version they said works more effectively ­in humans.

Dr Karagiannis and his colleagues then used a supercomputer to study the way the improved version blocks the triggering of the replication of the virus that causes COVID-19. They found that the molecule acts as a handbrake on the virus’s ability to replicate.

“This molecule stops the virus from replicating, which can then stop the release of new virus particles and infection of other cells in the body,” Dr Karagiannis said.

“Importantly, the study found that a-ketoamide binds to the ­active site in a stable way and over a long period, making it a potentially very useful protection against infection with the COVID-19 virus.

“A-ketoamide was initially developed for SARS and has been shown to work in many kinds of ­viruses, including coronaviruses, because the ­active site of these proteases is highly conserved.

“Currently, improvements are being made so that these mole­cules can be administered by inhalation to target the respiratory tract,” he told The Australian.

Dr Karagiannis has likened COVID-19 to a “really nasty cold”, coming from the same virus family.

The breakthrough comes as the worldwide search to find a vaccination for the virus continues, with China, the US and Britain among several countries in the race. US biotech company Moderna was the first to deliver a vaccine ready to be tested in humans.

Most vaccines that reach clinical trials do not go on to make it to market, however, which is why the drive to manufacture some form of treatment is becoming increasingly important as health experts warn of colossal deaths because of a second wave.

Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton on Sunday expressed deep concerns about the progress of the virus through the southern states in the US, South America, South Asia and parts of Europe.

In that light, comments by US President Donald Trump at the weekend stating that he would prefer to see less community testing for the coronavirus will send shockwaves through the US medical ­establishment.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/anticovid-drug-may-be-ready-in-australia-by-the-end-of-the-year/news-story/6408cb947437f1a46c51745ba2832fd3

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9704824 (220801ZJUN20) Notable: US, UK. Italian, Australian and Israeli intel figures made “contact” with me leading up to the meeting with the Clinton errand boy, Alexander Downer, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: GP_236.jpg, GP_237.jpg

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George Papadopoulos Tweets

This is why @MariaBartiromo has been the top journalist on television on this beat for a very long time now. She’s not afraid to ask the relevant questions.

https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1274762588077715456

Svetlana @RealSLokhova

AG Barr: people are looking into pre-July 2016 activity (“official” start of the Russia investigation) and before Papadopoulos bar conversation in May.

Recall that:

@GenFlynn was targeted in January 2016

Page targeted in June

Dossier begins in June

https://twitter.com/RealSLokhova/status/1274742334719234048

—

US, UK. Italian, Australian and Israeli intel figures made “contact” with me leading up to the meeting with the Clinton errand boy, Alexander Downer. Of course Maria was right to press AG Barr on the events much before crossfire hurricane “launched” in “July.”

https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1274769322821337088

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9712010 (230114ZJUN20) Notable: ABC and SBS top the list of most trusted news brands in Australia, according to @risj_oxford Digital News Report 2020, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: C7A2D28E_D949_466D_8E97_6FAC761FE86B.jpeg

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Trusted!

We are so naive.

So brainwashed.

So asleep.

But there is no way through.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9727134 (240655ZJUN20) Notable: PM hires Trump cabinet secretary who led global campaign against Huawei to protect Australia against hacking attacks, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Kirstjen_Nielsen_one_of_Donald_Trump_s_former_cabinet_secretaries_who_led_the_fight_against_tech_giant_Huawei_will_soon_be_advising_Australia_on_how_to_combat_Chinese_espionage.jpg, Kirstjen_Nielsen_the_former_US_Secretary_of_Homeland_Security_has_joined_the_federal_government_s_industry_advisory_panel_on_cyber_security.jpg, Prime_Minister_Scott_Morrison_on_Friday_last_week_revealed_a_sophisticated_state_based_actor_had_been_targeting_companies_hospitals_schools_and_government_officials_He_is_pictured_with_Chinese_President_Xi_Jinping.jpg

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ScoMo's secret cyber weapon: PM hires Trump cabinet secretary who led global campaign against Huawei to protect Australia against hacking attacks

One of Donald Trump's former cabinet secretaries who led the fight against tech giant Huawei is advising Australia on how to combat Chinese espionage.

Kirstjen Nielsen, the former US secretary of homeland security, has joined the federal government's industry advisory panel on cyber security.

As one of President Trump's key advisers, Ms Nielsen was instrumental in driving the American ban on Huawei installing 5G mobile technology.

In early 2018, she lobbied former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull to ban Huawei from being connected to this critical piece of infrastructure.

In August of that year Mr Turnbull, in one of his last acts as PM, barred Huawei from being allowed to set up any part of Australia's 5G network, adding to a 2012 ban on the company installing the National Broadband Network.

Ms Nielsen quit as President Trump's homeland security secretary in April 2019 and in November of last year joined the Australian government's industry advisory panel on cyber security, although it wasn't announced at the time.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton's office on Wednesday confirmed she had joined this panel, chaired by Telstra chief executive Andy Penn.

His spokeswoman issued a statement to Daily Mail Australia:

'Ms Nielsen brings a wealth of cyber security knowledge to the Panel from her experience in defending U.S. Government and critical infrastructure networks from cyber security attacks,' it said.

'She will provide valuable insights on how Australia can work with its international partners to address global cyber security threats from nation states and criminal groups.'

Mr Turnbull's successor Scott Morrison on Friday last week revealed a 'sophisticated state-based actor' had been targeting companies, hospitals, schools and government officials.

He didn't name China as the culprit of these cyber attacks but intelligence experts were quick to suggest Australia's biggest trading partner was responsible, in retaliation for the ban on Huawei installing 5G.

Ms Nielsen's appointment was announced as a Lowy Institute poll found just 23 per cent of Australians trusted China, half the level of a year ago.

Former Labor prime minister Julia Gillard's government banned Huawei from installing the National Broadband Network in March 2012.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute's director of national security strategy Michael Shoebridge said Chinese law compelled technology companies to cooperate with government agencies for intelligence gathering purposes.

'The fact that a sophisticated state actor, almost certainly Beijing, is conducting persistent intrusive cyber attacks against a range of Australian organisations across government and many sectors of the economy simply highlights the need to secure Australia's digital critical infrastructure,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

Mr Shoebridge said the revelations of recent days justified the 2018 ban on Huawei installing 5G, which is also policy in the United States.

'Giving the technology firms of a country whose government conducts such cyber attacks against Australia the ability to build key chunks of our digital backbone in the form of 5G would only give that state access to be even more successful cyber intruders than they are without such internal access and knowledge,' he said.

'It's hard to see how that could be in Australia's interests - or the interests of other governments internationally who face the same risks.'

On Friday, intelligence sources told the ABC that China's hacking of Australian data bases was a retaliation at Huawei being barred from installing 5G.

Huawei's founder Ren Zhengfei was a member of the People's Liberation Army before founding his technology company in 1987.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8453295/Donald-Trumps-Secretary-Homeland-Security-Kirstjen-Nielsen-advising-Australia-cyber-security.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9727177 (240702ZJUN20) Notable: Cooperating with Trump ‘unconstructive’, Iran tells Australia, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Hossein_Amir_Abdollahian_senior_foreign_policy_advisor_meeting_Australia_s_ambassador_to_Tehran_Lyndall_Sachs.jpg

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Cooperating with Trump ‘unconstructive’, Iran tells Australia

TEHRAN — Hossein Amir Abdollahian, a senior foreign policy advisor to the Iranian Parliament speaker, has said Australia’s cooperation with U.S. President Donald Trump’s “illogical policies” will not be conducive to regional security.

In a Tuesday meeting with Australia’s ambassador to Tehran, Lyndall Sachs, Amir Abdollahian said Iran is aware of U.S.-Australia ties but regards as “unconstructive” Australia’s cooperation with the U.S.-led military coalition in West Asia, Mehr reported.

In July 2019, the U.S. proposed a coalition plan to protect shipping in the Persian Gulf. Mike Pompeo, the U.S. secretary of state, invited U.S. allies such as Britain, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Australia to join the coalition. Australia and some other countries joined the coalition.

“The government has decided that it is in Australia’s national interest to work with our international partners to contribute. Our contribution will be limited in scope and it will be time-bound,” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on August 21.

In September 2019, Australian Ambassador to Russia Graeme Meehan said his country’s participation in the U.S.-led coalition does not mean that Australia agrees with the United States’ stand on Iran.

“We are quite careful to say that our participation in the maritime action to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz doesn’t mean that we agree with all the actions that the United States is taking in relation to the nuclear deal. Of course, the two things are connected, but there are also differences, and I think that is the same for some of the European countries that are considering participating in the maritime act. The European countries don’t generally agree with the United States’ action of pulling out of the nuclear deal,” Meehan said.

Elsewhere in his Tuesday remarks, Amir Abdollahian described Iran-Australia ties as positive and constructive but added that the level of ties is not up to par.

He also said Iran is interested in holding talks with Saudi Arabia and other regional countries, emphasizing that Tehran has always believed that regional crises can be resolved through dialogue without foreign intervention.

Sachs, for her part, said Canberra understands Iran's pivotal role in ensuring the security of the region and as a country that seeks international peace and stability.

“Australia does not interfere in internal affairs of other countries but plays its role through negotiating with different parties,” she said.

Ambassador Sachs also expressed a willingness for expansion of Iran-Australia parliamentary ties.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/449161/Cooperating-with-Trump-unconstructive-Iran-tells-Australia

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9727197 (240707ZJUN20) Notable: Rudd warns of international after the COVID-19 pandemic - "crucial" for Democratic nominee Joe Biden to win the November election, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Former_Prime_Minister_Kevin_Rudd.jpg

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'Last chance saloon' for US: Rudd warns of international anarchy

The United States has been damaged both economically and reputationally by the COVID-19 pandemic and it is "crucial" for Democratic nominee Joe Biden to win the November election, according to former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

"America emerges from the COVID-19 crisis deeply damaged," Mr Rudd said, pointing to the behaviour of US President Donald Trump.

"It's kind of crucial [Joe] Biden wins," Mr Rudd said as part of the ANU Crawford School's Leadership Forum series.

"The next four years will be the 'last chance saloon' for American global leadership. Either America gets its ... together in the next four years, or they don't and we continue the drift towards anarchy," he said.

"Biden is likely to have a first-class team around him, but if he loses then all bets are off as to what happens with the international order."

The former prime minister warned about the possibility of "international anarchy" after the COVID-19 pandemic, as power shifts between major powers and away from international organisations.

Also on the panel discussing global institutions was Samantha Power, the former US ambassador to the United Nations, who said criticisms made of organisations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organisation couldn't be divorced from the context where the Trump administration had been withdrawing from and paying less attention to such organisations.

"If we think about what strengthening international organisations is going to look like, there's no 'door two' that doesn't pass through major capitals," she said.

Asked about the future of China on the world stage, Mr Rudd said Australians needed to look not at China's international motivations, but domestic ones.

"China's communist regime has taken a huge hit in terms of domestic legitimacy as a consequence of the events of January and February this year," he said.

"It's important for us not to assume China is motivated by international factors when it engages in various forms of international behaviour, it's driven by a deliberate, shall we say, exercise in domestic nationalism by the Chinese system on order to validate the legitimacy of the system."

https://www.cowraguardian.com.au/story/6803761/last-chance-saloon-for-us-rudd-warns-of-international-anarchy/?cs=9397

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9727242 (240717ZJUN20) Notable: Dyson Heydon: ACT chief prosecutor asks police to investigate sexual harassment allegations, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Dyson_Heydon_has_been_accused_of_sexually_harassing_six_court_associates_allegations_he_denies_Federal_police_have_now_been_urged_to_investigate_by_the_ACT_director_of_public_prosecutions.jpg

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>>177297

Dyson Heydon: ACT chief prosecutor asks police to investigate sexual harassment allegations

Director of public prosecutions recommends that federal police investigate the former high court justice, who has denied all allegation

The Australian Capital Territory’s director of public prosecutions has written to Australian federal police recommending they investigate Dyson Heydon in the wake of an independent inquiry that found the former high court justice harassed six court associates.

Shane Drumgold SC told Guardian Australia he had written to the AFP immediately upon learning of the allegations against Heydon this week.

His correspondence alerted police to the findings of the former inspector general of intelligence and security Vivienne Thom and recommended that an investigation be conducted.

Such an investigation would be conducted by ACT policing, the AFP’s local arm.

“I have forwarded correspondence to the Australian Federal Police alerting them to the existence of the report and other associated complaints, with the recommendation that they investigate those things,” Drumgold told the Guardian. “I did that immediately upon becoming aware of both of those matters.”

Drumgold’s actions are not unique to the Heydon allegations. As a matter of standard operating procedure, the DPP forwards such correspondence when it becomes aware of matters that may warrant investigation.

It is unclear whether the AFP has begun any investigation. A spokesman for ACT policing told the Guardian on Tuesday it was aware of the matter.

Heydon has categorically denied allegations of sexual harassment, detailed in both Thom’s independent investigation and a separate investigation by the Sydney Morning Herald.

“In respect of the confidential inquiry and its subsequent confidential report, any allegation of predatory behaviour or breaches of the law is categorically denied by our client,” Heydon’s lawyers Speed and Stracey said.

“Our client says that if any conduct of his has caused offence, that result was inadvertent and unintended, and he apologises for any offence caused.”

On Tuesday three of Heydon’s former associates announced, through their lawyer Josh Bornstein, that they would seek compensation.

Compensation is being sought both from the commonwealth and Heydon. The commonwealth has indicated a willingness to negotiate, according to Bornstein.

If Heydon does not come to the table, Bornstein said the complaint would be taken to the Australian Human Rights Commission.

The University of Sydney is also reviewing its association with Heydon, who remains an emeritus professor there.

The Heydon case has prompted significant pressure for the legal profession to change.

On Wednesday the president of the New South Wales Bar Association, Tim Game SC, said the publication of the high court’s findings was a “singular event” for the sector.

Game said disrespectful behaviour towards women had “no place at the NSW Bar”.

“The gravity and significance of these issues for our profession are clear,” he said. “It is for that reason that I must re-affirm the Bar Association’s absolute commitment to eradicating sexual harassment of any kind in the workplace.

“That extends to sexual harassment that occurs within the court system and … it explicitly extends to the peculiar vulnerabilities of judge’s associates.”

Thom’s report, commissioned by the high court, has already prompted change within a number of jurisdictions.

On Tuesday the chief justice of the NSW supreme court, Tom Bathurst, wrote to staff saying it would introduce a new policy to deal with sexual harassment, while other supreme courts said they were conducting reviews of their policies and practices.

In an email to all judges’ staff on Tuesday, the NSW supreme court said: “In light of recent events, the supreme court is aware of the need for a sexual harassment policy.

“Such a policy is currently being finalised which will adopt the measures identified by Chief Justice Kiefel in her statement yesterday, amongst other measures.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/24/dyson-heydon-act-director-public-prosecutions-federal-police-investigate-sexual-harassment-allegations

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9727329 (240737ZJUN20) Notable: Virginia Roberts Giuffre says Epstein forced her to have sex with former Israeli PM Ehud Barak, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Former_prime_minister_Ehud_Barak_speaks_at_the_Democratic_Camp_electoral_alliance_s_campaign_launch_in_Tel_Aviv_on_August_12_2019.jpg, Attorney_Alan_Dershowitz_leaves_federal_court_in_New_York_December_2_2019.jpg, Screen_capture_from_video_of_Virginia_Roberts_Giuffre_gesturing_during_an_interview_on_the_BBC_Panorama_program_aired_on_December_2_2019.jpg, In_this_photo_from_July_30_2008_Jeffrey_Epstein_center_appears_in_court_in_West_Palm_Beach_Florida.jpg, Screenshot_of_Daily_Mail_website_showing_article_relating_to_Ehud_Barak_July_16_2019.jpg

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Woman says Epstein forced her to have sex with former PM Barak

Claim revealed in court filings from celebrity US lawyer Dershowitz; associates of ex-politician say it is uncorroborated

Court filings by US lawyer Alan Dershowitz revealed Tuesday that a woman had named former prime minister Ehud Barak as one of a number of important men she was forced to have sex with by Jeffrey Epstein.

Lawyers for Virginia Roberts Giuffre had asked a court in Florida not to allow Dershowitz’s team access to sealed records as part of his defamation case against her for saying she was forced to have sex with him while she was a teen, the Miami Herald reported, as they said they were concerned he would distort the information or use it out of context.

However, during the course of the hearing, Dershowitz’s attorney Howard Cooper said in court that the team had in fact already obtained some of the depositions and that Dershowitz identified Barak as well as L Brands and Victoria’s Secret owner Leslie Wexner as two of the men Giuffre says she was trafficked to by Epstein, a wealthy financier convicted of sex crimes and suspected of many more, the Herald reported.

“Giuffre has also alleged that she was forced to have sex with former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barack [sic],” the filing read in defense of the claims against Dershowitz. “Giuffre has offered no proof other than her uncorroborated word.”

Giuffre last year sued Dershowitz for defamation, and the celebrity attorney filed a countersuit in response.

Associates of Barak told Channel 12 news that the former prime minister’s name was being “scrawled in the news in order to repel the allegations made against Dershowitz. Dershowitz’s deposition states that the woman’s affidavit is false.”

Dershowitz, a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump and a member of the latter’s impeachment defense team, this week went on a media blitz against a recent Netflix series on the Epstein case, saying he only went to the convicted sex offender’s island once, before he was suspected of wrongdoing, and it was with his wife and daughter.

Giuffre has also claimed Epstein arranged for her to have sex with the UK’s Prince Andrew on three occasions — in London and at Epstein’s New York mansion when she was 17 and in the US Virgin Islands when she was about 18. Prosecutors in New York have wanted to speak with Andrew for several months as part of their examination of allegations, made by several women, that some of Epstein’s staff and his girlfriend helped recruit him underage sex partners.

Barak has been dogged over his ties to Epstein, which went back over 15 years, and became an unexpected hot-button issue in the 2019 election campaign in Israel after Epstein was arrested and later died in prison of an apparent suicide.

Barak, who entered a business deal with Epstein in 2015, years after the American financier served time for solicitation, has called long-rumored allegations of sex trafficking by Epstein “abhorrent” and announced that he had officially cut off all business ties with him.

Barak, who has been linked as a frequent visitor to Epstein’s properties, has long asserted that insinuations against him in Epstein’s context were a result of the “poisoned atmosphere” Netanyahu has fostered over the past two decades.

Neighbors in a building owned by Epstein’s brother said that Barak was a “frequent presence” in their New York apartment building, The Daily Beast reported last year.

Residents told the outlet that they knew when the politician was in the building because there were “flashy cars” outside and his security detail in the lobby.

A resident told the outlet they were in the elevator with Hebrew-speaking security guards and another said she regularly saw a guard posted outside an 11th-floor apartment. A further resident said they saw a security detail in the lobby on at least a dozen occasions.

The report did not clarify how the residents knew that the security detail belonged to Barak.

The building has been tied to the financier’s alleged New York trafficking ring, The Daily Beast reported.

Asked about his stays by The Daily Beast, Barak said: “Despite the fact that there was no wrongdoing on my part, and that there is not even the faintest suspicion of wrongdoing on my part, I’m not going to address these questions because in the current political environment in Israel, the mere fact of my response to such a question is churned up as spin in the political game.

(continued)

https://www.timesofisrael.com/woman-says-epstein-forced-her-to-have-sex-with-former-pm-barak/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9740062 (250641ZJUN20) Notable: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo slams Huawei; praises Australia's Telstra, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: US_Secretary_of_State_Mike_Pompeo_says_countries_are_starting_to_avoid_doing_business_with_Huawei.jpg

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Pompeo slams Huawei; praises Telstra

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has cited Australia's Telstra as an example of the global "tide turning" against Chinese tech giant Huawei.

The Trump administration has been lobbying countries to block Huawei from accessing 5G networks.

Mr Pompeo said Telstra in Australia, Orange in France, Jio in India and O2 in the United Kingdom have become "Clean Telcos".

"The tide is turning against Huawei as citizens around the world are waking up to the danger of the Chinese Communist Party's surveillance state," Mr Pompeo said.

"Huawei's deals with telecommunications operators around the world are evaporating, because countries are only allowing trusted vendors in their 5G networks.

"Examples include the Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden, Estonia, Romania, Denmark and Latvia.

"Recently, Greece agreed to use Ericsson rather than Huawei to develop its 5G infrastructure.

"Some of the largest telecom companies around the globe are also becoming 'Clean Telcos'.

"We've seen this with Orange in France, Jio in India, Telstra in Australia, SK and KT in South Korea, NTT in Japan, and O2 in the United Kingdom."

"A few weeks ago, the big three telecommunications companies in Canada decided to partner with Ericsson, Nokia and Samsung because public opinion was overwhelmingly against allowing Huawei to build Canada's 5G networks."

https://7news.com.au/politics/pompeo-slams-huawei-praises-telstra-c-1123670

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9740253 (250711ZJUN20) Notable: Australian Defence Force to send 1,000 personnel to assist Victoria in coronavirus response, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Victoria_requested_logistical_support_and_help_from_other_states_to_battle_a_spike_in_cases.jpg, There_are_two_separate_clusters_linked_to_quarantine_hotels_including_the_Stamford_Plaza.jpg, Victoria_s_health_department_said_there_has_been_extremely_high_demand_for_drive_through_coronavirus_testing_this_week.jpg

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Australian Defence Force to send 1,000 personnel to assist Victoria in coronavirus response

The Australian Defence Force will provide more than 1,000 personnel to assist with the coronavirus response in Victoria, by helping to run a huge testing facility at the Melbourne Showgrounds and organising the transportation of tests to other states for processing.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews today announced a new suburban testing blitz to do 100,000 tests across 10 Melbourne suburbs in 10 days.

"That blitz will mean we need more testing capacity," Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said.

The governments of New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland have all agreed to help process the extra tests.

The tests will be flown interstate by the ADF for processing.

On Tuesday, 21,000 tests were carried out in Victoria, the highest number in a single day this year. More than 20,000 tests were done on Wednesday.

The defence force staff will help to run a massive new test site at the Melbourne Showgrounds.

They will also assist with the transportation and logistics involved in moving returned travellers between the airport and the hotels where they will serve their mandatory quarantine period.

More than 18,500 returned travellers have gone through 14 days of hotel quarantine in Victoria since the start of the pandemic.

Two separate coronavirus clusters have been linked to quarantine hotels — the Stamford Plaza Hotel and Rydges on Swanston hotel.

Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said the procedures for staff working in hotel quarantine were continually under review to deal with the spread of cases from the hotels.

Health Minister Greg Hunt, speaking in Melbourne, said clearly the hotel quarantine structure in Victoria "could be improved."

"We're stepping in at Victoria's request to assist them as we would any other state," he said.

He said the Government had responded to Victoria's request for help in the same way it had done for other states, like Tasmania and New South Wales.

"Whilst we expect there will be more cases today … the Chief Medical Officer's view is that the number of cases are contained, but there is a risk," Mr Hunt said.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said the 1,000 troops would include roughly 850 people to help with planning and assisting with the enforcement of hotel quarantine.

"Our soldiers are not law enforcement personnel … they are not security guards, but they are assisting those locations to make sure quarantine requirements are met," she said.

The Minister said about 200 medical personnel would work with Victorian authorities to speed up testing processes.

Complacency about coronavirus virus prompts concern

The state today recorded 33 new coronavirus infections and this week a man in his 80s died from COVID-19, bringing the state's death toll to 20.

It was the first death in more than a month and took the national total to 103.

Thursday was the ninth consecutive day of double-digit increases in coronavirus cases in the state.

A rise in community transmission of the virus prompted the State Government to declare six local government areas hotspots, including Hume, Darebin, Casey, Cardinia, Moreland and Brimbank.

Australian Medical Association president Tony Bartone said the deployment of more defence personnel sent a "strong message" about the seriousness of the virus.

"Complacency has possibly started to set in and it is a reminder that the virus is still there," he said.

"We need to get on top of this before, indeed, it becomes anything more and leads us into a second wave."

Dr Bartone said he expected the military would help bolster the "logistical response and the expertise" at the front line.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-25/victoria-coronavirus-adf-personnel-sent-in-hotel-quarantine/12390486

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9751796 (260651ZJUN20) Notable: John Bolton says US alliances may not survive a second term of President Donald Trump, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: John_Bolton_was_National_Security_Adviser_to_President_Donald_Trump_for_almost_18_months.jpg, John_Bolton_has_published_a_book_about_his_time_in_the_Trump_White_House.jpg, US_President_Donald_Trump_has_been_accused_of_asking_for_Chinese_help_to_get_re_elected.jpg

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John Bolton says US alliances may not survive a second term of President Donald Trump

Donald Trump's former security adviser has warned that America’s alliances around the world, including with Australia, may not recover from the "damage" that could be caused if US President Donald Trump is elected for a second term.

In an Australian exclusive interview with Leigh Sales on 7.30, John Bolton said the Australia-US alliance currently still delivers great benefits to Australia.

But he added that America's "country to country" relationships could be jeopardised if Donald Trump is re-elected in the November 2020 US Presidential election.

"I feel very confident the United States can repair after one term," Mr Bolton said.

"Two terms? I would be a little bit more worried."

'Only concentrating on his own re-election'

Mr Bolton has just published a book about his 18 months as national security adviser to Mr Trump, during which time he came to the conclusion that Mr Trump was unfit for office.

"He doesn't have a guiding philosophy of grand strategy or policy," he said.

"All presidents, of course, factor politics into their decisions.

"He's the only president I've ever seen, whose almost exclusive notion is concentrating on his own re-election."

Mr Bolton also said the President "didn't really read" his daily briefing papers on intelligence and national security.

"With the coronavirus pandemic we've seen some of the problems that have emerged, I think, really as a result of this inadequate decision making or willingness to learn and willingness to adapt to the circumstances he finds himself in," he said.

When asked what he believed Mr Trump's chances for re-election were, Mr Bolton said it was still an open contest and noted history had shown polls cannot always be trusted.

"I think it's a coin toss who will win in November," he said.

"The polls show Biden with a substantial lead. Hillary Clinton had a substantial lead in 2016. We saw how that turned out."

'Unusual and irregular' involvement

Mr Bolton claimed numerous instances where he said Mr Trump sought to leverage foreign governments "for his own political benefit", including withholding military aid to Ukraine unless it agreed to investigate the activities of political rival Joe Biden's son.

He also alleges Mr Trump asked China to help him get re-elected.

"He was doing what seemed to me like personal favours for authoritarian leaders," he said.

"The idea that he could get China to help out in his re-election effort by buying more foreign products, a whole range of things like that, I thought was certainly inappropriate behaviour.

"This kind of involvement, particularly in judicial and regulatory and law enforcement matters, on the part of a president where his own personal political interests are at stake, is unusual and irregular at best, and may well be much more problematic than that."

When asked why he did not resign, report or go public with these claims while he was in the role, he said he did.

"I did report it to the Attorney-General," Mr Bolton said.

"I reported it to the White House Counsel. I advised, at different times, members of the National Security Council staff to talk to the lawyers as well.

"I'm not an FBI agent. I had plenty else to do, not investigate these concerns. I felt others should carry that responsibility."

He said as soon as he was not part of the administration, he spoke out.

"I don't think you can stay in government and criticise the President publicly," Mr Bolton said.

"If you've come to a parting of the ways, you have to resign. I ultimately did resign."

Mr Trump claimed he fired Mr Bolton.

The White House unsuccessfully tried to block the book's publication via the US Federal Court, with Mr Trump saying that it threatened national security by revealing "highly classified information".

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-25/john-bolton-us-alliance-may-not-survive-second-donald-trump-term/12391056

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9751869 (260705ZJUN20) Notable: NSW Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane's Sydney home raided as ASIO probes China links, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Shaoquett_Moselmane_right_with_his_lawyer_as_he_leaves_his_home_on_Lennox_Street_in_Rockdale_during_a_raid_by_federal_agents.jpg, Shaoquett_Moselmane_as_he_leaves_his_home_on_Lennox_Street_in_Rockdale.jpg

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NSW MP's Sydney home raided as ASIO probes China links

Counter-espionage agency ASIO is conducting a sweeping investigation into allegations Chinese government agents have infiltrated the office of a NSW Labor politician to influence Australian politics.

Multiple sources aware of the foreign interference investigation said it was scrutinising the office of NSW Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane as part of one of the most significant inquiries in recent ASIO history.

As part of the inquiry, the federal police raided properties linked to Mr Moselmane on Friday morning, searching for evidence to support allegations of a Chinese government plot unfolding on Australian soil.

The sources said if sufficient evidence was found, the inquiry could ultimately result in an Australian and world first: a prosecution for foreign interference offences arising from an alleged covert Chinese Communist Party plot to influence a serving politician.

A dozen plain-clothed federal agents raided Mr Moselmane's two-storey house in Rockdale, in Sydney's south, at 6.30am and began conducting an extensive search for evidence.

An hour later, six forensics officers arrived and assisted with the search. At 9am, detectives searched three cars— an Audi, ute and Volvo— outside Mr Moselmane’s house.

Mr Moselmane's lawyer arrived during the search and was let into the home by federal agents. The agents searched the house and were seen carrying bags and folders.

The Attorney-General Christian Porter has authorised efforts by ASIO to gather evidence of any person suspected of seeking to influence Mr Moselmane or his staff on behalf of the Chinese government. The step could only be taken if there were reasonable grounds to suspect evidence may be at those properties.

Security expert Neil Fergus said: "ASIO would not take this step lightly."

The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age is not suggesting the allegations involving Mr Moselmane and his office are proven, only that they are the subject of an ASIO and federal police inquiry.

The revelations of the ASIO probe are likely to trigger a political storm, given Labor has already weathered intense criticism over Mr Moselmane and his office's apparent disdain for bipartisan reforms to curb Chinese government interference in Australia and the upper house MP's unabashed praise of Beijing.

It is also likely to dramatically inflame tensions between China and Australia, which have plunged to a new low point following the federal government's calls for an inquiry into Beijing's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Politicians across the nation have been repeatedly warned by ASIO about safeguarding against foreign government influence efforts. The warnings were amplified after the 2018 resignation of Labor senator Sam Dastyari amid claims he'd been cultivated by CCP-aligned political donor Huang Xiangmo, who was expelled from Australia in late 2018 after ASIO warned he may be engaged in foreign interference.

Since 2018, Mr Moselmane and his part-time staffer John Zhang have attracted media and political scrutiny over their support for Chinese government positions and criticisms of Australian government policy.

Mr Moselmane resigned as assistant president of the NSW Legislative Council after the Herald and The Age revealed how he wrote in an essay for a Chinese University that "the obsolete scum of white Australia" had re-emerged, attacked Australia's "mainstream media" as anti-Chinese and praised Beijing's leadership during the coronavirus crisis. The February essay mirrored Chinese state propaganda and was translated into Chinese by his staffer, Mr Zhang.

It was only the most recent of many controversial pro-Beijing comments Mr Moselmane has made. Mr Moselmane controversially gave a speech in 2019 proclaiming a "new world order" was needed for China to reach its potential.

Mr Moselmane has taken nine privately-funded trips to China since entering Parliament in 2009. Disclosure records show his transport and hospitality costs were often met by Chinese government officials or agencies.

He appointed Mr Zhang to his parliamentary office as a part-time staffer at the beginning of 2019. Mr Zhang has, according to Chinese websites, attended a propaganda training course in 2013 run by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, which merged in 2018 with Chinese Communist Party's opaque influence agency, the United Front Work Department (UFWD). The precise nature of the course is not known.

The UFWD, in part, works to increase the CCP's influence in foreign political systems by employing legitimate means as well as covert, coercive methods.

Covert and coercive measures are outlawed under Australian counter-foreign interference laws.

(continued)

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/nsw-mp-s-sydney-home-raided-as-asio-probes-china-links-20200626-p556f6.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9751884 (260709ZJUN20) Notable: NSW Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane staffer John Zhang raided in foreign interference probe, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Federal_officers_enter_the_home_of_NSW_Labor_MP_Shaoquett_Moselmane_in_Rockdale.jpg, Labor_MP_Shaoquett_Moselmane_who_was_raided_by_ASIO_and_the_AFP_on_Friday.jpg

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>>177311

NSW Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane staffer John Zhang raided in foreign interference probe

National security officials have raided the home and business of a staff member to NSW Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane, who is being questioned by federal agents this afternoon over an ongoing investigation into foreign interference.

The home of John Zhang, a part-time staffer to Mr Moselmane, was raided by federal police and officers attached to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation this morning. Mr Zhang’s business in Sydney was also the subject of a search warrant.

Mr Moselmane is currently being interviewed by federal officials in a conference room at NSW Parliament, located metres away from his office, which is also being searched.

The Australian understands the investigation is centred on the activities of Mr Zhang, though Mr Moselmane remains a person of interest to officials.

Both the AFP and ASIO have confirmed the raids form part of an “ongoing investigation”, which is believed to be probing allegations of foreign interference by the Chinese government.

Mr Moselmane, whose controversial commentary on China has prompted rebukes from colleagues in the past, was suspended from the NSW Labor Party this morning as news of the investigation became public.

“It’s the right thing to do,” NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay told reporters. “He will no longer sit in the caucus. He will no longer be a Labor Party member. His membership is being suspended as we speak.”

NSW Police Minister David Elliot told The Australian that Ms McKay should demand Mr Moselmane’s resignation.

“I’ve demanded he resign from parliament today, and if he doesn’t, Jodi should stand down as leader because she has allowed all this to happen on her watch,” said Mr Elliott.

“Allegations that he conspired with a foreign power just metres away from the office of the premier, police minister and minister for counter terrorism are frightening.”

Mr Moselmane has made no secret of his support for the Chinese government. In April he resigned as assistant president of the NSW upper house for praising China’s response to the novel coronavirus crisis and lauding President Xi Jinping’s “unswerving leadership”.

In a 2018 speech he declared that the only way for China to “reach its potential” would be to “force a change to the rules and create a new world order”. That year he also moved a motion in parliament noting the work of several Chinese nationals, including Professor Xiangmo Huang, a political donor who was expelled by the Australian government over allegations of foreign interference.

Mr Moselmane has visited China nine times since entering parliament in 2009. According to filings, he is the honorary chair of the Australian Shanghainese Association and a founding member and past senior vice president of the Australian Chinese Association, both of which have been cited by academics as organisations closely linked to the Chinese Government.

Mr Zhang is listed on his LinkedIn page as the honorary chairman of the Australian Shanghainese Association.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/nsw-labor-mp-shaoquett-moselmane-staffer-john-zhang-raided-in-foreign-interference-probe/news-story/fcbfa6aa87f82aee7251b89b7084593b

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9752206 (260830ZJUN20) Notable: Northern Territory foster carers accused of abusing 12 Indigenous children over 16 years, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: NT_Children_s_Commissioner_Colleen_Gwynne_found_16_years_of_failures_in_scrutinising_two_carers.jpg

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Northern Territory carers accused of abusing 12 Indigenous children over 16 years

Twelve Aboriginal children in care were subjected to sexual and physical abuse by two carers who still have children in their care, an investigation has found.

Two foster carers in central Australia continue to have Indigenous children in their care despite numerous allegations of sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

The man and woman at the centre of an investigation by Northern Territory Children's Commissioner Colleen Gwynne are accused of abusing 12 Aboriginal children in their care from 2004 to the present.

The children were supposed to be safe after suffering from neglect or harm in their own communities in what has been described as 16 years of "systematic failures" by NT Government departments.

Among the allegations was a complaint by a 15-year-old girl that the adult male carer had sex with her.

The then NT Government Family and Children Services department - now Territory Families - failed in its legal obligation to report the allegation of sexual harm to the police, Ms Gwynne found.

No complaint to police was found, with poor record-keeping and sharing between agencies identified as a major problem.

The man continued to sleep in the same room as some of the children for years afterwards and "attempted to hide this during the home safety check", Ms Gwynne found.

There were numerous claims of physical and emotional abuse, including the carers hitting the children with metal pipes and a hockey stick or kicking them.

The woman was accused of racially abusing the children and on one occasion when one child's poor hygiene was remarked on by school staff she said in front of the child it was because they were Aboriginal.

The children were exposed to negative messages about their families and Aboriginality and discouraged from contact or cultural knowledge about either.

Despite the long list of concerns over many years, Territory Families re-authorised the pair as foster carers in August last year and two children remain in their care.

The investigation found shortcomings, policy breaches and missed opportunities that resulted "in continued physical and emotional harm of the children in care", Ms Gwynne said.

She made 14 recommendations related to Territory Families and other departments, police and the contractor Life Without Barriers, which provides the carers.

"Our investigation into this case revealed a 16-year history of systematic failures to adequately review the suitability of the carers, conduct quality standard of care checks and thoroughly examine allegations of child abuse within the out of home care setting," Ms Gwynne said.

There had been a major overhaul of the child protection system, including reforming the central intake system, more investments into early intervention and prevention services and transforming the out of home care system, Territory Families Minister Dale Wakefield said.

"We have come a long way since then but we acknowledge that there is much to do."

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/northern-territory-carers-accused-of-abusing-12-indigenous-children-over-16-years

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9764286 (270803ZJUN20) Notable: ACT Supreme Court rules key parts of Bernard Collaery trial to be held in secret, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: The_ACT_supreme_court_has_ruled_against_Bernard_Collaery_in_a_pre_trial_hearing_to_establish_which_parts_of_his_trial_could_be_heard_in_open_court_Collaery_arriving_at_the_ACT_law_courts_in_August_2019.jpg

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>>177288

>>177289

Court rules key parts of Bernard Collaery trial to be held in secret

Lawyers warn Australia’s anti-terrorism laws are being used in a way that threatens the basic principle of open justice

Essential parts of Bernard Collaery’s trial will be held in secret after a court ruled in the government’s favour on Friday, prompting warnings that “laws designed to protect Australians from terrorism” are being used to erode open justice.

The Australian Capital Territory supreme court on Friday ruled against Collaery following a pre-trial hearing designed to establish which parts of his trial could be heard in open court.

It is not clear how much or what specific parts of the Collaery trial will be held in secret.

But the Gilbert and Tobin partner Christopher Flynn, speaking on behalf of Collaery, said the ruling would cause “essential elements of the trial” to be closed to the public.

“This hearing was all about whether Bernard Collaery will get an open trial or a secret trial,” Flynn said outside court.

“It is very disappointing that the trial will not be more open and that essential elements of this case will not now be heard in public.

“Open justice is an essential part of our legal system, the rights of defendants and of our democracy. This case should be heard in public.”

Collaery is facing trial for communicating protected intelligence information and conspiring with his client, former Australian Secret Intelligence Service officer Witness K, to do so.

The pair helped expose Australia’s bugging of Timor-Leste during sensitive negotiations over oil and gas reserves in the Timor Sea.

The Guardian revealed on Friday that the prosecution of Collaery and Witness K had so far cost the government $2m well before even reaching trial.

Last month, Collaery faced a pre-trial hearing designed to determine which parts of the case could be heard in open court, and which must be kept secret.

The hearing was triggered by the intervention of the attorney general, Christian Porter, who invoked the National Security Information Act (NSI Act), a suite of powers introduced in 2004 to better control how sensitive information is dealt with by the courts.

The powers were enacted in the heightened national security environment following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but the main trigger was the collapse of an earlier prosecution of a defence intelligence organisation officer due largely to problems handling sensitive material.

Transparency campaigners, former judges, lawyers and academics have all voiced concern that the NSI Act is failing to properly balance open justice with the need to protect classified and sensitive information.

Flynn said that, in the Collaery case, the view that national security required the trial to be secret was “hotly contested”.

Flynn said strong evidence was heard in Collery’s favour during the pre-trial hearing, including from Gareth Evans, a former foreign minister, admiral Chris Barrie, a former chief of the defence force, John McCarthy, a former diplomat and ambassador to the United States and Indonesia, and Anthony Whealy, a former judge and expert in national security laws. It also heard from former Timor-Leste leaders Xanana Gusmao and Jose Ramos Horta, Flynn said.

“Yet that strong evidence was not enough in the face of our restrictive laws to place a premium on security, secrecy, over all other considerations,” he said. “Laws designed to protect Australians from terrorism should not be used to close courts in this kind of case.”

“What a shame for Australians if the laws that were meant to defend and protect us ended up eroding the very things that we mean to protect and defend.”

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jun/26/court-rules-key-parts-of-bernard-collaery-trial-to-be-held-in-secret

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9784480 (290650ZJUN20) Notable: Fake-news fightback: Morrison government to inflict “reputational damage” on countries behind global disinformation campaigns, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Home_Affairs_has_flagged_the_need_for_powers_to_crack_down_on_social_media_services_such_as_China_s_TikTok_and_WeChat.jpg

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Foes to be hit with fake-news fightback

The Morrison government has vowed to inflict “reputational damage” on countries behind global disinformation campaigns as part of its war on fake news and foreign interference.

A new Countering Foreign ­Interference unit, in the foreign affairs department’s national ­security and intelligence branch, will work with like-minded countries to shine a spotlight on disinformation campaigns by strategic competitors such as China.

It will implement a diplomatic strategy to counter fake news with fact-based campaigns, and support plans to shame ­nations that spread disinformation harmful to Australian interests.

The unit will work with Home Affairs and the Office of National Intelligence, sharing information with international partners and developing multilateral responses.

Home Affairs has also flagged the need for further powers to crack down on social media services “that are extensions of ­social platforms in authoritarian states”.

It told a Senate inquiry that such platforms, which would include China’s WeChat and TikTok, “may require additional responses, as censorship and ­reduced privacy protections become additional concerns”.

The Morrison government is stepping up the nation’s ­response to foreign interference amid a wave of fake news about the coronavirus, and Chinese ­attempts to portray Australia as a racist country.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne told the UN’s ­Alliance for Multilateralism on Friday that Australia would tackle disinformation in the Indo-Pacific “through facts and transparency”.

“Countries that believe that good policymaking starts with facts must work together and stand together,” she said.

“We will beat this pandemic and reduce social tensions by ensuring truth and facts triumph over the sheer volume of falsehoods. We will do so by working together to uphold our values, our security and our sovereignty.”

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade submission to the Senate’s inquiry on foreign interference through ­social media said a pilot diplomatic strategy would show foreign interference actors that “their actions can and will be revealed and will generate a meaningful response”.

It would aim to convince perpetrators “that their actions will have costs which would outweigh the benefits, including through international reputational damage”.

The unit will work closely with partners in Southeast Asia and the southwest Pacific “with the aim of closing vulnerabilities and cultivating a less-­permissive environment for foreign interference in Australia’s near region”.

Developing nations and those heavily reliant on doing business with China are particularly vulnerable to Beijing’s fake news narratives.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/morrison-calls-out-foreign-fake-news/news-story/392bba3ff687d17ac6dbe3ff2ab1c688

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9784531 (290658ZJUN20) Notable: Chinese state media accuses Australia of spying campaign, says agents were arrested in 2018, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: The_article_said_a_compass_a_USB_stick_a_notebook_a_map_of_Shanghai_and_cash_were_among_several_items_seized_in_the_operation.jpg, Mr_Moselmane_has_had_his_membership_suspended_by_the_Labor_Party.jpg, The_extraordinary_claims_come_as_Australia_China_relations_hit_a_new_low_point.jpg, The_article_claimed_UTS_professor_Feng_Chongyi_was_an_informant_an_allegation_he_has_denied.jpg, The_allegations_were_published_just_days_after_the_AFP_raid_on_Mr_Moselmane_s_home.jpg

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Chinese state media accuses Australia of spying campaign, says agents were arrested in 2018

China's Government has used state media to launch an extraordinary attack on Australia, claiming Australian spies are waging an intensifying espionage campaign.

Beijing's main attack dog media outlet the Global Times published an article saying an Australian spying operation was disrupted in China two years ago.

The jingoistic tabloid posted pictures of what it claimed were items seized, which included a map of Shanghai and a compass.

It also claimed Australian spies were operating under the cover of diplomatic passports from the embassy in Beijing.

The paper said Chinese authorities arrested the Australian spies involved in the alleged operation.

The claims come amid increasing concern about China's espionage activities in Australia, with China warning it will take stronger measures to crack down on Australian espionage.

Asked about the allegations on Monday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: "I wouldn't be relying on Chinese state media for your sources for questions."

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has been approached for comment about the Global Times report.

The article was China's sharpest criticism so far of Australia, and marks a new escalation in tensions.

It comes just days after an Australian Federal Police (AFP) raid on the home of NSW Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane, as part of an investigation into allegations that Chinese government agents had infiltrated his office.

Mr Moselmane said today he was not a suspect in that joint espionage investigation by the AFP and ASIO.

Mr Moselmane, who is a member of the NSW Upper House, has been suspended from the Labor Party and may also be suspended from the NSW Parliament.

Chen Hong, a nationalistic commentator at Shanghai East Normal University who has previously been involved in multiple speaking events with Mr Moselmane, told the ABC: "The Cold War mentality is damaging to the bilateral relations which are now already at their historical low.

"It is worrying that the China threat theory is leading to a McCarthyist witch-hunt in Australia."

USB stick, compass, map seized in alleged 2018 raid

The Global Times article went on to claim that Australia was "a veteran in spying against other countries" and was hypocritical in its criticism of Chinese espionage activities, describing Australia as "the thief who is crying stop the thief".

Citing an unnamed source linked to "a Chinese law-enforcement agency", the paper alleged that authorities broke up an Australian spying operation in 2018, and arrested the agents involved.

It said items seized during the arrest included a compass, a USB stick, a notebook, a mask, gloves and a map of Shanghai. It said US and Chinese currency were also seized.

It also claimed that Australia's intelligence agencies were targeting Chinese people living in Australia and other countries, with the aim of getting them to defect and work with them.

It alleged that Feng Chongyi, a China studies professor at the University of Technology Sydney who was briefly detained in China in 2017, has been acting as an "informant to Australian security intelligence agencies".

The newspaper did not provide any evidence to back up this claim, and Dr Feng denied them when approached by the ABC.

"That is an outrageous slander," Dr Feng said.

"The Chinese security agency detained me during my academic fieldwork in China for interrogations on suspicion of espionage. I was released because I did not do anything wrong."

Peter Varghese, the former head of DFAT and the Office of National Assessments, commented on the timing of the article on the ABC's RN Breakfast program this morning, coming just days after the raid on Mr Moselmane's home.

"I can only assume it's a bit of coincidence that it follows quite a lot of media speculation in Australia about action against a New South Wales parliamentarian," he said.

Relations between China and Australia appear to have deteriorated in recent weeks, with China earlier this month advising its nationals not to study in Australia due to the risk of "racist incidents".

Last month, Chinese authorities placed new trade barriers on Australian goods including barley, beef and coal.

Those developments came after Australia spearheaded a campaign for an independent international inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic, a move that initially outraged Beijing, although China later decided to support an inquiry.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-29/chinese-state-media-says-australia-is-stepping-up-spy-activities/12402032

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9796941 (300723ZJUN20) Notable: Victoria imposes 4-week lockdowns amid case spike, 10 Melbourne postcodes targeted in crackdown, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Victorian_Premier_Daniel_Andrews.jpg

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Victoria imposes 4-week lockdowns amid case spike

10 Melbourne postcodes targeted in crackdown

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has reimposed draconian restrictions across swathes of Melbourne hot spots, as health authorities manage “unacceptably high rates” of community transmission and hundreds of people who refused to be tested.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Andrews said ten postcodes would only be allowed to leave their house for four reasons – work, school, care or care giving, daily exercise, food and other essentials. Commencing at midnight tomorrow night, the lockdown will run for four weeks until July 29.

“These are extraordinary steps, these are not things we have had to do in the past but such is the nature of this virus, it is so wildly infectious that if we don’t take these steps now we will finish up in a situation than locking down ten postcodes we will be locking down every postcode,” Mr Andrews said.

Mr Andrews said police would be patrolling suburbs in lockdown and fining people who weren’t adhering to the guidelines.

“They will be patrolling throughout these communities and if people are out of their home then they will be politely asked why are you out of your home and if you are out of your home for anything other than a permitted reason then financial penalties apply – on-the-spot fines apply,” he said.

The 10 postcodes that face new restrictions

Postcode Suburbs

3012 Brooklyn, Kingsville, Maidstone, Tottenham, West Footscray

3021 Albanvale, Kealba, Kings Park, St Albans

3032 Ascot Vale, Highpoint City, Maribyrnong, Travancore

3038 Keilor Downs, Keilor Lodge, Taylors Lakes, Watergardens

3042 Airport West, Keilor Park, Niddrie

3046 Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park

3047 Broadmeadows, Dallas, Jacana

3055 Brunswick south, Brunswick west, Moonee vale, Moreland west

3060 Fawkner

3064 Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Mickelham, Roxburgh Park, Kalkallo

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/coronavirus-australia-live-news-panic-buying-cycle-will-repeat-multiple-times-report-warns/news-story/e1823f4856ba653eb00054435553c59c#U7019869396818jE

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9796975 (300727ZJUN20) Notable: Julian Assange: Indictment 'surprised' lawyers for WikiLeaks founder, UK court hears, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Wikileaks_founder_Julian_Assange_leaves_in_a_prison_van_after_appearing_at_Westminster_Magistrates_Court_in_London.jpg

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Julian Assange: Indictment 'surprised' lawyers for WikiLeaks founder, UK court hears

A superseding US indictment against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is still being considered by both the prosecution and the defence in his UK extradition hearing.

The 48-year-old did not appear for a routine call-over hearing at the Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Monday.

Assange is fighting extradition to the US to face 17 charges of violating the US Espionage Act and one of conspiring to commit computer intrusion.

The US Department of Justice made fresh allegations last week that Assange recruited hackers at conferences in Europe and Asia to provide WikiLeaks with classified information, including military secrets.

Judge Vanessa Baraitser said she had received an email about the superseding indictment, but not the document itself.

Prosecution barrister Joel Smith said both parties were still considering the impact of the superseding indictment.

"If we need to involve the court ... then we will inform the court at the appropriate time," he said.

Barrister Mark Summers said via telephone that the defence only heard it from media reports, but hadn't been formally served with the new indictment.

"'We are surprised by the timing of this development," he told the court.

"We were surprised to hear about it in the press."

Mr Summers said the fresh allegations could impact the upcoming case management hearings. The defence is due to provide the court with its final evidence on July 10.

WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson said the new indictment had no new charges and hadn't even been sent to Assange's lawyers or the court yet.

"That just shows this is a glorified press release and not a new indictment at all," he said in a statement.

"This shows how they are abusing due process in the UK and flaunting the legal system's rules."

Assange did not attend due to the coronvirus risk and hasn't been seen in court for about three months.

Smith said that the prosecution's psychologist hadn't been able to assess Assange in prison due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Judge Baraitser said Belmarsh prison officials had emailed her to say that he was not unwell, he was refusing to attend.

She said Assange could only be absent if he was actually unwell, not if he was worried about becoming ill.

Judge Baraitser said he had to provide medical evidence if he did not attend the next call-over on July 27.

Mr Summers said that the defence could do that if required.

The Australian is accused of publishing thousands of secret US diplomatic and military files, some of which revealed alleged war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He's also accused of trying to recruit hackers to provide WikiLeaks with classified US information.

The charges carry a total of 175 years' imprisonment.

https://www.9news.com.au/world/julian-assange-indictment-surprised-lawyers-extradition-hearing/11434019-c64b-4e55-a804-9ef993b576ab

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9797020 (300731ZJUN20) Notable: China steps up attacks on Australia, says spying allegations just 'the tip of the iceberg', MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Chinese_Foreign_Ministry_spokesman_Zhao_Lijian_said_there_was_irrefutable_evidence_of_Australian_spying.jpg, Mr_Morrison_said_a_state_based_actor_was_directing_cyber_attacks_against_Australia_but_didn_t_say_who.jpg

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>>177318

China steps up attacks on Australia, says spying allegations just 'the tip of the iceberg'

China's Foreign Ministry has escalated its attacks on Australia, accusing the Federal Government of conducting espionage in China and calling tabloid claims of Australian spying the "tip of the iceberg".

Yesterday, the Chinese Government-owned Global Times published a story alleging that Chinese authorities had disrupted an Australian spy operation two years ago.

The nationalistic paper also posted pictures of items which it said had been seized, including cash, a compass and a map of Shanghai.

Australian government officials ridiculed the claims in private, while Prime Minister Scott Morrison dismissed questions about the article by saying: "I wouldn't be relying on Chinese state media for your sources."

But late yesterday, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian threw the Government's weight behind the Global Times story, saying there was "irrefutable evidence" of Australian spying in China.

"The Five Eyes intelligence alliance has long engaged in cyber espionage, spying and surveillance on foreign governments, companies and individuals. This is not a secret to anyone," he said.

"And Australia, an important member of the Five Eyes, has been a fervent intelligence gatherer in relevant countries. I am afraid that what is revealed by the Global Times this time is just the tip of the iceberg."

The Five Eyes network comprises Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand and is used to share information and intelligence.

The latest verbal assault from Beijing comes as the relationship between China and Australia continues to deteriorate sharply.

Ten days ago, Mr Morrison declared that Australia was facing intensifying cyber attacks from a "state-based actor" which was putting pressure on public services and critical infrastructure.

Mr Morrison did not publicly name the country responsible, but officials told journalists that China was almost certainly the nation behind the online assault.

And last week, Australian authorities raided the office of New South Wales Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane as part of an investigation into allegations of Chinese Government interference in Australian politics.

But Mr Zhao said there was no "solid evidence" of Chinese Government interference in Australia, and accused the Morrison Government of hypocrisy.

"They steal information and data from other countries, jeopardising others' sovereignty and security," he said.

"But they play the part of the victim, peddling rumours and stoking confrontation by staging a farce of the thief crying 'stop thief'. They have long crossed the line."

Mr Zhao's comments were also sent to Australian reporters by the Chinese Embassy in Canberra.

The Morrison Government's immediate response to the allegations was restrained.

"Consistent with long-standing practice by successive governments, we will not comment on intelligence matters," a spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.

"Australia's intelligence and security agencies are committed to protecting our national security, including the important work of countering the serious threat of foreign interference."

But the increasingly hostile language from the Chinese Government has fed into growing anxieties in Canberra that Beijing is preparing to take further steps to punish Australia.

In late 2018, Chinese authorities arrested Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, seemingly in retaliation for Canada's arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, who is facing charges in the United States.

Anne-Marie Brady from the University of Canterbury said it was possible that Australians living in China could also be caught up in so-called hostage diplomacy.

"I think that any Australians who remain in China should perhaps long ago have thought about returning, given the very strained relations," she told the ABC's PM program.

"There is a real risk that you can be caught up while being completely innocent of illegal activities."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-30/china-step-up-attacks-on-australia-accuses-government-of-spying/12405842

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9797132 (300743ZJUN20) Notable: Australian journalist Amelia Brace testifies before US Congress about being struck by police during Black Lives Matter protest, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: President_Donald_Trump_walks_past_police_in_Lafayette_Park_after_posing_for_photos_outside_St_John_s_Church.jpg

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>>177211

>>177232

>>177247

Australian journalist Amelia Brace testifies before US Congress about being struck by police during Black Lives Matter protest

An Australian journalist has testified before a US congressional committee about being struck by police outside the White House while reporting live on a Black Lives Matter demonstration.

Police, who were clearing Washington's Lafayette Square ahead of US President Donald Trump's appearance in front of a nearby church, used shields and batons to push and hit Seven News correspondent Amelia Brace and camera operator Tim Myers.

Brace gave evidence to the committee investigating the police actions.

"I can be heard screaming as I was struck by non-lethal projectiles directly to my legs and backside," she said told the committee.

"Suddenly the police lines surged forward. We moved back along with many protesters.

"Police lining the park used automatic weapons to fire non-lethal rounds.

"As a reporter I have no interest in becoming the story but over recent weeks many of us have been left with no choice.

"I've been shocked to see how many journalists have been attacked, beaten and detained just for doing their jobs."

Brace said she and her cameraman alerted police that they were journalists.

"As I began reporting live, the line of police suddenly and without warning began charging forward at a sprinting pace, knocking protesters to the ground," she testified.

"A park police officer who was passing us stopped, turned towards Tim, and rammed him in the chest and stomach with the edge of his riot shield, causing Tim to keel over and drop down.

"The officer then took a step back, paused, then punched his hand directly into the front of Tim's camera, grabbing the lens.

"As this happened, Tim and I were both repeatedly shouting the word 'media'."

The confrontation unfolded on June 1 when crowds which were protesting against the death of George Floyd under the knee of a police officer were forcibly displaced to make way for staged photos of Mr Trump holding up a Bible in front of St John's Church.

The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups filed a lawsuit in Washington that week on behalf of the demonstrators seeking an order declaring Mr Trump and other officials violated their constitutional rights.

The US ambassador to Australia, Arthur B Culvahouse Jr, said in a statement after the incident the embassy took the mistreatment of journalists seriously, "as do all who take democracy seriously".

Brace told Channel Seven's Sunrise program in early June she and Myers were "not too bad" after it happened and the effects from the tear gas were worse.

"We're a bit sore," she said.

"I actually managed to get a rubber bullet to the backside and Tim got one in the back of the neck, so we'll have a few bruises tomorrow but we're perfectly safe."

Brace said Myers was a veteran cameraman who had worked in war zones and she felt comfortable being with him.

"There was really no escape at that moment," she said.

"We had the National Guard behind us and those police coming through so quickly.

"There was nowhere for us to go, so there was really no choice but to hide in that corner hoping they would pass by.

"As you can see in those pictures, they did not."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-30/australian-journalist-testifies-us-congress-black-lives-matter/12404958

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9797183 (300749ZJUN20) Notable: Scott Morrison’s new cyber army to confront digital spy threat, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Scott_Morrison_will_announce_a_1_35bn_boost_to_cyber_defences_across_the_next_decade_on_Tuesday.jpg

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Scott Morrison’s new cyber army to confront digital spy threat

Australia will launch an unprecedented cyber defence and intelligence warfare program with an army of 500 newly trained specialists tasked with protecting the country from attack and hunting down spies.

After revealing earlier this month the country had come under a broadscale and sustained foreign-based cyber hack targeting all levels of government and critical infrastructure operators, Scott Morrison on Tuesday will announce a $1.35bn boost to cyber defences across the next decade.

Resources will be poured into the military cyber capabilities of the Australian Signals Directorate and Australian Cyber Security Centre amid a rapid escalation in malicious state-based cyber ­attacks. While the ASD’s intelligence capabilities are a closely held secret, the addition of 500 specialists, at a cost of $470m, will deliver a “massive” boost to the defence agency.

The announcement comes amid rising tensions between Canberra and Beijing over the level of foreign interference believed to be originating from China, which has also been cited as being responsible for the latest hack into Australian systems.

In 2016, Australia became one of the first Western powers to declare the use of “offensive” cyber capability. Known as the Cyber Enhanced Situational Awareness and Response (CESAR) package, it will form a centrepiece of the government’s 2020 Cyber Security Strategy, due to be released ahead of the October 6 budget.

The government claimed the new response would escalate the country’s ability to disrupt threats but also provide real-time intelligence to help businesses actively repel attacks. More than $100m is believed to be dedicated to new artificial intelligence technology to “neutralise” foreign cyber threats.

The ASD will also launch a “strategic mitigation” offensive to actively disrupt foreign actors targeting telecommunications infrastructure.

The cyber announcement comes ahead of a major defence and national security statement to be delivered on Wednesday by the Prime Minister and amid continued mass hacking attempts, which The Australian understands ­increased last week.

Mr Morrison said “malicious cyber activity against Australia is increasing in frequency, scale and sophistication”. “The federal government’s top priority is protecting our nation’s economy, national security and sovereignty. Malicious cyber activity undermines that,” he said.

“My government’s record investment in our nation’s cyber security will help ensure we have the tools and capabilities ... to fight back and keep Australians safe.”

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said the $1.35bn investment would help ring-fence government agencies, sensitive infrastructure and private sector industry. “The package will put our nation on the front foot in combating cyber threats and our investment in a cyber security workforce will help ensure we have the people we need to meet future cyber challenges,” Senator Reynolds said.

“For example, this package will enable ASD and Australia’s major telecommunications providers to prevent malicious cyber activity from reaching millions of Australians by blocking known malicious websites and computer viruses at speed. This package is one part of our $15bn investment ... that will form part of Defence’s 2020 Force Structure Plan to address the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape.”

The new 10-year program includes $31m to “enhance the ability of ASD to disrupt cyber crime offshore, taking the fight to foreign criminals that seek to target Australians, and providing assistance to federal, state and territory law enforcement agencies”.

A further $35m would be used to deliver a new cyber threat-sharing platform, enabling industry and government to share intelligence about malicious cyber activity, and block emerging threats in near-real time.

Mr Morrison this month pledged “significant investment” would be pumped into beefing up cyber security defences as part of the government’s updated 2020 Cyber Security Strategy.

The Cyber Security Strategy industry advisory panel, appointed by Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton late last year, is chaired by Telstra chief Andy Penn and includes former US secretary of homeland security Kirstjen Nielsen, Tesla chair Robyn Denholm and NBN chief security officer Darren Kane.

(continued)

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/scott-morrisons-new-cyber-army-to-confront-digital-spy-threat/news-story/e35924a7d977333409121dce2adb9c21

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9797225 (300755ZJUN20) Notable: The foreign governments (UK, Australia, Italy) used to spy on the campaign have had their diplomats and officials already interviewed by Durham, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: GP_239.jpg

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George Papadopoulos Tweet

There are calls for Obama and Biden to be questioned by Durham. Not necessary. The foreign governments (UK, Australia, Italy) used to spy on the campaign have had their diplomats and officials already interviewed by Durham according to reports. Who do you think instructed them?

https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1277806615240966146

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9800438 (301626ZJUN20) Notable: NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine Tweet: NASA, USSF, & RAAF will find & track near-Earth objects (NEOs), MISSING MEDIA/FILES: JB_1.jpg, Ebs8JCLWAAAOdpU.jpg, nhq201907240001.jpg

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NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine Tweet

.@NASA & @SpaceForceDoD have signed an agreement to share data from the USSF Space Surveillance Telescope in Australia with NASA's Planetary Defense program. Together, NASA, USSF, & RAAF will find & track near-Earth objects (NEOs) to be ready for any potential impact threat.

https://twitter.com/JimBridenstine/status/1277681536951869442

—

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine

Jim Bridenstine was nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 13th Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. As administrator, he has led NASA in advancing American aeronautic, science, and space exploration objectives since April 23, 2018.

Under Bridenstine’s leadership, NASA launched its new human lunar exploration mission, the Artemis program. As announced by Vice President Mike Pence in March 2019, the Artemis program will land the first woman and the next man on the surface of the Moon by 2024, the first human landing since the end of NASA’s Apollo missions in 1972. Through the Artemis program, NASA is developing the Orion crew capsule and the Space Launch System, the most powerful rocket ever built. These state-of-the-art systems will help build the Gateway, a lunar orbiting space station that will give American astronauts more access to the surface of the Moon than ever before. As directed by President Trump, all lunar exploration efforts under Artemis are designed to prove our technology and perfect our capabilities to live and work on a different world in preparation for a future crewed mission to Mars.

Bridenstine has managed the continued commercial resupply of the International Space Station and has led agency efforts to partner with American businesses on the Commercial Crew Program. This program seeks to once again launch American astronauts on American rockets from American soil, something not done since the end of the Shuttle program in 2011. Additionally, Bridenstine established the Commercial Lunar Payload Services Program to partner with private enterprise in landing rovers on the lunar surface. These rovers will contain tools and science experiments in preparation for the arrival of American astronauts.

(continued)

https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/bridenstine-biography.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9809169 (010623ZJUL20) Notable: Cardinal George Pell says jail offers lessons for how the Church should manage money, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: In_this_July_15_2008_file_photo_Cardinal_George_Pell_speaks_during_the_opening_mass_for_World_Youth_Day_in_Sydney.jpg

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Pell says jail offers lessons for how the Church should manage money

ROSARIO, Argentina – To hear Catholicism’s most famous former inmate tell the story, the experience of being in jail actually offers improbable insights for Church management, perhaps especially managing money.

In a new video released Tuesday, Australian Cardinal George Pell, who spent more than 400 days in jail after a conviction for a sexual abuse charge that was eventually overturned by his country’s High Court, said it was important for him behind bars not only to pray but also to maintain a healthy daily routine.

Pell said he stayed awake every day after prisoners were roused early in the morning, even though many of his fellow inmates would go back to bed. He did exercise, he said, kept a careful watch over his diet, and came out having lost weight and perhaps in better shape than he went in.

That experience, Pell suggested, is a metaphor for the necessary intersection of deep spirituality and best practices in business administration when it comes to running the Church.

“Basically, we believe that Grace works through nature,” he said in the video. “And it’s one thing to have a spiritual vision, which comes from Christ. Another thing is to have a plan or a project. Of course, to implement those things you need managerial skills: Human capacity which is trained for good and godly purposes.”

Then, the ever-blunt Pell also delivered a warning.

“The Church is not a business,” he said. “The Church is supernatural … [but] to say that the Church is not a business provides no justification for us to be inefficient, much less corrupt.”

Named in 2014 by Pope Francis as his first Secretary of the Economy, essentially the Vatican’s treasurer, Pell was speaking in a video for the Global Institute of Church Management at Rome’s Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, run by Opus Dei. Pell called the program “impressive” and applauded the relative speed with which it’s been launched.

Known for his aggressive attempts at reform prior to the sex abuse charges in Australia, Pell reflected on the ambivalence of money in the life of the Church.

“We worship the one true God who’s transcendent, but we believe in the incarnation,” Pell said. “[We believe] that God sent his only Son to come and live with us. We bring the presence of Christ and of God into our communities. And we have to use money and methodology to do this.”

“Undoubtedly, while money is God’s gift, it’s also a temptation,” he said.

When it comes to “Church enterprises, the way we serve the people,” Pell said the key is not only about praying regularly.

“We have to be able to put our vision [inspired by God] into action,” he said. “This means that we have to be able to implement our service to people.”

Pell also said that God says “a lot” about riches, and that he was “clear” on the subject.

“I was much disconcerted when I read, must have been a decade or so ago, that Our Lord condemned the love of riches more than he condemned hypocrisy,” he said.

“The only group to whom our Lord took the whip were the money changers and traders in the temple,” the cardinal said. “Money is a tainted thing. I thoroughly enjoyed my work with money, it’s quite fascinating, but it needs to be controlled and managed.”

The Global Institute of Church Management, a U.S.-based non-profit, was started at the request of Pell on the behalf of the Holy See while he was the head of the Secretariat for the Economy, a position he was appointed to by Pope Francis, who also had him as one of the original members of the council of cardinal advisors that’s helping him reform the Roman Curia.

The cardinal’s position in this council wasn’t renewed, as he was in Australia facing trial when the original term expired.

Clerics, seminarians, religious and lay people attend the year-long program to grow their economic, financial and administrative skills in order better help the Church properly manage its material assets. According to the website of the program, the “pastoral use” of the Church’s money is a “constitutive element” of the institution, and “the correct dealing with money is an important element of the spirituality of any person entrusted with leadership roles.”

(continued)

https://cruxnow.com/church-in-oceania/2020/06/pell-says-jail-offers-lessons-for-how-the-church-should-manage-money/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9809374 (010708ZJUL20) Notable: Sydney man charged for possessing child abuse material and drugs

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Sydney man charged for possessing child abuse material and drugs

A 48-year-old Sydney man will face court today (1 July 2020), for allegedly sharing child abuse material online and possessing illicit drugs.

The Australian Federal Police’s NSW Child Protection Operations Team launched an investigation after receiving a report from the United States of America’s National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the transmission of child abuse material on a social media account.

Investigations led AFP officers, with the assistance of New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF), to execute a search warrant at the man’s Caringbah home on Tuesday, 23 June 2020.

During the search, police seized a number of mobile phones and prohibited weapons. Forensic examination of the devices is ongoing. Police also located substances suspected to be methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), methamphetamine and gamma butyrolactone (GBL). NSWPF officers seized the substances for further examination.

The man is due to appear in Sutherland Local Court today, charged with:

* Using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); This offence carries a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment;

* 2 x Possessing child abuse material obtained or accessed through a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22(A) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). This offence carries a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment;

* Supply prohibited drug greater or equal large commercial quantity, contrary to section contrary to section 25 (2) of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985. This offence carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment;

* Supply prohibited drug greater or equal to commercial quantity, contrary to section 10(1)of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985. This offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment; and

* 2 x Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit-T2 contrary to section 7 (1) of the Weapons and Prohibition Act 1988. This offence carries a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.

AFP NSW Child Protection Operations Detective Sergeant Joel Wheeler said the investigation emphasised the importance of international law enforcement relationships.

“When a file is shared online it crosses national and international boarders in the click of a button. That click amplifies the horrific and lifelong impacts of the abuse suffered by the victims,” Detective Sergeant Wheeler said.

“By working closely with our law enforcement counterparts across the world, we can tighten the net around those who continue to target and abuse the most vulnerable in our community – our children. We can identify those offenders and put them before court.”

Anyone with information about suspected online child abuse can alert the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button at www.accce.gov.au/report

Editor’s note: Footage of the operation is available to download via this Hightail link:

https://spaces.hightail.com/space/2kXVeJcSYt/files

Note to media:

USE OF TERM 'CHILD ABUSE' MATERIAL, NOT 'CHILD PORNOGRAPHY'

Use of the phrase "child pornography" benefits child sex abusers because it:

* indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser; an

* conjures images of children posing in 'provocative' positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse.

Every photograph captures an actual situation where a child has been abused. This is not "pornography".

https://www.afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/sydney-man-charged-possessing-child-abuse-material-and-drugs

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9809434 (010726ZJUL20) Notable: Australian-born former Worcestershire cricketer Alex Hepburn loses rape appeal, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: APPEAL_LOSE_Alex_Hepburn.jpg

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Ex Worcestershire cricketer Alex Hepburn loses rape appeal

A FORMER Worcestershire cricketer jailed for raping a sleeping woman in his teammate’s bedroom has lost his Court of Appeal bid to have his conviction overturned.

Alex Hepburn was jailed for five years in April last year for the attack, which took place at a flat in Worcester in 2017 during the first night of a sexual conquest competition he helped set up on a WhatsApp group.

A jury had found the 24-year-old guilty of oral rape at a retrial that same month, but cleared him of a further count of rape relating to the same victim.

At the trial, the Australian-born former Worcestershire all-rounder was said by the prosecution to have been “fired up” by the contest to sleep with the most women, before carrying out the rape at his flat in Portland Street, Worcester, on April 1, 2017.

Hepburn challenged his conviction at the Court of Appeal earlier this month.

But, in a judgment handed down today, three senior judges, including the Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett, dismissed his appeal, saying: “The conviction is not unsafe.”

At the Court of Appeal hearing, Hepburn’s lawyers argued that messages presented to the jury did not show that he was willing to have sex with a woman without consent.

Many of the messages related to a game between Hepburn and a number of others to gain sexual encounters, the court was told.

Hepburn’s barrister, David Emanuel QC, said: “The idea propagated by the crown, that he was so desperate to win the game this year that he would ignore true consent if he had to, is just not supported by anything in the messages or by the fact of the game itself.”

Mr Emanuel told the judges: “I accept it would be different if there was talk of sex against will, or trickery to gain a point, or taking a chance, but there’s nothing like that in the messages.

“They are too far removed as to be able to be to do with the facts of the alleged offence.”

Miranda Moore QC, representing the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), argued that it was right that these WhatsApp messages were heard at the trial.

She told the court that “this wasn’t a bit of boyish banter at a point in time” but a “deep-seated and long-running game between a number of professional sportsmen”.

Jailing Hepburn at Hereford Crown Court on April 30 last year, Judge Jim Tindal told the cricketer he and a former teammate, Joe Clarke, had agreed to a “pathetic sexist game to collect as many sexual encounters as possible”, following a similar stunt the previous year.

In remarks about the WhatsApp chat group, the judge said: “You probably thought it was laddish behaviour at the time.

“In truth it was foul sexism.”

Worcestershire County Cricket Club promised to reform its culture in the wake of Hepburn’s sentencing, with a new system of core values known as the One Club system, which include 'community, integrity, humility, teamwork and commitment'.

https://www.malverngazette.co.uk/news/18550714.ex-worcestershire-cricketer-alex-hepburn-loses-rape-appeal/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9809460 (010733ZJUL20) Notable: Australia to spend $270b building larger military to prepare for 'poorer, more dangerous' world and rise of China, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: The_Australian_Navy_is_expected_to_grow_by_650_personnel_over_the_next_decade.jpg

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Australia to spend $270b building larger military to prepare for 'poorer, more dangerous' world and rise of China

Scott Morrison has unveiled a more aggressive defence strategy aimed at countering the rise of China, while warning that Australia faces regional challenges on a scale not seen since World War II.

The strategy increases the focus on the Indo-Pacific region, with the Prime Minister warning that Australia needs to prepare for a post-COVID-19 world that is "poorer, more dangerous and more disorderly".

Australia will build a larger military that is focused on its immediate backyard, including new long-range anti-ship missiles, signalling a major shift in the nation's defence strategy.

"We have not seen the conflation of global economic and strategic uncertainty now being experienced here in Australia in our region since the existential threat we faced when the global and regional order collapsed in the 1930s and 1940s," the Prime Minister warned.

Mr Morrison also announced a commitment to spend $270 billion over the next decade on defence capabilities, including more potent strike weapons, cyber capabilities and a high-tech underwater surveillance system.

Over the next decade the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is expected to grow by 800 people, comprising 650 extra personnel for the Navy, 100 for the Air Force, and 50 for the Army.

According to Defence's 2019-20 Budget Statement, the ADF was estimated to grow to 60,090 by this year, with 16,272 full-time public service staff.

Its budget was expected to grow to 2 per cent of Australia's gross domestic product by 2020-21, "equating to approximately $200 billion in Australia's defence capability over 10 years", making the new announcement an increase of $70 billion to the department.

In a speech at the Australian Defence Force Academy Mr Morrison argued the Indo-Pacific is the "epicentre" of rising strategic competition and "the risk of miscalculation — and even conflict — is heightening".

"The Indo-Pacific is where we live — and we want an open, sovereign Indo-Pacific, free from coercion and hegemony," a copy of the speech says.

Mr Morrison argued increasing Australia's defence capability was vital to shoring up the nation's position in the region.

"The strategic competition between China and the United States means that there's a lot of tension in the cord and a lot of risk of miscalculation," Mr Morrison told Channel Seven.

"And so we have to be prepared and ready to frame the world in which we live as best as we can, and be prepared to respond and play our role to protect Australia, defend Australia."

In releasing the 2020 Defence Strategy Update and the accompanying Force Structure Plan, the Government confirmed Australia would purchase the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) from the United States Navy, at a cost of $800 million.

The missile has a range of more than 370 kilometres and would be a significant upgrade from the 124 km range of Australia's AGM-84 air-launched Harpoon anti-ship missile, introduced in the early 1980s.

Up to $9.3 billion will also be spent on research and development into high-speed, long-range weapons, including hypersonic weapons.

"The ADF now needs stronger deterrence capabilities," Mr Morrison told an audience of defence leaders.

"Capabilities that can hold potential adversaries' forces and critical infrastructure at risk from a distance, thereby deterring an attack on Australia and helping to prevent war."

A massive underwater surveillance system using high-tech sensors and costing between $5 billion and $7 billion is one of the biggest new purchases which could eventually also include unmanned submarines.

Mr Morrison has also promised to boost the ADF's ability to deal with what he described as the "grey zone" — activity against Australia's interests which falls below the threshold of traditional armed conflict.

'We're not talking about Canada'

Labor's defence spokesman, Richard Marles, welcomed the shift in strategy.

"COVID-19 is changing the world around us, the world in which we live," he said.

"Labor supports strong defence resilience for Australia in the face of this, that is going to be much more important … in the future than it has been in the past."

Peter Jennings from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) said the world had changed dramatically since the last Defence White Paper was released, particularly in the era of COVID-19.

"What this policy document does is it starts to increase the hitting power of the Defence Force in the short term, rather than being focused on building submarines that will be ready in the late 2030s and into the 2040s," Mr Jennings told ABC RN.

(continued)

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-30/australia-unveils-10-year-defence-strategy/12408232

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9822517 (020711ZJUL20) Notable: Australia set to offer safe haven visas to Hong Kong residents as Chinese territory is consumed by another wave of protests, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Prime_Minister_Scott_Morrison_says_he_will_offer_safe_haven_visas_to_people_from_Hong_Kong.jpg

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Australia set to offer safe haven visas to Hong Kong residents

Australia is set to offer safe haven visas to Hong Kong residents as the Chinese territory is consumed by another wave of protests and arrests over new national security laws imposed by Beijing.

The move will make Australia the second of the Five Eyes partners to offer Hong Kong residents refuge after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would open the country's borders to more than three million Hong Kongers if they wanted to leave the former British colony.

Hong Kong police arrested more than 300 people during protests on Wednesday after the new laws came into force, criminalising acts that undermine the Chinese state with life imprisonment in the historically liberal city.

Ten protesters were detained for specifically violating the new laws, which prohibit acts of subversion, including holding up independence signs with British and American flags on them.

The Chinese government maintains the new laws are necessary to restore law and order after more than 15 months of protests over Beijing's influence in the territory.

Hong Kong's pro-democracy leaders resigned en masse on Wednesday and disbanded their political parties, worried they would be persecuted by new national security agencies and judicial systems established in the territory.

British Foreign Secretary Dominique Raab on Wednesday called on Britain's allies to follow its lead and offer support to residents who wanted to leave the global financial hub.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday the developments were very concerning and Australia's position was consistent with other like-minded countries, including Britain, the US and Canada.

He said he was "very actively" considering proposals to provide support to Hong Kong residents worried about their future.

"There are proposals that I asked to be brought forward several weeks ago and the final touches will be put on those and they'll soon be considered by cabinet to provide similar opportunities," he said.

"We think that's important and very consistent with who we are as a people and very consistent practically with the views that we have expressed."

Hong Kong is also home to the second largest group of Australian expatriates in the world, with more than 100,000 living in the semi-autonomous region.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet have been working on measures to respond to China's increasing control of Hong Kong since the new laws were proposed at the National People's Congress in May.

"When we have made a final decision on those arrangements then I'll make the announcements," Mr Morrison said on Thursday. "Are we prepared to step up and provide support? The answer is yes."

The Australian government is weighing up using the existing humanitarian intake or setting up a separate stream for Hong Kong migrants, which have historically been highly valued due to their strong skills and education backgrounds.

Existing commercial flights are still available for Hong Kong residents looking to leave for Australia. The government has yet to establish whether it would implement a Hong Kong exception on the ban on all non-Australians travelling to Australia due to COVID-19.

The Australian government has been wary of sticking its neck out on the issue up until now after repeated diplomatic stoushes with Beijing over the coronavirus crisis led to a series of trade spats over beef, barley, tourism and international students this year. Any move to offer refuge to Hong Kong residents is likely to once again inflame bilateral tensions, despite Britain leading the global push.

In London on Wednesday, Mr Johnson said the enactment and imposition of the national security law constituted a "clear and serious breach of the Sino-British joint declaration" signed after Britain's handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997.

"It violates Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and is in direct conflict with Hong Kong basic law," Mr Johnson said.

"We made it clear that if China continued down this path, we would introduce a new route for those with British national overseas status to enter the UK, granting them limited leave to remain with the ability to live and work in the UK, and thereafter to apply for citizenship; and that is precisely what we will do now."

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/australia-set-to-offer-safe-haven-visas-to-hong-kong-20200702-p558c9.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9822546 (020718ZJUL20) Notable: Gilead donates Covid-19 drug remdesivir to Australia’s medical stockpile after US buys up supply, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Australian_health_minister_Greg_Hunt_says_there_will_be_enough_of_the_coronavirus_drug_to_meet_Covid_19_patient_demand.jpg

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Gilead donates Covid-19 drug remdesivir to Australia’s medical stockpile after US buys up supply

US bought more than 500,000 doses, representing all of Gilead’s production for July and 90% of August and September

The US pharmaceutical giant Gilead has donated a supply of the antiviral medication remdesivir to Australia’s national medical stockpile, with the federal health minister, Greg Hunt, saying there will be enough of the drug to meet Covid-19 patient demand.

It followed news overnight that the US government bought virtually all of the global supply of remdesivir for the next three months. The drug has shown some promise in helping Covid-19 patients recover faster. However, it is not a cure. Remdesivir is the first drug approved by licensing authorities in the US to treat Covid-19, prompting the White House under US president Donald Trump to buy more than 500,000 doses, representing all of Gilead’s production for July and 90% of August and September.

However, a spokesman for Hunt said this would not affect the ability of doctors to administer the drug in Australia. Australia’s Covid-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce currently states that the use of remdesivir for adults with moderate, severe or critical Covid-19 may be considered by doctors. This recommendation will be updated as further evidence from clinical trials becomes available.

“The Australian government has received from Gilead a donated supply of remdesivir to the national medical stockpile, which will be available for use in eligible patients prescribed by a medical practitioner,” the spokesman said. “Australia currently has sufficient supply of remdesivir to meet current patient needs on the basis of our expert medical advice.”

Associate Professor Alice Motion from University of Sydney’s school of chemistry said the actions by the US were nonetheless “a real concern”. Motion, who works as part of open source drug discovery projects including the Breaking Good citizen science project, said: “We would want to make sure something like this isn’t possible for a vaccine.

“A vaccine should be available to people all over the world rather than one country, or a group of countries having preferred access to a medicine.

“Remdesivir is a medicine that helps people to recover faster, but imagine if the same thing happened with a vaccine that emerges. That would be terrible.”

She said the actions of the US raised fundamental issues about fair and equitable access to medicine.

“The other issue is whether everyone in the US will now have equal access to remdesivir too,” Motion said. “Equal access is not just an issue on a global level, but within countries.”

If remdesivir does prove to be significantly effective in treating Covid-19, the drug would be needed not only in the US but globally, Associate Professor Barbara Mintzes from the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre and School of Pharmacy said.

“The US arrangement to buy 500,000 doses of remdesivir from Gilead raises concerns not only about access in other countries but also how to prevent profiteering from the Covid-19 pandemic and ensuring that patients who need treatment are able to access it,” she said. “Gilead announced its global price for remdesivir on June 29 as US$390 per vial. The Guardian reports that the cost will be US$3,200 for a six-day treatment, or A$4,607. The cost of production of remdesivir has been estimated to be less than US$1 per day or US$6 (A$8.64) for a six-day course of treatment.

“Gilead has licensing agreements with manufacturers in Egypt, India and Pakistan to supply remdesivir to 127 low to middle-income countries. The US deal with Gilead and limits on which countries can be supplied under this licensing agreement leave countries like Australia in the lurch: unable to access remdesivir from Gilead at a high price – as the US is doing – and unable to access it at a low price from generic manufacturers, as lower income countries can.”

As for a solution, Mintzes said in a public health emergency governments can issue compulsory licenses to bypass patent protection and either produce a drug themselves or buy the drug from generic manufacturers. The Netherlands is currently considering an amendment to its patent law to allow compulsory licensing of remdesivir.

“Currently we don’t know for sure whether remdesivir will prove to be an important treatment for Covid-19,” she said. “If it does, given that the US is buying out Gilead’s supply, and also given the extremely high price as compared with costs of production, the obvious solution for Australia would be to also consider compulsory licensing.”

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jul/01/gilead-donates-covid-19-drug-remdesivir-to-australias-medical-stockpile-after-us-buys-up-supply

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9822621 (020739ZJUL20) Notable: Mothers play an increasingly large and shocking role in South-East Asian child sexual abuse, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Since_May_eight_Filipina_women_have_been_arrested_for_trafficking_children_online_and_56_children_have_been_taken_to_safety.jpg, Vilma_right_was_sentenced_to_20_years_in_prison_and_ordered_to_pay_compensation_to_her_children.jpg, Most_of_the_female_facilitators_force_children_into_sex_acts_which_are_streamed_online.jpg, Child_protection_advocates_say_the_mothers_often_justify_their_actions_by_claiming_their_children_are_not_hurt_because_the_abuse_happens_online.jpg

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Mothers play an increasingly large and shocking role in South-East Asian child sexual abuse

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When Australian Federal Police raided the home of a Queensland paedophile, they were shocked to discover who was supplying him with child abuse material: the mother of his victims.

Thirty six-year-old Vilma* faced the typical challenges of many Filipinos in impoverished areas like Cebu: with four children between the ages of seven and 11, she sought new ways to earn money.

Over the course of five years, Vilma recorded videos and photos, and livestreamed her children performing sexual acts online for paedophiles in Australia, the US and Germany.

Each crime earned her between $15 and $613 AUD.

Paedophiles would contact her via social media platforms such as Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp. In real time, the children were then forced to commit sexual acts via webcam for the gratification of these men.

One girl later said she had lost count of the number of times she had been abused in livestream videos at the behest of her mother.

It was only when the AFP raided the Queensland man's home that Vilma's criminal enterprise was uncovered.

They found evidence showing he was regularly paying for livestream videos of children in the Philippines.

In 2018, Vilma was convicted of trafficking and jailed for 20 years. She was also ordered to pay large sums in damages to her own children.

The Queensland man was one of three Australians to be convicted over their role in the abuse of children in the Philippines.

Vilma's four children were placed in state care where they received therapy, counselling and rehabilitation services. They now live with a foster family.

But other children in South-East Asia have not been as lucky to escape the woman facilitating their abuse.

Why are women selling their own children?

The online sexual abuse of children is skyrocketing across many countries in the region. The Philippines is the global epicentre, with an estimated 300,000 cases of abuse since March alone.

Much of it is driven by poverty or financial opportunism, widespread internet access, and English language proficiency.

International Justice Mission (IJM), an organisation that helps rescue child victims and assists their transition to new lives, estimates around 18 per cent of these online paedophiles are men in Australia.

But it estimates that 87 per cent of cases in the Philippines involve a female trafficker or facilitator — most commonly the victim's own mother.

"It is almost a cottage industry," said Jacob Sarkodee, IJM Australia's interim CEO.

"We see many mothers … or relatives … looking to exploit and make a profit — a very significant profit — off the sexual exploitation, torture and rape of their children.

"It is one of the darkest forms of modern slavery we have ever seen."

Tougher laws in countries including Australia and the Philippines have helped shift child sexual abuse online, according to Detective Sergeant Marshall.

"Traditionally perpetrators would travel to a country such as the Philippines, and they would commit child sex tourism offences," he said.

"More recently western countries including Australia have enacted laws that are preventing registered sex offenders from travelling."

The average female trafficker tends to be a young Filipina woman around the age of 27, a recent report by IJM found. Some are grandmothers or other relatives of the child victims.

Of the 69 perpetrators arrested in the Philippines since 2018 and convicted of online child sexual abuse, 70 per cent were women.

The average age of victims is 11. Most, but not all, are girls. And without intervention, the abuse in most cases lasts an average of four years.

Mothers or other female relatives are "financially, not sexually, motivated to commit the crime", according to the IJM's research.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9822629 (020741ZJUL20) Notable: Mothers play an increasingly large and shocking role in South-East Asian child sexual abuse, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: The_Philippines_has_experienced_one_of_the_strictest_coronavirus_lockdowns_in_the_world_leaving_many_people_jobless.jpg, IJM_1.jpg, Authorities_move_rescued_children_into_foster_care_and_provide_support_to_help_them_overcome_their_trauma.jpg

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>>177335

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Coronavirus fuels an explosion in online abuse

The incidence of online sexual exploitation of children has tripled in recent months.

Experts believe the coronavirus pandemic has trapped children in lockdown for long periods with mothers or parents who may have lost their jobs and are looking for new income.

The number of women arrested for facilitating abuse has surged since the pandemic began this year.

Since May, eight Filipina women have been arrested for trafficking children online, and 56 children have been taken to safety.

In one case, seven children, including a three-month old baby girl, were rescued from a home in outer Manila.

Their 28-year-old mother has been charged with trafficking two of her sons and two daughters to paedophiles online.

A female neighbour was also charged and accused of collecting the money from a nearby remittance centre.

"The perpetrators probably regard it as low risk because they do it from the comfort of their own home," said Manila-based Detective Sergeant Graeme Marshall, from the Australian Federal Police.

AFP officers are based in Manila, helping the Philippines tackle online child sexual abuse, and increasingly tracking down Australian paedophiles online through tipoffs or tracing transactions.

The AFP also last year joined forces with law enforcement agencies from the Philippines and the UK to set up a joint cybercrime unit, the Philippines Internet Crimes Against Children Centre.

"At the heart of what we're doing is, we want to make sure those kids are rescued wherever they are," said Detective Sergeant Marshall.

"And by doing that, we hope that becomes a deterrent for people who may be considering committing these sorts of offences."

Several Australian men have been arrested in recent months and charged with online abuse charges in the Philippines.

Children left traumatised by abuse and mother's betrayal

Women traffickers often rationalise their crimes by saying that they are "not causing real harm to their child because the abuse primarily happens online", according to IJM.

Jacob Sarkodee from IJM has no doubt such children suffer significant trauma.

So much so, that every effort is taken to convince a mother or relative — including Vilma — to plead guilty and avoid children from having to testify in court.

Initially Vilma faced a life sentence — typically 40 years in the Philippines. By agreeing to plead guilty, her sentence was halved.

But it is children who suffer the greatest emotional toll, especially in families where their mother or a close female relative has acted as their trafficker.

"They are abhorrent offences," said Detective Sergeant Marshall.

"The impact on the children can be for a lifetime. Some of these children will never fully recover."

Families are destroyed, and many children never see their parents again.

"It's a really hard thing to know that babies as young as three months are removed from their mother or their caregivers," said Jacob Sarkodee.

"Our vision really is to ensure that the survivors are able to fully flourish, and become whole again."

*Name has been changed.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-02/south-east-asian-mums-sell-child-abuse-material-to-paedophiles/12407294

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB2pyDKAnIr/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9822658 (020750ZJUL20) Notable: Tom Hanks Says ‘Don’t Be a P*ssy’: ‘Shame on You’ if You Don’t Wear a Mask, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: _Shame_on_You_if_You_Don_t_Wear_a_Mask.jpg

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Tom Hanks Says ‘Don’t Be a P*ssy’: ‘Shame on You’ if You Don’t Wear a Mask

“Shame on you,” says actor Tom Hanks, who thinks you’re a “pussy” if you refuse to wear masks in public as states continue to open up for business amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“Those things are so simple, so easy, if anybody cannot find it in themselves to practice those three very basic things — I just think shame on you,” said Hanks of mask-wearing and social distancing at a recent press conference promoting his new film, Greyhound, according to a report by People. “Don’t be a pussy, get on with it, do your part. It’s very basic. If you’re driving a car, you don’t go too fast, you use your turn signal and you avoid hitting pedestrians. My Lord, it’s common sense.”

The Cast Away star and his wife Rita Wilson tested positive for the coronavirus in March while in Australia. The pair have since recovered.

“There’s really only three things we can do in order to get to tomorrow: Wear a mask, social distance, wash our hands,” said Hanks of what Americans need to be doing in order to ensure that they are doing their part.

Hanks segued to the topic of the Wuhan virus and began discussing the parallels of what the characters in the movie go through and what the real world is dealing with right now during the pandemic, according to People.

“As the canaries in the coal mine for the COVID-19 experience, we are fine,” added Hanks of his and Wilson’s personal experience with the disease. “We had about 10 days of very uncomfortable symptoms. Not life-threatening, we’re happy to say.”

“We were isolated in order to keep an eye on ourselves because if our temperatures had spiked, if our lungs had filled, if any number of things had gone wrong with this, we would have needed expert medical care. We didn’t,” the actor continued.

“I guess we were model recoverers from COVID-19, but we were also isolated so that we would not give it to anybody else that we came in contact with, and since then have been doing the same isolating, social distancing that is being asked of the world so, we are fine,” he added.

Hanks sits on the board of Michelle Obama’s voter registration group, When We All Vote. And his hate for President Trump goes back years. In October 2016, the Forrest Gump star said America would never elect “a simplistic, self-involved gasbag” like Trump.

https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2020/07/01/tom-hanks-says-dont-be-a-pssy-shame-on-you-if-you-dont-wear-a-mask/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9822719 (020807ZJUL20) Notable: Epstein ‘sex slave’ Virginia Giuffre, Alan Dershowitz both lose in new court ruling, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Alan_Dershowitz_Virginia_Roberts_Giuffre.jpg

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Epstein ‘sex slave’ Virginia Giuffre, Alan Dershowitz both lose in new court ruling

Attorneys for alleged Jeffrey Epstein “sex slave” Virginia Roberts Giuffre were ordered Wednesday to destroy evidence from her case against Ghislaine Maxwell — as lawyer Alan Dershowitz was also denied access to the potentially explosive information.

Manhattan federal court Judge Loretta Preska said she was “troubled” to learn during oral arguments last week that Giuffre’s lawyers, from the firm of Cooper & Kirk, had been given sealed records from her since-settled suit against Maxwell, who Giuffre claims recruited her to have sex with Epstein and his pals while she was underage.

The other men allegedly include Dershowitz, who Giuffre is suing for defamation over his public denials of her accusations, including calling her a “certified, complete, total liar,” and who is counter-suing Giuffre for causing “serious harm…to his reputation, his business and his health.”

“As a practical matter, the Court would be surprised — shocked, even — if Cooper & Kirk was not in some sense ‘using’ the Maxwell discovery in its representation of Ms. Giuffre in her action against Mr. Dershowitz,” the judge wrote.

Preska also rejected claims by Giuffre’s lawyers that they were entitled to the evidence, obtained from her former attorneys at Boies Schiller Flexner, because they’d been hired to represent her in the Maxwell case.

The 13-page ruling said that Cooper & Kirk “has not, from what the Court can tell, been actively working on the case.”

Preska directed the Cooper & Kirk lawyers to destroy the evidence, along with “any material, including work product, derived from” it, and to submit an affidavit afterward.

Preska also rejected a request by Dershowitz for access to “all filings and discovery materials, including third-party discovery” from the Maxwell case, saying that “it is not a targeted strike that Mr. Dershowitz proposes, but a carpet bombing.”

Although both cases are related, she said, “they are not coextensive” because Giuffre’s suit against the famed Harvard law professor “involves a much narrower range of conduct than what was at issue in her action against Ms. Maxwell.”

“The Court is thus skeptical that judicial economy would be served by handing Mr. Dershowitz a mountain of discovery from a separate case that may not even be relevant to his defense or to his counterclaims against Ms. Giuffre,” Preska wrote.

In a footnote, the judge also said that although she didn’t think Dershowitz would be “brazen” enough to release the evidence, she was concerned that he might be tempted “to be more cavalier with the sealed materials” to help defend his reputation.

“As a general matter, Mr. Dershowitz’s battle with Ms. Giuffre has proceeded in very public — and frequently toxic — fashion,” Preska noted.

Neither side returned requests for comment.

https://nypost.com/2020/07/01/epstein-sex-slave-giuffre-dershowitz-lose-in-court-ruling/

https://www.scribd.com/document/467668564/Giuffre-v-Maxwell-and-Giuffre-v-Dershowitz-Order

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9822802 (020838ZJUL20) Notable: Australian Federal Police make multiple arrests for child abuse material across the NSW Riverina region

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Multiple arrests across the Riverina for child abuse material

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has conducted two separate child protection operations in the NSW Riverina region, resulting in the arrest of two men and a woman.

During January 2020, the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) Child Protection Triage Unit received a number of reports from the United States of Americau2019s National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) relating to allegations of Australian users uploading child abuse material online.

The Australian Federal Policeu2019s NSW Child Protection Operations Team launched two separate investigations into the alleged offenders, which culminated in multiple search warrants in the Riverina region yesterday (Wednesday, 1 July 2020).

In the first operation, Operation WAKATAKE, the AFP executed two search warrants at properties in the Riverina area and two vehicles. A 52-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman were arrested for their alleged involvement in uploading/sharing/producing Child abuse material online.

Police seized a number of electronic devices including (mobile phones/tablets/laptops/hard drives/camera). Forensic examination of the devices is ongoing.

The man has been remanded to reappear at Albury Local Court today (Thursday 2 July, 2020) charged with:

* 1 x 474.22(1) Crimes Act 1914 - Solicit material using a carriage service, the material being child abuse material - 15 years imprisonment

* 1 x 474.22A Crimes Act 1914 - Possess child abuse material obtained or accessed through a carriage service - 15 years imprisonment

* 1 x 91H Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) - Possess child abuse material - 10 years imprisonment

The woman has been remanded in remanded to reappear at Albury Local Court today (Thursday 2 July, 2020) charged with:

* 3 x 91G Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) - Children not to be used for production of child abuse material - 14 years imprisonment

* 1 x 91H Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) - Possess child abuse material - 10 years imprisonment

* 1 x 474.22(1)(a)(iii) Criminal Code (Cth) - transmit child abuse material using a carriage service - 15 years imprisonment

* 1 x 66DF Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) - Sexual Act for production of child abuse material - Child Under 16 - 10 years imprisonment

In a second, separate operation, known as Operation MIMEKAZE, conducted yesterday morning, a 56-year-old man was arrested in his Riverina-region home for allegedly transmitting child abuse material online.

The man was refused bail remanded to reappear at Albury Local Court today (Thursday 2 July, 2020) charged with:

* 2 x possess child abuse material contrary to section 91H of the Crimes Act 1990 (NSW); -10 years imprisonment

* 1 x transmit child abuse material using a carriage service contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and - 15 years imprisonment

* 1 x access child abuse material using a carriage service contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).

Police do not believe this man arrested is connected to the 52-year-old man and 43-year-old woman.

AFP Child Protection Operations Superintendent Paula Hudson said the arrests were indicative of a coordinated, global response to child abuse.

u201cChild abuse is a horrific and insidious issue, itu2019s happening globally and locally, everywhere from major cities to small rural towns. Itu2019s amplified by the way abusers share material online, abusing and re-abusing their victims with the click of a button,u201d Superintendent Hudson said.

u201cWhen a file surfaces online and itu2019s detected by authorities, the international network of law enforcement works tirelessly together to find the person responsible, arrest them and put them before court.

u201cIn both these instances, it was the NCMEC in America that first detected this material and reported it to us. And it was the tireless investigation of the AFPu2019s NSW Child Protection Operationu2019s team that resulted in these arrests.u201d

Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.

You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button at www.accce.gov.au/report

Note to media:

USE OF TERM 'CHILD ABUSE' MATERIAL, NOT 'CHILD PORNOGRAPHY'

Use of the phrase "child pornography" benefits child sex abusers because it:

* indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser; and

* conjures images of children posing in 'provocative' positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse.

Every photograph captures an actual situation where a child has been abused. This is not "pornography".

https://www.afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/multiple-arrests-across-riverina-child-abuse-material

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9828140 (021842ZJUL20) Notable: Jeffrey Epstein investigation: Ghislaine Maxwell charged with helping billionaire groom, abuse victims, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Jeffrey_Epstein_and_Ghislaine_Maxwell_attend_de_Grisogono_Sponsors_The_2005_Wall_Street_Concert_Series_Benefitting_Wall_Street_Rising_at_Cipriani_Wall_Street_on_March_15_2005_in_New_York_City.jpg, Audrey_Strauss_acting_US_Attorney_for_the_Southern_District_of_New_York_gestures_as_she_speaks_during_a_news_conference_to_announce_charges_against_Ghislaine_Maxwell.jpg, Acting_US_Attorney_for_the_Southern_District_of_New_York_Audrey_Strauss_speaks_alongside_William_F_Sweeney_Jr_Assistant_Director_in_Charge_of_the_New_York_Office_of_the_Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation.jpg, Prince_Andrew_Virginia_Roberts_Giuffre_and_Ghislaine_Maxwell.jpg

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Jeffrey Epstein investigation: Ghislaine Maxwell charged with helping billionaire groom, abuse victims

Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite and long-time girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein, has been charged with allegedly helping recruit, groom and abuse the billionaire's victims.

Maxwell, who lived for years with Epstein and was his frequent travel companion on trips around the world, was arrested by the FBI in New Hampshire about 8.30am local time (10.30pm AEST).

"Maxwell played a critical role in helping Epstein to identify, befriend, and groom victims for abuse. In some cases, Maxwell participated in the abuse herself," Audrey Strauss, the acting Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said.

She is also accused of lying to authorities during previous investigations into Epstein.

"Maxwell lied because the truth, as alleged, was almost unspeakable," Ms Strauss said.

"Maxwell enticed minor girls, got them to trust her, and then delivered them into the trap that she and Epstein had set for them.

"She pretended to be a woman they could trust … all the while she was setting them up to be sexually abused by Epstein and in some cases by Maxwell herself."

William F Sweeney Jr, an assistant director at the FBI, said investigators had been "discreetly keeping tabs on Maxwell's whereabouts" since Epstein's arrest last year.

"More recently we learned she'd slithered away to a gorgeous property in New Hampshire, continuing to live a life of privilege while her victims live with the trauma inflicted upon them years ago.

"We moved when we were ready and Ms Maxwell was arrested without incident."

He said: "Like Epstein, Ms Maxwell chose to blatantly disregard the law and her responsibility as an adult, using whatever means she had at her disposal to lure vulnerable youth into behaviour they should never have been exposed and which creates lasting harm."

CNN earlier reported she had been charged with six counts in connection with the ongoing federal investigation into Epstein's accomplices.

The charges include enticement and conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, transportation and conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and two counts of perjury, according to a federal indictment unsealed today.

"In particular, from at least in or about 1994, up to an including at least in or about 1997, Maxwell assisted, facilitated, and contributed to Jeffrey Epstein's abuse of minor girls by, among other things, helping Epstein to recruit, groom, and ultimately abuse victims known to Maxwell and Epstein to be under the age of 18," the indictment says.

Those victims, according to the indictment, included girls as young as 14 years old.

Maxwell is expected to face court later on Thursday.

Epstein killed himself in a federal detention centre in New York last year while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Maxwell, whose whereabouts had been unclear since Epstein's arrest last year, has been under investigation for allegedly facilitating Epstein's recruitment of young girls and women. She has been named in lawsuits filed by multiple women who accused her of recruiting them to give Epstein massages, during which they were pressured into sex.

Comment has been sought from Maxwell's lawyers.

She has previously repeatedly denied wrongdoing and called some of the claims against her "absolute rubbish".

Among the most sensational accusations was a claim by one Epstein victim, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, that Maxwell arranged for her to have sex with Britain's Prince Andrew at her London townhouse.

Ms Giuffre bolstered her allegations with a picture of her, Prince Andrew and Maxwell that she said was taken at the time.

Prince Andrew denied her story.

Maxwell was described in a lawsuit by another Epstein victim, Sarah Ransome, as the "highest-ranking employee" of Epstein's alleged sex trafficking enterprise. She oversaw and trained recruiters, developed recruiting plans and helped conceal the activity from law enforcement, the lawsuit alleged.

https://www.9news.com.au/world/jeffrey-epstein-investigation-ghislaine-maxwell-investigated-by-fbi-us-news/72464fc6-6aca-4e86-b902-dd77c3b8c6de

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9837891 (030737ZJUL20) Notable: Q Post #4568 - Eb7QXABU8AAr1f8.jpg (Virginia Roberts with Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell), MISSING MEDIA/FILES: VRG_30.jpg, Eb9PhPWUMAAhJBu.jpg, Eb7QXABU8AAr1f8.jpg

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>>177340

Virginia Roberts Giuffre Tweet

Orange is the new black- #GhislaineMaxwellArrested Thank you to @FBI @SDNYnews and anyone involved in the arrest of this insidious creature. Hope the judge throws the book at her. So so so happy- she’s finally where she belongs. #LOCKEDUP #ChildTrafficking #FightingBack

https://twitter.com/VRSVirginia/status/1278828256964145152

—

Q Post #4568

Jul 2 2020 17:25:22 (EST) NEW

Eb7QXABU8AAr1f8.jpg

https://qanon.pub/#4568

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9838340 (030901ZJUL20) Notable: Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos raises conspiracy concern as 10,000 refuse coronavirus test, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: A_man_is_tested_in_the_locked_down_suburb_of_Dallas_on_Thursday.jpg, Active_cases_as_of_July_3.jpg

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>>177319

Health Minister raises conspiracy concern as 10,000 refuse virus test

More than 10,000 people have refused to take a coronavirus test in the past week with Health Minister Jenny Mikakos saying that some claim that the global pandemic is a conspiracy.

Ms Mikakos said health authorities were analysing the data to determine why people were refusing tests, even after 10 Melbourne postcodes were put into a second lockdown from Thursday to control the spread of the highly contagious virus.

"It is concerning that some people believe that coronavirus is a conspiracy or that it won’t impact on them," she said.

Premier Daniel Andrews has warned that if people did not follow government advice to get tested and self-isolate if experiencing symptoms, more parts of Melbourne and Victoria may have to be locked down.

"We don’t want to get to that," he said.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd said the Commonwealth gave its full support to the widespread testing taking place in Victoria.

“If you are approached and asked to have a test, please comply,” Professor Kidd said.

“You may be infected with COVID-19 and have no symptoms but still be infectious and putting at risk your own loved ones, your family, and your friends, so again, please if you are asked to have a test, please have the test done.

“Put your own mind at ease, and put the minds of your family members at ease as well.”

Professor Kidd said he was "very concerned" about anyone who refused to have a test, particularly when there were high levels of community transmission.

“If they are in an area of community transmission they may be affected and asymptomatic and at risk of infecting others,” he said.

With some members of the public refusing tests because of conspiracy theories, Professor Kidd stressed that people should not be getting any information about the virus from social media.

“The single source of information in truth I recommend is the health.gov.au website,” he said.

“If you hear different theories and you are not sure about it, do a search, look at the Australian government advice, it comes from the best experts we have right across the country, based on evidence around the world.

“Do not listen to the theories that you may be coming across on social media.”

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/health-minister-raises-conspiracy-concern-as-10-000-refuse-virus-test-20200703-p558va.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9861917 (050703ZJUL20) Notable: 60 Minutes Australia Tweet: TONIGHT on #60Mins, finally there is relief for the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: 60MA_1.jpg

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60 Minutes Australia Tweet

The world’s most wanted woman has been arrested. TONIGHT on #60Mins, finally there is relief for the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring, as his wicked accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell is charged with multiple child sex offences. The investigation only on @Channel9.

https://twitter.com/60Mins/status/1279626054253056007

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9862070 (050721ZJUL20) Notable: Finance Minister Mathias Cormann to quit politics at the end of the year, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Finance_Minister_Mathias_Cormann_will_quit_parliament_at_the_end_of_the_year.jpg

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Resignations in the news

Mathias Cormann to quit politics at the end of the year

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has announced his resignation from politics and advised Scott Morrison that he will leave the parliament by the end of the year.

The leader of the government in the Senate has declared that serving in the upper house has been “one of the greatest privileges of my life.”

“Having the opportunity to help shape the future direction of our country as part of a great team working to make our country even stronger, more prosperous and more resilient is a great honour,” he said. “I love this job. Every single day I am giving it my all.”

“I can honestly say that I have left nothing on the field.”

Senator Cormann said there was “another six months or so of hard work” to help navigate a way out of the coronavirus pandemic and “finalise and set in train our five-year plan to maximise the strength of our economic and jobs recovery.”

“We will also need to make the many necessary decisions to re-embark on the important journey of budget repair,” he said.

“So between now and the end of the year I will be working with the Prime Minister, the Treasurer and all of my colleagues on finalising our July Economic Statement, our Budget in October and our half-yearly Budget update in December.”

Senator Cormann — who represents the state of Western Australia — said that he would seek to secure the passage of reforming government legislation through the upper house and that the Prime Minister was leading a team that was “stronger, more focused and more united than ever.”

“I would like to thank the Prime Minister for the trust and confidence he has placed in me to do this job, as I would like to thank his predecessors as Prime Minister, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull, for the opportunities they have given me to serve,” he said.

“I will be doing my very best over the next six months as a member of the Morrison Government to ensure that our country is positioned as strongly as possible for the brightest possible future.”

Energy Minister Angus Taylor said that Senator Cormann had “provided this incredible continuity for us in that Finance portfolio since 2013.”

Mr Taylor told Sky News that Senator Cormann had been “relentless” and “effective” as well as a “great servant” to Western Australia and the Liberal Party.

Manager of Opposition business Tony Burke said that Senator Cormann had been a “very significant figure in Australian politics” and an “honest broker” in his political negotiations in the upper house.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/mathias-cormann-to-quit-politics-at-the-end-of-the-year/news-story/e21f46dec50f898346ea0246b22ddc3c

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9862520 (050820ZJUL20) Notable: Truthseeker the storm is here Tweet: Gathered my #AussieQ crew to celebrate #July4th with our US #QAnon friends, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: TS_1.jpg

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Truthseeker the storm is here Tweet

Gathered my #AussieQ crew to celebrate #July4th with our US #QAnon friends. Gave thanks to God for His protection that covers @realDonaldTrump & his family. We prayed for all #prayerwarriors & #digitalsoldiers engaged in this battle that #Godwins @QTheWakeUp #WWG1WGAWW

https://twitter.com/shaz4truth/status/1279408085124018176

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9868176 (052258ZJUL20) Notable: Anon's Q Proof Mount Rushmore fireworks video - Brooks & Dunn, “Only in America”

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Okay MAGA… During the Mount Rushmore fireworks show, they played the song by Brooks & Dunn, “Only in America”. Great tune, listen to the lyrics they played. They left out a verse during the “Q” fireworks special section. So, like a good patriotic Anon, I put it back in, with some visuals to go along with the music. I hope you all like it.

WWG1WGA

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9872324 (060828ZJUL20) Notable: Child sex offender Hamzeh Bahrami jailed over attack on young girl in Blair Athol toilet block, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: 12633_1.jpg, 12633_2.jpg, 12633_3.jpg

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Repost from Q Research General #12633

>>74050 (pb)

Child sex offender Hamzeh Bahrami jailed over attack on young girl in Blair Athol toilet block

A man who sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl at a sports ground in Adelaide's north has been sentenced to more than four-and-a-half years in prison — but could apply for release in less than half that time.

Key points:

Hamzeh Bahrami lured the girl to the toilet block

He was arrested by police two weeks after the attack

Judge Paul Slattery has set a three-year non-parole period

Hamzeh Bahrami, 33, assaulted the girl multiple times at a Blair Athol playground and nearby toilet block in April 2019 in front of his own young daughter and niece.

Judge Paul Slattery called the offending "abhorrent in the extreme" and said it was concerning Bahrami could not explain his actions.

The judge said the sentence took into account the fact that Bahrami accused the victim of lying, fabricated a version of events and allowed his innocent brother to be arrested over the incident.

Bahrami was handed a head sentence of four years and nine months in prison, and a non-parole period of three years.

Both were backdated to when Bahrami was taken into custody in April 2019, meaning he could be eligible for parole in less than two years, in April 2022.

In a victim impact statement, the girl's mother wrote that the attack on her daughter had left her family unable to "trust anyone".

"The perpetrator was known to the community so it's very uncomfortable," she said.

"I know feel like I don't want to do anything with the community.

"I now feel like I can't trust anyone, and that the children can't trust anyone."

Bahrami pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated indecent assault and one count of false imprisonment over the attack.

He arrived in Australia with his mother and siblings as refugees in 2006.

In a letter of apology, he said custody had granted him time to reflect on the seriousness of his crime.

"As a parent of a four-year-old daughter, I cannot imagine how I would react if someone abused her in the same way that I abused my victim. I know that I would be very, very angry," he said.

"As a child in Afghanistan I witnessed several acts of brutal physical abuse of other children and the fact that I have since caused so much damage to an innocent child fills me with shame.

"I fully accept that I may spend many years behind bars for my crimes but I hope that up (sic) my eventual release I will become a positive contributor to the community once again."

Offending was 'impulsive', psychiatrist says

Police have previously said the victim had been playing at a park at suburban Blair Athol when she was approached by Bahrami.

The court heard last month she was on a swing set when he asked her where the toilets were.

Prosecutors said he then sexually assaulted her multiple times and threatened her inside a locked cubicle as his daughter and niece peered under the door. Bahrami was arrested two weeks after the attack following a police campaign, which included officers doorknocking in the area.

Police had initially arrested his brother, but withdrew the charges "after forensic evidence cleared him of direct involvement" in the attack.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-06/child-sex-offender-hamzeh-bahrami-jailed/12424824

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9881804 (070701ZJUL20) Notable: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's lawyer Eric Dupond-Moretti appointed as France's new justice minister, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: One_of_WikiLeaks_founder_Julian_Assange_s_lawyers_has_been_appointed_as_French_justice_minister.jpg

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Assange's lawyer named French minister

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's lawyer Eric Dupond-Moretti has been appointed as France's new justice minister.

Dupond-Moretti, a prominent criminal defence lawyer, was elevated to the ministry by incoming Prime Minister Jean Castex on Monday.

The 55-year-old is known for a his record number of acquittals and led a push by European lawyers for French President Emmanuel Macron to grant asylum to Assange in February.

"We consider the situation is sufficiently serious that our duty is to talk about it," Dupond-Moretti said about Assange's case at the time.

The Frenchman has said the case against the Australian is unfair, citing Assange's poor health and alleged violations of his rights while in jail in London

Dupond-Moretti's team also warned of "consequences for all journalists" if Assange is extradited and jailed in the US.

French members of Assange's legal team said they had been working on a "concrete demand" for Macron to grant Assange asylum in France, where he has children.

It's unclear whether Dupond-Moretti will now use his position to grant the Australian asylum.

Assange has been held on remand in London's Belmarsh prison since October 11, and is facing an extradition hearing to decide whether he should be sent to the US to face charges.

The hearing has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and Assange hasn't appeared before court in more than three months.

The 49-year-old's next callover hearing is in the Westminster Magistrates' Court on July 27.

The extradition trial is set to resume on September 7.

The Australian is accused of publishing thousands of secret US diplomatic and military files, some of which revealed alleged war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He's also accused of trying to recruit hackers to provide WikiLeaks with classified US information.

The charges carry a total of 175 years' imprisonment.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6821886/assanges-lawyer-named-french-minister/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9881846 (070710ZJUL20) Notable: Australia proving 'resilient' to China's influence efforts, says Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: _Neutralising_Australia_on_a_key_issue_such_as_the_South_China_Sea_would_pay_huge_dividends_for_Beijing_by_reducing_American_regional_leadership_say_the_authors_of_a_new_report.jpg

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Australia proving 'resilient' to China's influence efforts, says CSIS

Washington | China's attempts to influence Australian attitudes and politics are ultimately aimed at peeling Australia away from its US alliance and neutralising its impact on geostrategic issues, says a leading US think tank.

Australia has been included by the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies alongside Japan, Germany and the UK as case studies of advanced economies that have been targeted by Beijing and Moscow.

"Like Japan, Australia is an attractive target for Chinese influence operations because of its strategic value as a US ally in the increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region," writes Amy Searight, a non-resident, senior associate for Asia at CSIS.

"Neutralising Australia on a key issue such as the South China Sea would pay huge dividends for Beijing by reducing American regional leadership."

The report by CSIS, which receives funding from the Australian government, comes amid growing US media attention and awareness of what many on both sides of the political divide regard as China's economic bullying of Australia in recent weeks and months.

Even as attitudes harden in the US against China, Australia's case is increasingly making prime-time news. Brian Kilmeade, a high-profile pro-Donald Trump commentator on Fox & Friends, last week urged Republican House of Representatives minority leader Kevin McCarthy to push for American purchases of Australian iron ore to counter China.

Seeking to unite Chinese diaspora

Ms Searight says Australia’s economic dependency on China and its large Chinese diaspora "create points of leverage for Beijing to exploit".

CSIS also accuses China of trying to "divide Australia's multicultural society" by seeking to unite its Chinese diaspora inside the country to support Beijing "while also exploiting racial sensitivities".

Alongside resources trade, and tourism and education, China has a "natural constituency of support in the Australian business community and among university leadership for a co-operative relationship with China", she writes.

While Australia's "free and vibrant press" has helped draw attention to "Chinese malign influence activities in Australia", Australia's Chinese-language media is seen as having been largely co-opted or purchased by Beijing-linked interests.

"The growing use of WeChat and other Chinese-language social media further limits access of Chinese-speaking Australians to information and perspectives that fall outside of the Beijing-controlled narrative," Ms Searight writes.

The report notes a deterioration in Australian opinions on China since 2008, when 52 per cent surveyed by the Pew Research Centre had a "favourable" view of the Sino giant. In 2018 that number had shrunk to 36 per cent, with "unfavourable" views rising to 57 per cent from 40 per cent 12 years ago.

"Despite its vulnerabilities, Australia’s democratic political culture has proven resilient to China’s growing attempts to influence its political environment," the report's authors conclude.

Still, CSIS warns that China and Russia are adapting and mutating their efforts, with Beijing starting to emulate Moscow's tactics by creating fake social media accounts to spread lies, "particularly related to the US administration's handling of the coronavirus epidemic".

"Just as China is learning from Russia, democracies under threat can learn from one another," they say.

"Increasing this co-operation and finding common approaches to countering malign influence activities are the best ways to ensure those activities continue to fall short of their goals."

For the purposes of the CSIS study, the authors have adopted former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's definition of malign influence activities as being "covert, coercive, or corrupting". Mr Turnbull outlined the definition in a speech to Parliament in December 2017 when he introduced his espionage and foreign interference bill.

https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/australia-proving-resilient-to-china-s-influence-efforts-says-csis-20200707-p559na

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9881900 (070719ZJUL20) Notable: ‘Clock ticking’ for Prince Andrew as Ghislaine Maxwell heads to court, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Jeffrey_Epstein_and_Ghislaine_Maxwell_in_New_York_in_2005.jpg, A_source_close_to_Prince_Andrew_said_This_looks_like_a_lobbying_firm_advertising_No_engagements_have_been_made_or_sought_.jpg

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‘Clock ticking’ for Prince Andrew as Ghislaine Maxwell heads to court

Prince Andrew has been warned that the “clock is ticking” for him to speak to US prosecutors about Jeffrey Epstein after the arrest of the pedophile financier’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Gloria Allred, who represents 16 of Epstein’s victims, told reporters in Los Angeles that the powerful men in Epstein’s circle should be worried after Maxwell’s arrest.

“My point is this, she knows quite a bit about the powerful men who were close to Jeffrey Epstein,” she said. “Ms. Maxwell is the one who introduced Prince Andrew to Jeffrey Epstein.”

Virginia Roberts Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims, has said Maxwell introduced her to Andrew, and claims he slept with her when she was 17.

Maxwell, who has been charged with producing under-age girls for Epstein to abuse, has been transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn ahead of a court appearance on Friday local time (Saturday AEST).

Ms Allred said Andrew should speak under oath to authorities before Maxwell did. “If I were Prince Andrew, I would want to speak to prosecutors before Ms Maxwell speaks to the prosecutors. And the clock is ticking. She could decide to speak with them at any time,” Ms Allred said.

It has also emerged that Andrew’s lawyers had ­reportedly talked to a Washington lobbyist who has links to Donald Trump, seeking help in dealing with the fallout from the Epstein scandal.

The lawyers were said to have contacted Robert Stryk, a Washington figure who has represented controversial clients including ­Isabel dos Santos, the daughter of the former Angolan president who is accused of embezzling millions, and the government of ­Joseph Kabila, former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who has been sanctioned for human rights abuses.

The talks, in the past few weeks, fizzled out after Mr Stryk ­“expressed discomfort about the possibility of assisting Prince ­Andrew”, The New York Times reported. Mr Stryk is said to be “well-connected in Trump administration foreign policy circles”.

A source close to Andrew said: “This looks like a lobbying firm ­advertising. No engagements have been made or sought.”

It is understood that an introductory conversation took place but it was not initiated by Andrew’s team and went no ­further.

Meanwhile, Ms Giuffre said he “should be panicking” after the ­arrest of Ghislaine Maxwell.

She has claimed that Epstein forced her to have sex with Andrew on three occasions, ­including when she was 17 at a London house owned by Ms Maxwell. Andrew vehemently denies the charges.

She told Australia’s 60 Minutes on Sunday that the arrest of ­Epstein’s former partner and confidante had been “one of the best days of my life”.

“I have not stopped smiling and crying, happy tears,” Ms Giuffre said. “She ­ruined so many lives. She belongs in jail.”

She urged Ms Maxwell, who was arrested by the FBI in New Hampshire last week, to co-operate with prosecutors and name those who had been involved in sexually abusing under-age girls.

“Prince Andrew should be panicking at the moment because Ghislaine doesn’t really care about anyone else but Ghislaine,” Ms ­Giuffre added.

Ms Maxwell is accused of ­recruiting under-age girls and grooming them for Epstein to sexually abuse, as well as sometimes joining in with the abuse. The prince has been a friend of Ms Maxwell since the mid-1990s and she is said to have tried to dissuade him from speaking to the media before a disastrous TV interview last year.

Laura Goldman, a friend of Ms Maxwell, said she had urged the prince not to talk to the press. “She told him it won’t do any good, nobody wants to hear what we have to say. But he ignored her. He thought that he could use his lack of charm to charm people,” Ms Goldman told the Sunday Mirror.

The publication at the weekend of an image of Ms Maxwell and disgraced actor Kevin Spacey on the coronation thrones in Buckingham Palace has added to pressure on the prince. The pair breached protocol by sitting on the thrones during a private tour organised by Andrew in 2002.

The pressure on Andrew came as further claims were made of Ms Maxwell’s alleged role in grooming Epstein’s victims. A woman endured years of rape and abuse after Ms Maxwell and ­Epstein approached her at a summer camp in 1994 and offered to help her singing career, American court papers say. The woman said Ms Maxwell had “regularly facilitated Epstein’s abuse … and was frequently present when it occurred”.

Ms Maxwell had hidden from public view since Epstein’s arrest and suicide last year. On Thursday, police and FBI officers broke her gate with bolt-cutters and forced open her door. She is expected to appear in a New York court on Wednesday or Thursday AEST.

(continued)

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/the-times/lawyer-pulled-out-of-talks-with-prince-andrew-over-jeffrey-epstein/news-story/a45559ce273bd7daf9cb2e8a1a924196

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9892266 (080712ZJUL20) Notable: Australia-Japan-United States Defense Ministers’ Meeting Joint Statement, July 7 2020, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Defense_Minister_Taro_Kono_attends_a_videoconference_with_his_American_and_Australian_counterparts_at_the_ministry_Wednesday.jpg, ME_2.jpg, EcXdyLoXsAYixcP.jpg

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Japan, U.S. and Australia express 'deep concern' over Hong Kong law

Japan, the United States and Australia on Wednesday expressed “deep concern” over China’s recent implementation of a sweeping security law in Hong Kong that is feared will restrict human rights and freedoms in the territory.

The three security allies confirmed the view during a meeting via videolink of their defense ministers — Linda Reynolds of Australia, Taro Kono of Japan and Mark Esper of the United States.

Many countries, including the three nations, have expressed concerns over the controversial legislation enacted last week, which targets secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces in the former British colony.

Apparently with China in mind, the three defense chiefs also reaffirmed their “strong opposition” to the use of force or coercion that could alter the status quo and increase tensions in the East and South China seas, where China has been increasingly assertive.

But the statement released after their talks did not name China in connection with the maritime issue.

The three ministers also confirmed their “strong concern” over North Korea’s repeated ballistic missile launches, saying they violated multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions.

During the talks, which took place amid the coronavirus pandemic, they also discussed ways to mitigate the impact of the virus, including sharing information, according to the statement.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/07/08/national/japan-u-s-australia-hong-kong-security-law/

—

US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper Tweet:

The United States stands firm with our staunch allies, Australia & Japan, against coercion in the #SouthChinaSea & the #EastChinaSea. Thank you for the call & partnership, @lindareynoldswa, @konotarogomame.

https://twitter.com/EsperDoD/status/1280673541483003904

—

Australia-Japan-United States Defense Ministers’ Meeting Joint Statement

JULY 7, 2020

Australian Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds, Japanese Minister of Defense KONO Taro, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper convened a virtual trilateral defense ministerial meeting on July 7 (Washington). The ministers reaffirmed their joint commitment to enhance security, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region in keeping with their shared values and longstanding alliances and close partnerships. This was the ninth meeting among the three nations’ defense leaders.

The ministers concurred that the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of a rules-based international order in setting the conditions for our nations to address this shared threat in a way that is transparent, accountable, and resilient. As a measure of the strength and adaptability of the trilateral partnership, the ministers discussed collaborative efforts to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. They committed to:

(1) Continue to share information, best practices, and lessons learned about measures taken by defense authorities toward mitigating the impacts of COVID-19, including as part of whole-of-government efforts;

(2) Further develop a mutual understanding of the threat environment in the Indo-Pacific region, including the potential effects of the spread of COVID-19 on their respective defense policies and preparedness; and

(3) Promote vigorous trilateral defense cooperation and exchanges that make tangible contributions in support of a free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

The ministers reinforced their strong opposition to any destabilizing or coercive unilateral actions that could alter the status quo and increase tensions in the East China Sea. They expressed their intention to continue to coordinate closely on the security environment in this region, with a view to deterring such actions.

With regard to the South China Sea, the ministers reinforced strong opposition to the use of force or coercion to alter the status quo, and reaffirmed the importance of upholding freedom of navigation and overflight. They expressed serious concern about recent incidents, including the continued militarization of disputed features, dangerous or coercive use of coast guard vessels and “maritime militia,” and efforts to disrupt other countries’ resource exploitation activities. They emphasized the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, in particular as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and called for all countries in the region to take meaningful steps to ease tension and build trust.

(continued)

https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2266901/australia-japan-united-states-defense-ministers-meeting-joint-statement/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9892363 (080741ZJUL20) Notable: Atlantic Council Tweet: "How did it happen? How can we do things better in the future?" - Australian Ambassador Arthur Sinodinos, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: AC_1.jpg

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Atlantic Council Tweet

"I can understand how the Chinese might feel a bit defensive, but at the end of the day, this was really an exercise in asking the question, what happened? How did it happen? How can we do things better in the future?" shared @AusintheUS Amb. @A_Sinodinos #StrongerPostCOVID

https://twitter.com/AtlanticCouncil/status/1280633879402086401

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9896059 (081833ZJUL20) Notable: Dassi Erlich Tweet: The prison defends their treatment in civil suit - they believe Leifer is unwell, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: DE_33.jpg, DE_34.jpg, DE_35.jpg

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>>177173

Dassi Erlich Tweets

Update: Leifer’s lawyers lodged appeal in high court re district court's decision which found Leifer mentally fit to stand trial. No date for appeal yet

They also requested extradition hearings are halted immediately. Extradition trial set to begin July 20, hope won't be delayed!

https://twitter.com/dassi_erlich/status/1280799600685666304

—

MORE news on appeal

Try follow this.

Leifer’s lawyers lodged a civil action against prison system for negligance!! They claim that the district court declared Leifer mentally fit(not psychotic),therefore prison doctors who give Leifer antipsychotics are negligent w her care

1/2

https://twitter.com/dassi_erlich/status/1280833662380994560

—

The prison defends their treatment in civil suit - they believe Leifer is unwell.

Leifer’s lawyers take statement & use it as 'new information' in appeal declaring Leifer is not fit!

So, in the civil suit - she is fit to stand trial but in their appeal she is not fit.

2/2

https://twitter.com/dassi_erlich/status/1280833664067108865

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9896086 (081835ZJUL20) Notable: Lawyers for alleged paedophile Malka Leifer launch appeal against court's finding of mental fitness, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Lawyers_for_Malka_Leifer_argue_she_is_not_mentally_fit_to_be_extradited_to_face_trial_in_Australia.jpg

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>>177362

Lawyers for alleged paedophile Malka Leifer launch appeal against court's finding of mental fitness

Lawyers for alleged paedophile Malka Leifer have appealed an Israeli court's finding that the former principal is mentally fit to be extradited to Australia to face sexual abuse charges.

The move could delay an extradition hearing due on July 20 on whether the former head of the Adass Israel School in Melbourne must return to Australia to face 74 charges of sexually abusing three of her former students.

Ms Leifer's lawyers lodged the appeal with the Jerusalem High Court after Israel's District Court in May found Ms Leifer was faking mental illness to avoid extradition.

Even though numerous examinations have found she is mentally competent, her lawyers now argue a court finding in 2016 that she was mentally ill should be reinstated.

That ruling came before a hidden camera investigation revealed Ms Leifer was lying about being catatonic and incapacitated by mental illness and instead was living a normal life in a remote West Bank settlement.

The footage and a subsequent investigation by Israel Police, which recommended Ms Leifer be charged with obstruction of justice, were the basis for the new psychiatric assessments.

The Supreme Court is yet to set a date for the appeal.

Prison service provided anti-psychotic medication

Ms Leifer's lawyers, Tal Gabbay and Yehuda Fried, previously lodged a civil claim alleging the Israel Prison Service (IPS) was negligent in its care of their client, because it gave her anti-psychotic medication.

In response, the prison service said it was treating her mental illness, a statement the lawyers now say is new evidence that their client should not be extradited.

"While all the time the applicant is detained for faking mental illness, she is diagnosed, weekly for over two years, by psychiatric experts at the Israel Prison Service and treated with significant antipsychotics," they said in their appeal petition.

"If the applicant wants to impersonate a mentally ill person and is therefore eligible to stand trial, IPS experts remain firm in their opinion that their diagnosis is correct … it is clear that we are facing issues that are not sufficiently clear and blatant, to say the least."

Manny Waks, an Australian-Israeli advocate for survivors of sexual abuse, said the appeal was not surprising.

"Of course, every defendant is entitled to due process, so we will anxiously await the outcome of this process," Mr Waks said.

"However, based on the evidence, and as someone who has followed this case very closely, I expect this appeal to be promptly overturned, and for Leifer to be extradited to Australia in the near future."

Case repeatedly delayed

Ms Leifer, an Israeli citizen, is accused of abusing three sisters during her time as headmistress of the Adass Israel School between 2001 and 2008.

She allegedly fled Australia for Israel in 2008 when she learned the women were planning to file a complaint with police.

Australia lodged an extradition request for Ms Leifer in 2014, but the case has been repeatedly delayed.

In January, a panel of psychiatrists concluded the 54-year-old was faking her mental illness to avoid extradition which led to the finding in Israel's District Court.

The case has been delayed extensively by legal manoeuvring and allegations of political interference.

Israel Police recommended the country's former deputy health minister, ultra-orthodox rabbi Yaakov Litzman, be indicted for interfering in the case to block the extradition.

The decision in May that Ms Leifer was faking mental illness and could face the extradition hearing was the first significant progress in years.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-09/int:-lawyers-for-malka-leifer-launch-appeal/12437068

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9902843 (090744ZJUL20) Notable: Malcolm Fraser and the mystery of how he lost his trousers (and his dignity) in a seedy American hotel, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: 12672_1.jpg, 12672_2.jpg

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Reposts from Q Research General #12672

>>75185 (pb)

Queen Elizabeth II's correspondence on her role in the 1975 sacking of Australian prime minister Gough Whitlam will be released next week in full

https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1281085400044339200

[Next week]

—

>>75236 (pb)

>>75185 (pb)

Just a little reminder about the man who replaced Gough Whitlam after the C_A backed coup.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/malcolm-fraser-and-the-mystery-of-how-he-lost-his-trousers-and-his-dignity-in-a-seedy-american-hotel/news-story/c122c798f7927fb6f994d2687e717461

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9913136 (100716ZJUL20) Notable: Cardinal Pell: ‘My Catholic faith sustained me’ during time in prison, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Cdl_George_Pell.jpg

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Cardinal Pell: ‘My Catholic faith sustained me’ during time in prison

I never felt abandoned,' the vindicated cardinal said, 'knowing that the Lord was with me — even as I didn't understand what he was doing for most of the thirteen months.

AUSTRALIA, July 9, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Cardinal Pell says he was once spat on in prison, but his Catholic sustained him during the thirteen months he spent behind bars before he was unanimously acquitted by the Australian High Court of historic sex abuse charges.

“For many, time in prison is an opportunity to ponder and confront basic truths. Prison life removed any excuse that I was too busy to pray, and my regular schedule of prayer sustained me,” Pell explained in an article for First Things.

Pell said he had been able to attend Mass only five times during his time in prison and that he had never been allowed to celebrate Mass, something he said he particularly lamented at Christmas and Easter. He was, however, able to receive Communion each week and to pray from a breviary.

“My Catholic faith sustained me, especially the understanding that my suffering need not be pointless but could be united with Christ Our Lord’s,” the cardinal explained.

“I never felt abandoned, knowing that the Lord was with me — even as I didn’t understand what he was doing for most of the thirteen months. For many years, I had told the suffering and disturbed that the Son of God, too, had trials on this earth, and now I myself was consoled by this fact. So, I prayed for friends and foes, for my supporters and my family, for the victims of sexual abuse, and for my fellow prisoners and the warders.”

Pell has previously said that he “never felt forsaken” during his time in prison as he received “something like 4,000 letters.”

The Australian cardinal says he experienced “kindness and friendship” from fellow prisoners but that on one occasion, he was spat on.

“I was in isolation for my own protection, as those convicted of the sexual abuse of children, especially clergy, are vulnerable to physical attacks and abuse in prison,” he explained.

“I was threatened in this manner only once, when I was in one of two adjacent exercise areas separated by a high wall, with an opening at head height. As I walked around the perimeter, someone spat at me through the fly wire of the open aperture and began condemning me. It was a total surprise, so I returned furious to the window to confront my assailant and rebuke him. He bolted from the front line out of my sight but continued to condemn me, as a ‘black spider’ and other less-than-complimentary terms.”

Pell, 79, was in prison from February 2019 until April this year after a jury found him guilty of two counts of sexual assault against a child on December 11, 2018. He always denied the charges, which hinged on the uncorroborated testimony of one person. Last year, the Victorian Court of Appeal upheld the initial guilty verdict.

In April, he was unanimously acquitted after Australia’s top court held two days of an appeal hearing, in which Pell’s prosecutors, led by Victorian director of public prosecutions Kerry Judd QC, shifted their position on key evidence relating to Pell’s alleged sexual assault of two choirboys after Sunday Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne.

News of the charges broke in 2017, when Pell was in Rome serving as the Vatican’s Secretariat for the Economy. Pell is believed by many to have been working to reform the Vatican's finances, including reportedly opposing a 50-million-Euro loan to help the Vatican purchase a scandal-ridden hospital in Rome. In order to face the charges, Pell voluntarily returned to Australia from Rome, saying at the time: “I’m innocent of these charges. They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me.”

Shortly after being released from prison, Pell told Sky News Australia that senior people in Rome believe that his conviction and imprisonment in Australia were related to the trouble he was causing to “corrupt officials in the Vatican” as he led the financial reforms.

During that same interview Pell said regular prayer, as well as good practical habits, helped him during his time in prison.

“I followed the advice I’ve often given to priests when they’re in a bit of trouble. Keep up your prayers; get out of bed at a good time; eat properly; exercise every day and try to sleep at night,” he explained.

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/cardinal-pell-my-catholic-faith-sustained-me-during-time-in-prison

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9913171 (100727ZJUL20) Notable: MY TIME IN PRISON by George Cardinal Pell - August 2020

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>>177369

MY TIME IN PRISON

by George Cardinal Pell

August 2020

1/3

There is a lot of goodness in prisons. At times, I am sure, prisons may be hell on earth. I was fortunate to be kept safe and treated well. I was impressed by the professionalism of the warders, the faith of the prisoners, and the existence of a moral sense even in the darkest places.

I was in solitary confinement for thirteen months, ten at the Melbourne Assessment Prison and three at Barwon Prison. In Melbourne the prison uniform was a green tracksuit, but in Barwon I was issued the bright red colors of a cardinal. I had been convicted in December 2018 of historical sexual offenses against children, despite my innocence, and despite the incoherence of the Crown Prosecutoru2019s case against me. u00adEventually (in April of this year) the High Court of Australia was to quash my convictions in a unanimous u00adruling. In the meantime, I began to serve my sentence of six years.

In Melbourne, I lived in Cell 11, Unit 8, on the fifth floor. My cell was seven or eight meters long and about two meters wide, just enough for my bed, which had a firm base, a not-too-thick mattress, and two blankets. On the left as you entered were low shelves with a kettle, television, and eating space. Across the narrow aisle was a basin with hot and cold water and a shower recess with good hot water. Unlike in many posh hotels, an efficient reading lamp was in the wall above the bed. Since both my knees had been replaced a couple of months before entering prison, I used a walking stick initially and was given a higher hospital chair, which was a blessing. Health regulations require each prisoner to have an hour outside each day, and so I was allowed to take two half-hours in Melbourne. Nowhere in Unit 8 was there clear glass, so I could recognize day from night, but not much more, from my cell. I never saw the eleven other prisoners.

I certainly heard them. Unit 8 had twelve small cells along one external wall, with the u201cnoisyu201d prisoners at one end. I celled in the u201cTooraku201d end, named for a rich Melbourne suburb, exactly the same as the noisy end but generally without bangers and shouters, without the anguished and angry, who were often destroyed by drugs, especially crystal meth. I used to marvel at how long they could bang their fists, but a warder explained that they kicked with their feet like horses. Some flooded their cells or fouled them. Once in a while the dog squad was called, or someone had to be gassed. On my first night I thought I heard a woman crying; another prisoner was calling for his mother.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9913198 (100737ZJUL20) Notable: Dassi Erlich Tweet: The Supreme court has denied the request to postpone July 20. The extradtion trial will begin on July 20, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: DE_36.jpg

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>>177362

>>177363

Dassi Erlich Tweet

The Supreme court has denied the request to postpone July 20.

The extradtion trial will begin on July 20 & is expected to take 1-2 hearings.

#bringleiferback

No date yet for appeal lodged by Leifer’s lawyers on district court's decision that Leifer is mentally fit to stand trial.

https://twitter.com/dassi_erlich/status/1281361972873711616

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9913204 (100740ZJUL20) Notable: 1 Year Delta - Q Post #3405 - Reality is hard to swallow. - [Planned Parenthood] - a year ago, 10 July 2019, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Screenshot_1.jpg

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[Planned Parenthood]

a year ago.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9913238 (100756ZJUL20) Notable: US Marine tests positive for coronavirus in the Northern Territory as part of US Marine Corps' Marine Rotational Force, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: US_marines_have_been_arriving_in_the_Northern_Territory_since_June.jpg, US_Marines_have_been_screened_and_tested_for_COVID_19_upon_arrival_in_Darwin_since_June.jpg, Ms_Fyles_said_the_US_marine_arrived_in_the_NT_a_few_days_ago.jpg

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US marine tests positive for coronavirus in the Northern Territory

A US marine has tested positive for coronavirus in the Northern Territory, the NT Health Minister has confirmed.

The marine has been transferred from quarantine at Darwin's Robertson Barracks to Royal Darwin Hospital..

NT Health Minister Natasha Fyles said health authorities would "make decisions working with United States authorities about what is the best care" for the patient.

Ms Fyles said the marine arrived in the Northern Territory "a few days ago" and disembarked through the military side of Darwin Airport.

Ms Fyles said the marine had potentially had "very, very minimal contact" with any Territorians.

The marine was in Darwin as part of the US Marine Corps' Marine Rotational Force, hosted in the Northern Territory.

The contingent of about 1,200 US marines has been arriving in the Northern Territory in groups in a staggered deployment since June.

All the arrivals are subject to a two-week quarantine period at an Australian Defence Force facility in Darwin.

The original rotation of about 2,500 marines was postponed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds gave approval for the reduced contingent in May.

NT Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie said he was not aware of any plans to cancel Defence deployments or the arrival of the remaining marines due to join the Northern Territory's marine rotation by August.

"We do have these cohorts that come on a regular basis and we'll see more coming in the coming months as we do every year with the dry season," Dr Heggie said.

Ms Fyles said the detection of the case showed the quarantine systems in place for the marines were working well.

"Our processes worked here and when we talk about the new normal, we've had marine rotations for many many years, that strong enduring relationship with Defence presence going back to World War II," she said.

"We agreed to host these rotations but with measures in place to protect Territorians."

The new case brings the total number of coronavirus cases recorded in the Northern Territory to 32.

Ms Fyles said the case presented only a "very low risk" to the Northern Territory community.

"This is not someone who has been mixing in our community and this is not a case of community transmission," she said.

"This is an individual who arrived in Darwin on a charter flight, they went through the military side of Darwin airport and they have been in quarantine.

"So there is a very low risk to Territorians, but it is important for them to note that another case has been diagnosed in the Northern Territory."

The case follows the positive diagnosis on July 2 of a Darwin local who had flown home via Brisbane from a virus hotspot in Melbourne.

That positive result was the first time the Northern Territory had recorded a coronavirus case since April 6.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-10/nt-coronavirus-update-new-case-confirmed-us-marine/12442232

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9913256 (100804ZJUL20) Notable: The biggest mistake that the administration can do right now is to cover up the spying conducted by the U.K., Australia and Italy, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: GP_242.jpg

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George Papadopoulos Tweet

The biggest mistake that the administration can do right now is to cover up the spying conducted by the U.K., Australia and Italy against the campaign and transition. Sensitive investigation as these are “allies.” But the five eyes intel agreement must be reformed! Breaks it open

https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1281326555596300288

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9913612 (101005ZJUL20) Notable: Kind notes on cars baffle Yeppoon residents but appear to push far-right conspiracy theories - #TheGreatAwakening, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Lorraine_Coombs_says_she_felt_troubled_after_finding_the_mysterious_note_on_her_car.jpg, Some_Facebook_users_think_the_notes_are_harmless_others_are_more_wary.jpg, Shane_Satterley_researches_and_teaches_religious_and_ideological_extremism.jpg

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Kind notes on cars baffle Yeppoon residents but appear to push far-right conspiracy theories

When obscure handwritten notes began appearing on car windscreens in the Queensland town of Yeppoon, residents were mystified but did not take much notice.

The notes contained kind messages — such as "Don't forget to smile, because you are amazing", "Have a fantastic day" and "Love wins" — and were accompanied by three hashtags.

It was not until they were shared on social media that the sinister nature of the notes became more apparent.

Some people had thanked the anonymous author for the positivity, others thought it was a bit strange, but one social media user identified the hashtags' likely link to far-right conspiracy groups.

"Sorry to be a Debbie Downer, but the hashtags are used to spread propaganda," they said.

"People are leaving notes like these on cars in the hope that people take photos and share to social media to spread their hashtags."

Lorraine Coombs found one on her car. Thinking it was a one-off, the 77-year-old grandmother threw it in the bin — she then noticed the same note being shared online.

"I got really scared, actually. It was a bit frightening. I felt like I was being tagged and stalked," she said.

"You come out of the shopping centre and you find that note on your car; you think: 'Holy heck, who's been watching me?'"

A common tactic

PhD candidate Shane Satterley, who researches and teaches religious and ideological extremism at Griffith University, said he had not noticed hand-written notes used to spread conspiracies before.

"Religious cults have been using this tactic of being super nice and friendly and bringing people into their social group or family, as they probably call it — that's been a tactic for years," he said.

"It's perhaps unsurprising [the author] would try to win people over with niceness, but it's a bit hard to speculate because we don't really know who's doing that and what their agenda is."

Mr Satterley said despite the unknown motives of the author, it was never good to have misinformation and conspiracy theories promoted in a community.

"Bad ideas are inherently dangerous because they can lead to dangerous outcomes," he said.

"Conspiracy theories have been around for a long time ... now it's probably worse because we do have the internet, and while access to good information has never been better, access to bad information is on an equal footing."

Mr Satterley said conspiracies thrived in times of crisis, political unrest and rapid social change, which was why they had been rampant during the coronavirus pandemic.

Leaders of conspiracy groups and recruiters often made out that they had the answers to everything, he said.

"If someone doesn't have a nuanced way of looking at grey areas in society and politics, religion and international relations; if it seems very rigid, dogmatic and it has all the answers to everything you've ever asked, that's a big red flag."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-10/kind-notes-appear-to-depict-far-right-conspiracy-theories/12433254

—

>#TheGreatAwakening

>#Qanon.pub

>#WWG1WGA

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9920231 (110006ZJUL20) Notable: Remdesivir: Australia's first COVID-19 treatment approved by Therapeutic Goods Administration, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: In_this_March_2020_photo_provided_by_Gilead_Sciences_a_vial_of_the_investigational_drug_remdesivir_is_visually_inspected_at_a_Gilead_manufacturing_site_in_the_United_States.jpg, One_vial_of_the_drug_Remdesivir_lies_during_a_press_conference_about_the_start_of_a_study_with_the_Ebola_drug_Remdesivir_in_particularly_severely_ill_patients_at_the_University_Hospital_Eppendorf_in_Hamburg.jpg, remdesivir_is_the_first_drug_shown_to_help_fight_COVID_19_which_has_killed_more_than_230_000_people_worldwide.jpg

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>>177334

Remdesivir: Australia's first COVID-19 treatment approved by Therapeutic Goods Administration

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) granted provisional approval for use of the drug to treat adults and adolescent patients with severe coronavirus symptoms who have been hospitalised.

The TGA said remdesivir is the most promising option so far to reduce hospitalisations.

"Remdesivir offers the potential to reduce the strain on Australia's health care system. By reducing recovery times patients will be able to leave hospital earlier, freeing beds for those in need," a statement from the TGA read.

"Remdesivir will not be available to Australians unless they are severely unwell, requiring oxygen or high level support to breathe, and in hospital care.

"While this is a major milestone in Australia's struggle against the pandemic, it is important to emphasise that the product has not been shown to prevent coronavirus infection or relieve milder cases of infection.

"TGA's approval was able to be made within 2 weeks of the receipt of the submission with a large multidisciplinary review team at TGA working around the clock."

The drug has already been approved by the European Union, Japan and Singapore.

The European Medicines Agency and the Singapore Health Sciences Authority shared their review reports with TGA at an early stage.

The TGA said provisional approval, which is limited to a maximum of six years, was made on the basis of preliminary clinical data, as there is the potential for substantial benefit to Australian patients.

Remdesivir has been at the centre of controversy in the US, where maker of the drug Gilead Sciences had announced patients in the US with private insurance would have to pay US$3120 ($4555) for treatment.

"We're in uncharted territory with pricing a new medicine, a novel medicine, in a pandemic," Gilead's chief executive, Dan O'Day, told The Associated Press.

In 127 poor or middle-income countries, Gilead is allowing generic makers to supply the drug; two countries are doing that for around US$600 ($876) per treatment course.

The drug interferes with the coronavirus's ability to copy its genetic material. In a US government-led study, remdesivir shortened recovery time by 31 per cent — 11 days on average versus 15 days for those given just usual care. It had not improved survival according to preliminary results after two weeks of followup; results after four weeks are expected soon.

Supply uncertain after US buys global stock

Earlier this month it was reported the US had bought up what amounts to the entire global supply of remdesivir.

"(President Donald Trump) has struck an amazing deal to ensure Americans have access to the first authorised therapeutic for COVID-19," HHS Secretary Alex Azar said in a press release.

Gilead is the only company allowed to manufacture remdesivir, and the US purchase amounted to 100 per cent of Gilead's projected production for July, 90 per cent of production in August, and 90 per cent of production in September.

In all it adds up to more than half a million treatment courses of the drug.

Remdesivir is an intravenous antiviral medication studied to treat Ebola but now used on hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

While not a blockbuster drug, a study shows it can reduce a hospital stay by up to four days.

https://www.9news.com.au/national/remdesivir-australia-first-covid19-treatment-approved-by-therapeutic-goods-administration-coronavirus-health-news/959919b2-93a2-487b-8d2f-345ce5034a2a

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9920701 (110052ZJUL20) Notable: The Ghislaine Maxwell tapes: her combative interview with lawyers of ‘sex slave’ Virginia Roberts, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Ghislaine_Maxwell_pictured_has_offered_up_to_4million_in_a_bail_package_bid_to_free_her_from_jail_and_she_shows_her_desire_to_fight_the_charges_placed_against_her.jpg

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>>177382

2/4

Photographs exist of Maxwell and Miss Roberts together all over the world – including, notoriously, with Prince Andrew in Maxwell’s London home in 2001 – but she still had difficulty recalling the girl.

Asked if she remembered the teenager giving massages to Epstein, Maxwell said vaguely: ‘Only in the most general terms. It would be somebody who would give him a massage, and that’s it.’

The women who massaged Epstein always ‘seemed’ to be adults, she added.

Her comments about Miss Roberts, the vulnerable child of a troubled home, dripped with disdain.

She had no recollection of giving Miss Roberts, as the younger woman had claimed, a mobile phone so she was always on call.

Nor could she remember how often Miss Roberts came to Epstein’s house to massage him; she could not recall her ever coming to his New York mansion.

The lawyer had to ‘understand’, she explained, that she ‘wasn’t with Jeffrey all the time’ but ‘only’ less than half the time.

When Maxwell was presented with flight records indicating that Miss Roberts travelled repeatedly with the paedophile on his private jet, Maxwell claimed to be flummoxed as to why she was there. It wouldn’t have been her job to know. ‘He invited her,’ she said.

‘What I can say is that I barely would remember her. If not for all of this rubbish, I probably wouldn’t remember her at all, except she did come from time to time.’

But her hazy memories abruptly cleared when she claimed to spot a mistake in Miss Roberts’s recollection of her first meeting with Epstein.

While Miss Roberts said she had been driven to his Palm Beach home by her father, Maxwell insisted it was her mother.

She knew this, she said, because she had been outside chatting to her mother while Miss Roberts went inside to massage Epstein.

While Miss Roberts, then underage, has insisted she had sex with Epstein during that first massage, Maxwell argued bizarrely this would have been ‘impossible’ as she was outside with Miss Roberts’s mother ‘the entire time’.

When Miss Roberts’s lawyer tried to move on to her client’s second visit to Epstein, a flustered Maxwell objected.

She said: ‘I have been so absolutely appalled by her story… and I apologise for my banging at the table earlier, I hope you accept my apology.

‘It’s born out of years of feeling the pressure of this entire lie that she has perpetrated.’

Epstein, Maxwell alleged, received only one massage per day – nothing like the four or five others claimed.

The age of his masseuses was another issue she tried to avoid discussing.

‘I looked for people... to fill professional jobs in professional situations,’ she said. Asked bluntly if she ‘believed Jeffrey Epstein sexually abused minors’, Maxwell’s reply was a masterclass in prevarication.

Five times she repeated her mantra that she could only ‘testify’ to what she knew and what she knew was that Miss Roberts was a liar.

Asked if she had ever been involved in ‘any illegal activity’, Maxwell disclosed that she had long ago been arrested for drink-driving in the UK. It was a rare, possibly unique, admission.

Next week – four years on from her conceited encounter with Miss Roberts’s lawyers – Maxwell will again be under oath. This time, the stakes are infinitely higher.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9920722 (110053ZJUL20) Notable: The Ghislaine Maxwell tapes: her combative interview with lawyers of ‘sex slave’ Virginia Roberts, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Scores_of_women_have_come_forward_claiming_that_alleged_they_were_recruited_by_Maxwell_pictured_left_as_teenagers_and_then_abused_by_financier_Jeffrey_Epstein_right_.jpg

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>>177383

3/4

£4million bid for freedom: Maxwell offers huge bail sum as she paints herself as victim of witch hunt

Ghislaine Maxwell offered up a £4million bail package to be freed from jail – as she painted herself as the victim of a witch hunt and proclaimed her innocence last night.

The British socialite, who is accused of procuring girls as young as 14 for her friend American paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, said she intends to fight charges against her, saying she is ‘entitled to the presumption of innocence’.

Her comments come as scores of women have alleged they were recruited by her as teenagers – and then abused by financier Epstein.

Some say they were trafficked around the world and passed around rich and powerful men.

Maxwell also introduced Epstein to Prince Andrew, who has been dragged into the controversy after he was accused of sleeping with teenager Virginia Roberts, who claims she was trafficked by Epstein and loaned out for sex.

In the bombshell bail document, filed to a New York court last night, Miss Maxwell claimed she had not had contact with the US billionaire for more than a decade – and accused prosecutors of ‘trying to substitute her for Epstein’.

She claimed she had spent recent months living in fear for herself, her family and her friends – and had received death threats.

But the daughter of late British newspaper tycoon Robert also revealed her family are standing by her as she put up more than £2.9million in UK-based properties for her bail.

And in an attempt to convince prosecutors she is not a danger to children, she told of how she was a godmother and enjoyed close relationships with her nieces and nephews.

Breaking her silence after being arrested in an FBI raid on the US home she was hiding out in, in a 26-page filing from her lawyers, Maxwell depicted herself as a victim of an ‘open season’ by the press.

The 58-year-old is currently being held in a grim New York jail ahead of a court appearance next week.

Her lawyers hope their application will mean she can wait out her legal battle at home. They warned that by keeping her in jail, prosecutors were putting her at risk of contracting coronavirus, which could hamper any potential trial.

Victims of Epstein allege they were abused over many years, with many claiming they were recruited by Maxwell. The investigation has been focused on Maxwell since Epstein took his own life while awaiting trial in a US jail last year.

But last night Maxwell hit back, with her team writing: ‘Sometimes the simplest point is the most critical one: Ghislaine Maxwell is not Jeffrey Epstein.’

She also accused American prosecutors of mounting a publicity campaign by detaining her to coincide with the one-year anniversary of Epstein’s arrest.

In the hope of being freed from jail, she said she would wear an electronic tag, give up her British, US and French passports and stay in New York.

Her family have also agreed to co-sign her bail applications.

And despite being branded a ‘flight risk’ by prosecutors, she claimed she had not left the US for a year.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9920739 (110054ZJUL20) Notable: The Ghislaine Maxwell tapes: her combative interview with lawyers of ‘sex slave’ Virginia Roberts, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: In_a_bid_to_clear_her_name_the_Oxford_graduate_pictured_has_stated_Ghislaine_Maxwell_is_not_Jeffrey_Epstein_.jpg

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>>177384

4/4

The document represents Maxwell’s fullest response to the allegations against her since her arrest last Thursday at a $1million mansion in New Hampshire. She stands accused of procuring girls for Epstein to sexually assault – and even taking part in the abuse herself.

The indictment identifies three victims covering the period 1994 to 1997, when she was reportedly Epstein’s girlfriend.

She is being held at the grim Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn and is due to appear in a federal court in Manhattan on Tuesday via videolink, where a judge will decide on giving her bail.

In the document, Maxwell’s lawyers Mark Cohen and Jeff Pagliuca wrote: ‘Ms Maxwell vigorously denies the charges, intends to fight them, and is entitled to the presumption of innocence... she should be treated like any other defendant who comes before this court, including as to bail’.

A catalogue of factors mean Maxwell should be freed, the first being that prosecutors could not show she was a ‘danger to the community’, they said.

Six people, made up of friends and relatives who ‘continue to support her’ despite ‘unrelenting media attacks’, are willing to co-sign her bail.

They have volunteered to assume responsibility for the ‘extremely large bond’ of £4million, which includes ‘stringent travel and physical restrictions’.

In their filing, her lawyers refuted the prosecution claim that Maxwell represents an ‘extreme’ flight risk.

The bail documents published last night repeatedly sought to paint her as a victim.

The dossier states: ‘On August 10, 2019, Epstein died in federal custody, and the media focus quickly shifted to our client – wrongly trying to substitute her for Epstein – even though she’d had no contact with Epstein for more than a decade, had never been charged with a crime or been found liable in any civil litigation, and has always denied any allegations of claimed misconduct.’

The lawyers added: ‘The “open season” declared on Ms Maxwell after Epstein’s death has come with an even darker cost – she has been the target of alarming physical threats, even death threats, and has had to hire security guards to ensure her safety.’

Maxwell’s arrest marks a stunning fall from grace for a woman who was once feted by New York society and counted many high-profile British names as friends.

She was also close to Prince Andrew and introduced him to Epstein for a friendship which lasted at least 11 years.

Miss Roberts claims she was forced to have sex with Andrew three times at Epstein’s bidding, allegations the Duke strenuously denies.

Last night Maxwell indicated she is also planning to contest the legal validity of the charges, arguing that a non-prosecution deal Epstein made back in 2007 with federal prosecutors in Florida bars her from going on trial.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8511813/How-Ghislaine-Maxwell-arrogant-2016-interview-lawyers-Virginia-Roberts.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9921977 (110244ZJUL20) Notable: NSW man charged for possessing and sharing child exploitation material

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NSW man charged for possessing and sharing child exploitation material

A 36-year-old Sydney man accused of possessing and sharing child abuse material has faced Campbelltown Local Court today (Friday 10 July, 2020), charged with 12 offences.

The AFP’s NSW Child Protection Operations team launched an investigation after receiving a report from the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) on 25 June, 2020.

The man was arrested following a search warrant executed at a Leumeah property early yesterday morning (Thursday 9 July, 2020) with the assistance of the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) Child Exploitation Internet Unit.

A number of electronic items, including a laptop, mobile phones, hard drives and memory cards were seized following a search of the home.

The man was charged with the following offences:

* Seven counts of possess or control child abuse material, obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);

* Two counts of use carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code 1995; and

* Three counts of use carriage service to transmit, make available, publish, distribute, advertise or promote material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code 1995.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.

The ACCCE is committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and is at the centre of a collaborative national approach to combatting organised child abuse.

The Centre brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into child sexual abuse and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.

Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.

You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button at www.accce.gov.au/report

Arrest vision available via Hightail link here: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/jpICeTxTRw

EDITORS NOTE: Media are reminded of their obligations under s15A of the Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 (NSW) and s105 of the Children and Young Person (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW).

Note to media:

USE OF TERM 'CHILD ABUSE' MATERIAL, NOT 'CHILD PORNOGRAPHY'

Use of the phrase "child pornography" benefits child sex abusers because it:

* indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser; and

* conjures images of children posing in 'provocative' positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse.

Every photograph captures an actual situation where a child has been abused. This is not "pornography".

https://www.afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/nsw-man-charged-possessing-and-sharing-child-exploitation-material

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9933391 (120051ZJUL20) Notable: Rescuing Victims of Child Sexual Abuse - FBI Programs Support a Global Effort to Save Children from Harm, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: 12709_1.jpg

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Repost from Q Research General #12709

>>76684 (pb)

Rescuing Victims of Child Sexual Abuse

1/2

FBI Programs Support a Global Effort to Save Children from Harm

With every report to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and every law enforcement investigation dealing with child sexual abuse material, a largely unseen—but urgent—effort begins to identify and aid the child or children being harmed in the images.

It is an effort that relies on technology and painstaking investigative work—where details as small as a baseball cap or a soda cup have provided the clues that allowed investigators to find a child.

At the FBI, the Endangered Child Alert Program (ECAP) works alongside Operation Rescue Me to explore every possible avenue in identifying a child victim of sexual abuse. Operation Rescue Me is focused on rescuing the child victim from further abuse and exploitation. In pursuit of that same goal, ECAP seeks national and international exposure of unknown adults whose faces and/or distinguishing characteristics are visible in images of child sexual abuse.

Special Agent Karen Jurden, who heads both programs within the FBI’s Violent Crime Section, explained the two programs this way: “Our goal is to identify victims. But if we’ve exhausted everything we can do on the child, and we have an image where an adult does appear, we will pursue that angle.”

She stressed that the adults featured on ECAP are not always suspected of wrongdoing. “We know that person has knowledge of the victim,” she said.

You can view images of adults of interest in current cases on the ECAP site and below. There are also a number of images that show items in the background of an image or something a child or adult is wearing.

With a larger number of eyes on these pictures, there is a greater likelihood that someone will spot a person or item they recognize and help point law enforcement in the right direction.

“Every time we have a new case, it draws people’s attention to older cases as well,” Jurden said. “People have helped us solve older cases that way.”

“For every ECAP case we work on, we use every available publicity tool to ensure the maximum number of people will see the images,” said Chris Allen, chief of the FBI’s Investigative Publicity and Public Affairs Unit. “There is nothing better than knowing publicity has helped our agents solve one of these cases and identify a child.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9933427 (120054ZJUL20) Notable: FBI Endangered Child Alert Program (ECAP) identifying unknown individuals involved in the sexual abuse of children

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>>177387

2/2

The Effort to Identify Every Child Victim

When the FBI (or any law enforcement agency) seizes child sexual abuse material from an offenderu2014and Jurden said many offenders have hundreds or thousands of filesu2014the FBI brings the material to NCMEC.

NCMEC runs a digital scan that checks the material against images and videos that already exist in their system, explained Shelley Allwang, manager of NCMECu2019s Child Victim Identification Program. The process allows NCMEC to see which victims are already known to them. These children have either already been reached or NCMEC is actively working with law enforcement both domestically and internationally to identify them. The most pressing goal, Allwang said, is to find u201cthe children we have never seen before, because these could be children who are being victimized right now.u201d

Allwang said NCMEC has a number of high-tech and human tools to help in the process of identifying these victims, but if they reach a dead end, they return the case to the investigators who brought them the material. u201cWe are not law enforcement,u201d Allwang stressed, u201cso we can only use the tools we have.u201d

If the file began with an FBI case, the charge of identifying that still unknown victim comes back to FBI agents and becomes an active case within the Operation Rescue Me program and possibly ECAP.

Jurden and Allwang both acknowledge that the number of these cases and the volume of images can give rise to feelings of both fury and hopelessness. But while the scale of the crime is daunting, these cases are not being lumped together by law enforcement or by NCMEC. The two groups are committed to the heartbreaking work of cataloging each image and finding the children in them.

u201cIf you look at the totality, you wonu2019t sleep at night,u201d Jurden said. u201cThe answer is to take it case by case. It is rewarding to wake up each day and know youu2019re doing something. And to know Iu2019m not the only one doing this.u201d

Allwang also said she is comforted both by thinking of her impact on individual children and by the knowledge that there is a global network of people who are fighting alongside her. u201cSo many people from so many different professions are invested in solving this problemu2014technology companies, law enforcement, advocates, media, prosecutors, judges,u201d Allwang said. u201cThey are all motivated by the mission.u201d

Allwang said she is also moved by the bravery and resilience she sees in survivors of child sexual abuse. u201cI see the worst of humanity,u201d she said. u201cBut I also see the best.u201d

The FBI's Operation Rescue Me has identified more than 600 children since 2008. ECAP was created in 2004 and it has investigated 41 cases. The program has successfully identified 28 of the individuals profiled and found 45 child victims. The remaining cases remain active investigations. And the FBI will stay on themu2014case by case, child by child.

Endangered Child Alert Program (ECAP)

On February 21, 2004, the FBI began its Endangered Child Alert Program (ECAP) as a new proactive approach to identifying unknown individuals involved in the sexual abuse of children and the production of child sexual abuse material. A collaborative effort between the FBI and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, ECAP seeks national and international exposure of unknown adults (referred to as John/Jane Does) whose faces and/or distinguishing characteristics are visible in child sexual abuse material.

https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/fbi-programs-work-to-rescue-victims-of-child-sexual-abuse-070120

https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/ecap

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9934427 (120239ZJUL20) Notable: Facts: I reported the Australian to the FBI and Congress for his bizarre behavior and spying, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: GP_243.jpg

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George Papadopoulos Tweet

The NYTs has not retracted its laughable article about a wine bar in London “sparking” an investigation. Facts: I reported the Australian to the FBI and Congress for his bizarre behavior and spying. AG Barr and Durham have also publicly refuted Horowitz on how the probe “started”

https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1282131772780748800

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9934813 (120326ZJUL20) Notable: AUSTRALIAN GREAT AWAKENING / Q MAP - 1 Drop Of Q Tweet: Hopefully this will help a few people that are new to the Q movement

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Q_arah Tweet

After weeks of work I think we have finally finished

This map was made for new AussieQ / those fairly new to Q and the drops

It was made with helping people in mind so Iu2019m praying it does just that

Yuge love to @1_Drop_Of_Q for making the digital copy

Love u sis

https://twitter.com/q_arah/status/1281914172071006208

—

1 Drop Of Q Tweet

I finally finished a little project I've been working on for weeks with @q_arah.

You done an amazing job hun, so proud of you.

Hopefully this will help a few people that are new to the Q movement.

#WWG1WWGA #AussieQ #Q

https://twitter.com/1_Drop_Of_Q/status/1281927831610511360

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9945532 (130722ZJUL20) Notable: How misinformation about 5G is spreading within our government institutions – and who’s responsible, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Protesters_targeting_the_coronavirus_lockdown_and_5G_in_Melbourne_in_May.jpg, The_first_5G_Optus_tower_in_the_suburb_of_Dickson_in_Canberra.jpg

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How misinformation about 5G is spreading within our government institutions – and who’s responsible

Author: Michael Jensen

Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis, University of Canberra

July 13, 2020

1/2

“Fake news” is not just a problem of misleading or false claims on fringe websites, it is increasingly filtering into the mainstream and has the potential to be deeply destructive.

My recent analysis of more than 500 public submissions to a parliamentary committee on the launch of 5G in Australia shows just how pervasive misinformation campaigns have become at the highest levels of government. A significant number of the submissions peddled inaccurate claims about the health effects of 5G.

These falsehoods were prominent enough the committee felt compelled to address the issue in its final report. The report noted:

community confidence in 5G has been shaken by extensive misinformation preying on the fears of the public spread via the internet, and presented as facts, particularly through social media.

This is a remarkable situation for Australian public policy – it is not common for a parliamentary inquiry to have to rebut the dodgy scientific claims it receives in the form of public submissions.

While many Australians might dismiss these claims as fringe conspiracy theories, the reach of this misinformation matters. If enough people act on the basis of these claims, it can cause harm to the wider public.

In late May, for example, protests against 5G, vaccines and COVID-19 restrictions were held in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Some protesters claimed 5G was causing COVID-19 and the pandemic was a hoax – a “plandemic” – perpetuated to enslave and subjugate the people to the state.

Misinformation can also lead to violence. Last year, the FBI for the first time identified conspiracy theory-driven extremists as a terrorism threat.

Conspiracy theories that 5G causes autism, cancer and COVID-19 have also led to widespread arson attacks in the UK and Canada, along with verbal and physical attacks on employees of telecommunication companies.

The source of conspiracy messaging

To better understand the nature and origins of the misinformation campaigns against 5G in Australia, I examined the 530 submissions posted online to the parliament’s standing committee on communications and the arts.

The majority of submissions were from private citizens. A sizeable number, however, made claims about the health effects of 5G, parroting language from well-known conspiracy theory websites.

A perceived lack of “consent” (for example, here, here and here) about the planned 5G roll-out featured prominently in these submissions. One person argued she did not agree to allow 5G to be “delivered directly into” the home and “radiate” her family.

To connect sentiments like this to conspiracy groups, I looked at two well-known conspiracy sites that have been identified as promoting narratives consistent with Russian misinformation operations – the Centre for Research on Globalization (CRG) and Zero Hedge.

CRG is an organisation founded and directed by Michel Chossudovsky, a former professor at the University of Ottawa and opinion writer for Russia Today.

CRG has been flagged by NATO intelligence as part of wider efforts to undermine trust in “government and public institutions” in North America and Europe.

Zero Hedge, which is registered in Bulgaria, attracts millions of readers every month and ranks among the top 500 sites visited in the US. Most stories are geared toward an American audience.

Researchers at Rand have connected Zero Hedge with online influencers and other media sites known for advancing pro-Kremlin narratives, such as the claim that Ukraine, and not Russia, is to blame for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9945543 (130723ZJUL20) Notable: How misinformation about 5G is spreading within our government institutions – and who’s responsible, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: How_misinformation_about_5G_is_spreading_within_our_government_institutions.jpg

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>>177391

2/2

How it was used in parliamentary submissions

For my research, I scoured the top posts circulated by these groups on Facebook for false claims about the health threats posed by 5G. Some stories I found had headlines like “13 Reasons 5G Wireless Technology will be a Catastrophe for Humanity” and “Hundreds of Respected Scientists Sound Alarm about Health Effects as 5G Networks go Global”.

I then tracked the diffusion of these stories on Facebook and identified 10 public groups where they were posted. Two of the groups specifically targeted Australians – Australians for Safe Technology, a group with 48,000 members, and Australia Uncensored. Many others, such as the popular right-wing conspiracy group QAnon, also contained posts about the 5G debate in Australia.

To determine the similarities in phrasing between the articles posted on these Facebook groups and submissions to the Australian parliamentary committee, I used the same technique to detect similarities in texts that is commonly used to detect plagiarism in student papers.

The analysis rates similarities in documents on a scale of 0 (entirely dissimilar) to 1 (exactly alike). There were 38 submissions with at least a 0.5 similarity to posts in the Facebook group 5G Network, Microwave Radiation Dangers and other Health Problems and 35 with a 0.5 similarity to the Australians for Safe Technology group.

This is significant because it means that for these 73 submissions, 50% of the language was, word for word, exactly the same as the posts from extreme conspiracy groups on Facebook.

The impact of misinformation on policy-making

The process for soliciting submissions to a parliamentary inquiry is an important part of our democracy. In theory, it provides ordinary citizens and organisations with a voice in forming policy.

My findings suggest Facebook conspiracy groups and potentially other conspiracy sites are attempting to co-opt this process to directly influence the way Australians think about 5G.

In the pre-internet age, misinformation campaigns often had limited reach and took a significant amount of time to spread. They typically required the production of falsified documents and a sympathetic media outlet. Mainstream news would usually ignore such stories and few people would ever read them.

Today, however, one only needs to create a false social media account and a meme. Misinformation can spread quickly if it is amplified through online trolls and bots.

It can also spread quickly on Facebook, with its algorithm designed to drive ordinary users to extremist groups and pages by exploiting their attraction to divisive content.

And once this manipulative content has been widely disseminated, countering it is like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube.

Misinformation has the potential to undermine faith in governments and institutions and make it more challenging for authorities to make demonstrable improvements in public life. This is why governments need to be more proactive in effectively communicating technical and scientific information, like details about 5G, to the public.

Just as nature abhors a vacuum, a public sphere without trusted voices quickly becomes filled with misinformation.

https://theconversation.com/how-misinformation-about-5g-is-spreading-within-our-government-institutions-and-whos-responsible-139304

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9945640 (130744ZJUL20) Notable: It’s the U.K. and Australia that are stonewalling the investigation now. There is more pushback about giving up Alexander Downer, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: GP_244.jpg

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George Papadopoulos Tweet

Italy already gave up Mifsud. It’s the U.K. and Australia that are stonewalling the investigation now. There is more pushback about giving up Alexander Downer. We will get them all eventually. We always do.

https://twitter.com/GeorgePapa19/status/1282414470816555008

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9945679 (130754ZJUL20) Notable: Ghislaine Maxwell ‘no monster’, she was not at a party when Jeffrey Epstein met Prince Andrew: friend, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Despite_it_being_widely_reported_that_Ghislaine_Maxwell_introduced_the_duke_and_Epstein_a_friend_of_Maxwell_claims_the_men_were_introduced_by_the_wife_of_one_of_Britain_s_richest_men.jpg, Virginia_Roberts_Giuffre_claims_that_she_was_forced_to_have_sex_with_Prince_Andrew_after_Epstein_and_Ms_Maxwell_introduced_her_to_him.jpg, Jeffrey_Epstein_and_Ghislaine_Maxwell_attend_de_Grisogono_Sponsors_The_2005_Wall_Street_Concert_Series_Benefitting_Wall_Street_Rising_in_New_York_City_in_2005.jpg

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Ghislaine Maxwell ‘no monster’, she was not at a party when Jeffrey Epstein met Prince Andrew: friend

Friends of Ghislaine Maxwell have claimed that Jeffrey Epstein, her friend and a convicted paedophile, was introduced to the Duke of York by the wife of one of Britain’s richest men.

Ms Maxwell is trying to prevent the release of hundreds of pages of evidence as she prepares to appear in a New York court tomorrow (Tuesday) on charges of procuring girls as young as 14 on behalf of Epstein. She denies the charges.

The evidence relates to a civil defamation action brought against her by Virginia Roberts Giuffre. Ms Giuffre claims that she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew after Epstein and Ms Maxwell introduced her to him. The prince denies the claim.

Ms Maxwell, 58, is widely reported to have introduced the duke and Epstein. One of her friends, however, told The Mail on Sunday that the men met at a party hosted by Lynn Forester de Rothschild. “Ghislaine wasn’t at that party,” the friend said. “Lynn introduced Andrew to Epstein. It was all about the money with Andrew and Epstein.”

Prince Andrew is reported to have been a guest at a 68th birthday party hosted by Lady de Rothschild for her husband, Sir Evelyn, on his Martha’s Vineyard estate in August, 1999.

Flight logs, however, show that the duke flew with Epstein to his Caribbean island in February that year. In 2015, The Times reported that Ms Maxwell had moved to a home in New York owned by Lady de Rothschild after the death in 1991 of her father, Robert Maxwell, the disgraced newspaper mogul.

Epstein’s victims accuse Ms Maxwell of curating his “little black book” of contacts, which includes the details of the Rothschilds alongside politicians and leading figures in the worlds of art, films, music and fashion. There is no suggestion that any of them were aware of or involved in Epstein’s abuse.

Lady de Rothschild is reported to have met Prince Andrew through her husband’s connections with the royal family. The couple have an estimated fortune of $1,273 million.

The Rothschilds have a home in London and the historic Ascott House estate, near Wing in Buckinghamshire.

The Mail on Sunday reported that sources close to Ms Maxwell had come to her defence. A friend said that she was being portrayed as a “cartoon villain”. But the source added: “She is nothing like that. She is determined to prove her innocence despite the fact that she has been characterised as some sort of monster.”

Ms Maxwell insists that her romance with Epstein ended in 2001 but she continued to run his household. She claims that she did not see him in person after 2005 when she was photographed with him at a party.

The Sun on Sunday reported that she moved house up to 36 times in the past year before the FBI pinned her down at her 156-acre estate near Bradford, New Hampshire.

Prosecutors in New York say, however, that she moved only twice. They claim that she should not be granted bail because she has “three passports, large sums of money, extensive international connections and no reason to stay in the United States”.

They say that she made “intentional efforts to avoid detection, including moving locations at least twice and switching her email address and her primary phone number”.

Ms Maxwell’s lawyers argue in court papers that holding her in jail during the coronavirus pandemic puts her at risk of infection. Measures to slow the spread of the virus are impeding her ability to speak with her lawyers.

They say that she has “close relationships with her six siblings and her nephews and nieces”.

They add: “Ms Maxwell’s family and friends have remained committed to her because they do not believe the allegations against her, which do not match the person they have known for decades.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/the-times/ghislaine-maxwell-no-monster-she-was-not-at-a-party-when-jeffrey-epstein-met-prince-andrew-friend/news-story/6e77a120f32e43f8dd53d8153d079f58

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9955612 (140628ZJUL20) Notable: Shills still pushing the Trump-Epstein fake shit huh? Virginia Roberts Giuffre Testimony re: Trump and Epstein refuting MSM smears

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Reposts from Q Research General #12737

>>77606 (pb)

Shills still pushing the Trump-Epstein fake shit huh?

—

>>>/qresearch/9953781 (pb)

notable

>>77606 (pb) Giuffre Testimony re: Trump and Epstein refuting MSM smears

GOOD FIND

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9955901 (140736ZJUL20) Notable: 'Palace letters' between Sir John Kerr, Queen released, revealing information about Gough Whitlam and 1975 constitutional crisis, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Scenes_from_the_day_Gough_Whitlam_was_dismissed_on_November_11_1975.jpg, The_Palace_letters_released_today_reveal_correspondence_between_the_Queen_Sir_John_Kerr_and_Sir_Martin_Charteris.jpg

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>>177199

>>177262

>>177364

'Palace letters' between Sir John Kerr, Queen released, revealing information about Gough Whitlam and 1975 constitutional crisis

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The newly released 'Palace letters' have revealed then governor-general Sir John Kerr sacked the Whitlam government in 1975 without giving advance notice to the Queen, because "it was better for Her Majesty not to know".

The 211 letters exchanged between Sir John and Buckingham Palace at the time of the dismissal have this morning been released online by the National Archives of Australia, in Canberra.

The letters, penned between 1974 and 1977, had been locked up and labelled as private documents, but a High Court decision in May deemed them to be the property of the Commonwealth and thus able to be released.

Many hoped the correspondence would answer some of the long-standing questions surrounding Australia's biggest constitutional crisis.

But, due to interest in the letters, the National Archives' website struggled to cope with the number of people trying to access them online. The Archives later made the Palace letters available to download as PDFs.

Sir John "could not risk the outcome for the sake of the monarchy"

The released letters reveal, on the day of the dismissal — November 11, 1975 — Sir John alerted Buckingham Palace to his decision to sack then prime minister Gough Whitlam.

"I should say that I decided to take the step I took without informing the Palace in advance because, under the Constitution, the responsibility is mine and I was of the opinion that it was better for Her Majesty not to know in advance," Sir John wrote.

Then, more than a week after the dismissal, on November 20, Sir John clarified further, writing that he had to act without giving Mr Whitlam a chance to call an election, because he feared he would be sacked himself, which would have put the Queen in a difficult position.

"As you know from earlier letters, on occasions, sometimes jocularly, sometimes less so, but on all occasions with what I considered to be underlying seriousness, he [Mr Whitlam] said that the crisis could end in a race to the Palace.

"I could act, if necessary, directly myself under the Constitution. I am sure that he would have known this and the talk about a race to the Palace really constituted another threat.

"History will doubtless provide an answer to this question, but I was in a position where, in my opinion, I simply could not risk the outcome for the sake of the monarchy.

"If, in the period of say 24 hours, during which he [Mr Whitlam] was considering his position, he advised the Queen in the strongest of terms that I should be immediately dismissed, the position would then have been that either I would, in fact, be trying to dismiss him while he was trying to dismiss me — an impossible position for the Queen."

When the letters were released this morning, almost nobody was as excited to read them as historian Jenny Hocking, who has been trying to get access to the letters since 2016.

She said, upon first impression, the nature of the conversations between Sir John and Buckingham Palace were "concerning".

"A head of a constitutional monarchy must at all times remain politically neutral, and must remain above the politics of the day," Professor Hocking said.

"The really startling thing about these letters is the extent to which the governor-general, Sir John Kerr, is communicating with the Queen about exactly those issues — about political matters that are happening in Australia at the time, about options he may face.

"The Queen, in response, is engaging with that level of conversation at a very political level.

"You could not get more political than the crisis in the Senate that the government faced, and the eventual dismissal without warning of the elected government."

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9955905 (140738ZJUL20) Notable: The Kerr Palace Letters exchanged between Governor-General Sir John Kerr and Buckingham Palace during Kerr’s time in office, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: The_Palace_letters_laid_out_on_display_at_the_National_Archives_of_Australia.jpg, The_letters_show_Sir_John_Kerr_pictured_here_in_Gove_dismissed_Gough_Whitlam_before_telling_the_Queen.jpg

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>>177396

2/2

Palace provided advice on constitutional powers

Something Professor Hocking also said was "startling", was the discussion between Sir John and the Queen's private secretary, Sir Martin Charteris about the "reserve powers".

In the lead-up to the dismissal, Sir John and Sir Martin had discussed the evolving constitutional crisis — and in particular, what powers a governor-general had to intervene.

"I think you are playing the vice-regal hand with skill and wisdom," Sir Martin wrote to Sir John on November 4.

"Your interest in the situation has been demonstrated, and so has your impartiality.

"The fact you have powers is recognised. But it's also clear you will only use them in the last resort, and then only for constitutional — and not for political — reasons."

But Professor Hocking labelled the discussion as "alarming".

"The reserve powers is one of the most contentious areas in Australian political legal and constitutional structures because it is highly contested, some would claim exist at all," she said.

"For the Queen's private secretary to be commenting to the governor-general who was about to exercise those powers on the existence of those powers, I think, is alarming.

"There's no doubt they had conversations that clearly affected the decisions Kerr made."

Palace fully supported decision to sack the PM

In the days following the dismissal, letters from Buckingham Palace showed that it believed the governor-general had no option but to remove Mr Whitlam as prime minister.

"I have received two letters from you … both of these are individually of great historic interest and, when taken together, I think they provide a clear, full, and, if I may use the phrase with respect, most convincing account of the psychological and actual pressures to which you were subject when you took action on November 11, and of the reason why no other course was open to you," Sir Martin responded on November 25, 1975.

"I have still not found anyone here with knowledge prepared to say what else you could have done."

In a separate letter, Sir Martin wrote that he believed Sir John had done the right thing in not telling the Queen prior to taking action.

"If I may say so with the greatest respect, I believe in NOT informing The Queen of what you intended to do before doing it, you acted not only with constitutional propriety, but also with admirable consideration for Her Majesty's position," Sir Martin said.

"If I may permit myself a last reflection, it is that should the Member for Werriwa [Mr Whitlam] be returned to power, he ought to be extremely grateful to you!"

Mr Whitlam went on to lose the election in the wake of the dismissal, putting Liberal leader Malcolm Fraser formally in the prime minister's office.

Letters "blow away silly conspiracy theories"

Constitutional law expert Anne Twomey said, according to Sir John's letters, he had wanted the correspondence to be released as he "thought it would vindicate his position".

"So all it does is blows away the silly conspiracy theories that we've been having for an awfully long time, which said 'this was all the conspiracy of the British and the establishment and the Queen'," she said.

"Well it wasn't.

"We just have to live with the fact it was an Australian who dismissed an Australian government."

(continued)

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-14/sir-john-kerr-queen-whitlam-palace-letters-released/12452616

—

The Kerr Palace Letters

The Kerr Palace Letters are a series of letters exchanged between Governor-General Sir John Kerr and Buckingham Palace during Kerr’s time in office.

The 212 letters were written between 15 August 1974 and 5 December 1977. They include attachments such as newspaper clippings, press releases, articles, speeches and booklets. A small number of telegrams are also included.

Most of the letters were exchanged between Kerr and Sir Martin Charteris, Private Secretary to the Queen. The Private Secretary passed the material to the Queen and usually responded on her behalf.

You can download the Kerr Palace Letters as PDFs or view them on RecordSearch, our collection database.

https://www.naa.gov.au/explore-collection/kerr-palace-letters

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9955965 (140757ZJUL20) Notable: Witnesses say Australian SAS soldiers were involved in mass shooting of unarmed Afghan civilians, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: SAS_soldiers_are_again_being_accused_of_unlawful_killings_of_unarmed_civilians_in_Afghanistan.jpg, Sara_Aw_villager_Rahmatullah_said_he_saw_Australian_soldiers_shooting_civilians.jpg, Abdul_Qadus_s_brother_was_killed_in_the_raid_on_Sara_Aw_village.jpg, The_burial_site_of_one_of_the_men_killed_during_the_2012_raid_of_Sara_Aw_by_Australian_SAS_soldiers.jpg, Sara_Aw_local_Mohammad_Nassim_saw_the_Australian_special_forces_mass_shooting_villagers.jpg

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>>177184

Witnesses say Australian SAS soldiers were involved in mass shooting of unarmed Afghan civilians

Australian special forces killed up to 10 unarmed Afghan civilians during a 2012 raid in Kandahar Province, ABC Investigations can reveal.

The raid is believed to be the worst one-day death toll uncovered to date of alleged unlawful killings by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.

Afghan witnesses and Australian sources have told the ABC that the Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) operation left a number of Taliban dead.

But both say civilians were also shot during the frenzied raid, including a group of unarmed villagers near a tractor.

Australian sources confirmed a number of civilians were killed that day, but could not determine the precise number, telling the ABC there were up to 10 suspicious killings with another five Taliban dead.

ABC Investigations has obtained a list of names of 11 civilians that the villagers of Sara Aw say were killed in the December 2012 operation led by Zulu 1 and Zulu 2 patrols of the SAS.

The SAS was accompanied by Afghan special forces known as the Wakunish.

"It was 11:00am, three [helicopters] landed," said farmer Mohammad Nassim.

"There were three Taliban in nomad houses [near the village]. They resisted and were killed. But then they killed other people — civilians.

"Civilians were terrified when the shooting started, because they were mass shooting people," he said.

Villager Rahmatullah confirmed that three Taliban were hiding in a nearby nomad hut.

"But no-one [from the village] knew they were there," he said.

"They started resisting [the soldiers], then people learnt that they were killed. The rest of [those killed] were all civilians. One was Mohammad Azam, my brother."

Villagers killed while transporting onions

ABC Investigations has been told by sources that the Taliban fighters were killed by the Zulu 2 patrol and weapons were recovered.

But a number of civilians were then killed near a tractor in what appears to be a mass shooting.

This account is backed by villagers interviewed separately by an Afghan journalist engaged by ABC Investigations who travelled to Sara Aw.

Abdul Qadus says his brother Abdul Salim was driving the tractor when he was shot dead.

"At the time he was carrying a load of onions, he was taking them to the city. There were some other people with him as well," Abdul Qadus said.

"The two other people who were near the Taliban in the area, I saw them being shot and killed and they didn't have anything with them.

"Another one was my cousin who was sitting and packing onions when they shot and killed him there."

'They were shooting people intentionally'

Rahmatullah was irrigating his field when the Australians jumped off the helicopters and engaged the Taliban.

"First, when the helicopters landed, they started with the Taliban. They also shot other people who were there as well. The tractor moved from the area because they were scared."

He says the Australians came after them.

"[They] shot them at the tractor. They were shooting people intentionally. They were mass shooting," Rahmatullah said.

"Then some people busy with irrigation were shot, some were shot near the onions. Some people went in the tractor and they were shot in the tractor," Mohammad Nassim said.

ABC Investigations understands the Zulu 1 patrol was involved in the shooting at the tractor where at least five Afghans were killed and that some members of the SAS patrol were unhappy about what happened.

There were no weapons found on the victims after the shooting.

Abdul Qadus was wounded in the raid and later evacuated by the Australians.

"When I got injured, they took me to the Afghan National Army hospital at Kandahar airbase," he said.

"I was there two days and nights."

The Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force (IGADF) has spent the past four years investigating rumours and allegations of war crimes committed by Australian special forces in Afghanistan.

Investigators are looking into more than 55 separate incidents of alleged breaches of the rules of war between 2005 and 2016.

More than 330 people have so far given evidence to the inquiry.

The IGADF report is expected to be delivered in the coming weeks.

When contacted for a response to this story, an Australian Defence Force spokesperson said: "It is not appropriate for Defence to comment on matters that may or may not be the subject of the Afghanistan Inquiry."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-14/australian-special-forces-killed-unarmed-civilians-in-kandahar/12441974

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9956031 (140818ZJUL20) Notable: Designer of a popular children’s app is accused of living a secret double life as a Peeping Tom paedophile, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Luke_Spencer_Tregloan_has_been_charged_with_a_string_of_offences_He_s_pictured_with_characters_from_a_children_s_educational_app_he_co_created.jpg, The_Adelaide_father_of_two_pictured_is_accused_of_secretly_filming_women_naked_and_having_sex_in_their_homes_He_was_also_charged_with_possession_of_child_exploitation_material.jpg, Luke_Spencer_Tregloan_pictured_with_one_of_the_characters_from_his_educational_app_will_remain_behind_bars_while_the_suitability_of_home_detention_bail_is_examined.jpg

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Designer of a popular children’s app is accused of living a secret double life as a Peeping Tom paedophile - as he’s charged with a string of sickening alleged offences

The designer of a popular educational children's app that promoted South Australia to the world remains behind bars after he was charged with a string of alleged offences.

Father-of-two Luke Spencer Tregloan, 45, is accused of secretly filming women naked having sex in their homes, along with possession of child exploitation material.

He was arrested at his Adelaide home on Friday following a joint operation between state and federal police.

The investigation was sparked by a tip to the Australian Federal Police-led Australia Centre to Counter Child Exploitation that someone was allegedly uploading and sharing abhorrent content to an online platform.

Police will allege Tregloan used a female persona online to hide his identity.

Investigators also allege child abuse material was found on his mobile phone during a search of his home in Adelaide's south following his arrest.

'They also found a significant number of video files stored on the phone that were allegedly filmed from outside Adelaide residences and show the occupants in the homes in various stages of undress and performing sexual acts,' a joint police statement read.

'Police will allege the 45-year-old spied on the occupants and filmed the videos from outside the homes without their knowledge.'

Court records show he is accused of illegally filming people in various states of undress over a period of three years up until his arrest, the Adelaide Advertiser reported.

Tregloan was charged with possessing or controlling child abuse material, using a carriage service to access child abuse material and indecent filming.

The offences carry a maximum prison sentence of between two and 15 years.

Tregloan appeared in Adelaide Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where the matter was adjourned until next week while the suitability of home detention bail is examined, which wasn't opposed by prosecutors.

His wife and parents were in court on Monday but refused to comment to waiting media outside.

Tregloan is an experienced video producer, writer and director.

Last November, he and a business partner launched the Hip Hop Kangaroo & Friends app which aimed to introduce children to Australia’s natural beauty and animal life.

Central to the app were native Australian animal characters filmed in iconic South Australian locations singing educational songs co-written by Tregloan.

The app's website and social media pages have been removed online.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8517259/Adelaide-childrens-app-designer-bars-charged-string-sickening-alleged-offences.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9956045 (140823ZJUL20) Notable: Grandfather, 52, is jailed after buying a toy from Kmart and converting it into a child sex doll, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Robert_Garcia_has_been_jailed_for_12_months_for_possessing_a_child_like_sex_doll_He_bought_the_doll_from_Kmart_and_altered_it_himself.jpg, Garcia_was_sentenced_to_12_months_in_jail_with_a_two_year_recognisance_bond_in_Wollongong_Courthouse_pictured_on_Monday.jpg

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Grandfather, 52, is jailed after buying a toy from Kmart and converting it into a child sex doll

A man has been jailed after converting a doll he bought for his grandchildren from Kmart into a child sex toy.

Robert Garcia from Warilla on the NSW south coast has become the first person in Australia to be jailed for possessing a child-like sex doll.

The 52-year-old transformed the doll he bought from Kmart into a crude sex toy by cutting a hole in the doll's crotch and adding a synthetic tube for penetration.

The doll is about 65 centimetres tall and dressed in a pink top with blonde pig tails and no underwear.

Footage of Garcia having sex with the doll was found in his home by police during a welfare check, along with child pornography on three different mobile phones.

Garcia was sentenced to 12-months in jail with a two-year recognisance bond in Wollongong Courthouse on Monday.

Judge Andrew Haesler quashed arguments from Garcia's lawyers to spare their client from jail, according to the Illawarra Mercury.

'Given the seriousness of the offences I can only impose a custodial sentence,' he said.

Judge Haesler noted the toy was home made and Garcia was not supporting a commercial market for sex dolls.

'It appears his interest in young children and his use of doll occurred at the time he was drinking heavily,' he said.

'If he undergoes treatment, I'm reasonably confident if he refrains from using alcohol he is unlikely to reoffend.'

Garcia will be placed on the NSW child sex offenders registry on release from jail in July 2021.

He was charged under new laws that passed through parliament less than two months before his arrest.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8516509/Man-jailed-buying-doll-Kmart-converting-SEX-TOY.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9956068 (140830ZJUL20) Notable: Mystery surrounds car with 'COVID 19' number plate parked at Adelaide Airport for months, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: 12738_1.jpg

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Repost from Q Research General #12738

>>77634 (pb)

Mystery surrounds car with 'COVID 19' number plate parked at Adelaide Airport for months

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-13/car-with-number-plate-covid-19-parked-at-adelaide-airport/12448962

A car with the number plate "COVID 19" has perplexed Adelaide Airport staff, who say it has been parked there for months.

A photo of the grey BMW sedan was sent to ABC Radio Adelaide by airport worker Steven Spry, who said the vehicle has been left in the staff car park since before Australia's coronavirus lockdowns began.

The disease caused by coronavirus was first officially labelled "COVID–19" on February 11, and was declared a pandemic one month later.

Mr Spry said as far as colleagues could recall, the car had been there since "February or even earlier", and was definitely there from mid-March when most airport staff went on four weeks of forced leave.

He said the car had a cover over it which was blown off by windy weather in April, creating more intrigue about the car — and particularly its number plate.

He said staff had speculated about why such an expensive car would be left at the airport, parked in one of the spaces closest to the terminal.

"It's a high-end vehicle so it's going to have to be someone on a fair dollar to get a vehicle like that, but you'd think a family member would have gone to get it."

Staff are only meant to leave their vehicles in the car park for up to 48 hours, Mr Spry said.

In South Australia, custom number plates have to be approved by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

It takes at least 10 days for a personalised number plate to go from purchase to being issued, South Australian Industry Minister David Pisoni told ABC Radio Adelaide.

The BMW in question is registered until September 26, 2020, according to the State Government's EzyReg website.

Registration can be taken out for either three or 12 months.

Custom number plate agreements are for 12, 24 or 36 months and are separate to registration.

There are no cars interstate with the registration "COVID 19", according to state government websites.

However, in NSW a Volvo car has the registration "COVID" and a Suzuki motorcycle in the Northern Territory has the same number plate.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9966573 (150647ZJUL20) Notable: The Forgotten Coup Against ‘The Most Loyal Ally’ - Gough Whitlam, the Dismissal and the secret CIA presence in Australia, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Gough_Whitlam_CIA.jpg

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>>177396

>>177397

The Forgotten Coup Against ‘The Most Loyal Ally’

On November 11, 1975, Gough Whitlam, then Prime Minister of Australia, was to inform Parliament about the secret CIA presence in his country, by day’s end, he was out of a job.

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The Australian High Court has ruled that correspondence between the Queen and the Governor-General of Australia, her viceroy in the former British colony, is no longer “personal” and the property of Buckingham Palace. Why does this matter?

Secret letters written in 1975 by the Queen and her man in Canberra, Sir John Kerr, can now be released by the National Archives. On November 11, 1975, Kerr infamously sacked the reformist government of prime minister Gough Whitlam, and delivered Australia into the hands of the United States.

Today, Australia is a vassal state bar none: its politics, intelligence agencies, military and much of its media are integrated into Washington’s “sphere of dominance” and war plans. In Donald Trump’s current provocations of China, the U.S. bases in Australia are described as the “tip of the spear”.

There is an historical amnesia among Australia’s polite society about the catastrophic events of 1975. An Anglo-American coup overthrew a democratically elected ally in a demeaning scandal in which sections of the Australian elite colluded. This is largely unmentionable. The stamina and achievement of the Australian historian Jenny Hocking in forcing the High Court’s decision are exceptional.

Gough Whitlam was driven from government on Remembrance Day, 1975. When he died six years ago, his achievements were recognized, if grudgingly, his mistakes noted in false sorrow. The truth of the coup against him, it was hoped, would be buried with him.

During the Whitlam years, 1972-75, Australia briefly achieved independence and became intolerably progressive. Politically, it was an astonishing period. An American commentator wrote that no country had “reversed its posture in international affairs so totally without going through a domestic revolution”.

The last Australian troops were ordered home from their mercenary service to the American assault on Vietnam. Whitlam’s ministers publicly condemned US barbarities as “mass murder” and the crimes of “maniacs”. The Nixon administration was corrupt, said the Deputy Prime Minister, Jim Cairns, and called for a boycott of American trade. In response, Australian dockers refused to unload American ships.

Whitlam moved Australia towards the Non-Aligned Movement and called for a Zone of Peace in the Indian ocean, which the US and Britain opposed. He demanded France cease its nuclear testing in the Pacific. In the UN, Australia spoke up for the Palestinians. Refugees fleeing the CIA-engineered coup in Chile were welcomed into Australia: an irony I know that Whitlam later savored.

Although not regarded as on the left of the Labor Party, Gough Whitlam was a maverick social democrat of principle, pride and propriety. He believed that a foreign power should not control his country’s resources and dictate its economic and foreign policies. He proposed to “buy back the farm”.

In drafting the first Aboriginal lands rights legislation and supporting Aboriginal strikers, his government raised the ghost of the greatest land grab in human history, Britain’s colonization of Australia, and the question of who owned the island-continent’s vast natural wealth.

At home, equal pay for women, free universal higher education, and support for the arts became law. There was a sense of real urgency as if political time was already running out.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9966578 (150648ZJUL20) Notable: The Forgotten Coup Against ‘The Most Loyal Ally’ - Gough Whitlam, the Dismissal and the secret CIA presence in Australia

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>>177402

2/3

Latin Americans will recognize the audacity and danger of such a u201cbreaking freeu201d in a country whose establishment was welded to great, external power. Australians had served every British imperial adventure since the Boxer rebellion was crushed in China. In the 1960s, Australia pleaded to join the US in its invasion of Vietnam, then provided u201cblack teamsu201d for the CIA.

Whitlamu2019s enemies gathered. US diplomatic cables published in 2013 by WikiLeaks disclose the names of leading figures in both main parties, including a future prime minister and foreign minister, as Washingtonu2019s informants during the Whitlam years.

Gough Whitlam knew the risk he was taking. The day after his election, he ordered that his staff should no longer be u201cvetted or harassedu201d by the Australian security organisation, ASIO, which was then, as now, tied to Anglo-American intelligence. A CIA station officer in Saigon wrote: u201cWe were told the Australians might as well be regarded as North Vietnamese collaborators.u201d

Alarm in Washington rose to fury when, in the early hours of March 16, 1973, Whitlamu2019s Attorney-General, Lionel Murphy, led a posse of Federal police in a raid on the Melbourne offices of ASIO. Since its inception in 1949, ASIO had become as powerful in Australia as the CIA in Washington. A leaked file on Deputy Prime Minister Jim Cairns described him as a dangerous figure who would bring about u201cthe destruction of the democratic system of governmentu201d.

ASIOu2019s real power derived from the UKUSA Treaty, with its secret pact of loyalty to foreign intelligence organizations u2013 notably the CIA and MI6. This was demonstrated dramatically when the (now defunct) National Times published extracts from tens of thousands of classified documents under the headline, u201cHow ASIO Betrayed Australia to the Americans.u201d

Australia is home to some of the most important spy bases in the world. Whitlam demanded to know the CIAu2019s role and if and why the CIA was running the u201cjoint facilityu201d at Pine Gap near Alice Springs. As documents leaked by Edward Snowden revealed in 2013, Pine Gap allows the US to spy on everyone.

u201cTry to screw us or bounce us,u201d Whitlam warned the US ambassador, Walter Rice, u201c[and Pine Gap] will become a matter of contentionu201d.

Victor Marchetti, the CIA officer who had helped set up Pine Gap, later told me, u201cThis threat to close Pine Gap caused apoplexy in the White Houseu2026 a kind of Chile [coup] was set in motion.u201d

Pine Gapu2019s top-secret messages were de-coded by a CIA contractor, TRW. One of the de-coders was Christopher Boyce, a young man troubled by the u201cdeception and betrayal of an allyu201d he witnessed. Boyce revealed that the CIA had infiltrated the Australian political and trade union elite and was spying on phone calls and Telex messages.

In an interview with the Australian author and investigative journalist, William Pinwell, Boyce revealed one name as especially important. The CIA referred to the Governor-General of Australia, Sir John Kerr, as u201cour man Kerru201d.

Kerr was not only the Queenu2019s man and a passionate monarchist, he had long-standing ties to Anglo-American intelligence. He was an enthusiastic member of the Australian Association for Cultural Freedom, described by Jonathan Kwitny of the Wall Street Journal in his book, u201cThe Crimes of Patriotsu201d, as, u201can elite, invitation-only groupu2026 exposed in Congress as being founded, funded and generally run by the CIAu201d.

Kerr was also funded by the Asia Foundation, exposed in Congress as a conduit for CIA influence and money. The CIA, wrote Kwitny, u201cpaid for Kerru2019s travel, built his prestige, even paid for his writings u2026 Kerr continued to go to the CIA for moneyu201d.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9966587 (150650ZJUL20) Notable: The Forgotten Coup Against ‘The Most Loyal Ally’ - Gough Whitlam, the Dismissal and the secret CIA presence in Australia

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>>177403

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When Whitlam was re-elected for a second term in 1974, the White House sent Marshall Green to Canberra as ambassador. Green was an imperious, sinister figure who worked in the shadows of Americau2019s u201cdeep stateu201d. Known as the u201ccoupmasteru201d, he had played a central role in the 1965 coup against President Sukarno in Indonesia u2013 which cost up to a million lives.

One of Greenu2019s first speeches in Australia was to the Australian Institute of Directors, described by an alarmed member of the audience as u201can incitement to the countryu2019s business leaders to rise against the governmentu201d.

The Americans worked closely with the British. In 1975, Whitlam discovered that MI6 was operating against his government. u201cThe Brits were actually decoding secret messages coming into my foreign affairs office,u201d he said later. One of his ministers, Clyde Cameron, told me, u201cWe knew MI6 was bugging Cabinet meetings for the Americans.u201d

Senior CIA officers later revealed that the u201cWhitlam problemu201d had been discussed u201cwith urgencyu201d by the CIAu2019s director, William Colby, and the head of MI6, Sir Maurice Oldfield. A deputy director of the CIA said: u201cKerr did what he was told to do.u201d

On November 10, 1975, Whitlam was shown a top secret telex message sourced to Theodore Shackley, the notorious head of the CIAu2019s East Asia Division, who had helped run the coup against Salvador Allende in Chile two years earlier. Shackleyu2019s message was read to Whitlam. It said that the prime minister of Australia was a security risk in his own country. Brian Toohey, editor of the National Times, disclosed that it carried the authority of Henry Kissinger, destroyer of Chile and Cambodia.

Having removed the heads of both Australian intelligence agencies, ASIO and ASIS, Whitlam was now moving against the CIA. He called for a list of all u201cdeclaredu201d CIA officers in Australia.

The day before the Shackley cabled arrived on November 10, 1975, Sir John Kerr visited the headquarters of the Defence Signals Directorate, Australiau2019s NSA, where he was secretly briefed on the u201csecurity crisisu201d. It was during that weekend, according to a CIA source, that the CIAu2019s u201cdemandsu201d were passed to Kerr via the British.

On November 11, 1975 u2013 the day Whitlam was to inform Parliament about the secret CIA presence in Australia u2013 he was summoned by Kerr. Invoking archaic vice-regal u201creserve powersu201d invested in him by the British monarch, Kerr sacked the democratically elected prime minister.

The u201cWhitlam problemu201d was solved. Australian politics never recovered, nor the nation its true independence.

The destruction of Salvador Allendeu2019s government in Chile four years earlier, and of scores of other governments that have questioned the divine right of American might and violence since 1945, was replicated in the most loyal of American allies, often described as u201cthe lucky countryu201d. Only the form of the crushing of democracy in Australia in 1975 differed, along with its enduring cover up.

Imagine a Whitlam today standing up to Trump and Pompeo. Imagine the same courage and principled defiance. Well, it happened.

https://www.mintpressnews.com/forgotten-cia-coup-against-australia-gough-whitlam/268164/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/9966632 (150703ZJUL20) Notable: Paedophile's 'manifestly inadequate' jail sentence for Adelaide toilet block attack to be appealed, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Hamzeh_Bahrami_could_be_freed_within_two_years_despite_sexually_assaulting_a_10_year_old_girl_in_2019.jpg, The_toilet_block_at_Blair_Athol_where_the_attack_occurred.jpg, Vickie_Chapman_says_sentencing_discounts_will_be_reduced.jpg

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>>177351

Paedophile's 'manifestly inadequate' jail sentence for Adelaide toilet block attack to be appealed

South Australia's most senior prosecutor will appeal the "manifestly inadequate" prison sentence handed to a man who sexually assaulted a young girl in an Adelaide toilet block, the state's Attorney-General says.

Hamzeh Bahrami, 33, assaulted the 10-year-old victim multiple times at a Blair Athol playground and nearby toilet block in April 2019 in front of his own young daughter and niece.

Last week, he was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison including a non-parole period of three years.

However, that was backdated to when he was taken into custody in April 2019, meaning he could be eligible for parole in less than two years, in April 2022.

His sentence also included a 40 per cent discount because he had admitted to the crimes.

This afternoon, South Australian Attorney-General Vickie Chapman announced prosecutors will be appealing the sentence.

"Today I have been informed that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will be appealing the Bahrami matter due to the sentence imposed being manifestly inadequate," Ms Chapman said in a statement.

"The DPP will be seeking the sentence to be set aside and Bahrami resentenced."

Yesterday, the SA Government announced it would reduce sentencing discounts for serious violent and sexual offenders who admit their crimes, to 25 per cent.

A review last year recommended that sentencing discounts be cut back, but Ms Chapman said the Government had been waiting on further advice.

"Sentencing discounts of up to 40 per cent for someone who has committed a serious sexual assault against a minor are simply unacceptable and that's why we're going to move to change the law," she said yesterday.

Bahrami pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated indecent assault and one count of false imprisonment over the attack.

In a victim impact statement, the girl's mother wrote that the attack on her daughter had left her family unable to "trust anyone".

"The perpetrator was known to the community so it's very uncomfortable," she said.

"I now feel like I can't trust anyone, and that the children can't trust anyone."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-14/sa-dpp-to-appeal-hamzeh-bahrami-child-sex-assault-jail-sentence/12454396