/qnotables21/ - ===Q Notables 2021===

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12773831 (310243ZJAN21) Notable: Video: Former QAnon supporter Jitarth Jadeja apologizes to Anderson Cooper ‘for thinking you ate babies’ - MURI ASSUNÇÃO - nydailynews.com

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Former QAnon supporter apologizes to Anderson Cooper ‘for thinking you ate babies’

MURI ASSUNÇÃO - JAN 30, 2021

A former QAnon supporter has told Anderson Cooper that he apologizes “for thinking you ate babies.”

On Friday, the anchor of the CNN news broadcast “Anderson Cooper 360” shared a clip of a special report on the conspiracy theory that will air on the network on Saturday night.

The short video features a man named Jitarth Jadeja who was a QAnon “believer until June 2019.”

“Did you, at the time, believe that Democrats, high-level Democrats and celebrities were worshipping Satan, drinking the blood of children?” the 53-year-old broadcaster asked Jadeja.

“Anderson, I thought you did that,” he responded.

“And I would like to apologize for that right now. So, I apologize for thinking that you ate babies But, yeah, 100%,” added Jadeja, who lives in Sydney, Australia, according to an Oct. 2020 interview with The Washington Post.

His direct answer seemed to surprise Cooper, who wanted to make sure he understood what Jadeja was saying.

“You actually believed that I was drinking the blood of children?,” he asked.

“Yes, I did,” Jadeja answered without hesitation.

Cooper pressed on, wanting to know if there was something about himself that made Jadeja feel that way.

“Q specifically mentioned you, and mentioned you very early on. He mentioned you by name … he also talked about, for example, your family.”

It’s unclear what specifically about Cooper’s family Jadeja was referring to. However, the award-winning journalist is an openly gay man, a prominent LGBTQ rights activist, and the proud father of a baby boy, who was born in April via a surrogate.

“I’m going to be honest, people still talk about that to his day” — as recently as four days ago, he continued, adding that some QAnon followers believe that Cooper is a robot.

“I at one stage believed that QAnon was part of military intelligence, which is what he says. But on top of that, that the people behind him were actually a group of fifth-dimensional, intradimensional, extraterrestrial bipedal bird aliens called Blue Avians,” he told Cooper via video call.

“I was so far down in this conspiracy black hole that I was essentially picking and choosing whatever narrative that I wanted to believe in,” he added.

“Inside the QAnon Conspiracy” airs on CNN Saturday at 9 p.m. ET.

https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-former-qanon-supporter-apologizes-anderson-cooper-eating-babies-20210130-6bjsplpdlbd6tbiwgwd5gpdeqm-story.html

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Former QAnon supporter to Cooper: I apologize for thinking you ate babies

Anderson Cooper 360

CNN's Anderson Cooper spoke to former QAnon supporter, Jitarth Jadeja, about his former beliefs about the conspiracy theory, including those about Cooper himself. Watch the CNN Special Report, "Inside the QAnon Conspiracy," on CNN Saturday, January 30th, at 9:00pm EST.Source: CNN

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/us/2021/01/30/anderson-cooper-former-qanon-supporter-special-report-sot-ac360-vpx.cnn

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12775143 (310443ZJAN21) Notable: Malka Leifer: how a long-running child sexual abuse case tested Australia's relationship with Israel, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Malka_Leifer_left_and_Yaacov_Litzman_Allegations_the_deputy_health_minister_delayed_extradition_proceedings_raised_the_profile_of_the_case_in_Israel.jpg, Benjamin_Netanyahu_left_with_Malcolm_Turnbull_at_a_welcome_ceremony_in_Jerusalem_Israel_on_30_October_2017.jpg

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Malka Leifer: how a long-running child sexual abuse case tested Australia's relationship with Israel

Allegations an Israeli minister interfered with the extradition of the former Australian school principal finally dragged the case into the spotlight

Elias Visontay - 31 Jan 2021

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When the accused child sex offender Malka Leifer was extradited from Israel to face a Melbourne court this week it was the result of a years-long campaign spearheaded by three of the former principal’s accusers.

The battle galvanised both sides of Australian politics and the country’s Jewish community. It also tested Australia’s relationship with Israel.

Australian politicians raised the matter with Israel at the highest levels. Malcolm Turnbull, when he was prime minister, pressed his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, in person over the repeated delays in Leifer’s extradition.

But Turnbull’s vocal representation in 2017 appeared to fall on deaf ears. The Israeli prime minister didn’t recognise Leifer’s name weeks after the issue was raised with him, despite it also being in the Israeli news, according to Australian officials who later discussed the case with Netanyahu.

Rather, Israeli politicians have told Guardian Australia, it was allegations of interference by one of Netanyahu’s senior ministers – and his links to a fringe ultra-Orthodox sect of Judaism that he and Leifer followed – that raised the profile of the case.

Allegations the then deputy health minister, Yaacov Litzman, had delayed proceedings meant the extradition was no longer an issue the government could ignore. Litzman has denied any wrongdoing in relation to the case.

However, a senior Israeli diplomat, speaking to the Guardian on the condition of anonymity, is scathing about the allegations of political interference and says it, coupled with the protracted extradition proceedings, has done damage to the Australia-Israel relationship.

Australia’s Jewish community – whose media first reported the allegations against Leifer in 2008 – welcomed this week’s developments. Traditionally Israel-supportive organisations previously labelled the process a “circus” and repeatedly criticised the Jewish state over the extradition. Leifer’s alleged victims say the community stalwart Mark Leibler pushed the community to respond.

However, the Adass Israel community – which employed Leifer as principal of its girls school – has remained tight-lipped and hired a crisis PR firm to handle media inquiries.

The insular community – a group of about 220 families – comprises about 10 different ultra-Orthodox movements. It shuns the secular world in favour of strictly interpreting ancient laws outlined in the Torah.

This week it emerged the Adass community was linked to the only prison chaplaincy service religiously observant enough to cater for Leifer’s needs in prison. The school was also forced to find a new psychologist to offer staff and families support after the community worker initially recommended was revealed as a whistleblower in the Leifer case.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12775241 (310451ZJAN21) Notable: ‘Pete Evans in the party room’: Liberals, independents line up to take on Craig Kelly - James Massola - smh.com.au, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Craig_Kelly_is_unapologetic_about_sharing_misinformation.jpg, Former_NSW_Liberal_Party_vice_president_Kent_Johns.jpg

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‘Pete Evans in the party room’: Liberals, independents line up to take on Craig Kelly

James Massola - January 31, 2021

Controversial Liberal MP Craig Kelly is facing twin challenges to hold on to his southern Sydney seat of Hughes, with moderate Liberals and a local campaign hoping to blast him out of federal Parliament.

But a defiant Mr Kelly – who increased his margin by 0.5 per cent to 9.9 per cent at the last poll – has declared he is confident of again having the support of both the Liberal Party and the local constituents at the next election.

Mr Kelly, a climate change sceptic, frequently promotes the use of drugs hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin to treat COVID-19 on his widely shared Facebook page. This is despite local and global health authorities stating they do not help treat the disease.

The MP’s outspoken advocacy for the medically unproven treatments are a growing headache for Scott Morrison, particularly as Australia prepares to begin vaccinating the population, with Labor demanding the Prime Minister rebuke Mr Kelly.

Ahead of a federal election tipped for the second half of 2021 Mr Kelly, first elected in 2010, could face another challenge from would-be Liberal candidate Kent Johns to retain pre-selection for the seat.

Mr Johns, a Liberal moderate, has previously planned to stand against Mr Kelly but interventions from three successive prime ministers – Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull and then Scott Morrison – have blocked him.

At the same time a ginger group of local activists, We Are Hughes, are also searching for a candidate to stand against Mr Kelly.

Local Liberals the Sun-Herald and Sunday Age spoke to expect Mr Johns to stand against Mr Kelly, barring an intervention from Liberal Party head office. Former Sutherland Shire mayor Carmelo Pesce, who has also been discussed as a potential candidate, is said to be unlikely to throw his hat in the ring.

A NSW Liberal MP, who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity so they could discuss internal party deliberations, said it was unlikely the prime minister would again intervene to save Mr Kelly, who is said to lack the rank-and-file numbers to win preselection this time.

“It should be a normal preselection. He’s never had the numbers other than when he was first pre-selected,” the MP said.

“People have become immune to what he says on climate change, it’s just Craig being Craig, but his comments on the Capitol riots [in Washington DC] shocked people.”

“His comments on COVID-19 are really damaging, it’s like having Pete Evans in the party room.”

Mr Evans is a celebrity chef who has questioned the efficacy of mask wearing and vaccines. His Facebook page was deactivated last year for sharing misinformation about COVID-19.

Mr Kelly said that every MP had to re-apply for their job at every election. “Since I’ve been outspoken defending traditional Liberal party values there is no doubt that many from the green left will try and run a targeted campaign against me”.

Another Liberal familiar with the party’s internal discussions about Hughes said Mr Kelly’s outspoken ways and frequent posting of fringe medical theories - the MP often posts three or four times per day to his nearly 90,000 followers on the topic - had angered not just the moderate faction but also sections of the party’s centre right and hard right factions.

“No one knows why he is doing what he is doing.”

Mr Kelly described the We Are Hughes group as “fake independents - they are the remnants of the Greens that see their best chance as trying to trick the electorate by disguising themselves as independent”.

But Linda Seymour, one of the organisers of the group, said it was a grassroots movement focused on on doing politics differently. They hope to find a strong candidate, similar to independent MP Zali Steggall who managed to unseat Mr Abbott in Warringah at the 2019 federal election.

“In Hughes we have no representation, we have Craig Kelly off on his own crusade. Irrespective of whether you’re Labor or Liberal you haven’t been represented in our seat,” she said.

Pre-selection for NSW Liberal Party lower house seats has not yet begun.

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/pete-evans-in-the-party-room-liberals-independents-line-up-to-take-on-craig-kelly-20210129-p56xwf.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12775348 (310503ZJAN21) Notable: European Commission slaps immediate export ban on corona­virus vaccines to Australia so European citizens can be vaccinated first, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: British_Prime_Minister_Boris_Johnson_at_French_biotechnology_laboratory_Valneva_in_Livingston_Scotland_on_Friday.jpg

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EU bans coronavirus vaccine exports to Australia

JACQUELIN MAGNAY and NATASHA ROBINSON - JANUARY 30, 2021

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The European Commission has slapped an immediate export ban on corona­virus vaccines to Australia so European citizens can be vaccinated first, throwing the rollout of Australia’s program into disarray.

In a dramatic move that could escalate into a broader trade war, the EU has begun hoarding the vaccines for 450 million Europeans after claiming the UK had “hijacked’’ doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine made in a Brussels plant.

The new rules, released overnight, will stop or slow the rate of export of any vaccines made or bottled in Europe to anywhere outside the continent, including Australia.

This will immediately affect Australia’s 80,000 doses of the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine made in Puurs, Belgium, which is due in the coming weeks to start Australia’s vaccination program.

Australia’s 3.8 million international AstraZeneca Oxford vaccine doses, made in Seneffe, Belgium, had already been cut to 1.2 million and Europe’s moves have added fresh uncertainty about this reduced amount.

Australia failed to obtain an exemption from the European rules despite the diplomatic efforts of Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Health Minister Greg Hunt.

However the European Commission — the executive branch of the EU — has provided exemptions to countries such as Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Israel, Moldova, Ukraine, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland and the Vatican City.

European politicians are under huge pressure to increase vaccination rates within the bloc after a slow start to their inoculation program, starting a month later than the UK; and exacerbated by supply issues. Only two per cent of Europe have been given a coronavirus inoculation compared to ten per cent of the UK who have had their first jab.

The European Commission said the measures were “to ensure timely access to COVID-19 vaccines for all EU citizens and to tackle the current lack of transparency of vaccine exports outside the EU’’.

EU bureaucrats want to know if the big pharmaceutical companies are fulfilling non-EU orders at the ­expense of delaying any supplies to the 27-nation bloc.

The commission says it will now assess if the volume of exports poses a threat to the execution of the Advance Purchase Agreements the EU has concluded with vaccine manufacturers.

German Health Minister Jens Spahn warned the German public of “at least another 10 weeks of shortages”.

The Commission’s new rules were flagged following manufacturing issues that halved supply of the Pfizer and ­AstraZeneca vaccines in recent weeks.

European politicians have scrambled to secure supplies as vaccination programs slowed drastically, and in some regions stopped altogether. In France, vaccinations for 12 million people living in and around Paris have been halted, and other regions have had to push back their plans by six weeks.

In Madrid and in North Rhine Westphalia, the Spanish and German governments have stopped new inoculations, preferring to use dwindling supplies to provide the second jab to those who have had the first one. Barcelona and the wider Catalonia region are due to run out of supplies by this weekend.

Italy and Poland have threatened legal action to try to force the European manufacturers to divert stocks to their countries.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12775645 (310535ZJAN21) Notable: Popular craft website Etsy caught selling childlike sex dolls that breach Australian child abuse laws - Katy Hall - dailytelegraph.com.au, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: A_male_sex_doll_that_has_distinctly_young_features_and_the_height_of_an_average_10_year_old_boy_has_since_been_removed_from_Etsy.jpg, A_female_sex_doll_with_the_height_and_weight_of_the_average_12_to_13_year_old_girl_previously_listed_for_sale_on_Etsy.jpg, Buyers_were_able_to_purchase_the_doll_at_the_height_of_a_child_or_purchase_the_doll_head_as_a_standalone_item.jpg, Graphic_images_of_adult_content_appear_next_to_images_of_infant_clothing_and_family_friendly_gifts.jpg, Graphic_images_of_adult_content_appear_next_to_images_of_infant_clothing_and_family_friendly_gifts_2.jpg

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Popular craft website Etsy caught selling childlike sex dolls that breach Australian child abuse laws

Sex dolls resembling children as young as 10 are being sold on a popular global website that millions of Australians use to buy gifts and craft supplies.

Katy Hall - January 29, 2021

Sex dolls resembling children as young as 10 are being sold on a popular global website that millions of Australians use to purchase gifts and craft supplies.

E-commerce site Etsy is best known for selling handmade and vintage items like jewellery, bespoke wedding cake toppers and baby blankets. But the global shopping site has a growing dark underbelly selling child sex dolls and graphic slogan apparel.

One item available for sale titled “Boy sex doll” includes multiple explicit images of a silicon doll with a height of just 140cm, the average height for boys aged 10 -12 years old, and includes a diagram of how to move and position the doll.

Another listing gives purchasers the option to buy the child doll’s head as a stand-alone purchase.

One female doll is listed as having the height and weight of that commonly of girls aged 12 to 13 and is photographed wearing teenage-style clothing. The listing promises buyers “discreet shipping”, saying, “We ship in plain brown boxes with nothing on them but a shipping label.”

Many listings allow purchasers to select the skin, hair and eye colours of the dolls, as well as the height, weight and genital sizing.

Under Australian law, child sex dolls are considered child sex material. Importation carries a fine of up to $555,000 and up to ten years’ imprisonment.

In December last year, News Corp reported Australian Border Force had seized 191 dolls that had been sent to Australian consumers, up from 145 in 2019.

Also rife among the ‘global marketplace’, as Etsy refers to itself, are a growing number of highly graphic items like underwear and t-shirts with slogans such as ‘Daddy’s little c*t’, ‘Al Plz’, and ‘Daddy’s Little Ck W***e’.

Under Etsy’s current algorithm, the explicit items appear alongside items like writing journals and children’s clothing.

While the items do not violate Etsy’s community guidelines, Melbourne-based Etsy seller Anna Cordell, a long-time user who started selling face masks on the platform during Melbourne’s lockdown, said the products are inappropriate.

“As well as the fact these products are placed alongside Father’s Day gifts and baby clothes, they eroticise child abuse. It does not belong on Etsy,” Cordell said.

“Surely a ‘Daddy please’ tattoo emblazoned across bare genitals is in breach of these guidelines.”

Since discovering the disturbing products, Cordell has partnered with Collective Shout to launch an online petition asking Etsy to remove the items and ensure they do not return.

“I’m certainly especially shocked at the placement of the products, but it’s all part of the larger issue that this stuff simply does not belong on Etsy,” Cordell says.

Collective Shout campaign director Melinda Tankard Reist agrees, and said the t-shirts, underwear and temporary tattoos, while not illegal, are part of a larger societal problem.

“These products fetishise girls and suggest they really want to be sexually abused by their fathers,” she said

“Etsy is perpetuating this falsehood and playing into this paedophile fantasy.

The company is promoting the idea that abuse is sexy.”

Etsy told News Corp a number of profiles selling the dolls have since been deactivated.

“We take the safety of our marketplace very seriously, and we regularly revisit and adjust our policies. We will continue to closely monitor this space,” a spokesperson said.

In 2015, Etsy banned the sale of spells, hexes and potions from its platform.

It did not respond to News Corp’s questions about whether it would introduce a similar ban on child sex dolls.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts/popular-craft-website-etsy-caught-selling-childlike-sex-dolls-that-breach-australian-child-abuse-laws/news-story/b46800ade19bcd6558a31fae13b77baf

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12776465 (310743ZJAN21) Notable: Video: Perth plunged into five-day lockdown after positive case spends days in community - Rebecca Le May - theaustralian.com.au

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Perth plunged into five-day lockdown after positive case spends days in community

REBECCA LE MAY - JANUARY 31, 2021

Perth has been plunged into a five-day lockdown after a hotel quarantine security guard contracted COVID-19 then went to a large number of locations in the community, not knowing he had it.

WA Premier Mark McGowan held an emergency press conference on Sunday afternoon, revealing WA’s first locally-acquired case in almost 10 months.

He said the male guard aged in his 20s had been working at Four Points by Sheraton in the CBD where there were four active cases, including two of the UK variant and one of the South African mutant strain.

The Maylands resident had tested negative on January 15, 17 and 23 but developed symptoms on Thursday, January 28.

Mr McGowan said it was suspected the man had the highly contagious UK variant as he had worked on the same floor as a case of that strain.

“Exactly how the infection was acquired remains under investigation,” the Premier said.

“We suspect he contracted the illness on the Tuesday or the Wednesday.

“We are advised that he may have been a driver for one of the rideshare companies.

“The last day he worked in the hotel was Wednesday, but we are advised, and this is being carefully followed up, that he did not do any other work in the time since.”

WA Health Minister Roger Cook said the man was potentially infectious while out in the community, listing multiple businesses in Maylands he had been to as well as the Perth Convention Centre.

“Something did go wrong and we do need to get to the bottom of it,” Mr Cook said.

“It is a serious situation and that is why we invite everyone to undertake the measures that we are all familiar with, that we undertook during March and April last year.

“For five days … just make sure that we take the opportunity to get on top of this situation.”

The man shares a unit with three other people who have so far returned negative results - but that will likely change.

“We put them into hotel quarantine, because the chances are they will subsequently term positive,” Mr McGowan said.

WA chief health officer Andy Robertson said the man was probably infectious from January 26.

The lockdown applies to the Perth, Peel and South West regions and begins at 6pm WST on Sunday, running until 6pm on Friday.

“People in the Perth, Peel and South West regions need to stay inside their region for the next five days, unless for an essential reason,” the Premier said.

Those are: shopping for essentials like groceries and medicine, to receive medical care, exercising within your neighbourhood with one other person for one hour per day and working when doing so from home is not possible.

Wearing a mask at all times outside, while working indoors and on public transport is mandatory.

Mr McGowan strongly encouraged anyone currently in the Perth, Peel and South West areas who are from another WA region to stay put.

“Do not travel further outside of this area until the lockdown is over,” he said.

“If you do need to travel outside the region you are in now, that can only occur if you need to return to your place of residence.”

Pubs, bars and clubs, gyms, indoor sporting venues, playgrounds, skate parks, outdoor recreational facilities, places of worship, libraries and the Crown casino are among venues that must close.

Restaurants and cafes can provide takeaway service only and just 10 people can attend funerals.

Weddings are cancelled.

No visitors are permitted to homes unless caring for someone vulnerable or in an emergency, and no visitors will be allowed into aged care homes and hospitals unless there are exceptional circumstances.

School was due to start on Monday but that has now been put on hold.

Mr McGowan said international arrivals would continue for now.

“We currently have half capacity, 512 Australians returning per week,” he said.

“It alleviated the pressure on our hotels.

“In this circumstance it didn’t help us.

“Obviously we’ll see what happens over the course of the coming week, whether we need to make a request to the federal government for that continued reduction to continue for a longer period of time.”

Perth residents immediately descended on shops, with large queues forming outside pharmacists.

“Do not do panic shopping,” WA Police commissioner Chris Dawson urged.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/wa-plunged-into-fiveday-lockdown-after-positive-case-spends-days-in-community/news-story/ea12f4642b0db1e6a387a8de4dc0c1e7

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12786021 (010440ZFEB21) Notable: All charges dropped against Australian journalists and editors accused of breaching court suppression orders in George Pell sex case - Melissa Iaria - theaustralian.com.au, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: The_charges_against_editors_and_journalists_in_relation_to_stories_about_Cardinal_George_Pell_have_been_dropped.jpg

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Charges against journos, editors dropped in Pell case

MELISSA IARIA - FEBRUARY 1, 2021

All charges against Australian journalists and editors accused of breaching court suppression orders over the George Pell sex case have been sensationally dropped.

The development came on Monday when a trial against 27 media outlets and journalists and editors heard a deal had been reached with prosecutors.

In return for each corporate entity pleading guilty to a breach of the suppression order, the Director of Public Prosecutions has dropped dozens of charges against individual journalists and editors.

“Each corporate respondent has indicated that it will plead guilty, in respect of each publication for which they are charged, to contempt by breaching the proceeding suppression order,” DPP prosecutor Lisa De Ferrari SC told the Victorian Supreme Court on Monday.

Ms De Ferrari said that as a result, the DPP determined it was in the public interest to withdraw remaining charges.

The corporate respondents had agreed to pay a proportion of the DPP’s costs for the prosecution.

The media companies, journalists and editors faced a total of 79 sub judice and contempt charges over their reporting of the Pell case.

Among them are reporters and titles from News Corp Australia, Fairfax/Nine and Mamamia.

The individual journalists and editors were potentially facing severe penalties, including jail, if convicted over the charges.

The Director of Public Prosecutions argued the breach of the court orders prevented any reporting on Pell’s 2018 trial in Australia, because he was yet to face a second trial and the jury may have been impacted.

Cardinal Pell was not named in the reports and the second trial was dropped.

Cardinal Pell was eventually cleared of abusing two choirboys by the High Court and immediately freed from jail in April after 13 months behind bars.

The remaining charges will be heard at a plea hearing on February 10.

News Corp Australia is the publisher of NCA NewsWire.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/charges-against-journos-editors-dropped/news-story/45b7da6d135f564e6f8003adf3761484

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12786176 (010455ZFEB21) Notable: Video: The US Capitol riots showed what a 'bunch of entitled white people' can do - Sarah Ferguson - abc.net.au

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The US Capitol riots showed what a 'bunch of entitled white people' can do

Sarah Ferguson - 1 February 2021

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"There's nothing scarier than a white mob. Especially in the United States."

These are the words of Democrat Congressman Ruben Gallego, who was evacuated from the US Capitol as a violent, angry mob closed in on January 6.

A former US Marine, Mr Gallego was ready to fight his way out of the chamber.

He says if the mob had got hold of members of Congress that day, they likely would have tried to kill them.

Watching the coverage of the Capitol Hill insurrection from Australia, you could be forgiven for seeing an element of pantomime in the events: costumes and crude levity among the rioters, a file of protestors walking almost dazed between velvet ropes in the Capitol rotunda.

But that ignores the real threat the mob posed.

Mr Gallego sees race as one of the key motivators.

"There is a population of this country that has gotten used to always being on top and not having to share power," he said.

"And now they have to do that, and they have to compete. And psychologically, it's breaking them."

Former director of national intelligence Jim Clapper told Four Corners there's a fear among white Americans that they are losing control.

"What we saw was a manifestation of something that has been building up in this country for a long time, preceding Trump. Trump exacerbated it, exploited it, amplified it, and in this specific case incited it." Mr Clapper said.

Yes, there were African Americans and Hispanic and Latino Americans among the tens of thousands who converged on Washington DC in January for a last-ditch protest to prevent Joe Biden being confirmed as the winner of the Presidential election.

But at the forefront of the violence were members of far-right extremist groups like The Proud Boys and organised militias The Three Percenters and Oath Keepers, all with ties to white supremacist ideologies.

Former senior Trump appointee in the Department of Homeland security Elizabeth Neumann holds Donald Trump responsible for galvanising right-wing extremist views that fuelled the riot.

"The whole experience of this last six years, not only did his rhetoric allow and encourage white supremacists to feel like it's okay for them to be out in the open and talking about their ideology again … but it also increased recruitment and empowered some of these groups to take the actions that eventually led to January 6."

There is a large disenfranchised segment of the American population whose motivations are varied but who express a common fear of being eclipsed by an urban, racially mixed elite.

On January 6, Donald Trump successfully persuaded tens of thousands of them not only that the election had been stolen from him as their representative but that they must use "strength" to take it back.

'We're in a form of civil war right now': Clapper

According to Mr Clapper, America is now in an incipient civil war.

"I think we have an ambient or latent form of civil war right now, just because of the two contrasting camps that people are in," he said.

"So we're in a form of civil war right now."

Returning to live in Washington after a long gap, the divisions in the country are painfully evident.

The late 1990s, when I lived here before, were marked by a big shift to the right with Newt Gingrich's "Republican Revolution".

That morphed into the Tea Party taking the GOP further to the right and laying the groundwork for more extreme people to enter Congress, including at least one avowed QAnon fantasist, Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has demanded the right to bring a handgun into the House chamber.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12786293 (010507ZFEB21) Notable: What does a new US govt mean for China-Australia ties? - Zhai Shilei - globaltimes.cn, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Illustration_Liu_Rui.jpg

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What does a new US govt mean for China-Australia ties?

Zhai Shilei - Feb 01, 2021

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With the completion of the power transfer between US President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump, the international community now has new expectations for the future of China-Australia relations.

Some people think that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's government, which has been acting as an anti-China vanguard, would choose to quickly change his policy toward China and improve China-Australia relations. Yet others believe that Canberra would follow Washington's China policy and not rashly make obvious changes in the uncertain period of the US' power transfer. As a result, the "old questions" about whether or not Australia has clear policies toward China or it has independent diplomacy have emerged again.

First, Australia's China policy is based on the US-Australia alliance and lacks the basis of independence. Practice has shown that when China-US relations improve, Australia will strengthen its cooperation with China, Conversely, when China-US relations encounter challenges, Canberra adjusts its China policies to follow Washington.

Australia takes the so-called alliance diplomacy as its main theme and tries to maximize the benefits of its relations with China through the US' security guarantee. The wavering of this policy not only shows Australia's lack of autonomy in its diplomacy with China, but also reflects its opportunistic and short-sighted China policies overall.

Second, Australia has an incorrect perception of itself and insufficient understandings of China. The Morrison government claimed that for Australia to be a so-called middle power and defender of the liberal international order, it needs to stress issues such as the South China Sea, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Xinjiang governance. This was done under the guise of safeguarding international fairness and justice. But in reality, it interfered in China's internal affairs.

But Morrison's groundless accusations were based on the concept that Australia should be the spokesperson of the West in the Asia-Pacific region. But Morrison totally ignored the facts. In fact, Australia does have intellectuals and experts that know China well, but these rational perspectives are often suppressed by nationalist impulses. Voices calling for the collaboration with the former Trump administration to encircle and bash China were widely spread.

Undoubtedly, the external environment of China-Australia relations has changed due to the US' power transfer. Although the Australian government often claims that its foreign policy decisions are based on the assessment of national interests, it must be asked: What exactly are Australia's national interests? Do following the US' trade war with China and confronting its biggest trading partner apply to its national interests so the country suffers economically? Of course not.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12796913 (020600ZFEB21) Notable: Craig Kelly backs Pete Evans’ right to spread conspiracy theories: ‘Ideas should be debated’ - Josh Butler - thenewdaily.com.au, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: 144763263_927422814730056_4541019391042619824_n.jpg, Pete_Evans_was_removed_from_Facebook_over_misinformation_.jpg, Josh_Burns_1.jpg, Craig_Kelly_has_promoted_hydroxychloroquine_for_months.jpg

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Craig Kelly backs Pete Evans’ right to spread conspiracy theories: ‘Ideas should be debated’

Josh Butler - Feb 1, 2021

Coalition MP Craig Kelly has defended his 90-minute appearance on a podcast from disgraced former celebrity chef Pete Evans, saying “you’ve got to be able to talk to people you don’t agree with”.

“I’m sure many people would think ‘I don’t agree with what The New Daily says, why the hell are you speaking to The New Daily?’” Mr Kelly told The New Daily with a laugh.

“I’m always happy to talk and put my side of the argument. That’s how our democratic society should work.”

Mr Kelly, the Member for Hughes, joined Evans for a long interview on Monday afternoon.

Evans, a former judge on My Kitchen Rules, has been heavily criticised for promoting dubious health advice through the pandemic, including vaccine scepticism and calling COVID a “scam” and a “fake pandemic narrative”.

He has also posted content linked to the baseless and dangerous Qanon conspiracy theory.

Evans was banned from Facebook in December for “repeated violations” of its policies around COVID-19 “misinformation”, while his podcasts were also removed from Apple and Spotify.

In November, he was dropped from numerous commercial arrangements and a book deal after posting a meme featuring a neo-Nazi symbol to his Instagram. He later apologised and claimed the post had been “misinterpreted”.

However, just hours after Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Mr Kelly was doing “a great job”, Evans revealed the Member for Hughes would appear as a guest on an upcoming podcast episode. Evans called him a “beautiful and beyond courageous man” and a “true hero”, after a 90-minute conversation.

“Craig Kelly MP is sharing the truth over and over again and keeps moving forward without fear,” Evans wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of a beaming Mr Kelly brandishing a thumbs-up.

Evans also again hinted at a possible political candidacy, saying he wanted to meet Mr Kelly “in Canberra in the not-too-distant future”.

Mr Kelly, too, has come under fire for posting contested COVID-19 claims on his Facebook page, questioning face masks, expert medical advice and COVID treatments. Many of his claims have been refuted categorically by Australia’s chief medical officer Professor Paul Kelly and the Therapeutic Goods Administration, among other global experts.

Labor MPs Tim Watts and Josh Burns were quick to criticise Mr Kelly, but the Liberal MP defended his appearance.

“I basically said to Pete Evans, ‘I disagree with what you say and I disagree with some of the things you’ve posted, however I defend your right to say those things’,” Mr Kelly told TND.

“If you’re posting wrong ideas, those ideas should be debated and challenged, rather than censored. That’s the way, in a democratic society, you get to the truth.”

Just hours earlier, Labor’s health spokesman Mark Butler had labelled Mr Kelly a “dangerous menace” over his social media activity.

When asked if he subscribed to the Qanon conspiracy theory, considering Evans’ prior posts about the topic, Mr Kelly said he “categorically” did not.

“Someone had to explain to me what Qanon actually was. I haven’t followed it, don’t understand it. To be honest, I still don’t understand it,” he said.

“As I understand it, it’s some crazy conspiracy theory.”

Mr Kelly also said he looked forward to standing for election as the Liberal candidate for Hughes at the next poll, and welcomed Mr Morrison’s “great job” comments.

“Great to have the Prime Minister’s support. We get on very well. I’ve been here for 10 years, and I think the team under Scott is the most united that it’s ever been since I’ve been in the place,” he added.

Mr Kelly has been on a personal crusade to promote hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug briefly boosted by former US president Donald Trump, and ivermectin, an anti-parasitic treatment, for coronavirus.

Both treatments have been repeatedly shot down by local and global health experts, including the TGA.

https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2021/02/01/craig-kelly-pete-evans-podcast/

https://twitter.com/joshburnsmp/status/1356147521001672705

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

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12797050 (020625ZFEB21) Notable: The QAnon threat to Australia’s vaccine rollout - Sam Williamson - aspistrategist.org.au, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: The_QAnon_threat_to_Australia_s_vaccine_rollout.jpg

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The QAnon threat to Australia’s vaccine rollout

Sam Williamson - 2 Feb 2021

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What began as a post on anonymous message board 4chan—home to trolls, internet shock-jocks and excursionists—has morphed into an international conspiracy theory posing a threat to Australia’s vaccination rollout against Covid-19. The QAnon movement has spread worldwide since 2017, beyond the control of those who originally dropped the cryptic posts into anonymous online threads.

QAnon conspiracists promote an endless, evolving slew of unfounded and disproven claims, ranging from various government officials having been arrested in the dead of night to bombshell political revelations that are ‘just around the corner’ and ‘only a week away’, never to eventuate. The continual goalpost-shifting allows the group to mould and shape the movement to whatever current events grab their attention.

The conspiracy spread like wildfire after the original posts, gaining traction in online far-right circles and eventually receiving mainstream promotion through prominent conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who was recently required to pay US$100,000 in defamation costs for falsely claiming that the Sandy Hook school shooting was a hoax. QAnon merchandise then appeared at a 2018 Donald Trump rally, entangling the movement with the president’s base in a symbiotic relationship. QAnon adherents found a crowd with which to spread and monetise the theory, while Trump supporters found a (somewhat) coherent explanation for the obvious chaos and disorder of the administration.

The disrupted and turbulent year that was 2020 provided fertile ground for conspiracy theorists and extremists—a chance to connect dots and internalise a narrative that simplifies the complex and fear-inducing nature of a global pandemic. Australian QAnon followers have blended the original claims relating to satanic government cannibals and their imminent arrest with other discredited conspiracy theories, such as that 5G technology spreads coronavirus and that the global pandemic has been an orchestrated event. Q merchandise makes regular appearances at Australian anti-5G and anti-lockdown marches.

Perhaps the most notable and prominent Australian in the clutches of the theory is ex-celebrity chef Pete Evans. The disgraced reality TV star continuously references the child trafficking and paedophilia accusations levelled by QAnon enthusiasts, and recently shared neo-Nazi iconography to hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers. This high-profile addition to the movement signals a danger to Australian health officials not because of who Evans is but because of what he represents—the Q cult is no longer solely within the domain of the far right. His position as a notable bellwether within the ‘alternative’ (discredited) health community indicates that Australia isn’t immune to the spread of dangerous misinformation transcending ideological lines.

Despite the seeming absurdity of their claims, members of the QAnon cult have been linked to crimes as serious as kidnapping and murder in the US, as well as the attempted insurrection at the Capitol building in Washington last month. Supporters are evidently not afraid to engage in acts they see to be furthering the cause of the group based on flimsy evidence and debunked theories.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12797160 (020650ZFEB21) Notable: Top doctors' body hits out at Liberal MP Craig Kelly for appearing on Pete Evans' podcast - Nick Pearson - 9news.com.au

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Top doctors' body hits out at Liberal MP Craig Kelly for appearing on Pete Evans' podcast

Nick Pearson - Feb 2, 2021

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One of Australia's leading doctor groups has criticised Liberal MP Craig Kelly for "disseminating misinformation" about coronavirus.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) hit out at Mr Kelly for appearing on a podcast hosted by conspiracy theorist and former TV chef Pete Evans.

Mr Evans called Mr Kelly a "beautiful and beyond courageous man" in a 90-minute interview on the podcast.

RACGP President Dr Karen Price said it was unacceptable the politician was podcasting with "a disgraced former celebrity chef".

"We are still in the middle of a pandemic that is leaving many people feeling understandably anxious and exhausted," she said.

"Those like Pete Evans are preying on that anxiety to peddle false information and he should not be enabled by anyone, especially a federal Member of Parliament."

The RACGP noted Mr Kelly had also likened compulsory mask wearing in schools to "child abuse".

But speaking to nine.com.au, Mr Kelly "categorically denied spreading misinformation".

"It's a disgraceful political beat-up from the opposition that has nothing to add to the political environment than to slander and smear," he said.

Dr Price said Australians should listen to the medical experts on COVID-19.

"I understand Mr Kelly's argument that he is happy and willing to advance his point of view with any interviewer," she said.

"However, he must appreciate that Pete Evans is using these platforms to spread alarming misinformation, including content linked to the QAnon conspiracy theory and COVID-19 denialist claims."

Mr Kelly defended appearing on Evans' podcast, describing the former celebrity chef as a "victim of cancel culture".

"If we were to have a society where we refused to discuss or talk to people who made a silly comment at one stage, what kind of society would we have?" he said.

"I seriously disagree that some things the ABC has said. But does that mean I don't speak to the ABC?

"I could go through that things that have been put to air on the ABC, and to defeat those ideas is not to censor them but to bring them out to public and show that they are wrong.

"The idea that we cancel this person from society, that is a stain on our democracy."

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12808065 (030619ZFEB21) Notable: Scott Morrison delivers first public rebuke of Craig Kelly over controversial opinions on coronavirus vaccination - abc.net.au

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>>123251

Scott Morrison delivers first public rebuke of Craig Kelly over controversial opinions on coronavirus vaccination

3 February 2021

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has offered his first public rebuke of Craig Kelly as the Liberal backbencher faces mounting pressure for spreading misinformation about COVID-19.

Earlier today, Mr Morrison hauled the Liberal MP into his office and ordered him to refrain from pushing views that are contrary to the accepted medical advice.

Mr Kelly has come under fire for promoting unproven COVID-19 therapies on social media, and for appearing in a podcast hosted by anti-vaxxer and conspiracy theorist Pete Evans.

Mr Morrison told the Parliament he made his position clear to Mr Kelly.

"It is true views expressed by the Member for Hughes do not align with my views, or the views of the advice that has been provided to me by the Chief Medical Officer," the Prime Minister said.

"Earlier today, the Member for Hughes and I discussed these matters, and I made it very clear that was the view of me as a Prime Minister and of course the views of the Government."

Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek, a former health minister, clashed with Mr Kelly earlier on Wednesday, accusing him of spreading harmful information.

"My Mum lives in your electorate and I don't want her exposed to people who are not going to be vaccinated because of these crazy conspiracy theories that you're spreading," Ms Plibersek said.

Mr Kelly, who represents a Sydney electorate next to Mr Morrison, defended his actions and said he wasn't anti-vaccination but instead raising the concerns of an immunologist.

But Mr Morrison told the Parliament he wanted Australians to follow the advice of the nation's medical authorities.

"Vaccination is critical, it is our primary responsibility this year as we continue to respond to the pandemic, and I welcome the statement, which was issued by the Member for Hughes following our meeting," he said.

"Our job is to get on with the job of the vaccine. The Therapeutic Goods Administration is the authoritative body not just in this country, but respected around the world."

Mr Kelly released a written statement after his meeting with Mr Morrison in which he said he supported the Government's vaccine rollout.

The Prime Minister addressed the matter, unprompted, after Question Time.

Just days earlier, speaking at the National Press Club, he refused to distance himself from Mr Kelly, insisting he was a very good Member for Hughes.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese said he was pleased Mr Morrison had made a "belated statement" to distance himself from Mr Kelly.

"I hope that today sees an end to the information or disinformation from the Member for Hughes," he told the Parliament.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-03/scott-morrison-distances-himself-from-craig-kelly-covid-vaccine/13117776

https://twitter.com/SabraLane/status/1356761321912430592

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12808137 (030635ZFEB21) Notable: Video: Craig Kelly puts the gag on … for now - Jack The Insider (Peter Hoysted) - theaustralian.com.au

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>>123254

Craig Kelly puts the gag on … for now

JACK THE INSIDER (Peter Hoysted) - FEBRUARY 3, 2021

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The irrepressible member for Hughes, Craig Kelly, has been repressed; gagged amid reports he had been given a dressing down by Prime Minister Scott Morrison in a 30-minute meeting in the PM’s office early on Wednesday.

The upshot is Kelly has agreed to stop posting COVID information on social media and stick to the government’s message on vaccines and treatments.

It will make for thin reading on Craig Kelly’s Facebook page.

The question is, why now? The colourful Kelly has been prosecuting his meme truth approach to all manner of social causes – climate change where he happily confuses climate with the weather, bushfire prevention and most frequently alternate treatments for Covid-19 which include an enduring advocacy for the anti-malarial drug, hydroxychloroquine, more recently supplemented with ivermectin, an anti-parasitic most commonly used in the treatment of scabies.

On one Facebook post, Kelly wrote that mask wearing for children “is causing massive physical and psychological harm that can only be defined as child abuse,” to the sounds of crickets from the government with tumbleweeds gently wafting from side to side in the background.

It all seemed to be part of the maverick MP’s routine, one if not admired then vaguely tolerated within the party room.

Speaking at the National Press Club on Monday, the Prime Minister fielded one question from the floor about Craig Kelly, responding with a smirk that “Craig Kelly is not my doctor and he’s not yours.”

While the member for Hughes might have the perfect build for a proctologist, he isn’t a doctor, of course, but his social media forays are widely read. Sifting through data early last year, it was determined Craig Kelly’s Facebook page had more hits than either Morrison’s or Albanese’s.

That gives the backbencher a lot more pull than your average workaday MP and given the numbers in the Lower House, with the government holding a majority of one, a certain laxity might be expected.

Prior to his entry into politics in 2010, Kelly worked for his parents as a salesman at their furniture business DV Kelly Pty Ltd. The firm imported Asian furniture and sold it to retailers, but financial troubles led the company to be wound up by the Australian Taxation Office in 2012, leaving creditors and employees owed over $4 million.

Kelly maintained he was not a director of the company but there were allegations that both he and his brother, Jason, had acted as ‘de facto’ directors. By then in the parliament, Kelly fended off these questions and ultimately the administrator and liquidator, Cor Cordis continued to sift through the wreckage.

It was onwards and upwards for Kelly who has managed to take a Liberal held marginal into more safe territory since his election 11 years ago.

A flip through Craig Kelly’s Facebook page shows the occasional mention of electoral events in the seat in Sydney’s south-west — the sort of guff one might see in almost any MPs social media posts, interspersed with dozens of others advocating for hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin for treatment of COVID-19.

There are doctors and many of them who agree with Kelly, at least in part. Immunologist Professor Robert Craig is also an advocate for ivermectin as a treatment for Covid-19 infection but not in the absence of a vaccine.

The fact remains there is currently no known published data from randomised, controlled clinical trials on the efficacy or safety of ivermectin for treatment of COVID-19, according to the US National Library of Medicine which publishes reports from clinical trials.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12808288 (030707ZFEB21) Notable: PDF: Ghislaine Maxwell gripes over prison conditions AGAIN, demanding she be granted access to her laptop because the computers inside the jail are 'very slow'

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Ghislaine Maxwell gripes over prison conditions AGAIN, demanding she be granted access to her laptop because the computers inside the jail are 'very slow'

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Ghislaine Maxwell has griped about her prison conditions once again in a new court filing demanding she be granted access to her laptop because the computers at the jail are 'very slow.'

The suspected child sex trafficker and former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein is being held without bail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, as she awaits trial.

Currently, Maxwell is allowed to use her laptop on weekdays only to review court material, and must resort to using the computers at the prison on holidays and weekends.

In a recent letter to the federal court obtained by DailyMail.com, attorney Bobbi Sternheim pushed back against the restriction, claiming the computers at the facility have made it difficult for Maxwell to view documents and properly prepare her for her defense.

The filing also claimed prison guards have 'psychologically and physically abused' Maxwell and that her complaints had been met with 'reprisals'.

Sternheim, who has represented death row inmates in the past, claimed Maxwell has been forced to use 'utterly inadequate' prison computers that allegedly can't read certain files and shut down every two hours.

'In addition, the power of the central processing unit of the MDC computer is very slow. Uploading videos can take up to a half hour, time that cannot be used to review other documents,' the letter stated.

'Hard drives provided by the government have been mishandled by MDC staff (dropped on the floor and slammed on a cart) causing them to become degraded and unstable and to randomly shut down.

'The time, resources and funds expended on problems caused by the electronic discovery and the computers is unnecessary, wasteful, and frustrating'.

Maxwell, 59, was arrested last July on sex trafficking charges and has remained jailed on grounds she might flee.

She has pleaded not guilty to recruiting three teenage girls, including a 14-year-old, for Epstein to sexually abuse from 1994 to 1997. The indictment alleged she sometimes joined in the abuse.

The dispute is the latest complaint about Maxwell's conditions inside the MDC, where attorneys have claimed she has been mistreated.

Sterneheim wrote that the laptop issue was far from the only problem Maxwell was having inside the prison.

'Other than calls with family or communication with counsel, Ms Maxwell has no human contact except with guards who wield power over her, overmanage her, and have psychologically and physically abused her,' the attorney wrote.

'And complaints regarding mistreatment by guards have led to reprisals against Ms Maxwell'.

No details about what the nature of the abuse or the reprisals was given, though Maxwell's lawyers have previously complained about her being searched with a flashlight every two hours.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12808388 (030724ZFEB21) Notable: Australian Federal Police statement on payments from the Vatican to Australia - "No criminal misconduct has been identified to date.", MISSING MEDIA/FILES: A_general_view_of_the_deserted_St_Peter_s_Square_on_Christmas_Day_amidst_the_coronavirus_disease_COVID_19_lockdown_at_the_Vatican_December_25_2020.jpg, AFP_statement_on_payments_from_the_Vatican_to_Australia.jpg

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Australian police say no criminal misconduct in Vatican funds transfer

Renju Jose - 3 February 2021

SYDNEY (Reuters) - There was no evidence of criminal misconduct in the transfer of an estimated to A$9.5 million ($7.23 million) from the Vatican to Australia between 2014 and 2020, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said on Wednesday.

Australia’s financial intelligence unit, AUSTRAC, last month reduced its estimate of money transfered from the Vatican to Australia from A$2.3 billion ($1.75 billion), citing a computer coding mistake.

“No criminal misconduct has been identified to date,” AFP said as it completed its analysis of the information provided by AUSTRAC about payments to Australia from the Vatican.

“If the AFP receives additional information from Australian or international partners it will be reviewed accordingly,” it said in a statement.

AUSTRAC’s original report about the fund transfer, which the Vatican said sounded like “science fiction”, saw some media reports speculate on possible money laundering.

Australian Cardinal George Pell, who was the Vatican’s treasurer from 2014 to 2017, had said he was relieved to hear billions of dollars were not laundered through the Vatican when he was head of the Secretariat for the Economy.

Pell, who is now in Rome, returned to his native Australia in 2017 to face charges of historical sexual abuse and spent 404 days in jail before his conviction was overturned last April.

($1 = 1.3141 Australian dollars)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vatican-australia-funds/australian-police-say-no-criminal-misconduct-in-vatican-funds-transfer-idUSKBN2A307D

—

AFP statement on payments from the Vatican to Australia

Wednesday, 3 February 2021

The AFP has completed analysis of the financial intelligence provided by AUSTRAC in relation to payments from the Vatican to Australia.

No criminal misconduct has been identified to date.

If the AFP receives additional information from Australian or international partners it will be reviewed accordingly.

https://www.afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/afp-statement-payments-vatican-australia

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12811076 (031711ZFEB21) Notable: Victoria returns to harsher COVID-19 restrictions after hotel quarantine worker tests positive, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Premier_Daniel_Andrews_gives_an_update_on_a_hotel_quarantine_worker_who_has_tested_positive_for_COVID_19.jpg, VicGovDH_1.jpg

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Victoria returns to harsher COVID-19 restrictions after hotel quarantine worker tests positive

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Victoria will return to harsher COVID-19 restrictions and up to 600 Australian Open players, officials and support staff have been told to isolate and get tested after a hotel quarantine worker tested positive to coronavirus on Wednesday.

Premier Daniel Andrews said in a late-night press conference on Wednesday that the state would return to mandatory masks indoors, would reintroduce caps on gatherings to 15 people in a household and would pause the 75 per cent return to work, scheduled to begin on Monday.

The case brings an end to the state’s 28-day run of zero community transmission.

“We have to assume that this person has infected others,” Mr Andrews said.

“All of us across this state, having been through everything we’ve been through, having been as a community so united, and had that real sense of purpose to this thing. I’m confident that we all know what we have to do.”

In a statement issued late on Wednesday night, the Health Department said the individual last worked at the Grand Hyatt on January 29 and was tested at the end of their shift, returning a negative result.

Subsequently, the worker developed symptoms and was tested again on February 2. He returned a positive result late on Wednesday.

Mr Andrews said the infected person was a CFA volunteer and had attended at least one other CFA function.

Exposure sites also include Club Noble in Noble Park, Northpoint Café in Brighton, Kmart Keysborough and Brandon Park, Coles Springvale, Bunnings Springvale and Melbourne Golf Academy in Heatherton.

The Grand Hyatt was one of three main quarantine hotels used by players and personnel arriving for the Australian Open. Most players were released from quarantine on January 29 and 30.

The health department said it had contacted all Australian Open players, officials and support staff who were staying at the Grand Hyatt from January 29 to February 2.

“They are considered casual contacts. They must immediately isolate and get tested,” the department said.

Mr Andrews said up to 600 tennis players and officials associated with the Australian Open could be considered close contacts.

“They will be isolating until they get a negative test, and that work will be done tomorrow,” he said.

“So may have an impact on tomorrow’s play in the lead-up event. But, at this stage, there’s no impact to the tournament.”

Tennis Australia said late on Wednesday night it would not be providing any updates yet about the changing situation regarding the competition.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12815543 (040230ZFEB21) Notable: Video: Prime Minister Scott Morrison in talks with Google boss Sundar Pichai following tech giant’s threat to shut down search in Australia

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison in talks with Google boss Sundar Pichai

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has held a meeting with global Google chief Sundar Pichai following the tech giant’s threat to shut down search in Australia if proposed media compensation laws come into effect.

Mr Morrison was joined in the online meeting on Thursday morning by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who is leading the government’s push to force Google and Facebook to pay news publishers for using their content on their platforms.

The meeting comes after rival Microsoft declared its support for the proposed laws on Wednesday and pledged to invest in its search engine Bing to fill the void in the event Google exited the market.

Microsoft president Brad Smith said he and global chief executive, Satya Nadella, had met with Mr Morrison last week to inform him the company “fully supported” the news media bargaining code.

“We are comfortable with a model that, frankly, reduces the revenue that is coming to the search service and increases the revenue that is going to news publishers,” Mr Smith told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

Microsoft is not currently subject to the proposed code, which will force Google and Facebook into binding commercial agreements to pay Australian news providers for the ability to display news content in newsfeeds and search results.

But Mr Smith said the company would be prepared to sign up to the code if required and was prepared to pay publishers.

The Morrison government has been locked in a battle of brinkmanship with the platforms since unveiling the code on December 8. A final vote on the code is expected early this year after a Senate committee examining the laws delivers its report on February 12.

Both Google and Facebook say the code is “unworkable” in its current form. Google has threatened to turn off its search engine in Australia if the proposed code becomes law, while Facebook has said it would be forced to remove news articles from its main app.

Australia’s largest media companies such as Nine Entertainment Co, owner of this masthead, and News Corp are urging the government to pass the laws.

Mr Frydenberg also revealed this week that he had been contacted by Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg to discuss concerns about the code.

“Mark Zuckerberg did not convince me to back down,” Mr Frydenberg told the ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday.

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/prime-minister-scott-morrison-in-talks-with-google-boss-sundar-pichai-20210204-p56zfw.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12816083 (040322ZFEB21) Notable: UN should be given immediate access to Uighurs: Foreign Minister Marise Payne

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UN should be given immediate access to Uighurs: Payne

Anthony Galloway and Eryk Bagshaw - February 4, 2021

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

Foreign Minister Marise Payne says reports of systematic torture and abuse of women in the Chinese province of Xinjiang are “deeply disturbing” as the Chinese government claims they are fabricated.

The rare testimony, aired by the BBC on Wednesday, included first-hand accounts of rape, sexual abuse and torture in Uighur detention camps in China.

An estimated 1 million Uighurs, a mostly Muslim Turkic minority group, have been held in what the Chinese government claims are “re-education camps” over the past decade. The Communist Party has claimed the facilities, which are heavily fortified, are necessary to combat terrorism after isolated acts of violence occurred between 2011 and 2014.

Senator Payne said Australia had been consistent in raising its “significant concerns with the human rights abuses in Xinjiang”.

“These latest reports of systematic torture and abuse of women are deeply disturbing and raise serious questions regarding the treatment of Uighurs and other religious and ethnic minorities in Xinjiang,” she said.

“We consider transparency to be of utmost importance and continue to urge China to allow international observers, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, to be given immediate, meaningful and unfettered access to Xinjiang at the earliest opportunity.”

Australia has previously raised reports of arbitrary detention, restrictions on freedom of religion or belief, pervasive surveillance and forced labour both in bilateral discussions with China and at the United Nations.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, on Thursday night said the claims raised in the BBC report had no “factual basis at all”.

The report included on-the-record testimony from former inmates and an anonymous guard who had his details verified by the BBC. This masthead was not able to independently corroborate the claims made in the report but the BBC’s investigation found the travel histories, maps and camps matched the identification of the guards and detainees.

One Uighur woman, Tursunay Ziawudun, who spent nine months in detention and now lives in the US, said she was raped by groups of masked Chinese men and had an electrified stick inserted into her. Another, Qelbinur Sedik, an Uzbek woman who was a Chinese language teacher at one of the camps, said there were “four kinds of electric shock” — “the chair, the glove, the helmet, and anal rape with a stick”.

The guard said detainees who failed loyalty tests would be subject to increasingly severe punishments including food deprivation and beatings.

Mr Wang did not address the allegations of torture and rape specifically. He accused the women of being actors spreading false information but did not provide evidence for his claim.

“I want to say that this is not the first time that the BBC has made some false reports on Xinjiang, and each time we refuted false claim and cleared out the situation,” he said.

“I must stress that so far, the Chinese side has published eight Xinjiang-related white papers, and the government of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region has held more than 20 press conferences, showing with detailed figures and examples that people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang live in peace and contentment, unity and harmony, and that all their legal rights are effectively guaranteed.”

Mr Wang also pointed to a 2019 letter from more than 50 countries to the UN Human Rights Council commending China’s counter-terrorism and de-radialisation efforts and protection of human rights.

The letter was signed by ambassadors from China’s economic partners including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Cuba, Algeria, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Nigeria, Angola, Togo, Tajikistan and the Philippines among others.

Labor’s foreign affairs spokeswoman, Penny Wong, said “anyone reading these women’s testimonies would be disgusted by what they were subjected to”.

“This evidence is counter to China’s international human rights obligations and is not consistent with the behaviour of a respected and responsible international power,” she said.

1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) provides confidential sexual assault counselling

https://www.1800respect.org.au

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/un-should-be-given-immediate-access-to-uighurs-payne-20210204-p56zgp.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12816920 (040438ZFEB21) Notable: Australian Federal Police Tweet: In 2020, the AFP dismantled crime syndicates, unravelled paedophile networks and seized a record amount of illicit drugs

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Australian Federal Police Tweet

In 2020, the AFP dismantled crime syndicates, unravelled paedophile networks and seized a record amount of illicit drugs.

This year, we will continue to be a step ahead and outsmart criminal activity with intelligent action.

https://twitter.com/AusFedPolice/status/1356417312857837568

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12817159 (040500ZFEB21) Notable: Biden keen to visit Australia, spoke to Morrison about emissions reduction - Rob Harris - smh.com.au

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>>123266

Biden keen to visit Australia, spoke to Morrison about emissions reduction

Rob Harris - February 4, 2021

US President Joe Biden has told Scott Morrison he is enthusiastic to visit Australia in his new job in a phone call between the two leaders on Thursday morning, in which the pair talked about reducing global emissions.

Less than two weeks after taking office, Mr Biden told the Australian prime minister it would be a “high priority” for his administration to work with allies and partners within the Indo-Pacific region.

Mr Morrison, who was criticised for being overly close to Mr Biden’s predecessor Donald Trump, said the conversation was “very warm” and there was “nothing to fix” in the relationship between the two nations.

“He said to me again today, he sees the Australia-US relationship as providing the anchor for peace and security in our region,” Mr Morrison told reporters in the prime ministerial courtyard on Thursday.

“And that is true. We share that view. In terms of our relations between Australia and the United States, there’s nothing to fix here, only things to build on.

“We do our share of the heavy lifting in this relationship, and that is absolutely respected by the President and appreciated.”

Mr Biden’s rise to power is poised to add momentum towards a pact from the world’s leading economies to aim for net zero emissions by 2050.

Mr Morrison said the pair canvassed the issue, reaffirming that both countries wanted to achieve a net-zero pathway through technology.

He said cooperation between countries was needed to achieve that and that had already begun from discussions between the US special climate envoy John Kerry and federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor.

“We’re very keen on pursuing that relationship and the technology partnership,” Mr Morrison said.

“Our goal is global emissions, not just emissions in some country. Global emissions reduction. And that is how you solve the problem.”

Mr Morrison reminded Mr Biden of a standing invitation to visit Australia this year for the 70th anniversary of the ANZUS alliance in September of this year.

The Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty, known as Anzus, is a 1951 collective security non-binding agreement between Australia and New Zealand and, separately, Australia and the US, to co-operate on military matters in the Pacific Ocean region.

“He told me he needs no special reason to come to Australia, he loves the place,” Mr Morrison said. “They would very much like to be in Australia at some point, and we’ll see how that progresses.”

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/biden-keen-to-visit-australia-spoke-to-morrison-about-emissions-reduction-20210204-p56zka.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12817974 (040646ZFEB21) Notable: Coalition deletes references to rising far-right extremism in Senate motion, references to far-left anarchism and communism added, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: File_photo_of_a_rightwing_protest_in_Melbourne_Coalition_senators_have_rewritten_a_motion_deleting_references_to_a_significant_increase_in_far_right_extremism_.jpg, Dozens_of_neo_Nazi_organisations_and_so_called_patriot_groups_remain_active_in_Australia_despite_growing_warnings_by_intelligence_agencies.jpg

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Coalition deletes references to rising far-right extremism in Senate motion

Bill condemning extremism passes only after references to Craig Kelly and George Christensen were removed and far-left anarchism and communism added

Paul Karp - 4 Feb 2021

1/2

Labor has accused the government of seeking to “downplay and dismiss” the threat of rightwing extremism in contradiction of national security advice, after the immigration minister, Alex Hawke, denied extremism is on the rise in Australia.

Hawke made the comments on Sky News on Thursday morning, and was backed by his Senate colleagues who rewrote a motion deleting references to a “significant increase in far-right extremism” in Australia.

Labor had moved a Senate motion seeking to condemn far-right extremism, including claims about voter fraud in the US election and the cause of the Capitol insurrection promoted by Liberal MP Craig Kelly and National MP George Christensen.

The motion passed on Thursday, but only after references to Kelly and Christensen were removed, and condemnation of far-left extremism, communism, anarchism and violence generally were added.

In the wake of the Christchurch massacre, Australia’s spy agency Asio has been blunt about the risk from far-right terrorism, labelling it an “enduring threat” that is “real and growing”. It estimates that far-right violent extremism now constitutes up to 40% of its counter-terrorism priority caseload.

Commenting on the Scanlon report, which found rising complaints of racism, particularly among Chinese-Australians, Hawke said “the government rejects [shadow home affairs minister Kristina] Keneally’s thesis, that there is rising extremism in Australia”.

“It is extreme elements, fringe elements, in Australia that need tackling, they are being tackled,” he told Sky News. “What we have here is increased social cohesion, not increasing extremism.”

The comments echo home affairs minister Peter Dutton’s attempts in February 2020 to blunt warnings about far-right extremism by warning of “leftwing terrorism”, which he falsely claimed included Islamist groups.

In the Senate, Labor moved to condemn rightwing extremism, including the National Socialist Network, an Australian neo-Nazi organisation that “caused fear” in the Grampians on Australia Day and International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The draft motion also condemned Kelly and Christensen for “promotion of a range of conspiracy theories and misinformation campaigns relating to Covid-19, climate change, voter fraud, and false-flag operations in the United States”.

Kelly and Christensen deny promoting misinformation and conspiracy theories, although both have questioned the election of US president Joe Biden by claiming he may have benefited from “dodgy” votes and argued that far-left Antifa members may have been present in the US Capitol insurrection.

Kelly has promoted unproven treatments for Covid-19, and was backed by Christensen on free speech grounds, before the prime minister, Scott Morrison, urged him to stop undermining the government’s vaccination messaging.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12827876 (050608ZFEB21) Notable: Chilling image of Jeffrey Epstein hugging a child on his ‘Lolita Express’ jet emerges, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Jeffrey_Epstein_cuddles_a_sleeping_child_on_his_private_jet_dubbed_the_Lolita_Express_2.jpg, Ghislaine_Maxwell_has_been_accused_of_acting_as_Epstein_s_scout_.jpg, Jeffrey_Epstein_used_his_private_plane_dubbed_the_Lolita_Express_to_ferry_sex_trafficking_victims_between_his_residences_investigators_say.jpg

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>>123274

Chilling image of Jeffrey Epstein hugging a child on his ‘Lolita Express’ jet emerges

Magda Ibrahim, The Sun - FEBRUARY 5, 2021

New images have emerged showing paedophile Jeffrey Epstein cuddling a sleeping young girl on his private jet in 2004.

The recently emerged pictures show Epstein reclining in a large brown leather plane seat. The girl is on Epstein’s lap, his arms wrapped around her while she sleeps following an outing at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

There is no suggestion the unidentified girl in the picture was one of Epstein’s victims, and her identity remains anonymous.

A source who was on the trip say they were horrified at seeing the previously-unseen images of Epstein at the theme park.

“There is no doubt that picture is absolutely chilling based upon what everyone now knows about Epstein,” said the source.

“It had been a long day and the girl just fell asleep in his arms. The picture is terrifying based upon what we know now but it was entirely innocent.”

The twisted paedophile – who was found dead in jail in August 2019 – can be seen with his head turned towards the girl as she sleeps, seemingly staring at her, with one arm draped across her bare legs.

Other images from the trip show the depraved financier eating lunch in a restaurant at the resort, surrounded by unsuspecting families.

In two of the pictures, he can be seen chatting with a young girl, who is sitting on an adult’s lap next to Epstein.

Epstein had organised the no-expenses spared outing for a group of 10 guests, including now-jailed girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.

Epstein’s carefully-crafted luxurious and glamorous life began to unravel in 2008 when he pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution and served 13 months in jail.

In July 2019 he was busted over the alleged sexual abuse of dozens of young girls in his Upper East Side townhouse and his waterfront mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, between 2002 and 2005.

Court documents alleged at least 40 underage girls were brought to Epstein’s mansion for sexual encounters.

The new pictures from 2004 were taken at the height of the alleged underage sexual abuse at his homes.

Prosecutors had alleged that Epstein used his private planes – including the Boeing 727 dubbed the ‘Lolita Express’ – to transport his sex trafficking victims between his residences and locations including New Mexico, Paris and the US Virgin Islands.

The source revealed how Epstein spared no expense for the Disney World trip.

“We all boarded the jet after leaving his home in Palm Beach and then we took the short plane ride to Orlando where we were picked up and taken to Disney World,” they said.

“We were given a VIP tour of the park and someone was escorting us around from ride to ride. The group never had to be in line for a ride – we went to the front of the line each time.”

The group ate in a restaurant with two of Epstein’s associates they had met at the park and stayed “until late in the evening” watching the Disney parade, a water show and fireworks.

“After a long day we boarded the plane in Orlando and went back to Palm Beach,” added the source. “That was when the little girl fell asleep on his knee.

“It is so sinister to see him there nursing the youngster when the world now knows his terrible secrets and crimes.”

Other guests included Ghislaine Maxwell, his personal assistant Sarah Kellen and Slovakian model Nadia Marcinkova, the source said.

The latest pictures come as jailed former girlfriend Maxwell has demanded her own personal laptop, while moaning prison computers are too slow.

The 59-year-old has been held in the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York since last year on charges of conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse girls.

This story originally appeared in The Sun and is reproduced here with permission

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/chilling-image-of-jeffrey-epstein-hugging-a-child-on-his-lolita-express-jet-emerges/news-story/e0b33814fba701344f179828596d9c5b

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12827891 (050609ZFEB21) Notable: Never-before-seen photos show pedophile Jeffrey Epstein cuddling a sleeping young girl on his lap on board his private jet after spending a day at Disney World with unsuspecting families, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Never_before_seen_photos_show_Jeffrey_Epstein_cuddling_a_sleeping_young_girl_on_his_private_jet_in_2004.jpg, Other_images_show_how_families_were_oblivious_to_the_rich_and_powerful_businessman_who_was_dining_in_their_midst_as_costume_character_Tigger_is_seen_in_the_background_greeting_guests.jpg, In_one_photograph_Epstein_is_seen_talking_to_the_same_little_girl_while_Disney_character_Piglet_poses_with_the_group_for_a_photograph.jpg, A_source_who_was_on_the_trip_to_Disney_World_tells_DailyMail_com_of_their_horror_at_finding_the_images_of_Epstein_at_the_theme_park_around_2004.jpg, Guests_included_Ghislaine_Maxwell_his_personal_assistant_Sarah_Kellen.jpg

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>>123274

EXCLUSIVE: Never-before-seen photos show pedophile Jeffrey Epstein cuddling a sleeping young girl on his lap on board his private jet after spending a day at Disney World with unsuspecting families

KAYLA BRANTLEY - 3 February 2021

Jeffrey Epstein is seen cuddling a sleeping young girl on his lap while on board his private jet after a VIP visit to Walt Disney World, in disturbing photos obtained by DailyMail.com

The haunting images of the pedophile financier at 30,000ft provide a chilling look at the billionaire's unrestricted access to young girls.

Epstein is seen slumped back in a leather seat and looks at the girl while his arm is wrapped around her back and the other over her bare leg. She sleeps soundly following a long day at the Florida theme park with his girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.

There is no suggestion that the unidentified girl in the photograph was a victim of Epstein and her identity has remained anonymous.

Other shocking images show the disgraced financier enjoying himself at the resort and eating lunch surrounded by unsuspecting families at The Crystal Palace buffet restaurant in the Magic Kingdom.

In one picture, Epstein is seen talking to the same little girl while in another photo Disney character Piglet posing with the group.

Other images show how families were oblivious to the rich and powerful businessman who was dining in their midst as costume character Tigger also greeted guests.

A source who was on the trip to Disney World tells DailyMail.com of their horror at discovering the tucked away images of Epstein at the theme park around 2004.

It wasn't until 2008 that Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution and served just 13 months in jail. And then in July 2019 he was arrested on sex trafficking charges, but killed himself in prison a month later while awaiting trial.

'There is no doubt that picture is absolutely chilling based upon what everyone now knows about Epstein,' they said.

'It had been a long day and the girl just fell asleep in his arms. The picture is terrifying based upon what we know now but it was entirely innocent.'

The insider told how Epstein spared no expense for the trip and flew a group of ten people for the trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida on his dime.

Other guests included Ghislaine Maxwell, his personal assistant Sarah Kellen and Slovakian model Nadia Marcinkova, the source said.

'We all boarded the jet after leaving his home in Palm Beach and then we took the short plane ride to Orlando where we were picked up and taken to Disney World,' the insider revealed.

'We were given a VIP tour of the park and someone was escorting us around from ride to ride,' they said. 'The group never had to be in line for a ride – we went to the front of the line each time.

'Jeffrey wouldn't go on any though. He didn't seem to like them. Perhaps it was something to do with not being in control, something which he liked to be all the time.

'It was a fun day. We ate in a restaurant with two of Jeffrey's friends who he met there. Jeffrey however did not eat lunch. I hardly ever saw him eat at a restaurant. Food always had to be prepared by a personal chef.

'That could be to do with his obsession with cleanliness or maybe a health thing.

'The day was actually very enjoyable and we stayed until late in the evening when we watched the parade, a water show and fireworks.

'After a long day we boarded the plane in Orlando and went back to Palm Beach. That was when the little girl fell asleep on his knee.

'It is so sinister to see him there nursing the youngster when the world now knows his terrible secrets and crimes.'

Meanwhile, Epstein's alleged madam Ghislaine Maxwell has griped about her prison conditions once again, in a new court filing demanding she be granted access to her laptop because the computers inside the jail are 'very slow.'

The suspected child sex trafficker and former girlfriend of Epstein is currently being held without bail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, as she awaits trial.

In a letter to the federal court obtained by DailyMail.com Tuesday, attorney Bobbi Sternheim pushed back against the decision to block Maxwell from accessing her computer outside of the working week.

The filing also claimed prison guards have 'psychologically and physically abused' Maxwell and that her complaints had been met with 'reprisals'.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9215741/Never-seen-photos-Jeffrey-Epstein-cuddling-sleeping-young-girl.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12827904 (050611ZFEB21) Notable: Marlon Ettinger Tweet: For those unfamiliar with the Dubins, Eva was one of Jeffrey's ex-girlfriends. Her and Glenn let Jeffrey be the godfather of their daughter, and Eva wrote this creepy letter to Epstein's probation officer vouching for Jeffrey's character., MISSING MEDIA/FILES: VRG_92.jpg, Eha7NsyX0AQfzvS.jpg, Eha7NtAWAAEEcJJ.jpg

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>>123274

Virginia Roberts Giuffre Tweet

They’re pure evil, they went as far as grooming their eldest daughter for Epstein. Who lets their 6/7 yr old daughter get a naked massage on Uncle Epstein’s balcony. They were the tester couple to see how far they could push a girl & the “get rid” of couple. Investigators? #Help

https://twitter.com/VRSVirginia/status/1303435829080018945

—

Marlon Ettinger @MarlonEttinger

For those unfamiliar with the Dubins, Eva was one of Jeffrey's ex-girlfriends. Her and Glenn let Jeffrey be the godfather of their daughter, and Eva wrote this creepy letter to Epstein's probation officer vouching for Jeffrey's character.

https://twitter.com/MarlonEttinger/status/1303435000973529100

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12827921 (050614ZFEB21) Notable: Virginia Roberts Giuffre Tweet: I don’t care how good they want to make themselves look or what “evidence” they have- it’s BS!! Glen abused me at the Breakers in Florida and they were around so much I got to know the kids- that we’re being groomed, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: VRG_93.jpg, LizzBizzy_1.jpg, VRG_94.jpg, VRG_95.jpg

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>>123274

Virginia Roberts Giuffre Tweets

Not only were they my “Tester” couple but Eva who laid in bed heavily pregnant in the next room knew exactly what her husband was doing with me. She was Epstein’s 1st madam- they go way way back, all will be revealed in good time. #TruthMatters #bebold #EnoughIsEnough #woke

https://twitter.com/Psalm82_3/status/1225671526189416454

https://twitter.com/VRSVirginia/status/1225673110260568064

—

Lizzy Bizzy @LizzBizzy

These people connected to Epstein, probably trade their very own chrildren to each other like sexual trading cards. Glenn Dubin, Eva Dubin trafficked @VRSVirginia for sex all brought to you by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell and their financial backers.

https://twitter.com/LizzBizzy/status/1225678194365218822

—

I gotta say your pretty damn warm- google Dubin’s eldest daughter whom she called “Uncle Jeff”- she was just a kid and call it grooming or normalising. I call it sick and depraved. They do not deserve to be parents, they deserve to be in jail. #LockThemAllUp #EnoughIsEnough #Evil

https://twitter.com/VRSVirginia/status/1225680596401176577

—

I don’t care how good they want to make themselves look or what “evidence” they have- it’s BS!! Glen abused me at the Breakers in Florida and they were around so much I got to know the kids- that we’re being groomed. Horrible ppl with lots of skeletons in their closet. #KidsToo

https://twitter.com/VRSVirginia/status/1303438968852160514

For Billionaire Glenn Dubin, the Epstein Saga Isn’t Over

Jeffrey Epstein is dead, but there are still questions about his ties to hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin and his wife, Eva Andersson-Dubin.

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/09/glenn-dubin-epstein-questions

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12827951 (050621ZFEB21) Notable: Epstein prosecutors ask hedge-fund billionaire Glenn Dubin to hand over any docs showing communication between his three kids and the pedophile financier - who wanted to marry his 19-year-old daughter, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Jeffrey_Epstein_prosecutors_have_asked_hedge_fund_billionaire_Glenn_Dubin_to_hand_over_any_documents_that_show_communication_between_the_late_pedophile_and_his_three_children.jpg, Dubin_63_and_his_wife_Eva_Andersson_Dubin_59_have_long_been_connected_to_Epstein.jpg, Epstein_said_he_wanted_Celina_to_inherit_some_of_his_reputed_500_million_fortune_including_his_private_island_and_marriage_would_help_avoid_inheritance_taxes.jpg, Officials_in_the_US_Virgin_Islands_where_Epstein_owned_a_private_island_filed_a_subpoena_in_September.jpg, After_Epstein_pleaded_guilty_in_2008_to_soliciting_a_child_for_prostitution_the_Dubins_wrote_an_email_to_his_probation_officer_saying_they_were_100_comfortable_with_Epstein_interacting_with_Celina.jpg

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>>123274

Epstein prosecutors ask hedge-fund billionaire Glenn Dubin to hand over any docs showing communication between his three kids and the pedophile financier - who wanted to marry his 19-year-old daughter

CHEYENNE ROUNDTREE - 24 November 2020

1/2

Jeffrey Epstein prosecutors have asked hedge-fund billionaire Glenn Dubin to hand over any documents that show communication between the late pedophile and his three children, according to newly released court papers.

Officials in the US Virgin Islands - where Epstein owned a private island - filed a subpoena in September, seeking 'all documents and communications related to any of your three children, Maye, Celina or Jordan, which also relate in any way to Jeffrey Epstein or any Epstein entity.'

Dubin, 63, and his wife Eva Andersson-Dubin, 59, have long been connected to Epstein, with Eva dating Epstein in the 1980s for 11 years.

The couple remained staunch friends of the convicted pedophile throughout the years, and were regulars at his home in New York City and Palm Beach, Florida.

They were so close that Epstein told associates in 2014 that if he was ever to get married, it would have been to the couple's daughter Celina, who was 19 years old at the time and called him 'Uncle Jeff', according to Business Insider.

Epstein said he wanted Celina to inherit some of his reputed $500 million fortune, including his private island, and marriage would help avoid inheritance taxes.

There is no evidence that Epstein ever had a romantic relationship with Celina.

In 2014, Epstein named Celina as a beneficiary to his trust, but she was removed in 2015 before the Dubin family was aware that she was listed. A source familiar with Epstein's finances said the trust amounted to around $50 million in 2019.

Last August, it was revealed that the Dubin family was financially, philanthropically and socially tied to Epstein for decades before his death.

After Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting a child for prostitution, the Dubins wrote an email to his probation officer saying they were '100% comfortable' with Epstein interacting with Celina, who was then 14 years old.

'I could not ask for a better friend or godfather to my children,' Eva wrote.

However, the family appeared to publicly distance themselves from Epstein after his arrest in July 2019.

Davidson Goldin, the Dubin family spokesperson, echoed the sentiment in a statement.

'Glenn saw him perhaps once a year in large group settings and had no business interactions with him whatsoever after 2007. Eva and Celina Dubin accepted less than a handful of invitations to gatherings that included the founder of Microsoft and a DNA pioneer.'

'The Dubins are horrified by Jeffrey Epstein's despicable conduct. Had they been aware of it, they would have cut off all ties instantly,' he said.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12827973 (050625ZFEB21) Notable: (2019) Jeffrey Epstein wanted to marry ex-girlfriend’s teenage daughter who called him ‘Uncle Jeff’

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>>123274

>>123278

Jeffrey Epstein wanted to marry ex-girlfriend’s teenage daughter who called him ‘Uncle Jeff’

Lee Brown - December 18, 2019

Jeffrey Epstein once wanted to marry an ex-girlfriend’s teenage daughter who called him “Uncle Jeff,” according to a report.

The late pedophile openly declared his plans to wed Celina Dubin, the daughter of former Miss Sweden Eva Andersson Dubin, who had dated Epstein for 11 years until the early ’90s, sources told Business Insider.

The pair had developed an “especially close relationship” when Celina was just 12, with “Uncle Jeff” at times having “substituted” for her dad, the Palm Beach Post has previously reported, citing a profile made by Epstein’s lawyers.

Epstein was telling associates in 2014 that if he ever married, it would be to Celina — who was 19 at the time, sources told Business Insider.

There is no evidence that Epstein ever had a romantic relationship with Dubin, who is now 24, the site reported, saying his motivation to marry may have been driven by a desire to avoid inheritance taxes.

However, her father, moneyman Glenn Dubin, has long been tied to the Epstein scandal — with longtime accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre naming him in court documents as one of many men she alleges she was forced to have sex with.

He has previously “categorically” denied the allegations through a spokesman, who said he has “evidence disproving them.”

The Dubins, prominent socialites in Epstein’s main hangouts of New York City and Palm Beach, Florida, also defended him when he was released from a Florida jail in 2009 on his earlier child sex conviction, Business Insider previously revealed.

The couple wrote an email to his probation officer saying they were “100% comfortable” with Epstein spending time with Celina, who was then 14, and their two other minor children, Business Insider said.

“I could not ask for a better friend or godfather to my children,” Eva Dubin wrote of her ex, who also spent Thanksgiving at their Florida home the year after his release, the report said.

Eva Dubin had been 20 when she met Epstein in about 1981, and their 11 years together made her his longest-time girlfriend, the report said. They split before the former beauty queen married hedge-funder Glenn Dubin in 1994 and they had three children together.

Their daughter Celina is at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and had been named one of the “15 Hottest Freshmen” by the Harvard Crimson in 2014, three years before she graduated from the university.

Epstein had wanted the then-teen to inherit his fortune — including his private island in the Caribbean — so that he could avoid inheritance taxes, an associate told Business Insider.

He even made her the beneficiary of a trust in 2014, removing her name the following year, the publication said, citing financial documents provided by a second source. That trust now has $50 million in it, the report says, noting it was unclear if Celina ever benefited before her name was removed.

The Dubins distanced themselves from the now-notorious pedophile in a statement to Business Insider.

“Glenn saw him perhaps once a year in large group settings and had no business interactions with him whatsoever after 2007,” Dubin family spokesman Davidson Goldin told the publication.

“Eva and Celina Dubin accepted less than a handful of invitations to gatherings that included the founder of Microsoft and a DNA pioneer.

“The Dubins are horrified by Jeffrey Epstein’s despicable conduct. Had they been aware of it, they would have cut off all ties instantly,” the spokesman insisted.

https://nypost.com/2019/12/18/jeffrey-epstein-wanted-to-marry-ex-girlfriends-teenage-daughter-who-called-him-uncle-jeff/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12827982 (050628ZFEB21) Notable: (2019) Paedophile Jeffrey Epstein 'wanted to marry the 24-year-old daughter of ex-girlfriend who called him "Uncle Jeff" so she could inherit his $50million trust', MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Jeffrey_Epstein_reportedly_considered_marrying_Celina_Dubin.jpg, Jeffrey_Epstein_reportedly_considered_marrying_Celina_Dubin_so_he_could_give_her_a_50million_trust_and_would_be_able_to_avoid_inheritance_taxes.jpg, Celina_Dublin_now_24_right_is_the_daughter_of_physician_and_former_Miss_Sweden_Eva_Andersson_Dubin_left_and_the_billionaire_hedge_fund_manager_Glenn_Dubin.jpg

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>>123274

>>123278

Paedophile Jeffrey Epstein 'wanted to marry the 24-year-old daughter of ex-girlfriend who called him "Uncle Jeff" so she could inherit his $50million trust'

LAUREN EDMONDS - 18 December 2019

1/2

Jeffrey Epstein reportedly told associates that he considered marrying the younger daughter of his ex-girlfriend.

Celina Dublin, now 24, is the daughter of physician and former Miss Sweden Eva Andersson Dubin, and the billionaire hedge-fund manager Glenn Dubin.

Eva Andersson Dubin started dating Epstein in the 1980s for 11 years before she married Glenn Dubin in 1994.

Business Insider reports that as recently as 2014, Epstein told associates that if he was ever to get married, it would have been to Celina Dubin, who was 19-years-old at the time and once called him 'Uncle Jeff.'

There is no evidence that Epstein ever had a romantic relationship with Celina, but it's implied that the union would have been for financial reasons.

Epstein said he wanted Celina to inherit some of his reputed $500 million fortune, including his private island in the Caribbean, and marriage would help avoid inheritance taxes.

That year, Epstein named Celina as a beneficiary, but she was removed in 2015 before the Dubin family was aware that she was listed.

A source familiar with Epstein's finances said it amounted to around $50million in 2019.

In August, it was revealed that the Dubin family was financially, philanthropically and socially tied to Epstein for decades before his death.

After Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting a child for prostitution, the Dubins' wrote an email to his probation officer saying they were '100% comfortable' with Epstein interacting with Celina.

However, the family appeared to publicly distance themselves from Epstein after his arrest in July this year.

Davidson Goldin, the Dubin family spokesperson, echoed the sentiment in a statement.

'Glenn saw him perhaps once a year in large group settings and had no business interactions with him whatsoever after 2007. Eva and Celina Dubin accepted less than a handful of invitations to gatherings that included the founder of Microsoft and a DNA pioneer.'

'The Dubins are horrified by Jeffrey Epstein's despicable conduct. Had they been aware of it, they would have cut off all ties instantly,' he said.

Epstein created the irrevocable trust in 2004 and transferred the money to Deutsche Bank, along with other entities, in 2013.

The $50million trust accounted for close to 10 percent of the total value of Epstein's declared wealth, according to sources.

The trust, and other similar ones, appear to have been partially used to manage payments to women in Epstein's circle.

The trust named six people as beneficiaries, including three female associates of Epstein who were listed in the trust document as residing at his Upper East Side home.

Two of Epstein's longtime lawyers, Richard Kahn and Darren Indyke, were also named as beneficiaries and their names were on several documents relating to Epstein's enterprises.

Epstein allegedly used various trusts to facilitate money to different women in his life, including women who have publicly been identified as victims and co-conspirators of his sex trafficking.

Deutsche Bank said in a statement: 'Deutsche Bank is closely examining any relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, and we are absolutely committed to cooperating with all relevant authorities.'

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12827998 (050632ZFEB21) Notable: (2019) Butler who worked for billionaire couple friendly with Jeffrey Epstein says he met 15-year-old Swedish girl who was pedophile's 'sex slave' while she was 'held hostage on his island', MISSING MEDIA/FILES: A_butler_who_worked_for_hedge_fund_billionaire_Glenn_Dubin_and_his_wife_Dr_Eva_Andersson_Dubin_testified_in_court_that_Maxwell_once_brought_a_15_year_old_Swedish_girl_to_the_Dubins_house.jpg, Maxwell_left_and_Eva_Anderson_Dubin_attend_an_event_in_New_York_City_in_October_2005.jpg

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>>123274

>>123279

Butler who worked for billionaire couple friendly with Jeffrey Epstein says he met 15-year-old Swedish girl who was pedophile's 'sex slave' while she was 'held hostage on his island'

ARIEL ZILBER - 10 August 2019

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A 15-year-old Swedish girl was allegedly confined to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s private island and kept there as a sex slave, it has been claimed in newly unsealed court documents.

The horrific allegations were made by a butler who worked for hedge fund billionaire Glenn Dubin and his wife, Eva Andersson-Dubin.

During a 2016 deposition which was revealed publicly for the first time on Friday, the butler, Rinaldo Rizzo, tearfully described seeing a 15-year-old girl in his boss’s kitchen in 2005.

Rizzo testified in his deposition that the girl was brought to the home by Maxwell and Epstein, who were visiting the Dubins.

Andersson-Dubin, a former Miss Sweden, once dated Epstein.

The butler said that the girl reminded him of other girls he saw at Epstein's home.

Rizzo said the girl sat in a stool next to a kitchen counter in the Dubins' home. She was 'distraught and shaking...literally quivering' as she described her treatment at the hands of Epstein's alleged madam, and her assistant, Sarah Kellen, in the US Virgin Islands.

He claims he told her that they had demanded sex from her and taken away her passport and threatened her when she refused.

Rizzo testified in a deposition which was part of Giuffre's defamation lawsuit brought against Maxwell.

Giuffre also accused Glenn Dubin of participating in the sex-trafficking ring, according to court documents.

The Dubins have denied these allegations, with a spokesperson for the couple telling DailyMail.com: 'Glenn and Eva Dubin are outraged by the allegations against them in the unsealed court records and categorically reject them.'

Rizzo said the girl sat in a stool next to a kitchen counter in the Dubins’ home. She was ‘distraught and shaking...literally quivering’ as she described her treatment at the hands of Epstein’s alleged madam, Ghislaine Maxwell, and his assistant, Sarah Kellen, in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

‘She sat down and sat in the stool exactly the way the girls that I mentioned to you sat at Jeffrey’s house, with no expression and with their head down,’ Rizzo testified.

According to Rizzo, he introduced himself and his wife to the teen after Andersson-Dubin stepped out of the kitchen for a few moments.

‘She doesn’t really respond,’ Rizzo testified.

‘Nothing verbal, no cues, her head is still down.

‘I asked her if she would like some water, tissue, anything, and she basically doesn’t respond.’

Rizzo testified that he then tried to make small talk with the teen.

‘Oh, by the way, do you work for Jeffrey?’ he asked her.

‘Yes,’ the 15-year-old replied.

‘What do you do?’ he asked.

‘I’m Jeffrey’s executive assistant, personal assistant,’ she said.

Rizzo said she appeared way too young for that. He then asked her how she got the job and her age.

‘And she says to me, point blank, “I’m 15”,’ Rizzo testified.

‘And I said to her, “You’re 15 years old and you have a position like that?”

‘At that point she just breaks down hysterical, and I feel like I just said something wrong, and she will not stop crying.’

Rizzo testified that at this point he and his wife tried to console the young girl.

He said they offered her tissue and water, but this did not help calm her down.

‘And then in a state of shock, she just lets it rip, and what she told me was unbelievable,’ Rizzo testified.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12828457 (050808ZFEB21) Notable: Australia watching China's Papua New Guinea mega city proposal, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: James_Marape_says_PNG_won_t_turn_away_foreign_investment_complying_with_laws_and_benefiting_locals.jpg

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Australia watching China PNG city proposal

Daniel McCulloch - 5 February 2021

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has downplayed a Chinese company's proposal to build a new mega city just kilometres from Australian territory.

Leaked documents reveal a conceptual plan to build a 100 square kilometre city with a major seaport, industrial area and free-trade zone on Papua New Guinea's south coast.

The "New Daru City" would be built within kilometres of Australian islands in the Torres Strait and less than 200 kilometres from the mainland.

Mr Morrison said the ambitious plans were "very speculative at this point".

"I'm not surprised by it but I think at this stage it would be best to file it under 'speculation'," he told reporters in Canberra on Friday.

A spokesman for PNG Prime Minister James Marape said he was unaware of the project but the country would not turn away foreign investment, so long as it complied with laws and benefited locals.

Australian security agencies have grown increasingly concerned about China's interest in PNG, with the superpower intent on growing strategic power and economic influence in the region.

Another Chinese company plans to build a $200 million fishing park in the same impoverished PNG province.

"I have a very close relationship with prime minister Marape as I've had with previous prime ministers in Papua New Guinea," Mr Morrison said.

"We regularly discuss the various pressures in our region and I think we're very much on the same page about those issues."

Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said the $39 billion development proposal was evidence of a regional leadership vacuum created by the Morrison government.

Senator Wong said the proposal represented a security and strategic threat.

"Australia should be the partner of choice in our region, working with allied and aligned nations to build the sort of region we want - one that is stable, prosperous and respects sovereignty," she said.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said he was very keen to discuss the proposal with the PNG government.

"We will have a look at it. I think there are all sorts of sovereignty issues and there are local issues in terms of landowners and land rights that I think would provide a significant hurdle," he said.

"So we will look at it closely but Australia will always act in our best interests and we will seek to support our neighbours."

The development plans would need to secure approval from local landholders and multiple layers of government.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg cautioned against jumping to conclusions about the Chinese proposal.

"I'm not going to go into what our government knows about various matters," he told reporters in Melbourne.

"Our relationship with Papua New Guinea is very strong, it is co-operative, it is multifaceted. And between prime minister Morrison and prime minister Marape, there is constant dialogue."

https://thewest.com.au/politics/australia-watching-china-png-city-proposal-ng-s-2048257

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12828487 (050816ZFEB21) Notable: Sydney man arrested for allegedly importing a child-like sex doll and possessing child exploitation material

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Sydney man arrested over child exploitation material import

05-02-2021

A 58 year-old Sydney man has been charged for allegedly importing a child-like sex doll and possessing child exploitation material.

On 15 December 2020, Australian Border Force (ABF) Officers examined an air cargo consignment which arrived from China. The package was declared as containing a fashion model, but officers who opened the parcel found a child-like sex doll.

Yesterday, 4 February 2021, ABF investigators, ABF Digital Forensics and NSW Police executed a search warrant at a home in Merrylands. Investigators located child abuse material on a mobile phone and laptop found in a vehicle. Additional electronic devices including mobile phones, computers and hard drives were removed from the premises for further examination.

The man was arrested and taken to Parramatta police station where he was charged with the following:

1 x count Customs Act s233BAB(5) Import prohibited import (child abuse material).

1 x count Customs Act s201A omit from complying with an order.

2 x counts Crimes Act s91H possess child abuse material.

Acting ABF Enforcement Operations East Commander Garry Low said tackling child exploitation is a priority for the ABF.

“ABF officers are committed to stopping all child exploitation material, including child-like sex dolls, at the border,” A/g Commander Low said.

“That’s why we work with our law enforcement partners to protect innocent children and ensure this kind of deplorable material does not end up in the Australian community.”

Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood thanked the ABF for its role in making Australia a safer place.

“Child exploitation is a disgusting crime and we must protect children from predators,” Assistant Minister Wood said.

“I applaud our law enforcement agencies for seeking out and prosecuting those who seek to exploit the most vulnerable.”

The man appeared in Parramatta Local Court today. He has been remanded in custody to appear again on 2 April 2021.

The Customs Act 1901 provides that child-like sex dolls are a form of child abuse material.

Under section 233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901(Cth), an individual caught attempting to import child abuse material, including a child-like sex doll, can be charged with importing Tier 2 goods. The maximum penalty, if convicted, is up to 10 years’ imprisonment and/or fines of up to $555,000.

Anyone with information about those who may be importing child-like sex dolls or other child abuse material should contact Border Watch at www.Australia.gov.au/borderwatch . By reporting suspicious activities, you are helping to protect Australia's border. Information can be provided anonymously.

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/borderwatch

https://newsroom.abf.gov.au/releases/sydney-man-arrested-over-child-exploitation-material-import

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12828508 (050822ZFEB21) Notable: Video: Women held as sex slaves, drugged and tattooed as being 'property', Queensland police say

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Women held as sex slaves, drugged and tattooed as being 'property', Queensland police say

Talissa Siganto and Jim Malo - 5 February 2021

A man and woman have been charged with drugging several women and keeping them as sex slaves for clients at two Brisbane residences.

Police said 35-year-old Matthew James Markcrow gave the women stupefying drugs, controlled their finances and work conditions and tattooed them as "being his property".

Officer-in-charge of the Prostitution Enforcement Taskforce, Detective Inspector Juliet Hancock, said the crimes were an example of modern-day slavery.

"We've been shocked by this, we didn't think this was happening in Australia, let alone Brisbane," she said.

"It's something that you see that's happening overseas… it's quite hard to shock police. This is quite horrendous offending."

Mr Markcrow and Crystal Marie Sawyer, 23, were arrested on Thursday during a search of two properties, at South Brisbane and Mount Gravatt East.

Four women, between the ages of 17 and 24, were found at the Mount Gravatt East home, but police believe there are more alleged victims.

Covert recordings of the sex acts were also found during the search, as well as drugs, and evidence to support sexual servitude and organised prostitution offences.

Detective Inspector Hancock said she found the tattooing especially reprehensible.

"What we also found out in the course of that investigation was they had been tattooed and marked as the property of the person who had actually recruited them," she said.

Detective Inspector Hancock said officers began investigating in October following a tip-off from the public.

"This investigation has been confronting when you consider those aspects, vulnerable young women being recruited, being drugged, being prostituted and being tattooed, that's pretty confronting," she said.

"The women are now safe thanks to the information from members of the public and the diligence of our officers.

"We believe there are other victims who have been exploited by the man and I encourage them to come forward and contact police."

Women 'heavily under the influence of drugs'

Detective Inspector Hancock said she spoke yesterday to one of the women found at the properties.

"It would be, I think, fair to say that some of them do not understand they have been exploited," she said.

"A couple of them yesterday were definitely very heavily under the influence of drugs.

"I don't think they understood yesterday when I was speaking to them."

Detective Inspector Hancock said they were hoping to talk to clients who were secretly filmed.

"It is quite hard, I think, for clients to understand if someone's being exploited. If there are any clients who want to come to speak to police, we'd encourage that," Detective Inspector Hancock said.

Mr Markcrow, from Mount Gravatt East, has been charged with 10 offences, including conducting a business involving servitude, unlawful prostitution, drug possession, possessing tainted property, and recordings that breach the Privacy Act.

Ms Sawyer has been charged with knowingly carrying on the business of unlawful prostitution.

Police prosecutor Mark Hughes told the the court Ms Sawyer admitted she was in a relationship with Mr Markcrow and had told police she was "like a mother" to the four women.

"She took care of them," he said.

"She exercised a degree of control over the other girls."

Police opposed Ms Sawyer's bail on the basis that she would continue to operate the alleged prostitution business for Mr Markcrow and that she would interfere with witnesses.

Mr Hughes told the court that while being arrested, Ms Sawyer told Mr Markcrow "I'll take care of everything for you".

Defence lawyer Lily Berkeley said the prosecution had brought charges on her client "somewhat prematurely".

"The objection to bail fails to provide any concrete evidence she has been operating in this business," she said.

"At this point in time, it's not a strong case for them in respect to how they've charged her."

Magistrate Stephen Courtney described Mr Markcrow's offending as having a "particularly sinister flavour" but believed Ms Sawyer could be granted bail under strict conditions.

"More may well be revealed once the investigation is complete," he said.

She was granted bail in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon.

Mr Markcrow appeared briefly in the Brisbane Magistrates Court and did not apply for bail.

The court heard he was on a return to prison warrant.

While appearing in the dock, Mr Markcrow blew a kiss to supporters sitting in the public gallery.

Both matters will return to court later this month.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-05/brisbane-prostitution-charges-sex-slaves-mount-gravatt/13125336

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12828530 (050831ZFEB21) Notable: Jeffrey Epstein victim compensation fund puts payout offers on hold until after March, coronavirus pandemic causing delays in liquidating assets

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Jeffrey Epstein victim compensation fund puts payout offers on hold

Priscilla DeGregory - February 4, 2021

COVID-19 is causing a delay in the compensation payout to Jeffrey Epstein’s victims, as the settlement fund is running low on cash because the late sex perv’s estate is having trouble finding buyers for his many properties, officials announced Thursday.

Victims’ Compensation Program administrator Jordana Feldman said that she won’t make any more compensation offers to victims until after March 25 because the estate informed her it doesn’t currently have enough cash to replenish the fund.

Estate lawyer Daniel Weiner confirmed that the estate is having issues selling off its non-liquid assets to convert them into liquid cash due to the havoc the coronavirus pandemic has wreaked on the global economy.

“Because the great bulk of the estate’s assets are illiquid — including residential properties, private investments and aircraft — the co-executors have been attempting for months to sell those illiquid assets in order to fund the program and cover the estate’s expenses,” Weiner said in a statement, which did not specify which of Epstein’s assets were up for sale.

“The co-executors continue to seek to liquidate assets of the estate, in the full expectation that the program can soon fully result its regular operations,” Weiner said.

Feldman said in the meantime, she will continue to accept and review claims and will be ready to begin issuing offers as soon as possible.

“Although I sincerely regret having to take this action, I have concluded that it is necessary to protect the interests of eligible claimants who have not yet resolved their claims through the program,” Feldman said in a statement. “Issuing a compensation offer that cannot be timely and fully funded and paid, consistent with the way the program has operated to date, would compromise claimants’ interests and the guiding principles of the program.”

“I remain deeply committed to ensuring that the program continues to operate with transparency and integrity, and that all eligible claimants receive the compensation and validation they deserve,” Feldman said.

Since the fund went into effect in June, it has received over 150 claims by women who say they were sexually abused by Epstein. The fund has paid out $50 million to those who had eligible claims, Feldman said.

Weiner said that as of Dec. 31, Epstein’s estate was valued at $240 million after the estate paid taxes, funded the victim compensation fund and defended against multiple lawsuits. Epstein’s estate was once valued at $634 million.

Weiner said while over $50 million has already been paid out to victims, the estate has funded the program with $87 million so far, not including additional costs it has paid to run the program.

That case, brought in January 2020, alleged that Epstein ran a decades-long sex-trafficking scheme from his private Caribbean island.

The 66-year-old hedge funder died by suicide in August 2019 in a Lower Manhattan jail cell as he was awaiting criminal sex-trafficking charges.

https://nypost.com/2021/02/04/epstein-victim-compensation-fund-puts-payout-offers-on-hold/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12834403 (052326ZFEB21) Notable: PDF: Ghislaine Maxwell Claims It’s ‘Clear, Explicit, and Unambiguous’ That Jeffrey Epstein’s 2007 Plea Deal Protects Her to This Day

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Ghislaine Maxwell Claims It’s ‘Clear, Explicit, and Unambiguous’ That Jeffrey Epstein’s 2007 Plea Deal Protects Her to This Day

ADAM KLASFELD - Feb 5th, 2021

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Ghislaine Maxwell’s latest effort to thwart her prosecution for allegedly enabling Jeffrey Epstein’s child sex-trafficking empire will test the outer limits of the adage: a deal’s a deal.

Signed in 2007, Epstein’s plea deal with the U.S. government allowing him to characterize his alleged child sex-trafficking empire as soliciting prostitution from a minor had an unusual clause that sparked a scandal after the Miami Herald called attention to it roughly a decade later.

The United States agreed “it will not institute any criminal charges against potential co-conspirators of Epstein,” in one of seven pages of clauses negotiated under the supervision of Florida’s then-top federal prosecutor Alex Acosta and approved by the senior Justice Department officials.

With Epstein now dead, Maxwell’s lawyers claim that the agreement from more than a decade ago is very much alive in one of several defense motions they filed late on Thursday night.

“‘The government cannot now ask this court to rewrite the agreement in a way more favorable to its current position, nor overlook key distinctions in the agreement, by claiming that they were drafting mistakes or omissions,” Maxwell’s attorney Mark S. Cohen, from the firm Cohen & Gresser, writes in a 38-page memorandum. “Nor may the government ask this court to construe ambiguities in its favor, in contravention of black-letter law that non-prosecution agreements must be construed strictly against the government.”

Long anticipated but now-filed, Maxwell’s motion to dismiss her prosecution as a violation of that dusty agreement represents a reckoning over a plea agreement that has sparked as much scrutiny and outrage as any in U.S. criminal law.

The publication of the Herald‘s investigative series Perversion of Justice renewed interest in the deal at a time when its author, Acosta, had been serving as then-President Donald Trump’s secretary of labor and Epstein’s attorney Alan Dershowitz had been one of the White House’s most visible defenders. Acosta resigned after the paper’s exposé, and the Justice Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility would find that he exercised “poor judgment” and “agreed to several unusual and problematic terms” in the non-prosecution agreement.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12834442 (052330ZFEB21) Notable: PDF: Ghislaine Maxwell Claims It’s ‘Clear, Explicit, and Unambiguous’ That Jeffrey Epstein’s 2007 Plea Deal Protects Her to This Day

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>>123289

2/2

Maxwell’s lawyers claim it is too late for buyer’s remorse.

“The government is bound by the agreement it negotiated and executed,” the defense brief states. “And the [non-prosecution agreement] is clear, explicit, and unambiguous.”

Epstein’s alleged victims have tried, and failed, to invalidate it.

In 2019, a federal judge in Florida found that prosecutors violated the Crime Victims’ Rights Act by negotiating the non-prosecution agreement without consulting the women Epstein allegedly abused when they were girls, but the women ultimately lost their effort to void the agreement. The document stood as a Chekhovian gun pointed at any case that U.S. prosecutors would bring against Epstein’s associates.

Federal prosecutors have anticipated this defense motion and believe that they can easily overcome it, claiming that the deal negotiated on behalf of the “United States” referred to the Southern District of Florida and not the Southern District of New York.

The government also argued that Maxwell, not being a party to the deal, cannot enforce its provisions.

In a six-count indictment, prosecutors claimed that Maxwell groomed minor girls for Epstein’s predation and lied about her role in his sex-trafficking Pyramid scheme under oath in civil litigation. The defense argued that the case is really about the government mollifying decades of public controversy in the case, up to allowing Epstein to turn up dead in his pre-trial lockup.

“One does not need to engage in complex analysis to understand what has happened here: the government has sought to substitute our client for Jeffrey Epstein, even if it means stretching—and ultimately exceeding—the bounds of the law,” the defense said.

Maxwell’s motion about the non-prosecution agreement was one of more than a dozen that her defense team filed in a blizzard late on Thursday night. Her lawyers also alleged that the allegations over “25-year-old conduct” are time-barred and that prosecutors obtained evidence for the perjury charge against her improperly. She hopes to dismiss all of the counts of her indictment and suppress broad swaths of the evidence against her for supposed constitutional and due-process infirmities.

The Southern District of New York declined to comment on the latest defense barrage.

https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/ghislaine-maxwell-claims-its-clear-explicit-and-unambiguous-that-jeffrey-epsteins-2007-plea-deal-protects-her-to-this-day/

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17318376/united-states-v-maxwell/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc

https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612.142.1.pdf

https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612.142.0_1.pdf

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12835403 (060109ZFEB21) Notable: Afghan militia leader Matiullah Khan gave gold watches to Australian Special Forces commanders - Andrew Greene - abc.net.au, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Uruzgan_chief_of_police_Brigadier_General_Matiullah_Khan_centre_was_killed_in_2015.jpg, Matiullah_Khan_a_former_police_chief_of_Uruzgan_Province_reportedly_gave_gold_watches_to_Australian_Army_officers.jpg, Australian_Special_Forces_commanders_may_have_caused_offence_if_they_did_not_take_the_expensive_gifts.jpg

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Afghan militia leader Matiullah Khan gave gold watches to Australian Special Forces commanders

Andrew Greene - 6 February 2021

Australian Special Forces commanders were given gold watches by a corrupt Afghan warlord who doubled as a powerful local police chief.

The ABC can reveal notorious Afghan militia leader Matiullah Khan, who was killed in 2015, regularly presented Rado watches worth more than $1,000 to senior Australian soldiers during rotations in Uruzgan province.

Former soldiers who served in Australia's Special Operations Task Group told the ABC the lavish gifts caused unease among troops.

Khan, a provincial strongman with a reputation for brutality, was a key figure during Australia's lengthy involvement in the Afghanistan War.

Believed to have been killed in a Taliban suicide bombing in Kabul, he was a friend and ally of former President Hamid Karzai.

Khan's political connections and his private army helped keep the Taliban at bay in Uruzgan Province, where Australian forces operated for many years.

He grew rich through coalition military support, magnifying his already substantial power and influence.

When he became police chief, his officers were accused of murder and torture.

Australian National University Professor of International Security and Intelligence Studies John Blaxland said Australia benefited from its close relationship with the police chief.

"He was very well connected, and he had his own force that was well-placed to strike a deal with Australia in order to keep the Australian military footprint to a minimum," he said.

"And the price of that deal was that we gave Matiullah Khan a degree of profile, prestige and influence."

Australian soldiers said Khan distributed gold watches as a demonstration of his status and to refuse the luxury items might have caused offence or embarrassment.

"Australian government practice is essentially to try to avoid receiving gifts but there are instances, particularly when dealing internationally with other cultures where it is demonstrably inappropriate not to take the gift," Professor Blaxland said.

An Australian Department of Defence spokesperson said in response that "defence policy requires that personnel do not accept or provide gifts or benefits if the acceptance or provision would create an inappropriate impression, or create a perception or expectation of preferential treatment."

"Defence does not comment on operational matters," the spokesperson also said.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-06/afghan-militia-leader-gold-watches-australia-special-forces/13122922

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12836590 (060303ZFEB21) Notable: Thousands of US marines to touch down in Darwin before June 2021: Marine Rotational Force — Darwin (MRF-D), MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Last_year_each_marine_who_arrived_in_Darwin_was_screened_and_tested_for_COVID_19_upon_their_arrival.jpg, About_2_200_US_marines_will_arrive_in_Darwin_by_June.jpg

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Thousands of US marines to touch down in Darwin before June 2021

Lauren Roberts - 6 February 2021

Thousands of US marines will begin arriving in the Northern Territory within days as part of an annual training rotation, the Department of Defence has confirmed.

About 2,200 marines will arrive in Darwin from the United States between now and June this year, arriving in batches of 200-500 marines.

The Department of Defence says each marine will have to do a coronavirus test within 72 hours of their departure and show a negative result before boarding the plane to Australia.

After they touch down in the Northern Territory, the marines will have to do another COVID-19 test and then undertake 14 days of quarantine. Before leaving quarantine, each person will be tested again for COVID-19.

To accommodate the large group, the Marine Rotational Force — Darwin (MRF-D) unit has rented a secure facility outside the NT capital for most of the US arrivals to quarantine in.

The first two groups, however, will quarantine in isolated accommodation on an unnamed Australian Defence base.

Earlier this year, the use of a Darwin CBD hotel as a quarantine facility for international military arrivals was the subject of significant criticism from health groups, including the Australian Medical Association and the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said the use of the leased facility and Defence base would ensure the marines' arrival had no impact on repatriating Australians from overseas, which remained a key national priority for the Australian Government.

Ms Reynolds said the rotation would build on the success of last year's modified deployment.

In 2020, the annual rotation of marines was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, and a modified rotation of about 1,200 — roughly half the usual numbers — trained in the Northern Territory.

"The ability for this year's MRF-D to go ahead under challenging global circumstances, is a testament to the endurance and adaptability of the Australia-US Alliance," Ms Reynolds said.

While in the Northern Territory, the US marines and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will do training activities including security operations and high-end live-fire exercises.

"COVID-19 permitting, the ADF and MRF-D will also train with partner countries throughout the year, including exercise Talisman Sabre," Ms Reynolds said

Exercise Talisman Saber is the largest bilateral combined training activity between the US and Australian militaries and is planned to run from June to August this year along the Queensland coast.

The arrival of the 2021 cohort will be the 10th annual rotation of US marines in Darwin.

MRF-D Commanding Officer Colonel David Banning described the alliance between the US and Australia as "outstanding".

"We are excited to commemorate the 10th anniversary with two highly capable and interoperable forces that advance our shared goals, demonstrate the strength and endurance of our alliance, and contribute to regional security," he said.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-06/united-states-marines-to-arrive-in-darwin-amid-coronavirus/13128778

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12836663 (060309ZFEB21) Notable: Media Release - Defence Minister Linda Reynolds: Arrival of the 2021 Marine Rotational Force-Darwin

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>>123293

Arrival of the 2021 Marine Rotational Force-Darwin

6 February 2021

United States Marines from the tenth Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) will soon begin arriving in Darwin. They are the first group arriving in the Northern Territory over the next five months. Each group to arrive will be between 200-500 personnel.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the rotation would build on the success of last year’s modified deployment.

“The ability for this year’s MRF-D to go ahead under challenging global circumstances, is a testament to the endurance and adaptability of the Australia-US Alliance,” Minister Reynolds said.

“The annual rotation demonstrates Australia’s and the United States’ commitment to Indo-Pacific stability and security.

“The MRF-D and Australian Defence Force (ADF) will conduct a comprehensive range of training activities, including humanitarian assistance, security operations and high-end live-fire exercises.

“COVID-19 permitting, the ADF and MRF-D will also train with partner countries throughout the year, including exercise Talisman Sabre. These opportunities are a priority for the US Force Posture Initiatives, developing people-to-people links, interoperability and the sharing of expertise.”

A total of around 2,200 personnel will arrive in Darwin by June.

The procedures for managing the MRF-D’s arrival, quarantine and possible cases of COVID-19 have been developed and agreed in full consultation with NT Health authorities and will strictly adhere to all Australian Government requirements to mitigate the risk of COVID-19.

Measures in place include:

• A comprehensive COVID-19 risk management plan, agreed to by the Northern Territory Chief Health Officer;

• All US personnel undergoing COVID-19 testing within 72 hours of departure for Australia and presenting a negative result before boarding;

• All US personnel completing mandatory 14-day quarantine, including COVID-19 testing on arrival in Australia and again before exiting quarantine; and

• MRF-D and ADF medical personnel monitoring the health of personnel.

To accommodate the US Marines this year, the MRF-D has leased a secure facility outside Darwin for the majority of personnel to complete the mandatory 14-day quarantine. However, the first two groups will quarantine in isolated accommodation on a Defence base.

The use of the leased facility and Defence base will ensure the MRF-D’s arrival has no impact on repatriating Australians from overseas, which remains a key national priority for the Australian Government.

“Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner and I have discussed the extensive arrangements that have been put in place to manage the risk of COVID-19. I have also reaffirmed the Morrison Government’s commitment to Defence investment in the Northern Territory,” Minister Reynolds said.

“I thank the Northern Territory Government for their continued support in facilitating these strategically important activities for our nation.”

The extent of COVID-19 mitigations implemented underscores the seriousness with which the Australian, Northern Territory and US Governments are prioritising the health and safety of all Australians.

“Additionally, this year marks 10 years since the United States Force Posture Initiatives were announced by Australia and the United States, and 70 years of the ANZUS treaty. During my discussions with Secretary Austin last week, I conveyed that my focus for this year included progressing bilateral force posture initiatives,” Minister Reynolds said.

The MRF-D’s arrival will have no impact on the return of Australians from overseas, and Defence is working closely with other relevant government agencies to ensure no disruption to repatriation efforts.

https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/lreynolds/media-releases/arrival-2021-marine-rotational-force-darwin

>Talisman Sabre

>Magic Sword

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12839432 (061117ZFEB21) Notable: Kevin Rudd Tweet: In America, the Murdoch media continues to support a QAnon congresswoman who is notorious for her racist, antisemitic nonsense. The lesson for Australia? Murdoch will back bigger fruitcakes than Craig Kelly if he thinks there’s money and power to be gained

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Kevin Rudd Tweets

Murdoch has zero interest in stopping dangerous far-right extremism. He sees QAnon as just another marketing tool to sucker people into his parallel universe where he can take their money and tell them how to vote. #MurdochRoyalCommission

https://twitter.com/MrKRudd/status/1357519643410272256

Tucker Carlson defended QAnon and said attacks on it were part of a government plot to control people's minds

The Fox News host Tucker Carlson on Monday defended the QAnon conspiracy-theory movement, whose adherents groundlessly believe that Donald Trump is planning a purge of child-abusing Democrats who run the world.

https://www.businessinsider.com.au/fox-news-tucker-carlson-defends-qanon-conspiracy-theory-movement-2021-1

—

In America, the Murdoch media continues to support a QAnon congresswoman who is notorious for her racist, antisemitic nonsense. The lesson for Australia? Murdoch will back bigger fruitcakes than Craig Kelly if he thinks there’s money and power to be gained

https://twitter.com/MrKRudd/status/1357556909650243584

Fringe-Watching: Marjorie Taylor Greene

From The Daily Show

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12846304 (070444ZFEB21) Notable: Kylie Moore-Gilbert’s marriage breakdown after husband Ruslan Hodorov had secret affair with her colleague, Kylie Baxter

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Kylie Moore-Gilbert’s marriage breakdown after husband had secret affair with her colleague

Kylie Moore-Gilbert spent 804 days in Iranian prisons, before returning home to find out her husband was having an affair with her colleague.

Stephen Drill - February 7, 2021

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It was the ultimate betrayal. Australian academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert spent 804 days in Iranian prisons, mostly in solitary confinement in a 3m x 2m cell with not enough warm clothes or blankets for the freezing temperatures.

She also went through psychological torture, with other prisoners at the same jails saying that they were regularly forced into fake executions.

But back in Australia, her Russian-Israeli husband Ruslan Hodorov was having an affair with her University of Melbourne colleague and PhD supervisor Dr Kylie Baxter.

Despite sources revealing some other people were aware of the affair, Dr Moore-Gilbert would only learn of the betrayal after arriving back in Australia in November last year.

The University of Melbourne was informed of Dr Baxter and Mr Hodorov’s relationship on November 29 last year, two days after Dr Moore-Gilbert landed in Australia.

Dr Moore-Gilbert, 33, is now divorcing Mr Hodorov, who was next of kin and a point of contact for the Australian government advisers working on her case.

He kept up the facade of a doting husband to her family during her jail ordeal on spying charges she always strongly denied.

Friends of the couple revealed Mr Hodorov, 31, and Dr Baxter, 43, who was married with children, secretly began their affair about a year after Dr Moore-Gilbert’s arrest, which was in September 2018.

Mr Hodorov had been keeping Dr Moore-Gilbert’s family, who live in Bathurst, NSW, informed of work on her case.

They only found out about his new relationship at the same time as Dr Moore-Gilbert.

Dr Baxter, who was also a lecturer in Middle East studies at the University of Melbourne, had told colleagues she was in direct contact with Dr Moore-Gilbert’s family, when she was voluntarily campaigning on her behalf.

Dr Baxter travelled to the US in 2019 to visit Scholars at Risk, which is headquartered at New York University.

The group provides “advisory and referral services” to more than 300 academics across the world, who were “suffering grave threats to their lives.”

In a lecture that Dr Baxter gave on Academic Freedom for a new course she was hoping to set up, she said that “the university has approved me to go to New York in November”.

She said the course would help “influence Australian government policy” on cases of detained academics.

“In an ideal crazy part of the Baxter world, in five years’ time, a DFAT meeting would be at least cognisant that the Melbourne Uni project was taking on a particular case,” Dr Baxter told students.

“Is it with public petitions, is it interviews, is it media, how do we best influence policy?”

However, it was understood that the New York trip was not funded by the university, nor did it ask or authorise Dr Baxter to speak on its behalf about Dr Moore-Gilbert’s case.

Dr Baxter and some of her colleagues volunteered to be involved in Dr Moore-Gilbert’s case, but were not asked for help by the university.

The volunteer group kept in contact with the university about what other staff, human rights groups and students had been saying, but they were not part of the official team, according to sources familiar with the matter.

That official team, of which Dr Baxter was not included and received no funds from, was backed with significant investment in staff and money, sources said.

Dr Baxter informed the University of Melbourne of her relationship with Mr Hodorov on November 29, 2020, after Dr Moore-Gilbert had landed back in Australia, and eight months after she had resigned from the university.

Some of Dr Moore-Gilbert’s colleagues and supporters were aware of the relationship before the disclosure to the university. The University of Melbourne said it would not comment on Dr Moore-Gilbert’s private life.

“The University is grateful that Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert has returned to Australia and is recovering with family and friends,” a statement said.

“Our priority is her health and wellbeing. We are looking forward to her returning to campus when she is ready.

“We will not be commenting on Kylie’s private life.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12855744 (080256ZFEB21) Notable: China confirms detained Australian Cheng Lei is accused of leaking state secrets, as her family breaks their silence, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: Cheng_Lei_is_being_detained_in_a_cell_without_fresh_air_or_natural_light.jpg, Cheng_Lei_sent_her_children_to_Melbourne_to_stay_with_their_grandmother_at_the_start_of_the_pandemic.jpg, Louisa_Wen_says_she_hopes_the_Australian_Government_will_be_able_to_secure_the_release_of_her_aunt_Cheng_Lei.jpg

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China confirms detained Australian Cheng Lei is accused of leaking state secrets, as her family breaks their silence

Bill Birtles - 8 February 2021

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The family of an Australian single mother detained in China on national security grounds has broken their silence, saying her children are devastated by her absence and keep asking when she is coming home.

Cheng Lei, a business anchor for China's state television network CGTN, has been locked up in Beijing without charge or access to a lawyer for six months.

In recent days, Chinese authorities confirmed for the first time that she is accused of unlawfully supplying or intending to supply state secrets or intelligence to an overseas organisation or individual.

Authorities have not provided any further details, but under Chinese law, punishments can range widely, including a life sentence for the most serious offences.

Locked in a cell without fresh air or natural light, Ms Cheng has faced multiple interrogations and recently guards tightened restrictions on her ability to write letters and exercise.

"When we were first notified about her detention, we were all in shock," said Louisa Wen, Ms Cheng's niece and spokeswoman for the family.

"We don't understand anything about the case.

"But we do know she's been in detention for five-and-a-half months, and her conditions are worsening."

Ms Cheng's 11-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son are being cared for by their grandmother in Melbourne.

When coronavirus shut their Beijing school in early 2020, Ms Cheng sent them temporarily to Melbourne, unaware that the pandemic would later shut China's border.

Her plans to come home to Australia to reunite with them were scuttled when a group of state security police arrived at her apartment in Beijing's inner-east on August 13, taking her and her electronic devices away.

"I think at 9 and 11, you're old enough to understand a little bit about why Mum isn't here, or why Mum isn't able to contact you," Ms Wen said.

"But I feel like the children don't fully understand the situation, so it's probably quite tough on the kids wondering what's going on.

"Every time we do something fun, we're thinking of her and how she can't enjoy these things with us."

Ms Cheng has not been charged, but in a sign her case is progressing, she has now been formally "arrested".

It is a step that confirms investigators are preparing to prosecute her, but leaves an open-ended timeline for how long it will take.

In some other national security cases, investigators have managed to use various measures to continually prolong the time suspects spend detained while they continue to gather evidence.

"I don't think she would have done anything to harm national security in any way intentionally," Ms Wen said.

"We don't know if she's just been caught up in something that she herself didn't realise."

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12855876 (080305ZFEB21) Notable: Foreign Minister Marise Payne - Statement on Ms Cheng Lei - 08 February 2021

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>>123297

Foreign Minister Marise Payne - Statement on Ms Cheng Lei

08 February 2021

The Australian Government has been advised that Australian citizen Ms Cheng Lei was formally arrested in China on 5 February, after 6 months of detention.

Chinese authorities have advised that Ms Cheng was arrested on suspicion of illegally supplying state secrets overseas.

Ms Cheng has been detained since 13 August 2020.

The Australian Government has raised its serious concerns about Ms Cheng's detention regularly at senior levels, including about her welfare and conditions of detention.

Australian Embassy officials have visited Ms Cheng six times since her detention, most recently on 27 January 2021, in accordance with our bilateral consular agreement with China.

We expect basic standards of justice, procedural fairness and humane treatment to be met, in accordance with international norms.

Our thoughts are with Ms Cheng and her family during this difficult period.

https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/statement-ms-cheng-lei

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12865950 (090434ZFEB21) Notable: PDF: Civil-Liberties Groups Ask Biden Justice Dept. to Drop Julian Assange Case, MISSING MEDIA/FILES: The_Trump_administration_had_sought_to_have_the_WikiLeaks_founder_Julian_Assange_extradited_to_the_United_States_to_face_a_trial_on_potentially_precedent_setting_Espionage_Act_charges.jpg

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Civil-Liberties Groups Ask Biden Justice Dept. to Drop Julian Assange Case

A Friday deadline in the London extradition case may force the Biden administration to decide whether to keep pursuing a Trump-era policy.

Charlie Savage - Feb. 8, 2021

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WASHINGTON — A coalition of civil liberties and human rights groups urged the Biden administration on Monday to drop efforts to extradite the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange from Britain and prosecute him, calling the Trump-era case against him “a grave threat to press freedom.”

The coalition sent a letter urging a change in course before a Friday deadline for the Justice Department to file a brief in a London court. American prosecutors are due to explain in detail their decision — formally lodged on Jan. 19, the last full day of the Trump administration — to appeal a ruling blocking their request to extradite Mr. Assange.

The litigation deadline may force the new administration to confront a decision: whether to press on with the Trump-era approach to Mr. Assange, or to instead drop the matter.

Democrats like the new Biden team are no fan of Mr. Assange, whose publication in 2016 of Democratic emails stolen by Russia aided Donald J. Trump’s narrow victory over Hillary Clinton. But the charges center instead on his 2010 publication of American military and diplomatic documents leaked by Chelsea Manning, and they raise profound First Amendment issues.

“The indictment of Mr. Assange threatens press freedom because much of the conduct described in the indictment is conduct that journalists engage in routinely — and that they must engage in in order to do the work the public needs them to do,” the letter said, adding: “News organizations frequently and necessarily publish classified information in order to inform the public of matters of profound public significance.”

The Freedom of the Press Foundation organized the letter. Other signers — about two dozen groups — included the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International USA, the Center for Constitutional Rights, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Demand Progress, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Human Rights Watch, the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, the Project on Government Oversight and Reporters Without Borders.

“Most of the charges against Assange concern activities that are no different from those used by investigative journalists around the world every day,” Kenneth Roth, the executive director of Human Rights Watch, said in a separate statement. “President Biden should avoid setting a terrible precedent by criminalizing key tools of independent journalism that are essential for a healthy democracy.”

For now, the Justice Department remains committed to appealing the denial of its request to extradite Mr. Assange, said Marc Raimondi, a spokesman for its National Security Division.

The deadline to either continue working to extradite Mr. Assange by filing the brief or drop the matter reflects a common legal policy dilemma when a new administration takes over and confronts matters inherited from its predecessor. Newly installed officials face too many issues to make careful decisions on all at once, so some get punted.

But litigation calendars can force early decisions about whether to proceed or shift direction in some cases. It is often easier to stay the course, based on an argument that the issue can be revisited later when there is more time. But once the new administration has started down that path, it owns the policy as a matter of political and bureaucratic reality and so can effectively get locked in.

Complicating matters for making any decision to keep or jettison the Trump-era policy to go after Mr. Assange with criminal charges, the Biden administration’s intended leadership team is not yet in place at the Justice Department. The Senate has yet to confirm Mr. Biden’s nominee to be attorney general, Judge Merrick B. Garland.

In the meantime, the department is being temporarily led by a caretaker career official, Monty Wilkinson, the acting attorney general to whom the letter was addressed.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12866593 (090647ZFEB21) Notable: PDF: Ghislaine Maxwell loses bid to keep deposition excerpt concerning massages secret

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Ghislaine Maxwell loses bid to keep deposition excerpt secret

New York: A US judge rejected Ghislaine Maxwell’s effort to keep under wraps an excerpt from a 2016 deposition that she fears could undermine her criminal trial on charges she aided the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and committed perjury.

US District Judge Loretta Preska said on Monday, local time, Maxwell had only a “minimal” privacy interest in the 20-line excerpt, because it concerned massages and not private sexual activity of consenting adults, and the public had a right to see her testimony.

“There is no reason not to unseal this portion of testimony,” the Manhattan-based judge wrote.

“While the court acknowledges M. Maxwell’s interest in a fair criminal trial, Ms Maxwell can argue all her points to the presiding judge in her criminal trial, as she has already.”

Lawyers for Maxwell did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Preska had previously released large portions of the July 22, 2016 deposition, which came from a now-settled civil defamation lawsuit against Maxwell by Virginia Giuffre, one of dozens of women who have accused Epstein of sexual misconduct.

Maxwell, 59, has pleaded not guilty to a six-count indictment claiming she helped Epstein recruit three teenage girls for sex from 1994 to 1997, and then lied about it.

She has said the 20 lines of testimony was the basis of one of the perjury charges.

That charge covered Maxwell’s denials to ever giving Epstein or anyone else a massage, knowing whether Epstein possessed sex toys and knowing whether Epstein had sex in the 1990s and 2000s with anyone other than herself and two other women.

Maxwell believes prosecutors obtained the deposition transcript illegally, and it should be kept out of her trial.

Her lawyers have said that argument would be compromised if prosecutors could claim that any errors they made were harmless once Preska released the testimony.

US District Judge Alison Nathan oversees the criminal case and will decide whether to admit or suppress the deposition.

Maxwell is separately seeking to dismiss all or part of the indictment, arguing in part that prosecutors are targeting her only because Epstein is dead and she serves as a “substitute” for him.

Epstein killed himself in August 2019 in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Maxwell was arrested in July and is being held in a Brooklyn jail. Nathan has twice denied bail.

https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/ghislaine-maxwell-loses-bid-to-keep-deposition-excerpt-secret-20210209-p570qt.html

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4355835/giuffre-v-maxwell/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc

https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.447706/gov.uscourts.nysd.447706.1211.0_1.pdf

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12866739 (090727ZFEB21) Notable: Video: European Union will not block Pfizer coronavirus vaccine doses bound for Australia, EU ambassador Dr Michael Pulch says

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>>123243

European Union will not block Pfizer coronavirus vaccine doses bound for Australia, ambassador says

Millions of doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine bound for Australia will be allowed to leave the European Union (EU), its ambassador has confirmed.

Australia has secured 20 million doses of the vaccine, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison previously saying the goal was to vaccinate 80,000 people a week from the end of February.

Concerns were raised about whether Australia would receive its order after the EU introduced new rules on exports of COVID-19 vaccines produced within the bloc, including Pfizer.

The measure could be used to block shipments to many non-EU countries and make sure any exporting company based in the EU would first have to submit their plans to national authorities.

But today, the EU's ambassador to Australia, Dr Michael Pulch, insisted the first Pfizer doses would not be blocked.

"Australia can indeed rely on deliveries from Europe," he said.

"The shipments to Australia will arrive on time.

"My colleagues in Brussels have assured the Australian side that they will work with them on a smooth authorisation process."

Mr Morrison and Health Minister Greg Hunt have both said the local rollout of the vaccine would be subject to the Pfizer and AstraZeneca doses arriving in Australia on time.

"We'll set a final date once we have shipping confirmation from [Pfizer] but we've been in contact with Pfizer Australia yesterday, and they remain on track," Mr Hunt told 2GB radio yesterday.

Dr Pulch said the new rules introduced by the EU were not export bans but measures to increase "transparency".

"As a result of announcements by pharmaceutical companies that they would reduce the delivery of vaccines to Europe, we felt that we needed to get a grip on the situation," he said.

"We had two companies that announced this, one was Pfizer-BioNTech … and AstraZeneca, who out of the blue announced they would only deliver 40 per cent of what they had promised.

"So we felt we had to put down a marker here and develop some guardrails if you wish for cooperation with these companies."

He said companies would now have to disclose plans to send doses outside of the EU and have those plans authorised.

As well as Pfizer, the Federal Government has purchased just under 54 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is currently being considered for approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

The rollout is due to begin at the end of February, starting with frontline health and quarantine workers and those in aged care.

The Government's goal is to have all Australians who want to receive a vaccine offered a jab by the end of October.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-09/european-union-not-block-pfizer-coronavirus-vaccine-australia/13134702

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12866978 (090843ZFEB21) Notable: Video: Eddie McGuire quits as Collingwood Football CLub president after damning report found systemic prejudice within the organisation

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Resignations in the news

Eddie McGuire quits as Collingwood president

Embattled Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has stood down, denying the club is racist after a damning report found systemic prejudice within the organisation.

“I try my best and I don’t always get it right but I don’t stop trying,” he said hoarsely in Melbourne on Tuesday.

“Today effectively immediately I step down from the presidency of the Collingwood president.”

Thanking Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Sports Minister Martin Pakula, Mr McGuire said since he became president in 1998 his “sole motivation was to heal, unite, inspire and drive a new social conscience”.

But he denied Collingwood was a racist organisation, pointing to the club’s work with Aboriginal communities as well as women, the LGBT community and the homeless.

“It is why I’m so proud of our club and the people every day of every week who benefit and who are inspired by the very purpose of the being of Collingwood and that is to be a beacon of hope for all people, particularly those at their lowest ebb or who have been socially isolated and left behind,” he said, before a backdrop that featured the Collingwood logo, but none of the club’s sponsors.

Mr McGuire said he had become “a lightning rod for vitriol” following his comments last week that the arrival of the report on racism was a “proud” day. His position as president had become untenable, he said.

“It is because we have so much going on, so much good to do and with the interruptions and pressure from COVID-19 that I committed to continue my presidency until the end of this season,” he said.

“However, I don’t think it is either fair or tenable for the club or the community.”

A tearful McGuire described his involvement in the club as “the first time I ever felt part of a community”.

“I love my memories of Victoria Park,” he said, referring to the club’s home ground.

His decision to step down follows the publication of a letter by prominent Magpies supporters published earlier on Tuesday.

Mr McGuire chocked back tears from the outset of the press conference.

He cited progress in creating opportunities for women and Indigenous players, but conceded the report had found systemic racism at the club.

He admitted the club’s efforts had not “always been good enough”.

“And for that we are sorry,” he said.

Over the past week, Collingwood’s present and past players have issued apologies for the issues unveiled in the Do Better report.

Mr McGuire said he was going to take a break from his media responsibilities to “recoup and heal”.

“To old mate ‘Joffa’ Corfe and my beloved magpie army, I’m with you all side-by-side,” he said.

“Black and white forever.”

Lumumba slams Andrews

Meanwhile, Former Collingwood player Heritier Lumumba says Daniel Andrews has shown “us the boy’s club on full display” after the Victorian Premier backed Mr McGuire for a second time.

After Mr Andrews said he believed the Collingwood president could implement anti-racism reform following the release of a petition signed by Aboriginal leaders, Lumumba said it was clear the Victorian Premier “cares more about one white man’s ego than fighting racism”.

“With so many leaders from First Nations & communities of colour calling for McGuire to step down, Daniel Andrews has shown us the boy’s club on full display,” he said on Twitter on Tuesday.

“The pain & trauma of communities who suffer racism is more important than powerful white men and their friendships.

“If Andrews wants to show real leadership, stand up for the communities who are hurting because of Collingwood’s public refusal to admit fault.

“He says Eddie is ‘equal to the task.’ 22 years is a long time for someone to decide if they want to understand what racism is.

“The fact that Andrews can ignore a former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, former Indigenous players and their families, academics and community leaders, shows he cares more about one white man’s ego than fighting racism.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/eddie-mcguire-quits-as-pies-president/news-story/49c13904c50c70d8450ddb7420d1c884

https://twitter.com/iamlumumba/status/1359002820544851968

https://www.projectmillstone.com.au/research/dr-reina-michaelson-testimony

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12876900 (100448ZFEB21) Notable: US President Joe Biden's administration won't give up plans to seek extradition of WikiLeaks' Julian Assange

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>>123300

US President Joe Biden's administration won't give up plans to seek extradition of WikiLeaks' Julian Assange

United States President Joe Biden's administration won't give up on plans to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange from the United Kingdom to face hacking conspiracy charges, the US Justice Department said.

Justice Department spokesman Marc Raimondi said the US Government would continue to challenge a British judge's ruling last month that Assange should not be extradited to the United States because of the risk he would commit suicide.

In a January 4 ruling, District Judge Vanessa Baraitser found "the mental condition of Assange is such that it would be oppressive to extradite him to the United States of America".

The British judge set Friday as a deadline for the United States to appeal her ruling forbidding Mr Assange's extradition.

Mr Raimondi said the United States would challenge Ms Baraitser's ruling.

"We continue to seek his extradition," he said.

WikiLeaks drew fury from the US Government after publishing thousands of pages of once-secret reports and documents generated by American military and intelligence agencies, including detailed descriptions of CIA hacking capabilities.

WikiLeaks also published emails hacked from Democrat Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign and a key adviser, which Ms Clinton and some of her supporters say was a factor in her election defeat to Republican Donald Trump.

Debate over possible American moves to seek Assange's extradition from Britain first arose nearly a decade ago when Barack Obama served as president and Joe Biden as his vice-president.

Mr Obama's Justice Department decided not to seek Assange's extradition on the grounds that what he and WikiLeaks did was too similar to journalistic activities protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

Trump administration officials stepped up public criticism of Assange and WikiLeaks weeks after taking office in January 2017 and subsequently filed a series of increasingly harsh criminal charges accusing Assange of participating in a hacking conspiracy.

Assange's supporters have been pressing Mr Biden's administration to drop charges against him during the president's first 100 days in the White House.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-10/biden-administration-continues-to-seek-extradition-of-assange/13139018

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12877497 (100605ZFEB21) Notable: Video: Xanana Gusmao's sons 'disappointed' after their father attends accused paedophile's birthday party

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Xanana Gusmao's sons 'disappointed' after their father attends accused paedophile's birthday party

Anne Barker - 10 February 2021

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The sons of Timor Leste's former president Xanana Gusmao have expressed their disappointment to the victims of a former priest facing child sexual abuse allegations, after their father visited him for his birthday at his home in Dili.

Alexandre Sword-Gusmao, 20, and his brothers Kay Olok, 18, and Daniel, 16, wrote to the victims of former Catholic priest Richard Daschbach, who has been charged with sexually abusing girls at a remote Timorese orphanage that he ran for decades.

Xanana Gusmao, also the former prime minister, was filmed late last month visiting Mr Daschbach at his Dili home where he is under house arrest, toasting him on his 84th birthday with cake and drink.

Mr Daschbach, an American-born missionary who first arrived in Timor Leste in 1966, is regarded by many Timorese as a hero for his role in saving children during the country's independence struggle.

But he was officially defrocked by Pope Francis in 2018, and expelled from the organisation SVD, or Divine Word Missionaries, after he admitted to the sexual abuse of minors.

Mr Gusmao's youngest son Daniel, in a letter delivered to Mr Daschbach's alleged victims via their lawyer, told them of his anger and sadness when he heard about his father's visit to celebrate Mr Daschbach's birthday.

"I admire your courage in speaking about the crimes committed against you," he wrote.

"I apologise if my father's actions caused you distress."

His brother Alexandre expressed similar emotions.

"After hearing that my father visited Richard Daschbach, I was very disappointed and hope that his actions will not change what you choose to do," he wrote.

"You deserve to feel safe and have this behind you as soon as possible."

Xanana Gusmao's wife speaks

The letters were posted by their mother Kirsty Sword-Gusmao on her public Facebook page from her home in Melbourne, where she and her sons now live.

Ms Sword-Gusmao is the founder of the Alola Foundation, set up to campaign against sexual and gender-based violence in Timor Leste.

"I've been involved on the margins of this case for some time, and I have talked to my sons about it," she told the ABC.

"I thought they needed to know about their father's visit to former priest Richard Daschbach. And I have to say they were pretty sad and disgusted."

Ms Sword-Gusmao, who is separated from Xanana Gusmao, said her sons felt a moral duty as young Timorese, to encourage other children and young victims of abuse to speak out about their experience.

"It's easy to imagine how distressing it would have been to see someone of Xanana's standing nationally, embracing the man who had committed such terrible crimes against them."

The ABC contacted Xanana Gusmao's office for comment but has had no response.

One longstanding associate told the ABC it was unlikely Mr Gusmao had intended to damage the judicial process.

Others suggested the visit was to honour Mr Daschbach's role during Timor Leste's long struggle for independence.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12878012 (100716ZFEB21) Notable: PDF: Kevin Rudd says Sky News is using Fox model to radicalise politics in Australia

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>>123299

Kevin Rudd says Sky News is using Fox model to radicalise politics in Australia

The former prime minister tells a media inquiry News Corp’s ‘template for America’ is also its ‘vision for Australia’

Amanda Meade - 10 Feb 2021

Rupert Murdoch’s Sky News will radicalise politics in Australia within a decade just as Fox News has undermined democracy in the United States, Kevin Rudd has told a parliamentary inquiry into media diversity.

“For those concerned about the cumulative impact of Fox News in America on the radicalisation of US politics, the same template is being followed with Sky News in Australia,” Rudd told the Senate in a written submission. “We will see its full impact in a decade’s time.”

The former Labor prime minister and his Liberal counterpart, Malcolm Turnbull, will be called to give evidence at the Senate inquiry into media diversity set up last year. The inquiry will examine the dominance of News Corp Australia and its impact on democracy.

The Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young won support for the inquiry following the popularity of Rudd’s petition for a royal commission into the Murdoch media, which was unsuccessful but garnered more than half a million signatures.

The terms of reference for the Senate inquiry do not mention News Corp Australia or Murdoch but call for an examination of the “state of media diversity, independence and reliability in Australia and the impact that this has on public interest journalism and democracy”.

In his submission to the inquiry, which is due to report in August, Rudd says Fox News is a “legitimising echo-chamber for this increasingly far-right, extremist worldview” and is the model for News Corp’s Sky News Australia, which has a line-up of rightwing commentators, including Andrew Bolt, Peta Credlin and Alan Jones, at night.

Guardian Australia has reported Sky News videos are growing in popularity online on YouTube and Facebook, particularly with an international audience, as they pushed Trumpist conspiracy theories including that the US election was illegitimate.

Rudd says Murdoch’s “template for America”, which was to “demonise the agency of government”, is also his “vision for Australia” and that Sky News Australia is a vehicle for this radicalisation.

Rudd has clashed with Sky, recently winning a legal stoush with Credlin who had to apologise for saying his petition was a “data harvesting exercise”.

“It’s a template which Murdoch has believed would maximise his personal, business and ideological interests – by demonising the agency of government; undermining essential government regulation; and most importantly by minimising corporate and personal tax,” Rudd states in his submission.

“Trump achieved all three. It’s also Murdoch’s vision for Australia.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12878019 (100717ZFEB21) Notable: Senate Inquiry into Media diversity in Australia - Submissions

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>>123316

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Rudd outlines seven political and public policy areas that he believes are affected by the dominance of the Murdoch media, due to its ownership of major metropolitan mastheads in every major city except Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, as well as magazines and websites.

The areas are the National Broadband Network, debt and deficit, climate change, race, corruption, biased coverage of political parties and free speech.

“Murdoch’s blatant race-baiting has seen it targeted for criticism by a wide variety of ethnic communities across Australia,” he writes.

The former member for Griffith is not a fan of the news media code currently being examined by another parliamentary committee because it will improve News Corp’s bottom line.

“Increased revenue for News Corp from social media ‘clicks’ could create an added incentive to produce sensationalised or deceptive coverage,” Rudd said.

“Digital platforms will also be required to provide advanced notice of algorithmic changes – information that will be largely useless to industry minnows, but of huge benefit to larger players like News Corp which have the resources to process and act on that information.”

Rudd’s major recommendation in his submission is to call a royal commission into the Murdoch media – a proposal already rejected by both sides of politics.

He also recommends parliament legislate a minimal level of funding for the ABC after the public broadcaster lost $783m in funding since the Coalition came to power in 2014.

“The government of the day would be allowed to add to this funding level as they see fit but, if they want to cut below this funding level, they should be required to legislate and therefore to obtain approval from the Senate,” the former prime minister states.

In its submission to the inquiry last month the ABC said it cannot fill the void created by the closure of hundreds of newsrooms in suburban and regional Australia.

The first public hearing of the media diversity inquiry is scheduled for the end of next week.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/10/kevin-rudd-says-sky-news-is-using-fox-model-to-radicalise-politics-in-australia

—

Senate Inquiry into Media diversity in Australia

https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/Mediadiversity/Submissions

https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=a8151914-17a8-4b29-ac17-ce3dbfd17b8e&subId=699929

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12885144 (102320ZFEB21) Notable: Melbourne couple accused of keeping woman enslaved for eight years faces court

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Melbourne couple accused of keeping woman enslaved for eight years faces court

Danny Tran - 10 February 2021

An Indian woman who was allegedly kept as a slave in a suburban Melbourne home for eight years weighed just 40 kilograms when paramedics discovered her in a pool of her own urine, a court has heard.

The woman's alleged captors, a husband and wife from Mount Waverley, appeared on Wednesday in Victoria's Supreme Court.

The accused, who can only be referred to by the initials KK and KK, have been charged with possessing and using the woman as a slave between 2007 and 2015.

Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Prosecutor Richard Maidment QC told the court the husband and wife "interfered" with the woman's freedoms of choice, movement and communication.

Mr Maidment said the woman's right to proper care was "usurped".

He also said the accused couple did not pay the woman for looking after their three children.

"Each of them exercised such a degree of control over fundamental rights and freedoms … as to constitute a state of slavery," Mr Maidment said.

Woman allegedly kept against will after third visit to Australia

The Supreme Court heard the couple had met the woman, who cannot be named, while visiting the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Before she was allegedly enslaved, the woman visited Australia twice to work for the couple and was able to return home to India.

But the court heard things soured when she returned to Australia for a third visit in July 2007, and she did not leave for eight years.

"The origins of the whole arrangement were that [the victim] would be paid," Mr Maidment said.

"She worked very hard. During the whole of the eight years … she'll say to you that all she received by the way of payment in Australia were the odd $5 or $10 note here and there that might have been given to her on her birthday," he said.

While she stayed with the couple, the woman was responsible for caring for their three children, cooking and folding clothes.

Over time, the court heard the woman's contact with her own family in India became more intermittent.

Requests to return the woman to her family were allegedly met by the couple with hostility, with the wife allegedly saying in one email: "Get f***ed".

Alleged victim found in 'emaciated' condition

In July 2015, the woman collapsed on the bathroom floor and was taken to the Box Hill Hospital where she was taken to intensive care.

The paramedics who had responded found the woman in a pool of her own urine, shivering, and with a temperature of 28.5 degrees Celsius. She weighed 40 kilograms.

"She was said to be in an emaciated condition," Mr Maidment said.

Police interviewed the woman in hospital and she later told them she was not allowed to talk to investigators without her alleged female captor present.

"She feared that [the accused] would not return her to India and would not pay her the money she was owed for the work she had done," Mr Maidment said.

The trial continues.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-10/melbourne-couple-allegedly-kept-woman-as-slave-court/13142102

https://www.facebook.com/7NEWSMelbourne/videos/melbourne-couple-accused-of-keeping-a-woman-as-a-slave-for-eight-years/413233999963303

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12885645 (110008ZFEB21) Notable: Video: Nine children rescued in the Philippines after Australian man charged for allegedly paying for live-distance child exploitation

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Nine children rescued in the Philippines after Australian man charged

11 February 2021

A Victorian man charged by the Australian Federal Police for allegedly paying for live-distance child exploitation has led to the rescue of nine children and the arrest of a woman by Philippine authorities.

The children, aged between two and 16 years, were removed from harm after the AFP alerted the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Centre (PICACC).

Philippine National Police launched operation activity on Wednesday, 3 February, 2021, in Angeles City, north of Manila. A woman, 42, was arrested in the Philippines for her alleged role as the facilitator of online child sexual abuse.

The AFP charged a 61-year-old Melbourne man in November 2019 with procuring a child to engage in sexual activity outside of Australia. Ongoing investigations by the AFP facilitated the referral to PICACC.

AFP Detective Superintendent Jayne Crossling said the AFP worked with partners across the globe to protect and remove children from heinous crimes.

"AFP officers who work in child protection go to work every day to help rescue the most vulnerable and bring their perpetrators to justice,'' Detective Superintendent Crossling said.

"It is heart-breaking work for officers. But for the AFP, it is about the children we save. Whether children are in Australia or overseas, our teams never give up because they know that every day we can't identify a child is another day they are being abused."

The AFP Senior Liaison Officer in the Philippines, Detective Superintendent Andrew Perkins said the AFP worked hand-in-glove with partner agencies to tackle the global scourge of child exploitation.

"This arrest in the Philippines demonstrates the effectiveness of the PICACC, of which the AFP via our International Command in the Philippines is a partner agency. It also highlights the close working relationships between the AFP and the Philippine Authorities as well as all our domestic partners who work to ensure the protection of children around the world."

Philippine National Police Chief of the Women and Children's Protection Centre, Brigadier General Alessandro Abella, said: "this investigation emanated from intelligence received by the Australian Federal Police. It highlights the cooperation and commitment we share in protecting children and arresting and prosecuting offenders in the Philippines and abroad".

As of 3 February 2021, and since inception of the PICACC in February 2019, the PICACC has undertaken 102 operations that have resulted in the rescue of 320 victims. Seventy-seven suspects/facilitators have been charged and four offenders have been convicted. Australian-based investigations led to the arrest/charge of 27 suspects and the removal of 86 children from harm.

Further details on the PICACC are available.

https://www.afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/inauguration-philippine-internet-crimes-against-children-center

More details about the arrest of Victorian man in November 2019.

https://www.afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/victorian-man-charged-child-abuse-offence

The matter remains before the court in Australia.

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.

https://crimestoppers.com.au

You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button.

http://www.accce.gov.au/report

***Editor's note* - Footage of the rescue operation can be accessed via Hightail - https://spaces.hightail.com/space/TFWJ1U5458

Note to media:

Use of term 'CHILD ABUSE' MATERIAL NOT 'CHILD PORNOGRAPHY'

The correct legal term is Child Abuse Material – the move to this wording was among amendments to Commonwealth legislation in 2019 to more accurately reflect the gravity of the crimes and the harm inflicted on victims.

Use of the phrase "child pornography" is inaccurate and 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 or video captures an actual situation where a child has been abused.

https://www.afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/nine-children-rescued-philippines-after-australian-man-charged

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12886917 (110217ZFEB21) Notable: Video: Trump loyalist Sebastian Gorka launches tirade on Australian Sky News TV - Finn McHugh - news.com.au

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Trump loyalist Sebastian Gorka launches tirade on Australian TV

A Donald Trump loyalist has launched an angry tirade on Australian TV after being cornered over the deadly Capitol Hill riot.

Finn McHugh - FEBRUARY 11, 2021

A former Trump White House figure has launched an angry tirade on Australian TV while being grilled over the deadly Capitol Hill riot.

The historic second impeachment trial of Donald Trump is under way in Washington as Democrats accuse the former president of stoking the January attack.

Mr Trump repeatedly made baseless claims that his November election loss was fabricated, including to a rally of supporters in Washington on the morning of the assault.

When Trump loyalist Sebastian Gorka was asked by Sky News host Laura Jayes whether the former president had created an “environment” enabling the assault, he instead referenced the Black Lives Matter protest.

When Jayes attempted to bring him back to the topic, Mr Gorka launched into a personal attack, referring to her as “my dear”.

“I’ve looked at your Twitter feed, you’re not exactly the most unbiased reporter in the world,” he said on Thursday.

Jayes said her guest had clearly “come spoiled for a fight” but attempted to get the interview back on track.

“As a conservative, I’m often confused as to why you saw support Donald Trump without any criticism at all. He’s is the antithesis of conservatism, isn’t he?” she asked

Mr Gorka did not answer the question, accusing the host of “a cheap shot” before peddling unproven claims over US election fraud.

Mr Trump released a video hours after the rioters had breached the Capitol, urging them to go home in peace.

But he also praised the rioters as “very special” and reiterated his claims of voter fraud.

Jayes pressed her guest on whether Mr Trump could have prevented the riot.

“He did, get your facts straight. After the violent events occurred, he went instantly to Facebook and recorded a video to tell people go home,” Mr Gorka said.

“After it occurred, that’s the key point,” she replied.

Mr Gorka did not respond to the clarification, instead accusing the host of “anti-Trump” bias.

“Get a patsy on. If you want somebody to agree with your anti-Trump rhetoric, don’t ask me on your show,” he said.

Mr Gorka served as Mr Trump’s deputy assistant for less than a year in 2017.

https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/morning-shows/trump-loyalist-sebastian-gorka-launches-tirade-on-australian-tv/news-story/9b17a0acccfa878ae6ce1fb5e32773a4

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12897170 (120250ZFEB21) Notable: Victoria to enter five-day lockdown to contain Holiday Inn outbreak

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Victoria to enter five-day lockdown to contain Holiday Inn outbreak

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Victoria will enter a five-day lockdown in response to the Holiday Inn quarantine outbreak amid fears the new strain of the virus could be spreading in the community.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the state would enter a lockdown at 11.59pm on Friday until 11.59pm on Wednesday night.

“This hyper-infectious variant is moving at hyper-speed,” Mr Andrews said.

“This is a short, sharp blast - the same as we’ve seen in Queensland and WA - that will give us what we need to get ahead of this faster moving virus. We will be able to smother this.”

The rules will be in line with the Stage Four restrictions in place last year meaning there are only four reasons to leave the home: shopping, essential work, two hours of exercise and care and caregiving.

No visitors will be allowed to any private residence and exercise and shopping will be limited to within 5 kilometres of home.

Schools will be closed from Monday except for vulnerable students or children of essential workers.

Gyms, pools, community centres, entertainment venues and libraries will close.

Mr Andrews said five new cases were identified in the past 24 hours showing how “incredibly infectious this virus is”.

“Right now we are reaching close contacts well within the 48-hour benchmark. But the time between exposure, incubation, symptoms and testing positive is rapidly shortening. So much so, that even secondary close contacts are potentially infectious within that 48-hour window,” he said.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said the alternative to lockdown was “potentially devastating”.

“It is significantly more infectious than any other virus that we’ve seen previously. And we’re seeing this play out in the cases that we’ve had in this cluster of cases in Victoria,” Mr Sutton said.

“As the Premier said, there are individuals who are becoming symptomatic, testing positive, who have already infected their close contacts.”

He said the virus was moving so fast that people were already infectious by the time they had been identified and told they were close contacts of previous confirmed cases.

“And that means that there are exposure sites where people have been with this super-infectious variant, and that becomes a danger for widespread transmission,” he said.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12899025 (120654ZFEB21) Notable: Celebrity chef Pete Evans announces he will run for the Senate as a Great Australia Party candidate - Evin Priest, Jade Gailberger and Finn McHugh - news.com.au

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Celebrity chef Pete Evans announces he will run for the Senate as a Great Australia Party candidate

Pete Evans has confirmed his move to politics, announcing he will stand as a candidate for a fringe party run by a former One Nation senator.

Evin Priest, Jade Gailberger, Finn McHugh - FEBRUARY 12, 2021

Pete Evans has announced he will join politics and run for the Senate with former One Nation senator Rod Culleton’s The Great Australian Party.

Controversial celebrity chef and known anti-vaxxer Evans was announced as a candidate for the upcoming federal election in a statement from the party about 1am on Friday.

“Pete Evans has maintained his principles and inspired others in the face of uncommon adversity,” a statement from Mr Culleton said.

“Pete is fully supportive of the GAP ethos, supporting restoration of the commonwealth and the preservation of democracy in Australia.

“Throughout his engagement with GAP’s national selection committee, Pete presented an unwavering commitment to advancing the freedoms of all Australians. As a result, he has been resoundingly approved.

“Pete Evans has consistently demonstrated courage in exposing matters of public information and interest, provoking much needed debate despite personal cost to himself.

“I believe Pete Evans will effectively and diligently represent GAP’s growing membership base and all NSW constituents. Pete possesses the essential attributes required to challenge the status quo and restore the rule of law as defined in our constitution.

“It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Pete and welcome him on board as GAP’s first federal candidate for the NSW senate.”

Evans has previously been blasted for holding anti-vaxxer views which he aired on the Kyle and Jackie O radio show in May last year.

With Australia approaching its rollout of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines for COVID-19, Prime Minister Scott Morrison was asked about Mr Evans’ political ambitions on Friday.

He denied Mr Evans’ run would undermine confidence in Australia’s vaccine rollout, but urged media outlets not to give undue attention to the conspiracy theorist.

“It all depends on how much publicity you choose to give him. I’m not going to give him any, so I don’t propose you do,” Mr Morrison said.

Senate leader Simon Birmingham was also asked how he would feel about being in the chamber with Mr Evans.

But Senator Birmingham told Sky News that he trusted the Australian people to elect “more sensible” people to the parliament.

“I think Australians have little tolerance for some of the types of views that Pete Evans has pushed in the past and will elect more sensible people to the Australian Senate at the next election,” he said.

Friday’s confirmation comes about a month after Evans first teased the news on Instagram and two months after he was abandoned by a large number of his sponsors, including his publisher, for posting a neo-Nazi symbol on Instagram.

Evans was dropped by Pan Macmillan, which published 17 of his books, before Channel 10 booted him off I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!

Woolworths, Big W, Dymocks, Coles, Kmart, Target and the homeware brands Baccarat and House also distanced themselves from him.

Mr Culleton, a Western Australia-based politician, initially sat as a One Nation senator and then independent following the 2016 election.

But he was booted from this position later that same year after the Federal Court found he was bankrupt.

In 2017, the High Court also ruled that Mr Culleton was ineligible to run as a senator due to a larceny charge in NSW.

The small party lists policies related to tax reform, the elimination of local councils and the abolition of the Reserve Bank.

In August, Mr Evans revealed an allegiance to former US president Donald Trump.

Mr Evans donned a red “Make America Great Again” cap synonymous with Trump fans as he declared his support for the hotel billionaire online.

“Yeah I’m going to say it, go Trump,” Evans said in the lead-up to the US election in which Mr Trump was beaten by Democrat Joe Biden.

https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/politics/celebrity-chef-pete-evans-announces-he-will-run-for-the-senate-as-a-great-australia-party-candidate/news-story/9f1ec763129a4de26a57e75c233a2002

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKCX46rBxnA/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12906429 (122310ZFEB21) Notable: US government appeals UK ruling against Julian Assange's extradition

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>>123312

US government appeals UK ruling against Julian Assange's extradition

Justice department confirms Joe Biden intends to have WikiLeak’s co-founder stand trial in US

Agence France-Presse in Washington - 13 Feb 2021

The US government has appealed a UK judge’s ruling against the extradition of the WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange, according to a justice department official.

The appeal made clear that Joe Biden intends to have Assange stand trial on espionage- and hacking-related charges over WikiLeaks’ publication of hundreds of thousands of US military and diplomatic documents.

The justice department had until Friday to file an appeal against the ruling on 4 January that Assange suffered mental health problems that would raise the risk of suicide were he extradited to the US for trial.

“Yes, we filed an appeal and we are continuing to pursue extradition,” a justice department spokesperson, Marc Raimondi, told AFP.

Human rights groups had called on Biden to drop the case, which raises sensitive transparency and media freedom issues.

After WikiLeaks began publishing US secrets in 2009, the Obama administration – in which Biden was vice-president – declined to pursue the case. Assange said WikiLeaks was no different than other media outlets constitutionally protected to publish such materials.

Prosecuting him could mean also prosecuting powerful US news organisations for publishing similar material – legal fights the government would probably lose.

But under Donald Trump, whose 2016 election was helped by WikiLeaks publishing Russian-stolen materials damaging to his opponent, Hillary Clinton, the justice department built a national security case against Assange.

In 2019, Assange, an Australian national, was charged under the US Espionage Act and computer crimes laws on multiple counts of conspiring with and directing others, from 2009 to 2019, to illegally obtain and release US secrets.

In doing so he aided and abetted hacking, illegally exposed confidential US sources to danger and used the information to damage the US, according to the charges. If convicted on all counts, the 49-year-old faces a prison sentence of up to 175 years.

John Demers, an assistant attorney general, said at the time: “Julian Assange is no journalist.”

Assange has remained under detention by UK authorities pending the appeal.

This week 24 organisations, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International USA and Reporters Without Borders, urged Biden to drop the case.

“Journalists at major news publications regularly speak with sources, ask for clarification or more documentation, and receive and publish documents the government considers secret,” they said in an open letter. “In our view, such a precedent in this case could effectively criminalise these common journalistic practices.”

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/feb/12/us-government-appeals-uk-ruling-against-julian-assanges-extradition-joe-biden-wikileaks

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12907555 (130104ZFEB21) Notable: Video: Former QAnon follower Jitarth Jadeja on "The Takeout with Major Garrett" - cbsnews.com

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>>123240

Former QAnon believer says following the conspiracy "was absolutely a drug"

JAKE ROSEN - FEBRUARY 12, 2021

In 2017, after becoming enthralled with American politics while studying in the U.S., Australian Jitarth Jadeja fell under the influence of QAnon, a debunked and harmful online conspiracy theory. Jadeja said he was drawn into the web of its conspiracies when he started following fringe media figures like Alex Jones; online message boards like 4chan and 8chan further radicalized him.

"[QAnon is] just such a good story, you know, like this insider leaking secret government information," Jadeja told CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett in this week's episode of "The Takeout" podcast.

QAnon supporters vary in their beliefs, but the general conspiracy alleges former president Donald Trump is key to stopping a ring of Satan-worshipping pedophiles who run a child sex-trafficking operation. It centers around anonymous message board posts by "Q" — allegedly a government employee with a top-secret security clearance — and it ties in conspiracies involving President John F. Kennedy's assassination, school shootings, "Pizzagate" and the Mueller Report. And QAnon helped propagate former President Trump's so-called "Big Lie" — that the 2020 election was stolen from Mr. Trump.

Jadeja was a believer for two years, but has since disavowed the cult. He now moderates online forums for former QAnon supporters in search of help for themselves or loved ones who have become followers.

"It was absolutely a drug," Jadeja said of QAnon. "It just spirals out of control from there because like any drug, you need a bigger and bigger hit to get that high — which is why you need a bigger, more grandiose conspiracy theory."

Jadeja said he was addicted, "all day, every day for months, just looking and searching for that hit." By the time he was fully indoctrinated into the QAnon community, Jadeja said that he believed in some of its more outlandish theories, including one that claimed German Chancellor Angela Merkel being Adolf Hitler's biological daughter.

But after he began investigating some of the outlandish claims made by "Q," Jadeja realized that it was all a fraud.

"It felt like in the space of one second, the entire universe collapsed in on me," Jadeja said about the moment he realized QAnon was composed of lies. "I felt like just a brain in a jar with no control… I didn't know what to think. I was almost like I was rebooting from the ground up."

Jadeja biggest regret was indoctrinating his dad, who today remains a QAnon believer.

"That is the worst thing that I've ever done," Jadeja said. "So when we were in the cult together, it brought us very close in a way that had never happened before. And I was for the first time in my life, I felt like my dad was giving me a lot of respect."

His father's continued belief in QAnon has strained their relationship, he said.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/qanon-conspiracy-believer-drug/

—

Former QAnon follower Jitarth Jadeja on “The Takeout”

2/12/2021

Jitarth Jadeja, a former QAnon supporter who spent two years in the grip of online conspiracy theories, opens up about his experience of joining – and then exiting – that world, on "The Takeout with Major Garrett."

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/former-qanon-follower-jitarth-jadeja-on-the-takeout-2122021/

https://twitter.com/TakeoutPodcast/status/1360337085908017158

https://twitter.com/TakeoutPodcast/status/1360296292128292867

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12907869 (130144ZFEB21) Notable: ‘Dangerous Publicity Stunt': Expert Slams Pete Evans’ Run For Senate - Eden Gillespie - sbs.com.au

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>>123335

‘DANGEROUS PUBLICITY STUNT': EXPERT SLAMS PETE EVANS’ RUN FOR SENATE

An expert has described Pete Evans’ bid for a Senate seat as a “celebrity move” that “cheapens politics”.

EDEN GILLESPIE - 12 FEBRUARY 2021

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Conspiracy theory expert, Dr Kaz Ross, has labelled Pete Evans’ run for NSW Senate a “publicity stunt with dangerous implications”.

The Great Australian Party, led by ex-One Nation senator Rod Culleton, announced on Friday that the former celebrity chef would be its first federal candidate.

Evans has repeatedly promoted anti-vaccination views on social media. Last November, Evans’ book publisher and various other commercial partners cut ties with the chef after he shared a cartoon featuring a Neo-Nazi symbol.

At the time, Evans apologised for ‘mistakenly’ sharing the symbol and claimed he “had to actually Google what neo-Nazi meant.”

Dr Ross told The Feed Evans has a “nose for clicks” and a special talent for making headlines.

She believes Evans’ run for Senate is not motivated by his interest in politics but an attempt to bolster his celebrity status.

“It’s just a celebrity move and that really cheapens what the political system is about,” Dr Ross said.

“The danger is turning politics into a popularity circus. Do we want celebrity culture spilling over into politics?” she added.

Evans recently attracted attention for interviewing Liberal MP Craig Kelly, who’s been criticised for sharing misinformation about so-called treatments for COVID-19 on Facebook.

Dr Ross said the interview with Kelly exposed Evans’ gaping knowledge about the Australian political system.

Despite his political ambitions, Evans asked the MP, “What is it that you do for your electorate if that’s the correct terminology?”

He then followed up by asking, “So currently where are you sitting? You said you’re in Canberra, so explain your title,” before asking Mr Kelly to explain the role of the Senate.

“You can tell from his interview that he did with [MP] Craig Kelly that he has zero concept of how the Senate works or what a senator does,” Dr Ross said.

Evans bid for a Senate seat comes as the US sees an increasing number of individuals promoting conspiracy theories enter the political arena.

Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene apologised last week for her previous embrace of QAnon and for falsely suggesting that several mass shootings were secretly perpetrated by government actors.

Dr Ross said the QAnon movement, in which its followers believe an elite cabal is running a global sex trafficking ring, has weakened the public’s trust in democracy.

“Here in Australia, we’ve got a lot of challenges for our country. So let’s get the best representatives we can get,” she added.

So what are Evans chances of nabbing a Senate seat? According to Dr Ross: “absolutely zero”.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12908388 (130303ZFEB21) Notable: PDF: Massage testimony Ghislaine Maxwell fought to keep hidden is unsealed - "I have not given anyone a massage"

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>>123305

Massage testimony Ghislaine Maxwell fought to keep hidden is unsealed

Testimony showing Ghislaine Maxwell claiming to have never given a massage to her perverted ex Jeffrey Epstein — or to anyone else — was unsealed in a civil case Thursday, after she lost a legal fight to keep it under wraps.

The excerpt — which is at the heart of a perjury case against the British socialite and alleged madam — was part of a July 2016 deposition Maxwell gave in a civil defamation suit brought against her by Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was recruited by Maxwell to be abused by Epstein and his associates.

“Did you ever give a massage to anyone other than Mr. Epstein at any of Mr. Epstein’s properties?” an attorney for Giuffre asked Maxwell.

“First of all, I never said I gave Mr. Epstein a massage,” Maxwell responded.

“I don’t give massages,” she added.

“Let’s just tie that down. It is your testimony that you’ve never given anybody a massage?” the attorney responded.

“I have not given anyone a massage,” Maxwell said.

Part of the excerpt is included in the Southern District of New York criminal indictment against Maxwell, who faces two perjury charges and four charges related to her allegedly procuring young women for Epstein to abuse.

The feds allege she knowingly lied about the massages.

Maxwell’s attorneys had nevertheless sought to keep the excerpt redacted in the civil case, but Judge Loretta Preska ruled earlier this week that it should be made public because it does not deal with consensual sexual activity between adults.

“It does not relate to private sexual activity of consenting adults, but only to massages,” Preska wrote in her decision. “Any private interest she has in sealing this portion of testimony does not outweigh the presumption of public access that attaches to it.”

Maxwell has pleaded not guilty to all the counts she is facing. She’s awaiting trial in federal jail in Brooklyn.

Epstein’s victims have accused Maxwell of acting as his recruiter in the 1990s, convincing girls and young women to visit his properties in Florida, the Virgin Islands and New York, where he would abuse them.

The multimillionaire pedophile, who killed himself in a Lower Manhattan jail cell in 2019, often groomed his victims by asking them to massage him.

https://nypost.com/2021/02/11/massage-testimony-ghislaine-maxwell-fought-to-conceal-is-unsealed/

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4355835/giuffre-v-maxwell/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc

https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.447706/gov.uscourts.nysd.447706.1212.1_2.pdf

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12908752 (130349ZFEB21) Notable: Christiane Amanpour Tweet: Former Australian PM @JuliaGillard points out that "an ultra-macho style of leadership, a blustering style of leadership, not looking at the facts, pretending that somehow you can out-swagger a virus – that has been the style that has *least* worked this time."

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Christiane Amanpour Tweets

The world is watching the impeachment trial, and fmr. Australian Prime Minister @JuliaGillard says it's crucial to "consider what they would be saying if this had happened in another nation… What would they be saying about accountability?"

https://twitter.com/camanpour/status/1360263279743029254

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Former Australian PM @JuliaGillard points out that "an ultra-macho style of leadership, a blustering style of leadership, not looking at the facts, pretending that somehow you can out-swagger a virus – that has been the style that has *least* worked this time."

https://twitter.com/camanpour/status/1360262684109905920

>All assets [F + D] being deployed.

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12917421 (132205ZFEB21) Notable: Defence Minister Linda Reynolds Tweet: Touch down! @USMC personnel from the tenth Marine Rotational Force - Darwin (MRF-D) have landed in the NT

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>>123293

>>123294

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds Tweet

Touch down! @USMC personnel from the tenth Marine Rotational Force - Darwin (MRF-D) have landed in the NT. Personnel will quarantine at a defence facility & undergo #COVID19 testing before commencing training with #YourADF. Around 2,200 MRF-D will arrive in Darwin by June.

https://twitter.com/lindareynoldswa/status/1360187881621311495

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12918879 (140023ZFEB21) Notable: QAnon pushes new conspiracies claiming Trump is still president - Sky News Australia

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QAnon pushes new conspiracies claiming Trump is still president

Sky News Australia

14/02/2021

Notorious conspiracy theory group QAnon is forwarding claims Donald Trump is technically still the United States President.

The organisation gained significant popularity over the past four years by pushing debunked and bizarre claims and are now alleging Mr Trump will be sworn back into office in a matter of weeks.

https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6232035129001

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/12920242 (140236ZFEB21) Notable: What’s next for Donald Trump, the least predictable ex president- Jamie Seidel - news.com.au

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What’s next for Donald Trump, the least predictable ex president

He’s already set up court in his Mar-a-Lago golf club and continues to deny his electoral defeat but what will Trump do next?

Jamie Seidel - FEBRUARY 13, 2021

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Insurrection? Resurrection? Obscurity? Donald Trump may be out of the White House but he remains very much in the public eye. So what does his future hold?

Ex-presidents are usually eminently predictable.

They write their memoirs. They appear on chat shows. They join the lecture circuit. They preside over commemorative libraries.

But perhaps not Trump.

He’s already set up court in his Mar-a-Lago golf club. He continues to deny his electoral defeat. His close circle of confidantes are still concocting tales of conspiracy and fraud.

Such claims led thousands of Trump’s most ardent supporters to storm Capitol Hill on January 6. They wanted the vote overthrown. They wanted Vice President Mike Pence hung for refusing to rule the election result invalid. They wanted to ‘put a bullet in the head’ of key Democrat Nancy Pelosi.

That violent insurrection was put down. But was it just the opening chapter of a more epic tale? Or are the Trump years already being consigned to the dustbin of history?

Here’s how the story could pan out.

THE IDES OF MARCH

Trump has a lot of troubles. But the loyalty and enthusiasm of his followers aren’t among them.

“Now that he has been stripped of the title ‘commander-in-chief,’ he could find a different army, within the United States, to command and control,” surmise a group of analysts at the Brookings Institute policy think-tank.

It’s a notion the US armed forces takes seriously.

This week, senior Pentagon officers addressed their troops on the dangers of extremism and their vow to uphold the constitution and defend “the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic”.

But the seditious movement remains strong among US militia, white extremists, fringe Christian and conspiracy communities.

The QAnon movement is whipping itself up towards another crescendo.

It insists Trump is still president. That he’s just biding his time. That all his enemies are about to be arrested. That he will return to the White House in triumph on March 4.

Despite all “Q” prophecies so far having failed to eventuate, its followers are still standing by for a sign. Any sign.

“Does anyone think that a sh*t show will begin tomorrow during this fake impeachment?” one QAnon adherent asked on Telegram. “I really want to see all the morons to be arrested & charged! For the [call to arms] to happen soon. My family are thinking that I’m nuts!”

But the near-religious fervour of such supporters presents an opportunity: “Trump could well become so desperate that he opts to continue to stoke violent flames of tension,” the Brookings analysts write.

TRUMPISM

Trump thought is deeply entrenched.

He ran for office on the basis of being an “outsider”. A businessman uncorrupted by decades of political power plays and compromise. Of not being part of the “establishment”.

Now, Trump and his followers are the establishment.

He appointed top party officials including National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel. Likewise, Republican officials at the state and local levels got their job through being true believers.

“The state party leaders are the activists, not the elite,” notes former Republican senate strategist Liam Donovan. “The rank and file are hardcore Republicans, and hardcore Republicans are hardcore Trump people. He has absolutely converted them.”

“The 2020 election put to rest the comforting fable that Trump’s election was a fluke. Trump is the United States — or at least a very large part of it,” writes Professor of political science Jonathan Kirshner.

“One cannot paint a picture of the American polity and the country’s future foreign policy without including the significant possibility of a large role for Trumpism, with or without Trump himself in the Oval Office”.

Trump’s followers are loyal to Trump. Not the Republican party.

Just how large – and powerful – that cohort is yet to be seen.

The first tests will come as the Republicans select candidates for the next round of elections. Who Republicans vote for during the 2022 midterm elections will clinch it.

Trump’s ultimate goal: swaying the 2024 presidential primaries.

Will he make a political comeback? Or will he seek to have one of his favourites installed?

(continued)