South Africa has asked the International Court of Justice for an urgent order declaring that Israel is in breach of its obligations under the Genocide Convention in its ongoing crackdown against Hamas in Gaza.
Source: South Africa seeks ICJ genocide order against Israel
While many Indigenous figures support the proposed Voice to Parliament, there are still some who oppose it, but the mainstream media won’t tell you why, writes Tom Tanuki.
Source: #6 TOP IA STORY OF 2023: Indigenous arguments against the Voice did exist — but the media hid them
Gaza may be annihilated, but it’s not going anywhere. When the dust of war settles, it will sit on our global conscience for generations to come. It will be a permanent stain on our humanity. The children of Gaza will not forget, if they survive. The living will remember, and the dead will haunt us forever. Gaza will be remembered not only as the crime of the century, but also as the site of our greatest shame, where humanity failed.
2023 will go down in history as the darkest in Palestine––the year humanity died.
‘No’ voters have not only denied First Peoples a means to improve their systemically disadvantaged lives they have also endorsed Dutton’s Trumpification of Oz politics where truth, integrity and fidelity are entirely dispensable.
Source: Number 4 for 2023: A farce only a monster could love – » The Australian Independent Media Network
A man mourns as he holds the wrapped body of a Palestinian child who was killed overnight by Israeli bombing at a hospital in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on December 19, 2023.
When the dust of the war on Gaza settles, it will sit on our global conscience for generations to come.
Source: Opinion | 2023: The Year Humanity Died | Common Dreams
“What have you been focussing on at work this year?”
Well, recently it’s mostly been: genocide, terrorism, kidnapping, ethnic cleansing, war, racism, systemic racism in settler colonies, sexual assault, billionaires subverting democracy, the climate crisis, the horrors of social media, the horrors of traditional media, Rupert Murdoch, the politicians I don’t like, that discombobulating time Pauline Hanson called me a racist on Twitter, and thousands upon thousand of murdered children.
“I see,” she said, clearly seeing. “And what measures do you have in place at work to deal with all that?”
From the rate and scale of civilian slaughter to the killing of protected groups and the type of munitions, Israel’s war on Gaza is an exceptionally brutal campaign unlike almost anything we’ve seen.
Source: Israel’s Assault on Gaza Is Unlike Any War in Recent Memory
Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp and the Coalition are fanning fears about a “new wave of boat people”. Andrew Gardiner checks out the claims, and Australia’s history of political fear-mongering.
The war in Gaza serves as a smokescreen to the escalation of settler expansion and violence in the West Bank, writes Dan Steinbock. Meanwhile, Biden’s hawks refocus on Iran. Last of a 5-part series.
No surprise Putin closed down the Wagner Group mercenaries to cut his costs and Shanghai them into his regular army to cut costs with an offer they couldn’t refuse. “We know who and where your families are”. Cubans are behind an even worse “economic 8 ball” with America’s trade blockade assisting Putin. Will Biden lower the embargo after 65 years crippling the Nation and aiding Putin’s new and cheaper armed force? Couple this with Putin currently meeting with North Korea for a boost in arms then what are the odds on Ukraine defending itself this winter?
Key points: Cuba said authorities were working to “neutralise and dismantle” the network Russia’s defence ministry has not commented on the allegations Moscow last year announced plans to increase Russia’s armed forces by 30 per cent
Source: Cuba alleges ‘human trafficking’ of citizens to fight for Russia in Ukraine – ABC News
My thought for the day
Will we ever grow intellectually to the point where we can discern and understand the potential for the good within us? ( John Lord )
Source: The Times they are a Changing – » The Australian Independent Media Network
It seems a case of Putin poking the bear given America has ignored Cuba’s efforts all these years at ending the 65 year trade war. Russia’s presence in Cuba hardly seems an economic boon given Russia’s economic limitations. Putin is sending his troops into the Ukraine on horses.
In this context, the new Russian policies in Cuba must be viewed with considerable skepticism. The possible contributions of the Russian Federation do not appear likely to rise to the level of Cuban needs, at least in what concerns its economy. Besides, it raises the possibility that Russian initiatives will translate into the adoption of a racket-ridden state capitalism on the island, with a qualitative increase in corruption and social crisis.
Source: The New Russian Presence in Cuba | The Smirking Chimp
The Independent Australia ranking on economic management (IAREM) for 2023 shows Norway leading the world while Australia’s climb up the global ladder has begun. Alan Austin reports.
In order, the best-performed economies in 2023, with IAREM scores achieved, were:
1. Norway 39.96
2. United Arab Emirates 39.88
3. Singapore 35.60
4. Switzerland 35.02
5. Denmark 30.00
6. Iceland 29.60
7. Luxembourg 29.29
8. Ireland 28.60
9. Cyprus 26.95
10. Israel 26.56
Source: IAREM 2023: Norway’s ‘mixed’ economy leads as Australia plays catch up
It’s a pity these Reports are never in Real Time
The steady decay in Australia’s wealth generation capacity continued throughout the Liberal National period, as Alan Austin reports.
THE THREE COUNTRIES which lost the most wealth per person through 2022 were Sweden, New Zealand and Australia. That’s according to the 2023 global wealth report released last week by the research division of the Swiss-based financial giant, Credit Suisse.
Source: Global wealth report confirms Coalition incompetence right to the end
The LNP’s version of “Arms Length” deal palm stretched out to be tickled at some time in the future to replace the Rolex watches forced to be handed in. He called those watches “fakes” or was that his mate and model Abbott?
“Former cabinet minister Stuart Robert met consulting firm Accenture to discuss a federal project worth $111 million after his close friend David Milo had been trying to help the firm win lucrative government contracts.
Source: “Former… – The Fiberal Party of Australia – Lies & Misdemeanours | Facebook
As for the rest of his word salad, he sounds like a desperate man. And he should be scared. He’s only running to stay out of prison.
Source: ‘Fake Investigations RIGHT SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF MY CAMPAIGN’ | Crooks and Liars
Big-money special interests “want to divide us up,” said the indepedent senator at a living wage rally in South Carolina, “and we are determined to bring working people together.”
Source: When 3 Men Richer Than 165 Million People, Sanders Says Working Class Must ‘Come Together’
If poor justice moves like a speeding bullet. If a billionaire it can take a life time.
Former President Donald Trump’s tangled web of legal woes has grown more sticky in 2023. From the slowly building criminal inquiries in D.C. and Georgia to the mountain of fraud charges he already faces in New York — a sprawl of investigations have trailed Trump since his departure from the White House. Now, it seems, the lawsuits are finally catching up to the not-so-Teflon Don.
Source: A short guide to Donald Trump’s many legal woes | Salon.com
How bad has the military-industrial complex gotten? The arms industry donates tens of millions of dollars every election cycle, and the average taxpayer spends $1,087 per year on weapons contractors compared to just $270 for K-12 education.
Source: The Military-Industrial Complex Has Never Been Worse
“We have a choice: protect fossil fuel profits or protect the future of our planet,” said British MP Jeremy Corbyn.
Source: ‘One of the Corporate Scandals of Our Times’: Shell Posts Record $10 Billion in Profits
Separatism Abbott came to Australia by boat in 1778 and was then written into our Constitution. Had the First Nation people here been recognized and treaties signed a united nation might have progressed and an appropriate Constitution written.
Instead of recognizing the faults of the past and the inbuilt racism that they contained Abbott wants to deny history and the common sense that would correct it’s shame.
When Peter Dutton announced he would step in to lead the campaign against the Voice, Noel Pearson lost a night of sleep and delivered a withering portrayal of the Opposition Leader.
There is no greater scam than Murdoch’s sideshow hiding in plain sight as News to influence and control us for corporate and monied interests
Year upon year, we’re witnessing a rise in monetary losses to fraud. Behind these figures sit millions of Australians who experience a range of financial and non-financial harms.
Here’s what we’ve learned from the latest report – and some advice on what to look out for in the year ahead.
Source: Australians lost more than $3bn to scammers in 2022. Here are 5 emerging scams to look out for
Scotland Showing The Way
The small country of Scotland, with a population of about 4.5 million, has forged ahead with renewable energy at a much faster pace and to greater effect than most other industrialized countries. Virtually all of its electricity consumption can now be met from wind, solar, or hydro, though because it exports some of that electricity to England, the grid mix in Scotland itself is not actually 100% renewables.
Last week’s melodrama made it plainer than ever that Trump does not understand America – what made it, what it is now, what it stands for around the globe. He just doesn’t get it. His mental and emotional landscape is painfully limited, walled in, barren, scared, and perpetually angry. His whole world is himself alone. Fake patriot Trump is a man without a country. It’s a fair bet the country will ultimately decide it can do without Trump.
The Liberal Party is lost and confused about what it stands for, where it is going and how it will get there. Peter Dutton’s leadership is far from inspiring, writes Belinda Jones.
Source: Liberal Party little more than a factional fight club
Whenever you think the political world has gone quiet, a bit of scratching on the surface reveals that the early frenetic pace set by the Albanese Government has kept up its earlier pace.
Source: As the month of March rolls on, so does Albo – » The Australian Independent Media Network
we have heard from the architects, those charged with the responsibility to provide essential social services to all Australians, and who instead left us with a decade-long legacy of abject failure and wilful neglect on a multi-faceted grand-scale of human pain and suffering.
Source: Robodebt’s architects suffer temporary embarrassment, its victims are gone forever | The Shot
Lind Reynolds and Scott Morrison sing from the same hymn book
In a four-hour interview with The Weekend Australian, Senator Reynolds claimed to be the victim of a “political hit job” designed to bring down both her and the former Morrison government.
Source: Linda Reynolds breaks two-year silence on Higgins rape scandal
Do-Nothing but talk Morrison is giving speeches praising himself on how he called out China on human rights issues. Yes, he’s demanding sanctions he never applied himself. Morrison only ever opens his mouth to praise himself and the things he never did.
Australia must step up its pressure on China over human rights abuses Scott Morrison has said while praising his efforts to call out “bullying” by Beijing.
Source: Morrison calls for China sanctions, praises his efforts – Michael West
There’s a cult-like feel to today’s Liberal Party, with too many of its MPs meekly following their leader. As the electorate swings to the left, Peter Dutton continues to look to the right – it won’t win back the voters they lost.
It was never the subject of a formal announcement but at some stage in the past few years, the Liberal Party at the federal level seems to have ceased to be a conventional political organisation.
Source: Dutton is driving the Liberals off a cliff – and his colleagues are passengers watching on
The Ukrainian conflict has so far been a proxy war between Russia and NATO. However, the growing number of Western countries joining the conflict and aiming to “strategically defeat” Russia may lead to a direct clash between the Armed Forces of Russia and Western military units. If this happens, the Ukrainian conflict will turn into a Russia-NATO war. Such a situation will inevitably carry a nuclear risk. This is further aggravated by the fact that, acting out of desperation, Kiev authorities may provoke the US-led military bloc to directly enter the conflict.
Source: 2023 will be make-or-break year for Russia – Pearls and Irritations
The climate crisis ravaging the planet, escalated by the burning of fossil fuels, is causing devastating cold weather in various regions with deadly consequences, writes Jane Marsh.
Source: Deadly cold spells grip the planet as climate crisis worsens
Former President Donald Trump is once again lashing out over special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into his handling of classified documents. This time, though, he didn’t call out Smith by name. Trump is dubiously claiming that he possessed empty folders that he considered a “cool keepsake.”
Source: Trump: There Were No Classified Docs. I Kept ‘Empty Folders’ As A ‘Keepsake’ | Crooks and Liars
The Last Judgement
Content warning: this article discusses rape, sexual abuse and violence. * Support phone numbers at end of this article. Reach out, please.
Source: George Pell ‘Devil Incarnate’ is dead – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Australia’s performance in fighting Covid has declined as scientists say researchers are set back by inadequate data systems. Deaths are rising more than predicted, strain on hospitals too. Michael Sainsbury reports the latest on a pandemic which just won’t go away, amid heightened concerns over Long Covid, vaccine impact and the threat of new strains.
Source: Michael West Media – investigative journalists – always independent
World leaders are dealing with a host of pressing issues:
the climate emergency
the socio-economic repercussions of the COVID pandemic, by no means over
100 million displaced people
the increasing global population, now over eight billion
the rising cost of living.
All this means 2023 is likely to be another turbulent year.The Conversation
Source: Mad World: Global Flashpoints to watch in 2023 in the Era of ‘Polycrisis’
Another needless, fatuous endeavour; another irresponsible drain on the public purse; another expression that the military-industrial complex Down Under is thriving in all its insidious stupidity. But Australia’s purchase of HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) batteries from the United States can be put down to loneliness – or the feeling of being left out. And history shows that loneliness in the context of weapons and harm involves a need to acquire more means to do further harm.
Source: Joining the War Club: Australia’s HIMARS Purchase – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Not even one week into 2023, the new far-right apartheid government is moving to ethnically cleanse entire communities—which would displace more than 1,000 Palestinian residents, including 500 children,” said the Michigan Democrat. “All with American backing, bulldozers, and bullets.” Jessica Corbett Jan 04, 2023
Source: ‘Congress Must Stop Funding Apartheid,’ Tlaib Says as Israel Razes West Bank Homes
So what’s next for mushrooms in the new year? There aren’t any signs that the fungi’s surging popularity will slow down.
While the road to psilocybin legalization promises to be a long and uncertain one, and while the co-opting of mushrooms by the wellness industry could turn some consumers off from the ingredient due to its potential ubiquity, both the aesthetic and culinary attributes of mushrooms are undeniable.
For those reasons, IMARC, a market research firm, anticipates that the global mushroom market, which was valued at $58.8 billion last year will reach an estimated $86.5 billion by 2027.
From the couture runway to home kitchens, all things fungus are having a moment
Source: Year of the mushroom: Why 2022 was defined by fungi | Salon.com
So, this hardworking team – officially known as the Bi-Annual Liberal Strategy and Campaigning Secretariat (BALSACS) – is currently meeting in Biarritz to develop new and innovative strategies to promote Peter Dutton and the Liberal Party.
Source: It’s beginning to look a lot like rictus ─ for Dutton’s Coalition
It’s not over until the fat lady sings
Growing hardship is all but assured in 2023, and it will provide even more fertile ground for dangerous demagogues.
Sixty million of the Pfizer doses will be delivered in 2022 and another 25 million in 2023, in addition to the 40 million already due to arrive in Australia this year.
Source: COVID Australia: Morrison government buys Pfizer boosters, ATAGI says just get jabbed
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