Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun loses defamation case

 

Liverpool Council Mayor Ned Mannoun has lost a defamation case over a Facebook post by a former councillor in which he was called a "crim" and a "grub".

Judge Gibson said the evidence presented did not demonstrate the post had created serious harm.

"Nader Mannoun is a crim. He fraudulently inflated his financials to sell his business to a charity for $1m. That charity has now lost $1m as the business was not worth that much," the post, which was removed shortly after the trial began and submitted in court documents, said.

Deir el-Balah, Gaza

 

 

On Friday, a child and two women were trampled to death in a stampede at a bakery in central Gaza, according to a local hospital.

Eyewitnesses say they saw people pushing their way into the bakery before the tragedy.

The anarchy in Gaza we warned about months ago is here.

Young women lacked safe spaces and that reports of gender-based violence and rape, abuse of children and other violence had increased.

Volodymyr Zelensky prepared to end war on one condition

 

The Ukrainian president suggested he was prepared to end the 'hot phase' of the war in exchange for membership of the bloc. 

He said if the Ukrainian territory he controls was taken 'under the NATO umbrella', he could return the rest, which is currently under Russian occupation, in a 'diplomatic way'. 

Callum Cameron sentenced to life for murdering his mother

 

Perth man Callum Cameron stabbed his mother 62 times while high on a plant-based psychedelic drug called Ayahuasca.  He will remain in prison for at least 20 years. 

At a judge alone trial earlier this year, it was uncovered the former IT student had a history of drug-induced psychosis and suffered from untreated schizophrenia.

He was brought to tears yesterday in the dock at WA's Supreme Court, as he was handed a life sentence for murdering his mother Carol Cameron.

Former ATSIC head Geoff Clark found guilty

 

Former ATSIC head Geoff Clark has been found guilty on 25 charges, spanning roughly two decades of offending.

Clark has been sentenced to six years and two months in jail.......

The 72-year-old will be eligible for parole in three years and nine months, with 78 days already served behind bars.........................

https://tinyurl.com/2ksf75am

Three men sentenced over gang rape during bucks party.

 

Andrew David, Maurice Hawell and Marius Hawell sexually assaulted three teenage women in February 2022.

The three men will serve sentences between nine and 14 years.

The three men, all from Sydney have been handed lengthy prison sentences for the "degrading and heinous" gang rape of three young women during a bucks weekend in Newcastle in 2022...............

https://tinyurl.com/2s35znjj

Sex Crime Detective Glen Coleman jailed for sexual abuse

 

A teenager went to police to report a sexual assault but instead of helping her, NSW Sex Crime Detective, Glen Coleman abused his position and sexually abused her.  

He was found guilty and sentenced to two years jail for sexually touching her without consent.

Nirmeen Noufl refused bail

 

Yesterday Sydney woman Nirmeen Noufl appeared in court in a bid to be released on bail.  It was refused.

She is alleged to have killed her husband, dismembered his body and placed his body parts in 20 to 30 rubbish bags across south-western Sydney………

https://tinyurl.com/33e74jut

Vito the pug wins US Best in Show

 

America has an unlikely breed as its new national dog champion.

For the first time in at least two decades, a pug has been crowned best in show at the 92nd annual National Dog Show Presented by Purina.

Vito has now racked up 25 best-in-shows over his lifetime.

US Democratic-controlled cities ready for deportations

 

Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia are taking steps to shield people living in the U.S. without authorization from efforts by the incoming administration to carry out what it says will be the largest deportation effort in history.

Senate passes world first social media ban for children under 16

 

Under-16s will be barred from using sites such as Instagram but the details are yet to be fully worked out. Photograph: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters

The Senate passed the bill 34 votes to 19.  

The House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved the legislation by 102 votes to 13.

Ilse Koch, “The Witch of Buchenwald”, 1947.

 

She allegedly selected tattooed prisoners for death in order to fashion lampshades and other items from their skins.  The lampshades were confirmed to be made from human skin in March of this year. 

Source:  Reddit

Hiker survives 50 days in Canadian wilderness

 

The harrowing details of the “unbelievable miracle” of a 20 year old hiker who survived 50 days lost in the Canadian wilderness – and to the sustained and desperate search by his family and friends.

On Wednesday, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed that Sam Benastick, 20, was being treated at the hospital in Fort Nelson, British Columbia, more than seven weeks after he was last seen heading into the wild. He was suffering from frostbite and smoke inhalation caused when his makeshift shelter burned down........

https://tinyurl.com/4vz56vm2

Tony Burke has been working to overhaul migration laws

 

The Albanese government is planning to combine a trio of migration policies that would help it deport thousands of non-citizens, with advocates labelling the changes "brutal".  

The suite of measures would extend the government's powers, impose Trump-style travel bans, allow non-citizens to be deported to third countries and reverse protections for refugees…………

https://tinyurl.com/4ecz7ryv

 

Elon Musk reveals names and titles of Public Servants

 

....Musk reposted two X posts that revealed the names and titles of people holding four relatively obscure climate-related government positions. Each post has been viewed tens of millions of times, and the individuals named have been subjected to a barrage of negative attention. At least one of the four women named has deleted her social media accounts.........

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/27/business/elon-musk-government-employees-targets/index.html

36 bills will be rushed through Senate today

 

Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson believes Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has “no plans” for parliament to return in February and will “go to an election” before then.

The Albanese government is trying to push 36 bills through the Senate on its final sitting day of 2024………..

https://tinyurl.com/nte2yj44

Chinese Port of Darwin's lease could be terminated

 

The Chinese company that operates the Port of Darwin faces having its controversial 99-year lease terminated by the NT Government after expressing concerns about the firm's financial position.

Landbridge Infrastructure Australia is yet to make a profit since 2015, when it signed a 99-year lease with the NT Government to operate the port, in a deal that prompted a furious response from the United States…………

https://tinyurl.com/5aw59nda

Fabricated Aboriginal cultural heritage evidence claim

 

 

Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has hit out at an environmental activist group found to have distorted and fabricated Aboriginal cultural heritage evidence in order to block development projects.

The federally funded Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) helped activists concoct a rainbow serpent and crocodile man songline map, with minimal consultation with Indigenous leaders, in order to block a $5.8 billion gas field near the Tiwi Islands…………..

https://tinyurl.com/39xmhurs

 

The "real-life Pinocchio of parliament"

 

Former WA Labor MP Barry Urban is in a Perth hospital after being punched at his workplace on Tuesday.  

Six years after being entangled in a web of lies about his war medals and decorated past, he'd been managing Tyre Brigade in Kelmscott, where he was allegedly bashed and left clinging to life……..

https://tinyurl.com/mppy8s2n

'A serious deal': Hamas says ready for Gaza truce

 

 

"Hamas is ready for a ceasefire agreement and a serious deal to exchange prisoners," a senior Hamas official was cited as saying.............

https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-830937

 

Police officer Kristian White guilty of manslaughter

 

Police officer Kristian White warned 95-year old Mrs Nowland that his taser was aimed at her and then said “bugger it” and fired. She fell and hit her head, triggering a fatal brain bleed. 

The prosecution argued White was fed up and impatient and the jury agreed.  He was found guilty of her manslaughter.

Western Sydney beach not opened in time for heat wave

 

"Pondi", is a temporary man-made beach in Penrith, Western Sydney, that opened in December 2023 and closed in April 2024:  The NSW government operates Penrith Beach.  

“The much-anticipated re-opening of the free beach will be ready in time for the school holidays with further details, including operating times, to be announced soon,” the spokesperson said.

Macron and Biden's ceacefire deal to go ahead

 

The Israeli cabinet approved the US proposal for a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, with 10 ministers in favour and one opposed.  By ending the conflict with Hezbollah, Netanyahu said Hamas would stand alone, clearing the way for Israeli forces to recover the remaining Oct. 7 hostages. 

Judy Garland's last days

 

Judy Garland at age 46, arrives at London Airport in May 1969.

Throughout her life, she struggled with substance abuse involving both drugs and alcohol; she died from an accidental barbiturate overdose in 1969, at age 47.

Sitting on a gold mine

 

As more home owners install batteries and smart appliances, they're creating an increasingly valuable resource that can feed power to the grid when needed.

But there are concerns the companies offering to manage these services are looking to capitalise on this market and cut consumers out of the profits............................

https://tinyurl.com/mrx82p47

Penny Wong sends message that Australia is no friend of Israel

 

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has given her strongest indication that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be arrested if he travelled to Australia, saying any decision “will be informed by international law, not by politics”.

Bad mistake.

Putin recruiting Yemeni men to fight in Ukraine

 

 

The Financial Times reports that Russia has recruited hundreds of Yemeni men to fight in Ukraine, lured by the promise of high salaries and potential Russian citizenship. 

The November 23 report said they were helped by a Huthi-linked company to travel to Russia, then forcibly inducted into the Russian Army and sent to the front lines in Ukraine. 

The report said the action illustrates how the Kremlin is desperately trying to avoid a full mobilization of its society by using foreign fighters following reports that North Korea has sent thousands of soldiers to train and fight alongside Russian forces.

https://tinyurl.com/yhd7mr74

Cyber bullying kills

 

Kirra Pendergast talks to thousands of teenagers each year in her role as a cyber safety educator.  She knows what they get up to online – the texting, the bullying, the sextortion, the threats – but nothing prepared her for the hostility she faced this month in a roomful of students ages 12 and 13.......

https://tinyurl.com/4xnft3x8

https://tinyurl.com/4xnft3x8

India win series opener by 295 runs

 

India's paceman Jasprit Bumrah celebrates the key wicket of Australia's Travis Head on day four of the first Test in Perth. 

Photograph: Colin Murty/AFP/Getty Images

Australia should delay social media ban until age-check trial finishes, Google and Meta say

 

..........Meta said the bill would be “inconsistent and ineffective” and fail to achieve its stated goals without more consultation. The company backed Google’s call to delay the bill until the age-assurance trial was completed.........

https://tinyurl.com/bee92ky6

Police made 170 arrests as climate protesters blockage Newcastle coal port

Climate protesters took part in a three-day blockade at the world's largest coal port in Newcastle. They want the federal government to rule out new coal and gas mines and for a 78 per cent tax on coal and gas exports.

Australia to give $50m for energy transition

 

Australia is investing $50 million in the Australia-Pacific Partnership for Energy Transition.

The partnership will support Pacific countries to shift away from fossil fuels and help improve energy security and affordability.........

https://shorturl.at/hDftJ

Gary Bloom, convicted paedophile, walks free from Melbourne Court

 

Convicted paedophile Gary Bloom, was given a three-year suspended sentence by Australian judge Robyn Harper after pleading guilty to three charges of indecent assault. He was allowed to return to Scotland where he was traced to a bed and breakfast in Aberdeen.

Smartwatch saves mans life rafting the rapids in Tasmania

 

An international visitor had his leg amputated on Friday when he became trapped between rocks while rafting in rapids along the Franklin River in Tasmania.  His smartwatch made a call for assistance about an hour later and triggered an emergence response, providing rescuers with his location....................

https://tinyurl.com/bdct62ak

A look inside Michelangelo's 'secret room'

 

The BBC gets access to a secret room under the Medici Chapel in Florence, where Michelangelo took refuge during political upheaval. The small chamber, covered in his sketches, has opened to the public recently and offers a rare glimpse into the artist's genius................

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0k1sfgm/a-look-inside-michelangelo-s-secret-room-

Justin Sun pays $US6.2m for artwork in crypto

 

A piece of art that is little more than a banana duct-taped to a wall sold at auction for $US6.2 million to cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun.

The Chinese collector and founder of the cryptocurrency Tron, placed the winning bid over the phone. He paid in crypto and it will be the buyer's responsibility to replace the banana as it rots.

Five Bali Nine prisoners in Bali coming home

 

The five remaining prisoners from the infamous Bali Nine group are set to be sent home to Australia from Indonesia next month.

Australians Matthew Norman, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen, Scott Rush and Michael Czugaj are all serving life sentences in squalid Balinese prisons................

https://tinyurl.com/3766e5e5

 

Planning on a holiday in Bali soon?

 

 

Advice to all young people planning a holiday in Bali.  It’s safe to drink beer, wine, or any sealed premix drinks but stay away from anything made with spirits, especially cocktails.

Backpacker hostel owner arrested in Laos

 

The owner of Nana Backpacker Hostel - a backpacker hostel where two young Australians were staying before they fell violently ill and died from suspected methanol poisoning - has been detained by police for questioning in Laos.

Six million Australians to lose private hospital cover

 

Healthscope released a statement today (Friday) saying it had “no choice” but to terminate contracts with Bupa and the Australian Health Services Alliance given the funds’ refusal to address its financial concerns….

https://tinyurl.com/4csz7drs

Meta removes 2 million accounts related to 'pig-butchering' scams

 

Pig butchering scams are elaborate and often take months to unfold. Scammers will patiently strike up an online friendship or romantic relationship with a victim, eventually guiding them to invest in elaborate fake cryptocurrency ventures.................

https://tinyurl.com/59n3m2w9

Bill Shorten says goodbye after 17 year Parliamentary career

 

Bill Shorten has declared himself “a proud moderate” in a valedictory speech declaring Parliament has the responsibility to ensure the extremes of left and right do not set the terms of political debate. 

He told Parliament “I reject outright the argument that being moderate is a sign of conservatism or apathy.

 

Angela Merkel's new memoir

 

Angela Merkel’s first mistake with Donald Trump, she says in her keenly awaited new memoir, was treating him as if he were “completely normal”, but she quickly learned of his “emotional” nature and soft spot for authoritarians and tyrants........

https://tinyurl.com/42ftwzeb

DOGE aims to cut $500 billion in annual US spending

 

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are sharing details about how their newly created (DOGE) Department of Government Efficiency — which isn't an official government department — plans to take aim at paring federal spending, with the two writing in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece yesterday that they are aiming to cut $500 billion in annual spending..............

https://tinyurl.com/2uu9bj3r

Russia did not fire ICBM at Ukraine yesterday

 

Russia did not fire an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Ukraine on Thursday, US officials report.  They said the weapon was in fact an experimental intermediate range ballistic missile, typically having a range of less than 3,500 miles.............

https://tinyurl.com/yetwr8ph

Now is the time to visit Japan

 

Our dollar has become very strong against the Japanese yen and Aussies are visiting Japan in droves. 

Coffee costs 130 yen which is $1.30 and a delicious bowl of ramen for 1000 yen is under $10.  At the time of writing, a dollar buys you 102 yen – which means every yen is now worth less than one Australian cent.

https://tinyurl.com/42xn38yz

YouTube Exemption for under 16s

 

….But children and young teens will still be allowed to use YouTube, WhatsApp and gaming services.  That's because the government has excluded "messaging apps," "online gaming services" and "services with the primary purpose of supporting the health and education of end-users" from the ban….

A rushed Senate inquiry will examine the bill and report back by Tuesday. 

https://tinyurl.com/2j3mrsk6

Drinks laced with methanol in Laos

 

Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones were taken to a hospital in Thailand after they consumed drinks laced with methanol while in the town of Vang Vieng in Laos.

Sadly Bianca Jones died today from “brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system”.  Her parents flew to Thailand to be with her.

Bowles remains fighting for her life.

 

                                    Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones (right)