****ASF Breaking News****

[sptrawler]

Interesting one for Aussie tourists going to Europe.

Google Maps is over! The tech giant complies with EU orders to remove navigation services from search results

For years, Google Maps has been a go-to tool for millions worldwide, seamlessly integrated into search results for instant access to directions, locations, and more. But ... Continue Reading →

jasondeegan.com

 

[basilio]

What goes around comes around. How you put yourself into the deepest hole possible.

Prison officer jailed for having sex with inmate at HMP Wandsworth​

Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, of south-west London was charged after video of activity was shared on social media

... De Sousa Abreu appeared at Isleworth crown court on Monday, where she was sentenced to 15 months in prison. Judge Edmunds said: “On 25 June 2024 you were on duty in uniform when you went to a cell with the prisoner. You took off your prison-issue radio and put it to one side. Your set of keys was at risk of being taken.

“A second prisoner was present and had a camera, doubtless on a phone which must have been an unauthorised phone. He also appears to have been smoking cannabis. Rather than challenge his possession of a phone or cannabis, you consented to him recording what was happening.

“The recording lasts some four and a half minutes, during which you gave the prisoner oral sex, then vaginal intercourse in a number of positions, before concluding by giving more oral sex.

“You participated with evident enthusiasm. The second prisoner recorded events and provided a commentary by way of encouragement, including saying: ‘Guys we made history,’ ‘This is how we live at Wandsworth, bruv’ and ‘You know you are a gangsta.’”

Prison officer jailed for having sex with inmate at HMP Wandsworth

Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, of south-west London was charged after video of activity was shared on social media

www.theguardian.com

 

[basilio]

Linda's side of the story..

 

[farmerge]

What goes around comes around. How you put yourself into the deepest hole possible.

Prison officer jailed for having sex with inmate at HMP Wandsworth​

Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, of south-west London was charged after video of activity was shared on social media

... De Sousa Abreu appeared at Isleworth crown court on Monday, where she was sentenced to 15 months in prison. Judge Edmunds said: “On 25 June 2024 you were on duty in uniform when you went to a cell with the prisoner. You took off your prison-issue radio and put it to one side. Your set of keys was at risk of being taken.

“A second prisoner was present and had a camera, doubtless on a phone which must have been an unauthorised phone. He also appears to have been smoking cannabis. Rather than challenge his possession of a phone or cannabis, you consented to him recording what was happening.

“The recording lasts some four and a half minutes, during which you gave the prisoner oral sex, then vaginal intercourse in a number of positions, before concluding by giving more oral sex.

“You participated with evident enthusiasm. The second prisoner recorded events and provided a commentary by way of encouragement, including saying: ‘Guys we made history,’ ‘This is how we live at Wandsworth, bruv’ and ‘You know you are a gangsta.’”

Prison officer jailed for having sex with inmate at HMP Wandsworth

Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, of south-west London was charged after video of activity was shared on social media

www.theguardian.com

Ah well, now she can carry on full time wherever she is positioned

 

[basilio]

Breaking News. This is serious firestorm on the outskirts of Santa Monica

Fast-moving wildfire destroys homes as strong winds hit southern California

Fire quickly consumed hundreds of acres in the Pacific Palisades, an affluent community north of Santa Monica

www.theguardian.com

 

[basilio]

This is what is happening with the fires in California

MSN

 

[SirRumpole]

This is what is happening with the fires in California

MSN

In the middle of winter there. Hmmm.

After other parts of the country had been ravaged by snowstorms.

 

[basilio]

The fires in LA are multiplying and spreading. There is no stoppage in site. Fire services haven't the capacity cannot cope with multiple extensive outbreaks.

Water supplies are also unable to cope with the fire fighting demand
Current estimate of damage range from $50-80 Billion. Infrastructure damage will equally extensive.

Current updates here.

Live: Five dead and hundreds of LA homes destroyed as firefighters battle blaze in Pacific Palisades

Uncontrolled wildfires across Southern California have destroyed at least 1,000 homes, with celebrities among those forced to evacuate. Follow live.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Dona Ferentes]

The world’s biggest climate finance alliance backed by major asset managers said it would suspend its activities, review its structure and no longer disclose its membership list, citing the election of Donald Trump and “different regulatory and client expectations”.

The Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative, launched in late 2020, had more than 300 members – including Australia’s Macquarie Asset Management, IFM Investors, Magellan Financial, Maple-Brown Abbott and Metrics Credit Partners – managing over $US57 trillion ($92 trillion). It was founded to promote the adoption of greenhouse gas reduction efforts.

The suspension of the group came just days after its biggest member, BlackRock, said it would quit the organisation. In a letter to its clients, the New York-headquartered asset management giant said membership of the net zero initiative had “caused confusion regarding BlackRock’s practices and subjected us to legal inquiries from various public officials”.

Overnight, the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative said that “recent developments in the US and different regulatory and client expectations in investors’ respective jurisdictions” had led it to launch a review to ensure the organisation “remains fit for purpose in the new global context”.

“As the initiative undergoes this review, [we are] suspending activities to track signatory implementation and reporting,” the group said in a statement, adding it would no longer disclose a list of the organisation’s members “as well as their targets and related case studies."
.
lawfare has its limits

 

[sptrawler]

Bodies and belongings lie on ground after deadly stampede in India

Local police say nearly 40 people have died in a stampede at the world's largest gathering of humanity, the Maha Kumbh Mela in northern India.

www.abc.net.au

 

[wayneL]

Reports of at least 60 dead. Questions asked.

 

[farmerge]

Reports of at least 60 dead. Questions asked.

@wayneL On the afternoon TV news the search is confined to the river which reportedly having a temperature of about 1 deg and large ice bergs present also.
With temperatures like that survival is not possible and being in the water for at 6 hours makes it impossible.

 

[Dona Ferentes]

The incoming conservative Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, during his first address to his nation:
"I am communicating closely with a lot of prime ministers, and heads of EU states and for me it is an absolute priority to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible, so that we achieve independence from the US, step by step... I never thought that I would ever need to say something like that, on television, but after the latest statements made by Donald Trump last week, it is clear, that the Americans — at any case these Americans, this administration — mostly don't care about the fate of Europe one way or another."

 

[farmerge]

The incoming conservative Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, during his first address to his nation:
"I am communicating closely with a lot of prime ministers, and heads of EU states and for me it is an absolute priority to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible, so that we achieve independence from the US, step by step... I never thought that I would ever need to say something like that, on television, but after the latest statements made by Donald Trump last week, it is clear, that the Americans — at any case these Americans, this administration — mostly don't care about the fate of Europe one way or another."

Is this a case of finally Leaders of other countries have now woken up to the fact that a complete and utter madman is in charge of the USofA.

 

[sptrawler]

Is this a case of finally Leaders of other countries have now woken up to the fact that a complete and utter madman is in charge of the USofA.

Or is it a case of the EU finally realising that they have to man up and not bludge on other countries to drag them out of the $hit over and over?

 

[Knobby22]

Or is it a case of the EU finally realising that they have to man up and not bludge on other countries to drag them out of the $hit over and over?

True. Many of the EU have been too relaxed and comfortable, not Poland. 4.1% of GDP. They have seen this too many times.

I worry about Australia and New Zealand though. China could take NZ easily. Would USA help?

 

[sptrawler]

True. Many of the EU have been too relaxed and comfortable, not Poland. 4.1% of GDP. They have seen this too many times.

View attachment 194119

I worry about Australia and New Zealand though. China could take NZ easily. Would USA help?

Yes the EU has spent minimal for a long time.

Would the U.S help? Probably only if it was strategically important to them, which it may well be, as China has a foothold from the North Pacific, right down to the Solomon Islands.

So it would make shipping from the West Coast of the U.S to Asia/ India problematic, which probably is why Trump is concerned about Chinese current control of the Panama canal.

Also Australia is a friendly source of raw materials, but as with WW2 help probably wouldn't come for nothing and it may not be enough to stop a take over anyway.

The new world order, is definitely highlighting that the U.S is living on past memories and money printing and unless it gets its house in order, Asian superpowers will become the new World superpower.

European Union Military Spending/Defense Budget - Historical Data
Year	Billions of US $	% of GDP
2022	$258.33B	1.56%
2021	$260.19B	1.51%
2020	$236.67B	1.54%
2019	$217.01B	1.38%
2018	$215.38B	1.35%
2017	$195.70B	1.33%
2016	$184.30B	1.33%
2015	$177.78B	1.31%
2014	$207.30B	1.33%
2013	$207.37B	1.36%
2012	$205.67B	1.40%
2011	$221.56B	1.41%
2010	$213.76B	1.47%
2009	$225.79B	1.53%
2008	$236.70B	1.46%
2007	$211.55B	1.44%
2006	$187.71B	1.48%
2005	$176.43B	1.48%
2004	$178.08B	1.56%
2003	$157.31B	1.59%
2002	$128.22B	1.59%
2001	$118.81B	1.61%
2000	$120.05B	1.65%
1999	$134.17B	1.69%
1998	$135.68B	1.72%
1997	$135.41B	1.76%
1996	$150.46B	1.80%
1995	$149.45B	1.81%
1994	$136.25B	1.95%
1993	$133.72B	2.02%
1992	$149.19B	2.09%
1991	$141.25B	2.19%
1990	$143.68B	2.38%
1989	$120.54B	2.45%
1988	$121.05B	2.54%
1987	$114.34B	2.63%
1986	$93.33B	2.61%
1985	$69.87B	2.70%
1984	$67.63B	2.74%
1983	$71.88B	2.81%
1982	$74.40B	2.83%
1981	$75.59B	2.80%
1980	$83.76B	2.72%
1979	$76.14B	2.77%
1978	$72.50B	2.80%
1977	$68.25B	2.81%
1976	$60.24B	2.80%
1975	$58.07B	2.87%
1974	$50.23B	2.84%
1973	$44.65B	2.81%
1972	$37.54B	2.90%
1971	$32.08B	2.87%
1970	$28.67B	2.87%
1969	$26.60B	3.13%
1968	$24.85B	3.30%
1967	$23.50B	3.52%
1966	$22.17B	3.52%
1965	$20.82B	3.57%
1964	$19.81B	3.73%
1963	$18.85B	3.95%
1962	$17.14B	3.95%
1961	$14.87B	3.68%
1960

 

[Knobby22]

Yes the EU has spent minimal for a long time.

Would the U.S help? Probably only if it was strategically important to them, which it may well be, as China has a foothold from the North Pacific, right down to the Solomon Islands.

So it would make shipping from the West Coast of the U.S to Asia/ India problematic, which probably is why Trump is concerned about Chinese current control of the Panama canal.

Also Australia is a friendly source of raw materials, but as with WW2 help probably wouldn't come for nothing and it may not be enough to stop a take over anyway.

The new world order, is definitely highlighting that the U.S is living on past memories and money printing and unless it gets its house in order, Asian superpowers will become the new World superpower.

European Union Military Spending/Defense Budget - Historical Data
Year	Billions of US $	% of GDP
2022	$258.33B	1.56%
2021	$260.19B	1.51%
2020	$236.67B	1.54%
2019	$217.01B	1.38%
2018	$215.38B	1.35%
2017	$195.70B	1.33%
2016	$184.30B	1.33%
2015	$177.78B	1.31%
2014	$207.30B	1.33%
2013	$207.37B	1.36%
2012	$205.67B	1.40%
2011	$221.56B	1.41%
2010	$213.76B	1.47%
2009	$225.79B	1.53%
2008	$236.70B	1.46%
2007	$211.55B	1.44%
2006	$187.71B	1.48%
2005	$176.43B	1.48%
2004	$178.08B	1.56%
2003	$157.31B	1.59%
2002	$128.22B	1.59%
2001	$118.81B	1.61%
2000	$120.05B	1.65%
1999	$134.17B	1.69%
1998	$135.68B	1.72%
1997	$135.41B	1.76%
1996	$150.46B	1.80%
1995	$149.45B	1.81%
1994	$136.25B	1.95%
1993	$133.72B	2.02%
1992	$149.19B	2.09%
1991	$141.25B	2.19%
1990	$143.68B	2.38%
1989	$120.54B	2.45%
1988	$121.05B	2.54%
1987	$114.34B	2.63%
1986	$93.33B	2.61%
1985	$69.87B	2.70%
1984	$67.63B	2.74%
1983	$71.88B	2.81%
1982	$74.40B	2.83%
1981	$75.59B	2.80%
1980	$83.76B	2.72%
1979	$76.14B	2.77%
1978	$72.50B	2.80%
1977	$68.25B	2.81%
1976	$60.24B	2.80%
1975	$58.07B	2.87%
1974	$50.23B	2.84%
1973	$44.65B	2.81%
1972	$37.54B	2.90%
1971	$32.08B	2.87%
1970	$28.67B	2.87%
1969	$26.60B	3.13%
1968	$24.85B	3.30%
1967	$23.50B	3.52%
1966	$22.17B	3.52%
1965	$20.82B	3.57%
1964	$19.81B	3.73%
1963	$18.85B	3.95%
1962	$17.14B	3.95%
1961	$14.87B	3.68%
1960

It's above 2% for 2024. 2025 will be larger still I am sure.

 

[sptrawler]

It's above 2% for 2024. 2025 will be larger still I am sure.

In reality it needs to be, if the EU wants to stay relevant and in its current configuration.

Russia and China are a hell of a strong combination, with Russia's minerals and energy and China's huge manufacturing capability.

The U.S is under threat financially from them, whereas Europe is under military threat from them.

The only saving grace IMO is, China still needs the West to buy its goods, but as India and SE East Asia become more affluent, therefore the dependence on U.S and EU trade and demand decreases, that's why the U.S has got to get its finances in order and be able to compete with China on a manufacturing base.

As I posted a couple of days ago the U.S Govt debt per capita is about $169,000 Australian/ person, that is a huge amount of debt.
IMO it is probably only the fact that the U.S is the reserve currency, that stops them from defaulting.

IMO if the BRICS did get another default reserve currency going, the U.S would be toast and probably most Western economies with it, this has been 40 years in the making but globalisation has actually stripped most Western Countries of the very thing that underpinned their currencies.

Manufacturing and being able to value add and sell their product to another country, for its currency as payment. Take us for example, we aren't making iron ore, we are just digging it and flogging it, same with all the raw materials. So as the population increases the money made from the raw materials gets split between more people, unless we get more for it or sell more of it for the same amount of money, there is less money per person.

It's interesting times and comes when the West is so used to having money to throw around, everyone thinks all they have to do is ask and they will receive.
The money printing is coming to an end and it will be ugly.

It's a bit like Victoria, eventually the spending catches up and there are only so many people to get the tax from to pay the debt, then someone has to be a Trump, make the nasty calls and cop the backlash.


Only my thoughts and they are worth what they cost, zip. But it is an interesting topic.

 

[sptrawler]

Interesting article on bauxite mining in W.A.

'Bottled and boiled water' plan revealed if mining ruins Perth's drinking water

The WA government defends its commitment to protecting Perth's drinking water as documents reveal the Water Corporation had serious concerns about potential contamination from Alcoa's mining operations.

www.abc.net.au