@bystander1.bsky.social
"When Nicolás Maduro appeared in court in New York on Monday, his choice of lawyer quickly raised eyebrows.
The captured Venezuelan president was accompanied by Barry Pollack, a top-tier US trial lawyer who spent years representing Julian Assange, .."
The captured Venezuelan president was accompanied by Barry Pollack, a top-tier US trial lawyer who spent years representing Julian Assange, .."
Maduro’s legal team includes acclaimed lawyer who represented Julian Assange
Barry Pollack, a US trial lawyer, will take on the case as the captured Venezuelan president’s private counsel
www.theguardian.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:51 AM
"When Nicolás Maduro appeared in court in New York on Monday, his choice of lawyer quickly raised eyebrows.
The captured Venezuelan president was accompanied by Barry Pollack, a top-tier US trial lawyer who spent years representing Julian Assange, .."
The captured Venezuelan president was accompanied by Barry Pollack, a top-tier US trial lawyer who spent years representing Julian Assange, .."
But, but - he stopped the boats😱
"What Abbott and Morrison were good at was manipulating the media to believe it was their actions that stopped the boats." 😱
"What Abbott and Morrison were good at was manipulating the media to believe it was their actions that stopped the boats." 😱
Tony Abbott’s hypocrisy on immigration policy: What his time in office shows
Tony Abbott’s recent immigration rhetoric sits uneasily alongside the policies and outcomes of his own prime ministership.
independentaustralia.net
January 6, 2026 at 8:12 AM
But, but - he stopped the boats😱
"What Abbott and Morrison were good at was manipulating the media to believe it was their actions that stopped the boats." 😱
"What Abbott and Morrison were good at was manipulating the media to believe it was their actions that stopped the boats." 😱
Nearly 150 countries have agreed on a landmark plan to stop large global companies shifting profits to low-tax jurisdictions, but the US will be exempt from the deal, angering tax transparency groups."
US will be exempt from global tax deal targeting profits of large multinationals
Agreement finalised by the OECD waters down a landmark 2021 deal that set a minimum global corporate tax of 15%
www.theguardian.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Nearly 150 countries have agreed on a landmark plan to stop large global companies shifting profits to low-tax jurisdictions, but the US will be exempt from the deal, angering tax transparency groups."
Victorian Liberals using the same election "winning" strategies as their Federal colleagues🙄 - ambulance chasers, running around looking for an issue they can capitalise on.
Any chance of developing some policies?
Any chance of developing some policies?
Jess Wilson MP on Instagram: "Sinkholes, potholes, budget blackholes - this is Jacinta Allan’s Victoria.
I visited the massive sinkhole that opened up in Heidelberg today with Matthew Guy.
The Pre...
Jacinta Allan, the Premier of Victoria, has been called upon to provide assurance that the North East Link Tunnel project is safe after a massive sinkhole appeared in Heidelberg. The residents of Mann...
www.instagram.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:02 AM
Victorian Liberals using the same election "winning" strategies as their Federal colleagues🙄 - ambulance chasers, running around looking for an issue they can capitalise on.
Any chance of developing some policies?
Any chance of developing some policies?
Good question Dayne - you might also want to include her recent "private" event on the world's most expensive boat - The World - that Gina has a unit on😉
"What kind of relationship do you expect between a politician and a mining billionaire who share the same talking points on tax and mining"
"What kind of relationship do you expect between a politician and a mining billionaire who share the same talking points on tax and mining"
45K views · 4.9K reactions | What kind of relationship do you expect between a politician and a mining billionaire who share the same talking points on tax and mining policy? Because Pauline Hanson an...
What kind of relationship do you expect between a politician and a mining billionaire who share the same talking points on tax and mining policy? Because Pauline Hanson and Gina Rinehart holiday...
www.facebook.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:32 AM
Good question Dayne - you might also want to include her recent "private" event on the world's most expensive boat - The World - that Gina has a unit on😉
"What kind of relationship do you expect between a politician and a mining billionaire who share the same talking points on tax and mining"
"What kind of relationship do you expect between a politician and a mining billionaire who share the same talking points on tax and mining"
The MSM is well and truly farked - if he had gone the headline would be something along the lines of - "Albo plays at the cricket while FN Qld drowns"
Sussan Ley attended - no outrage that she's not in Qld🙄
Sussan Ley attended - no outrage that she's not in Qld🙄
Albanese, Wells no-shows at the SCG for McGrath Foundation high tea
While the prime minister and the federal sports minister were notable absentees from day three of the Sydney Test, there were plenty of other movers and shakers basking in the sun.
www.smh.com.au
January 6, 2026 at 2:24 AM
The MSM is well and truly farked - if he had gone the headline would be something along the lines of - "Albo plays at the cricket while FN Qld drowns"
Sussan Ley attended - no outrage that she's not in Qld🙄
Sussan Ley attended - no outrage that she's not in Qld🙄
"Last Friday, an apparent new trader on Polymarket.com seemed to invest $30,000 on the market: Maduro out by January 31, 2026?. After Maduro’s capture was announced on Saturday morning, that same investor seemed to have made profits of $436,759.61."
US traders make big profits betting on Maduro’s capture in January
Arrest of Venezuelan president appears to have been anticipated on ‘prediction markets’ where people bet on future events
www.theguardian.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:19 AM
"Last Friday, an apparent new trader on Polymarket.com seemed to invest $30,000 on the market: Maduro out by January 31, 2026?. After Maduro’s capture was announced on Saturday morning, that same investor seemed to have made profits of $436,759.61."
"Almost 7 million Australians living on the fringes of capital cities are at a growing risk from fires, according to a new report compiled by former fire chiefs and the Climate Council.
The risk could be similar to a major fire like the one that ravaged Los Angeles, killing 31 people last year."
The risk could be similar to a major fire like the one that ravaged Los Angeles, killing 31 people last year."
LA-like fires could hit Australian capital cities, report warns
Australia's capital cities are increasingly at risk of being affected by a major fire like the one that ravaged Los Angeles last year, according to a new climate report.
www.abc.net.au
January 6, 2026 at 12:10 AM
"Almost 7 million Australians living on the fringes of capital cities are at a growing risk from fires, according to a new report compiled by former fire chiefs and the Climate Council.
The risk could be similar to a major fire like the one that ravaged Los Angeles, killing 31 people last year."
The risk could be similar to a major fire like the one that ravaged Los Angeles, killing 31 people last year."
Reposted
DIFFERENT WARS, SAME PROPAGANDA
...a montage showing the direct parallels between the rhetoric around the Iraq war & the current rhetoric around Venezuela.
Jon Stewart 🎥 #IraqNeverAgain
...a montage showing the direct parallels between the rhetoric around the Iraq war & the current rhetoric around Venezuela.
Jon Stewart 🎥 #IraqNeverAgain
January 4, 2026 at 2:58 PM
DIFFERENT WARS, SAME PROPAGANDA
...a montage showing the direct parallels between the rhetoric around the Iraq war & the current rhetoric around Venezuela.
Jon Stewart 🎥 #IraqNeverAgain
...a montage showing the direct parallels between the rhetoric around the Iraq war & the current rhetoric around Venezuela.
Jon Stewart 🎥 #IraqNeverAgain
This has to be fake? People walking forward all pretty much white.
Those with back turned all middle eastern - some with Arab headwear and there's even some with burqas (facing so that you can see them).
Sky News and AdvanceAI production 🙄
Those with back turned all middle eastern - some with Arab headwear and there's even some with burqas (facing so that you can see them).
Sky News and AdvanceAI production 🙄
January 5, 2026 at 10:08 AM
This has to be fake? People walking forward all pretty much white.
Those with back turned all middle eastern - some with Arab headwear and there's even some with burqas (facing so that you can see them).
Sky News and AdvanceAI production 🙄
Those with back turned all middle eastern - some with Arab headwear and there's even some with burqas (facing so that you can see them).
Sky News and AdvanceAI production 🙄
Not good if it happens - already too much rain
"Last week, several locations in Queensland's north west broke monthly December rainfall records, including Burketown, Normanton, Cloncurry and Julia Creek with 450mm to 550mm. "
"Last week, several locations in Queensland's north west broke monthly December rainfall records, including Burketown, Normanton, Cloncurry and Julia Creek with 450mm to 550mm. "
Bureau forecasts moderate chance of cyclone hitting far north Queensland coast
The chance of a tropical low off the far north Queensland coast developing into a cyclone is increasing from low to moderate by the weekend, according to the weather bureau.
www.abc.net.au
January 5, 2026 at 5:14 AM
Not good if it happens - already too much rain
"Last week, several locations in Queensland's north west broke monthly December rainfall records, including Burketown, Normanton, Cloncurry and Julia Creek with 450mm to 550mm. "
"Last week, several locations in Queensland's north west broke monthly December rainfall records, including Burketown, Normanton, Cloncurry and Julia Creek with 450mm to 550mm. "
Letters to the editor
"The anti-immigration stances of Advance and Andrew Hastie represent a populist shift in Australian conservative politics. While they frame their arguments around economic relief (specifically the housing crisis) and social cohesion, ..."
"The anti-immigration stances of Advance and Andrew Hastie represent a populist shift in Australian conservative politics. While they frame their arguments around economic relief (specifically the housing crisis) and social cohesion, ..."
Blaming migrants shows an unwelcome populist shift
What a depressing start to 2026 it is as Andrew Hastie starts crowdfunding to flame the fear fire against migrants
www.smh.com.au
January 5, 2026 at 5:07 AM
Letters to the editor
"The anti-immigration stances of Advance and Andrew Hastie represent a populist shift in Australian conservative politics. While they frame their arguments around economic relief (specifically the housing crisis) and social cohesion, ..."
"The anti-immigration stances of Advance and Andrew Hastie represent a populist shift in Australian conservative politics. While they frame their arguments around economic relief (specifically the housing crisis) and social cohesion, ..."
"Venezuela’s revival could threaten Australia’s future
Australia prospered from Venezuela’s mining downturns, but we now risk an exodus as policy blunders could drive investment to South America." say Robert Gottliebsen The Australian
"Venezuela possesses extraordinary abundance beneath its soil.
Australia prospered from Venezuela’s mining downturns, but we now risk an exodus as policy blunders could drive investment to South America." say Robert Gottliebsen The Australian
"Venezuela possesses extraordinary abundance beneath its soil.
January 5, 2026 at 4:39 AM
"Venezuela’s revival could threaten Australia’s future
Australia prospered from Venezuela’s mining downturns, but we now risk an exodus as policy blunders could drive investment to South America." say Robert Gottliebsen The Australian
"Venezuela possesses extraordinary abundance beneath its soil.
Australia prospered from Venezuela’s mining downturns, but we now risk an exodus as policy blunders could drive investment to South America." say Robert Gottliebsen The Australian
"Venezuela possesses extraordinary abundance beneath its soil.
Reposted
New:
On the alarming politicisation of the Bondi massacre, and the calls for Albanese to announce a royal commission
On the alarming politicisation of the Bondi massacre, and the calls for Albanese to announce a royal commission
Weaponising Grief
The media’s response to the Bondi tragedy
nickfeik.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:10 AM
New:
On the alarming politicisation of the Bondi massacre, and the calls for Albanese to announce a royal commission
On the alarming politicisation of the Bondi massacre, and the calls for Albanese to announce a royal commission
And today's group calling for at Bondi RC ar....
"The three MPs join teal independents Monique Ryan, Kate Chaney, Sophie Scamps and Zali Stegall, who wrote to Albanese last month saying a Commonwealth inquiry was the only way.."
"The three MPs join teal independents Monique Ryan, Kate Chaney, Sophie Scamps and Zali Stegall, who wrote to Albanese last month saying a Commonwealth inquiry was the only way.."
Crossbench MPs demand commission as sporting greats blast government inaction
A slew of independent MPs have called for a royal commission into antisemitism, as Labor remains opposed to the growing push for a federal inquiry.
www.smh.com.au
January 4, 2026 at 11:24 PM
And today's group calling for at Bondi RC ar....
"The three MPs join teal independents Monique Ryan, Kate Chaney, Sophie Scamps and Zali Stegall, who wrote to Albanese last month saying a Commonwealth inquiry was the only way.."
"The three MPs join teal independents Monique Ryan, Kate Chaney, Sophie Scamps and Zali Stegall, who wrote to Albanese last month saying a Commonwealth inquiry was the only way.."
"There is no legal difference between Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine and US President Donald Trump’s attack on Venezuela. Both are acts of aggression, the “supreme crime” according to the judgment at Nuremberg, .."
This is a warning to all world leaders who antagonise Trump
If the US president gets away with an illegal invasion of Venezuela, why not Xi Jinping, who has a flawed but genuine historical claim to Taiwan?
www.theage.com.au
January 4, 2026 at 11:19 PM
"There is no legal difference between Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine and US President Donald Trump’s attack on Venezuela. Both are acts of aggression, the “supreme crime” according to the judgment at Nuremberg, .."
The rest of the article quotes what the sporting heros said, Mike Pezzullo, Geoff Wilson (of franking credits tax fame) and other business leaders 🙄
Coalition plots parliament push for Bondi royal commission
The opposition will use any political options available to force a federal royal commission on the mass shooting amid immense public demand.
www.afr.com
January 4, 2026 at 11:22 AM
The rest of the article quotes what the sporting heros said, Mike Pezzullo, Geoff Wilson (of franking credits tax fame) and other business leaders 🙄
Geoffrey Robertson KC “The reality is that America is in breach of the United Nations charter,” he added. “It has committed the crime of aggression, which the court at Nuremberg described as the supreme crime, it’s the worst crime of all."
Is there any legal justification for the US attack on Venezuela?
International law experts expect Washington to claim self-defence and face little serious pushback
www.theguardian.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:25 AM
Geoffrey Robertson KC “The reality is that America is in breach of the United Nations charter,” he added. “It has committed the crime of aggression, which the court at Nuremberg described as the supreme crime, it’s the worst crime of all."
“One might have thought that this era of naked imperialism – of the US getting the political outcomes it wants in Latin America through sheer military force – would be over in the 21st century, but clearly it is not,” he added."
‘Naked imperialism’: how Trump intervention in Venezuela is a return to form for the US
Most of the Americas have suffered from interference from their powerful northern neighbour – and are usually the worse off for it
www.theguardian.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:22 AM
“One might have thought that this era of naked imperialism – of the US getting the political outcomes it wants in Latin America through sheer military force – would be over in the 21st century, but clearly it is not,” he added."
"President Trump’s brazen attack on Venezuela has violated the most sacred rule of international law – the near-century old ban on use of military force against another country. It returns the Americas to an era of gunboat diplomacy by imperial warlords."
Australia should not lie in bed with a shameless dictator like Trump
The US president should be met with strength, not with “fear, fawning and appeasement”.
www.smh.com.au
January 4, 2026 at 9:07 AM
"President Trump’s brazen attack on Venezuela has violated the most sacred rule of international law – the near-century old ban on use of military force against another country. It returns the Americas to an era of gunboat diplomacy by imperial warlords."
On Saturday morning, Trump seemed giddy with military success. “A lot of good planning and a lot of great, great troops and great people,” Trump told the New York Times. “It was a brilliant operation, actually.”
The ‘Putinization’ of US foreign policy has arrived in Venezuela
Trump is no longer bending the rules – he is demolishing them, with consequences far beyond Caracas
www.theguardian.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:29 AM
On Saturday morning, Trump seemed giddy with military success. “A lot of good planning and a lot of great, great troops and great people,” Trump told the New York Times. “It was a brilliant operation, actually.”
"Trump and Hegseth say that’s what makes this operation “America First”. They’ll subdue a dangerous neighbour and reap the oily spoils, with not a drop of American blood spilled."
This could be Trump’s Iraq, and Americans must ask: Is it what we voted for?
Donald Trump made it clear that oil is what his Venezuelan venture is about. But it is entirely unclear how he envisages the next few days – or few years – playing out.
www.theage.com.au
January 4, 2026 at 6:41 AM
"Trump and Hegseth say that’s what makes this operation “America First”. They’ll subdue a dangerous neighbour and reap the oily spoils, with not a drop of American blood spilled."
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few but what I’d really like to talk about is my disastrous predecessor and some pathetic city mayors,” is what Winston Churchill didn’t say during Britain’s war against Adolf Hitler."
Maduro’s capture had the world’s ear – but Trump returned to petty gripes
Though he also discussed plans to ‘run’ Venezuela, the US president could not resist upending his moment of glory
www.theguardian.com
January 4, 2026 at 6:32 AM
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few but what I’d really like to talk about is my disastrous predecessor and some pathetic city mayors,” is what Winston Churchill didn’t say during Britain’s war against Adolf Hitler."