Rafiq
@rafiqcopeland.bsky.social
Reposted by Rafiq
The Australian Government for the past five years has been pushing weapons sales into the UAE at an astonishing scale. This is the result. Australia tying itself to more appalling war crimes, now in Sudan.
November 15, 2025 at 9:50 PM
The Australian Government for the past five years has been pushing weapons sales into the UAE at an astonishing scale. This is the result. Australia tying itself to more appalling war crimes, now in Sudan.
Reposted by Rafiq
I spent 8 months waiting for an FOI from the NDIA on how they're using AI.
This is what I found.
Machine learning is used in developing draft plans for participants.
Robodebt concerns loom large over the Copilot trial, but staff reported favourably on it.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
This is what I found.
Machine learning is used in developing draft plans for participants.
Robodebt concerns loom large over the Copilot trial, but staff reported favourably on it.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Government using machine learning to help create draft plans for NDIS participants, documents reveal
Exclusive: NDIA defines machine learning as a subset of AI that uses algorithms to learn from data and make decisions or predictions
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:12 PM
I spent 8 months waiting for an FOI from the NDIA on how they're using AI.
This is what I found.
Machine learning is used in developing draft plans for participants.
Robodebt concerns loom large over the Copilot trial, but staff reported favourably on it.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
This is what I found.
Machine learning is used in developing draft plans for participants.
Robodebt concerns loom large over the Copilot trial, but staff reported favourably on it.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by Rafiq
Some astonishing details in here. It’s like reading a recipe for pure corruption.
"The money has and must be going somewhere". Has Australia been played by Nauru for a cool $2B?
Human rights lawyer @alisonbattisson.bsky.social finds blacked out FOIs and no trust deed for asylum seekers deal #auspol
michaelwest.com.au/no-trust-dee...
Human rights lawyer @alisonbattisson.bsky.social finds blacked out FOIs and no trust deed for asylum seekers deal #auspol
michaelwest.com.au/no-trust-dee...
No trust deed. Billions of tax dollars to be spent without oversight by Nauru - Michael West
The Labor Government's deal with Nauru to resettle unwanted refugees will cost Australian taxpayers billions, spent on who knows what.
michaelwest.com.au
November 11, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Some astonishing details in here. It’s like reading a recipe for pure corruption.
Reposted by Rafiq
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
Reposted by Rafiq
Corruption watchdog being watched by its watchdog again.
Would be good if they investigated corruption as much as they investigate their own conduct imo
Would be good if they investigated corruption as much as they investigate their own conduct imo
Anti-corruption commission watchdog inquiring into NACC chief Brereton
The inspector of the National Anti-Corruption Commission is inquiring into the agency's head, Paul Brereton, in relation to several complaints including from a former employee.
www.abc.net.au
November 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Corruption watchdog being watched by its watchdog again.
Would be good if they investigated corruption as much as they investigate their own conduct imo
Would be good if they investigated corruption as much as they investigate their own conduct imo
Reposted by Rafiq
“Individuals on the ground sent a message that reached us Monday morning that 1,200 were dead,” Nathaniel Raymond, the lab’s executive director, said. “By that evening, they said 10,000. By Tuesday, we couldn’t reach them anymore. We assume our ground contacts are dead.”
Yale lab reports mass killings in Sudan, calls for student activism
The Humanitarian Research Lab was told this week that over 10,000 people in Sudan were killed within three days.
yaledailynews.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:02 PM
“Individuals on the ground sent a message that reached us Monday morning that 1,200 were dead,” Nathaniel Raymond, the lab’s executive director, said. “By that evening, they said 10,000. By Tuesday, we couldn’t reach them anymore. We assume our ground contacts are dead.”
Reposted by Rafiq
Fighters from the Rapid Support Forces have filmed themselves committing mass killings in Darfur’s El Fasher – even as their leaders sat in US-sponsored peace talks.
The city’s fall marks a new horror in Sudan’s war, reports journalist and human rights defender Ahmed Gouja. ⬇️
The city’s fall marks a new horror in Sudan’s war, reports journalist and human rights defender Ahmed Gouja. ⬇️
An atrocity foretold: How the RSF siege of El Fasher turned into genocidal slaughter
Communication networks are down but a deluge of shocking videos point to mass killings on a devastating scale.
buff.ly
October 31, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Fighters from the Rapid Support Forces have filmed themselves committing mass killings in Darfur’s El Fasher – even as their leaders sat in US-sponsored peace talks.
The city’s fall marks a new horror in Sudan’s war, reports journalist and human rights defender Ahmed Gouja. ⬇️
The city’s fall marks a new horror in Sudan’s war, reports journalist and human rights defender Ahmed Gouja. ⬇️
Reposted by Rafiq
We need to talk about Sudan.
After more than 18 months of an inhumane siege and starvation in El Fasher, the RSF militia are committing mass killings of civilians on an unimaginable scale.
There is so much blood it can be seen from space.
After more than 18 months of an inhumane siege and starvation in El Fasher, the RSF militia are committing mass killings of civilians on an unimaginable scale.
There is so much blood it can be seen from space.
October 31, 2025 at 1:07 AM
We need to talk about Sudan.
After more than 18 months of an inhumane siege and starvation in El Fasher, the RSF militia are committing mass killings of civilians on an unimaginable scale.
There is so much blood it can be seen from space.
After more than 18 months of an inhumane siege and starvation in El Fasher, the RSF militia are committing mass killings of civilians on an unimaginable scale.
There is so much blood it can be seen from space.
Reposted by Rafiq
'"No child is safe," said UNICEF chief Catherine Russell. "While the full scale of the impact remains unclear... estimated 130,000 children in El Fasher are at a high risk of grave rights violations, with reports of abduction, killing & maiming, and sexual violence."'
allafrica.com/stories/2025...
allafrica.com/stories/2025...
Sudan: Reported Massacre At Hospital in Sudan's El Fasher Leaves 460 Dead
Horrific stories of mass-atrocities committed by the RSF militia continue to emerge, along with the tens of thousands of civilians who have fled the North Darfur city of El Fasher in Sudan.
allafrica.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:15 AM
'"No child is safe," said UNICEF chief Catherine Russell. "While the full scale of the impact remains unclear... estimated 130,000 children in El Fasher are at a high risk of grave rights violations, with reports of abduction, killing & maiming, and sexual violence."'
allafrica.com/stories/2025...
allafrica.com/stories/2025...
Reposted by Rafiq
📢 Media outlets in Thailand and Indonesia: EJN is offering €8,000 grants to support media programming initiatives that cover corporate greenwashing, climate action & innovation as an opportunity for growth, challenges enforcing ESG frameworks, and more. Apply by November 10: https://loom.ly/ku88IRM
October 13, 2025 at 11:13 AM
📢 Media outlets in Thailand and Indonesia: EJN is offering €8,000 grants to support media programming initiatives that cover corporate greenwashing, climate action & innovation as an opportunity for growth, challenges enforcing ESG frameworks, and more. Apply by November 10: https://loom.ly/ku88IRM
Reposted by Rafiq
these are not "AI clips of European cities changed by migration", these are constructed videos designed to propagate a certain worldview - designed by the people this subhead describes as "seizing on" them
In an AI-generated, dystopian vision of the British capital, a video shows Big Ben smouldering above piles of rubbish and London crowds dressed in traditional Islamic garb.
Far-right leaders are seizing on such AI clips of European cities changed by migration to promote racist views
u.afp.com/Smz4
Far-right leaders are seizing on such AI clips of European cities changed by migration to promote racist views
u.afp.com/Smz4
October 13, 2025 at 7:55 AM
these are not "AI clips of European cities changed by migration", these are constructed videos designed to propagate a certain worldview - designed by the people this subhead describes as "seizing on" them
Reposted by Rafiq
They're literally installing Racism Dial bsky.app/profile/numb...
October 11, 2025 at 12:10 PM
They're literally installing Racism Dial bsky.app/profile/numb...
Reposted by Rafiq
As of now there is nothing Albanese's govt has done that has changed the country in any structural way.
No change at all to how the fundamental debates of the nation are addressed.
No change at all to how the fundamental debates of the nation are addressed.
October 13, 2025 at 1:38 AM
As of now there is nothing Albanese's govt has done that has changed the country in any structural way.
No change at all to how the fundamental debates of the nation are addressed.
No change at all to how the fundamental debates of the nation are addressed.
Reposted by Rafiq
BTW this National Press Club story hasn't been reported in any major news outlet yet. Indies like Lamestream, We Used to Be Journos, Pearls and Irritations etc all over it.
October 7, 2025 at 10:56 PM
BTW this National Press Club story hasn't been reported in any major news outlet yet. Indies like Lamestream, We Used to Be Journos, Pearls and Irritations etc all over it.
Reposted by Rafiq
More detail here on the NPC cancellation of a journalist who was booked to speak about Gaza.
Incredible how badly our cultural institutions have failed us.
Incredible how badly our cultural institutions have failed us.
Exclusive: National Press Club cancelled Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for being “in favour” of Palestine
Correspondence obtained by Lamestream shows the NPC confirmed Chris Hedges as a speaker, before cancelling him due to "balance".
www.lamestream.com.au
October 7, 2025 at 9:42 AM
More detail here on the NPC cancellation of a journalist who was booked to speak about Gaza.
Incredible how badly our cultural institutions have failed us.
Incredible how badly our cultural institutions have failed us.
Reposted by Rafiq
Hard to figure out sometimes whether submissions were made using AI, but then sometimes they make it fairly easy.
October 7, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Hard to figure out sometimes whether submissions were made using AI, but then sometimes they make it fairly easy.
Reposted by Rafiq
I started a project earlier this year looking at generative AI as a national security risk. Now that Sora is being publicly tested, more media outlets will have to cover and debunk AI slop and disinformation: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
OpenAI launch of video app Sora plagued by violent and racist images: ‘The guardrails are not real’
Misinformation researchers say lifelike scenes could obfuscate truth and lead to fraud, bullying and intimidation
www.theguardian.com
October 6, 2025 at 8:22 PM
I started a project earlier this year looking at generative AI as a national security risk. Now that Sora is being publicly tested, more media outlets will have to cover and debunk AI slop and disinformation: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Rafiq
A very interesting article on the language of birds with links to published articles.
Birds all over the world use the same sound to warn of threats theconversation.com/birds-all-ov...
Birds all over the world use the same sound to warn of threats theconversation.com/birds-all-ov...
Birds all over the world use the same sound to warn of threats
The findings of a new study about communication between birds also offer key insights into the origins of language.
theconversation.com
October 4, 2025 at 3:40 AM
A very interesting article on the language of birds with links to published articles.
Birds all over the world use the same sound to warn of threats theconversation.com/birds-all-ov...
Birds all over the world use the same sound to warn of threats theconversation.com/birds-all-ov...
Reposted by Rafiq
Federal governments have known about the gross mismanagement and corruption in their offshore detention operations for years.
Neither the NACC nor the AFP nor Home Affairs nor DFAT - who all know about it - have shown any desire to stop it. Serves their political purposes.
Neither the NACC nor the AFP nor Home Affairs nor DFAT - who all know about it - have shown any desire to stop it. Serves their political purposes.
Refugees and asylum seekers on Nauru going hungry despite government spending $1.5m a year for each person
The Australian government is spending millions of dollars a year to house asylum seekers, yet many say they can not afford food and are forced to skip meals
www.theguardian.com
October 2, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Federal governments have known about the gross mismanagement and corruption in their offshore detention operations for years.
Neither the NACC nor the AFP nor Home Affairs nor DFAT - who all know about it - have shown any desire to stop it. Serves their political purposes.
Neither the NACC nor the AFP nor Home Affairs nor DFAT - who all know about it - have shown any desire to stop it. Serves their political purposes.
Reposted by Rafiq
Labor during the election: “we’ll fully fund public schools”
Labor after the election: “actually we meant private schools soz”
Labor after the election: “actually we meant private schools soz”
October 2, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Labor during the election: “we’ll fully fund public schools”
Labor after the election: “actually we meant private schools soz”
Labor after the election: “actually we meant private schools soz”
Reposted by Rafiq
AI continues to innovate, finding new ways for businesses not to make money
September 30, 2025 at 4:16 PM
AI continues to innovate, finding new ways for businesses not to make money
Reposted by Rafiq
i wouldn't call myself an expert on capitalism or anything but this does indeed seem like something of a problem
The artificial intelligence industry has a big problem: 95% of companies that try AI aren’t making any money from it, according to a recent report.
Most companies aren’t seeing a return on AI investments. This tech CEO wants to change that | CNN Business
The artificial intelligence industry has a big problem: 95% of companies that try AI aren’t making any money from it, according to a report from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology last month. O...
www.cnn.com
September 30, 2025 at 4:11 PM
i wouldn't call myself an expert on capitalism or anything but this does indeed seem like something of a problem
Reposted by Rafiq
In the same way Lego doesn't supply racing cars, castles and spaceships in their boxes .....
October 1, 2025 at 8:17 AM
In the same way Lego doesn't supply racing cars, castles and spaceships in their boxes .....
Reposted by Rafiq
Chris Sidoti, former Human Rights Commissioner, at the National Press Club:
“The Genocide Convention not only requires that we not commit genocide - it also requires that we act to prevent genocide.”
#npc
“The Genocide Convention not only requires that we not commit genocide - it also requires that we act to prevent genocide.”
#npc
October 1, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Chris Sidoti, former Human Rights Commissioner, at the National Press Club:
“The Genocide Convention not only requires that we not commit genocide - it also requires that we act to prevent genocide.”
#npc
“The Genocide Convention not only requires that we not commit genocide - it also requires that we act to prevent genocide.”
#npc
Reposted by Rafiq
It’s not just that the CDP was in and of itself unlawful. In a 3 month period the scheme issued 55k penalty notices “to 35,000 people, the vast majority of whom are Aboriginal” www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03...
September 30, 2025 at 1:20 AM
It’s not just that the CDP was in and of itself unlawful. In a 3 month period the scheme issued 55k penalty notices “to 35,000 people, the vast majority of whom are Aboriginal” www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03...