Society's ChildS


Eye 1

Epstein's death must be the start, not the end, of the investigation

Craig Murray
craigmurray.org.uk
Sun, 11 Aug 2019 10:11 UTC
epstein
There are a number of royal palaces and grand residences of former Presidents and Prime Ministers where the inhabitants have a little bit more spring in their step following the death of Jeffrey Epstein. The media is rushing to attach the label "conspiracy theory" to any thought that his death might not have been suicide. In my view, given that so many very powerful people will be relieved he is no longer in a position to sing, and given that he was in a maximum security jail following another alleged "suicide attempt" a week ago, it would be a very credulous person who did not view the question of who killed him an open one.

There has been a huge amount of obfuscation and misdirection on the activities of Epstein and his set. To my mind, the article which remains the best starting point for those new to the scandal is this one from Gawker.

Two days ago a federal court unsealed 2000 pages of documents related to the allegations against Epstein. Of these the most important appears to be a witness statement from Virginia Giuffre alleging that while a minor she had sex at Epstein's direction with Senate Majority leader George Mitchell and former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, plus a variety of senior foreign politicians.

Epstein's sexual activities and partying with young girls were carried out in full view of key friends, his domestic and office staff, his pilots and of course the participants. There is no shortage of potential witnesses. Several of these really ought to be taking great care - though if I were them I would certainly eschew any protection involving US security services or law enforcement. Ghislaine Maxwell might take heed of her father's fate and avoid swimming for a few years.

Comment: See also:

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Biohazard

'Mystery' chemical incident leaves people vomiting at Worthing pier, UK


The Guardian
Sun, 11 Aug 2019 14:16 UTC
Worthing pier
© Dave Porter/Getty ImagesPolice reportedly cleared Worthing pier and the surrounding area.
Two people were taken to hospital on Sunday following a "hazardous material incident" on Worthing seafront that left a number of people complaining of vomiting and sore eyes.

A cordon was set up, a section of the beach was evacuated and people were told to avoid the area and close their doors and windows.

Tim Loughton, the MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, tweeted that an investigation had been launched in response to reports of "bathers affected by some sort of chemical type irritants". The incident took place around midday.

Comment: As of Monday, the cause of the incident remains unexplained.

See also:

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Attention

Trade war chaos collapses farm equipment sales across midwest

Tyler Durden
ZeroHedge
Sun, 11 Aug 2019 21:10 UTC
John deere stores
Reuters spoke with dozens of John Deere Stores across the Central and Midwest US to get a better understanding of what the trade war and adverse weather conditions have had on tractor sales this year. What they discovered was an ominous sign of an agriculture bust that has triggered massive tractor sales declines at dozens of John Deere Stores.

About a half dozen stores across the Midwest told Reuters sales in 1H19 collapsed. One store, in Geneseo, Illinois, saw sales crash 50% in 1H19 YoY.

A Salem, Wisconsin-based store said sales dropped 15% in 1H19, led by the rapid decline of large farm equipment. Already, sales orders for tractors next season are down 25%, an indication the farm bust will continue through 2020.

We reported several months ago that JPMorgan told clients the American agriculture complex is on the verge of disaster, with farmers caught in the crossfire of an escalating trade war.

Comment: See also: China's exit from US agriculture is a devastating blow to an already struggling sector

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Gold Coins

What happens to Jeffrey Epstein's wealth and property now?

Sarah Blaskey
The Miami Herald
Sun, 11 Aug 2019 02:51 UTC
epstein island
© Emily Michot/The Miami HeraldJeffrey Epstein’s home sits on the island of Little St. James in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It was one of many homes owned by the hedge fund manager, including ones in Palm Beach, Manhattan, Paris and New Mexico.
Can feds seize everything?

Jeffrey Epstein's apparent suicide is a significant obstacle for federal prosecutors, who spent months painstakingly building a case against the multimillionaire who was charged in July in New York federal court with sex trafficking of minors.

Now, the dozen or more new victims who came forward after Epstein's July arrest will never get their day to face him in court. And what kind of financial compensation the future holds for them, if any, is uncertain.

In an indictment filed in the Southern District of New York in July, federal prosecutors laid out their intention to confiscate Epstein's properties that were used to facilitate the sexual abuse of minor victims. However, his death poses a significant challenge in using asset forfeiture to provide restitution to the multimillionaire's alleged victims.

"It going to be complicated," former federal prosecutor Jeff Marcus said.
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Info

Prosecuting human traffickers poses significant challenges, top prosecutor says

Luke Barr
ABC News
Sun, 11 Aug 2019 10:34 UTC
Child trafficking
© Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP/Getty ImagesRights activists, under the umbrella of the Justice Development and Peace commission, march against the illegal human trafficking and countrywide violence during a protest march on March 18, 2017 in Lagos.
More than 100 child sex trafficking victims were rescued across the U.S. last month in an effort code-named Operation Independence Day that involved sweeps in Las Vegas, Atlanta and Seattle and resulted in 67 arrests.

One such case that won't be prosecuted is that of former disgraced financier Jefferey Epstein, who authorities said died of suicide in his jail cell on Saturday. Epstein was charged with human trafficking, among other things, by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

U.S. Attorney General William Barr has said that such cases are a priority, sex trafficking crimes are uniquely difficult to prosecute.

According to the Department of Justice, the law defines human trafficking as "the act of compelling or coercing a person's labor, services, or commercial sex acts. The coercion can be subtle or overt, physical or psychological, but it must be used to coerce a victim into performing labor, services, or commercial sex acts."

Comment: See also: Hundreds of child trafficking victims have been refused the right to stay in the UK



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Camcorder

Suicide (non-)watch: Here's what we know about Epstein's death and what we don't


RT
Sat, 10 Aug 2019 19:32 UTC
The Metropolitan Correctional Center • Jeffrey Epstein
© Reuters/Chip East/New York State Division of Criminal Justice ServicesThe Metropolitan Correctional Center • Jeffrey Epstein
The apparent suicide of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein immediately spawned allegations of prison negligence and even murder - and no wonder, given the confusing, scarce data available. Here's what we know.

It's been confirmed that Epstein was found dead in his cell in the special housing unit of New York's Metropolitan Correctional Center on Saturday morning at around 6:30am EST.

'Apparent suicide'

Lifesaving measures were "initiated immediately by responding staff," and Epstein was transported to hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the Bureau of Prisons said on Saturday. The Bureau called his death an "apparent suicide," although an investigation has yet to determine this conclusively.

A number of officials told media outlets that Epstein had hanged himself in his cell, but no one, at the time of writing, has confirmed this publicly.

An FBI investigation has also been opened, and Attorney General William Barr later announced a Justice Department probe into Epstein's death, which he also called an "apparent suicide."
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Pistol

Aden, Yemen: Saudi coalition fights UAE-backed ex-allies leaving 40 civilians dead, 260 injured


RT
Sun, 11 Aug 2019 11:49 UTC
China truck fire
© Reuters/Fawaz SalmanPeople try to extinguish fire at a car service shop during clashes in Aden.
Scores of civilians have been killed or injured in the Yemeni port of Aden over the past few days, the UN has reported. The surge of violence came as the Saudi-led coalition fights for control against its UAE-backed former allies.

As many as 40 civilians have been killed and 260 others injured in Aden, a large port in southern Yemen, since last Thursday, the UN's humanitarian coordinator reported on Sunday citing preliminary reports.

The UN statement came as the Saudi-led coalition reported on Sunday striking the forces loyal to the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which seized the presidential palace in Aden's Crater district earlier this week.
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Star of David

Israeli police storm Temple Mount, clear out Palestinian worshipers celebrating Eid al-Adha


RT
Sun, 11 Aug 2019 07:47 UTC
Israeli forces/Palestinian
© AhmadGharabli/AFPIsraeli security forces detain a Palestinian at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Israeli police clashed with Muslim worshipers on the Temple Mount, local media report. The confrontation erupted after Muslim and Jewish holidays coincided on Sunday, resulting in a heated conflict over admittance rights.

Images posted on social media showed some people injured in the wake of the confrontation. Footage from the scene showed police moving through the area with loud noises from flashbangs and white clouds dispersing in the air.

The clashes at the site worshiped by both Muslims and Jews happened after some 80,000 Muslims gathered on the Temple Mount to celebrate Eid al-Adha, one of the key holy days of Islam.


Comment:


See also: Jerusalem: In fear of a mass settler intrusion, Palestine groups advise 'lock' mosques for Eid al-Adha

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Heart - Black

Texas animal cruelty raids net man with 230 pets living in 'deplorable conditions'

Jon Haworth
ABC News
Sun, 11 Aug 2019 03:48 UTC
Police
Almost 50 police officers went on an early morning raid targeting animal abusers throughout Harris County, Texas, on Saturday morning, including one man who had over 200 animals.

Operation "Don't Be Cruel" aimed to arrest people with outstanding warrants who had committed crimes against animals and was carried out by the Precinct One Constable's Office animal cruelty unit and the Houston SPCA.

Some of the cases were incredibly alarming.

In a press conference announcing 13 arrests and 25 cleared warrants, the case of Edmond Megdal stood out above the rest.

"We discovered 230-plus animals living in his residence from birds to turtles, to mice to rabbits, bearded dragons, and they were living in deplorable conditions. No water ... so he had an animal cruelty warrant for his arrest and he was one of those that we arrested this morning," Constable Alan Rosen said during the police press conference after the raids.
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Fire

3 injured as Tesla goes up in flames & explodes on Moscow freeway


RT
Sun, 11 Aug 2019 05:17 UTC
Car crash
© YouTube / mr.medvedev
A father and two kids suffered serious injuries after their Tesla S crashed into a tow truck on a freeway and caught fire, due to an alleged autopilot malfunction. Footage of the exploding car was caught on video.

The electric vehicle, fully engulfed in flames, was captured on video by shocked oncoming drivers. One of them even caught the moment the burning vehicle was ripped apart by several violent blasts.
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