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Anti-Empire

offsite link North Korea Increases Aid to Russia, Mos... Tue Nov 19, 2024 12:29 | Marko Marjanovi?

offsite link Trump Assembles a War Cabinet Sat Nov 16, 2024 10:29 | Marko Marjanovi?

offsite link Slavgrinder Ramps Up Into Overdrive Tue Nov 12, 2024 10:29 | Marko Marjanovi?

offsite link ?Existential? Culling to Continue on Com... Mon Nov 11, 2024 10:28 | Marko Marjanovi?

offsite link US to Deploy Military Contractors to Ukr... Sun Nov 10, 2024 02:37 | Field Empty

Anti-Empire >>

The Saker

Indymedia ireland

Indymedia Ireland is a volunteer-run non-commercial open publishing website for local and international news, opinion & analysis, press releases and events. Its main objective is to enable the public to participate in reporting and analysis of the news and other important events and aspects of our daily lives and thereby give a voice to people.

offsite link Fraud and mismanagement at University College Cork Thu Aug 28, 2025 18:30 | Calli Morganite
UCC has paid huge sums to a criminal professor
This story is not for republication. I bear responsibility for the things I write. I have read the guidelines and understand that I must not write anything untrue, and I won't.
This is a public interest story about a complete failure of governance and management at UCC.

offsite link Deliberate Design Flaw In ChatGPT-5 Sun Aug 17, 2025 08:04 | Mind Agent
Socratic Dialog Between ChatGPT-5 and Mind Agent Reveals Fatal and Deliberate 'Design by Construction' Flaw
This design flaw in ChatGPT-5's default epistemic mode subverts what the much touted ChatGPT-5 can do... so long as the flaw is not tickled, any usage should be fine---The epistemological question is: how would anyone in the public, includes you reading this (since no one is all knowing), in an unfamiliar domain know whether or not the flaw has been tickled when seeking information or understanding of a domain without prior knowledge of that domain???!

This analysis is a pretty unique and significant contribution to the space of empirical evaluation of LLMs that exist in AI public world... at least thus far, as far as I am aware! For what it's worth--as if anyone in the ChatGPT universe cares as they pile up on using the "PhD level scholar in your pocket".

According to GPT-5, and according to my tests, this flaw exists in all LLMs... What is revealing is the deduction GPT-5 made: Why ?design choice? starts looking like ?deliberate flaw?.

People are paying $200 a month to not just ChatGPT, but all major LLMs have similar Pro pricing! I bet they, like the normal user of free ChatGPT, stay in LLM's default mode where the flaw manifests itself. As it did in this evaluation.

offsite link AI Reach: Gemini Reasoning Question of God Sat Aug 02, 2025 20:00 | Mind Agent
Evaluating Semantic Reasoning Capability of AI Chatbot on Ontologically Deep Abstract (bias neutral) Thought
I have been evaluating AI Chatbot agents for their epistemic limits over the past two months, and have tested all major AI Agents, ChatGPT, Grok, Claude, Perplexity, and DeepSeek, for their epistemic limits and their negative impact as information gate-keepers.... Today I decided to test for how AI could be the boon for humanity in other positive areas, such as in completely abstract realms, such as metaphysical thought. Meaning, I wanted to test the LLMs for Positives beyond what most researchers benchmark these for, or have expressed in the approx. 2500 Turing tests in Humanity?s Last Exam.. And I chose as my first candidate, Google DeepMind's Gemini as I had not evaluated it before on anything.

offsite link Israeli Human Rights Group B'Tselem finally Admits It is Genocide releasing Our Genocide report Fri Aug 01, 2025 23:54 | 1 of indy
We have all known it for over 2 years that it is a genocide in Gaza
Israeli human rights group B'Tselem has finally admitted what everyone else outside Israel has known for two years is that the Israeli state is carrying out a genocide in Gaza

Western governments like the USA are complicit in it as they have been supplying the huge bombs and missiles used by Israel and dropped on innocent civilians in Gaza. One phone call from the USA regime could have ended it at any point. However many other countries are complicity with their tacit approval and neighboring Arab countries have been pretty spinless too in their support

With the release of this report titled: Our Genocide -there is a good chance this will make it okay for more people within Israel itself to speak out and do something about it despite the fact that many there are actually in support of the Gaza

offsite link China?s CITY WIDE CASH SEIZURES Begin ? ATMs Frozen, Digital Yuan FORCED Overnight Wed Jul 30, 2025 21:40 | 1 of indy
This story is unverified but it is very instructive of what will happen when cash is removed
THIS STORY IS UNVERIFIED BUT PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO OR READ THE TRANSCRIPT AS IT GIVES AN VERY GOOD IDEA OF WHAT A CASHLESS SOCIETY WILL LOOK LIKE. And it ain't pretty

A single video report has come out of China claiming China's biggest cities are now cashless, not by choice, but by force. The report goes on to claim ATMs have gone dark, vaults are being emptied. And overnight (July 20 into 21), the digital yuan is the only currency allowed.

The Saker >>

Lockdown Skeptics

The Daily Sceptic

offsite link News Round-Up Sat Sep 20, 2025 01:09 | Toby Young
A summary of the most interesting stories in the past 24 hours that challenge the prevailing orthodoxy about the ?climate emergency?, public health ?crises? and the supposed moral defects of Western civilisation.
The post News Round-Up appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link Labour Sinks to Lowest Ever Poll Rating ? as Andy Burnham Fuels Starmer Challenge Rumours Fri Sep 19, 2025 17:00 | Will Jones
Labour has sunk to its lowest ever poll rating as Andy Burnham fuels rumours he is preparing to challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership by refusing to commit to serving a full term as Greater Manchester Mayor.
The post Labour Sinks to Lowest Ever Poll Rating ? as Andy Burnham Fuels Starmer Challenge Rumours appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link Oxford and Cambridge Drop Out of Top Three in University Rankings Because of ?Misguided Attempts at ... Fri Sep 19, 2025 15:00 | Will Jones
Oxford and Cambridge universities have?failed to get into the top three in the Times's prestigious annual university ranking for the first time, with experts blaming "misguided attempts at equality".
The post Oxford and Cambridge Drop Out of Top Three in University Rankings Because of “Misguided Attempts at Equality” appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link Jeremy Corbyn?s New Hard Left Party Descends into Chaos as Zarah Sultana Says She?s Been ?Frozen Out... Fri Sep 19, 2025 13:16 | Will Jones
Jeremy Corbyn's new hard Left party has been plunged into chaos as his co-founder Zarah Sultana claimed she had been "frozen out" from the "sexist boys' club" and Corbyn threatened her with legal action.
The post Jeremy Corbyn’s New Hard Left Party Descends into Chaos as Zarah Sultana Says She’s Been “Frozen Out” of “Sexist Boys’ Club” appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link Sadiq Khan?s Officials Suppressed Report Showing LTNs Don?t Cut Car Use Fri Sep 19, 2025 11:00 | Will Jones
Sadiq Khan?s officials suppressed taxpayer-funded research that showed low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) do not reduce car use after the London Mayor spent five years baselessly claiming LTNs are good for the planet.
The post Sadiq Khan’s Officials Suppressed Report Showing LTNs Don’t Cut Car Use appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

Lockdown Skeptics >>

Voltaire Network
Voltaire, international edition

offsite link Will intergovernmental institutions withstand the end of the "American Empire"?,... Sat Apr 05, 2025 07:15 | en

offsite link Voltaire, International Newsletter N?127 Sat Apr 05, 2025 06:38 | en

offsite link Disintegration of Western democracy begins in France Sat Apr 05, 2025 06:00 | en

offsite link Voltaire, International Newsletter N?126 Fri Mar 28, 2025 11:39 | en

offsite link The International Conference on Combating Anti-Semitism by Amichai Chikli and Na... Fri Mar 28, 2025 11:31 | en

Voltaire Network >>

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national / bin tax / household tax / water tax / news report Wednesday July 17, 2019 22:55 by sp   image 1 image
From 1 July, Irish Water is seeking to implement excessive-use water charges of up to €500 per year. This will come as no great surprise to those of us who highlighted the programme for government agreed between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael back in 2016. The Socialist Party opposed and warned about this element of the legislation at the time, as we knew that is could be used as a back door to the re-introduction of full water charges in the future. The legislation allows the government to lower the amount of water that is considered normal usage over time. Just like with tuition fees and bin charges, the amounts will be increased incrementally until the idea of direct payment for water becomes normalised, or at least this is their hope. read full story / add a comment
national / bin tax / household tax / water tax / news report Sunday July 30, 2017 22:21 by r2w
The Right2Water campaign is currently developing a submission in relation to the River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) which will be submitted to the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government as part of their consultation process.

In order to ensure all Right2Water Ireland's supporters' voices are heard and are involved in this process, we are asking you to fill in this short survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PKN3YXN

read full story / add a comment
dublin / bin tax / household tax / water tax / news report Monday April 10, 2017 21:01 by wsm   video 2 video files
This is a repost of a report by the WSM on the Water Charges protest last Saturday April 8th.

Thousands of protesters converged on Connolly and Heuston stations in Dublin yesterday as part of the 9th national demonstration against the water charges. The demonstration was called by Right2Water, the umbrella group of left wing political parties and trade unions, as part of an effort to pressurise the government to abandon their attempts to implement water charges.
read full story / add a comment
national / bin tax / household tax / water tax / opinion/analysis Wednesday January 25, 2017 21:44 by Laurence Cox
A working paper on the water charges movement now available online for comment and discussion. read full story / add a comment
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national / bin tax / household tax / water tax / press release Wednesday November 30, 2016 22:58 by pbp   image 1 image
Press Release - 30th Nov 2016

At a press conference this morning on the Dail Plinth, AAA-PBP TDs reacted to the findings of the Expert Commission on Water Charges.

Paul Murphy TD said “The report by the Expert Commission is a political fudge to allow Fine Gael to claim water charges are still in place and for Fianna Fail to say that water charges are gone.

“The report acts as a Trojan Horse to allow for the future re-introduction of water charges. The idea of ‘excessive usage’ and a free allowance keeps the principle of paying for water in place. read full story / add a comment
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national / bin tax / household tax / water tax / news report Thursday September 22, 2016 23:45 by wsm   image 1 image
The Irish government's attempt to introduce domestic water charges in Ireland is not going well. In fact, for them it's been a disaster because it's sparked off a huge upsurge in working class self organisation and direct action. Last Saturday 17th Sept, saw thousands of anti-water charges campaigners flooding the streets of Dublin o to again voice their opposition to Irish Water & water charges and as a show of strength for the movement. read full story / add a comment
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national / bin tax / household tax / water tax / press release Monday September 12, 2016 21:09 by wsm   image 1 image
September 17th sees the next major national march against the 'we can't believe they are not dead already' water charges. We respect that many anarchists will be marching with their local groups but for those who are not we thought it would be good to have an anarchist bloc and march together, everyone can then meet up at the end. read full story / add a comment
national / bin tax / household tax / water tax / press release Friday June 17, 2016 17:13 by pbp
AAA-PBP Motion calls for Ministerial order to cap charges and reinstate waivers for low income families

Dail debate and vote to take place next week on AAA-PBP motion calling for immediate government action to prevent planned increase in waste charges

Next week, the Dail will debate and vote upon a AAA-PBP Private Members Motion calling for an immediate Ministerial order to prevent private waste companies from implementing the planned dramatic increases in household waste charges.

The motion submitted today by AAA-PBP will be debated in the Dail next Tuesday

Bin charges are set to rise by between 100 and 200%. These charges will inflict an unsustainable burden for hard pressed households if the proposed increases by private waste companies are implemented and will undoubtedly lead to a dramatic increase in illegal dumping. read full story / add a comment
national / bin tax / household tax / water tax / news report Wednesday May 11, 2016 22:28 by cd   text 3 comments (last - thursday june 02, 2016 22:47)   image 1 image   video 1 video file
A cross party group of TDs have expressed concern at the jailing of two political activists, Sean Doyle and Eamonn McGrath. Both men have been remanded in custody until the 21st of May and 24th of June respectively for taking part in a peaceful protest in Kilcoole. Sean was arrested after being assaulted by an individual in front of Gardai while his attacker went unpunished. The same attacker then viciously pushed a woman to the ground. The Gardaí present saw fit to arrest the protesters for trespass while they gently escorted the assailant away. No charges have been brought against this man. The continuation of the political policing of the Irish Water protests exposes the Garda, yet again, as a force used to protect the status quo at the expense of ordinary people. read full story / add a comment
national / bin tax / household tax / water tax / opinion/analysis Friday March 04, 2016 13:37 by Paddy Hackett
Total abolition of water charges... read full story / add a comment
national / bin tax / household tax / water tax / opinion/analysis Wednesday February 17, 2016 23:17 by right2water
We declare the right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland and to the unfettered control of Irish destinies, to be sovereign and indefeasible.’ An affirmation that should, by now, be familiar to most of us. read full story / add a comment
Households use 10 per cent of water but expected to pay nearly 80 per cent of costs
national / bin tax / household tax / water tax / press release Wednesday January 20, 2016 21:53 by right2water   image 1 image   1 attached file
The Right2Water campaign said today (Wednesday January 20th) that water charges are being used to give tax breaks to corporations and the wealthiest in our society. Pointing out that households only use 10 percent of water but are now expected to pay up to 78 percent of all costs while corporations and agriculture use 90 percent of all water but will only pay 22 percent of the costs, Right2Water said that water charges amount to a ‘transfer of wealth’. read full story / add a comment
national / bin tax / household tax / water tax / press release Sunday November 22, 2015 22:43 by siptu
SIPTU and TEEU local authority members working under the management of Irish Water have today (Friday, 20th November) overwhelmingly voted for industrial action to prevent the privatisation of the public water service. Last month, Irish Water said that it intended reduce the local authority workforce in the company by up to 1500 by 2021. The unilateral announcement was in breach of the Service Level Agreement reached with trade union representatives in 2013 which obliged the company to consult with them in relation to any proposed changes in staffing numbers read full story / add a comment
national / bin tax / household tax / water tax / news report Monday November 02, 2015 22:58 by aaa
The political trial of 18 people who delayed Joan Burton in her car began today. It is an escalation in the attempt to demonise and vilify an entire community for rejecting the Labour Party.

Four AAA members were present in court, as part of the targeting of our own organisation by the Gardai and the establishment. On top of these charges, we have had permission to collect money door to door refused in two Garda districts, including Tallaght and there has been the revelations around Operation Mizen which has seen Gardai carry out surveillance on water charge activists including Paul Murphy TD. read full story / add a comment
national / bin tax / household tax / water tax / press release Wednesday September 23, 2015 23:31 by pbp
The European Commission has been investigating how Apple got away with paying a tax rate of just 2 percent on massive profits. It has concluded that the company benefited from an illegal deal with the Irish government. This judgement will be announced shortly. read full story / add a comment
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dublin / bin tax / household tax / water tax / press release Tuesday June 23, 2015 23:39 by 1 of Indymedia   image 1 image
The Solidarity Times facebook page is reported today that Water charges protestor Stephen Bennett is being sent to prison. Here is their report.

The Water charges protester Stephen Bennett will be in jail for one month tomorrow. He was not convicted of anything, instead the courts attempted to impose 'protest ban' bail conditions which he has continued to refuse to accept. All sections of the water charges movements should be demanding Stephens immediate and unconditional release.

"To my Friends, Comrades and to the Irish Water movement. I send this message of solidarity from my cell in Cloverhill prison, where I have been since May 20th. read full story / add a comment
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national / bin tax / household tax / water tax / press release Friday June 05, 2015 23:16 by 1 of Indymedia   image 1 image
The well respected Mahon Says No anti-water charges group have issued a statement warning that "Right2Water and the Socialist Party both need to take a step back and consider the potential damage their mutual mudslinging will cause, and all in the name of getting their representatives elected read full story / add a comment
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dublin / bin tax / household tax / water tax / news report Tuesday April 14, 2015 00:15 by Solidarity Times   text 2 comments (last - thursday may 21, 2015 23:27)   image 1 image   video 1 video file
Garda have attacked an occupation of Fingal council offices by water charges protesters causing injuries like the one pictured.

We understand these happened when the Garda smashed a plate glass door in on top of the protesters who were occupying the entrance.

According to one of those attacked posting to the Balbriggan page "Garda have attached 3 of us and shattered the fingal county council office doors on top of us picture to follow. If you listen to the video u will hear the glass crashing on top of us" The video is at https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=633082310156899 read full story / add a comment
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national / bin tax / household tax / water tax / feature Friday February 20, 2015 16:34 by anti-austerity alliance   text 8 comments (last - monday march 09, 2015 21:40)   image 3 images
The Anti-Austerity Alliance has today condemned the jailing of anti-water meter protestors at the behest of Denis O’Brien’s company GMC Sierra.

Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy said “The jailing of these protestors and the arrests in Tallaght is an attack on the right of communities to protest against the imposition of austerity measures, in this case the water charge and meters, which are being imposed by the government despite the massive opposition to them. read full story / add a comment
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