Assange open to political action as Cannes hosts doco
The couple walked the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival for the documentary The Six Billion Dollar Man about Assange's life.
Assange, 53, returned to his native Australia after pleading guilty in June under an agreement with US officials to one count of illegally obtaining and disclosing national security materials.
The plea ended Assange's five-year stay in a British prison, which followed seven years at the Ecuador embassy as he sought to avoid extradition to Sweden on sexual assault allegations, which he denies.
"He was in a very grave situation in the prison. He's recovering from that," Stella Assange told Reuters in Cannes.
"But now he's coming to understand how grave the situation outside (prison) is and thinking, making plans to find the means of what to do about it," she added.
"He's very, very concerned about the state of the world and the state that we're all in right now," said Stella, who met Assange in London in 2011 while working as part of his legal team.
Julian and Stella Assange, wearing a brooch with a picture of British designer Vivienne Westwood holding a sign saying "Stop Killing", walked the red carpet on Wednesday evening local time.
Julian has so far not spoken at any of his appearances.
WikiLeaks in 2010 released hundreds of thousands of classified US military documents on America's wars in Afghanistan and Iraq - the largest security breaches of their kind in US military history - along with swathes of diplomatic cables.
The documentary from Emmy-winning director Eugene Jarecki takes on the tone of a high-tech international thriller to recount Assange's fight against extradition, using WikiLeaks footage and archives, and previously unpublished evidence.
Jarecki, who began filming before Assange was released, said he never expected to see him walk around Cannes as a free man.
By inviting Assange, the festival was sending a message about the need for freedom of information and a free press, Jarecki told Reuters, as those values are in decline in many parts of the world according to an index from Reporters without Borders.
The director called Assange "a canary in the coal mine" in foretelling the US government's current moves to exert more control over media access to President Donald Trump.
"If we had taken that bit more seriously, we might have seen a bunch of this coming," said the US director.
Assange's lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, told Reuters the film portrayed the WikiLeaks founder as he should be shown.
"This film is absolutely necessary in terms of telling the story of free speech and what Julian Assange, his case means for the world, not just for him, but for the world," she said.
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Ukraine attacks Russian facility in deadly drone strike
One person has been killed and several apartments and an industrial facility have been damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack on the southern Russian region of Saratov, local officials say. Residents were evacuated after debris from a destroyed drone damaged three apartments in the overnight attack, Governor Roman Busargin posted on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday. "Several residents required medical assistance," Busargin said. "Aid was provided onsite, and one person has been hospitalised. Unfortunately, one person has died." Russian air defence units destroyed 121 Ukrainian drones overnight, including eight over the Saratov region, the defence ministry said. It reports only how many drones its defence units take down, not how many Ukraine launches. Busargin did not specify what type of industrial site was damaged. Social media footage showed thick black smoke rising over what looked to be an industrial zone. Reuters verified the location seen in one of the videos as matching file and satellite imagery of the area but could not verify when the video was filmed. Ukrainian media, including the RBK-Ukraine media outlet, reported the oil refinery in the city of Saratov, the administrative centre of the region, was on fire after a drone attack. Reuters could not verify those reports. There was no official comment from Russia. The Rosneft-owned refinery in the city of Saratov was forced to suspend operations earlier this year for safety reasons after Ukrainian drone attacks, industry sources told Reuters. Russia's SHOT Telegram channel, which often publishes information from sources in the security services and law enforcement, reported about eight explosions were heard over Saratov and Engels, cities separated by the Volga River. Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia said on Telegram flights in and out of Saratov had been halted for about two hours early on Sunday to ensure air safety. Both sides deny targeting civilians in their strikes on each other's territory in the war that Russia launched with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Kyiv says its attacks inside Russia are aimed at destroying infrastructure that is key to Moscow's war efforts, including energy and military infrastructure, and are in response to Russia's continued strikes. One person has been killed and several apartments and an industrial facility have been damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack on the southern Russian region of Saratov, local officials say. Residents were evacuated after debris from a destroyed drone damaged three apartments in the overnight attack, Governor Roman Busargin posted on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday. "Several residents required medical assistance," Busargin said. "Aid was provided onsite, and one person has been hospitalised. Unfortunately, one person has died." Russian air defence units destroyed 121 Ukrainian drones overnight, including eight over the Saratov region, the defence ministry said. It reports only how many drones its defence units take down, not how many Ukraine launches. Busargin did not specify what type of industrial site was damaged. Social media footage showed thick black smoke rising over what looked to be an industrial zone. Reuters verified the location seen in one of the videos as matching file and satellite imagery of the area but could not verify when the video was filmed. Ukrainian media, including the RBK-Ukraine media outlet, reported the oil refinery in the city of Saratov, the administrative centre of the region, was on fire after a drone attack. Reuters could not verify those reports. There was no official comment from Russia. The Rosneft-owned refinery in the city of Saratov was forced to suspend operations earlier this year for safety reasons after Ukrainian drone attacks, industry sources told Reuters. Russia's SHOT Telegram channel, which often publishes information from sources in the security services and law enforcement, reported about eight explosions were heard over Saratov and Engels, cities separated by the Volga River. Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia said on Telegram flights in and out of Saratov had been halted for about two hours early on Sunday to ensure air safety. Both sides deny targeting civilians in their strikes on each other's territory in the war that Russia launched with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Kyiv says its attacks inside Russia are aimed at destroying infrastructure that is key to Moscow's war efforts, including energy and military infrastructure, and are in response to Russia's continued strikes. One person has been killed and several apartments and an industrial facility have been damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack on the southern Russian region of Saratov, local officials say. Residents were evacuated after debris from a destroyed drone damaged three apartments in the overnight attack, Governor Roman Busargin posted on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday. "Several residents required medical assistance," Busargin said. "Aid was provided onsite, and one person has been hospitalised. Unfortunately, one person has died." Russian air defence units destroyed 121 Ukrainian drones overnight, including eight over the Saratov region, the defence ministry said. It reports only how many drones its defence units take down, not how many Ukraine launches. Busargin did not specify what type of industrial site was damaged. Social media footage showed thick black smoke rising over what looked to be an industrial zone. Reuters verified the location seen in one of the videos as matching file and satellite imagery of the area but could not verify when the video was filmed. Ukrainian media, including the RBK-Ukraine media outlet, reported the oil refinery in the city of Saratov, the administrative centre of the region, was on fire after a drone attack. Reuters could not verify those reports. There was no official comment from Russia. The Rosneft-owned refinery in the city of Saratov was forced to suspend operations earlier this year for safety reasons after Ukrainian drone attacks, industry sources told Reuters. Russia's SHOT Telegram channel, which often publishes information from sources in the security services and law enforcement, reported about eight explosions were heard over Saratov and Engels, cities separated by the Volga River. Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia said on Telegram flights in and out of Saratov had been halted for about two hours early on Sunday to ensure air safety. Both sides deny targeting civilians in their strikes on each other's territory in the war that Russia launched with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Kyiv says its attacks inside Russia are aimed at destroying infrastructure that is key to Moscow's war efforts, including energy and military infrastructure, and are in response to Russia's continued strikes. One person has been killed and several apartments and an industrial facility have been damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack on the southern Russian region of Saratov, local officials say. Residents were evacuated after debris from a destroyed drone damaged three apartments in the overnight attack, Governor Roman Busargin posted on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday. "Several residents required medical assistance," Busargin said. "Aid was provided onsite, and one person has been hospitalised. Unfortunately, one person has died." Russian air defence units destroyed 121 Ukrainian drones overnight, including eight over the Saratov region, the defence ministry said. It reports only how many drones its defence units take down, not how many Ukraine launches. Busargin did not specify what type of industrial site was damaged. Social media footage showed thick black smoke rising over what looked to be an industrial zone. Reuters verified the location seen in one of the videos as matching file and satellite imagery of the area but could not verify when the video was filmed. Ukrainian media, including the RBK-Ukraine media outlet, reported the oil refinery in the city of Saratov, the administrative centre of the region, was on fire after a drone attack. Reuters could not verify those reports. There was no official comment from Russia. The Rosneft-owned refinery in the city of Saratov was forced to suspend operations earlier this year for safety reasons after Ukrainian drone attacks, industry sources told Reuters. Russia's SHOT Telegram channel, which often publishes information from sources in the security services and law enforcement, reported about eight explosions were heard over Saratov and Engels, cities separated by the Volga River. Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia said on Telegram flights in and out of Saratov had been halted for about two hours early on Sunday to ensure air safety. Both sides deny targeting civilians in their strikes on each other's territory in the war that Russia launched with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Kyiv says its attacks inside Russia are aimed at destroying infrastructure that is key to Moscow's war efforts, including energy and military infrastructure, and are in response to Russia's continued strikes.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Real estate? Come on, let's get real: Underquoting has caused so much pain to buyers
Having recently seen my two adult children go through the costs, pain and frustration of missing out on property purchases, I can't help but wonder how it has come to this ('False hope, savings wasted in underquoting capital', August 9). Other than works of art, I can't think of anything else sold with a 'price guide'. Price guides are clearly fictitious and do not even reflect the sellers' expectations of the sale price. They are just a lure to attract more eyes to the property. Why can't we just ban price guides altogether and go back to the old method of naming a price and haggling? We all know that scene from Monty Python's Life of Brian, right? The seller names their asking price; usually high and beyond expectation, with buyers negotiating downward from there. At least this way the upper limit is set. Warwick Spencer, West Pymble There is something seriously wrong with a real estate system that allows (encourages?) those selling to have a $1.25 million 'price guide', a reserve of $1.425 million and then sell for $1.559 million. To encourage more accurate price guides and reserves, any amount over these figures should be taxed at 50 per cent. Roger Campbell, Beecroft Having read the article describing the appalling practices carried out by estate agents when advertising properties for auction, a couple of simple legislative amendments could solve the issue and save potential buyers $1000s – and a lot of time. Legislate that the selling agent must provide an independent pest and building inspection report to all potential buyers, eventually paid for by the winning buyer; second, the price guide be set within 2 per cent of the sellers' reserve price, this would at least give prospective buyers confidence that they were truly in the market and prevent many buyers who have no chance from wasting their time. Geoff Lindsay, Thurgoona There is a very simple solution to the practice of real estate agents underquoting a price guide for a property. If the government made it a legal requirement that the reserve price must be published on any advertisement and that the highest bid over the reserve had to be accepted, the problem would go away immediately. How about it, Mr Minns? Michael McFadyen, Kareela The Real Estate Institute of NSW seems to have been the only being who was in the dark. Everybody knows to add 20-30 per cent to any quoted house price for Sydney properties on the market. Nothing has changed. Michele Sharp, Bondi Beach Given vast amounts of money are made by governments from outrageously high fees and taxes on real estate transactions, it's a crime there are not tougher rules protecting consumers, studiously enforced. The current rules mentioned in your story are a sick joke. No wonder real estate agents flout them. Tim Egan, Mosman Horrors, heartbreak and humanity Your report regarding British surgeon Graeme Groom's voluntary service to the unfortunate in Gaza is compulsory reading (''It's appalling for humanity': Doctors bear witness to Gaza', August 9). He should be honoured for his service to humanity. Benjamin Netanyahu can paint whatever picture regarding the plight of the Gazans, but his credibility is on the line. We Australians and other fair-minded people around the world are more intelligent to believe heroes like Graeme Groom along with many other volunteers than politicians whose integrity is questionable. Peng Ee, Castle Cove The testimony from the doctors in Gaza is indeed heartbreaking, but I expect any urban war zone would be similar, especially one that involved an entrenched terrorist army using civilians as human shields. The doctors have no way of knowing the circumstances under which these injuries were incurred, including where the victims were, what they were doing and, indeed, who did the shooting. For that, they only have the word of the Hamas arch-propagandists and those who are too scared to say anything other than what the Hamas terrorists order them to say. Shane Shmuel, Elsternwick (Vic) One sentence stood out in David Crowe's account of the litany of horrors taking place in Gaza reported to him by volunteer medical personnel who were there. It was the fact that on July 25 Israeli authorities stopped medical teams taking in any baby formula. How could this ever be justifiable? It is to be hoped it causes pause for thought for those seeing the Gaza conflict as 'complicated' and repeatedly talk of Israel's right 'to defend itself'. Against possible future Hamas fighters possibly? Louise Dolan, Birchgrove Thank you for the reminder of the very special people who work in Gaza to help innocent victims of the current war. How doctors such as Victoria Rose and other volunteers return time after time is beyond me, but I am so grateful for the humanity that they display. The world needs more of them and less of Netanyahu and Trump. Sharon Warner, North Turramurra It's true 'there is no [Arab] country that would want to administer what's left of Gaza after Israel departs', but Rodger Shanahan ('No plan for war's end, so how can it?', August 9) fails to mention that Israel has offered control of Gaza to Arab countries on many occasions since it took control in 1967 and no Arab country has wanted anything to do with Gazans except to use them as pawns against Israel. George Fishman, Vaucluse Rodger Shanahan repeats the claim that there is no plan for the war's end. No Rodger, there is a plan. Israel has made it abundantly clear that it will not accept a two-state solution. That leaves only three options. A one-state solution where all citizens have equal rights, the equally unpalatable solution of one without equal rights, or one with no Palestinians. There are no other options. With relentless bombing, the herding of people into 'safe zones' only to be bombed, the immense destruction, the starvation of the people, Israel is terrorising the Gazans to such an extent that 48 per cent of them now want to leave, even were the war to end. Unpalatable as it may be, what we are seeing in Gaza is an Israeli plan to take the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity posed by Hamas' brutal raid to remove them forever. Hans Knutzelius, Balmain The wholesale destruction of Gaza, once a city much like any other around the world, was shown in all its horror in the photo in the Herald ('Netanyahu, Hamas locked in a dance to the death', August 9). All the innocent lives, amenities and human endeavour lost to the combined madness of a group of fanatics and a few pig-headed politicians. As with the war in Ukraine and other places, it only takes one egoist or nut-case to drag a whole country into conflict with another, whether the populace wants it or not. Sadly, the average civilian doesn't have the powerful connections, networking ability or support forces to make any resistance to these devastating decisions. Donald Hawes, Peel Israel's decision to occupy the remaining section of Gaza is in clear violation of international law. Netanyahu, his rogue clique and enablers (I'm thinking of you, Mr President) need to be held to account for this; and also for Israeli acts of terrorism in the West Bank (where they can't blame Hamas). Israel has acted with impunity since the International Court's 1967 decision on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Australia should look to take real action with other nations. Deporting the Israeli ambassador and imposing sanctions should be up for urgent consideration if Israel continues to defy international law. Further razing and illegal settlements will not bring peace. Martin Frohlich, Adamstown Heights Clueless Trump bound to spruik credentials after meeting with Putin Trump is going to meet Putin ('Trump open to Alaska summit with Putin and Zelensky, White House says', August 10). The orange one has already given away his negotiating position by saying a territory swap is on the table. What a pathetic dealmaker he is. He will come out of the meeting saying that 'Vladimir and I have had a very good meeting and it's the best deal that's ever been made. I've stopped more wars than any leader in history. How about my Nobel Peace Prize?' Putin must not be able to believe his luck knowing that TACO. Ukraine won't be invited, of course. I suggest Ukraine should offer to give away Mar-a-Lago in exchange for any deal. John Burman, Port Macquarie President Putin's smile must be extended from ear to ear with the prospect of negotiating with Donald Trump. He was and is the aggressor in the current war and has 'annexed' vast areas of Ukraine, whose president will be banned from 'negotiations'. Donald has already revealed there will be some give and take in the conclusion. Putin, the invader, will be delighted that his war crime has been legitimised. Ferdo Mathews, Robina (Qld) Knowing that Trump has become such an honourable statesman and dealmaker, I imagine he will offer to return Alaska to Russia in exchange for Putin returning Donbas and Crimea to Ukraine. Charles Hargrave, Elizabeth Bay Folbigg: more cruelty The premier asserts that Kathleen Folbigg can sue the government. Well and good, but her legal team have not been provided with the reasons behind the paltry $2 million compensation offer. They are unlikely to get them, considering a cabinet decision-making process. Any court action will be a costly exercise, so the premier could at least offer to pay her legal costs, regardless of the outcome. Surely Folbigg should not have to spend money to chase a better deal. Michael Blissenden, Dural Premier, so you tell us the state can afford to pay Kathleen Folbigg only $2 million for 20 years' jail, but you can close Opal card readers for 54 hours and throw away $7 million of taxpayers' money. Did you think the $7 million should not have been paid to her instead? Not enough votes in that, I guess. Trevor Stephenson East Ballina Different track When the Racing NSW chairperson says the Golden Eagle, like The Everest, will 'become the young generation's must-go event', it is becoming increasingly apparent that both Racing NSW and the ATC is no longer really in racing any more. Randwick is being promoted as a nightclub with some horses running around a track occasionally, while Rosehill is just a course somewhere out west of the city ('Officials strip Rosehill of its biggest race', August 9). George Zivkovic, Northmead Tax luxury goods Sadly, I'm inclined to agree with Peter Hartcher when he opines that there will be no change to the GST coming out of the summit next week because of the PM's reluctance to rock the boat ('PM and Chalmers' reform rift', August 9). But surely a politically safe move would be to increase the GST on luxury items. If I have the money to buy a Lamborghini for $400,000, would I baulk at paying a further 10 per cent over the existing 10 per cent? The task of defining 'luxury items' may take some doing, but surely it's a no-brainer and relatively politically safe to make that change. Brian Roach, Westleigh While Peter Hartcher makes some good points in his article, I don't see a reform rift. The best change happens slowly with buy-in and consultation. The Australian people like changes that make sense and aren't thrust upon them quickly, so that they have enough time to consider implications. Having said that, the fickle nature of parts of the Australian media mean that change shouldn't be rushed. The PM and treasurer appear to have a good working relationship, and both men are doing their jobs. The PM has learnt from the unsuccessful Voice campaign, a noble and just cause that was cheapened and defeated largely by a disingenuous opposition leader and the Murdoch media. Let's not sow division where there is none. It's refreshing to have a government that is talking about the big issues we face. Geoff Nilon, Mascot The Productivity Commission is right to suggest that mining companies should pay tax on their so-called 'economic rents' – that is, on the profits they make that are higher than their minimum expectations ('Productivity Commission wants big mining companies to pay more 'rent'', August 9). But there is another reason why they should pay more: they are producing a 'one-off' product that cannot be reproduced once it's been exhausted. The payment is to compensate future generations for loss of the mineral resource. Of course, the companies would scream all hell if threatened with higher taxes. We should call their bluff. The pittance they pay at present is just a joke. Ken Enderby, Concord Languages triumph Congratulations to Cabramatta High School for having so many students studying a language in the HSC ('Amid falling language enrolments, this school speaks up', August 9). It's great to see that for many of them it helps them to connect to their culture of family origin. However, it worries me that so few in Australia study languages, while as a nation we travel overseas at a higher rate than most. My experience is that learning something (even a little) of another language enhances my enjoyment of travelling and my understanding of their culture, and that once I have shown willing to speak in their language (even if I fail) they are more welcoming and helpful towards me. Judy Christian, The Ponds Still behind The old quote of 'lies, damned lies and statistics' takes on new meaning ('Wallabies are almost back to their best, so bring on Boks', August 9). What apparently now constitutes a series victory against the Lions is winning four of six halves, leading on the scoreboard for 159 minutes and 'winning' the penalty count in two of the three Tests! Can we consign this drivel to the dustbin before it takes hold? The Wallabies were courageous, played some great rugby and gave supporters hope for the future, but the reality is they lost the series 2-1, which is the only statistic that counts. Mike Kenneally, Manly So theatrical Surely, only hairdressers and choreographers might take issue with Malcolm Knox's wonderfully acerbic crit of the increasingly annoying rash of vaudevillian performances sullying rugby league ('Times are trying enough without the fatuous four-pointer choreography', August 9). And he didn't even get started on the bunker. Kent Mayo, Uralla Malcolm Knox for prime minister if he can ban Sweet Caroline. Peter Blore, Orange In for a Halfpenny I have three magic words for Kate Halfpenny ('Want to give great advice? Try using three magic words', August 9): Keep on writing.
Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Perth Now
Ukraine attacks Russian facility in deadly drone strike
One person has been killed and several apartments and an industrial facility have been damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack on the southern Russian region of Saratov, local officials say. Residents were evacuated after debris from a destroyed drone damaged three apartments in the overnight attack, Governor Roman Busargin posted on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday. "Several residents required medical assistance," Busargin said. "Aid was provided onsite, and one person has been hospitalised. Unfortunately, one person has died." Russian air defence units destroyed 121 Ukrainian drones overnight, including eight over the Saratov region, the defence ministry said. It reports only how many drones its defence units take down, not how many Ukraine launches. Busargin did not specify what type of industrial site was damaged. Social media footage showed thick black smoke rising over what looked to be an industrial zone. Reuters verified the location seen in one of the videos as matching file and satellite imagery of the area but could not verify when the video was filmed. Ukrainian media, including the RBK-Ukraine media outlet, reported the oil refinery in the city of Saratov, the administrative centre of the region, was on fire after a drone attack. Reuters could not verify those reports. There was no official comment from Russia. The Rosneft-owned refinery in the city of Saratov was forced to suspend operations earlier this year for safety reasons after Ukrainian drone attacks, industry sources told Reuters. Russia's SHOT Telegram channel, which often publishes information from sources in the security services and law enforcement, reported about eight explosions were heard over Saratov and Engels, cities separated by the Volga River. Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia said on Telegram flights in and out of Saratov had been halted for about two hours early on Sunday to ensure air safety. Both sides deny targeting civilians in their strikes on each other's territory in the war that Russia launched with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Kyiv says its attacks inside Russia are aimed at destroying infrastructure that is key to Moscow's war efforts, including energy and military infrastructure, and are in response to Russia's continued strikes.
