U.S. Gold Purchases from Australia: $272.09 Million Over 17 Years

With the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) poised to audit Fort Knox, the U.S. Mint’s $272.09 million in gold and silver purchases from Australia’s Gold Corporation over the past 17 years has thrust the nation’s bullion reserves into the spotlight. Spanning 2007 to 2024, this hefty sum prompts a burning question: if DOGE finds Fort Knox lacking, could this Australian gold have been onsold—or stolen—to hide a shortfall? Adding to the intrigue, Australia’s own gold reserves, stored overseas and unaudited, raise parallel doubts about the security of precious metals worldwide.

Fort Knox: A Vault Shrouded in Mystery

Fort Knox, Kentucky, purportedly safeguards 147.3 million troy ounces of U.S. gold, a claim unverified by a full public audit since 1953. Decades of secrecy have stoked skepticism, and DOGE—spearheaded by efficiency advocates like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy—may soon force transparency. Meanwhile, the U.S. Mint’s $272.09 million reliance on Australia’s Gold Corporation, operator of the Perth Mint, hints at a deeper story—one complicated by Australia’s own murky gold situation.

$272.09 Million Over 17 Years: The U.S.-Australia Link

Since 2007, the U.S. Mint has obligated $272.09 million to Gold Corporation for precious metals, primarily for coin production. The trail begins with a $5.77 million order for raw silver on December 11, 2007 (Award ID: TMHQ08P0159), followed by gold purchases like $2.56 million in 2023 (Award ID: 2031JG23F62008) for 22-karat, 1-ounce blanks and $2.45 million in 2024 (Award ID: 2031JG24F62009) for 22-karat and 24-karat blanks. Silver leads the charge, with peaks like $12.66 million in 2013 (Award ID: TMHQ13P0351), totaling over $150 million, while gold blanks account for roughly $50 million.

This $272.09 million over 17 years fuels speculation: why import so much when Fort Knox sits on a supposed gold trove? The answer might lie in practicality—or in something more clandestine.

Australia’s Gold: Overseas and Unaudited

The plot thickens when considering Australia’s own gold reserves. Managed by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), these total approximately 80 tonnes—about 2.57 million troy ounces. Yet, 99.9% of this gold resides overseas at the Bank of England (BoE) in the United Kingdom, with only a token amount—reportedly four gold bars—kept at the RBA’s Sydney headquarters. Far from safe, this stash hasn’t faced a public audit, leaving its status as uncertain as Fort Knox’s. If the U.S. has been buying Australian-mined gold while Australia’s reserves languish unaudited abroad, the global chain of trust in precious metals grows shakier.

Missing Gold? Scenarios Multiply

If DOGE uncovers a shortfall at Fort Knox, the $272.09 million Australian connection—and Australia’s own opaque reserves—could amplify the mystery. Three possibilities loom:

Onselling: The U.S. might have sold Fort Knox gold—perhaps to steady markets or fund secret projects—then used Australian imports to replenish or redirect supplies. Australia’s unaudited BoE stockpile could similarly mask discrepancies.

Theft or Loss: Gold could have vanishied from Fort Knox through corruption or theft, with Australian purchases papering over the gap. Likewise, Australia’s overseas hoard might be vulnerable, its unaudited state a potential blind spot.

Routine Operations: The $272.09 million might reflect pragmatic Mint sourcing, leaving Fort Knox intact as a reserve. Australia’s BoE storage could be equally benign—though its lack of audits invites doubt.

Transparency on Trial

As of February 22, 2025, the U.S. teeters on the edge of clarity or chaos. A full Fort Knox audit could dismiss the $272.09 million in purchases—from 2007’s $5.77 million silver order to 2024’s $2.45 million gold haul—as routine. But if gold is missing, Australia’s role as supplier and its own unaudited, overseas reserves will fuel scrutiny. Is Fort Knox gold onsold, pilfered, or mismanaged? Is Australia’s 80 tonnes truly secure at the BoE? With DOGE at the helm, the answers could reshape trust in both nations’ golden legacies.

The Bank Of England's Gold Vaults

Vaxine Pty Ltd: An Overview

Vaxine Pty Ltd, an Australian biotechnology company headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia, specializes in developing vaccines and immunotherapies. Founded in 2002 by Professor Nikolai Petrovsky, a prominent immunologist at Flinders University, Vaxine spun off from the National Health Sciences Centre in Canberra. Based within the Flinders Medical Centre/Flinders University precinct in Bedford Park, it employs 11-50 staff and generates an estimated $6.3M in annual revenue (2024).

Core Focus and Technology

Vaxine is renowned for its proprietary Advax™ adjuvant platform, a polysaccharide-based technology that enhances vaccine effectiveness without relying on traditional adjuvants like aluminum. This platform drives its pipeline, targeting infectious diseases (e.g., hepatitis B, influenza, COVID-19), allergies, and cancers. The company leverages cutting-edge methods, including artificial intelligence, in drug design and clinical evaluation—a standout example being CpG55.2, one of the first AI-designed molecules to enter human trials (2019) and gain vaccine approval (2021, outside the U.S.). Over $32.7M in funding from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 2008 has been instrumental in advancing Advax™, supporting basic research, adjuvant discovery, and vaccine development across four major awards.

Swine Flu Vaccine (2009) Vaxine gained global recognition as the first company to launch human trials for a swine flu (H1N1) vaccine during the 2009 pandemic, partnering with U.S.-based Protein Sciences. This milestone, underpinned by early Advax™ work, earned Vaxine the “Coolest Company” title at the 2010 Anthill Cool Company Awards and a 2011 Vaccine Industry Excellence Award. The NIH’s $8.39M award (2008–2013, HHSN272200800039C) for basic biomedical research likely supported this effort, refining Advax™ ahead of and during the trials.

COVID-19 Vaccine (SpikoGen®) SpikoGen®, the commercial name for Vaxine’s COVID-19 vaccine, uses a spike protein antigen produced via insect cell expression systems, combined with the Advax™ adjuvant featuring CpG55.2. This polysaccharide-based immune enhancer boosts efficacy without traditional adjuvants like aluminum, distinguishing it in the vaccine landscape. Authorized for emergency use in Iran in October 2021 for adults (later extended to children 5+), SpikoGen® also received a provisional determination from Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in June 2022, pending full approval. NIH funding was pivotal: the $11.28M Adjuvant Discovery Program (2014–2021, HHSN272201400053C) included $500,000 for COVID-19 in 2020, while the $6.37M vaccine candidate award (2018–2023, 75N93018C00024) provided $4.15M in outlays, aligning with SpikoGen®’s development for emerging infectious diseases.

Pipeline Beyond influenza and COVID-19, Vaxine’s pipeline includes vaccines for Japanese encephalitis, West Nile virus, malaria, HIV, rabies, and more. The NIH’s $6.69M Adjuvant Development Program (2018–2025, 75N93018C00044), with $3.95M outlayed to date, sustains this work, building on earlier awards to optimize Advax™ for diverse applications.

Funding and Partnerships

Vaxine’s funding blends Australian and international support:

Australian Government: Seed funding from AusIndustry’s Biotechnology Innovation Fund and $1M from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) in 2020–2021 for COVID-19 work, matched by $4.8M from partners (e.g., Pall, Oracle, University of Sydney).

U.S. NIH: Over $32.7M across four awards: $8.39M (2008–2013) for basic biomedical research, likely foundational to Advax™ and the swine flu vaccine. $11.28M (2014–2021) for the Adjuvant Discovery Program, advancing CpG55.2 and SpikoGen®. $6.69M (2018–2025) for ongoing adjuvant development, with $3.95M outlayed. $6.37M (2018–2023) for vaccine candidates, with $4.15M outlayed, targeting biodefense and emerging diseases like COVID-19.

Philanthropy: No direct ties to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Clinton Foundation, or Wellcome Trust are evident.

Context and Current Status

While not rivaling Biota’s $95.6M HHS contract, Vaxine’s $32.7M+ from NIH underscores its global relevance. SpikoGen®’s rollout in Iran and TGA eligibility highlight Advax™’s impact, though a $13,320 TGA fine in June 2022 for unapproved vaccine advertising signals regulatory challenges. The ongoing NIH award (to 2025) positions Vaxine as a key player in Australia’s biotech scene, leveraging Flinders University ties and international collaboration.

The Fine

Vaxine Pty Ltd was fined $13,320 by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in June 2022 for allegedly advertising an unapproved COVID-19 vaccine, in breach of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. This penalty stemmed from promotional content posted on platforms like Facebook and YouTube, related to its vaccine candidate, SpikoGen® (also known as COVAX-19), which at the time had not been approved for use in Australia. The TGA prohibits advertising unapproved therapeutic goods to the public, including those under clinical trial, unless the information is strictly factual, balanced, and doesn’t promote use or supply—a line Vaxine apparently crossed.

Conclusion

Vaxine Pty Ltd represents a notable presence in Australian biotechnology, with its Advax™ platform supported by over $32.7M in NIH funding since 2008. This investment has contributed to projects such as the 2009 swine flu vaccine and SpikoGen®, alongside the development of AI-driven CpG55.2 and a pipeline targeting various diseases. Operating from Adelaide with ties to Flinders University, Vaxine combines local foundations with international partnerships, distinct from philanthropy-driven initiatives like CEPI. Its trajectory prompts consideration of how Australia manages biotech talent in the context of foreign funding.

Sources:

CONTRACT to VAXINE PTY LTD | USAspending

Federal Awards | Advanced Search | USAspending

Weather Modification in Australia

- Snowy Hydro Limited CEO: Dennis Barnes Details: Dennis Barnes became Managing Director and CEO on February 1, 2023, with over 30 years of experience in the energy sector, previously leading Contact Energy in New Zealand. Owner: Australian Government

Method: Snowy Hydro uses ground-based aerosol generators to release silver iodide (AgI) into the atmosphere. Unlike aircraft-based seeding common elsewhere, their approach relies on stationary units positioned in the Snowy Mountains. These generators burn a solution containing silver iodide, producing a fine aerosol that rises into clouds via natural updrafts. Silver iodide acts as an ice-nucleating agent. Its crystal structure mimics ice, encouraging supercooled water droplets (liquid water below 0°C) in clouds to freeze into ice crystals. These crystals grow by attracting more water vapor, eventually falling as snow when heavy enough—a process tied to the Bergeron-Findeisen effect.

- Australian Rain Technologies (ART) CEO: Not publicly specified Details: As a private company, ART does not publicly disclose its current CEO. Leadership information is scarce, and no specific name is tied to the role in recent records. Owners: Matt and Clare Handbury

(note: Matt Handbury is a prominent Australian businessman, nephew of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and executive chairman of Murdoch Media, which he founded after selling his stake in Murdoch Magazines (including Marie Claire Australia) decades ago. ART secured a $10 million federal grant in 2007 under Malcolm Turnbull to trial ionization in southeast Queensland)

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Method: ART employs ground-based devices that emit ions—electrically charged particles—into the atmosphere. These ions are generated by high-voltage systems and released via a network of towers or units placed strategically in target areas.

- Hydro Tasmania CEO: Ian Brooksbank (stepping down October 3, 2025; Rachel Watson appointed as successor)** Details: Ian Brooksbank has been CEO since March 2022 but will step down in October 2025. Rachel Watson has been announced as the incoming CEO, though her official start date aligns with Brooksbank’s departure. Brooksbank has guided the company through its renewable energy and cloud seeding efforts. Owner: Tasmanian Government

Method: Hydro Tasmania uses aircraft to release silver iodide (a chemical compound with a crystal structure similar to ice) into clouds. This is a form of glaciogenic seeding, which encourages the formation of ice crystals in supercooled water droplets within clouds. These crystals then grow and fall as precipitation—either rain or snow, depending on temperature. Delivery: Small planes, typically equipped with wing-mounted flares or burners, disperse the silver iodide into suitable cloud formations. The aircraft target specific catchments, like those feeding into dams such as Great Lake or Lake Echo, key to Tasmania’s hydropower system.

- CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) CEO: Doug Hilton Details: Doug Hilton took over as Chief Executive in 2023, succeeding Larry Marshall. A molecular biologist, he oversees CSIRO’s extensive research portfolio, including historical weather modification work. Owner: Australian Government

Method: CSIRO primarily used cloud seeding to enhance rainfall, employing both silver iodide (AgI) and dry ice (solid carbon dioxide, CO₂) as seeding agents. Silver Iodide: Released as a fine aerosol, silver iodide acts as an ice-nucleating agent in supercooled clouds (below 0°C but still liquid). Its ice-like crystal structure triggers water droplets to freeze into ice crystals, which grow and fall as precipitation (rain or snow). Dry Ice: Dropped into clouds, dry ice rapidly cools the surrounding air (to -78°C), causing spontaneous freezing of supercooled droplets into ice crystals without needing a nucleating particle. This was used early on for its dramatic effect on cloud dynamics.

For the Queensland Government’s 2008 cloud seeding project, it was a state-led initiative rather than a company, so there’s no CEO or private owner to list—funding and oversight came from the Queensland Government, with operational support from research partners.

Silver iodide Toxicity

Silver iodide has low solubility in water (about 3 × 10⁻⁸ g/L), meaning it doesn’t dissolve or absorb easily into the body if ingested or inhaled in small amounts. Prolonged exposure to silver compounds can cause argyria—a rare condition where skin turns blue-gray due to silver buildup.

Dry Ice Toxicity

Dry ice is pure carbon dioxide (CO₂) frozen into a solid state at -78.5°C (-109.3°F). It’s made by compressing and cooling gaseous CO₂, a naturally occurring compound in the atmosphere (about 0.0407% of air). O₂ is a normal part of respiration (we exhale it), and dry ice sublimates into CO₂ gas, which disperses quickly outdoors.

Atlant Ionization Technology Concerns

ART’s ground-based ionization method, using high-voltage towers to emit ions, carries potential safety concerns around electrical hazards, EMF exposure, atmospheric effects, lightning, public access, and fire risks.

Australian Rain Technologies’ Atlant Ionization Technology, which uses high-voltage towers to emit ions for rainfall enhancement, could pose dangers to bee and bat populations. For bees, the technology’s ion emissions might disrupt natural electric fields they use for navigation and foraging, potentially confusing them and reducing their efficiency or hive returns. It could also subtly stress hives by altering air quality or microclimates, especially when combined with other environmental pressures. Additionally, bees might be drawn to the towers’ fields, mistaking them for flowers, leading to disorientation or energy loss. For bats, the strong ion emissions near roosts or flight paths could interfere with their navigation, particularly for species sensitive to electric fields, though evidence is limited. Towers placed near bat habitats might alter local air charge, affecting prey distribution or deterring bats from roosting areas.

Comparable ionization systems (e.g., WeatherTec or Ionogenics) suggest operational voltages of 10-100 kilovolts (kV). For a small emitter (assume a 1-meter radius), the electric field near the tip could reach 10,000–100,000 V/m to initiate ionization, akin to lab corona discharge thresholds (around 30 kV/cm or 3,000,000 V/m for air at STP, but practical systems use lower gradients over larger gaps).

Near-Field (0-5 meters): Likely 1,000–10,000 V/m, dropping sharply as ions disperse and the field spreads.

Far-Field (50-100 meters): Possibly 10–100 V/m, comparable to fields under low-voltage power lines (e.g., 11 kV lines produce ~50 V/m at 30 meters). Beyond this, levels approach natural background (100-150 V/m in fair weather).

Australian Rain Technologies (ART) Owners: Matt and Clare Handbury

Snowy Hydro Limited CEO: Dennis Barnes

Sources:

Services — Australian Rain Technology

Australian Rain Technologies website (australianrain.com.au, 2025 archives)

Journal of the Royal Statistical Society (Series C, 2022), University of Wollongong (uniwollongong.edu.au)

ABC News, “$10m granted to explore rainmaking tech” (July 24, 2007,abc.net.au)

The Sydney Morning Herald (August 1, 2007,smh.com.au)

Snowy Hydro website (snowyhydro.com.au), “Cloud Seeding” section, 2024)

Snowy Mountains Cloud Seeding Act 2004 (legislation.nsw.gov.au)

Hydro Tasmania sustainability reports (hydrotas.com.au, 2023-24)

CSIRO, Australian Meteorological Magazine (1970,bom.gov.au)

Hydro Tasmania press release (October 2024,hydrotas.com.au)

“Rainmaking Experiments in Australia,” E.G. Bowen, Weather (1952, Wiley)

CSIROpedia entry (csiropedia.csiro.au, 2025)

CSIRO website (csiro.au, 2025)

Queensland Government media release (February 27, 2008,statements.qld.gov.au)

Minister Meaghan Scanlon statement (2023,qnews.com.au)

Southern Cross University updates (scu.edu.au, 2025)

New Scientist (January 2025,newscientist.com)

Stanwell website (stanwell.com.au, 2025)

ARENA funding announcement (February 2024,arena.gov.au)

pv magazine Australia (February 2025,pv-magazine-australia.com)

Ericsson and the Red Cross

Ericsson has a long history of supporting the Red Cross. The company's first major contribution was in 1914, when it donated a radio station to the Swedish Red Cross. This station was used to communicate with field hospitals and other relief organizations during World War I.

In the years since, Ericsson has continued to support the Red Cross in a variety of ways. The company has donated telecommunications equipment, financial assistance, and technical expertise to help the Red Cross respond to disasters and emergencies around the world.

Donated Equipment from Ericsson

Radio stations: Ericsson has donated a variety of radio stations to the Red Cross, including base stations, repeaters, and hand-held radios. These radios can be used to communicate over long distances, even in areas with no cell phone coverage.

Mobile phones: Ericsson has donated a variety of mobile phones to the Red Cross, including smartphones and feature phones. These phones can be used to stay in touch with loved ones, coordinate relief efforts, and access information.

Satellite phones: Ericsson has donated satellite phones to the Red Cross, which can be used to communicate in remote areas where there is no cell phone coverage. These phones can also be used to send and receive text messages, emails, and even make voice calls.

Laptop computers: Ericsson has donated laptop computers to the Red Cross, which can be used to access information, create reports, and communicate with others. These computers are also often used to run specialized software that is needed for disaster relief efforts.

Telecommunications equipment: Ericsson has donated a variety of telecommunications equipment to the Red Cross, including routers, switches, and antennas. This equipment is used to set up temporary communication networks in disaster areas.

Financial assistance: Ericsson has also provided financial assistance to the Red Cross to help with its disaster relief efforts. This assistance can be used to purchase equipment, hire staff, and cover other expenses.

Technical expertise: Ericsson has also provided technical expertise to the Red Cross to help with its disaster relief efforts. This expertise can be used to set up and maintain telecommunications networks, develop disaster response plans, and train staff.

Ericsson Partnerships

Disaster Management Tool: A mobile app that helps volunteers to quickly and easily identify and register displaced people.

Red Cross Innovation Lab: A lab that develops new ways to use telecommunications to improve disaster response.

Red Cross Innovation Lab: A lab that develops new ways to use telecommunications to improve disaster response.

5G for Good: A project to explore how 5G can be used to improve disaster response and preparedness.

- Climate Action: A project to address the climate crisis by using telecommunications to help communities adapt to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

- Digital Inclusion: A project to improve digital inclusion by providing access to telecommunications services to people in underserved communities.

- Health: A project to improve health outcomes by using telecommunications to connect patients with doctors and nurses, provide remote care, and track health data.

- Education: A project to improve education outcomes by using telecommunications to provide access to online learning, connect students with teachers, and track student progress.

- Migration: A project to help migrants and refugees by providing access to telecommunications services, connecting them with family and friends, and providing information about their rights.

- Migration: A project to help migrants and refugees by providing access to telecommunications services, connecting them with family and friends, and providing information about their rights.

- Women's Empowerment: A project to empower women by providing access to telecommunications services, connecting them with resources and support networks, and providing information about their rights.

The Red Cross Missing Children's Network

Telecommunications companies: Telecommunications companies such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile provide data about the location of mobile phones. This data can be used to track the location of missing children who have their phones with them. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are all customers of Ericsson. Ericsson is a telecommunications company that provides equipment and services to mobile operators around the world. The companies use Ericsson's equipment to build and operate their networks.

Facial recognition companies: Facial recognition companies such as Clearview AI and Palantir provide technology that can be used to identify missing children in public places. This technology can be used to scan images from security cameras or social media.

Data analytics companies: Data analytics companies such as Palantir and Recorded Future provide technology that can be used to analyze data from social media, telecommunications networks, and other sources to identify potential missing children.

Mobile app companies: Mobile app companies such as Amber Alert and Child Rescue Alert provide mobile apps that can be used to report missing children. These apps also allow people to share information about missing children and to receive updates on the search. The companies typically provide these apps for free to users.

Website companies: Website companies such as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) provide websites that provide information about missing children and how to report them. Ericsson has partnered with NCMEC to develop and deploy Amber Alert and Child Rescue Alert technology in countries around the world. The company has provided telecommunications equipment and services to support the systems, and it has also worked with NCMEC to train law enforcement agencies on how to use the systems.

Red Cross Scandals

- Haiti Earthquake Funds Controversy (2010):

Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the American Red Cross raised nearly half a billion dollars. However, there were significant criticisms regarding how the money was spent. Reports emerged suggesting that much of the money did not reach the Haitian people as promised, with issues like mismanagement, overhead costs, and ineffective aid projects. NPR and ProPublica did an extensive investigation that highlighted these issues.

- Blood Donation Scandals:

Canada's Tainted Blood Scandal (1980s-1990s): Though not directly the Red Cross's fault, the Canadian Red Cross was heavily criticized for its role in what became one of Canada's worst health disasters when thousands were infected with HIV and hepatitis C from contaminated blood. The Red Cross was responsible for blood services at the time.

- American Red Cross Fines: The American Red Cross has been fined multiple times by the FDA for violations in blood safety protocols, including issues with proper screening for diseases and improper handling of blood products.

- Hurricane Katrina and Sandy Response:

The American Red Cross faced criticism for its response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012. There were allegations of slow response, inefficient distribution of resources, and prioritization of PR over actual aid.

- Lack of Transparency and Accountability:

Over the years, various branches of the Red Cross have been criticized for a lack of transparency in how funds are used. This includes general overhead costs, salaries, and the specific use of donations intended for particular disasters.

- Misuse of Funds in Liberia (2014 Ebola Crisis):

During the Ebola outbreak, an internal investigation by the Red Cross revealed that in Liberia, an estimated $2.7 million disappeared in fraudulently overpriced supplies, or in salaries for nonexistent aid workers.

- PRC (Philippine Red Cross) Senatorial Election Controversy:

There was a controversy when Senator Richard Gordon, who was also the Chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, used the organization's visibility and resources in ways that critics argued were intended to bolster his political campaigns.

Conclusion

Ericsson's alliance with the Red Cross, while enhancing disaster response through technology, inadvertently highlights the Red Cross's persistent issues with transparency and efficiency. This partnership, though technologically empowering, underscores a critical need for Ericsson to push for greater accountability in how its contributions are utilized, given both Ericsson's and the Red Cross's history of mismanagement and ethical lapses.

The Kornilov Affair

In August 1917, General Lavr Kornilov, the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army, was perceived as a threat by Alexander Kerensky's Provisional Government. There were fears that Kornilov aimed to seize power and establish a military dictatorship. The details of the Kornilov Affair are complex, with miscommunication, misunderstandings, and perhaps intentional disinformation playing roles in escalating tensions.

There's some debate about the true nature of Kornilov's actions and whether he intended to overthrow the Provisional Government or was merely attempting to restore order in Petrograd (modern-day St. Petersburg). It's also debated whether Kerensky might have initially tried to use Kornilov to his advantage before turning against him.

In any case, the situation spiraled out of control. Kerensky's government spread rumors of an impending counter-revolutionary move by Kornilov. The Provisional Government then armed the Petrograd workers, including the Bolshevik Red Guards, to defend the city. Kornilov's troops never reached Petrograd. The revolt failed, partly due to the efforts of railway workers who disrupted the movement of Kornilov's troops and partly due to Bolshevik agitators who successfully convinced many of Kornilov's troops to desert. The Kornilov Affair had two significant outcomes:

- Weakening of the Provisional Government: Kerensky's position became much weaker after the affair. His decision to arm the Bolsheviks and other leftist groups in Petrograd essentially gave them the means to later lead an armed uprising against his government.

- Strengthening of the Bolsheviks: The Bolsheviks emerged as the primary defenders of Petrograd against Kornilov's perceived threat. This boosted their popularity and credibility among the masses, setting the stage for their successful seizure of power in the October Revolution.

The Kornilov Affair and the QAnon movement are both characterized by the propagation and belief in conspiracy theories or rumors, which fueled political and social mobilization. In each case, these narratives emerged from a backdrop of deep mistrust in official accounts or mainstream understandings, causing significant shifts in the political landscape. While the Kornilov Affair led to the weakening of the Provisional Government and the strengthening of the Bolsheviks, the Q movement influenced political discourse and actions within certain segments of U.S. society. Moreover, both instances demonstrate the tangible real-world effects of beliefs based on unsubstantiated claims, be it the arming of groups in 1917 Russia or the real-world protests and incidents inspired by Q. These episodes also underscore the role of ambiguities and misunderstandings in shaping events, as the true intentions behind Kornilov's actions and the evolving claims of Q are both subjects of debate and interpretation.

The Belaya Armiya: Heroes Against Bolshevism

The White Army in the Russian Civil War was not a single, unified force but a collection of various anti-Bolshevik groups. The term commonly used in Russian for these forces is Белая армия (Belaya armiya). This term collectively refers to the armies that opposed the Red Army (the Bolsheviks) during the Civil War from 1917 to 1922. Different factions within the White movement had their own names and commanders, but "White Army" is the general designation in historical context.

The Russian Civil War

The Russian Civil War (1917-1922) followed the October Revolution, pitting the Bolshevik Red Army against the anti-Bolshevik White Army, with Green Armies and foreign interventions complicating the conflict. Key events included the organization of the Red Army under Trotsky, varying fortunes of the Whites, and significant foreign involvement. The war ended with a Bolshevik victory, leading to the Soviet Union's formation, massive casualties, and economic devastation, influencing global politics and setting the tone for Soviet governance through the New Economic Policy.

Barbarity of the Bolsheviks

The Bolsheviks' era, especially during the Russian Civil War, was marked by:

- Red Terror: A campaign of mass arrests and executions, claiming thousands of lives.

- Famine: Policies like War Communism led to severe famines, causing millions of deaths.

- Civil War Atrocities: Included hostage-taking, reprisals, and early forms of forced labor camps.

- Death Toll: Estimates suggest 7-12 million deaths from all causes during the conflict, with tens of thousands directly from Bolshevik terror.

- Decossackization: Aimed at destroying the Cossacks, involving mass executions and deportations.

- Ideological Barbarity: Viewing the conflict as a class war, leading to extreme measures against perceived enemies.

- Religious Repression: The targeting of the Russian Orthodox Church and other faiths.

Who Were the Belaya Armiya (White Army)

The Belaya Armiya (White Army) included former Tsarist military personnel, Cossacks from various regions, socialists and democrats opposing Bolshevik governance, national minorities seeking autonomy, foreign intervention forces, monarchists and conservatives, volunteer armies like the Volunteer Army in Southern Russia, regional warlords.

Famous Battles

- Siege of Tsaritsyn (1918-1919): Later renamed Stalingrad (now Volgograd), this city was strategically important due to its location on the Volga River. The Bolsheviks, under the command of Joseph Stalin and with support from Leon Trotsky, successfully defended the city against the White Army led by General Denikin.

- Kazan Campaign (1918): The Red Army, under Trotsky's direction, recaptured Kazan from the White forces, which was crucial for regaining control over the Volga region and securing supplies and resources.

- Battle of Omsk (1919): As part of the broader Siberia campaign, the city of Omsk changed hands several times. Admiral Kolchak, leader of the White forces in Siberia, initially made significant gains but was eventually forced to retreat.

- Battle for Donetsk Basin (1918-1920): Strategic for its coal resources, this area saw fierce fighting between the Bolsheviks and the White forces led by Denikin, and later Wrangel.

- Advance on Moscow (1919): Denikin's forces came within 200 miles of Moscow but were eventually repelled by the Red Army.

- Crimean Campaign (1920): General Wrangel, after taking over from Denikin, held out in Crimea for a while but was eventually defeated, leading to the evacuation of the White Army from Crimea, marking the end of the Whites as a significant military force.

- Siberian Intervention: While not a single battle, the presence and actions of foreign troops in Siberia, supporting White forces against the Bolsheviks, were significant. This involvement included the Czechoslovak Legion, Japanese, American, and other Allied forces.

- Perm Offensive (1918): An early campaign where White forces, including Czech Legionnaires, made significant gains but failed to hold Perm against Bolshevik counteroffensives.

- Battle of Warsaw (1920): Although primarily part of the Polish-Soviet War, it was a pivotal moment where the Polish forces, with some support from former White Army officers, decisively defeated the Red Army, stopping their westward advance towards Europe.

Heroic Leaders

General Anton Denikin: He was one of the most prominent White generals, leading the Volunteer Army and later the Armed Forces of South Russia. Under his command, the White forces made significant advances towards Moscow in 1919, capturing much of Ukraine and Southern Russia. Though he couldn't capture Moscow, his campaigns were some of the most threatening to Bolshevik rule.

Admiral Alexander Kolchak: Known as the "Supreme Ruler" of Russia, Kolchak was the leading figure in Siberia. His forces captured Omsk and made substantial gains in the Urals, Siberia, and even parts of Central Asia. His government was recognized by many foreign powers as the legitimate Russian government.

General Pyotr Wrangel: Took over from Denikin and managed to reorganize and revitalize the White forces in the South, particularly in Crimea. His administration was noted for its relative stability and attempts at land reform. He held out longer than most White leaders, until November 1920, when he evacuated his forces from Crimea, marking the end of significant White military presence in Russia.

General Nikolai Yudenich: Led the Northwestern Army in an attempt to capture Petrograd (St. Petersburg). His forces got close to the city in 1919, but were repulsed after initial successes. His campaign was notable for its strategic planning and near-success.

General Lavr Kornilov: Before his death in 1918, Kornilov was instrumental in forming the Volunteer Army from a group of loyal officers, setting the stage for organized resistance against the Bolsheviks. Known for his bravery, he died in battle during the Kuban campaign.

Ataman Grigory Semyonov: A Cossack leader in Siberia and the Transbaikal region. He was notorious for his methods but also for holding large areas against Bolshevik forces with support from Japanese troops.

General Baron Roman von Ungern-Sternberg: Although more of a rogue warlord than a typical White leader, he briefly liberated Mongolia from Chinese rule in 1921, establishing a short-lived theocratic monarchy under the Bogd Khan.

General Evgenii Miller: Led the Northern Army in the Archangel region with Allied support. While not as famous as others, his efforts disrupted Bolshevik consolidation in the north.

A War Lost

The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin and later Joseph Stalin, emerged victorious in the Russian Civil War, which lasted from 1917 to 1922, defeating the fragmented White Army. This victory allowed them to establish and consolidate the Soviet Union, fundamentally altering the political landscape of Russia and setting the stage for the spread of communism globally. The success of the Bolsheviks was due to their centralized command, the promise of land redistribution and workers' control, strategic control over major cities, effective military organization under Leon Trotsky, and the ability to leverage nationalist sentiments against foreign-backed White forces.

The Russian Civil War resulted in millions of dead, economic devastation, the establishment of an authoritarian regime, cultural suppression, and long-term societal trauma, profoundly affecting Russia and global politics.

Legacy

The legacy of the White Army encompasses their role as symbols of resistance against Bolshevism, influencing cultural memories, military traditions, and the diaspora's contributions, while also sparking historical debate on their ideological significance and the paths not taken in Russian history.

How can we Learn from the Belaya Armiya (White Army)?

The White Army's defeat underscores the critical need for a unified, compelling ideology; today, when confronting the romanticization of Bolshevism or Communism, it's imperative to present robust, coherent alternatives rooted in freedom, democracy, and market principles, learning from the White Army's ideological disarray to forge a convincing societal blueprint that transcends mere opposition.

Gain-Of-Function Research on Rabies

In 2017, a team of researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston published a study in the journal Nature Microbiology that showed that they had successfully created a strain of rabies virus that was more transmissible than the wild-type virus. This means that the virus was able to spread more easily from one animal to another.

The researchers created the more transmissible strain of rabies virus by making a few changes to the genome of the virus. They inserted a gene from another virus that made the rabies virus more efficient at entering cells. They also made a change to the structure of the rabies virus's glycoprotein, which is the protein that allows the virus to attach to cells.

The researchers' findings have important implications for public health. They raise the possibility that a more transmissible strain of rabies virus could emerge in the wild. This could make it more difficult to control the spread of rabies, and could lead to an increase in the number of human cases.

However, it is important to note that the researchers who created the more transmissible strain of rabies virus did not do so with the intention of making a more dangerous virus. Their goal was to better understand how the virus works, and to develop new vaccines and treatments.

The research on gain-of-function rabies is still in its early stages, and there is much that we do not yet know about the potential risks and benefits of this type of research. However, it is important to continue to study rabies and other viruses in order to better understand how they work, and to develop new ways to prevent and treat them.

The symptoms of rabies in humans can vary depending on the severity of the infection and the location of the bite. However, the most common symptoms include: Fever, Headache, Nausea and vomiting, Agitation, Confusion, Hyperactivity, Difficulty, swallowing, Excessive salivation, Fear of water (hydrophobia), Hallucinations, Insomnia, Paralysis, Death

Australian Politicians Not Declaring Shareholdings En Masse

The recent mandate for Australian ministers to divest their shares was implemented under a new code of conduct introduced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. This code was approved and announced in July 2022, requiring federal government ministers to divest any direct shareholdings they held.

Australian politicians are subject to various laws and regulations that mandate the disclosure of their financial interests, including direct shareholdings, to ensure transparency and prevent conflicts of interest. Here's an overview based on the information available:

Register of Members' Interests

- Requirement to Disclose: At the beginning of each new parliament and annually thereafter, every member of the House of Representatives and the Senate must submit a declaration of their pecuniary interests to the Register of Members' Interests. This includes direct shareholdings in companies.

- Public Access: These registers are public documents, allowing citizens to view the financial interests of their elected representatives. The information provided in these registers is supposed to give a broad idea of potential conflicts of interest but might not always include detailed financial specifics like the number of shares or their value.

Code of Conduct for Ministers

- Recent Changes: In 2022, a new code of conduct was introduced for federal government ministers, which notably requires them to divest any direct shareholdings. This move was aimed at reducing potential conflicts of interest. Ministers are now allowed to hold shares only within broadly diversified managed funds or superannuation, not direct investments in individual companies.

- Prohibition of Blind Trusts: The code also bans the use of blind trusts, aiming to ensure ministers cannot use these as a means to avoid transparency about their financial interests.

General Disclosures

- Disclosure Thresholds: Politicians are required to disclose interests that could influence their decisions. While the exact financial value or quantity of shares might not be detailed, the existence of shareholdings in specific companies must be declared.

- Media and Public Scrutiny: Although the legal framework requires disclosure, the specifics of how detailed these disclosures are can sometimes lead to media investigations or public scrutiny to understand the depth of politicians' financial engagements with companies.

Limitations and Considerations

- Trusts and Superannuation: Interests held through family trusts, self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs), or other investment vehicles might not be disclosed in as much detail as direct shareholdings. Politicians might list these under the trust or fund name rather than individual company shares.

- Ambiguities: There have been instances where discrepancies were noted between what was declared in the interest registers and what was registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), suggesting that while there is a framework for transparency, the execution can sometimes fall short.

Rationale Behind Disclosure

- Transparency and Accountability: The primary purpose of these laws is to provide transparency, allowing the public to see potential conflicts of interest and ensuring that politicians manage their private interests in a way that does not compromise their public duties.

- Public Trust: By knowing the financial interests of politicians, the public can better assess whether decisions or policies might be influenced by personal gain or external pressures from business interests.

Conclusion

Despite the legal framework designed to promote transparency in Australian political finance, there appears to be a significant gap between the intent of these laws and their practical implementation. Politicians' failure to declare their shareholdings en masse suggests a systemic issue where transparency is not just imperfectly executed but potentially subverted. This raises serious questions about the enforcement of these regulations and the ethical standards expected of those in public office. The recent mandate for ministers to divest shares, while a step in the right direction, highlights the underlying problem of non-compliance rather than solving it. This scenario undermines public trust and the very foundation of democratic accountability, pointing to a need for more robust mechanisms to ensure full disclosure or stricter penalties for non-compliance.

www.aph.gov.au

Register of Members' Interests – 47th Parliament – Parliament of Australia

The Hard Truth: China profits the most from the Climate Scam. Lithium Reserves controlled by the CCP

Tianqi Lithium Corporation,

Formerly known as Sichuan Tianqi Lithium Industries Inc., is headquartered in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. It is listed on both the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE: 002466) and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (SEHK: Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd).

Market Position:

As of the latest updates, Tianqi Lithium is among the world's top lithium producers, with substantial investments in lithium mining and processing. It controls significant lithium resources through its operations and partnerships.

Key Assets:

Greenbushes Mine, Australia: Tianqi holds a 51% stake in Talison Lithium, which operates the Greenbushes mine, one of the largest and highest-grade lithium mines globally. This mine supplies much of the world's lithium concentrate.

Kwinana Lithium Hydroxide Plant, Australia:

Tianqi has invested significantly in downstream processing with the construction of a lithium hydroxide plant in Kwinana, Western Australia. This facility is pivotal in meeting the growing demand for battery-grade lithium hydroxide for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and energy storage systems.

Apart from Australia, Tianqi has operations in Chile, where it has been involved in legal disputes over partnerships with Sociedad Química y Minera (SQM) and Codelco, reflecting the complex geopolitical landscape of lithium investments.

Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd

Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd. in Australia plays a significant role in the company's global lithium operations, focusing on both resource extraction and downstream processing. Here's an overview based on the latest information:

Investments and Projects:

Mount Marion Lithium Mine: Ganfeng has invested in the Mount Marion spodumene project in Western Australia through its investment in Reed Industrial Minerals (RIM). This mine is one of the key hard-rock lithium mines in the region, supplying lithium concentrate.

Partnerships: Leo Lithium and Goulamina Project:

Ganfeng has a strategic partnership with Leo Lithium to develop the Goulamina Lithium Project in Mali, but this collaboration extends to exploring opportunities in Australia as well. They have entered into agreements for potential investments in downstream conversion facilities, possibly in or near Australia, to produce lithium chemicals.

Downstream Activities:

Ganfeng has been considering or discussing the establishment of lithium conversion facilities in Australia to process spodumene into battery-grade lithium chemicals like lithium hydroxide, which is crucial for electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems. This would complement the raw material supply from Australian mines.

Recent Developments: Investment in Leo Lithium:

In 2023, Ganfeng announced an investment of A$106.1 million into Leo Lithium to expedite the Goulamina project, which indirectly supports its Australian operations through the strategic partnership. Plans to study the expansion of total annual production capacity and the prospects of co-investing in a conversion facility are part of this collaboration.

Strategic Importance:

Australia is one of the largest producers of lithium ore, particularly spodumene, making it a pivotal region for Ganfeng's upstream resource strategy. The company aims to secure a stable supply of lithium raw materials to support its global operations, especially in meeting the demand from the electric vehicle (EV) industry.

Ganfeng has a market capitalization of around US$26 billion, showing significant growth in stock price following the success of its projects. Its stock performance has been noted to be recovering, especially after the announcement of large-scale projects in Argentina.

Conclusion

The dominance of Chinese companies like Tianqi Lithium Corporation and Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd. in Australia's lithium sector poses a grave threat to our national sovereignty and economic independence. These foreign entities control vital resources at the Greenbushes Mine and the Mount Marion Lithium Mine, respectively, siphoning off Australia's rich lithium deposits to fuel their own industries, particularly in the burgeoning electric vehicle market.

This situation is not just about economic transactions; it's a strategic misstep that could undermine Australia's autonomy. By allowing these companies to hold such significant stakes in our mineral wealth, we are essentially handing over control of critical raw materials necessary for future technologies to foreign powers. This dependency could be weaponized in geopolitical conflicts or economic disputes, where Australia would find itself at a distinct disadvantage.

Moreover, the establishment of processing plants like the Kwinana Lithium Hydroxide Plant by Tianqi further entrenches this foreign influence. Rather than fostering local industry and innovation, we are watching as the profits and technological advancements in lithium processing are exported back to China, leaving Australia with raw exports and little added value.

The partnership deals, such as those with Leo Lithium for the Goulamina Project, while seemingly beneficial for immediate gains, are a long-term strategic risk. They tie our resource development to the whims and stability of foreign investment and policy, which can be volatile and not always aligned with Australian interests.

It's time for Australia to critically reassess these foreign incursions into our natural resources. We must prioritize national policies that promote local ownership, processing, and innovation in the lithium sector. Only by doing so can we ensure that the benefits of our natural wealth remain within our borders, contributing to our economy, our technology, and our strategic interests. The current scenario is not just economically concerning but borders on negligence in safeguarding Australia's future.

lynettotatum.pages.dev/qyqlc-lithium-deposits-world-map-sruri-photos/

1974 Kissinger admits to Weather Modification being Weaponised on the World Stage

During a press conference at the Intourist Hotel in Moscow on July 3 1974, a journalist asked Secretary Kissinger about weather modification, specifically why it was considered significant in arms control despite its failure during the Vietnam War. Secretary Kissinger responded by stating that the issue was significant because the problem of weather modification exists, and it is not fully understood. He noted that research on the topic is still in its early stages.

Q. ONE LAST POINT, ON THE WEATHER MODIFICATION, SIR, COULD YOU CLARIFY? YOU ONLY REFERRED TO IT VERY BRIEFLY. WEATHER MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES, AS I UNDERSTAND, PROVED A FAILURE IN THE VIETNAM WAR. COULD YOU EXPLAIN WHY THE ISSUE IS REGARDED AS SIGNIFICANT IN ARMS CONTROL?

SECRETARY KISSINGER: WELL, THE ISSUE IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IXISTS. AND IT IS NOT A PROBLEM, FRANKLY, THAT WE HAVE COMPLETELY UNDERSTOOD. WE HAVE JUST STARTED OUR STUDIES ON THE SUBJECT. HOW SIGNIFICANT IT IS, FRANKLY, WILL BECOME APPARENT ONLY AS TIME GOES ON. IT IS SIGNIFICANT FOR THE DETERMINATION OF THE TWO SIDES TO TRY TO LIMIT NEW AREAS OF ARMS COMPETITION.

Operation Popeye

- Operation Popeye was a highly classified weather modification program conducted by the United States military during the Vietnam War, from 1967 to 1972. Here are the key details:

- Purpose: The operation aimed to extend the monsoon season over specific areas, particularly along the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, to disrupt North Vietnamese military supply routes by causing landslides and making roads muddy and impassable.

- Technique: It involved cloud seeding, where silver iodide or lead iodide was dispersed into clouds to induce rainfall.

- Execution: The 54th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron carried out the operation, with aircraft flying sorties to seed clouds. The operation was known under various code names including Project Popeye, Motorpool, and Intermediary-Compatriot.

- Outcome: While there were claims of success in extending the monsoon season by an average of 30 to 45 days, the actual military impact is debated. Some sources suggest it had a significant effect on enemy logistics, while others question its overall effectiveness in altering the war's dynamics.

This operation is remembered both for its technical ingenuity in weather manipulation and the significant ethical questions it raised about the militarization of nature.

Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 30 JUN 2005 1974MOSCOW10476_b

The Subversive Climate Agenda: Leaked Documents Expose Australia's Carbon Capture Scheme 2008

The release of classified diplomatic cables, such as the one marked "Classified By: Econ Counselor Edgard Kagan, Reasons 1.4(b)(d)," provides an insight into the behind-the-scenes orchestration of environmental policy. These documents, which were never meant for public eyes, shed light on how the global environmental narrative has been shaped, not by a commitment to science or collective action, but by national interests, economic strategies, and a notable absence of genuine international cooperation. The cables expose a network of governments, international bodies, and private interests all working to manipulate the environmental discourse for their own benefit, often at the expense of the most vulnerable.

The Classified Cable: The Hidden Agenda

The 2008 cable, classified under Reasons 1.4(b)(d), discusses secretive talks between Australian and U.S. officials about Australia's proposed Global Carbon Capture and Storage Initiative (GCCSI). The classification is invoked to protect information that could reveal intelligence operations or harm diplomatic relations. Here, it likely pertains to Australia's strategic push to lead in carbon capture technology, despite potential conflicts with international efforts.

Why classified? The 2008 cable reveals the geopolitical and economic motivations behind what was publicly presented as an environmental initiative. It shows Australia's intent to secure leadership in CCS technology for economic and political gain, highlighting a disconnect between public environmental rhetoric and private national interests.

The Players: Orchestrating Environmental Policy

- Kevin Rudd: The Australian Prime Minister is depicted as aggressively promoting the GCCSI to secure Australia's technological and political dominance in the field.

- Rhondda Dickson (First Assistant Secretary for Industry, Infrastructure and Environment): Dickson's comments underline Australia's pragmatic approach, which prioritizes national interests over global cooperation.

- Margaret Sewell (General Manager for CCS at DRET): Her discussions reveal plans to rebrand existing projects and extend Australian influence into Asia-Pacific through CCS initiatives.

- U.S. Officials: The cable hints at U.S. reservations regarding the GCCSI's overlap with existing efforts, yet also suggests an interest in aligning with Australian initiatives for mutual benefit.

Other entities like the Swiss government and Pacific Island countries are also implicated in this narrative, with the Swiss promoting a carbon levy that serves their economic interests, while Pacific nations struggle for recognition of their dire situations.

Environmental Policy as Geopolitical Strategy

- Australia's GCCSI as Economic Maneuvering: The initiative is less about environmental conservation and more about securing economic advantages in emerging green technologies. The focus on "commercial scale" projects inherently favors wealthier nations and corporations, sidelining smaller entities.

- The Myth of International Collaboration: The cables reveal a competitive rather than cooperative spirit among nations. Australia's haste to announce its initiative, despite potential duplication, underscores this point.

- Neglect of Vulnerable Nations: The plight of countries like Kiribati, facing existential threats due to climate change, is largely ignored in these strategic discussions, highlighting how environmental policy can be divorced from human survival concerns.

- Donors and NGOs: The role of donor agencies and NGOs in shaping environmental policy is critiqued for focusing more on "capacity building" than on providing direct aid where it's most needed.

Control Through Environmental Policy

These cables are not anomalies but part of a pattern where environmental policy is leveraged as a tool for control and economic gain. The emphasis on technologies like CCS, which are costly and of unproven efficacy, serves the interests of industries wanting to maintain their relevance. Meanwhile, the marginalization of adaptation and relocation efforts for vulnerable nations illustrates a stark inequity in how environmental challenges are addressed.

The classification of these discussions under 1.4(b)(d) signifies the strategic importance of environmental policy in international relations, not as an environmental issue per se but as a means of geopolitical leverage.

A Need for Transparency

The revelation of these cables demands a reevaluation of how environmental policies are formulated and implemented. There's a clear need for transparency to ensure that environmental actions are genuinely aimed at addressing global issues rather than serving as a facade for national or corporate agendas. Without this, the trust in global environmental governance will continue to erode, potentially at the cost of our planet's future.

Kevin Rudd

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd & Current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

Sources:

Cable: 08SUVA455_a

Cable: 08CANBERRA898_a

The information referenced from WikiLeaks cables in this article is currently in the public domain. As such, it is open for scrutiny and use by citizen journalists and the general public for purposes of analysis, commentary, and furthering public understanding of governmental actions and policies.

Weather Modification in Australia

Snowy Hydro Limited

CEO: Dennis Barnes

Details: Dennis Barnes became Managing Director and CEO on February 1, 2023, with over 30 years of experience in the energy sector, previously leading Contact Energy in New Zealand.

Owner: Australian Government

Method: Snowy Hydro uses ground-based aerosol generators to release silver iodide (AgI) into the atmosphere. Unlike aircraft-based seeding common elsewhere, their approach relies on stationary units positioned in the Snowy Mountains. These generators burn a solution containing silver iodide, producing a fine aerosol that rises into clouds via natural updrafts. Silver iodide acts as an ice-nucleating agent. Its crystal structure mimics ice, encouraging supercooled water droplets (liquid water below 0°C) in clouds to freeze into ice crystals. These crystals grow by attracting more water vapor, eventually falling as snow when heavy enough—a process tied to the Bergeron-Findeisen effect.

Australian Rain Technologies (ART)

CEO: Not publicly specified

Details: As a private company, ART does not publicly disclose its current CEO. Leadership information is scarce, and no specific name is tied to the role in recent records.

Owners: Matt and Clare Handbury

(note: Matt Handbury is a prominent Australian businessman, nephew of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and executive chairman of Murdoch Media, which he founded after selling his stake in Murdoch Magazines (including Marie Claire Australia) decades ago. ART secured a $10 million federal grant in 2007 under Malcolm Turnbull to trial ionization in southeast Queensland)

Method: ART employs ground-based devices that emit ions—electrically charged particles—into the atmosphere. These ions are generated by high-voltage systems and released via a network of towers or units placed strategically in target areas.

Hydro Tasmania

CEO: Ian Brooksbank (stepping down October 3, 2025; Rachel Watson appointed as successor)**

Details: Ian Brooksbank has been CEO since March 2022 but will step down in October 2025. Rachel Watson has been announced as the incoming CEO, though her official start date aligns with Brooksbank’s departure. Brooksbank has guided the company through its renewable energy and cloud seeding efforts.

Owner: Tasmanian Government

Method: Hydro Tasmania uses aircraft to release silver iodide (a chemical compound with a crystal structure similar to ice) into clouds. This is a form of glaciogenic seeding, which encourages the formation of ice crystals in supercooled water droplets within clouds. These crystals then grow and fall as precipitation—either rain or snow, depending on temperature. Delivery: Small planes, typically equipped with wing-mounted flares or burners, disperse the silver iodide into suitable cloud formations. The aircraft target specific catchments, like those feeding into dams such as Great Lake or Lake Echo, key to Tasmania’s hydropower system.

CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation)

CEO: Doug Hilton

Details: Doug Hilton took over as Chief Executive in 2023, succeeding Larry Marshall. A molecular biologist, he oversees CSIRO’s extensive research portfolio, including historical weather modification work.

Owner: Australian Government

Method: CSIRO primarily used cloud seeding to enhance rainfall, employing both silver iodide (AgI) and dry ice (solid carbon dioxide, CO₂) as seeding agents. Silver Iodide: Released as a fine aerosol, silver iodide acts as an ice-nucleating agent in supercooled clouds (below 0°C but still liquid). Its ice-like crystal structure triggers water droplets to freeze into ice crystals, which grow and fall as precipitation (rain or snow). Dry Ice: Dropped into clouds, dry ice rapidly cools the surrounding air (to -78°C), causing spontaneous freezing of supercooled droplets into ice crystals without needing a nucleating particle. This was used early on for its dramatic effect on cloud dynamics.

For the Queensland Government’s 2008 cloud seeding project, it was a state-led initiative rather than a company, so there’s no CEO or private owner to list—funding and oversight came from the Queensland Government, with operational support from research partners.

Geoengineering Map

Silver iodide Toxicity

Silver iodide has low solubility in water (about 3 × 10⁻⁸ g/L), meaning it doesn’t dissolve or absorb easily into the body if ingested or inhaled in small amounts. Prolonged exposure to silver compounds can cause argyria—a rare condition where skin turns blue-gray due to silver buildup.

Dry Ice Toxicity

Dry ice is pure carbon dioxide (CO₂) frozen into a solid state at -78.5°C (-109.3°F). It’s made by compressing and cooling gaseous CO₂, a naturally occurring compound in the atmosphere (about 0.0407% of air). O₂ is a normal part of respiration (we exhale it), and dry ice sublimates into CO₂ gas, which disperses quickly outdoors.

Atlant Ionization Technology Concerns

ART’s ground-based ionization method, using high-voltage towers to emit ions, carries potential safety concerns around electrical hazards, EMF exposure, atmospheric effects, lightning, public access, and fire risks.

Australian Rain Technologies’ Atlant Ionization Technology, which uses high-voltage towers to emit ions for rainfall enhancement, could pose dangers to bee and bat populations. For bees, the technology’s ion emissions might disrupt natural electric fields they use for navigation and foraging, potentially confusing them and reducing their efficiency or hive returns. It could also subtly stress hives by altering air quality or microclimates, especially when combined with other environmental pressures. Additionally, bees might be drawn to the towers’ fields, mistaking them for flowers, leading to disorientation or energy loss. For bats, the strong ion emissions near roosts or flight paths could interfere with their navigation, particularly for species sensitive to electric fields, though evidence is limited. Towers placed near bat habitats might alter local air charge, affecting prey distribution or deterring bats from roosting areas.

Comparable ionization systems (e.g., WeatherTec or Ionogenics) suggest operational voltages of 10-100 kilovolts (kV). For a small emitter (assume a 1-meter radius), the electric field near the tip could reach 10,000–100,000 V/m to initiate ionization, akin to lab corona discharge thresholds (around 30 kV/cm or 3,000,000 V/m for air at STP, but practical systems use lower gradients over larger gaps).

Near-Field (0-5 meters): Likely 1,000–10,000 V/m, dropping sharply as ions disperse and the field spreads.

Far-Field (50-100 meters): Possibly 10–100 V/m, comparable to fields under low-voltage power lines (e.g., 11 kV lines produce ~50 V/m at 30 meters). Beyond this, levels approach natural background (100-150 V/m in fair weather).

Australian Rain Technologies (ART) Owners: Matt and Clare Handbury

Snowy Hydro Limited CEO: Dennis Barnes

Sources:

Services — Australian Rain Technology

Australian Rain Technologies website (australianrain.com.au, 2025 archives)

Journal of the Royal Statistical Society (Series C, 2022), University of Wollongong (uni wollongong.edu.au)

ABC News, “$10m granted to explore rainmaking tech” (July 24, 2007, abc.net.au)

The Sydney Morning Herald (August 1, 2007, smh.com.au)

Snowy Hydro website (snowyhydro.com.au, “Cloud Seeding” section, 2024)

Snowy Mountains Cloud Seeding Act 2004 (legislation.nsw.gov.au)

Hydro Tasmania sustainability reports (hydrotas.com.au, 2023-24)

CSIRO, Australian Meteorological Magazine (1970, bom.gov.au)

Hydro Tasmania press release (October 2024, hydrotas.com.au)

“Rainmaking Experiments in Australia,” E.G. Bowen, Weather (1952, Wiley)

CSIROpedia entry (csiropedia.csiro.au, 2025)

CSIRO website (csiro.au, 2025)

Queensland Government media release (February 27, 2008, statements.qld.gov.au)

Minister Meaghan Scanlon statement (2023, qnews.com.au)

Southern Cross University updates (scu.edu.au, 2025)

New Scientist (January 2025, newscientist.com)

Stanwell website (stanwell.com.au, 2025)

ARENA funding announcement (February 2024, arena.gov.au)

pv magazine Australia (February 2025, pv-magazine-australia.com)

Ericsson's Long History with the Red Cross

Ericsson has a long history of supporting the Red Cross. The company's first major contribution was in 1914, when it donated a radio station to the Swedish Red Cross. This station was used to communicate with field hospitals and other relief organizations during World War I.

In the years since, Ericsson has continued to support the Red Cross in a variety of ways. The company has donated telecommunications equipment, financial assistance, and technical expertise to help the Red Cross respond to disasters and emergencies around the world.

Donated Equipment from Ericsson

Radio stations: Ericsson has donated a variety of radio stations to the Red Cross, including base stations, repeaters, and hand-held radios. These radios can be used to communicate over long distances, even in areas with no cell phone coverage.

Mobile phones: Ericsson has donated a variety of mobile phones to the Red Cross, including smartphones and feature phones. These phones can be used to stay in touch with loved ones, coordinate relief efforts, and access information.

Satellite phones: Ericsson has donated satellite phones to the Red Cross, which can be used to communicate in remote areas where there is no cell phone coverage. These phones can also be used to send and receive text messages, emails, and even make voice calls.

Laptop computers: Ericsson has donated laptop computers to the Red Cross, which can be used to access information, create reports, and communicate with others. These computers are also often used to run specialized software that is needed for disaster relief efforts.

Telecommunications equipment: Ericsson has donated a variety of telecommunications equipment to the Red Cross, including routers, switches, and antennas. This equipment is used to set up temporary communication networks in disaster areas.

Financial assistance: Ericsson has also provided financial assistance to the Red Cross to help with its disaster relief efforts. This assistance can be used to purchase equipment, hire staff, and cover other expenses.

Technical expertise: Ericsson has also provided technical expertise to the Red Cross to help with its disaster relief efforts. This expertise can be used to set up and maintain telecommunications networks, develop disaster response plans, and train staff.

Ericsson Partnerships

Disaster Management Tool: A mobile app that helps volunteers to quickly and easily identify and register displaced people.

Red Cross Innovation Lab: A lab that develops new ways to use telecommunications to improve disaster response.

5G for Good: A project to explore how 5G can be used to improve disaster response and preparedness.

Climate Action: A project to address the climate crisis by using telecommunications to help communities adapt to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Digital Inclusion: A project to improve digital inclusion by providing access to telecommunications services to people in underserved communities.

Health: A project to improve health outcomes by using telecommunications to connect patients with doctors and nurses, provide remote care, and track health data.

Education: A project to improve education outcomes by using telecommunications to provide access to online learning, connect students with teachers, and track student progress.

Migration: A project to help migrants and refugees by providing access to telecommunications services, connecting them with family and friends, and providing information about their rights.

Women's Empowerment: A project to empower women by providing access to telecommunications services, connecting them with resources and support networks, and providing information about their rights.

The Red Cross Missing Children's Network

Telecommunications companies: Telecommunications companies such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile provide data about the location of mobile phones. This data can be used to track the location of missing children who have their phones with them. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are all customers of Ericsson. Ericsson is a telecommunications company that provides equipment and services to mobile operators around the world. The companies use Ericsson's equipment to build and operate their networks.

Facial recognition companies: Facial recognition companies such as Clearview AI and Palantir provide technology that can be used to identify missing children in public places. This technology can be used to scan images from security cameras or social media.

Data analytics companies: Data analytics companies such as Palantir and Recorded Future provide technology that can be used to analyze data from social media, telecommunications networks, and other sources to identify potential missing children.

Mobile app companies: Mobile app companies such as Amber Alert and Child Rescue Alert provide mobile apps that can be used to report missing children. These apps also allow people to share information about missing children and to receive updates on the search. The companies typically provide these apps for free to users.

Website companies: Website companies such as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) provide websites that provide information about missing children and how to report them. Ericsson has partnered with NCMEC to develop and deploy Amber Alert and Child Rescue Alert technology in countries around the world. The company has provided telecommunications equipment and services to support the systems, and it has also worked with NCMEC to train law enforcement agencies on how to use the systems.

Social media companies: Social media companies such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram provide platforms that can be used to raise awareness about missing children and to share information about the search. Ericsson also partners with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to use their platforms to help find missing children. For example, Ericsson has partnered with Facebook to develop a tool that can be used to identify missing children in images posted on the platform.

Ericsson is a global telecommunications company that has a long history of supporting the Red Cross. The company has donated telecommunications equipment, financial assistance, and technical expertise to help the Red Cross respond to disasters and emergencies around the world.

Sources:

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Ericsson Sustainability Report: www.ericsson.com/en/sustainability

Ericsson 5G for Good program: www.ericsson.com/en/about-us/sustainability-and-corporate-responsibility/sustainability-reports/5g-for-good

Ericsson Climate Action: www.ericsson.com/en/sustainability/climate-action

Red Cross Projects

IFRC Innovation Lab (Red Cross Innovation Lab): www.ifrc.org/innovation-lab

Red Cross Missing Children’s Network: www.ifrc.org/our-work/disasters/missing-persons

ICRC Telecommunications in Emergencies: www.icrc.org/en/disaster-emergency-telecom

Partner Organizations & Tools

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC): www.missingkids.org

International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC): www.icmec.org

Amber Alert System: www.amberalert.gov

Facebook’s Missing Children Tool (example): about.fb.com/news/tag/missing-children/

Ericsson’s Partnership with NCMEC (example press release): www.ericsson.com/en/press-releases/YYYY/MM/ericsson-partners-with-ncmec

Ethical/Technical Context

Clearview AI Controversies: www.reuters.com/technology/clearview-ai-reaches-settlement-in-privacy-suit-2022-05-09/

Palantir and Humanitarian Work: www.palantir.com/solutions/social-impact/

Ericsson’s Data Privacy Policy: www.ericsson.com/en/privacy

Telecom Partners

AT&T Corporate Responsibility: www.att.com/corporate-responsibility/

Verizon Social Impact: www.verizon.com/about/responsibility/

T-Mobile Philanthropy: www.t-mobile.com/responsibility/community

Projects Mentioned

Ericsson Disaster Management Tool (example): www.ericsson.com/en/cases/YYYY/disaster-response

Ericsson Digital Inclusion Projects: www.ericsson.com/en/sustainability/digital-inclusion

Bronfman, NXIVM, and Beyond: Fiji's Wakaya Island, Epstein and The Twisted Elite Underbelly

The Bronfman family has built a notable history through business success and philanthropy, a legacy shaped over generations. This narrative shifted with Clare Bronfman’s significant involvement in NXIVM, an organization that transitioned from self-help to criminal activity, and her acquisition of Wakaya Island, which tied into NXIVM’s broader operations. This article outlines the Bronfman family’s origins, Clare’s role in NXIVM, the group’s key members, connections to Jeffrey Epstein, and the strategic use of Wakaya Island, providing a detailed look at their interconnected stories.

The Bronfman Roots: From Immigrant to Empire

The Bronfman lineage traces back to Samuel Bronfman, born in 1891 in what is now Belarus. Arriving in Canada in 1905 to escape persecution, he founded the Seagram Company in 1924, leveraging Prohibition-era demand to establish a leading liquor business. Alongside his wife, Saidye Rosner Bronfman, a dedicated philanthropist, he created the Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Family Foundation in 1952 to support education and the arts. Their four children—Minda, Phyllis, Edgar Sr., and Charles—continued this tradition of enterprise and community service.

Edgar Bronfman Sr., born in 1929 in Montreal, led Seagram from 1971, expanding its reach with acquisitions like Universal Studios before its $30 billion sale to Vivendi in 2000. As President of the World Jewish Congress from 1979 to 2007, he facilitated Soviet Jewish emigration and secured billions in Holocaust restitution. Among his seven children, Clare and Sara, born to his third wife, Rita Thieriot, later became linked to NXIVM, diverging from his legacy.

NXIVM: From Self-Help to Criminal Enterprise

NXIVM was established in 1998 by Keith Raniere (“Vanguard”) and Nancy Salzman (“Prefect”) near Albany, New York, as a multi-level marketing company offering “Executive Success Programs” for personal and professional development. Over two decades, it attracted over 16,000 participants, relying on high course fees and a recruitment-based structure. Clare Bronfman joined in 2003 and became a major contributor, investing an estimated $150 million and serving on the executive board.

Beneath its surface, NXIVM concealed severe abuses. The secret DOS subgroup (“Master Over Slave Women”), uncovered in 2017, branded women with Raniere’s initials, coerced them into sexual servitude, and controlled them through “collateral” such as compromising photos. Clare’s financial support enabled this system, funding legal actions against critics and Raniere’s lifestyle. The organization collapsed in 2018 when Raniere was arrested in Mexico, with a 2019 trial convicting him of sex trafficking and racketeering, resulting in a 120-year sentence.

Clare Bronfman’s Crimes and Sentencing

Clare’s involvement extended beyond funding. In 2019, she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conceal and harbor illegal aliens for financial gain—using undocumented workers for NXIVM—and fraudulent use of identification, linked to a bank account opened with a deceased person’s identity. Though not directly charged with DOS’s sex trafficking, her resources and leadership amplified NXIVM’s impact. In 2020, Judge Nicholas Garaufis sentenced her to six years and nine months, acknowledging her role in the group’s harm. Edgar Sr., who died in 2013, had called NXIVM a “cult” in a 2003 Forbes interview, a caution his daughters disregarded.

NXIVM’s Leadership

NXIVM’s membership included prominent individuals and broader participants:

Keith Raniere and Nancy Salzman: The founders defined its direction; Salzman received three and a half years for racketeering conspiracy.

Sara Bronfman: Clare’s sister provided early funding but faced no charges after withdrawing. She flew with Jeffrey Epstein to Palm Beach in 2006, before his 2008 conviction, per flight logs (Rolling Stone: Inside NXIVM, the Sick Cult That Preys on the Vulnerable).

- Allison Mack: Known for Smallville, she recruited for DOS, pleaded guilty to racketeering, and served three years.

- Lauren Salzman: Nancy’s daughter and a DOS member, she avoided prison by testifying against Raniere.

- India Oxenberg: Branded in DOS, she later shared her story in Seduced.

Nicki Clyne: A loyalist who avoided charges but supports Raniere.

- Emiliano Salinas: Son of a former Mexican president, he oversaw NXIVM’s Mexico operations without prosecution.

Most members—business professionals, actors, and everyday individuals—were unaware of the inner circle’s abuses, with DOS involving 50–100 women, about 20 branded.

Wakaya Island: NXIVM’s Pacific Outpost

Clare Bronfman’s acquisition of Wakaya Island, a 3.1-square-mile Fijian retreat, added a unique layer to NXIVM’s operations. On August 11, 2016, she purchased 80% of Wakaya Ltd., which controls most of the island, for $47 million from Canadian businessman David Gilmour, founder of Fiji Water and the Wakaya Club & Spa. Bronfman, who already owned a home there, aimed to develop a resort to rival Gilmour’s luxury destination, known for hosting figures like Bill Gates and Nicole Kidman, according to her attorney Susan Necheles.

Wakaya’s role in NXIVM extended beyond real estate. The island hosted retreats for NXIVM leaders and loyalists, including Raniere, who visited in 2016 with Clare and Sara Bronfman, as reported in The New York Times. Some speculated it was a potential refuge for Raniere as scrutiny mounted, though he was arrested in Mexico in 2018 before any such plan materialized. NXIVM also used Wakaya to project exclusivity, leveraging its idyllic setting to attract wealthy members and reinforce Raniere’s mystique. After Clare’s 2019 conviction, her stake in Wakaya remained part of her financial portfolio, though its operational ties to NXIVM ceased with the group’s collapse.

Links to Epstein

The Bronfmans intersected with Jeffrey Epstein in two instances. Sara Bronfman’s 2006 flight with Epstein to Palm Beach, documented in flight logs, occurred before his 2008 conviction, suggesting a social acquaintance (Rolling Stone). Separately, Charles Bronfman, Edgar Sr.’s brother and a Seagram co-chairman, appears in Epstein’s black book, publicized in 2019 with contact details, indicating a likely social or business link (New York Post: Jeffrey Epstein’s ‘black book’ reveals famous names). Charles had no NXIVM involvement, and no direct connection ties Epstein to the group’s crimes, but these links highlight the family’s elite networks.

Conclusion

The Bronfman family’s rise—from Samuel Bronfman’s liquor empire to Edgar Sr.’s command of Seagram and Jewish advocacy—once embodied calculated ambition and clout. Clare Bronfman’s descent into NXIVM gutted that legacy, her $150 million fortune propping up a cult that branded women through DOS, trafficked them under a flimsy empowerment banner, and wielded blackmail to cement control, as Raniere’s 2019 conviction exposed. Wakaya Island, snapped up for $47 million in 2016, towers as a garish monument to her wealth’s role in NXIVM’s machinery—its seclusion a twisted echo of the cult’s hidden rot, even absent direct trafficking there. The family’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein—Sara’s 2006 ride on his plane, Charles’s entry in his black book—plunge them into the deep, disgusting world of the elite, a realm where scandal festers unchecked, though no criminal link binds them directly. With Raniere locked in for 120 years and Clare caged for six years and nine months for her proven complicity, the Bronfman name sinks from prominence into a mire of exploitation, forever stained by its brush with this privileged underbelly.

Huma Abedin to Hillary Clinton, forwards a message about U.S. Jewish leaders criticizing a West Bank report, mentioning Edgar Bronfman among other signatories.

An email to Podesta regarding Edgar Bronfman

Lauren Salzman

NXIVM victims' branding

Edgar M. Bronfman

Keith Raniere

Clare Bronfman

Emiliano Salinas son of former Mexican president

Sources:

How Clare Bronfman Spun NXIVM to Herself Vanity Fair

WikiLeaks - Hillary Clinton Email Archive

WikiLeaks - The Podesta Emails

Where Are Clare and Sara Bronfman Today Esquire

Clare Bronfman Wikipedia

Clare Bronfman Is Sentenced to 81 Months in Nxivm Case New York Times

Clare Bronfman Pleads Guilty in Nxivm Case New York Times

Seagram Heiress Clare Bronfman Sentenced in NXIVM Case Rolling Stone

How did heiress Clare Bronfman fund the NXIVM sex cult Film Daily

What was Clare Bronfman's role within the NXIVM sex cult Film Daily

From Heiress To Felon Clare Bronfman in NXIVM Forbes

Bronfman family Wikipedia

Bronfman Family The Canadian Encyclopedia

10 things Get to know the Bronfman family’s history Tampa Bay

Charles Bronfman Wikipedia

Charles Bronfman Forbes

Keith Raniere - Wikipedia

NXIVM - Wikipedia

Keith Raniere Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life & Achievements

The Vow - HBO documentary

Aussie Independent free speech advocate and memer. npub126dmp66dh3vau2t45jrhkm9ya87nfemfy6c5yz0q9gua65vdz04suhkwyp