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Daily Maverick
4 days ago
- Daily Maverick
Epsteingate and the dirty old men preying on young girls — how language helps them get away with abuse
'It was known generally that those incidents happened on the island, and nothing was done about it,' she said. 'It was shoved under the carpet. What good would it have done for me if I had reported it? I knew nothing would have been done about it, because of previous experience on the island. It was an act that everybody on the island knew was happening, and nobody wanted to talk about it and say it was wrong and deal with it.' (New Zealand Herald, 5 October 2004) At the first reading, the above quote might appear to be related to notorious child abuser and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein's secrets from the grave about the doings of powerful old men and their penchant for underage girls. But the 2004 New Zealand publication date reveals it is about another sensational case of child rape by older, powerful men on the tiny Pitcairn Island in the Pacific Ocean. Culture as excuse In 1790, mutineers on the HMS Bounty found themselves on the island among the Polynesian inhabitants. Over the years a community developed, shaped by the control and power of men over women. Blending their own law with some Polynesian cultural beliefs, the men began to justify and normalise rape and domination over women. But the original cultural mores concerned relationships between adolescents, not exploitation by adult men. A 1999 investigation by Gail Cox, a UK police official (the island is a 'British Overseas Territory'), exposed endemic, intergenerational child abuse and rape by the men of the community. Cox interviewed women about sexual abuse involving children as young as five. This led to criminal charges, and in 2004 a British court, sitting on Pitcairn, found six men guilty of sexual offences against underage girls that occurred between 1964 and 1999. The defendants had all argued that the island's culture was influenced by its part-Polynesian roots and that girls had matured earlier and therefore had 'tempted' the men. Predators everywhere Epstein, US President Donald Trump's good friend of more than 15 years, had his private island playboy paradise, Little Saint James in the US Virgin Islands. His jet, known as the Lolita Express by those in the know, transported many of the world's richest and most powerful men to the island, some innocently, but others to have sex with underage girls. This went on for years. These girls were procured by Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's apparent 'girlfriend' and daughter of newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell. When the girls and women first spoke out, they were threatened, silenced, humiliated and marginalised. Prince Andrew eventually settled a case with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of abusing her at Epstein's New York apartment. Bringing Buckingham Palace into disrepute, Randy Andy was stripped of his stripes and medals. It took a Miami Herald journalist, Julie K Brown, a woman, to give voice to Giuffre (who died by suicide earlier this year), Michelle Licata, Courtney Wild and Jena-Lisa Jones – all survivors of Epstein's abuse. In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty to one charge of procuring for prostitution a girl below the age of 18 and signed a plea deal. He was arrested again on sex trafficking charges in 2019, but was found dead in his cell soon afterwards. Language is a weapon Men like these believe they can get away with the abuse of children and women because the language we use to describe the crime, even in court matters, feeds into old and dangerous stereotypes. Keith Tuffin and Melanie Simons of Massey University in New Zealand examined the language used in the Pitcairn case and how this contributed to a lack of accountability. 'Language used in sexual assault trial judgments commonly works to reduce the level of responsibility of the perpetrator; for example, describing him as being under the influence of alcohol or portraying sexual assault as erotic, rather than violent,' noted the authors. A 2005 study of judicial sentencing in child abuse cases found similar results. Another study analysed the narratives of a convicted rapist and found 'a discourse of ambiguity about the nonconsensual nature of his crimes', which 'suggested the victim was partly to blame, having not been sufficiently clear in her rejection of sex'. All around us, this instinct to look away when old-men rape plays out. There are millions of women around the world who report cases and are not believed, or are threatened because they have reported the crimes. As US author Sandra Newman has written, in the early 20th century researchers like Havelock Ellis believed that all male sexuality was violent and predatory, and so it was to be expected that they would behave accordingly. This suggests preposterously that men are mere victims of their hormones and atavistic impulses, and external factors are always to blame for amoral behaviour. Personal accountability is seldom taken. How to stop this? Expose the paedophile rings. Jeffrey Epstein might be dead, but his secrets are not. DM This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
India.com
08-05-2025
- India.com
Uncovering These 8 Most Isolated Islands Of The World: THIS Place Has 0 Population, Can You Believe It?
photoDetails english 2897324 Updated:May 08, 2025, 07:00 AM IST Check 8 Most Isolated Islands Of The World 1 / 9 Most Isolated Islands Of The World: Far away from the hustle-bustle of mundane life and crowded places, there exists certain islands in the world which are isolated and so much so that reportedly at one such place only 250 inhabitants are staying. Can you imagine? Well, let's scroll through the list of isolated islands in the world, as per several reports: South Georgia 2 / 9 South Georgia is an island in the South Atlantic Ocean that is part of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. It lies around 1,400 kilometres (870 mi) east of the Falkland Islands. The terrain is mountainous, with the central ridge rising to 2,935 metres (9,629 ft) at Mount Paget. Its estimated population is 32 (summer), 16 (winter), 30 (1945) as per Wikipedia. Tristan da Cunha 3 / 9 This is a remote group of volcanic islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is one of three constituent parts of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, with its own constitution. The nearest inhabited landmass, St. Helena, is over 1,300 miles away. As of October 2018, the main island had 250 permanent inhabitants, who all carry British Overseas Territories citizenship. The Kerguelen Islands 4 / 9 The Kerguelen Islands, also known as the Desolation Islands are a group of islands in the sub-Antarctic region. According to Wikipedia, the estimated population here remains around 45 (winter) around 110 (summer). Spitsbergen 5 / 9 Spitsbergen formerly known as West Spitsbergen is the largest and the only permanently populated island of the Svalbard archipelago in northern Norway in the Arctic Ocean. Pitcairn Island 6 / 9 According to Britannica, this volcanic island in the South Pacific—the only inhabited island of the British overseas territory of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno islands—is probably best known as the haven of the mutineers of the British ship HMS Bounty, who settled there in 1790. In 2023, the territory had 35 permanent inhabitants, rendering it the smallest territory in the world in terms of permanent resident population. Novaya Zemlya 7 / 9 Novaya Zemlya is an archipelago in northern Russia. It is situated in the Arctic Ocean, in the extreme northeast of Europe, with Cape Flissingsky, on the northern island, considered the easternmost point of Europe. It has an estimated population of 3,576 (2021). Easter Island 8 / 9 Easter Island is an island and special territory of Chile in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, at the southeasternmost point of the Polynesian Triangle in Oceania. The island is renowned for its nearly 1,000 extant monumental statues, called moai, which were created by the early Rapa Nui people. In 1995, UNESCO named Easter Island a World Heritage Site, with much of the island protected within Rapa Nui National Park. Bouvet Island 9 / 9 Bouvet Island is an uninhabited subantarctic volcanic island and dependency of Norway. It is a protected nature reserve, and situated in the South Atlantic Ocean at the southern end of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, it is the world's most remote island. There is 0 population in this island, as per Wikipedia information.
NDTV
05-05-2025
- NDTV
7 Of The World's Most Remote Islands You Can Actually Visit
If your idea of a dream getaway involves patchy Wi-Fi, no crowds, and endless sea views, then these remote islands might be exactly what you're after. Far from the tourist trail (and often, any trail at all), these places take the idea of "getting away from it all" to the next level. Whether you're into volcanic landscapes, penguin spotting, or just want to be somewhere that barely registers on Google Maps, here are seven of the most remote islands on the planet that you can actually reach — if you're up for the challenge. Here Are 7 Most Remote Islands In The World: 1. Pitcairn Island, Pacific Ocean This speck of land is known for its mutinous past-descendants of the HMS Bounty crew still live here, along with fewer than 50 other residents. The nearest airstrip is over 500 km away on Mangareva (French Polynesia), and you'll need to hop on a 32-hour boat ride from there to get to Pitcairn. Tourists are welcome, but it's all very DIY: Think homestays, home-cooked meals, and possibly a ride in the island's only quad bike taxi. 2. Tristan da Cunha, South Atlantic Ocean Welcome to the world's most isolated inhabited island. Tristan da Cunha is a tiny volcanic spit in the South Atlantic, located roughly 2,400 km from the nearest land (South Africa) and home to just over 200 people. It's part of a British Overseas Territory and only accessible by boat — a seven-day trip from Cape Town. There's no airport, no hotel chains, and definitely no Starbucks. What you will find: wild coastal cliffs, rare seabirds, and locals who bake a mean loaf of home-baked bread. 3. Bouvet Island, South Atlantic Ocean Not for the casual holidaymaker, Bouvet Island is a Norwegian dependency that's almost entirely covered by glaciers and surrounded by ice. It's also uninhabited, which makes sense given that it's one of the most isolated islands on Earth to reach. Located between South Africa and Antarctica, even scientists rarely get to visit. You'll need a research permit, a solid reason, and a stomach strong enough for wild Antarctic swells. 4. Easter Island, Chile OK, it's technically got an airport and daily flights, but Easter Island (or Rapa Nui) is still one of the most remote places you can fly to. Sitting 3,500 km west of mainland Chile, it's best known for its massive stone statues called Moai. But there's more here than just mysterious heads — think volcanic craters, white sand beaches, and one of the most fascinating Polynesian cultures you'll ever come across. 5. Kerguelen Islands, Southern Indian Ocean Dubbed the "Desolation Islands," this French territory is as bleak as it is fascinating. Located about 3,300 km from Madagascar, it has no permanent population, only scientists and support staff rotating in and out. There's no airport, so the only way in is via a supply ship that runs a few times a year. It's windy, wild, and feels like the edge of the world-because it basically is. 6. Macquarie Island, Australia Smack between Tasmania and Antarctica, Macquarie is a wildlife haven that plays host to thousands of penguins and seals. Managed by the Australian Antarctic Division, it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and not open for casual tourism. That said, you can visit on specific expedition cruises if you book early (and have a decent tolerance for sub-zero windchill). 7. Socotra, Yemen Socotra looks like it belongs on another planet. Known for its otherworldly dragon's blood trees and surreal landscapes, it's located in the Arabian Sea, about 380 km south of mainland Yemen. Political instability made it off-limits for years, but in recent times, adventure travellers have been trickling back in via chartered flights from the UAE. Just don't expect resort comforts-this one's for seasoned backpackers and nature lovers.
Associated Press
28-04-2025
- Associated Press
Today in History: April 28, Abu Ghraib torture images made public
Today in history: On April 28, 2004, the world first viewed images of prisoner abuse and torture by U.S. troops at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, via a report broadcast on the CBS television news program '60 Minutes II.' Also on this date: In 1789, mutineers led by Fletcher Christian took control of the ship HMS Bounty three weeks after departing Tahiti, setting the ship's captain, Lieutenant William Bligh, and 18 other crew members adrift in the Pacific Ocean. In 1945, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and his mistress, Clara Petacci, were executed by Italian partisans after attempting to flee the country. In 1947, a six-man expedition led by Norwegian Thor Heyerdahl set out from Peru aboard a balsa wood raft named the Kon-Tiki on a 101-day, 4,300 mile (6,900 km) journey across the Pacific Ocean to the Polynesian Islands. In 1967, heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali was stripped of his WBA title after he refused to be inducted into the armed forces. In 1994, former CIA official Aldrich Ames, who had passed U.S. secrets to the Soviet Union and then Russia, pleaded guilty to espionage and tax evasion, and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. In 2001, a Russian rocket lifted off from Central Asia carrying the first space tourist, California businessman Dennis Tito, and two cosmonauts on a journey to the International Space Station. In 2011, convicted sex offender Phillip Garrido and his wife, Nancy Garrido, pleaded guilty to kidnapping and raping a California girl, Jaycee Dugard, who was abducted in 1991 at the age of 11 and rescued 18 years later. (Phillip Garrido was sentenced to 431 years to life in prison; Nancy Garrido was sentenced to 36 years to life.)
Chicago Tribune
28-04-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Today in History: Abu Ghraib torture images made public
Today is Monday, April 28, the 118th day of 2025. There are 247 days left in the year. Today in history: On April 28, 2004, the world first viewed images of prisoner abuse and torture by U.S. troops at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, via a report broadcast on the CBS television news program '60 Minutes II.' Also on this date: In 1789, mutineers led by Fletcher Christian took control of the ship HMS Bounty three weeks after departing Tahiti, setting the ship's captain, Lieutenant William Bligh, and 18 other crew members adrift in the Pacific Ocean. In 1945, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and his mistress, Clara Petacci, were executed by Italian partisans after attempting to flee the country. In 1947, a six-man expedition led by Norwegian Thor Heyerdahl set out from Peru aboard a balsa wood raft named the Kon-Tiki on a 101-day, 4,300 mile (6,900 km) journey across the Pacific Ocean to the Polynesian Islands. In 1967, heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali was stripped of his WBA title after he refused to be inducted into the armed forces. In 1994, former CIA official Aldrich Ames, who had passed U.S. secrets to the Soviet Union and then Russia, pleaded guilty to espionage and tax evasion, and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. In 2001, a Russian rocket lifted off from Central Asia carrying the first space tourist, California businessman Dennis Tito, and two cosmonauts on a journey to the International Space Station. In 2011, convicted sex offender Phillip Garrido and his wife, Nancy Garrido, pleaded guilty to kidnapping and raping a California girl, Jaycee Dugard, who was abducted in 1991 at the age of 11 and rescued 18 years later. (Phillip Garrido was sentenced to 431 years to life in prison; Nancy Garrido was sentenced to 36 years to life.) Today's Birthdays: Former Secretary of State James A. Baker III is 95. Actor-singer Ann-Margret is 84. Chef Alice Waters is 81. TV host-comedian Jay Leno is 75. Actor Mary McDonnell is 73. Musician Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth) is 72. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan is 65. Baseball Hall of Famer Barry Larkin is 61. Golfer John Daly is 59. Rapper Too Short is 59. Actor Bridget Moynahan is 54. Actor Jorge Garcia is 52. Actor Penelope Cruz is 51. TV personalities Drew and Jonathan Scott are 47. Actor Jessica Alba is 44. Actor Harry Shum Jr. is 43. Singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez is 30.
