|
Posted on 03/05/2008 5:59:39 PM PST by nwctwx
|
Note: The following post is a quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1992892/posts
Be prepared (challenges for Australia’s defence)
The Australian ^ | 28th March 2008 | Cameron Stewart
Posted on 03/27/2008 7:32:21 PM PDT by naturalman1975
FOR the second time this month, nuclear-armed submarines from China and India have toyed with an Australian navy frigate, keeping it in their gunsights and “sinking” it regularly as it made its way up the NSW coast.
At the same time, Indonesia has sought to embarrass Australia’s undersized and outdated air force by flying its new generation strike bombers along our northern borders in a display of muscular brinkmanship.
Hard to believe? Not according to a frightening new defence report that warns that such fictional scenarios could easily become reality long before 2050.
The report by Ross Babbage, chairman of the highly regarded Kokoda Foundation, warns that within a generation Australia’s military could slide from being the local bully to being the local runt, dwarfed by the emerging military might of our neighbours.
In response, he argues, Australia may need to consider the most radical military expansion in its peacetime history, a new-look Australian Defence Force with the firepower to “rip an arm” off any Asian nation seeking to attack Australia.
As defence planners are about to sit down and nut out a new strategic vision for Australia in the forthcoming defence white paper, Babbage’s report is nothing if not provocative. What’s more, Babbage will be a part of the white paper, serving on a ministerial panel to oversee the process. The controversial report was written before he was appointed to the minister’s panel, meaning he can no longer speak publicly about the issues it raises.
Babbage’s report, conceived in December but published in the latest edition of the Kokoda Foundation security challenge series, asks the defence establishment to take a much longer-term view of Australia’s security.
(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.news.com.au ...
TOPICS: Australia/New Zealand; Foreign Affairs; War on Terror; Click to Add Topic
KEYWORDS: australia; china; india; Click to Add Keyword
[ Report Abuse | Bookmark ]
STIFF COMPETITION
* India’s army has 1.3 million active troops and 1.2 million reservists.
* The Indian navy has 55,000 personnel operating 155 ships, including an aircraft carrier and 16 submarines; six nuclear-powered submarines are under construction.
* India’s air force has 170,000 personnel operating 1350 aircraft.
* China has an army estimated at 2.2 million troops, 8000 tanks and 25,000 artillery pieces.
* China’s navy has more than 100 surface combat vessels and 73 submarines. Its air force operates 6000 aircraft.
* Indonesia has an army of 300,000, a run-down navy and an air force of about 600 aircraft.
* Australia has an army of 25,575 soldiers and 59 tanks, an air force of 83 combat aircraft and a navy of 10 frigates, six submarines and 14 patrol boats.
1 posted on 03/27/2008 7:32:22 PM PDT by naturalman1975
The bomb squad was called to the quiet northwest neighbourhood of Dalhousie this morning, after a resident reported seeing a suspicious package.
A woman said she looked out her back window after hearing a loud bang, and saw smoke coming from a small package. The tactical team used a robot to move in and detonate the device, which was wrapped in duct tape, and about the size of a baseball. Police say it was a small explosive device, which was not particularly dangerous and unlikely to have caused any harm.
The package was located in a high traffic area, often used by kids on their way to school, so police say they wanted to take every precaution to ensure the walkway was safe. They speculate someone was likely experimenting with some different explosives.
http://www.660news.com/news/local/article.jsp?content=20080327_164214_4336
Customs intercept fibreglass knives
March 27, 2008
FIBREGLASS is being used to make military-style knives in attempts to thwart checks of incoming international mail, customs authorities say. Australian customs national investigations manager Richard Janeczko said today that customs officers checking international mail had this week intercepted six knives made out of fibreglass resin.
The knives, together with a slingshot and brace, were in an air mail parcel from the US declared as containing clothes and literature and destined for a Sydney address. Mr Janeczko said the attempt to smuggle the potentially undetectable and prohibited weapons posed "a dangerous new threat''.
But despite claims by their American suppliers that the knives were "practically undetectable to modern security devices'', customs officers had been able to find them with specialised equipment, Mr Janeczko said. They were discovered during x-ray screening at Australia Post's Sydney Gateway Facility at Clyde, in Sydney's west. Mr Janeczko said no arrests had yet been made in connection with the offence, which carries a maximum penalty of $275,000 and/or 10 years' imprisonment.
Canada ping to post #1222
Bomb Squad called to the Northwest (Calgary, Canada)
and #1207 from Cindy.
(TORONTO STAR)
“”What happens, what happens at the Parliament?” “We go and kill everybody.””
Fiberglass Knives.
Duly noted and thanks Oorang.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1981084/posts?page=1222#1222
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1992941/posts
#
http://washingtontimes.com/article/20080328/EDITORIAL/343721736/1013
“Outsourcing defense contracts”
By Duncan Hunter
March 28, 2008
EDITORIAL SNIPPET: “As American forces confront the global terrorist threat on the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq, an equally serious threat exists here at home with the continuous outsourcing and erosion of our defense industrial base. The deterioration of our domestic defense industries, which helped carry us to victory in World War II and the Cold War, represents one of the greatest challenges to our security and the future success of our military forces.
Despite this fact, the list of U.S. defense contracts awarded to foreign competitors continues to grow...”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1992946/posts
#
IN THE U.S.A.:
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.cityofdelano.org/index.asp?NID=240
News Releases
The Delano Police Department strives to provide timely information to those media venues and other concerned citizens and groups, who seek to learn more about police related events within our city. The below information is provided as a snapshot of significant events that have occurred or are upcoming. The information contained on this page is listed for one week only and will be removed. After viewing this press release page, if you still have questions, you may contact the Delano Police Department Watch Commander by calling (661) 721-3377. The Public Information Officer may be reached through contact with the Department’s Watch Commander. These events are different than those listed on the Department’s Community Calendar link.
Previous News Releases
Last Updated
March 27, 2008
To all citizens of Delano and surrounding area
On 3/27/08, the Delano Police Department Gang Unit received information that a California Criminal Street Gang is going to be holding gang initiations in the Cities of Delano and McFarland. Prospective members are to collide their vehicles into random vehicles from behind. As the driver of the victim vehicle exits, the prospective members will open fire. This information has not been substantiated nor do we know if it is credible.
As always, the Delano Police Department is concerened with the safety of all Delano residents and therefore, we are strongly suggesting that everyone use extreme caution if they are involved in a rear end collision. If citizens are involved in a similar type vehicle collision they should drive directly to the Delano Police Department to report minor vehicle collisions until further notice or remain in the vehicle and dial 9-1-1. The Delano Police Department is located at 1022 12th Avenue.
If you have any questions please contact Detective Corporal Nicholson at (661) 721-3365.
Note: The following post is a quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1992945/posts
Palestinian Authority Granted New Trial in Terrorism Damages Suit
The Washington Post ^ | March 28, 2008 | Glenn Kessler
Posted on 03/27/2008 10:12:10 PM PDT by forkinsocket
The Palestinian Authority won a major legal victory when a federal judge, in a ruling made public yesterday, agreed to set aside a judgment of nearly $200 million awarded to American victims of Palestinian terrorist attacks in Israel and allow a new trial.
Such rulings are rare, and the judge, U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero, said that he would vacate the previous legal victory only if the Palestinian Authority put up a $192.7 million bond to ensure that it does not default again if it loses in court. In a ruling Wednesday, he also ordered the Palestinians to reimburse the plaintiffs for previous legal expenses.
But Marrero’s decision gives the Palestinian government hope that it can escape from lawsuits that its officials said threatened to bankrupt it. Top Palestinian officials, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, had urged Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to intervene in the case.
Marrero had earlier sought the Bush administration’s opinion on the case, confronting it with a choice between supporting compensation for victims of terrorism and bolstering the Palestinian government as the United States presses for a breakthrough in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. The administration ultimately declined to offer an opinion, but noted in a statement to the court that it was concerned that lawsuits by victims of terrorism could harm the “financial and political viability” of the Palestinian Authority — a statement that Marrero noted in making his decision.
Leslye Knox, a 46-year-old mother of six children and widow of Aharon Ellis, had sued under a law passed by Congress in 1990 after the murder of Leon Klinghoffer by terrorists who seized the Achille Lauro cruise ship. Ellis, a U.S. citizen, was shot and killed along with five other people by a Palestinian militant in 2002 in Hadera, Israel.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Small UPDATE:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080328/ts_alt_afp/ustrialattacksflorida
(AFP)
“Retrial of US terror suspects set for closing arguments”
Thu Mar 27, 8:35 PM ET
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “MIAMI (AFP) - A jury was set to hear on Friday final arguments in the retrial of six alleged homegrown terrorists charged with plotting to blow up buildings with help from the Al-Qaeda terror network.”
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The six are accused of conspiring to provide assistance to Al-Qaeda, to carry out acts of terror and to bring down the US government. They allegedly planned to blow up the 108-story Sears Tower in Chicago and the FBI offices in Miami, and shoot any survivors.
The 12 jurors were shown secretly-taped video footage of the defendants pledging an oath to Al-Qaeda in the presence of an undercover FBI informant posing as a member of the terrorist network.”
Note: The following blog entry is a quote:
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/6481.htm
Saudi Cleric: Censor Facebook
Islamist Saudi preacher Sheikh Ali Al-Maliki has called for censoring Facebook in Saudi Arabia, stating that it is aimed at making web surfers into Westerners and at corrupting youth.
Al-Maliki also warned women against using Facebook.
Source: Alarabiya.net, March 27, 2008
Posted at: 2008-03-27
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/facebook/
#
RECAP:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1971927/posts
“Terrorists recruiting on net via Facebook”
Scotsman ^ | 2-17-08 | Miles Johnson
Posted on 02/17/2008 12:17:26 PM PST by rdl6989
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/faln/
#
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1992906/posts
“Lying About Terror”
IBD ^ | March 27, 2008
Posted on 03/27/2008 8:11:19 PM PDT by Kaslin
http://www.satp.org
http://southasiaanalysis.org
#
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3524637,00.html
Indian police arrest leaders of banned Muslim group
Published: 03.28.08, 09:10 / Israel News
Indian police said on Friday they had arrested 13 senior members of a banned Muslim group, the Students’ Islamic Movement of India, on suspicion of involvement in a series of bomb blasts around the country.
Leader Safdar Nagori and 12 others were all arrested in the city of Indore in the central state of Madhya Pradesh on Thursday. “They are all known faces and we are investigating their links in recent bomb blasts in different parts of the country, including Mumbai,” Madhu Babu, a senior police officer said on Friday. The group is suspected of involvement in a series of bomb blasts in India, including the Mumbai train bombings in July 2006 that killed more than 180 people. (Reuters)
Wowser! When can WE (The U.S.A.) build our security fence? -Cindy
#
http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/ct_250308e.htm
Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC)
March 26, 2008
“The leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad again admits that the Israeli security fence built by Israel in Judea and Samaria prevents the terrorist organizations from reaching the heart of Israel to carry out suicide bombing attacks”
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/youths/
#
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1992970/posts
Man dies after an attack in subway
The Philly Inquirer ^ | Mar. 27, 2008 | Kristen A. Graham
Posted on 03/28/2008 1:39:57 AM PDT by roughman
A 36-year-old man died yesterday afternoon within an hour of being beaten by four youths on a SEPTA platform a short distance from City Hall and the Center City Starbucks store where he worked. The attack happened in view of passersby and a transit policeman who was unable to help.
(Excerpt) Read more at extra.examiner.com ...
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/china/
#
http://washingtontimes.com/article/20080328/NATION04/18757383
Page 1 of 2 next | Email | Print | Subscribe
Click-2-Listen
advertisement
Inside the Ring
By Bill Gertz
March 28, 2008
“Denial and deception”
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “China’s military is using “denial” and “deception” to mislead the United States and other governments about its military strategy and buildup, according to Pentagon officials.”
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/iran/
http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html
###
BONG. Oh dear, we have 5 STUCK ON STUPID award winners today.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1992982/posts
“5 Ex-Secretaries of State: Close Guantanamo Bay camp, open talks with Iran”
ap ^ | March 27, 2008 | Associated Press
Posted on 03/28/2008 2:49:08 AM PDT by Flavius
UPDATE to post no. 1235:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&tab=wn&ned=us&q=Kinta+Stanton&btnG=Search+News
#
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20080328__Targeted_for_no_reason_.html
Posted on Fri, Mar. 28, 2008
“’Targeted for no reason’”
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “But the pummeling, or blunt force trauma, triggered an asthma attack, and Conroy lost consciousness, according to the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office.
Shortly after 3 p.m., he was pronounced dead at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
The Medical Examiner’s Office labeled the death a homicide.”
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17881&Itemid=21
Press Release A080327a
March 27, 2008
“Coalition forces kill five terrorists, capture car bomb cell leader”
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17885&Itemid=21
“ISF, CF defend checkpoint, kill 8 militants (Baghdad)”
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
