Re: The Sound of Cannons

ianadds on Sat Aug 21, 2010 5:34 am

Iran to Join Nuclear Power Club as Russia Starts Reactor Under UN's Watch
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-20/iran-to-join-nuclear-power-club-as-russia-starts-reactor-under-un-s-watch.html

Iran, under United Nations sanctions for its nuclear program, today will end a 36-year quest to join the club of atomic-powered nations when Russia’s Rosatom Corp. switches on a reactor along the Persian Gulf coast.

The start-up of the 1,000-megawatt reactor near Bushehr, in southern Iran, will make Iran the first country in the Middle East with a nuclear-energy facility, freeing more of its fossil fuels for export. Iran also becomes only the second Muslim state after Pakistan to have nuclear power, with ambitions to build enough plants to generate 20,000 megawatts within 20 years.

Bushehr will be a “thorn in the eye of ill-seekers,” Iranian Vice President Ali Akbar Salehi, who also heads the country’s Atomic Energy Organization, told the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency on Aug. 17.

The U.S., while accepting that the Russian-fueled Bushehr reactor is for civilian use, has attacked President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s expansion of the nuclear program to include uranium enrichment. The UN in June passed a fourth round of sanctions against Iran for refusing to suspend enrichment, which can produce reactor fuel or bomb-grade material. Iran denies it plans to make weapons and says the enrichment is for peaceful purposes, such as fueling a medical-research reactor in Tehran.

nikki6278 on Wed Aug 25, 2010 5:26 am

Germany Plans Major Restructuring of Military

BERLIN — Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg on Monday unveiled plans to restructure Germany’s armed forces in what is regarded as one of the most radical military shake-ups since the end of the Cold War.

The measures include ending conscription, reducing the Bundeswehr, or armed forces, to 163,000 from 250,000 and streamlining the command structures. The goal is to turn the military into a highly professional and flexible corps.

“The Bundeswehr will be smaller and more capable,” Mr. Guttenberg said in a brief statement after explaining his proposals to the parliamentary factions, adding that the final details would be worked out over the next few months. “This is now the beginning of a really important debate.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/24/world/europe/24iht-germany.html

hmmm reducing troops...smaller and more capable. Hi tech army?

seeker401 on Wed Aug 25, 2010 7:48 am

robot armies coming to a battlefield near you

ianadds on Sun Oct 17, 2010 10:52 pm

The China-Japan Rare Earth Fracas Is Continuing: Here's What You Need To Know

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-china-japan-rare-earth-fracas-is-continuing-heres-what-you-need-to-know-2010-10

Despite earlier news reports that it had come to an end, China’s unofficial embargo on rare earth exports to Japan (which I reported on in a prior post) now appears to be continuing into its fourth week. This rather surprising development gives rise to a couple of thoughts:

The drama continues..

nikki6278 on Sun Oct 17, 2010 11:02 pm

Thanks ianadds

Saw this yesterday

China Says Its Medium, Heavy Rare Earth Reserves May Last Only 15-20 Years

China, controller of more than 90 percent of production of the materials used in cell phones and radar, cut its export quotas by 72 percent for the second half and reduced output, spurring a trade dispute with the U.S. The country may not be able to meet growing global demand as the government continues to curb output, Lynas Corp. said in March.

“We cannot rule out the possibility that China may need to rely on imports sometime in the future for these minerals, instead of supplying the world,” Chao said.

Japan, the world’s biggest importer of rare earths, will urge China to boost shipments of the minerals after a government survey showed that 31 Japanese buyers reported problems with exports, Trade Minister Akihiro Ohata said in Tokyo Oct. 5.

U.S. Complaint

The U.S. has asked business groups and labor unions to provide evidence that China is hoarding these elements for a case that might be filed at the World Trade Organization.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-16/china-says-its-medium-heavy-rare-earth-reserves-may-last-only-15-20-years.html

seeker401 on Mon Oct 18, 2010 10:17 am

for the hundredth time..google ARU on the asx..its REE deposit is second to china only..get on

nikki6278 on Mon Oct 18, 2010 10:36 am

Ill help ya out Smile

Arafura Resources Ltd.
Arafura Resources derives its name from the Arafura Sea, the body of water which lies to Australia’s north between the Northern Territory and New Guinea. Arafura Sea comes from the Portuguese mare aurifera, meaning ‘sea of gold’. The name dates back to 1623, when shipwrecked Portuguese were said to have seen gold-studded quartz on the coast of Arnhem Land.

In its formative years, Arafura acquired sizeable land packages in geologically prospective areas with known mineralisation, and the areas had little or no modern exploration. The portfolio was assembled to target "company making" prospects. Where possible, they were located in regional proximity for ease of planning. Ground was carefully selected which then enabled the Company to present a balanced and prospective suite of tenements to seed capital investors
http://www.arafuraresources.com.au/index.html

REE
http://www.arafuraresources.com.au/about_re.html

seeker401 on Mon Oct 18, 2010 12:42 pm

thats them Smile

ianadds on Mon Nov 08, 2010 2:28 am

Thanks NIK !!

USA Senator Suggests Major Attack On Iran - Lindsey Graham

ianadds on Mon Nov 08, 2010 2:32 am

Libya orders U.S. diplomat to leave: reports
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101107/wl_nm/us_libya_usa_diplomat

ALGIERS (Reuters) – Libya has ordered a diplomat at the United States embassy in Tripoli to leave the country within 24 hours for breaching diplomatic rules, two Libyan newspapers reported on Sunday.

The Libyan authorities gave no confirmation of the reports while a spokesman for the U.S. embassy in Tripoli, contacted by Reuters, said he had no comment. In Washington, the State Department said it had no immediate comment

ianadds on Sat Nov 13, 2010 10:47 am

Philippines military waits in the wings
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/LK11Ae01.html

Whispers in Manila say a group called S4S is trying to destabilize the government of President Benigno Aquino, and is linked to the military. Given the long history of the armed forces interfering in Philippine politics, Aquino would be wise to watch his step. - Al Labita (Nov 10, '10)

ianadds on Wed Apr 25, 2012 3:26 am

California Fed-Ed jobless benefits to end mid-May
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/04/23/BU5L1O7TNI.DTL&tsp=1

Can you hear the war drums ?

ianadds on Thu Apr 26, 2012 1:37 am

The Russians are coming! First joint 'Top Gun' drills to be held in US
http://rt.com/news/russian-american-airborne-drill-923/

Talking is good, both parties want to assure that there is no future mishap ?

seeker401 on Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:28 am

and russia and china..

The Sound of Cannons