Wednesday, December 21, 2011

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated December 21, 2011

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated December 21, 2011 

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - December 21, 2011: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued December 21, 2011 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
            Refinery Associates of Texas, Inc., New Braunfels, Texas*, was awarded a fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract with a maximum $1,095,855,536 for aviation turbine and naval distillate fuel.  Other locations of performance are Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.  Using service is Defense Logistics Agency Energy.  There were 16 responses to the Web solicitation.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2012 Defense Working Capital Funds.  The date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2012.  The Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-12-D-0452).

            ExxonMobil Fuels Marketing Co., Fairfax, Va., was awarded a fixed-price with economic price adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum $107,226,896 for JP8 aviation turbine fuel.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using service is Defense Logistics Agency Energy.  There were 24 responses to the Web solicitation.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2012 Defense Working Capital Funds.  The date of performance completion is April 30, 2012.  The Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-12-D-0539).

AIR FORCE
            The Boeing Co., Defense Space and Security, St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded  $29,121,176 firm-fixed-price for exercising options for C-17 weapons systems trainers with Loadmaster Stations 25 and 26, including all hardware, initial spares and support equipment, site activation, and transition support.  The location of the performance is St. Louis, Mo.   The expected completion date for for Loadmaster Station 25 is Oct. 13, 2013; for Loadmaster Station 26, the expected completion date is Apr. 30, 2014.  ASC/WNSK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8621-11-C-6290-P00005).

            Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Simulator, Training and Support, Orlando, Fla., is being awarded a $25,378,696 firm-fixed-price contract to exercise Option Year 2 of the C-130 Air Crew Training Systems contract.  The location of the performance will be at various Air Force installations within the United States, to include:  Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.; Dobbins Air Force Base, Ga.; Dyess Air Force Base, Texas; McChord Air Force Base, Wash.; and Minneapolis Air National Guard, Minn.  Work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2012.  ASC/WNSK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8223-11-C-0001 P00018).

DTN News - CHRISTMAS GREETINGS: To Our Readers & Viewers Of DTN News

DTN News - CHRISTMAS GREETINGS: To Our Readers & Viewers Of  DTN News

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 21, 2011: To Our Readers and Viewers of  DTN News Plus Everyone in the Global Village, A Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings from DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News 

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated December 20, 2011

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated December 20, 2011

CONTRACTS
NAVY

Navistar Defense L.L.C., Lisle, Ill., is being awarded a $133,714,728firm-fixed-priced delivery order 0022 under a previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5032) for 514 field service representatives in support of the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle program.  Work will be performed in Afghanistan and Kuwait (94 percent) and the United States (6 percent), and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2012.  Fiscal 2012 operations and maintenance appropriation funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity. 

Alion Science and Technology, Burr Ridge, Ill, has been awarded a $73,238,387 not-to-exceed letter contract (N00024-12-C-4401) for professional support services in support of surface warfare fleet support.  This contract is a bridge contract intended to continue professional support services in support of surface warfare fleet support during the interim between the expiration of current, competitively awarded, SEAPORT-e contract, N00024-01-D-7013-0021, and the award of a follow-on, competitively awarded SEAPORT-e contract.  Work is expected to be performed in Washington, D.C. (56 percent); Norfolk, Va. (23 percent); San Diego, Calif. (6 percent); Pascagoula, Miss. (6 percent); Bath, Maine (3 percent); Mayport, Fla. (2 percent); Japan (2 percent) and other locations less than 1 percent (2 percent) and is expected to be completed by November 2012.  Contract funds in the amount of $22,911,792 will be provided at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

 The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded $11,547,583 for delivery order 0001 under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00383-11-G-001H)  for 2012 Avionics Repair Facility support, which provides for repair of various F/A-18 components.  This effort includes the governments of Spain, Kuwait, and Malaysia (less than 1 percent of the total value) under the Foreign Military Sales Program.  Work will be performed in Cecil Field, Fla., (49 percent); Lemoore, Calif. (48 percent); and Philadelphia, Pa. (3 percent), and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2012.  The applicable Navy Working Capital Funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year.  NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

DTN News - NORTH KOREA ~ KIM JONG IL DEAD: State Funeral For Authoritarian Leader Kim Jong Il In Pyongyang

DTN News - NORTH KOREA ~ KIM JONG IL DEAD: State Funeral For Authoritarian Leader Kim Jong Il In Pyongyang

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 20, 2011: North Koreans make a call of condolence for deceased leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang in this picture released by the North's official KCNA news agency early December 21, 2011. 

North Korea was in seclusion on Tuesday, a day after it announced the death of its leader Kim Jong-il, as concern mounted over what would happen next in the deeply secretive nation that is trying to build a nuclear arsenal.  (Photo - Reuters)

DTN News - NORTH KOREA ~ KIM JONG IL DEAD: State Funeral For Isolated Authoritarian Leader Kim Jong Il In Pyongyang

DTN News - NORTH KOREA ~ KIM JONG IL DEAD: State Funeral For Isolated Authoritarian Leader Kim Jong Il In Pyongyang

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 20, 2011: In this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency and distributed in Tokyo by the Korea News Service Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, the body of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il is laid in the Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang, North Korea. Kim died on Saturday, Dec. 17, North Korean state media announced Monday. (Photo - AP)

DTN News - U.S. DECLARED WAR IN IRAQ OVER: U.S. President Barack Obama Greets General Lloyd James Austin On His Return From Iraq

DTN News - U.S. DECLARED WAR IN IRAQ OVER: U.S. President Barack Obama Greets General Lloyd James Austin On His Return From Iraq

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 20, 2011: US President Barack Obama shakes hands with General Lloyd James Austin, the last commanding general of US forces in Iraq, while greting returning troops with US Vice President Joe Biden (R) before attending a ceremony to mark the return of the US Forces - Iraq colors December 20, 2011 at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. The event marks the end of the Iraq war after the last US combat troops rolled out of Iraq into Kuwait on December 18. (Photo - Getty)

DTN News - U.S. DECLARED WAR IN IRAQ OVER: : U.S. President Barack Obama And Vice President Joe Biden Welcoming Soldiers Back From Iraq


DTN News - U.S. DECLARED WAR IN IRAQ OVER: : U.S. President Barack Obama And Vice President Joe Biden Welcoming Soldiers Back From Iraq

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 20, 2011: U.S. President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden (C) and Defense Deputy Secretary Ashton B. Carter (L) welcome home soldiers and the return of the United States Forces-Iraq Colors during a ceremony at Joint Base Andrews marking the end of the Iraq war December 20, 2011. (Reuters)

DTN News - JAPAN DEFENSE NEWS: Japan Picks Lockheed F-35 Fighter As Allies Stress Tight Ties

DTN News - JAPAN DEFENSE NEWS: Japan Picks Lockheed F-35 Fighter As Allies Stress Tight Ties

 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 20, 2011: Japan picked Lockheed Martin's F-35 jet as its next mainstay fighter Tuesday, choosing the aircraft over combat-proven but less stealthy rivals, as concern simmers over North Korea and as China introduces its own stealth fighters.

The decision came as Japan and the United States stressed that their security alliance was tight in the face of worry about an unstable North Korea after the death of its leader, Kim Jong-il.

Defense Minister Yasuo Ichikawa said the decision to buy 42 of the stealth aircraft, valued by analysts at more than $7 billion, would help Japan adjust to a changing security environment after Monday's announcement of the death of the 69-year-old North Korean leader.

"The security environment surrounding future fighter jets is transforming. The F-35 has capabilities that can firmly respond to the changes," Ichikawa told reporters.

Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon hailed Japan's selection of the F-35, saying it would help establish a strategic, conventional deterrent in the Asia-Pacific region, where concern simmers about instability under Kim's successor, his untested youngest son, Kim Jong-un.

"The F-35 Program Office looks forward to strengthening partnerships with Japan, and contributing to enhanced security throughout the Asia Pacific region," the Pentagon said in a statement after Japan announced its decision.

The F-35, which is in an early production stage, competed against Boeing's F/A-18 and the Eurofighter Typhoon, made by a consortium of European companies including BAE Systems.

Experts said the decision to opt for the U.S. plane, made informally well before news of Kim's death, reflected Japan's desire to tighten U.S. ties in the face of concern over China's rising military might and other regional uncertainties.

Monday, December 19, 2011

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Panetta With Libyan PM Abdurrahim El-Keib During News Conference In Tripoli

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Panetta With Libyan PM Abdurrahim El-Keib During News Conference In Tripoli

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 19, 2011: Libya's Prime Minister Abdurrahim El-Keib (R) listens as U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta speaks at a joint news conference in Tripoli December 17, 2011.

 Panetta told Libya on Saturday it faced a "long and difficult" road in moving on from 42 years of one-man rule and uniting the fractious rebel groups that overthrew Muammar Gaddafi. (Photo - Reuters)

DTN News - PALESTINE NEWS: Palestinians Protest In City Of Nablus West Bank Against Newt Gingrich's Remarks 

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 19, 2011: Palestinians hold a crossed out picture of Republican presidential candidate, Newt Gingrich to Protest against his remarks about Palestinians during a rally to mark the 44th anniversary of Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) in the West bank city of Nablus on December 17, 2011. Leading Republican White House contender Newt Gingrich told a Jewish Channel in an interview that there was no Palestine as a state and it was part of the Ottoman Empire. (Photo - Getty)

DTN News - SEASON'S GREETINGS: Christmas, Here Again ~ May All The Joyfull Sweet Magics Of Christmas Conspire Peace On Earth

DTN News - SEASON'S GREETINGS: Christmas, Here Again ~ May All The Joyfull Sweet Magics Of Christmas Conspire Peace On Earth

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 19, 2011: People dressed in Santa Claus suits gather in front of the White House as part of Santarchy in Washington December 17, 2011. Santarchy is an annual event celebrating Christmas.(Photo - Reuters)

DTN News - NORTH KOREA ~ KIM JONG IL DEAD: Missile fired, Shares Fall As North Korea Mourns Kim Jong-il's Death

DTN News - NORTH KOREA ~ KIM JONG IL DEAD: Missile fired, Shares Fall As North Korea Mourns Kim Jong-il's Death

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 19, 2011: It was next year that Kim Jong-il was finally supposed to deliver for his people. North Korea, he had long promised, would become a “strong and prosperous nation” in 2012, in time to celebrate what would have been the 100th birthday of his father, the country’s founder Kim il-Sung.

13.15 The AFP news agency has done a useful Question & Answer piece - one question that caught the eye in particular is what will happen now? They say that Kim's body will lie in state in Kumsusan palace where the embalmed body of his father - Kim Il-Sung, the founder and "eternal leader" of North Korea who died in 1994 - is on display.
After Kim's funeral on December 28, thoughts will turn to the succession but there are few details as to how it will be carried out. Kim Jong-Un's status as heir apparent was only made clear in September 2010.
Even Kim Jong-Il, who was openly groomed for the leadership and designated as successor some 14 years before his own father died, did not formally take over the leadership of the ruling party for three years afterwards.
12.55 More on North Korea test-firing a short-range missile off its east coast - South Korea's Yonhap news agency is quoting an unnamed government official as saying the missile launch was unrelated to the announcement that Kim had died.
The missile is believed to have a range of about 72 miles, he said.
12.45pm Amid the bizarre images of the day, here is the South Koreancabinet holding an emergency meeting. They appear to be wearing yellow boiler suits. The South Korean president ordereded all government employees to be on emergency alert, a measure that would restrict their unauthorised leaves and put them on standby. Presumably that is where these dashing suits come in?

DTN News - U.S. FINANCIAL CRISIS NEWS: U.S. President Barack Obama Secured Funds For Next Nine Months To Avert Government Shutdown

DTN News - U.S. FINANCIAL CRISIS NEWS: U.S. President Barack Obama Secured Funds For Next Nine Months To Avert Government Shutdown

 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 19, 2011: U.S. President Barack Obama walks away from the podium after making a statement in the White House Briefing Room in Washington December 17, 2011. The U.S. Senate on Saturday passed a $915 billion bill to fund most federal agency activities through next September and avert a government shutdown.

As America enters its worst economic period since the Great Depression, it is essential that we develop a broad understanding of the many factors that contributed to the U.S. financial crisis. This topic covers the latest news and information on the U.S. financial crisis, including a deep look into possible causes.  

Sunday, December 18, 2011

DTN News - AFGHAN WAR NEWS: US Soldiers From Afganistan To The US Transit In Kyrgyzstan

DTN News - AFGHAN WAR NEWS: US Soldiers From Afganistan To The US Transit In Kyrgyzstan

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 18, 2011: US soldiers from the Security Forces Squadron (military police) walk across the airfield upon their arrival from Afganistan to the US transit centre in Manas' airport on the outskirts of the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek on December 18, 2011. 

The United States will have to shut down the base it currently uses in Kyrgyzstan for support operations in Afghanistan, after its lease expires in 2014, the Central Asian republic's president-elect said on November 1, 2011. The former Soviet republic is the world's only nation to house both a Russian and a US military base, reflecting a recent rivalry between Moscow and Washington in the energy-rich but turbulent region. (Photo - Getty)

DTN News - SPECIAL FEATURE ON CORRUPTION: India ~ Why Government Is Proceeding In Slow Motion On Anti-Corruption Bill

DTN News - SPECIAL FEATURE ON CORRUPTION: India ~ Why Government Is Proceeding In Slow Motion On Anti-Corruption Bill

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 18, 2011: Indian activist Anna Hazare has said the current session of parliament must be extended to pass a new anti-corruption bill.

The Lokpal bill envisages setting up an independent ombudsman, who would have the power to investigate and prosecute politicians and civil servants.
Political parties have failed to reach a consensus on the bill.
Mr Hazare has threatened to go on hunger strike if it is not passed this session.
His 12-day anti-corruption fast in August became the focus of a national campaign and put pressure on the government to act on the issue.
Mr Hazare said he hoped MPs would reach a consensus on the bill in parliament.
"If there is no time for passing the bill, then extend [the parliament session]". It is important for the country. Earlier also, you have occasions when the session was extended," he said.
Media reports suggest that a special session of parliament could be convened to allow more time to bring about agreement on the Lokpal bill. The winter session is scheduled to end on 22 December.

Leaders of 35 parties had joined Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his residence in Delhi to discuss the Lokpal bill on Wednesday evening.
"Give us some reasonable time to consider views expressed [at the meeting]. I am not saying it is not possible to pass it in this session itself but it might also spill over," Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee was quoted as saying by The Indian Express newspaper.
Among India's recent corruption scandals are an alleged multi-billion dollar telecoms scam, claims of financial malpractice in connection with the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games and allegations that houses intended for war widows ended up in the hands of civil servants.

DTN News presents a special feature on CORPORATE CORRUPTION by N. S. Hoon - Justice Magazine, which is self explanatory. Should the viewers and readers has any queries, please contact N. S. Hoon as per his coordinates available and prescribe.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Panetta Arrives For Historic Visit To Tripoli


DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Panetta Arrives For Historic Visit To Tripoli

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / TRIPOLI, Libya, December 17, 2011 – Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta arrived here today to congratulate the Libyan people for their accomplishments and determine what help the United States can offer to help them succeed as they move forward.

Panetta became the first U.S. defense secretary to visit Libya, arriving just two months after the Libyans overthrew Moammar Gadhafi’s repressive regime that had gripped the country since 1969.
He is scheduled to meet with Libyan Prime Minister Abd al-Raheem Al-Keeb and Defense Minister Usama Al-Jwayli. Army Gen. Carter Ham, commander of U.S. Africa Command, is slated to accompany him.

“I hope to pay tribute to [the Libyans] and to offer them whatever support we can to assist them in ensuring that they can put the institutions of democracy in place [and] give the Libyan people the opportunity to vote for a representative government,” the secretary told reporters traveling with him before arriving here.

Panetta said during a media roundtable yesterday in Ankara, Turkey, that the Libyans will need time to assess exactly what their needs are and what steps they need to take moving forward.
“The last thing you want to do is try to impose something on a country that has just gone through what the Libyans have gone through,” he said. “They have earned the right to try to determine their future. They have earned the right to try to work their way through the issues they are going to have to confront.”

But in doing so, Panetta said the United States, along with NATO and the international community, all want to provide Libya what it needs to succeed. “And we will do whatever we can to encourage them to move in the right direction,” he said.

The hope, the secretary said, is to enable the Libyans to establish a democracy that will be “another symbol and indication that the Middle East should be headed in for the future.”

In many ways, Libya represents “the ultimate of what the ‘Arab spring’ should be about,” Panetta said. “The Libyan people were able to bring down Gadhafi, … with support of the NATO mission,” he said. “It represents a situation where that country is handed back to the Libyan people.”

Panetta called the developments in Libya an indication of changes taking place throughout the region.

“This is a turning point that we have all been a part of,” he said. “Most importantly, a lot of this is due … to the sacrifice and commitments of our troops and the great work that they have done over these last few years.”

Panetta is expected to extend U.S. hopes of resetting what previously had been a turbulent relationship with Gadhafi’s military, and to offer U.S. security assistance down the road in an effort to develop a new defense and security relationship with Libya, a senior defense official traveling with him said.

Friday, December 16, 2011

DTN News – AIRBUS NEWS: 7,000th Airbus Aircraft Delivered – An A321 To US Airways

DTN News – AIRBUS NEWS: 7,000th Airbus Aircraft Delivered – An A321 To US Airways
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada – December 16, 2011: Airbus delivered today its 7,000th aircraft, an A321, to US Airways – the airline that operates the largest fleet of Airbus aircraft in the world – from the Airbus facility in Hamburg, Germany. This milestone comes just two years after the delivery of Airbus’ 6,000th aircraft which underlines the continued vibrancy of the commercial aviation sector and the market’s clear vote for eco-efficient aircraft.
The 1,000th Airbus delivery was an A340-300 that went to Air France in 1993, nineteen years after the first Airbus aircraft was delivered – an A300B2 also to Air France, in 1974.


Thursday, December 15, 2011

DTN News - IRAQ WAR NEWS: U.S. War in Iraq Declared Officially Over

DTN News - IRAQ WAR NEWS: U.S. War in Iraq Declared Officially Over

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 15, 2011: Soldiers during the ceremony in Baghdad on Thursday.

U.S. forces formally ended their nine-year war in Iraq on Thursday with a low key flag ceremony in Baghdad, while to the north flickering violence highlighted ethnic and sectarian strains threatening the country in years ahead. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

DTN News - IRAQ WAR NEWS: U.S. War in Iraq Declared Officially Over

DTN News - IRAQ WAR NEWS: U.S. War in Iraq Declared Officially Over

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 15, 2011: More than one million Americans have served in Iraq.

U.S. forces formally ended their nine-year war in Iraq on Thursday with a low key flag ceremony in Baghdad, while to the north flickering violence highlighted ethnic and sectarian strains threatening the country in years ahead(Michael Kamber for The New York Times)

DTN News - IRAQ WAR NEWS: U.S. War in Iraq Declared Officially Over

DTN News - IRAQ WAR NEWS: U.S. War in Iraq Declared Officially Over

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 15, 2011: A ceremony ending the American military engagement in Iraq.

U.S. forces formally ended their nine-year war in Iraq on Thursday with a low key flag ceremony in Baghdad, while to the north flickering violence highlighted ethnic and sectarian strains threatening the country in years ahead (Michael Kamber for The New York Times)


DTN News - IRAQ WAR NEWS: U.S. War in Iraq Declared Officially Over

DTN News - IRAQ WAR NEWS: U.S. War in Iraq Declared Officially Over

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 15, 2011:Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta addressed the ceremony.

U.S. forces formally ended their nine-year war in Iraq on Thursday with a low key flag ceremony in Baghdad, while to the north flickering violence highlighted ethnic and sectarian strains threatening the country in years ahead (Michael Kamber for The New York Times)

DTN News - BOEING NEWS / AIRLINES NEWS: Boeing 737 MAX Logs First Firm Order From Launch Customer Southwest Airlines

DTN News - BOEING NEWS / AIRLINES NEWS: Boeing 737 MAX Logs First Firm Order From Launch Customer Southwest Airlines

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 15, 2011: Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Southwest Airlines today announced a firm order for 150 fuel-efficient 737 MAX airplanes. Southwest is the first customer to finalize an order for the 737 MAX and becomes the launch customer for the new-engine variant. The Dallas-based carrier also ordered 58 Next-Generation 737s.

The firm order is the largest in Boeing history both in dollarvalue, nearly $19 billion at list prices, and the number of airplanes. It supports Southwest's initiative to modernize its all-Boeing fleet, the world's largest fleet of 737s. As the 737 MAX launch customer, Southwest will take delivery of the first airplane when it enters service in 2017. "Southwest is a special Boeing customer and has been a true partner in the evolution of the 737," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh.

"Throughout our 40-year relationship, our two companies have collaborated to launch the 737-300, 737-500 and the Next-Generation 737-700 – affirming the 737 as the world's preferred single-aisle airplane. As launch customer for the 737 MAX, Southwest, Boeing and the 737 continue that legacy." The 737 MAX is the new-engine variant of the world's best-selling airplane and builds on the strengths of today's Next-Generation 737. The new-engine variant, powered by CFM International LEAP-1Bengines, reduces fuel burn and CO2 emissions by an additional 10-12 percent over today's most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplane. It will have the lowest operating costs in the single-aisle segment with a 7 percent advantage over tomorrow's competition.

"Today's environment demands that we become more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly, and as the launch Customer of the Boeing 737 MAX, we have accomplished both," said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and CEO. "We are teaming up with our friends from Boeing to lead the industry in a way that makes both our shareholders and our Customers proud to associate with Southwest Airlines.

Today's announcement will allow us to maintain our position as a low-cost provider in the years ahead." This order continues the growing momentum for the 737 MAX. With the Southwest order, the 737 MAX has orders and commitments for more than 900 airplanes from 13 customers, while the Next-Generation 737 family has won orders for more than 6,600 airplanes and Boeing has delivered more than 3,800.

DTN News - IRAQ WAR NEWS: U.S. Military Marks End To Nearly Nine Bloody Years In Iraq

DTN News - IRAQ WAR NEWS: U.S. Military Marks End To Nearly Nine Bloody Years In Iraq

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 15, 2011: U.S. forces formally ended their nine-year war in Iraq on Thursday with a low key flag ceremony in Baghdad, while to the north flickering violence highlighted ethnic and sectarian strains threatening the country in years ahead.

At the height of the war in 2007 there were over 150,000 troops.(Michael Kamber for The New York Times)

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

DTN News - KOREAN DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing Delivers 2nd Peace Eye AEW&C Aircraft To Republic Of Korea Air Force

DTN News - KOREAN DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing Delivers 2nd Peace Eye AEW&C Aircraft To Republic Of Korea Air Force

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / ROKAF BASE GIMHAE, South Korea,- December 13, 2011: The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today delivered the second Peace Eye 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF).

The aircraft was delivered ahead of schedule to ROKAF Base Gimhae, the main operating base for the Peace Eye fleet. Peace Eye No. 2 is the first aircraft in the fleet to be modified into an AEW&C configuration by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) at its facility in Sacheon.

"The quality of KAI's work has been outstanding. Their commitment to excellence, their focus and their technical expertise were critical to the achievement of this major milestone," said Randy Price, Peace Eye program manager for Boeing.

Two additional Peace Eye aircraft are being modified by KAI in Sacheon and will be delivered to the ROKAF in 2012.

The Peace Eye program includes four 737 AEW&C aircraft plus ground support segments for mission crew training, mission support and system maintenance. 737-based AEW&C aircraft also are in production for the governments of Australia and Turkey.

Based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737-700 commercial airplane, the 737 AEW&C aircraft is designed to provide airborne-battle-management capability with an advanced multirole electronically scanned radar and 10 state-of-the-art mission crew consoles that are able to track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously. The mission crew can direct offensive and defensive forces while maintaining continuous surveillance of the operational area.

Monday, December 12, 2011

BHGSG News: Mallika Sherawat Poses During Press Conference To Announce Her Performance At New Year's Eve Show

BHGSG News: Mallika Sherawat Poses During Press Conference To Announce Her Performance At New Year's Eve Show

BHGSG News - TORONTO, Canada - December 12, 2011: Indian Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat poses for a photo during a press conference to announce her performance at the Hotel Tulip Star's New Year's Eve show in Mumbai on December 9, 2011.

Come New Years and Mallika Sherawat, who claims to have shifted her base to foreign shores, is always back to India. The reason being the New Years Eve gives her the biggest opportunity to mint money (perhaps more that she earns in the entire year).

So Mallika Sherawat, who started the trend of celebrities giving scintillating performances at 5-star hotels on New Years Eve, is back at her benchmark business. This year too she will be giving a sexy-hot performance at a suburban 5-star hotel on the Jalebi Bai item song (her only claim to fame this year).

BHGSG News: Shah Rukh Khan Talks At Official.............Yesterday In Mumbai

BHGSG News: Shah Rukh Khan Talks At Official.............Yesterday In Mumbai

BHGSG News - TORONTO, Canada - December 12, 2011: Indian Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan talks during the inauguration of 'The Official Opus of Shah Rukh Khan' in Mumbai on December 11, 2011.

DTN News - Season's Greetings

DTN News - Season's Greetings

To Our Readers & Viewers from DTN News
Season's Greetings
Best Wishes
DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

DTN News - WHITE HOUSE NEWS: US President Barack Obama With Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki At Arlington National Cemetery In Arlington Virginia

DTN News - WHITE HOUSE NEWS: US President Barack Obama With Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki At Arlington National Cemetery In Arlington Virginia

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 12, 2011: U.S. President Barack Obama and Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki (3rd L) lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, December 12, 2011. (Photo - Reuters)

DTN News - WHITE HOUSE NEWS: US President Barack Obama With Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki In The Oval Office At White House

DTN News - WHITE HOUSE NEWS: US President Barack Obama With Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki In The Oval Office At White House

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 12, 2011: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki (L) shakes hands with U.S. President Barack Obama in the Oval Office at the White House December 12, 2011 in Washington, DC. Al-Maliki is in Washington for talks ahead of the full withdrawl of U.S. troops from Iraq at the end of this month. (Photo - Getty)

DTN News - SOUTH KOREAN NEWS: South Korea Says 1 of 2 Coast Guard Officers Stabbed By Chinese Captain Dies


DTN News - SOUTH KOREAN NEWS: South Korea Says 1 of 2 Coast Guard Officers Stabbed By Chinese Captain Dies

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / SEOUL, South Korea - December 12, 2011: A Chinese fishing boat captain stabbed two South Korean coast guard officers Monday, killing one and injuring the other, after his boat was stopped for illegally fishing in South Korean waters, officials said.


The Chinese captain pulled an unidentified weapon after officers from two coast guard ships boarded the fishing boat over suspicions that it was illegally operating in Yellow

Sea waters rich in blue crabs, anchovies and croaker, coast guard spokesman Kim Dong-jin said.

A South Korean officer stabbed in the side was taken by helicopter to a hospital in the port city of Incheon but later died, Kim said. Also brought to the hospital were an officer stabbed in the abdomen, who was to undergo surgery, and the Chinese captain, who had minor injuries from the fight, he said.

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry summoned China’s ambassador in Seoul later Monday and lodged a strong protest over the fight. Foreign Ministry officials said they had asked the ambassador last Thursday to make efforts to prevent illegal Chinese fishing from undermining bilateral ties.

Last week, South Korean authorities also raised fines levied on foreign fishing vessels caught operating in Seoul’s self-declared exclusive economic zone, an apparent reflection of the government’s impatience with a rising number of Chinese boats found fishing in the waters.

“Eradicating Chinese boats’ illegal fishing in our waters is a most urgent task to safeguard our fishermen and fisheries resources,” South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said in a recent editorial. “The government should mobilize every possible means and continue the crackdown on illegal fishing.”

Monday’s fighting isn’t likely to undermine overall ties, although Seoul is expected to pressure Beijing harder over illegal fishing activities, said Lee Chang-hyung of Seoul’s government-affiliated Korea Institute for Defense Analyses.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN DEFENSE NEWS: Lockheed - Pentagon Order For F-35s Undefinitized

DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN DEFENSE NEWS: Lockheed - Pentagon Order For F-35s Undefinitized

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 11, 2011: Lockheed Martin has signed an undefinitized contract that establishes a price ceiling for the fifth low rate production lot for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, company officials clarified late on Dec. 10.

The Pentagon announced earlier on Dec. 10 that it had awarded Lockheed Martin a $4 billion contract to build 30 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps.

"Lockheed Martin has signed an undefinitized contract that establishes the funding for Lot 5 up to the level announced by the DoD today," said Lockheed Martin spokeswoman Laurie Quincy in an email. "The final Lot 5 contract amount will not be known until we have a definitized contract sometime in 2012."

She said in a statement that the award is welcome news for the company and its F-35 suppliers.

"This … will help ensure we continue to meet production schedules outlined by the program," Quincy wrote. "This is an important first step in paving the way for full LRIP 5 production contract negotiations with our government customer."

The fixed-price-incentive contract calls for 21 F-35A conventional take off and landing (CTOL) for the Air Force, three F-35B short-take off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft for the Marines, and six F-35C carrier variants for the Navy.

Broken down by service, two-thirds of the value of the contract - $2.65 billion - is for the Air Force; $937 million, or 23 percent, for the Navy; and $426 million, or nearly 11 percent, for the Marine Corps.

The contract also provides for "associated ancillary mission equipment and flight test instrumentation" for the planes, and flight test instrumentation for the United Kingdom.

The contract was awarded through the Naval Air Systems Command.

The next-generation F-35 is a stealthy (radar-evading), supersonic multirole fighter designed to meet the U.S. government's requirements for a new generation of transformational weapons. The single-engine JSF will be manufactured in three versions: a conventional-takeoff-and-landing (CTOL) variant for the U.S. Air Force, an aircraft-carrier version (CV) for the U.S. Navy, and a short-takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) version for the U.S. Marine Corps.

The cornerstone of the F-35 is affordability, achieved in large part through a very high level of common parts and systems across the three versions of the aircraft.

The F-35 is designed to replace aging fighter inventories, including U.S. Air Force A-10s and F-16s, U.S. Navy F/A-18s, U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers and F/A-18s, and United Kingdom Harrier GR.7s and Sea Harriers.

DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN DEFENSE NEWS: Lockheed Martin Delivers Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance System To U.S. Air Force

DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN DEFENSE NEWS: Lockheed Martin Delivers Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance System To U.S. Air Force

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 11, 2011: An airborne signals intelligence system configured specifically for the newest C-130J aircraft has been delivered to the U.S. Air Force by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]. The system, which is part of the Senior Scout program that enables C-130 aircraft to be used for tactical signals intelligence and reconnaissance, will undergo acceptance testing in December.

Senior Scout is an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) system built into a trailer-like container that can be rolled on and off C-130 aircraft. This ISR suite of equipment rapidly configures standard C-130 aircraft for tactical signals intelligence, providing capabilities that exploit, geo-locate and report communications intelligence and signals of interest to air and ground component commanders.

“We are honored to continue providing the Air Force with a modern, capable signals intelligence system,” said Jim Quinn, vice president of C4ISR Systems for Lockheed Martin IS&GS-Defense. “The latest shelter configuration advances the Senior Scout capability for the next generation of C-130J aircraft.”

In addition to undergoing system upgrades, the latest Senior Scout shelter was enhanced to be structurally compatible with the newest C-130J aircraft. System interfaces were updated, and the shelter was equipped with the latest technology enhancements and improvements for maintenance access. The shelter also defines the design that will be used to upgrade the three legacy shelters over the next 24 months to ensure the entire Senior Scout fleet is C-130J compatible.

For more than 20 years Lockheed Martin has provided system development and operational support to the U.S. Air Force for roll-on palletized ISR monitoring shelters. The first Senior Scout system was fielded and was used in Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

Palletized shelters that can be rolled on and off cargo aircraft are an element of Lockheed Martin’s Dragon family of ISR configurations. Dragon Shield™ offers a flexible roll-on/roll-off mission suite for customers who need a platform that can perform multiple missions (airlift and ISR). All configurations within the DRAGON series incorporate a modular "plug and play" architecture for the cost-effective, rapid introduction of new capabilities and sustainment.

DTN News - BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENCE NEWS: The Cost-Effective Delivery of An Armoured Vehicle Capability - Summary

DTN News - BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENCE NEWS: The Cost-Effective Delivery of An Armoured Vehicle Capability - Summary

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 11, 2011: Armoured vehicles such as tanks, reconnaissance and personnel-carrying vehicles are essential for a wide range of military tasks.

Since the 1998 Strategic Defence Review, the Ministry of Defence (the Department) has attempted to acquire the vehicles it needs through a number of procurement projects.

However, none of the principal armoured vehicles it requires have yet been delivered, despite the Department spending £1.1 billion since 1998, including £321 million wasted on cancelled or suspended projects. As a result there will be gaps in capability until at least 2025, making it more difficult to undertake essential tasks such as battlefield reconnaissance.

Partly as a result of this £1.1 billion failure to yet deliver any armoured vehicles, and to meet the specific military demands of operating in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Department was provided with a further £2.8 billion from the Treasury Reserve to buy Urgent Operational Requirements (UOR) vehicles. The Department has used the faster UOR process to deliver mine-resistant vehicles for operations.

DTN News - U.S. AIR FORCE NEWS: Pentagon Awarded Contract To General Atomics Aeronautical Systems For 40 MQ-9 UAV

DTN News - U.S. AIR FORCE NEWS: Pentagon Awarded Contract To General Atomics Aeronautical Systems For 40 MQ-9 UAV

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 11, 2011: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Poway, Calif., is being awarded a $319,236,484 firm-fixed-price contract for 40 MQ-9 Block 1 aircraft, and 40 aircraft containers.

The location of the performance is Poway, Calif. Work is expected to be completed September 2013. This was a sole-source acquisition; one proposal was received.

ASC/WIIK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-10-G-3038 0017).

The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper (originally the Predator B) is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), capable of remote controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) for use by the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, the CIA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Royal Air Force, and the Italian Air Force. The MQ-9 and other UAVs are referred to as Remotely Piloted Vehicles/Aircraft (RPV/RPA) by the U.S. Air Force to indicate their human ground controllers. The MQ-9 is the first hunter-killer UAV designed for long-endurance, high-altitude surveillance.

The MQ-9 is a larger and more capable aircraft than the earlier MQ-1 Predator (other than loiter time), and it can be controlled by the same ground systems used to control MQ-1s. The Reaper has a 950-shaft-horsepower (712 kW) turboprop engine, far more powerful than the Predator's 115 hp (86 kW) piston engine. The increase in power allows the Reaper to carry 15 times more ordnance and cruise at three times the speed of the MQ-1. Although the MQ-9 can fly pre-programmed routes autonomously, the aircraft is always monitored or controlled by aircrew in the Ground Control Station (GCS) and weapons employment is always commanded by the flight crew.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

DTN News - WHITE HOUSE NEWS: US President Barack Obama With West Point Superintendent Lt. Gen. David H. Huntoon During Football Game At Maryland

DTN News - WHITE HOUSE NEWS: US President Barack Obama With West Point Superintendent Lt. Gen. David H. Huntoon During Football Game At Fedex Field In Landover Maryland

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 10, 2011:. US President Barack Obama walks across the field with West Point Superintendent Lt. Gen. David H. Huntoon (R) during halftime of the Army vs. Navy annual football game at Fedex Field in Landover, Maryland, December 10, 2011. . (Photo - Getty)

DTN News - WHITE HOUSE NEWS: US President Barack Obama And US Vice President Joe Biden During Football In Landover Maryland

DTN News - WHITE HOUSE NEWS: US President Barack Obama And US Vice President Joe Biden During Halftime Of The Army vs. Navy Annual Football In Landover Maryland

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 10, 2011: US President Barack Obama And US Vice President Joe Biden attend the Army vs. Navy football game at Fedex Field in Landover, Maryland, December 10, 2011. . (Photo - Getty)

Friday, December 9, 2011

DTN News - WHITE HOUSE NEWS: US President Barack Obama And First Lady Michelle Obama At Hanukkah Reception In The White House

DTN News - WHITE HOUSE NEWS: US President Barack Obama And First Lady Michelle Obama At Hanukkah Reception In The White House

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 9, 2011: US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrive for a Hanukkah Reception December 8, 2011 in the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington, DC. (Photo - Getty)

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated December 7, 2011

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated December 7, 2011

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 7, 2011: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued December 7,2011 are undermentioned;

ARMY

ITT Systems Corp., Colorado Springs, Colo., was awarded a $121,279,103 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The award will provide for the services in support of the wideband satellite communications missions identified in the Operational Management System. Work will be performed in Colorado Springs, Colo.; Fort Meade, Md.; Fort Detrick, Md.; Wahiawa, Hawaii; Landstuhl, Germany; Okinawa, Japan; Fort Gordon, Ga.; MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.; and Canberra, Australia, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2019. The bid was solicited through the Internet, with three bids received. The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., is the contracting activity (W91260-12-C-0001).

The Boeing Co., Mesa, Ariz., was awarded a $141,318,475 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the services in support of 30 Apache AH-64D attack helicopters for Taiwan. Work will be performed in Mesa, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2017. One bid was solicited, with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-09-C-0147).

AJ Services Joint Venture I, L.L.P., Austin, Texas, was awarded a $90,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the healthcare housekeeping services in support of direct and non-direct patient care and healthcare-related settings of four principal military treatment facilities. Work will be performed in Fort Gordon, Ga.; Fort Campbell, Ky.; Fort Jackson, S.C.; and Redstone Arsenal, Ala., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2016. The bid was solicited through the Internet, with three bids received. The Center for Healthcare Contracting, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is the contracting office (W81K04-12-D-0001).

DTN News - SOMALIA UNREST: AU Troops On Red Alert Patrol In Mogadishu

DTN News - SOMALIA UNREST: AU Troops On Red Alert Patrol In Mogadishu

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 7, 2011: African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops ride an amoured vehicle past a burning car after it exploded in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011.

The explosives-laden car went off at an area called Kilometer 4. Several people were killed and injured accoding to an eye witness and an emergency official. Somalia's capital has seen a wave of blasts since Islamists withdrew from the city in August. (Photo - AP)

DTN News - SECTARIAN VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO: KFOR Soldiers Maintain Peace Between Serbs And Albanian Kosovo In Jagnjenic - Former Yugoslavia

DTN News - SECTARIAN VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO: KFOR Soldiers Maintain Peace Between Serbs And Albanian Kosovo In Jagnjenic - Former Yugoslavia

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 7, 2011: KFOR soldiers from Germany remove a barbed wire from the road in the village of Jagnjenica, near Zubin Potok December 6, 2011. Minority Serbs in Kosovo began removing barricades in the Balkan country's lawless north on Monday before a European Union ruling on Friday on whether Serbia can join the bloc.

Serbs in a small slice of mainly Albanian Kosovo, not controlled by Pristina, have been manning barricades since July when the Kosovo government tried to seize control of two border crossings there. (Photo - Reuters)

DTN News - U.S. MILITARY NEWS: US Special Forces Are Assisting Ugandan Troops To Capture LRA Chief Joseph Kony

DTN News - U.S. MILITARY NEWS: US Special Forces Are Assisting Ugandan Troops To Capture LRA Chief Joseph Kony

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 7, 2011: US soldiers assist Ugandan Airforce personnel as they package food supplies at a military airbase in Entebbbe, Uganda on December 6, 2011. The food supplies were destined for frontline Ugandan troops hunting rebel group, The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).

US Presdient Barack Obama in October sent 100 special forces soldiers to track down LRA Chief and international fugitive Joseph Kony who has been active across four countries in the region for over two decades. The US state department currently gives 17 million US dollars each year to Uganda to cover the costs of transporting Ugandan forces to the affected areas. (Photo - Getty)

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated December 6, 2011

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated December 6, 2011

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - December 6, 2011: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued December 6,2011 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

NAVY

Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $60,360,995 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-2404) for the procurement, production, and test of the Integrated Shipboard Electronics (ISE) for Landing Platform Dock (LPD) 26 with an option for LPD 27 ISE. This contract includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $111,347,220. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed by February 2017. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Wyle Laboratories, Inc., Huntsville, Ala., is being awarded a $33,693,891 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract (N00421-03-D-0015) to execute an award term for continued E-2C/E-2D/C-2 planning, program, and financial services in support of the Navy (79 percent); and under the Foreign Military Sales Program, the governments of France, Taiwan, Egypt, Japan, Singapore, and Canada (21 percent). Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md., and is expected to be completed in December 2012. No funding is being obligated at time of award. Funding will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Deloitte Consulting, L.L.P., Lexington Park, Md., is being awarded a $30,071,729 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract (N00421-03-D-0014) to execute an award term for continued E-2C/E-2D/C-2 planning, program, and financial services. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md., and is expected to be completed in December 2012. No funding is being obligated at time of award. Funding will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

DTN News - NATO ATTACK ON PAKISTAN: US officials Say Pakistan Leaving Liaison Centers

DTN News - NATO ATTACK ON PAKISTAN: US officials Say Pakistan Leaving Liaison Centers

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - December 6, 2011: Pakistan is pulling its troops out of at least two of the three centers meant to coordinate military activity across the Afghan border in apparent retaliation for NATO airstrikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, U.S. military officials said.


The move will hamper U.S. efforts to liaise with Pakistani forces, increasing the risk that something could go wrong again, said the officials late Monday. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

The U.S. and Pakistan have offered different accounts of what led to the NATO attacks against two army posts along the Afghan border before dawn on Nov. 26, but the deadly incident seems to have been caused in part by communication breakdowns.

The soldiers' deaths have plunged the already strained U.S.-Pakistan relations to an all-time low, threatening Washington's attempts to get Pakistan to cooperate on the Afghan war despite billions of dollars in American aid.

Pakistan retaliated immediately by closing its Afghan border crossings to NATO supplies, demanding the U.S. vacate an air base used by American drones and boycotting an international conference held Monday in Bonn, Germany, aimed at stabilizing Afghanistan.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told The Associated Press in an interview Monday that Pakistan wants to repair relations with the United States.

But the military's decision to abandon the border coordination centers shows it is still outraged over the incident, which it has called deliberate - an allegation denied by the U.S. The Pakistan army is considered the strongest organization in Pakistan and will likely determine the future course of ties with the U.S.

Pakistan may still have troops at the coordination center in Torkham in the country's northwest Khyber tribal area, but has pulled out of the other two along the border, said the U.S. officials.

The Pakistani military did not immediately respond to request for comment.

NATO attacks have killed Pakistani troops at least three different times along the porous and poorly defined border since 2008, but the incident on Nov. 26 in the Mohmand tribal area was by far the most deadly.

U.S. officials have said the incident occurred when a joint U.S. and Afghan patrol requested air support after coming under fire. The U.S. checked with the Pakistan military to see if there were friendly troops in the area and were told there were not, they said.

Monday, December 5, 2011

DTN News - RUSSIA NEWS: Russian Election Results Will Be Shock For Vladimir Putin

DTN News - RUSSIA NEWS: Russian Election Results Will Be Shock For Vladimir Putin

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 5, 2011: So when he awoke on Monday morning and saw that support for his United Russia party appeared to have fallen to just under fifty per cent from a stellar 64 per cent of the vote four years ago it must have left a bitter taste in his mouth.

In a de facto one party state where the ruling elite controls all the levers of power embarrassing setbacks like this are not supposed to happen.


Nor, it appears, did Mr Putin's party even win all of its votes fairly. The country's only independent election watchdog uncovered thousands of breaches of electoral law and was itself targeted by the authorities to make its life more difficult.

Mr Putin's Soviet-style party easily won Sunday's parliamentary election anyway. Its closest rival, the Communists, look to have garnered around only twenty per cent of the vote. But the precipitous drop in United Russia's popularity ahead of Mr Putin's own planned return to the Russian presidency next May will have the Kremlin worried.
Sunday's vote was the first chance ordinary Russians had been given to pronounce on his decision to return to the Kremlin next year for a third time. It was hardly the ringing endorsement he had hoped for.

One reason for that is indisputably that some Russian voters are beginning to grow tired of the Putin show and to resent the fact that they are not being offered any alternative.

The former KGB spy's personal popularity ratings are still above fifty per cent but they have been gradually falling.

The manner in which he and the Kremlin have stage-managed political life in the last year has not helped.

Many Russians felt that Mr Putin, who was president from 2000 to 2008, was the right 'muzhik' or real man to "put Russia back on its knees" after the anarchic 1990s.

He was credited with saving the motherland from chaos, restoring order, and then presiding over an unprecedented oil-fuelled decade-long rise in living standards.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

DTN News - DEV ANAND: Indian Legendary Bollywood Actor Dev Anand Passed Away In London

DTN News - DEV ANAND: Indian Legendary Bollywood Actor Dev Anand Passed Away In London

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 4, 2011: Veteran Bollywood actor and director Dev Anand attends a news conference for the premiere of his film "Mr. Prime Minister" in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad in this December 29, 2005 file photo. Anand died on December 3, 2011 after a heart attack in London, according to local media. (Reuters)

Dev Anand, the style icon of 1950s and 1960s, scripted a fashion statement with his scarves, mufflers and jackets and his singnature puff, inspired by his childhood ideal Gregory Peck. The newage designers describe him as a trendsetter.

DTN News - NATO ATTACK ON PAKISTAN: Protesters Set Fire To Obama's Effigy In Multan For Air Strike Killing 24 Pakistani Soldiers

DTN News - NATO ATTACK ON PAKISTAN: Protesters Set Fire To Obama's Effigy In Multan For Air Strike Killing 24 Pakistani Soldiers

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 4, 2011: Activists of Pakistan Mutahidda Shehri Mahaz set fire an effigy of US President Barack Obama during a protest in Multan on December 3, 2011.

Islamabad has so far refused to take part in a US inquiry into air strikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, exacerbating fears of a prolonged US-Pakistani crisis as a result of the attack.
(Photo - Getty)