 Defence Minister Brendan Nelson says the Federal Government will accept all the recommendations into the report into faulty Defence clothing and equipment. Dr Nelson has told Channel Nine he will release the report on Tuesday, after considering the findings for a number of weeks. He ordered the inquiry after numerous claims that faulty combat equipment and clothing had been provided to Australia's soldiers. "There are 29 recommendations in this report," he said."What I am going to do is see that we have better business practices in the delivery of that equipment."Also, I intend to involve serving and former serving soldiers in the feedback system about the quality of soldiers' clothing and equipment."He also says there is an argument for boosting Australia's defence numbers, particularly for the Army. ...
http://www.abc.net.au
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Editor - 13:20:00 07-23-06
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 Ministers try to salvage WTO deal |
With a final deadline almost upon them, trading powers were locked in tough talks on Sunday that may be the last hope of overcoming differences blocking the way to a global free trade deal. The so-called G6 -- Australia, Brazil, India, Japan, the European Union and the United States -- must reach agreement on how to boost trade in farm and industrial goods or risk seeing nearly five years of WTO negotiations crumble in failure. World Trade Organization (WTO) chief Pascal Lamy, who has the task of brokering a deal, was chairing two days of negotiations at the U.S. mission in Geneva.But there was no immediate sign that either the United States or the EU, whose highly subsidized or protected farm policies are the heart of the deadlock, were ready to make the concessions each is demanding of the other....
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060723/ts_nm/trade_talks_dc
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Editor - 13:11:00 07-23-06
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| Pagan Religion Gaining Popularity Among Prisoners; Experts Worry About Violence |
A pagan religion that some experts say can be interpreted as encouraging violence is gaining popularity among prison inmates, one of whom is scheduled to be executed this week for killing a fellow prisoner at the foot of an altar. Michael Lenz is scheduled to die Thursday for the death of Brent Parker, who was stabbed dozens of times at Augusta Correctional Center during a gathering of inmates devoted to Asatru, whose followers worship Norse gods. At his trial, Lenz testified that Parker had not been taking the religion seriously and had to die to protect the honor of the gods. Other followers call the religion misunderstood and say most adherent inmates do not use it to further violent agendas. Asatru has been gaining popularity among inmates, say religious leaders and prison experts who believe its roots in Viking mythology attract prisoners seeking power, protection and unity. ...
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2226539
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Editor - 13:09:00 07-23-06
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| Gold May Rise on Speculation Fed to Struggle Curbing Inflation |
Gold may resume its rally on speculation that the Federal Reserve will halt interest-rate increases too soon to curb inflation, as fuel costs remain near record highs. 18 of 42 traders, investors & analysts from Sydney to Chicago surveyed by Bloomberg News on July 20 & July 21 advised buying gold, which fell 7.2 % to $620.20 an ounce in New York last week. 15 respondents said to sell & 9 were neutral. Gold jumped 46 % in the past year, partly on signs of accelerating inflation. Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said last week economic growth is slowing & hinted the central bank may halt 2 years of rate increases, even after oil rose to a record $78.40 a barrel this month. ``Rising inflation is in the cards with $70-plus crude oil,'' said James Turk, founder of GoldMoney.com, & is based in Jersey, British Channel Islands. ``The Fed is losing grip of its attempt to control inflationary expectations. Gold is probably going to trade in a $600 to $700 range until September.''...
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ahmcc1LSxPDw&refer=top_world_news
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Editor - 13:07:00 07-23-06
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| New England's 'Mystery Stone' |
In 1872, so the story goes, workers digging a hole for a fence post near Lake Winnipesaukee in the central part of this New England state found a lump of clay that seemed out of place. There was something inside — a dark, odd-looking, egg-shaped stone with a variety of carvings, including a face, teepee, ear of corn and starlike circles. And there were many questions: Who made the stone and why? How old was it? How was it carved? To date, no one has been able to say for sure, and the item has come to be known as the "Mystery Stone." Seneca Ladd, a local businessman who hired the workers, was credited with the discovery. ...
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/21/national/main1826460.shtml?source=RSS&attr=U.S._1826460
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Editor - 12:56:00 07-23-06
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| Congress' 'Black' Budgets Scrutinized Cunningham Case Reveals Abuses Hidden Inside Intelligence Bills |
An independent investigation has found that imprisoned former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham took advantage of secrecy and badgered congressional aides to help slip items into classified bills that would benefit him and his associates. The finding comes from Michael Stern, an outside investigator hired by the House Intelligence Committee to look into how Cunningham was able to carry out the scheme. Stern is working with the committee to fix vulnerabilities in the way top-secret legislation is written, said congressional officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because the committee still is being briefed on Stern's findings. Cunningham's case has put a stark spotlight on the oversight of classified — or "black" — budgets. Unlike legislation dealing with social and economic issues, intelligence bills and parts of defense bills are written in private, in the name of national security. ...
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/23/politics/main1826870.shtml?source=RSS&attr=U.S._1826870
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Editor - 12:10:00 07-23-06
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