The Krakow Post

Booby-Trapped Equipment

When the unsuspecting soldiers powered up the Skyzone Cobra X v4 headsets, popular for controlling first-person view drones and available for around $300 on Amazon, they detonated, as an inspection later revealed plastic explosives embedded within each device.

An “individual donor” supplied the compromised gear, bypassing official military channels. The gear, originally intended as humanitarian aid, has now raised serious security concerns. Whether the sabotage was intentional, or an elaborate oversight remains unverified, but the implications are significant. Notably, neither Skyzone nor the Ukrainian Defence Intelligence has claimed responsibility.

At first glance, this incident has Ukrainian Defence Intelligence written all over it, but definitive proof may remain elusive for some time. Broader Implications Sabotage within supply chains is not unprecedented, and historical parallels offer insight into the situation.

One notable comparison is Israel’s covert attack on Hezbollah using explosive-laden pagers, an operation that required meticulous planning and execution. Similarly, this recent incident aligns with the evolving concept of “participative warfare,” where civilians, intentionally or not, become integral components of a larger conflict.

The revelation of this compromised gear is likely to trigger stricter scrutiny of donated military equipment. Moving forward, military units may be compelled to implement additional measures to verify the safety and integrity of unsolicited gear. This development adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile and precarious supply chain, emphasising the need for heightened vigilance in military logistics and procurement processes.

ED: This from my inbox from Ralph, thanks mate… There are a number of stories on this page, enjoy.

Ray,

Your readers may be interested in this site. While most of Quora is uninteresting gossip, this page is a ripper.

https://onlymesspace.quora.com/?__nsrc__=4&__snid3__=82676431247

Keep up the good work

Ralph Schwer

Hi ALL,

Just letting you know that I won’t be able to post anything to the website tomorrow as I will be driving home from Bundaberg after an enjoyable break at our daughter’s home in Innis Park. Going to miss the amazing seafood available up here.

We have a five-hour drive tomorrow and I will be taking it steady.

Cheers

Ray & Julie

ED: Who Else Finds It Astonishing That the Prime Minister while in Alice Springs Announces Further $884 Million for Bridging the Gap in the NT?

Frontline – Ray Payne OAM

The Prime Minister’s announcement of an additional $884 million for “bridging the gap” in the Northern Territory is yet another staggering allocation of taxpayer funds to Indigenous programs. With a total population of just 260,000 people, this new funding equates to over $3 million for every man, woman, and child in the Territory.

This is on top of the $39 billion already spent annually on Indigenous Australians, a figure that continues to rise despite little visible improvement in key outcomes such as health, education, employment, and community safety. The sheer scale of spending raises serious concerns about where the money is going and whether it is being used effectively.

The Numbers Don’t Add Up

The Northern Territory has a significant Indigenous population, many of whom live in remote communities. These communities often struggle with social issues, lack of infrastructure, and limited access to essential services. However, given the billions already poured into Indigenous programs, one must ask why these issues persist. If funding alone were the solution, these problems would have been eradicated years ago.

According to government reports, Indigenous Australians receive approximately $44,000 per person per year in direct and indirect government support, compared to around $24,000 for non-Indigenous Australians. Despite this, life expectancy, literacy rates, employment levels, and crime statistics remain troubling. The gap is not closing at a pace that justifies this level of expenditure.

Where Is the Money Going?

A major issue is the administrative costs associated with Indigenous funding. Bureaucracies, consultants, and advisory bodies consume a significant portion of these funds before they ever reach the communities in need. Reports suggest that millions are lost in red tape, mismanagement, and inefficiencies within government agencies and NGOs tasked with implementing Indigenous programs.

Moreover, there is little transparency or accountability for how these funds are spent. There have been numerous cases where funding has been squandered on failed programs, misappropriated, or spent on initiatives that do not deliver tangible benefits to Indigenous people.

A Different Approach Needed

Instead of simply throwing more money at the problem, the government should focus on ensuring that existing funds are being used effectively. That means greater scrutiny of Indigenous funding programs, independent audits, and a shift away from the bloated bureaucratic model that has proven ineffective.

It also means empowering Indigenous communities to take greater control over their own futures by promoting economic development, education, and self-reliance rather than fostering a cycle of dependency. There should be a greater emphasis on job creation, business development, and local leadership rather than government handouts that fail to produce lasting change.

Conclusion

Australians deserve answers. Why, despite decades of massive funding, do the same problems persist? Where is the accountability for how taxpayer money is spent? And why does the government continue to pour billions into a system that isn’t working? Until these questions are addressed, announcements like today’s $884 million commitment will only further fuel public frustration and disbelief.

Veteran Card holders in flood-affected areas of Far North Queensland can continue to access important medicines from an approved pharmacist even if they have not been able to get a valid prescription. This applies where there is an immediate need for the medicine.

The Veteran Card holder may not have a prescription because they can’t access it due to the floods, or if they can’t access their medical practitioner.

The supply of Veteran Card holder medicines in this way is subject to the Continued Dispensing arrangements of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Only one supply of medicines can be provided under Continued Dispensing arrangements in a 12-month period.

The Veteran Card holder must previously have been prescribed this medicine and the pharmacist must be satisfied that it is urgently needed and it is not practical to obtain a new prescription due to the floods.

So, if you urgently need medicine as outlined above, please ask your local pharmacist for support.

This measure will be in place until 31 March 2025.

Hamas has announced a delay in the release of Israeli hostages, citing repeated violations of the Gaza ceasefire agreement by Israel. The group claimed that Israel had failed to uphold key terms of the deal, including allowing the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza, halting attacks on Palestinian civilians, and permitting sufficient humanitarian aid into the territory.

The latest group of Israeli hostages was expected to be released this coming Saturday. However, Hamas stated that further releases would be postponed until Israel fully complies with the terms of the agreement and compensates Palestinians for the alleged breaches.

“The delay in the release of prisoners serves as a warning message to the occupation, and to exert pressure for the full compliance with the agreement’s terms,” Hamas said in a statement. The group reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire deal but insisted that Israel must uphold its obligations.

In response, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz condemned Hamas’ decision, calling it “a complete violation of the ceasefire agreement and the deal to release the hostages.” Katz instructed the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to prepare for a potential resumption of fighting, placing the military on high alert.

“I have instructed the IDF to prepare at the highest level of alert for any possible scenario in Gaza and to protect the communities. We will not allow a return to the reality of October 7,” Katz stated.

Meanwhile, Israeli protesters gathered in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv following Hamas’ announcement. The demonstration underscored the ongoing public pressure on the Israeli government to secure the release of hostages and maintain national security.

Negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire, which is set to expire on March 2, are ongoing in Qatar. The diplomatic efforts will likely play a crucial role in determining whether the ceasefire holds or if hostilities will resume in the coming days.

In recent months, Russia has intensified its assault on Ukraine, aiming to seize as much territory as possible before potential peace talks brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump. Moscow is leveraging every possible advantage, knowing that territorial gains could strengthen its position at the negotiating table.

Lieutenant-Colonel Vitaly, a Ukrainian artillery commander, describes the Russian strategy as relentless, with troops being forced into “meatwaves”—suicidal human assaults designed to overwhelm Ukrainian defences. “They’re not sparing their people, equipment, or ammunition to appear stronger in negotiations,” he says. Despite losing thousands of troops weekly, Russia has managed to capture another 4,000 square kilometres and now controls nearly a fifth of Ukraine.

Many in Ukraine believe this escalation is directly linked to Trump’s potential return to power. Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, sees Trump as a strong leader with the ability to shape the war’s outcome. While Trump initially promised to end the war within 24 hours of taking office, he later backed away, realising the conflict’s complexity.

Top U.S. officials are now set to meet with European counterparts to discuss pathways to peace, following reports of a phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Former CIA analyst Fred Fleitz, now with the Trump-aligned America First Policy Institute, suggests Trump may push for a ceasefire and frozen conflict lines as a starting point for negotiations.

“A solution acceptable to Ukraine likely won’t be possible until Putin leaves the political scene,” Fleitz says. “But in the meantime, Ukrainians will stop dying.”

However, senior Ukrainian officials, including presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, reject this approach. “Freezing the front lines rewards Putin,” he argues. “Russia won’t stop—it wants total control over Ukraine.”

For Kyiv, security guarantees in any settlement are non-negotiable. Ukraine sees NATO membership as its best protection against future aggression, but this remains a red line for Russia. Trump himself has expressed sympathy for Moscow’s opposition to Ukraine joining NATO.

Fleitz warns that NATO membership may have to wait. “To stop the war, we may need to put Ukraine’s NATO bid on hold for 10 to 25 years,” he says. “That’s not what Ukraine wants to hear, but another way must be found to defend them.”

As Ukraine fights for its survival, the battlefield remains fluid—both in territory and in the high-stakes game of international diplomacy.

ED: From my inbox – a Facebook Post

After the all-day Senate Inquiry hearing on Friday: Senator Roberts said: “There needs to be root and branch reform of the honours and awards system.”

“It’s very clear that there has been a two-tier system when it comes to medals. Senior Officers get awards like it’s part of their salary package and the enlisted ranks are lucky if their nominations aren’t just shoved in a drawer and forgotten.”

“The integrity of the Distinguished Service Crosses awarded to multiple leaders of forces in the Middle East is under a dark cloud. It has become clear that senior leaders of Defence, including the current Chief, over at least a decade have abused the definition of ‘in action’ to claim awards that were meant to be reserved for soldiers under direct fire of an adversary.”

“How can Angus Campbell claim a Distinguished Service Cross for command of soldiers which he has tried to strip a DSC from for allegations of wrongdoing?”

“The only recognition some soldiers have of their sacrifice and service is a medal. When the system that administers medals is broken, that destroys morale and is a direct contributor to the military recruitment and retention crisis.”

“The inquiry heard heroic stories of soldiers in direct machine gun and grenade fire having their nominations simply forgotten, downgraded without their knowledge or manipulated. This cannot be allowed to happen”

“A fully transparent process must be implemented. It’s clear that the Defence hierarchy cannot be trusted to be impartial and objective when it comes to giving our Defence personnel the recognition they deserve.”