Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft have been sent to the Middle East as part of Operation Beech, in a precautionary move by the federal government. The deployment includes RAAF C-130J Hercules transport aircraft and personnel, all assigned to a non-combat role.

The primary goal of this operation is to assist with contingency planning and potential evacuations of Australian citizens and approved foreign nationals from the region, should the security situation worsen. By sending these resources, the Australian government has ensured additional capabilities to support its citizens during times of crisis.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard Marles, highlighted the security risks faced by Australians in areas like Lebanon during a television interview on ABC’s Insiders program on 6 October. He pointed out that while Beirut’s airport remains operational, strikes have occurred in nearby areas, increasing the urgency for Australians to leave.

“In the past 24 hours, we’ve facilitated the departure of over 400 people, primarily Australians, on flights from Beirut to Cyprus. This brings the total to more than 450 evacuated over the last week,” Marles said. He also emphasized ongoing arrangements with Qatar Airways and Qantas to transport Australians from Cyprus back home.

Marles stressed the importance of seizing the current window to leave, warning that the situation in Lebanon could deteriorate further. “We have around 3,600 Australians registered with our embassy in Beirut, all seeking some form of assisted departure. We will continue to offer these opportunities, but people must take them as they come.”

To bolster evacuation efforts, Australia has deployed additional military assets, including C-130 Hercules aircraft and a C-17, which are stationed in Cyprus. ADF personnel are also on the ground, prepared to assist should the need arise.

Australians in the Middle East who require government support are urged to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) via its Crisis Portal or contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre. DFAT will continue to provide updates to registered individuals as the situation develops.

David Axe -Forbes Staff

 Ukrainian troops in eastern Ukraine received a surprise gift on Saturday when a rare Russian air force Okhotnik stealth drone fell out of the sky over the fortress town of Chasiv Yar.

There are just a handful of the 65-foot-wingspan, jet-powered drones in existence. Now one of them—or its wreckage, at least—is in Ukrainian and allied hands. “They will disassemble it down to the last screw and, of course, familiarize themselves with its rich internal contents,” moaned Fighter-bomber, the unofficial Telegram channel of the Russian air force.

It’s not clear what happened to bring down the radar-evading drone. Video shot from the ground apparently depicts a warplane firing a missile at the arrow-shaped Okhotnik, sending it tumbling to the ground.

Was the shooter a Ukrainian fighter? Or was it a Russian fighter? The former might seem more likely, but the latter isn’t inconceivable. If the Okhotnik malfunctioned, the Russians may have opted to shoot it down rather than risk it crash-landing mostly intact inside Ukrainian lines.

“I really want to hope that it was a loss of control due to something failing … or the UAV’s brains went crazy for their own reasons, and not the drone being intercepted by the enemy,” Fighterbomber wrote.

One strong possibility is that the Okhotnik ran afoul of the heavy radio jamming along that sector of the 700-mile front line. The drone likely lacks full autonomy, and instead depends on a steady connection to operators on the ground. That’s a design detail Ukrainian and allied analysts can now confirm as they inspect the Okhotnik’s remains.

It’s an embarrassing loss for the battered Russian air force, which has written off more than 100 warplanes—including at least one Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter—to Ukrainian guns, missiles and drones.

The first blurry images of the Okhotnik drone appeared in January 2019 on a Russian aviation website. The photos depicted a tractor towing the apparently 11-ton unmanned aerial vehicle along a snow-ringed runway at an airfield in Novosibirsk in southern Russia.

A flying wing similar in shape to the U.S. Air Force’s Northrop Grumman B-2 stealth bomber, Okhotnik—that means “hunter” in Russian—could, in theory, penetrate enemy defenses to deliver ordnance. Okhotnik is in the same class as China’s Tian Ying drone and the USAF’s Lockheed Martin RQ-170 surveillance UAV.

The likelihood of Okhotnik eventually entering squadron service with the Russian air force is “big,” said Tom Cooper, an independent expert on Russian military aviation. But five years after its blurry debut, it’s not clear that Sukhoi has built enough Okhotniks—or conducted enough testing—to fully equip a front-line unit.

It might still be a developmental aircraft. While it’s not uncommon for the Russian air force to deploy test planes to combat zones in order to collect data in a real-world context, it’s a huge setback to a development effort to lose a rare and expensive test plane during combat trials.

By: Arnaldo Liechtenstein, physician

Whenever I teach clinical medicine to students in the fourth year of medicine, I ask the following question:

What are the causes of mental confusion in the elderly?

Some offer: “Tumours in the head”. I answer: No!

Others suggest: “Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s”. I answer No!

With each rejection of their answers, their responses dry up.

And they are even more open-mouthed when I list the three most common causes:

– uncontrolled diabetes

– urinary infection

– dehydration

It may sound like a joke, but it isn’t. People over 60 generally stop feeling thirsty and consequently, stop drinking fluids.

When no one is around to remind them to drink fluids, they quickly dehydrate.

Dehydration is severe and affects the entire body It may cause abrupt mental confusion, a drop in blood pressure, increased heart palpitations, angina (chest pain), coma and even death.

*This habit of forgetting to drink fluids begins at age 60, when we have just over 50% of the water we should have in our bodies.

People over 60 have a lower water reserve.

This is part of the natural aging process.

But there are more complications. Although they are dehydrated, they don’t feel like drinking water, because their internal balance mechanisms don’t work very well.

People over 60 years old dehydrate easily, not only because they have a smaller water supply, but also, because they do not feel the lack of water in the body.

It’s important to drink several glasses of water daily.

Although people over 60 may look healthy, the performance of reactions and chemical functions can damage their entire body.

So here are two alerts:

1) *Get into the habit of drinking liquids*. Liquids include water, juices, teas, coconut water, milk, soups, and water-rich fruits, such as watermelon, melon, peaches and pineapple, orange and tangerine also work.

*The important thing is that every two hours, you must drink some liquid. Remember this! *

2) Alert for family members: constantly offer fluids to people over age 60.

At the same time, observe them.

If you realize that they are rejecting liquids and, from one day to the next, they are irritable, breathless or display a lack of attention,

these are almost certainly recurrent symptoms of dehydration.

Inspired to drink more water now.

A 20 year journey, ending in the Royal dedication of the bell of the great warship, recovered from her wreck in the Denmark Strait.

Behind the News

Anthony Albanese entered the 2022 election with a vision of an idealistic, collaborative “new politics” that aimed to unify Australians, positioning Labor for an extended period in government. However, even then, some commentators questioned the viability of this vision, and reality has since proven far more challenging.

Today, Labor and the Liberals are neck-and-neck in the polls, with the prospect of a minority government, or worse, for Labor. Prominent figures like Gareth Evans and Bill Kelty, once key players in the Hawke/Keating era, have severely criticized Albanese’s leadership. So, how did it all go wrong?

Much of the blame lies in the unrealistic expectations that formed part of Labor’s 2022 election strategy. Albanese’s “new politics” agenda promised a collaborative approach, bringing together business, labor, Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. This approach helped counter Scott Morrison’s divisive, populist strategy. But while it worked during the campaign, it has been much harder to deliver in government, as three key failures demonstrate.

1. Industrial Relations and Business Alienation

Albanese’s attempt to channel Bob Hawke’s strategy of uniting business and labor proved flawed. Unlike the Hawke government’s approach, which allowed businesses to offer lower wages while compensating workers with government-funded benefits, Albanese pledged to end wage stagnation and increase wages, especially for low-paid women workers. This move, although addressing deep-seated issues in enterprise bargaining, alienated key business groups. Criticism of Labor’s industrial relations reforms, including multi-employer bargaining and minimum wage increases, has been fierce, and the Liberals have aligned with business in opposition.

2. The Voice Referendum Failure

Labor’s attempt to unite Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians through the Voice referendum ended in failure. Dutton and other populist figures ran a strong campaign, depicting the Voice as an elitist initiative that gave special privileges to Indigenous Australians at the expense of others. This narrative resonated with many voters, and Labor struggled to counter it. After the defeat, Albanese retreated further from his original commitments, abandoning key initiatives like the Makarrata Commission and LGBTQI+ protections, disappointing progressive supporters.

3. International Affairs and Divisive Politics

The Albanese government’s efforts at fostering social cohesion have also been derailed by international events, particularly in the Middle East. Domestically, debate has become polarised, with Labor being attacked by the right for supposedly abandoning Israel, and by the left for being complicit in its alleged atrocities. This inability to maintain a coherent narrative has weakened the government’s position.

Narrative Failure and Leadership Criticism

As Labor’s vision of unity has faltered, so has its ability to craft a compelling narrative. Dutton’s simple and focused attacks have cut through, portraying Labor as weak and distracted by “woke” issues like the Voice, at the expense of tackling the cost-of-living crisis. His claims, while exaggerated, have gained traction.

Meanwhile, Albanese’s government has struggled to defend itself. It has pointed to relief measures like tax cuts, cheaper medicines, and reduced childcare costs. But inflation, high interest rates, and a housing crisis have largely overshadowed these efforts. Labor is also being squeezed between a hostile Coalition and Greens opposition, making it difficult to pass meaningful reforms.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has found it difficult to sell the government’s economic achievements, despite claiming that current spending has been necessary to stave off recession. The Reserve Bank has noted international factors driving inflation, but Labor remains the target of attacks accusing it of fuelling inflation through excessive spending.

Conclusion: The Failure of “New Politics”

Albanese promised a “new politics” that would unite Australians, but instead finds himself mired in divisive, populist battles that resemble the old politics he sought to transcend. Dutton’s portrayal of him as a weak leader, incapable of addressing the nation’s challenges, has stuck. This terrain, far from the idealistic vision Albanese presented, has left Labor struggling to deliver on its promises and maintain its grip on government.

Leith van Onselen

For a while, Australia was a great place to live and we had manufacturing, for example, as a substantial portion of the GDP of this country. We made cars, we made a bunch of different things. We had whole supply chains for various things. And then we just went into this path of just easy relentless growth where it was just house prices drifting up and shipping iron ore, coal, gas and gold overseas.

A year ago, Hamas launched an unprecedented and brutal cross-border raid into southern Israel, leading to one of the most significant escalations in the region’s recent history. This highly coordinated and violent attack saw Hamas militants infiltrating Israel via tunnels, by land, and by sea, targeting both military and civilian areas. The atrocities committed, including the rape of young Israeli women, shocked the world due to their brutality and the scale of the assault. The raid left 1,700 dead and many more injured, leaving an indelible scar on Israeli society.

Israel’s response to such aggression, including its continuing efforts to locate and rescue hostages taken by Hamas, is rooted in the natural duty of any nation to protect its people and sovereignty. The nature of the attack, which deliberately targeted civilians and soldiers alike, violated international norms, and spurred Israel’s retaliatory measures. Many hostages have already been murdered in captivity, further intensifying the crisis.

Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by many countries, including the United States and the European Union, aims to destabilize the region and eliminate the State of Israel. In light of such actions, Israel’s military response is seen as a defensive and necessary action to restore security and safeguard the lives of its citizens. The brutal nature of the attack left Israel with no choice but to respond forcefully to dismantle the threat posed by Hamas, while also working tirelessly to recover the prisoners still held in captivity.

This cycle of violence has placed Israel in a position where it must defend its population from future atrocities while also addressing the humanitarian crises that unfold from such prolonged conflicts. The ongoing efforts to locate hostages reflect the broader moral and ethical dimensions of this conflict, emphasizing the importance of human life amidst the horrors of war.

This needs no explanation – and is a fun read, no matter your gender. Men Are Just Happier People! What do you expect from such simple creatures? Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park.

Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don’t have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress – $5,000. Tux rental – $100. People never stare at your chest when you’re talking to them.

New shoes don’t cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars.

You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend. Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Two pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.

Everything on your face stays its original colour. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck. You can play with toys all your life. One wallet and one pair of shoes – one colour for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.

You can ‘do’ your nails with a pocketknife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a moustache… You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes. No wonder men are happier!

NICKNAME · If Laura, Kate, and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah. If Mike, Dave and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Snow, and Macca.

EATING OUT · When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and John will each throw in $20, even though it’s only for $32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back. When the girls get their bill, outcome the pocket calculators.

MONEY. A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs   A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn’t need but it’s on sale.

BATHROOMS · A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel   The average number of items in the typical woman’s bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items.

ARGUMENTS · A woman has the last word in any argument.   Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

FUTURE · A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband   A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

MARRIAGE · A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn’t. A man marries a woman expecting that she won’t change, but she does.

DRESSING UP · A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the trash, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail. · A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.

NATURAL · Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed · Women somehow deteriorate during the night.

OFFSPRING · Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favourite foods, secret fears, and hopes and dreams. · A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY. A married man should forget his mistakes. There’s no use in two people remembering the same thing!