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Australia currently faces its most complex strategic environment since World War II, with conflicts around the world underscoring the realities of modern missile warfare. The emergence of advanced long-range missiles, alongside space and cyber threats, disruptions to supply chains, and the weakening of Australia’s traditional geographic security, highlight an urgent need to bolster the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Responding to these challenges, the Government has committed up to $21 billion over the next decade to the Australian Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Plan, an initiative aimed at equipping the ADF to deter potential adversaries.

In an upcoming address at the National Press Club, Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy will outline how the GWEO Plan will support the ADF’s immediate and long-term needs. This strategic overhaul is expected not only to reinforce Australia’s sovereign defence capabilities but also to generate secure jobs and strengthen the national defence industrial base—ensuring a safer future for Australians.

At a recent rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump made bold promises to overhaul the nation’s energy policies and boost economic competitiveness. Trump pledged to “terminate the Green New Scam,” his term for the Green New Deal, and commit to slashing energy costs by 50% within his first year in office.

“I will terminate the Green New Scam, and I will cut your energy prices in half within 12 months,” Trump declared, emphasizing a focus on policies he claims will revitalize the job market and bring manufacturing back to the U.S.

To achieve this, Trump proposed creating a business-friendly environment by reducing taxes, cutting regulatory burdens, and ensuring the lowest energy costs for American companies. According to Trump, these changes will enable U.S. companies to thrive and compete globally, providing what he described as “free access to the best and biggest market on the planet.”

Trump’s remarks included criticism of current policies, suggesting that America’s economy is in decline. “The problem is, if we have more of these idiots running our country, you won’t have a big and best market anymore,” he added. “But we’re going to turn that around.”

With a focus on energy independence and deregulation, Trump’s promises signal a departure from current environmental policies, advocating instead for an economy powered by affordable energy and reduced governmental oversight.

The United States will not impose additional restrictions on Ukraine’s use of American weapons should North Korean troops join combat operations on behalf of Russia, the Pentagon confirmed on Oct. 28. This announcement follows NATO’s confirmation of North Korean troop deployment to Russia’s Kursk Oblast, a border region facing intensified Ukrainian counteroffensive efforts.

Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh voiced concerns over this development, stating, “A portion of those soldiers have already moved closer to Ukraine, and we are increasingly concerned that Russia intends to use these soldiers in combat or to support combat operations against Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk Oblast near the border with Ukraine,” Reuters reported.

According to Pentagon data released on Oct. 26, an estimated 10,000 North Korean troops have been stationed in eastern Russia for training, a significant increase from 3,000 troops reported just days earlier on Oct. 23. While initial reports of North Korean military involvement were dismissed by both Moscow and Pyongyang, recent evidence has spurred evasive responses rather than outright denials from both countries.

The first reports of North Korean troops’ movements toward Kursk Oblast surfaced on Oct. 24, when Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) disclosed that some units had already been deployed to the region. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Oct. 27 that the troops were expected to reach combat zones soon, with an estimated 12,000 North Korean soldiers, including 500 officers and three generals, poised for deployment.

Currently, Washington’s policy restricts Kyiv from using American-made long-range weaponry to strike deep into Russian territory. However, in light of these recent developments, the United States has signalled a potential shift in its military aid approach, indicating that if North Korean forces engage in combat, these restrictions may no longer apply.

Additionally, the Biden administration announced a new $700-800 million aid package on Oct. 21 to support Ukraine’s development of its own long-range strike capabilities, with President Zelensky confirming plans for expanded production of these systems domestically.

President Biden described the presence of North Korean forces in the conflict zone as “a very dangerous” escalation. The latest support measures reflect a commitment to Ukraine’s defence capacity amid a growing coalition of adversarial forces and underscore the United States’ response to Russia’s broadening alliances with nations like North Korea.

US Navy news

The marine engineering team from the Hobart-class air warfare destroyer, HMAS Brisbane, recently undertook advanced training at the South West Regional Maintenance Centre (SWRMC) in San Diego, USA, as part of an ongoing scheduled maintenance and system upgrade period. This visit is set to provide a host of advantages to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) by accelerating defect rectification processes on the Brisbane and enhancing operational readiness.

During their time at SWRMC, Brisbane’s engineers were introduced to leading-edge technologies like computer-generated 3D scanning and high-precision milling, which streamline the production of hard-to-source parts. Marine Technician Leading Seaman Jayden Eglinton highlighted the potential impact, stating, “The SWRMC’s capability to quickly create 3D scans of parts allows us to produce essential components onboard, significantly reducing wait times and dependency on external manufacturers.”

This technological transfer means the RAN can adopt faster, in-house solutions to equipment issues, thereby minimizing delays in the Brisbane’s readiness and boosting the effectiveness of the engineering team. The experience also allowed Brisbane’s crew to learn innovative methods of power generation and maintenance strategies for gas turbines, all of which are applicable to the destroyer’s operations.

Lieutenant Kevin Le, Assistant Marine Engineer Officer, underscored the value of cross-navy collaboration, emphasizing that these joint efforts are not only educational but also instrumental in fortifying the strategic partnership between Australia and the United States.

As a result of this training, Brisbane’s engineering crew is now better equipped to apply high-tech solutions, ensuring faster responses to onboard maintenance challenges. This advantage positions the Royal Australian Navy to maximize readiness and resilience in the demanding maritime security environment of the Indo-Pacific region.

In the U.S. presidential election system, voters actually select a slate of electors pledged to their preferred candidate rather than directly voting for the president. These electors make up the Electoral College, which formally elects the president. The total of 538 electoral votes is based on each state’s representation in Congress: each state receives a number of electoral votes equal to its number of House representatives (based on population) plus two senators. Washington, D.C., also receives three electoral votes, bringing the total to 538.

To win the presidency, a candidate must secure a majority of electoral votes, or at least 270. Almost all states (except Maine and Nebraska) use a winner-takes-all system, where the candidate who wins the most popular votes in the state receives all of its electoral votes.

Due to the way electoral votes are distributed, the Electoral College creates an inherent structural bias. States with smaller populations, which tend to lean more Republican, have proportionally more electoral influence because they get two electoral votes regardless of population size. As a result, a candidate like Kamala Harris might need to win the national popular vote by at least two percentage points to have a strong chance of securing an Electoral College majority, according to models like Nate Silver’s. This model suggests that the Electoral College system can give a structural advantage to Republican candidates, making it possible for a candidate to win the presidency without winning the national popular vote.

by Abbey Fenbert and The Kyiv Independent news desk

On October 27, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) reported that Russia is transporting North Korean soldiers to the front lines in civilian-licensed trucks. This announcement supports earlier assertions by U.S. and Ukrainian officials that a contingent of North Korean troops is en route to Russia’s Kursk Oblast to reinforce Moscow’s defensive efforts against Ukraine’s ongoing counteroffensive.

According to HUR’s official Telegram channel, Russian authorities intercepted a Kamaz truck with civilian plates on the Kursk-Voronezh highway, allegedly carrying North Korean military personnel. Although the vehicle held North Korean troops, the driver lacked proper combat documentation, leading to the stop by Russian police on October 27.

An intercepted radio exchange between officers of Russia’s 810th Separate Marine Brigade highlights their attempts to clarify the situation surrounding the stopped truck. In the audio, they discuss the unexpected halt on the highway and question the driver’s missing documentation, indicating that the brigade had been awaiting reinforcements via this transport.

HUR’s latest report coincides with President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent announcement that Russia intends to deploy the first North Korean soldiers to combat zones between October 27 and 28. Initially, both Russia and North Korea dismissed the claims of North Korean troop involvement. However, recent statements reflect a shift, with leaders now justifying the presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia.

On October 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin indirectly acknowledged North Korean troops’ presence in Russia, responding to satellite imagery claims by stating, “If there are images, they reflect something,” referencing Pyongyang’s defence treaty with Moscow. North Korea’s foreign ministry followed suit on October 25, affirming that any troop deployment to Russia would adhere to international law.

Estimations on North Korean troop numbers in Russia have varied. U.S. sources initially estimated around 3,000 North Korean soldiers training in Russia, with National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby suggesting that the number might now be higher. South Korean intelligence informed lawmakers that the figure could reach 10,000 by December, while Ukrainian reports claim Pyongyang has sent close to 12,000 personnel, including 500 officers and three generals, to aid Moscow’s military efforts.

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Former SAS Regimental Sergeant Major Speaks Out

Joe Aston’s The Chairman’s Lounge brings sharp scrutiny to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s relationship with Qantas and former CEO Alan Joyce, casting a critical light on allegations of favouritism and privileges extended to Albanese. The book delves into perks, like dozens of free upgrades for personal flights and the Chairmans Lounge memberships for family, sparking questions about transparency and the potential influence these privileges may have had on government decisions, especially those related to airspace policies and Qantas’s protected market position.

Aston’s exploration goes beyond the flights and lounge memberships, touching on how the Albanese government operates and its approach to transparency. The book revisits Labor’s rejection of Qatar Airways’ bid for increased flights, adding fuel to allegations of cronyism and questioning how much influence Qantas held over Albanese’s policy choices.

In one of the book’s most alarming revelations, Aston discusses how recent legislation has shaped the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) with measures that critics argue may hinder its autonomy. Independent voices like Senators Pocock and Shoebridge underscore the public’s shaken confidence, citing transparency issues, limited oversight, and reduced public hearings as critical concerns that have left citizens sceptical about NACC’s effectiveness.

Whether you’re a political enthusiast or a concerned citizen, The Chairman’s Lounge paints a jarring portrait of the intersections of privilege, policy, and power in Australia today. Aston’s work raises poignant questions about Albanese’s transparency and the integrity of his administration—questions that, as the author argues, deserve answers not yet fully forthcoming.

As the US gears up for its upcoming presidential election, a cybersecurity alert is sounding: Microsoft has identified an Iranian hacking group, known as Cotton Sandstorm, intensifying its efforts to interfere with the election process.

Recent reports link Cotton Sandstorm, affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, to targeted surveillance and probing of US election websites, particularly in key battleground states. Back in May, the group scouted for vulnerabilities in a major American news organization’s infrastructure, aiming to assess entry points for potential disruption.

This isn’t the group’s first attempt at political interference. During the 2020 election, Cotton Sandstorm made headlines by impersonating the right-wing group “Proud Boys” in an email campaign, sending intimidating messages to voters in Florida. They even released a video that allegedly demonstrated how they could manipulate election systems, aiming to create public distrust in election integrity.

With foreign threats looming, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has issued a warning about potential foreign attempts to undermine democratic processes. While Iran dismisses these claims as baseless, US officials remain vigilant.

As Election Day approaches on November 5, with Vice President Kamala Harris facing Donald Trump in a tightly contested race, concerns over cybersecurity and election integrity are paramount.

Are these actions meant solely to disrupt or something more calculated? For now, US cybersecurity teams are on high alert to protect the democratic process from any outside interference.

ED: This video was released last Friday just prior to the Queensland election and while it refers to the election it is about what states can and can’t do in relation to nuclear power. It is very informative and worth watching.