Wednesday, 31 August 2005
Weapons Sales Worldwide Rise to Highest Level Since 2000
....driven by arms deals with developing nations, especially India, Saudi Arabia and China, according to a new Congressional study. The report, "Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations," is published by the Congressional Research Service, a division of the Library of Congress.
The United States once again dominated global weapons sales, signing deals worth $12.4 billion in 2004, or 33.5 percent of all contracts worldwide. The share of American arms contracts specifically with developing nations was $6.9 billion in 2004, or 31.6 percent of all such deals, up slightly from $6.5 billion in 2003.
"he developing world continues to be the primary focus of foreign arms sales activity by conventional weapons suppliers."
Russia was second in global arms sales, with $6.1 billion in agreements, or 16.5 percent of all such contracts. Britain was third in arms transfer agreements to the developing world in 2004, signing contracts worth $3.2 billion, while Israel ranked fourth, with deals worth $1.2 billion. France followed with $1 billion.
Over the last four years, China has purchased more weapons than any other nation in the developing world, signing $10.4 billion in deals from 2001 to 2004. For that same four-year period, India ranked second, with $7.9 billion in arms purchases, and Egypt was third, with $6.5 billion in deals.
But India surpassed China in total purchases in 2004, agreeing to buy $5.7 billion in arms.
Saudi Arabia was second in signing arms deals last year, with contracts valued at $2.9 billion, and China was third in 2004, signing $2.2 billion in contracts for arms purchases.
....driven by arms deals with developing nations, especially India, Saudi Arabia and China, according to a new Congressional study. The report, "Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations," is published by the Congressional Research Service, a division of the Library of Congress.
The United States once again dominated global weapons sales, signing deals worth $12.4 billion in 2004, or 33.5 percent of all contracts worldwide. The share of American arms contracts specifically with developing nations was $6.9 billion in 2004, or 31.6 percent of all such deals, up slightly from $6.5 billion in 2003.
"he developing world continues to be the primary focus of foreign arms sales activity by conventional weapons suppliers."
Russia was second in global arms sales, with $6.1 billion in agreements, or 16.5 percent of all such contracts. Britain was third in arms transfer agreements to the developing world in 2004, signing contracts worth $3.2 billion, while Israel ranked fourth, with deals worth $1.2 billion. France followed with $1 billion.
Over the last four years, China has purchased more weapons than any other nation in the developing world, signing $10.4 billion in deals from 2001 to 2004. For that same four-year period, India ranked second, with $7.9 billion in arms purchases, and Egypt was third, with $6.5 billion in deals.
But India surpassed China in total purchases in 2004, agreeing to buy $5.7 billion in arms.
Saudi Arabia was second in signing arms deals last year, with contracts valued at $2.9 billion, and China was third in 2004, signing $2.2 billion in contracts for arms purchases.
CIA banned from Danish air space
The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs says unauthorized flights by the CIA will not be allowed into Danish airspace
the planes are used to transport "terror suspects" to places where torture is conducted.
The government has told the United States that the CIA can no longer use Danish airspace for flights to transport "suspected terrorists" around the world, reported the Copenhagen Post.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made it quite clear to U.S. officials that Denmark does not want its airspace used for purposes that are in conflict with international conventions," wrote the danish Foreign Minister in response to an inquiry from a spokesman for military affairs for the Red-Green Alliance.
The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs says unauthorized flights by the CIA will not be allowed into Danish airspace
the planes are used to transport "terror suspects" to places where torture is conducted.
The government has told the United States that the CIA can no longer use Danish airspace for flights to transport "suspected terrorists" around the world, reported the Copenhagen Post.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made it quite clear to U.S. officials that Denmark does not want its airspace used for purposes that are in conflict with international conventions," wrote the danish Foreign Minister in response to an inquiry from a spokesman for military affairs for the Red-Green Alliance.
BORN AGAINST CHRISTIANS
pdf: "Listen up, you Christo-Fascist bullies, you Apostles of Perpetual Psychosis, it's high time somebody called you out"
"The hour has come round that we look you straight in your bulging, true believer eyes, and told you that we've had it with your smugness, with your blood-drenched crusades, with your victim mentality and with the madness begot by this cracked-brain belief system of yours, which all began (according to your sacred delusions) more than 2,000 years ago...."
pdf: "Listen up, you Christo-Fascist bullies, you Apostles of Perpetual Psychosis, it's high time somebody called you out"
"The hour has come round that we look you straight in your bulging, true believer eyes, and told you that we've had it with your smugness, with your blood-drenched crusades, with your victim mentality and with the madness begot by this cracked-brain belief system of yours, which all began (according to your sacred delusions) more than 2,000 years ago...."
Tuesday, 30 August 2005
pdf: software for parrots
"It's in its very early stages, and is currently a 'smart-perch' hardware platform providing the most basic interface a parrot might use to interact with a computer. A software framework consisting of various media viewers has been written for the birds. Finding software that is compelling to these birds is our ongoing challenge."
African Grey Parrots have an intelligence that can rival that of 5-year-old children
"We are simply building devices and interfaces that allow these intelligent creatures to communicate with their owners when separated by distance."
"It's in its very early stages, and is currently a 'smart-perch' hardware platform providing the most basic interface a parrot might use to interact with a computer. A software framework consisting of various media viewers has been written for the birds. Finding software that is compelling to these birds is our ongoing challenge."
African Grey Parrots have an intelligence that can rival that of 5-year-old children
"We are simply building devices and interfaces that allow these intelligent creatures to communicate with their owners when separated by distance."
Saturday, 6 August 2005
"Ideas Are Also Weapons"
...said Subcomandante Marcos
OUR WORD IS OUR WEAPON
amazon.co.uk
amazon.com
plus
"Bush wants alternatives to Darwinism taught in school"
...said Subcomandante Marcos
OUR WORD IS OUR WEAPON
amazon.co.uk
amazon.com
plus
"Bush wants alternatives to Darwinism taught in school"
"the rules of the game are changing."
tony blair's PLANNED MEASURES include..... Make justifying or glorifying terrorism anywhere an offence
The prime minister also promised to wage a battle with the British and European courts, warning that he would amend the Human Rights Act if necessary. "Should legal obstacles arise we will legislate further, including if necessary amending the Human Rights Act," he said.
A database will list individuals who pose a threat to British society.
and he proposes to extend the use of control orders to British nationals advocating terrorism.
Mr Blair said Parliament might be brought back from the summer recess early to discuss other measures.
London's mayor Ken Livingstone said that, 20 years ago, the measures would have meant banning Nelson Mandela or anyone supporting him.
plus...
"Worse than the disease"
ARCHIVES...
Thank God there are still some people (in Britain) who have the intelligence to know the truth, and the courage to speak out. Mrs Blair is one such individual.
Speaking at a charity event in London (2002), Mrs Blair said young Palestinians felt they had "no hope" but to blow themselves up....
and
"I am Prepared to Die"
Nelson Mandela's statement from the dock at the opening of the defence case in the Rivonia Trial Pretoria Supreme Court, 20 April 1964
"...I must deal immediately and at some length with the question of violence. Some of the things so far told to the Court are true and some are untrue. I do not, however, deny that I planned sabotage. I did not plan it in a spirit of recklessness, nor because I have any love of violence. I planned it as a result of a calm and sober assessment of the political situation that had arisen after many years of tyranny, exploitation, and oppression of my people by the Whites."
also...
GROOVY POPULAR TERRORISM
"We attack property not people."
tony blair's PLANNED MEASURES include..... Make justifying or glorifying terrorism anywhere an offence
The prime minister also promised to wage a battle with the British and European courts, warning that he would amend the Human Rights Act if necessary. "Should legal obstacles arise we will legislate further, including if necessary amending the Human Rights Act," he said.
A database will list individuals who pose a threat to British society.
and he proposes to extend the use of control orders to British nationals advocating terrorism.
Mr Blair said Parliament might be brought back from the summer recess early to discuss other measures.
London's mayor Ken Livingstone said that, 20 years ago, the measures would have meant banning Nelson Mandela or anyone supporting him.
plus...
"Worse than the disease"
ARCHIVES...
Thank God there are still some people (in Britain) who have the intelligence to know the truth, and the courage to speak out. Mrs Blair is one such individual.
Speaking at a charity event in London (2002), Mrs Blair said young Palestinians felt they had "no hope" but to blow themselves up....
and
"I am Prepared to Die"
Nelson Mandela's statement from the dock at the opening of the defence case in the Rivonia Trial Pretoria Supreme Court, 20 April 1964
"...I must deal immediately and at some length with the question of violence. Some of the things so far told to the Court are true and some are untrue. I do not, however, deny that I planned sabotage. I did not plan it in a spirit of recklessness, nor because I have any love of violence. I planned it as a result of a calm and sober assessment of the political situation that had arisen after many years of tyranny, exploitation, and oppression of my people by the Whites."
also...
GROOVY POPULAR TERRORISM
"We attack property not people."
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