• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• US, Iraqi leaders discuss rule of law in Basra Army News 20 Dec 2010 -- Iraqi leaders and United States Division-South legal experts met recently to discuss rule of law at the Basra Operations Command (BaOC) Commander's Legal Conference.
• Out of sight, out of mind, indispensible: 1st Inf. Div. Hub Platoon keeps units in Iraq connected Army News 20 Dec 2010 -- Every day in southern Iraq, thousands of U.S. Soldiers across 33 bases are communicating with each other. Most don't realize it, but their connectivity is due to the efforts of a small group of Big Red One Soldiers in Kuwait.
• Iron Stronghold Resiliency Center opens on Camp Adder Army News 20 Dec 2010 -- In order to bring the Army's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program to more Soldiers, the 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division recently opened the Iron Stronghold Resiliency Center on Camp Adder.
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill Insurgents, Find Weapons AFPS 20 Dec 2010 -- Afghan and coalition forces killed and detained several insurgents in operations today throughout Afghanistan, military officials reported.
• Window for political dialogue may be opening in Afghanistan, Ban reports UN News Centre 20 Dec 2010 -- There is an increasing sense that conditions for reconciliation in Afghanistan are becoming more favourable and that there may soon be a real opportunity for a political dialogue leading to a settlement, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in his latest report on the war-torn country.
• Afghanistan to Convene Parliament, Reacts to US Policy Review VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- Afghanistan's parliament will reconvene on January 20, more than four months after elections tainted by widespread fraud were held.
• Partnered forces target Taliban in Helmand Army News 20 Dec 2010 -- A partnered Afghan and International Security Assistance Force patrol killed several insurgents during an operation targeting two Taliban leaders in Afghanistan's Helmand province yesterday, military officials reported.
• 240th QMSC Soldiers deploy to Afghanistan Army News 20 Dec 2010 -- The casing of the guidon is a time-honored tradition that signifies a unit leaving one duty post and embarking on another mission elsewhere.
• Afghanistan facing another bleak year, says UK relief agency IRNA 20 Dec 2010 -- International relief agency, Oxfam, has criticised the US strategy review of Afghanistan, saying it does not include the “vital steps necessary to protect civilians as security is passed to Afghan control.”

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD 'Carefully' Plans 'Don't Ask' Repeal Implementation AFPS 20 Dec 2010 -- The Defense Department will “move out carefully, deliberately and purposefully” to implement the repeal of the ”don’t ask, don’t tell law,” a Pentagon spokesman said today.
• DoD News: Air Force Announces Classic Association at Kirtland Air Force Base DoD 20 Dec 2010 -- The Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Norton Schwartz, recently approved the creation of a classic associate unit by aligning elements of the 150th Wing and 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
• Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group Completes Seven-Month Deployment NNS 20 Dec 2010 -- Nearly 7,000 Sailors and Marines deployed with the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) returned to their homeports Dec. 20, following a seven-month deployment.
• Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group, 13th MEU Complete Certification Exercise NNS 20 Dec 2010 -- The 13th Marine Expeditionary unit, along with the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) and the Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group, completed its certification exercise (CERTEX) off the coast of Southern California Dec. 17.
• NMCB 7 Returns from Ten Month Deployment NNS 20 Dec 2010 -- More than 600 Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7 returned to their homeport of Gulfport, Miss., Dec. 17, marking the completion of a successful 10-month deployment.
• Submariners Get New Information Systems Technician Rating NNS 20 Dec 2010 -- The Navy released NAVADMIN 406/10, Dec. 17, announcing the creation of the Information Systems Technician Submarines (ITS) service rating and providing active duty Sailors with guidance on how to request an ITS conversion.
• Navy Launches First Aircraft Using Electromagnetic System NNS 20 Dec 2010 -- The Navy made history Dec. 18 when it launched the first aircraft from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Lakehurst, N.J., test site using the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, or EMALS, technology.
• ATSO rodeo prepares Airmen for exercises, deployments AFNS 20 Dec 2010 -- More than 400 Airmen participated in an ability to survive and operate rodeo Dec. 13 here in preparation for upcoming exercises and deployments.
• Reese Technology Center: Research powerhouse in Lubbock AFNS 20 Dec 2010 -- Pilots trained to fly at the former Reese Air Force Base here may remember the "interesting crosswinds" in the area. The military pilots are gone, but the blustery winds are placing this northwest Texas city on the renewable energy map.
• Yuma named home to Joint Strike Fighters USMC News 20 Dec 2010 -- The first of Yuma's future fleet of F-35B Joint Strike Fighters is scheduled to arrive in May 2012 now that the decision to base approximately 20 percent of the Corps' combat jets here over the next decade was made.
• Central Issue Facility in Kuwait to lessen need for duffle-bag-drag Army News 20 Dec 2010 -- Soldiers and civilians who have deployed know a thing or two about the duffle bag drag, the term for the experience of carrying, pushing, rolling, or dragging duffle bags packed with military gear through air ports and customs points.
• 18th CSSB sling load team trains for real-world missions Army News 20 Dec 2010 -- The 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade sling load team conducted training with riggers from the 5th Quartermaster Detachment, 21st Special Troops Battalion, at Rhine Ordnance Barracks here, Nov. 29-30, in order to get a better understanding of how to unhook cargo after an airdrop and rig the cargo for helicopter pickup.
• Crane Army Ammunition Activity Looks to Improve Energy Savings Army News 20 Dec 2010 -- The challenge has been placed to the employees of Crane Army Ammunition Activity by its commander, Col. Linwood Clark: find ways to reduce energy usage and commit to them. As stewards of the taxpayer's money, every person working at Crane Army needs to be focused reducing the amount of energy used and wasted on base.
• Robotics systems that 'sniff out' chemicals could lead to better Soldier, homeland defense protection Army News 20 Dec 2010 -- The U.S. Army Research Laboratory is leading research in robotic systems that can sniff out chemical agents.
• 96th ARS Airmen start flying at Hickam AFNS 20 Dec 2010 -- Airmen from the 96th Air Refueling Squadron here performed their first operational mission Dec. 13 by refueling B-52 Stratofortresses from the 5th Wing at Minot AFB, N.D.
• Air Guard starts funding recruitment storefronts AFNS 20 Dec 2010 -- The Air National Guard's storefront recruiting facilities program got a boost this year when they received funding from the National Guard Bureau for the first time.
• U.S. Southern Command Opens New Headquarters AFPS 20 Dec 2010 -- The U.S. Southern Command opened its new $402 million headquarters here in an event that underscored the United States’ ongoing partnership with Latin America and marked a new phase of the command’s history in South Florida.
• DARPA Goal for Cybersecurity: Change the Game AFPS 20 Dec 2010 -- Self-proclaimed “technogeeks” at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, after determining the nature of the cybersecurity threat, have devised programs to tackle the problem and, most importantly, surprise their adversaries, DARPA’s deputy director said.
• South Korea conducts 94-minute exercises over disputed waters IRNA 20 Dec 2010 -- South Korea on Monday carried 94 minutes of military exercise and shelling into waters claimed by both Koreas.
• South Korea Concludes Artillery Drill VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- South Koreans are anxiously waiting to see if North Korea will make good on its threat to take military action in response to an artillery drill on Yeonpyeong island. The exercise came just hours after an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council failed to ease tensions, and after an American politician said North Korea is willing to accept nuclear inspections.
• Russia to develop new heavy ICBM by 2020 RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2010 -- Russia's state arms procurement program through 2020 provides for the development of a new heavy ballistic missile, a leading missile designer said on Monday.
• Russian-Indian second prototype T-50 fighter to fly in 2011 RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2010 -- The Russian-Indian second prototype T-50 fighter aircraft will take to the skies in early 2011, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) President Alexei Fyodorov said on Monday.
• December 20, 2010 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2010
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 12/20/2010 The White House 20 Dec 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 20, 2010
• Oman Corvette Heads To Sea For The First Time BAE Systems 20 Dec 2010 -- Al Shamikh, the first of three ships being built by BAE Systems for the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) has embarked on her first sea trials in the Solent.
• BAE Systems Announces Development of HybriDrive Parallel Propulsion System for Trucks BAE Systems 20 Dec 2010 -- BAE Systems, a leading developer and producer of hybrid electric technologies, is developing a parallel hybrid propulsion system designed for medium and heavy duty truck applications. The parallel system is the latest version of the company's HybriDrive® green propulsion system.
• Boeing-built C-17 Fleet Surpasses 2 Million Flight Hours Boeing 20 Dec 2010 -- The worldwide fleet of C-17 Globemaster III airlifters built by The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] surpassed 2 million flying hours during an airdrop mission over Afghanistan on Dec. 10. Reaching 2 million flight hours equates to 1.13 billion nautical miles – the equivalent of a C-17 flying to the moon and back 2,360 times.
• Helibras delivers the first three Eurocopter EC725 helicopters for the Brazilian Armed Forces EADS 20 Dec 2010 -- Eurocopter’s Helicópteros do Brasil (Helibras) subsidiary today delivered the initial three EC725s for Brazil’s armed forces, marking a key milestone in the program to supply 50 of these medium-sized, multi-role helicopters – which will lead to in-country production of the rotary-wing aircraft.
• L-3 Awarded U.S. Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Contract L-3 Communications 20 Dec 2010 -- L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today that its Systems Field Support (SFS) division was awarded an initial$8.6 million contract from the U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command (AETC) to provide trainer maintenance and precision measurement and equipment laboratory (PMEL) support. The total value of the contract with options is approximately $53 million over five years.
• ThalesRaytheonSystems awarded €100 million for German Ground Master air defense radar contract Thales 20 Dec 2010 -- ThalesRaytheonSystems (TRS), in collaboration with Thales Germany, has been selected by the German Federal Office for Defense Technology and Procurement to supply six Ground Master 400 (GM 400) long-range air defense radars for the Aktives Radarrundsuchgerät für den Einsatzführungsdienst (ARED) program. The ARED contract, valued around €100 million ($140 million), was awarded during a signing ceremony in Koblenz attended by representatives from the German Federal Office for Defense Technology and Procurement.
• Oshkosh Defense to Deliver Additional M-ATV Variants for U.S. Special Operations Forces Oshkosh 20 Dec 2010 -- Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), will deliver more than 40 additional MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) variants for the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) as well as more than 130 spare-parts kits for the vehicle following orders from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC) awarded in November and December 2010.
• Pratt & Whitney's F135 Engine Exceeds 20,000 Test Hours and Completes All Initial Service Release Development Testing Pratt & Whitney 20 Dec 2010 -- Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engine has surpassed 20,000 test hours as it completes the ground development and demonstration phase of the program. The F135 accumulated 3,600 test hours during the concept demonstration phase, 15,800 test hours during development and more than 700 hours powering the F-35 Lightning II flight test program. In addition, the F135 team has completed all rigorous STOVL testing required to successfully achieve the initial service release milestone.
• Boeing to Build 3-Satellite System for Government of Mexico Boeing 20 Dec 2010 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it has received a contract for approximately $1 billion from the government of Mexico to deliver an end-to-end satellite communications system. The system, known as MEXSAT, will consist of three satellites, two ground sites, associated network operations systems and reference user terminals. MEXSAT will provide secure communications for Mexico’s national security needs, as well as enhanced coverage for the country’s civil telecommunications.
• First MEADS Battle Manager Ready for System Tests at Italian Air Force Base Lockheed Martin 20 Dec 2010 -- The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) program today displayed the first MEADS Battle Manager during ceremonies at MBDA Italia facilities in Fusaro, Italy. The Battle Manager, configured on an ARIS Italian Prime Mover, will shortly be joined by other MEADS major end items at Pratica di Mare Air Force Base in Italy as part of system integration activities leading to flight tests at White Sands Missile Range, NM, in 2012.
• Lockheed Martin Receives Order From U.S. Customs And Border Protection For Additional P-3 Orion MLU Kits Lockheed Martin 20 Dec 2010 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] recently received an order for two additional P-3 Orion Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) kits from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The order brings the total number of CBP P-3s on contract to receive the MLU to 11 with an option for five additional kits in 2011.
• Sikorsky Aerospace Services Consolidates Deeper Support of Kiowa Aircraft for the Australian Defence Force Sikorsky 20 Dec 2010 -- Sikorsky Helitech, a Sikorsky Aerospace Services company based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, today announced the merger of several support agreements that will provide deeper component and accessories maintenance for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Kiowa aircraft fleet. The $7.5 million contract represents a consolidation of services that were previously administered as separate support agreements. Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) is the aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).
• Raytheon Company Announces Agreement to Acquire Applied Signal Technology, Inc. Raytheon 20 Dec 2010 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) today announced that it has signed a definitive acquisition agreement with Applied Signal Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: APSG), a leader in the collection and processing of communications signals to support tactical and strategic intelligence missions. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies.

Other Conflicts

• 20 December 2010 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Dec 2010
• Press Conference by Under-Secretary-General for Field Support United Nations 20 Dec 2010
• UN Security Council Extends Ivory Coast Peacekeeping Mission VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- The U.N. Security Council has extended the mandate of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Ivory Coast for six months, despite demands by the incumbent Ivory Coast president for the pullout of the peacekeepers.
• Côte d'Ivoire: UN accuses defeated leader of distorting its position, harassing staff UN News Centre 20 Dec 2010 -- The United Nations mission in Côte d’Ivoire today accused President Laurent Gbagbo, who has refused to step down despite his electoral defeat, of distorting its position and launching a new wave of harassment against its staff, including night-time knocks on the door by armed men.
• Ivorian Supporters say They Will 'Fight to Death' for Gbagbo VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- Supporters of incumbent Ivorian president, Laurent Gbagbo, say they are ready to fight to the death to keep him in power, while the United Nations points to growing evidence of "massive violations of human rights" since last month's disputed presidential election.
• EU Considers Sanctions on Ivory Coast Politicians VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo and his wife are among 19 people to face European Union sanctions as the leadership crisis in the West African country continues.
• Gbagbo Accused of Recruiting Liberian and Angolan Fighters VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- A spokeswoman for Alassane Ouattara, the internationally recognized winner of last month’s Ivory Coast presidential election said embattled President Laurent Gbagbo has recruited fighters from Liberia and Angola to kill supporters of Mr. Ouattara.
• Chief UN monitor urges all sides to ensure credible South Sudan referendum UN News Centre 20 Dec 2010 -- With less than three weeks before the holding of the referendum on the status of Southern Sudan, the head of the United Nations panel tasked with monitoring the vote today urged all parties to ensure the credibility of the process.
• Darfur mediation team calls on Sudan, rebels to attain ceasefire by year’s end UN News Centre 20 Dec 2010 -- The mediation team involving the United Nations that is working to advance the Darfur peace process has called on the Sudanese Government and the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) to conclude a ceasefire before the end of this year.
• Humanitarian Organizations in Sudan Prepare for Referendum Aftermath VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- With the referendum on southern independence just 19 days away, humanitarian organizations in Sudan are preparing for the possible results by moving three months of emergency supplies into areas where they think conflict could occur.
• Palestinians Search for Alternatives as Peace Process Founders VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- Palestinian leaders are searching for alternative ways forward in their bid to establish a Palestinian state, following the collapse of the latest round of peace talks, this year. One way they are trying to gain statehood is by seeking international recognition of a Palestinian state.
• Israel's Security Barrier Presents Irony for Palestinian Workers VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- As U.S. mediators work to restart Mideast peace negotiations, Israel is continuing work on a security barrier that has been under construction for years. Israel's aim is to save Israeli lives by keeping out Palestinian bombers.
• Security Council calls for funding for civilian protection in eastern Chad UN News Centre 20 Dec 2010 -- The Security Council today called on Member States to ensure sufficient funding for the Chadian unit that will be responsible for protecting some 600,000 refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) when the United Nations mission there departs at the end of the year.

News Reports

• North Korea Will Allow Return of Nuclear Inspectors VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- Former U.S. diplomat Bill Richardson says he has secured an agreement from North Korea to allow the return of U.N. nuclear inspectors whom Pyongyang expelled in 2009.
• North Korean Strategy Represents Gamesmanship VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- For more than 60 years, much discussion and debate has been held on strategies for dealing with North Korea. Discussion has intensified this year following a series of provocative actions by Pyongyang.
• North Korea to allow UN nuclear inspections RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2010 -- North Korea has allowed UN nuclear inspections to resume after talks with visiting New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, CNN reported on Monday.
• UN Security Council fails to adopt statement on N.Korea RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2010 -- The UN Security Council failed to adopt a statement on North Korea on Sunday after nine-hour discussions due to diplomatic differences, Vitaly Churkin, Russia's envoy to the UN, said.
• North Korea Offers Concessions as South Korean Artillery Drill Begins VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- Reports say North Korea is offering concessions on its nuclear program as South Korea began an artillery drill that threatens to spark renewed hostilities between the two Koreas.
• Economists Say Iran Subsidy Plan A Weapon Of Political Control RFE/RL 20 Dec 2010 -- A long-awaited radical overhaul of Iran's economy that has seen the scrapping of state subsidies is being used to punish and intimidate opponents of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, analysts say.
• Western Observers Call Belarus Election a 'Failure' VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- Belarus's presidential candidate Grigory Kostusyev says he was held by secret police and pressured to renounce his colleagues before being released. He said candidate Dmitry Uss also had been released, after being among seven opposition candidates jailed following Sunday's election. European observers declared Belarus' election a failure.
• Belarus Leader Shrugs Off Accusations of Election Fraud, Violence VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus appeared on Monday to shrug off accusations that he won his re-election through a combination of vote fraud and violence.
• Lukashenka Declared Belarus Victor After Clashes, Detentions RFE/RL 20 Dec 2010 -- Authorities in Belarus say President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has won a landslide reelection victory to a fourth term, in an election marred by the detention of opposition candidates and clashes between police and demonstrators.
• Lukashenka Claims Victory Amid Mounting Criticism RFE/RL 20 Dec 2010 -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has won a fourth term in office in an election marred by violence and claims of massive falsification.
• Belarusian opposition candidate taken to police station from hospital - wife RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2010 -- An opposition candidate in Sunday's presidential election in Belarus, Vladimir Nekliaev, who was injured and hospitalized during an unsanctioned protest rally following the vote the opposition claimed was rigged, has been taken to a police station, his wife told RIA Novosti.
• Belarus' Alexander Lukashenko re-elected to fourth term RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2010 -- Incumbent Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko won a landslide victory in Sunday's presidential election amid accusations of vote rigging and mass arrests in the country's capital.
• Belarusian opposition candidates demand cancelation of election results RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2010 -- Two Belarusian opposition candidates have demanded the cancelation of the country's presidential election results after "Europe's last dictator," Alexander Lukashenko, won by a landslide in what observers describe as large-scale vote rigging.
• Belarusian riot police actions against Russian journalists unjustified - Russian embassy RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2010 -- Actions taken by Belarusian Special Police Forces against Russian journalists were not justified, a representative of Russian Embassy in Minsk said on Monday.
• Belarus vote count 'flawed' says OSCE RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2010 -- Yesterday's presidential elections in Belarus were marred by a "flawed" vote count, the OSCE said on Monday and decried the "heavy-handed" police response to last night's opposition rallies, calling for the government to account for those detained.
• Belarus will preserve ties with Russia - Lukashenko RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2010 -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday he was ready to "put up with anything" to preserve ties with Russia.
• Lukashenko says ordered heavy-handed reaction to protesters RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2010 -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday that he ordered police to forcefully suppress the opposition riots that followed presidential elections in the ex-Soviet state on Sunday.
• Lukashenko vows to tighten grip on Belarusian media RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2010 -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko pledged on Monday to impose harsher punishments on media facilities caught publishing inaccurate information.
• Lukashenko Wins Belarus Presidential Election, Mass Protests Follow VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko won a fourth 5-year term Monday, after a landslide election marred by a violent police crackdown on demonstrators and the arrest of opposition candidates.
• Iraqi Prime Minister Announces Cabinet Choices VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki submitted a list of his new Cabinet members late Monday, putting Iraqis one step closer to a new government after a 9-month political stalemate.
• Iraqi Leaders in Last Minute 'Ballet' to Form New Government VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- The Iraqi parliament has been meeting amid intense behind the scenes negotiations to put the finishing touches on forming a new government.
• Commentary: Watching WikiLeaks' 'Cablegate' From Tbilisi RFE/RL 20 Dec 2010 -- The main news to emerge from the huge WikiLeaks scandal so far is that there are no conspiracies and everything in the world actually is more or less what it seems. And that the diplomats of the democratic countries -- and of the United States in particular -- are amazingly honest. Not that they don't hide things. What would diplomacy be without that? But they hide specific things for perfectly respectable reasons.
• WikiLeaks Poses Legal Challenges for US Prosecutors VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- The U.S. Justice Department is reportedly considering whether to file espionage charges against the WikiLeaks Web site and its founder Julian Assange. The case has raised broad legal questions about how the government will protect the freedom of information and an open Internet, while also protecting privacy and national security.
• British Police Arrest 12 Terror Suspects VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- British police say they have arrested 12 men suspected of plotting a terrorist attack in Britain. The men were taken from different areas around the country as a result of counter-terrorism intelligence work. The country remains on high alert.
• Dozen arrests in UK anti-terror raids IRNA 20 Dec 2010 -- A dozen men were arrested in early morning counter-terror operations in three locations in England and Wales Monday.
• Russia's Constitutional Court rules in favor of Chernobyl veterans RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2010 -- Russia's Constitutional Court ruled on Monday that the state must fully compensate former soldiers who have been suffering after emergency operations at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986.
• Medvedev wants secret services to be more techno-savvy RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2010 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has urged the country's secret services to make more use of modern technology.
• China's chief negotiator arrives in Taiwan CNA 20 Dec 2010 -- China's chief negotiator with Taiwan, Chen Yunlin, arrived in Taipei Monday for his sixth meeting with his Taiwanese counterpart since 2008.
• Cross-strait agreements offer little protection to Taiwan: DPP CNA 20 Dec 2010 -- Ongoing talks with China have been of little benefit to Taiwan, and agreements reached to protect Taiwan's interests have gone mostly ignored, the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) charged on Monday ahead of the latest round of cross-Taiwan Strait negotiations.
• No `China fever' within party : DPP CNA 20 Dec 2010 -- The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said Monday that there is no "China fever" within the party and that it will try to face China soberly and calmly.
• Ukraine's Former Prime Minister Charged With Abuse Of Office RFE/RL 20 Dec 2010 -- Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko has been charged with abuse of power during the years she served as prime minister -- 2007 to 2010.
• Tymoshenko government accused of misappropriating $8.5 mln to advocate Ukraine's image RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2010 -- Ukraine's previous cabinet headed by Yulia Tymoshenko has illegally allocated 67.6 million hryvnias ($8.46 million) from state reserves to the Justice Ministry intended to cover expenses on advocating Ukraine's interests in foreign courts, the country's Audit Chamber has revealed.
• US: Venezuela's Rejection of Washington Envoy Will Have 'Consequences' VOA 20 Dec 2010 -- The State Department said Monday that Venezuela's rejection of the Obama administration's choice for U.S. ambassador to Caracas will have "consequences" for the bilateral relationship. Venezuela confirmed that it will not allow veteran U.S. diplomat Larry Palmer to take up the ambassadorial post.
• UN counter-terrorism body to continue as special political mission for three more years UN News Centre 20 Dec 2010 -- The Security Council today decided that the expert body providing advice to the Counter-Terrorism Committee assisting States to prevent terrorist acts both within their borders and across regions will continue to operate as a special political mission for another three years.
• Thales Alenia Space completes integration of service module for the third ATV, named Edoardo Amaldi Thales 20 Dec 2010 -- Thales Alenia Space today announced that it has completed integration of the third ICC (Integrated Cargo Carrier), the service module for the ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle), on behalf of the European Space Agency. ESA has accepted a proposal by the Italian space agency ASI, which has been actively involved in this program since the outset, that the newest ATV be named in honor of the great Italian physicist and space science pioneer, Edoardo Amaldi (1908-1989). Saturday, December 18th, ATV3-Amaldi was shipped from Thales Alenia Space’s integration center in Turin, Italy to the Bremen, Germany facility of program prime contractor Astrium Space Transportation.
• Orbital Successfully Test Fires First Stage Engine For Taurus II Rocket Orbital Sciences Corp. 20 Dec 2010 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB), one of the world’s leading space technology companies, today announced that it successfully carried out a long-duration test firing of the liquid-fueled AJ26 rocket engine that will power the first stage of the company’s Taurus® II space launch vehicle.