Justin Bieber recently announced that he was retiring from the music business. The iRumors News Agency is now reporting that the Canadian singer is considering purchasing some land in the marijuana haven state of Colorado and becoming a pot farmer. Bieber spoke with Vodka Vermicelli of iRumors and said that he figures that by being … Continue reading Justin Bieber may buy land In Colorado and become a pot farmer
Tag: United States
Playboy asks Denmark’s Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt to appear in a nude layout
Playboy Corporation mogul Hugh Hefner has offered the stunning blonde prime minister of Denmark, Helle Thorning-Schmidt $1.8 million to appear in a nude layout in his magazine. Hefner spoke with reporters and stated that he knows that the issue would be one of the biggest sellers in the publication's history. The Playboy head stated that … Continue reading Playboy asks Denmark’s Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt to appear in a nude layout
Pope Francis expands Vatican drone program
Pope Francis has ordered a major expansion of the Vatican's controversial drone program, calling it necessary to protect the church. "The Vatican has many enemies around the world, and we must take the necessary steps to defend the church and ourselves," Pope Francis said in an official statement. "Unmanned drones are the most effective way … Continue reading Pope Francis expands Vatican drone program
Australian government sees Asia as priority over US
Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey has expressed doubts the world has seen the last of the US debt impasse as he urged the United States to get its house in order and signalled a renewed focus on opening more markets in Asia as a response to ongoing instability. In an interview with Fairfax Media, Mr Hockey … Continue reading Australian government sees Asia as priority over US
Australia backs Japan’s military buildup at risk of upsetting China
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop threw Australia's support behind Japan's attempts to shift its military to a more "normal" defence posture in a speech in Tokyo yesterday. Australia's backing for Japan's proposed move away from a purely defensive military runs the risk of sparking resentment in China, which retains deep suspicion of the hawkish Abe … Continue reading Australia backs Japan’s military buildup at risk of upsetting China
Sex-for-secrets spy scandal prompts Australian navy inquiry
A company that services US warships when they visit Australian ports has been accused of providing prostitutes to an American naval commander in return for secret intelligence on US naval movements to extort money from the US Seventh Fleet. The Royal Australian Navy is investigating whether the alleged bribery and prostitution scam has had an … Continue reading Sex-for-secrets spy scandal prompts Australian navy inquiry
Australian navy to protect sea lanes to China, Japan and South Korea
Protecting the massive resources projects in northern and Western Australia and export supply lines to China, Japan and South Korea will be a major Defence priority for the Abbott government.New Defence Minister David Johnston said last night that this was one reason the navy needed highly capable long-range submarines to complement its surface warships."We have … Continue reading Australian navy to protect sea lanes to China, Japan and South Korea
Australia could be first country in world to ban smoking
Australia could become the first major nation to outlaw smoking, with a federal government-funded trial about to test the viability of electronic cigarettes as a safer, permanent replacement for tobacco. Medical experts, cancer groups and anti-smoking lobbyists battled for decades to rid cigarettes from public spaces. ''E-cigarettes'' are battery-powered devices that simulate the effects … Continue reading Australia could be first country in world to ban smoking
US investment in Australia helps both countries in China
Massive investments by the US in Australian resources projects are helping both nations develop a healthy relationship with China, says departing American ambassador Jeffrey Bleich. "People like to spin out doomsday scenarios," Mr Bleich told The Australian in a farewell interview. "They sell books and newspapers," he said, of the view that China and the … Continue reading US investment in Australia helps both countries in China
China concerned about Australian opposition leader; possible future leader
If the polls are right, conservative opposition leader Tony Abbott will be Australia's next prime minister. Abbott goes into tomorrow's election with little-to-no foreign policy experience, and throughout the campaign he offered few clues to his approach - especially regarding Australia's crucial relationship with China. But strategic experts are pinning their hopes on Abbott emulating … Continue reading China concerned about Australian opposition leader; possible future leader
Australia’s prime minister discusses Syria crisis with US president
Kevin Rudd has likened the spiralling humanitarian tragedy in Syria to the notorious episodes of genocide in Bosnia and Rwanda and warned history will judge today’s leaders harshly if they do not act. In his strongest remarks yet indicating possible support for an international intervention, Mr Rudd branded the civil war in the Middle Eastern … Continue reading Australia’s prime minister discusses Syria crisis with US president
China concerned by US military buildup in Australia
China has expressed concern at the US decision to ramp up its military presence in the region by establishing a special naval task force to support its troops based in Darwin. A technical "amphibious lift" group will be in place by 2018, possibly in Guam, to help the US mobilise its Australia-based troops quickly in … Continue reading China concerned by US military buildup in Australia
Australia most expensive country for international students
Australia has been ranked as the most expensive country for international students, but the falling Aussie dollar could spark a boom in new arrivals. Australia beat the US, Britain, Germany, Canada and Hong Kong as the most expensive destination for international students, costing an average $US38,000 ($41,500) a year in fees and living costs, according … Continue reading Australia most expensive country for international students
Australians working for al-Qa’ida in Arabian Peninsula
Intelligence agencies have identified several Australian citizens they believe are working with al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula, amid warnings for all Australians to immediately leave Yemen ahead of a possible terrorist strike. Officials yesterday began contacting Australian passport-holders known to be in the troubled country who they fear could become victims of a terrorist attack. … Continue reading Australians working for al-Qa’ida in Arabian Peninsula
US drops bombs on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef during exercises
Authorities are yet to decide whether they will recover four unarmed bombs dropped onto the Great Barrier Reef during military exercises. Two of the bombs did not contain explosives and the other two were without their fusing mechanisms. US warplanes were forced to drop the bombs after they ran dangerously low on fuel during a … Continue reading US drops bombs on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef during exercises
Australia’s links to US spy web revealed by Edward Snowden
United States intelligence leaker Edward Snowden has provided his first disclosure of Australian involvement in US global surveillance, identifying four facilities in the country that contribute to a key American intelligence collection program. Classified US National Security Agency maps leaked by Mr Snowden and published by US journalist Glenn Greenwald in the Brazilian O Globo … Continue reading Australia’s links to US spy web revealed by Edward Snowden
Australians warned to get out of Egypt
Australia's Federal Government is urging hundreds of Australians in strife-torn Egypt to consider leaving. The Department of Foreign Affairs of Trade (DFAT) says 730 Australians are registered as currently being in the country but estimates the real number is likely to be much higher. A further 822 Australians have registered plans to travel there in … Continue reading Australians warned to get out of Egypt
China’s bullying tactics backfire in Australia
China's new leader, Xi Jinping, has revived Chairman Mao's doctrine of the "mass line". The founder of modern China didn't want the masses to have a vote, but he did think that it was vitally important to understand their views. The "mass line" in Australia today contains an important message to Canberra, and to Beijing. … Continue reading China’s bullying tactics backfire in Australia
Australia sees China and US both central to future
Whoever wins the next Australian election will need deftness and subtlety in managing Australia's foreign relations. This year's Lowy Institute Poll indicates that Australians want a strong relationship with the US, are wary of China but think we should be able to maintain good relations with both countries. Three in four Australians choose China ahead … Continue reading Australia sees China and US both central to future
Australia’s partnerships with China and Japan
Australia and the two great powers in Asia, China and Japan - the former already economically dominant, the latter enjoying an unexpected renaissance - depend on each other for their economic and strategic futures. Here the ambassadors of those countries, interviewed in their Canberra offices, speak with rare frankness about how they view the big … Continue reading Australia’s partnerships with China and Japan
Cyber bully China cannot be denied, including by Australia
The Gillard government should publicly reveal what it knows about the severity of Chinese cyber attacks on Australian interests and engage with its leaders on the issue, the nation’s top defence research group says. “Both the US and the UK have ‘called out’ China publicly for its relentless cyber assaults,” Tobias Feakin, senior analyst for … Continue reading Cyber bully China cannot be denied, including by Australia
Australian report unclear what China does with hacked data
Cyber espionage is giving China's intelligence agencies vast amounts of information but it's unclear what they're doing with the data or whether it's useful, a new study says. A paper by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute says the scale of Chinese cyber-operations is vast, with United States President Barack Obama raising it in recent talks … Continue reading Australian report unclear what China does with hacked data
Australia’s new submarines to patrol Melanesia, Indonesia and South China Sea
The navy's 12 planned new submarines will need the range to patrol the massive archipelago that stretches out from Australia's Top End through Melanesia, Indonesia and the South China Sea. In peace time they will gather intelligence, but in any future war their main role will be to destroy enemy submarines and surface warships to … Continue reading Australia’s new submarines to patrol Melanesia, Indonesia and South China Sea
Australia’s relationship with China is beset with misperceptions
For all its vision and clarity, Australia's defence white paper belies a harsh truth: our relationship with China is beset with misperceptions, write Kerry Brown and Bates Gill. China is beset The Australian Defence White Paper released this month takes a strongly positive position on China. "Australia welcomes China's rise", it states, and "does not … Continue reading Australia’s relationship with China is beset with misperceptions
Australian military police stop Afghan prisoner transfers because of mistreatment
Military police at Australia's detention centre in Afghanistan were pressured to make prisoners more "pliable" by gagging them, depriving them of sleep and denying them exercise. Sources with first-hand knowledge of the detention centre at Tarin Kowt have said that senior officers from Australia's special forces, as well as the "force exploitation team" - defence … Continue reading Australian military police stop Afghan prisoner transfers because of mistreatment
Craig Hill 