Yinchet, find some article regarding Egypt revolution.

Al-Jazeera seems to report it alot.

Egypt Revolution: the Purity Protests




The pro-democracy protest is the biggest demonstration in Egypt in years. And women are increasingly taking part in the politics of the street. Mike Giglio reports. Plus, full coverage of the Egypt protests.

When 29-year-old Dalia Ziada, a popular Egyptian blogger, took to the streets of Cairo to protest this week, she saw an astonishing sight: In the crowds were university students and mothers with families in tow—a diverse mix of women marching and chanting, and running from the police.



During Friday’s mass demonstrations, women also participated, vocally and visibly, in what became a brutal standoff with authorities. (Police reportedly used tear-gas, rubber-bullets and water-cannon against the protesters.)

“Men and women are standing side-by-side in calling for their rights,” said Ziada in a telephone interview, before the government cut all cell phone connections.

Esraa Abdel Fatah, who also protested in Cairo this week, and who is known as “Facebook Girl” after organizing a nation-wide strike through her page in 2008, had a similar take: “We’re all Egyptians.”



Egypt Revolution: the Purity Protests

The pro-democracy protest is the biggest demonstration in Egypt in years. And women are increasingly taking part in the politics of the street. Mike Giglio reports. Plus, full coverage of the Egypt protests.

When 29-year-old Dalia Ziada, a popular Egyptian blogger, took to the streets of Cairo to protest this week, she saw an astonishing sight: In the crowds were university students and mothers with families in tow—a diverse mix of women marching and chanting, and running from the police.

Photos: The Protests in Egypt

Article - Egypt Protests GAL LAUNCH
Victoria Hazou / AP Photo

During Friday’s mass demonstrations, women also participated, vocally and visibly, in what became a brutal standoff with authorities. (Police reportedly used tear-gas, rubber-bullets and water-cannon against the protesters.)

“Men and women are standing side-by-side in calling for their rights,” said Ziada in a telephone interview, before the government cut all cell phone connections.

Esraa Abdel Fatah, who also protested in Cairo this week, and who is known as “Facebook Girl” after organizing a nation-wide strike through her page in 2008, had a similar take: “We’re all Egyptians.”

This air of inclusiveness has surrounded Egypt’s upheaval from the start, with protesters highlighting the movement’s “purity” and lack of religious or political agenda beyond democratic reform. Women, who in Cairo are often groped in the streets, report that other demonstrators have been remarkably respectful.

Sara Abu Bakr, a journalist and publisher in Cairo, was surprised by the lack of sexual harassment, for which Egypt is infamous, especially during large public events. “This was supposed to be sexual molestation day, and nothing happened,” she said. Several activists in Cairo reported the same.

On the street and online, “Purity”—be it political or sexual—has become a rallying cry.

“Men and women are standing side-by-side in calling for their rights," says Ziada.



"You don’t see political flags [in the crowds],” said Ahmed Samih, an activist who directs an Internet radio station in Cairo. “You don’t see the Muslim Brotherhood. You see Egyptians. You see the flags of Egyptians all over the place.”

Or as Ziada put it: “All you have is an idea.”

Some observers, however, worried that the government might employ professional rabble-rousers to specifically target women. Whether Friday’s government crackdown took aim at women in particular was hard to assess since the government cut Internet access as well cell phone communication.

But it was clear that the standoff was violent and chaotic.





There were reports that police used water cannon on Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohamed ElBaradei, a pro-democracy leader and President Hosni Mubarak’s top adversary, during Friday’s protests. He had returned to Cairo earlier in the week to demand reform.

The Muslim Brotherhood, which until this week was seen as the only force capable of bringing big numbers to the streets, officially endorsed the demonstration after staying on the sidelines for much of the week.

“No political force is in the position to claim this. It’s coming from the people,” says Wael Khalil, a veteran activist in Cairo. “The Tunisian people stood their ground and defied the brute force together. And I think Egyptians…are out to outdo the Tunisians in taking matters into our own hands.”





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Netanyahu warns outcome of Egypt revolution could be like Iran's



Netanyahu meets with German chancellor to discuss Egypt crisis, Mideast peace; Merkel says Israel must freeze settlements to move peace process forward.

What happened in Iran could happen in Egypt, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday after meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.



The German chancellor, who arrived in Israel earlier in the day, told Netanyahu during the meeting that it was especially important to move the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians forward in light of the unrest in Egypt.

In Israel's neighboring Egypt, demonstrations and riots have continued unabated for almost a week straight. Netanyahu and Merkel reportedly spent a large amount of time during their meeting discussing the unrest.

Netanyahu expressed fears that a radical Islamic regime like the one in Iran could also come to power in Egypt.



"Our real fear is of a situation that could develop ... and which has already developed in several countries including Iran itself -- repressive regimes of radical Islam," said Netanyahu.

Netanyahu continued, adding that although the protests may not be motivated by religious extremism, "in a situation of chaos, an organized Islamist body can seize control of a country. It happened in Iran. It happened in other instances".

Merkel defended the Western reaction to the protests in Cairo against criticism in Israel that the United States and Europe were dumping a loyal ally.



"I don't think that we've left Egypt in the lurch," she said, adding that she had spoken with Mubarak by telephone on Sunday. "We talked ... about where there are deficits, for example in connection with human rights and press freedoms and electoral law ... and employment for young people," Merkel said.

The German chancellor continued, "you can't divide your principles and say my principles are valid for some countries, where you can speak your mind and vote freely, but in other countries these principles don't hold at all."

During the meeting, Merkel called on Netanyahu to stop settlement building in the West Bank, which she said is hurting the peace process.

Peace talks initiated by the United States grinded to a halt in September after a 10 month freeze on West Bank settlement building expired. Attempts to restart the talks have since failed, with the Palestinians insisting that they won't negotiate without a complete settlement freeze. Israel has meanwhile insisted that they are ready to continue negotiations, but they are waiting for the Palestinians to return to the table.



Netanyahu responded to Merkel by saying that settlements were not an obstacle to peace, adding that settlement building under his government has decreased greatly in comparison to previous governments. He also said that it was up to the Palestinians to return to the negotiating table and renew peace talks.

Senior officials in Merkel's office have said recently during closed door briefings that the chancellor will be very tough with Netanyahu and will use the meeting as a chance to tell him that it is his responsibility to renew the peace negotiations with the Palestinians.

Merkel arrived in Israel on Monday as part of the third round of talks in an ongoing dialogue between the two countries.






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PM: Govt has contingency plans to evacuate M'sian students in Egypt



Evacuating students to nearby countries and calling in M'sian navy ships in Gulf of Aden are options

LABIS: The evacuation of 10,000 Malaysian students in Egypt cannot be done in haste but the Goverment has contingency plans if the situation deteriorates further, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Tuesday.

He said this included evacuating the students to nearby countries and using Malaysian navy vessel in the Gulf of Aden to help in the event of an evacuation.

Najib added that it was not cost effective to deploy military planes to bring back the students due to the limited capacity and the one-and-a-half days travelling time.

The Prime Minister was speaking to reporters after visiting flood-hit victims in Labis and Segamat.

"We are also not sure if there is enough ground crew at the airports in Egypt," he said, referring to reports that Cairo's international airport was a scene of chaos and confusion as thousands of foreigners sought to flee the restive country.

Check-in counters were reportedly poorly staffed because employees were unable to get to work due to a 3pm-8am curfew as well as traffic breakdowns across the Egyptian capital.

Assuring parents of their children's safety, Najib said the Government would come up with a practical method to evacuate the students if the need arose.

He said a team led by deputy foreign minister A. Kohilan Pillay was assessing the situation in the country.

Kohilan and five officials left for Egypt to assess the situation and ensured that Malaysians were safe and receiving the necessary aid.

So far, 11,319 students have registered with the Malaysian embassy.


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All the images/photos are credited to Image: Mohammed Abed, AFP / Getty Images

was watching weapons race on 555 HIST channel,

F-22 raptor is stealth?!

The F-22 Raptor is a fifth generation fighter that is considered a fourth-generation stealth aircraft by the USAF.

Although several recent Western fighter aircraft are less detectable on radar than previous designs using techniques such as radar-absorbent material-coated S-shaped intake ducts that shield the compressor fan from reflecting radar waves, the F-22 design placed a much higher degree of importance on low observance throughout the entire spectrum of sensors including radar signature, visual, infrared, acoustic, and radio frequency.

However, reduced radar cross section is only one of five facets that designers addressed to create a stealth design in the F-22. The F-22 has also been designed to disguise its infrared emissions to make it harder to detect by infrared homing ("heat seeking") surface-to-air or air-to-air missiles, including its flat (rather than round) thrust vectoring nozzles. Designers also made the aircraft less visible to the naked eye, and controlled radio and noise emissions. The Raptor has an under bay carrier made for hiding heat from missile threats, like surface-to-air missiles.

Huge protests fan Egypt unrest



In every revolution, popular or otherwise, there comes a critical moment - a tipping point - at which the future is decided.

Suddenly there is an answer to the basic question: Are the protesters too strong for the power structure or can the country's leaders face them down?

In Iran, in 1978-79, the Shah resisted the demonstrators in the streets and ordered his soldiers to shoot them for several months until his will to continue gave way and he escaped.

In China's Tiananmen Square in 1989, crowds a million strong gathered - not just students but sometimes judges, senior policemen, politicians as well - but Deng Xiaoping refused to go and eventually found a general who was prepared to shoot the demonstrators down.

All popular revolutions share certain basic similarities.

The vast crowds, often gathering for the first time, believe that they are bound to win because there are so many of them and their determination is so great.

But if the political structure refuses to take the hint and keeps the support of the army and the secret police then it can survive.

It all depends on how strong and resilient the structure of government is.

In the revolutions of 1989-90 in eastern Europe the communist autocracies which had seemed so fierce, so well-based, were shown to be brittle and wafer-thin.

In Russia in 1991 the demonstrators who brought down Marxism and Leninism were few in number and nervous of the government reaction, but the Soviet government was even more feeble and collapsed without a fight.

Survival blueprint



Staying power?



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Military tourism doing well in Sabah
credited to mcwood of militaryphotos.net

Govt mulls help from navy
credited to mcwood of militaryphotos.net

Malaysian Royal Engineers Regiment provide flood aid 2011
credited to mcwood of militaryphotos.net

Egypt crisis: First evacuation of M'sian students to start by Thursday

PETALING JAYA: The first evacuation of Malaysian students from Cairo to Saudi Arabia will begin by Thursday at the latest.

The Government is despatching two C130 RMAF aircraft Wednesday to Cairo and fly the students to Jeddah.

National Security Council secretary Datuk Thajuddeen Abdul Wahab, who is in Egypt to coordinate the evacuation, said that he was informed the RMAF aircraft would leave Kuala Lumpur at noon Wednesday.

“We are waiting for the green light from the Saudi government to issue temporary visas to our students. We hope everything can be done by today.

“A C130 can accommodate at least 150 passengers, so we are hoping to evacuate some 300 by early tomorrow,” he told The Star.

Thajuddeen also said Malaysian officials in Cairo had managed to facilitate the return of 150 students via commercial flights on Tuesday night.

“They should arrive in Kuala Lumpur anytime now.”

He said the Malaysian Embassy had sent nasi goreng and mineral water to students stranded at the Cairo airport.

"The RMAF aircraft will also be taking foodstuff, including rice, curry powder, cooking oil, milk formula and dried chillies to Cairo," he added.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed that the two RMAF C130 aircraft would be leaving for Cairo on Wednesday afternoon.

He also said that the Royal Malaysian Navy’s auxiliary ship, Bunga Mas 5, would arrive at the port of Adabiyah on Saturday to help in the evacuation of Malaysian students.

“The ship can accommodate about 500 passengers. The students will be taken to Jeddah,” he added.

Adabiyah is about a two hours’ drive from Cairo.

Parents can call the following numbers for inquiries on the Malaysian students in Cairo:

Foreign Ministry Operations Room - Tel: 03-88892746, 03-88874570, 019-2784566, 03-88874770, 03-88892830.
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Egypt crisis: AirAsia, MAS flying in to help evacuate M'sian students

KOTA KINABALU: AirAsia has sent an Airbus A320 aircraft to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to help evacuate Malaysian students in Egypt.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said the AirAsia aircraft, which departed from Kuala Lumpur for Jeddah at 2pm Wednesday, could accommodate 249 passengers.

He said AirAsia would be making four trips from Jeddah daily to bring home students evacuated from Cairo to Jeddah by RMAF aircraft.

Speaking at a press conference here, he advised parents with children in Egypt not to worry as the Government was doing its best to protect Malaysians there.

"The Government is also working closely with the Indonesian and Bruneian governments in the evacuation process.

"For example, Garuda is already at Cairo airport and if they have extra seats, they could take in the Malaysians stranded at the airport," he added.

There are 11,000 Malaysian students in Egypt.

Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) managing director and chief executive officer Tengku Datuk Seri Azmil Zahruddin said a MAS aircraft would leave for Cairo Thursday morning.

"We are working out with our own engineers to accommodate as many passengers (as possible) in the flight," he said.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the operation to evacuate Malaysian students stranded in Egypt was expected to take four days.

He said 30 personnel from the Armed Forces and a further 30 from other government agencies including Wisma Putra would be involved in the evacuation operation.

Zahid also called on non-governmental organisations to assist the Government in the evacuation operation.

He also said the Saudi Arabian government has issued temporary visas for the students leaving for Jeddah.

"They will be placed at the Tabung Haji complex in Jeddah as a temporary measure," he added.

Bernama reported that the Putera 1Malaysia Club will send 30 tonnes of foodstuff to Egypt to help Malaysians affected by the anti-government protests in the country.

Its president Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said they would go with the AirAsia plane provided by the low-cost carrier.

Abdul Azeez said their team would include 30 volunteers, among them doctors, to help students and others in the troubled country.

"We will provide food and help in evacuation mission. Parents should not be worried as the Government is doing its best to help their children there," he said.

Hundreds of thousands of Egyptian are staging demonstrations across major Egyptians cities in a bid to force President Hosni Mubarak to end his 30-year rule, plunging the country into its worst crisis in recent times.

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Parts of Next Generation Fighter Planes to Be Built in Bankstown

F-35 manufacturing (photo : Defense Industry Daily)

The next generation fighter planes being for built Australia, the US, the UK and six other countries will have parts made in Bankstown.

The Boeing site at Bankstown Airport will be taken over by Perth manufacturer Quickstep, and is likely to inject more than half a billion dollars and lead to the creation of up to 400 jobs.

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare said $10 million in assistance from the Federal Government had helped lure Quickstep to Bankstown.

“The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a long-range stealth fighter. It’s the future of fighter planes and part of that will be made here in Bankstown,” Mr Clare said.

“Australia is partnering with the US and seven other countries to deliver this next generation fighter plane.”

Mr Clare said Quickstep had today signed a Long Term Agreement with Northrop Grumman – one of the major multi-national Defence companies building the JSF.

“That’s terrific news for Bankstown. Around 3,000 of these planes are expected to be built over the next 20 years and Quickstep plans to build parts for many of them.”

The Long Term Agreement is a binding agreement under which individual contracts are awarded for different components of the JSF.

The agreement now means Quickstep is in a position to secure up to $580 million worth of work over the next 20 years, building:
· access panels;
· fuel tank covers;
· aircraft skins; and
· in-board weapons bay doors.

Quickstep has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Marand Precision Engineering to supply composite vertical tail skins for the JSF.

Australia has already committed to buying 14 JSF planes.

A Government decision to acquire at least 58 more to form the first three operational squadrons and a training unit will be made in 2012.

Mr Clare said this agreement built on others being made to secure work for Australian companies.

“I’m also happy to announce that I recently signed a Global Supply Deed with Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor on the JSF project,” Mr Clare said.

“Under the agreement Lockheed Martin will put in place a team of people dedicated to finding opportunities for Australian companies on top of the JSF project.

“Lockheed Martin is one of the biggest Defence companies in the world, employing 136,000 people.

“They’re in charge of some big and important projects around the world and this gives Australian companies access to the work that flows out of that.

“It’s a chance for Australian companies to take their expertise to the world.”

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MAF Operation Pyramid to bring back home thousands of Malaysian Student from Egypt Revolution
credited to mcwood of militaryphotos.net

credited to mcwood of militaryphotos.net

they know the feeling of being a palestinian ka say like that?no offence but you shoudnt make a statement like that just because you saw it on television

Australia – Sustainment for MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters


US has offered Australia a fixed-price, $3.7 billion deal for 24 MH-60R helicopters and 10 years’ support. (photo : US Navy)

WASHINGTON, – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Feb. 1 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of a 10-year Through-Life-Support (TLS) for 24 MH-60R MultiMission Helicopters, and associated equipment, parts, and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.6 billion.

The Government of Australia has requested a possible sale of ten year Through-Life-Support (TLS) for (24) MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters. The sustainment effort will include spare and repair parts provisioning, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated cost is $1.6 billion.

Australia, one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific, contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. Australia’s efforts in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in Iraq and in Afghanistan have served U.S. national security interests.

The proposed sale will provide Australia the resources necessary to properly maintain its 24 MH-60R helicopters. Australia, which already has S-70B helicopters in its inventory, will have no difficulty performing the actions necessary to properly sustain these additional helicopters.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation of Stratford, Connecticut; Lockheed Martin of Owego; New York; GE of Lynn, Massachusetts; and the Raytheon Corporation of Portsmouth, Rhode Island. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require temporary assignment of approximately 20 U.S. Government and contractor representatives to Australia on an intermittent basis over the life of the case.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

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