DTN News: Pakistan ~ Supporters Or Sympathizers Of Taliban And Al Qaeda
*Source: Let us build Pakistan....click here for link
(NSI News Source Info) October 17, 2009: List of Gheratmand Brigade in Pakistan (comprising supporters or sympathizers of Taliban and Al Qaeda).
(Image: Nawaz Sharif's name appears in fifth position on the list as sympathizers of Taliban and Al Qaeda. In addition all the names appearing on the list could be political motivative as the source belongs to Supporters of Pakistan People's Party, which are the present government of Asif Ali Zardari).
Captian: Imran Khan (clean-shaven mullah)
Vice Captain: General Hamid Gul
Vice Captain (Female Taliban): Dr Shirin Mazari
1) General Aslam Beg
2) Irfan Siddiqui
3) Khawaja Saad Rafique
4) Qazi Huissain Ahmed
5) Nawaz Sharif
6) Munawar Hassan
7) Hamid Mir
8) Maulana Fazlur-Rehman
9) Mushtaq Minhas
10) Kashif Abbasi
11) Talat Hussain
12) Javed Chaudhary
13) Dr Shahid Masood
14) Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan
15) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain
Disclaimer statement
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied herein, DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Unless otherwise indicated, opinions expressed herein are those of the author of the page and do not necessarily represent the corporate views of DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
DTN News: Pakistan ~ Supporters Or Sympathizers Of Taliban And Al Qaeda
DTN News: Pakistan ~ Supporters Or Sympathizers Of Taliban And Al Qaeda
*Source: Let us build Pakistan....click here for link
(NSI News Source Info) October 17, 2009: List of Gheratmand Brigade in Pakistan (comprising supporters or sympathizers of Taliban and Al Qaeda).
(Image: Nawaz Sharif's name appears in fifth position on the list as sympathizers of Taliban and Al Qaeda. In addition all the names appearing on the list could be political motivative as the source belongs to Supporters of Pakistan People's Party, which are the present government of Asif Ali Zardari).
Captian: Imran Khan (clean-shaven mullah)
Vice Captain: General Hamid Gul
Vice Captain (Female Taliban): Dr Shirin Mazari
1) General Aslam Beg
2) Irfan Siddiqui
3) Khawaja Saad Rafique
4) Qazi Huissain Ahmed
5) Nawaz Sharif
6) Munawar Hassan
7) Hamid Mir
8) Maulana Fazlur-Rehman
9) Mushtaq Minhas
10) Kashif Abbasi
11) Talat Hussain
12) Javed Chaudhary
13) Dr Shahid Masood
14) Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan
15) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain
Disclaimer statement
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied herein, DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Unless otherwise indicated, opinions expressed herein are those of the author of the page and do not necessarily represent the corporate views of DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News.
DTN News: Lockheed Martin Successfully Launches Target Missile For Air Defense System Test
DTN News: Lockheed Martin Successfully Launches Target Missile For Air Defense System Test
*Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin
(NSI News Source Info) HUNTSVILLE, Ala - October 17, 2009: Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced that it successfully launched a target missile for October 15th, 2009’s ATM-48 intercept test of the U.S. Army’s Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2) air defense system. 
Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) is a surface-to-air guided missile defense system that builds upon the existing Patriot air defense infrastructure (used most notably during the Persian Gulf War in 1991). The new fully operational PAC-3 provides advanced capability against enemy cruise missiles, aircraft, and unlike previous systems, tactical ballistic missiles. PAC-3 production began in late 1999 under a $143 million contract to Lockheed Martin and subcontractors Raytheon and Boeing. The first batch of 16 missiles was delivered to the U.S. Army in September 2001. The Army was initially authorized to manufacture 72 missiles per year, but in 2003 Congress increased PAC-3 production to 96 missiles. The Army plans to build an inventory of 1,159 interceptors. In March 2003, the Army deployed PAC-3 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During the war, Patriot interceptors engaged and eliminated two Iraqi missiles using hit-to-kill technology, meaning that the interceptors collided with the Iraqi missiles (like a bullet hitting a bullet), causing complete destruction. Despite its successes, the Army is still testing PAC-3 against larger and faster ballistic missiles. The PAC-3 system consists of four main components: a radar, a command center, a launcher, and the interceptor missiles themselves. In a typical wartime scenario, the PAC-3 radar scans the skies with its overlapping beams, paying close attention to the horizon. Once a target has been detected, the radar immediately determines the speed, altitude, heading, and origin of the threat, and communicates this information via computer to the command center.
Under the Missile Defense Agency’s Targets and Countermeasures Program in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force, a Lockheed Martin-led team launched the short-range, legacy target from Fort Wingate, N.M. L-3 Coleman Aerospace provided the Hera target vehicle.
“We have an exceptionally talented team working this mission,” said John W. Holly, vice president for Missile Defense Systems, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. “They put the same operational know-how into launching a ballistic missile as a target as is required for a real-world defensive or offensive mission.”
This marked the 33rd successful target mission Lockheed Martin has achieved out of 34 missions since 1996. Lockheed Martin’s unmatched 97-percent reliability rate has included unitary and separating targets, spanning land, sea and air launches.
Lockheed Martin performs Targets and Countermeasures program management, design and systems engineering in Huntsville, Ala., Denver, Colo., and Sunnyvale, Calif., and integration in Courtland, Ala.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.
Media Contact: Lynn Fisher, 408-742-7606; cell 408-505-6026; lynn.m.fisher@lmco.com
Lockheed Martin Related News....for full stories click on the links below
~ October 15, 2009 Discovering The Unexpected: Researchers Surprised By First Results From NASA’S Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission
~ October 15, 2009 Lockheed Martin Awarded $31M Research Contract To Develop Cyber Information Assurance For Military Networks
~ October 15, 2009 Christopher E. Kubasik Elected By Board Of Directors As Lockheed Martin's President And Chief Operating Officer
Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) is a surface-to-air guided missile defense system that builds upon the existing Patriot air defense infrastructure (used most notably during the Persian Gulf War in 1991). The new fully operational PAC-3 provides advanced capability against enemy cruise missiles, aircraft, and unlike previous systems, tactical ballistic missiles. PAC-3 production began in late 1999 under a $143 million contract to Lockheed Martin and subcontractors Raytheon and Boeing. The first batch of 16 missiles was delivered to the U.S. Army in September 2001. The Army was initially authorized to manufacture 72 missiles per year, but in 2003 Congress increased PAC-3 production to 96 missiles. The Army plans to build an inventory of 1,159 interceptors. In March 2003, the Army deployed PAC-3 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During the war, Patriot interceptors engaged and eliminated two Iraqi missiles using hit-to-kill technology, meaning that the interceptors collided with the Iraqi missiles (like a bullet hitting a bullet), causing complete destruction. Despite its successes, the Army is still testing PAC-3 against larger and faster ballistic missiles. The PAC-3 system consists of four main components: a radar, a command center, a launcher, and the interceptor missiles themselves. In a typical wartime scenario, the PAC-3 radar scans the skies with its overlapping beams, paying close attention to the horizon. Once a target has been detected, the radar immediately determines the speed, altitude, heading, and origin of the threat, and communicates this information via computer to the command center.
Under the Missile Defense Agency’s Targets and Countermeasures Program in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force, a Lockheed Martin-led team launched the short-range, legacy target from Fort Wingate, N.M. L-3 Coleman Aerospace provided the Hera target vehicle.
“We have an exceptionally talented team working this mission,” said John W. Holly, vice president for Missile Defense Systems, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. “They put the same operational know-how into launching a ballistic missile as a target as is required for a real-world defensive or offensive mission.”
This marked the 33rd successful target mission Lockheed Martin has achieved out of 34 missions since 1996. Lockheed Martin’s unmatched 97-percent reliability rate has included unitary and separating targets, spanning land, sea and air launches.
Lockheed Martin performs Targets and Countermeasures program management, design and systems engineering in Huntsville, Ala., Denver, Colo., and Sunnyvale, Calif., and integration in Courtland, Ala.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.
Media Contact: Lynn Fisher, 408-742-7606; cell 408-505-6026; lynn.m.fisher@lmco.com
Lockheed Martin Related News....for full stories click on the links below
~ October 15, 2009 Discovering The Unexpected: Researchers Surprised By First Results From NASA’S Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission
~ October 15, 2009 Lockheed Martin Awarded $31M Research Contract To Develop Cyber Information Assurance For Military Networks
~ October 15, 2009 Christopher E. Kubasik Elected By Board Of Directors As Lockheed Martin's President And Chief Operating Officer
DTN News: Boeing To Showcase Partnerships And Capabilities At Seoul Air Show ~ Rotorcraft Vice President to Brief AH-64D Apache Block III Status
DTN News: Boeing To Showcase Partnerships And Capabilities At Seoul Air Show ~ Rotorcraft Vice President to Brief AH-64D Apache Block III Status
*Source: DTN News / Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) SEOUL, Korea - October 17, 2009: The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] will highlight its partnerships with Korean industry as it presents the company's leading-edge commercial and defense technologies and capabilities at the 2009 Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition, starting Oct. 20 at Seoul Airport. 
An AH-64D Apache (top) and AH-6U Unmanned Little Bird (ULB) fly over the Arizona desert near the Boeing rotorcraft facility in Mesa, Ariz., in this file photo. An Apache and a ULB flew together June 8 during testing to demonstrate Level IV Unmanned Aircraft System connectivity and control. Photo Credit: Boeing photo by Bob Ferguson
"Boeing's presence at the show underscores our longstanding support for the Republic of Korea's military forces and our strong relationship with the country's airlines," said Bill Oberlin, president of Boeing Korea. "It also affords Boeing the opportunity to highlight the strength of our partnerships with local industry."
Boeing, a co-sponsor for the show's opening ceremony, also will present one media briefing on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 2:30 p.m. Seoul time. Al Winn, vice president of Apache Programs for Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (IDS), will provide an update on Boeing's AH-64 Apache program, including the status of Apache Block III, and will be available to discuss all Boeing Rotorcraft programs, including CH-47 Chinook, V-22 Osprey and the company's new light attack/reconnaissance helicopter.
The show's flying demonstrations will feature the following Boeing IDS products: the new F-15K Slam Eagle, the most advanced fighter jet in service with the Republic of Korea Air Force; the multirole AH-64D Apache combat helicopter; and the versatile C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft. A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet will be on static display.
The Boeing exhibit will feature IDS products including the CH-47 Chinook helicopter, the F-15 Silent Eagle fighter, the 737 Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) "Peace Eye" aircraft, and other network-centric systems.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) will allow show attendees to "fly" a 787 simulator from a representation of the new airplane's flight deck. A 1/20 scale cutaway model of the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental will also be on display. In addition, interactive kiosks will provide information on the commercial unit's training, flight and maintenance services.
An AH-64D Apache (top) and AH-6U Unmanned Little Bird (ULB) fly over the Arizona desert near the Boeing rotorcraft facility in Mesa, Ariz., in this file photo. An Apache and a ULB flew together June 8 during testing to demonstrate Level IV Unmanned Aircraft System connectivity and control. Photo Credit: Boeing photo by Bob Ferguson
"Boeing's presence at the show underscores our longstanding support for the Republic of Korea's military forces and our strong relationship with the country's airlines," said Bill Oberlin, president of Boeing Korea. "It also affords Boeing the opportunity to highlight the strength of our partnerships with local industry."
Boeing, a co-sponsor for the show's opening ceremony, also will present one media briefing on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 2:30 p.m. Seoul time. Al Winn, vice president of Apache Programs for Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (IDS), will provide an update on Boeing's AH-64 Apache program, including the status of Apache Block III, and will be available to discuss all Boeing Rotorcraft programs, including CH-47 Chinook, V-22 Osprey and the company's new light attack/reconnaissance helicopter.
The show's flying demonstrations will feature the following Boeing IDS products: the new F-15K Slam Eagle, the most advanced fighter jet in service with the Republic of Korea Air Force; the multirole AH-64D Apache combat helicopter; and the versatile C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft. A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet will be on static display.
The Boeing exhibit will feature IDS products including the CH-47 Chinook helicopter, the F-15 Silent Eagle fighter, the 737 Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) "Peace Eye" aircraft, and other network-centric systems.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) will allow show attendees to "fly" a 787 simulator from a representation of the new airplane's flight deck. A 1/20 scale cutaway model of the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental will also be on display. In addition, interactive kiosks will provide information on the commercial unit's training, flight and maintenance services.Boeing Related News....for full stories click on DATES links below
~ Oct. 16, 2009
Boeing 787 Dreamliner Side-of-Body Modification Progressing Well
~ Oct. 15, 2009
Boeing Announces Senior Leadership Changes
~ Oct. 15, 2009
Boeing to Mentor Creative Management Technology for NASA Small-Business Program
~ Oct. 15, 2009
Boeing to Highlight Secure, Interoperable Network Communications Systems at MILCOM 2009
~ Oct. 15, 2009
Boeing, Radio Frequency Systems Partner to Market High Frequency Communications System Worldwide
~ Oct. 15, 2009
Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services Celebrates Hangar Opening
DTN News: Pakistan TODAY October 17, 2009 ~ Pakistan Forces Move On Taliban / Pakistan Army Starts South Waziristan Ground Assault
DTN News: Pakistan TODAY October 17, 2009 ~ Pakistan Forces Move On Taliban / Pakistan Army Starts South Waziristan Ground Assault
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - October 17, 2009: The Pakistan army has started moving troops and artillery towards the Taliban militants' stronghold in South Waziristan, local officials say. 
Pakistan army soldiers surround the spot of a suicide attack in Peshawar, Pakistan on Friday, Oct. 16, 2009. A suicide attacker detonated a car bomb at a mosque next to a police station in the northwest Pakistani city of Peshawar on Friday, killing 11 people in the latest bloodshed in an unrelenting wave of terror that has hit the country.
They told the BBC that 30,000 troops backed by tanks were moving in on the stronghold of Hakimullah Mehsud, the new head of the Pakistan Taliban.
They are moving from the north, the east, and the west.
A curfew was imposed in the region before the offensive began, after several Taliban attacks in recent days.
Troops were moving from the northern town of Razmak, between North and South Wazirstan; from Jandola in the east; and from Shakai in the west.
They were reported to be moving towards Makeen, Spinkai Raghzai and Tiarza.
Nearly all communications have been jammed.
There has seen a huge army presence on the road between Tank and Dera Ismail Khan, says the BBC's Islamabad correspondent Shoaib Hasan, near South Waziristan. 
Supporters of Pakistani religious party Jamiatul Islam rally against the recently signed Kerry-Lugar bill in the border town of Chaman, Pakistan, along the Afghan border, Friday, Oct. 16, 2009. U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday signed into law a US$7.5 billion aid package for Pakistan that the U.S.-ally's military criticized as American meddling in its internal affairs.
On his way to South Waziristan, he passed several army convoys on the road.
There has been no comment from the Pakistan military yet.
The army has been massing troops near the militants' stronghold for months.
Pakistan's government has been under considerable pressure from the US to tackle militancy there.
North and South Waziristan form a lethal militant belt from where insurgents have launched attacks across north-west Pakistan as well as into parts of eastern Afghanistan.
South Waziristan is considered to be the first significant sanctuary for Islamic militants outside Afghanistan since 9/11. It also has numerous training camps for suicide bombers.
Pakistan army soldiers surround the spot of a suicide attack in Peshawar, Pakistan on Friday, Oct. 16, 2009. A suicide attacker detonated a car bomb at a mosque next to a police station in the northwest Pakistani city of Peshawar on Friday, killing 11 people in the latest bloodshed in an unrelenting wave of terror that has hit the country.
They told the BBC that 30,000 troops backed by tanks were moving in on the stronghold of Hakimullah Mehsud, the new head of the Pakistan Taliban.
They are moving from the north, the east, and the west.
A curfew was imposed in the region before the offensive began, after several Taliban attacks in recent days.
Troops were moving from the northern town of Razmak, between North and South Wazirstan; from Jandola in the east; and from Shakai in the west.
They were reported to be moving towards Makeen, Spinkai Raghzai and Tiarza.
Nearly all communications have been jammed.
There has seen a huge army presence on the road between Tank and Dera Ismail Khan, says the BBC's Islamabad correspondent Shoaib Hasan, near South Waziristan. Supporters of Pakistani religious party Jamiatul Islam rally against the recently signed Kerry-Lugar bill in the border town of Chaman, Pakistan, along the Afghan border, Friday, Oct. 16, 2009. U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday signed into law a US$7.5 billion aid package for Pakistan that the U.S.-ally's military criticized as American meddling in its internal affairs.
On his way to South Waziristan, he passed several army convoys on the road.
There has been no comment from the Pakistan military yet.
The army has been massing troops near the militants' stronghold for months.
Pakistan's government has been under considerable pressure from the US to tackle militancy there.
North and South Waziristan form a lethal militant belt from where insurgents have launched attacks across north-west Pakistan as well as into parts of eastern Afghanistan.
South Waziristan is considered to be the first significant sanctuary for Islamic militants outside Afghanistan since 9/11. It also has numerous training camps for suicide bombers. Related Headline News....for full stories click on the links below
~ Pakistan Begins Long-Awaited Offensive in South Waziristan Voice of America
~ Pakistan army begins ground assault on Taliban in South Waziristan Telegraph.co.uk
DTN News: Iraq Set To Buy Russian Weaponry
DTN News: Iraq Set To Buy Russian Weaponry
*Source: DTN News / RIA Novosti
(NSI News Source Info) BAGHDAD, Iraq - October 17, 2009: A military delegation from Iraq will visit Moscow in the near future to discuss the purchase of Russian weaponry, an Iraqi parliament member has said.
"A large delegation from the Iraqi Defense Ministry will travel soon to Moscow for talks on arms purchases [from Russia]," Abbas al-Bayati said in an interview with the Al Iraqiya television.
According to the Iraqi MP, Baghdad is seeking to sign arms contracts with Russia, Germany, France, Serbia and the United States by the end of 2011 "to complete the creation of Iraqi Armed Forces and security forces."
Al-Bayati said the Iraqi leadership is interested in the diversification of arms suppliers, but takes into consideration the fact that "the military experience of the Iraqi army is based primarily on the Russian weaponry."
The Soviet Union had been the main supplier of military equipment to Iraq before an international embargo against the country was imposed in 1990 following the Iraqi attack on Kuwait.
After the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in April 2003, the Iraqi Armed Forces had to be recreated almost from scratch, and they are still not sufficiently equipped with modern weaponry, especially aircraft.
Related Headline News....for full stories click on the links below
~ Suicide bomber kills 12 in north Iraq mosque
~ Iraq to triple oil output to 7 mln bpd in six years - minister
~ LUKoil ready to participate in Qurna oil project on Iraqi terms
~ U.S. military set to pull out 4,000 troops from Iraq by November
DTN News: China TODAY October 17, 2009 ~ China's Hu Jintao Made 'Honorary Peruvian'
DTN News: China TODAY October 17, 2009 ~ China's Hu Jintao Made 'Honorary Peruvian'
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) LIMA, Peru - October 17, 2009: Peru celebrated 160 years of Chinese immigration at the Government Palace on Friday, where Peru's President Alan Garcia made his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao an "honorary Peruvian."
Performers dressed as dragons danced before an audience of invited guests as the Peruvian president praised the strength of relations between Lima and Beijing, including a bilateral free trade deal.
"Thanks to the efforts of our friend and brother, an honorary Peruvian, President Hu Jintao," Garcia said praising the trade deal as a way to improve its production capacity and further modernize Peru. (Image: Chinese Prejident Hu Jintao is pictured at Diaoyutai State Guest house in Beijing on October 14. Peru celebrated 160 years of Chinese immigration at the Government Palace on Friday, where Peru's President Alan Garcia made his Chinese counterpart Hu an "honorary Peruvian.)
The celebration included a special meal featuring Chinese cuisine, served in one of the palace's enormous halls, as well as displays of Chinese artifacts and a photography exhibition dedicated to the first Chinese immigrants.
Chinese immigrants first arrived in Peru in the 19th century, and the country now has one of the largest Chinese populations in the world.
There are around one million people descended from Chinese immigrants in Peru, according to the Peruvian-China association.
Related Headline News....for full stories click on the links below
DTN News: Indonesia TODAY October 17, 2009 ~ 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Jakarta, Indonesia
DTN News: Indonesia TODAY October 17, 2009 ~ 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Jakarta, Indonesia
*A strong earthquake rattled the Indonesian island of Java on Friday, sending panicked people into the streets of the capital city, Jakarta. The U.S. Geological Survey put the quake's magnitude at 6.1 - lowering it from an earlier magnitude of 6.5. There were no reports of any serious injuries.
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) JAKARTA, Indonesia - October 17, 2009: The epicenter was located in the Sunda Strait - the narrow body of water between Java and Sumatra islands, about 115 miles (180 kilometers) southwest of Jakarta, according to the USGS. 
Office and hotel workers gather outside their buildings after a preliminary magnitude 6.4 earthquake was felt in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, Oct. 16, 2009. Indonesia is still recovering from another, more powerful earthquake that left more than 1,000 people dead in western Sumatra earlier this month.
The temblor struck shortly before 5 p.m. local time (6 a.m. ET) and prompted a mass evacuation in downtown Jakarta. There was no sign of any initial damage, said CNN producer Andy Saputra. A mosque in Banten province, located on the western edge of Java, sustained significant damage, while other buildings including several houses, were slightly damaged, according to Aminuddin, a spokesman for local police. One person was slightly injured, he said.
It is the latest in the series of temblors that has rattled Indonesia.
The archipelago nation lies on the "Ring of Fire," an arc of fault lines circling the Pacific Basin that is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Since mid-August, Indonesia has suffered seven strong or major quakes, all above 6.0 in magnitude.
The deadliest happened just a few weeks ago when a 7.6-magnitude quake struck Sumatra on September 30, followed by a 6.6-magnitude earthquake a day later. More than 1,000 people are believed to have died after the initial quake destroyed buildings in the city of Padang, the capital of West Sumatra.
Friday's quake did not last long, and was not nearly as powerful as the 7.0-magnitude quake that shook Jakarta on September 2, causing high-rise buildings to sway, according to Reuben Carder, a reporter with Dow Jones.
Office workers on the 19th floor of one building in Jakarta felt the building sway for about 90 seconds, according to CNN iReporter Richard Bera.
"I was just working on my desk and I noticed the curtain next to my desk started swaying," said Bera, who captured video of his 19th floor office during the quake on his cell phone. "This one rocked really big. I got out my camera and shot it ... I went to the other room and yelled 'earthquake'."
Because the temblor happened so soon after the recent major quakes in Sumatra, some people "freaked out [and] some people started crying and praying." "We tried to stay really calm," said Bera. "Some people got their stuff and went downstairs, but some like me stayed up here."
Office and hotel workers gather outside their buildings after a preliminary magnitude 6.4 earthquake was felt in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, Oct. 16, 2009. Indonesia is still recovering from another, more powerful earthquake that left more than 1,000 people dead in western Sumatra earlier this month.
The temblor struck shortly before 5 p.m. local time (6 a.m. ET) and prompted a mass evacuation in downtown Jakarta. There was no sign of any initial damage, said CNN producer Andy Saputra. A mosque in Banten province, located on the western edge of Java, sustained significant damage, while other buildings including several houses, were slightly damaged, according to Aminuddin, a spokesman for local police. One person was slightly injured, he said.
It is the latest in the series of temblors that has rattled Indonesia.
The archipelago nation lies on the "Ring of Fire," an arc of fault lines circling the Pacific Basin that is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Since mid-August, Indonesia has suffered seven strong or major quakes, all above 6.0 in magnitude.
The deadliest happened just a few weeks ago when a 7.6-magnitude quake struck Sumatra on September 30, followed by a 6.6-magnitude earthquake a day later. More than 1,000 people are believed to have died after the initial quake destroyed buildings in the city of Padang, the capital of West Sumatra.
Friday's quake did not last long, and was not nearly as powerful as the 7.0-magnitude quake that shook Jakarta on September 2, causing high-rise buildings to sway, according to Reuben Carder, a reporter with Dow Jones.
Office workers on the 19th floor of one building in Jakarta felt the building sway for about 90 seconds, according to CNN iReporter Richard Bera.
"I was just working on my desk and I noticed the curtain next to my desk started swaying," said Bera, who captured video of his 19th floor office during the quake on his cell phone. "This one rocked really big. I got out my camera and shot it ... I went to the other room and yelled 'earthquake'."
Because the temblor happened so soon after the recent major quakes in Sumatra, some people "freaked out [and] some people started crying and praying." "We tried to stay really calm," said Bera. "Some people got their stuff and went downstairs, but some like me stayed up here."Related Headline News....for full stories click on the links below
~ Strong earthquake hits western Indonesia, rocks buildings in Jakarta New York Daily News - Fri Oct 16, 9:04 am ET
~ Strong quake rocks Indonesia AFP via Yahoo! News - Fri Oct 16, 7:57 am ET
~ Strong earthquake rocks western Indonesia USA Today - Fri Oct 16, 6:24 am ET
~ Another earthquake rattles Indonesia UPI - Fri Oct 16, 8:04 am ET
~ Strong quake rocks western Indonesia Los Angeles Times - Fri Oct 16, 7:32 am ET
~ CNN - Strong Quake Rattles Indonesian Capital WSB-TV 2 Atlanta - Fri Oct 16, 7:34 am ET
~ Earthquake Of 6.2 Magnitude Rocks Indonesia's Java Island INO News - 1 hour 57 minutes ago
~ Strong Quake Reported in Indonesia International Herald Tribune - Fri Oct 16, 6:53 am ET
~ Strong quake off Indonesia's Java, no tsunami alert Reuters via Yahoo! News - Fri Oct 16, 6:19 am ET
~ Indonesia hit by strong quake off Java island Reuters via Yahoo! News - Fri Oct 16, 6:02 am ET
~ Earthquake rocks western Indonesia The Washington Times - Fri Oct 16, 7:20 am ET
~ Strong quake rocks Indonesia's Java island - Summary EARTHtimes.org - Fri Oct 16, 6:42 am ET
DTN News: India TODAY October 17, 2009 ~ India Goes Shopping For Security
DTN News: India TODAY October 17, 2009 ~ India Goes Shopping For Security
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - October 17, 2009: As India readies for a major offensive against Maoist rebels, security agencies are trawling the international arms market to 
upgrade the country's counter-insurgency capabilities.
"We want to acquire what can be moulded into our own security system," said top police intelligence officer Shashidhar Reddy of Andhra Pradesh, one of the states most affected by Maoist activity.
Reddy was one of a number of senior security officials perusing the wares offered by 150 arms firms from 15 countries participating in India's first homeland security fair in New Delhi this week.
"Our priorities are many but we are looking at vehicles, surveillance cameras, et cetera," Reddy said.
The Indian military has floated global tenders for more than 800 bulletproof vehicles which are likely to be farmed out to security agencies involved in counter-insurgency operations, a senior defence ministry official said.
"Once this contract is through there will be a plethora of orders as these vehicles are a must-have for tackling insurgencies," said Vivek Mehta of London-based Vectra group, one of the eight contenders for the 5.7 million-dollar deal.
India plans to spend 30 billion dollars on military contracts by 2014 and in August it announced a separate 10 billion-dollar homeland security upgrade to be completed before 2016.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which lost 11 soldiers in a Maoist raid in April in Orissa state, is looking to strengthen protection for its 110,000 troops who guard complexes such as airfields, refineries and armories.
"The Maoist threat is a new challenge and we want to prepare for better perimeter protection," CISF inspector general Anurag Sharma said.
"We need database network systems and better access control, and arms bazaars such as these are interesting as costs are lower," Sharma, the paramilitary agency's chief trainer, told AFP at the fair.
The Maoist insurgency, which began as a peasant uprising in 1967, is now active in 20 of India's 29 states and has been described by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as the country's "number one" internal security threat.
The Maoists, said to number 20,000, operate mainly in the countryside and stage hit-and-run guerrilla attacks on security teams from forest bases in states like Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa.
Home Secretary G.K. Pillai has said the planned offensive against the rebels would start after a set of regional polls ended Tuesday.
"We would wait till the elections are over and then we will launch the operations at the time and place of our choosing," Pillai told NDTV television on Monday.
Prime Minister Singh has ruled out direct military involvement in anti-Maoist operations but that did not prevent the army's jungle warfare experts attending the three-day fair.
"We are looking at affordable technology which can be proliferated across security agencies," an officer from the military's counter-insurgency jungle warfare school said on condition of anonymity.
He cited laser-guided armaments, light vehicles and drones as priority purchases.
As well as the Maoists, Indian security forces are battling a number of other insurgencies, including long-running armed separatist campaigns in Kashmir and the northeast.
India acknowledged huge gaps in its homeland security apparatus after Islamist gunmen attacked prime targets in the country's financial hub Mumbai last November, killing 166 people.
Despite the apparent urgency of India's requirements, some arms suppliers have complained of red tape delaying acquisitions, often by years.
"The procurement procedures are so slow in India that by the time they make up their mind the technology we offer is already obsolete," R.K. Bhandari, the India sales head of US-based General Dynamics, said.
upgrade the country's counter-insurgency capabilities.
"We want to acquire what can be moulded into our own security system," said top police intelligence officer Shashidhar Reddy of Andhra Pradesh, one of the states most affected by Maoist activity.
Reddy was one of a number of senior security officials perusing the wares offered by 150 arms firms from 15 countries participating in India's first homeland security fair in New Delhi this week.
"Our priorities are many but we are looking at vehicles, surveillance cameras, et cetera," Reddy said.
The Indian military has floated global tenders for more than 800 bulletproof vehicles which are likely to be farmed out to security agencies involved in counter-insurgency operations, a senior defence ministry official said.
"Once this contract is through there will be a plethora of orders as these vehicles are a must-have for tackling insurgencies," said Vivek Mehta of London-based Vectra group, one of the eight contenders for the 5.7 million-dollar deal.
India plans to spend 30 billion dollars on military contracts by 2014 and in August it announced a separate 10 billion-dollar homeland security upgrade to be completed before 2016.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which lost 11 soldiers in a Maoist raid in April in Orissa state, is looking to strengthen protection for its 110,000 troops who guard complexes such as airfields, refineries and armories.
"The Maoist threat is a new challenge and we want to prepare for better perimeter protection," CISF inspector general Anurag Sharma said.
"We need database network systems and better access control, and arms bazaars such as these are interesting as costs are lower," Sharma, the paramilitary agency's chief trainer, told AFP at the fair.
The Maoist insurgency, which began as a peasant uprising in 1967, is now active in 20 of India's 29 states and has been described by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as the country's "number one" internal security threat.
The Maoists, said to number 20,000, operate mainly in the countryside and stage hit-and-run guerrilla attacks on security teams from forest bases in states like Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa.
Home Secretary G.K. Pillai has said the planned offensive against the rebels would start after a set of regional polls ended Tuesday.
"We would wait till the elections are over and then we will launch the operations at the time and place of our choosing," Pillai told NDTV television on Monday.
Prime Minister Singh has ruled out direct military involvement in anti-Maoist operations but that did not prevent the army's jungle warfare experts attending the three-day fair.
"We are looking at affordable technology which can be proliferated across security agencies," an officer from the military's counter-insurgency jungle warfare school said on condition of anonymity.
He cited laser-guided armaments, light vehicles and drones as priority purchases.
As well as the Maoists, Indian security forces are battling a number of other insurgencies, including long-running armed separatist campaigns in Kashmir and the northeast.
India acknowledged huge gaps in its homeland security apparatus after Islamist gunmen attacked prime targets in the country's financial hub Mumbai last November, killing 166 people.
Despite the apparent urgency of India's requirements, some arms suppliers have complained of red tape delaying acquisitions, often by years.
"The procurement procedures are so slow in India that by the time they make up their mind the technology we offer is already obsolete," R.K. Bhandari, the India sales head of US-based General Dynamics, said.Related Headline News....for full stories click on the links below
~ 20 killed, 10 feared dead in fire in firecracker godown PTI - 12:18 AM
~ Air India flight delayed by nearly six hours PTI - 12:06 AM
~ 7 killed, 8 feared dead in fire in firecracker godown PTI - Fri, Oct 16
~ Air India flight hit by eagle, lands safely PTI - Fri, Oct 16
~ Maoist couple remanded to two days police custody PTI - Fri, Oct 16
DTN News: Singapore TODAY October 17, 2009 ~ Little India Bustles With Activity Ahead Of Deepavali
DTN News: Singapore TODAY October 17, 2009 ~ Little India Bustles With Activity Ahead Of Deepavali
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) SINGAPORE - October 17, 2009: Little India bustled with activity on Friday as people were rushing to do some last—minute shopping ahead of Deepavali on Saturday. Serangoon Road, Buffalo Road and Campbell Lane were packed with shoppers. (Image: Little India bustles with activity ahead of Deepavali)
They were there to buy fresh flowers, lamps, banana leaves at the bazaar to mark the festival of lights.
Shouts of Happy Deepavali could be heard as the crowd moved along.
Shop vendors said this year’s turn—out was even better than expected.
Related Headline News....for full stories click on the links below
~ Football: SAFFC clinch S.League title Channel NewsAsia - Saturday, October 17
~ SAF hands over two medical clinics to Indonesian authorities Channel NewsAsia - Saturday, October 17
~ Little India bustles with activity ahead of Deepavali Channel NewsAsia - Saturday, October 17
~ Singapore the birthplace of the world’s first semi—cloned animal Channel NewsAsia - Saturday, October 17
~ HDB launches two new BTO projects in Sengkang and Jurong West Channel NewsAsia - Saturday, October 17