Written statement from defence secretary Liam Fox attributes high cost to advanced nature of weapons used in conflict The government has revealed that the cost of the operation in Libya has run to £260m, confirming the figure was higher than had initially been predicted. In a written ministerial statement, the defence secretary, Liam Fox, said costs for the initial operation would be £120m, while the cost of replenishing spent munitions could eventually reach £140m. The high costs – which the Treasury has agreed to meet – were attributed to the advanced nature of the weapons used in Libya. While the opposition backs the operation, it has pressed for details of expenditure to be revealed amid concern that the cost is escalating. Earlier in the year, the chancellor, George Osborne, said in the Commons that the eventual cost would be “in the order of tens of millions of pounds, not hundreds of millions”. But in his statement, Fox said: “The current estimate of the net additional costs of military operations for six months in support of Operation Ellamy – the United Kingdom’s contribution to coalition operations in support of United Nations security council Resolution 1973 – is in the region of £120m. This excludes costs associated with capital munitions expended. “Based upon current consumption rates, we estimate the cost of replenishing munitions may be up to £140m.” Prior to his announcement, he had said people would “have to take into account that we have used more expensive precision weaponry so that we minimise civilian casualties in Libya”. He added: “If we are going to fight operations in the future based on minimising civilian casualties, there is clearly a financial price to pay. “I think that shows that we are on the moral high ground and that we place a higher value on human life than the Gaddafi regime.” Jim Murphy, the shadow defence secretary, backed calls from service chiefs for contingency plans to be drawn up “to ensure that our armed forces are sufficiently equipped and that the conflict is sustainable beyond September”. He also urged Nato allies to do more to help reduce the British contribution. Murphy said: “Thanks to pressure from the opposition, ministers have now published figures revealing that the costs of the operation in Libya are higher than originally estimated. “We back the Nato-led operation, and continue to offer the government our support wherever possible. “We want the government to be clearer on what stresses and strains operations in Libya are making on the core defence budget, and whether our standing commitments are, or will be, affected by the ongoing conflict. “In particular, we will ensure the government keeps to its guarantees that the mission in Afghanistan will not be affected. That is absolutely vital.” In March, Osborne had told the Commons: “The House will understand that it is too early to give a robust estimate of the costs of the operations in Libya, but I can say that they should be modest compared with some other operations, such as Afghanistan. “The Ministry of Defence’s initial view is that they will be in the order of tens of millions of pounds, not hundreds of millions. I can tell the House today that, whatever they turn out to be, the additional costs of operations in Libya will be fully met from the reserve.” The national transitional council in Libya is also struggling to meet the costs of running an alternative government to that of Muammar Gaddafi. This week, Dr Ali Tarhuni, the minister for finance and oil in the council, wrote an open letter to the UK government, calling for the release of 1.4bn dinars (£700m) of Libyan government money (£700m), printed in the UK, that was impounded in Britain when the fighting began. The transitional council is running out of money and would like the government to release the funds, but the attorney general, Dominic Grieve, has said he is legally unable to do so. Foreign policy Liam Fox Jim Murphy House of Commons Libya Middle East Africa United Nations Nato Allegra Stratton guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Written statement from defence secretary Liam Fox attributes high cost to advanced nature of weapons used in conflict The government has revealed that the cost of the operation in Libya has run to £260m, confirming the figure was higher than had initially been predicted. In a written ministerial statement, the defence secretary, Liam Fox, said costs for the initial operation would be £120m, while the cost of replenishing spent munitions could eventually reach £140m. The high costs – which the Treasury has agreed to meet – were attributed to the advanced nature of the weapons used in Libya. While the opposition backs the operation, it has pressed for details of expenditure to be revealed amid concern that the cost is escalating. Earlier in the year, the chancellor, George Osborne, said in the Commons that the eventual cost would be “in the order of tens of millions of pounds, not hundreds of millions”. But in his statement, Fox said: “The current estimate of the net additional costs of military operations for six months in support of Operation Ellamy – the United Kingdom’s contribution to coalition operations in support of United Nations security council Resolution 1973 – is in the region of £120m. This excludes costs associated with capital munitions expended. “Based upon current consumption rates, we estimate the cost of replenishing munitions may be up to £140m.” Prior to his announcement, he had said people would “have to take into account that we have used more expensive precision weaponry so that we minimise civilian casualties in Libya”. He added: “If we are going to fight operations in the future based on minimising civilian casualties, there is clearly a financial price to pay. “I think that shows that we are on the moral high ground and that we place a higher value on human life than the Gaddafi regime.” Jim Murphy, the shadow defence secretary, backed calls from service chiefs for contingency plans to be drawn up “to ensure that our armed forces are sufficiently equipped and that the conflict is sustainable beyond September”. He also urged Nato allies to do more to help reduce the British contribution. Murphy said: “Thanks to pressure from the opposition, ministers have now published figures revealing that the costs of the operation in Libya are higher than originally estimated. “We back the Nato-led operation, and continue to offer the government our support wherever possible. “We want the government to be clearer on what stresses and strains operations in Libya are making on the core defence budget, and whether our standing commitments are, or will be, affected by the ongoing conflict. “In particular, we will ensure the government keeps to its guarantees that the mission in Afghanistan will not be affected. That is absolutely vital.” In March, Osborne had told the Commons: “The House will understand that it is too early to give a robust estimate of the costs of the operations in Libya, but I can say that they should be modest compared with some other operations, such as Afghanistan. “The Ministry of Defence’s initial view is that they will be in the order of tens of millions of pounds, not hundreds of millions. I can tell the House today that, whatever they turn out to be, the additional costs of operations in Libya will be fully met from the reserve.” The national transitional council in Libya is also struggling to meet the costs of running an alternative government to that of Muammar Gaddafi. This week, Dr Ali Tarhuni, the minister for finance and oil in the council, wrote an open letter to the UK government, calling for the release of 1.4bn dinars (£700m) of Libyan government money (£700m), printed in the UK, that was impounded in Britain when the fighting began. The transitional council is running out of money and would like the government to release the funds, but the attorney general, Dominic Grieve, has said he is legally unable to do so. Foreign policy Liam Fox Jim Murphy House of Commons Libya Middle East Africa United Nations Nato Allegra Stratton guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Written statement from defence secretary Liam Fox attributes high cost to advanced nature of weapons used in conflict The government has revealed that the cost of the operation in Libya has run to £260m, confirming the figure was higher than had initially been predicted. In a written ministerial statement, the defence secretary, Liam Fox, said costs for the initial operation would be £120m, while the cost of replenishing spent munitions could eventually reach £140m. The high costs – which the Treasury has agreed to meet – were attributed to the advanced nature of the weapons used in Libya. While the opposition backs the operation, it has pressed for details of expenditure to be revealed amid concern that the cost is escalating. Earlier in the year, the chancellor, George Osborne, said in the Commons that the eventual cost would be “in the order of tens of millions of pounds, not hundreds of millions”. But in his statement, Fox said: “The current estimate of the net additional costs of military operations for six months in support of Operation Ellamy – the United Kingdom’s contribution to coalition operations in support of United Nations security council Resolution 1973 – is in the region of £120m. This excludes costs associated with capital munitions expended. “Based upon current consumption rates, we estimate the cost of replenishing munitions may be up to £140m.” Prior to his announcement, he had said people would “have to take into account that we have used more expensive precision weaponry so that we minimise civilian casualties in Libya”. He added: “If we are going to fight operations in the future based on minimising civilian casualties, there is clearly a financial price to pay. “I think that shows that we are on the moral high ground and that we place a higher value on human life than the Gaddafi regime.” Jim Murphy, the shadow defence secretary, backed calls from service chiefs for contingency plans to be drawn up “to ensure that our armed forces are sufficiently equipped and that the conflict is sustainable beyond September”. He also urged Nato allies to do more to help reduce the British contribution. Murphy said: “Thanks to pressure from the opposition, ministers have now published figures revealing that the costs of the operation in Libya are higher than originally estimated. “We back the Nato-led operation, and continue to offer the government our support wherever possible. “We want the government to be clearer on what stresses and strains operations in Libya are making on the core defence budget, and whether our standing commitments are, or will be, affected by the ongoing conflict. “In particular, we will ensure the government keeps to its guarantees that the mission in Afghanistan will not be affected. That is absolutely vital.” In March, Osborne had told the Commons: “The House will understand that it is too early to give a robust estimate of the costs of the operations in Libya, but I can say that they should be modest compared with some other operations, such as Afghanistan. “The Ministry of Defence’s initial view is that they will be in the order of tens of millions of pounds, not hundreds of millions. I can tell the House today that, whatever they turn out to be, the additional costs of operations in Libya will be fully met from the reserve.” The national transitional council in Libya is also struggling to meet the costs of running an alternative government to that of Muammar Gaddafi. This week, Dr Ali Tarhuni, the minister for finance and oil in the council, wrote an open letter to the UK government, calling for the release of 1.4bn dinars (£700m) of Libyan government money (£700m), printed in the UK, that was impounded in Britain when the fighting began. The transitional council is running out of money and would like the government to release the funds, but the attorney general, Dominic Grieve, has said he is legally unable to do so. Foreign policy Liam Fox Jim Murphy House of Commons Libya Middle East Africa United Nations Nato Allegra Stratton guardian.co.uk
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Outspoken Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has said little after returning home. He arrived at his door in Beijing after being released from nearly three months in detention. (June 23)
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Outspoken Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has said little after returning home. He arrived at his door in Beijing after being released from nearly three months in detention. (June 23)
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Outspoken Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has said little after returning home. He arrived at his door in Beijing after being released from nearly three months in detention. (June 23)
Continue reading …Pioneer’s AppRadio delivers iPhone integration, automotive and audio bliss for $400
June 23, 2011 No Comment
We knew Pioneer’s AppRadio car stereo was coming to cozy up with our iPhones, but we didn’t know how much its iOS integration capabilities would cost, until now. Turns out 400 bucks buys you one, and it’s picked up some new capabilities since we got handsy with the device last month. In addition to letting you listen to tunes stored on your iPhone, access Google Maps, and make calls, the AppRadio now has access to your iPhone’s contacts, calendar, videos, and photos as well. Unfortunately, there’s still only four other apps (Rdio, Pandora, MotionX-GPS Drive, and INRIX ) available, though Pioneer says more are coming. With a name like AppRadio they ought to get here soon, as in immediately . Peep the PR after the break for the full monty. Continue reading Pioneer’s AppRadio delivers iPhone integration, automotive and audio bliss for $400 Pioneer’s AppRadio delivers iPhone integration, automotive and audio bliss for $400 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 07:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Chinese artist’s cousin Zhang Jinsong released but authorities silent on whereabouts of friend, accountant and designer Police have freed Ai Weiwei’s cousin and driver after granting bail to the artist himself. Ai was released on bail on Wednesday night after 81 days of detention “because of his good attitude in confessing his crimes” and a chronic illness, the Xinhua news agency reported. The 54-year-old told the Guardian he was happy to be back with his family but was unable to comment further. He appeared tired and thinner than before his disappearance. Ai’s mother, Gao Ying, said her nephew Zhang Jinsong, who had worked for Ai, returned home in a good mental state but having lost around 9kg. He went missing a few days after his cousin. “They have returned home and the family can see each other. We are all very happy. For anything that happens there must be an ending, and now we are happy with the result of what has happened to us.” Earlier she said she was delighted that Zhang was to be released “since he got into the case because of my son”. The 43-year-old cousin, known to friends as Xiao Pang, travelled and worked closely with Ai . Three other associates who went missing shortly after Ai remain unaccounted for. The Xinhua report on Ai’s release cited police claims that a company controlled by the artist had evaded a huge amount of tax and intentionally destroyed accounting documents. It said the decision to grant bail reflected the fact he had repeatedly said he was willing to pay the taxes. But Ai’s family believe the accusations are retaliation for his social and political activism and that those connected to him – friends and colleagues – have been drawn in. They include Ai’s friend Wen Tao, 38. His girlfriend Shi Jing said his family had received no information about him. “I am always worried about Wen Tao and concerned that he might be persecuted inside there,” said his friend, artist Wu Yuren, who was himself tried but never sentenced for assaulting a police officer in what he said was retaliation for his activism. In his first public comments since his release on bail in April, Wu said: “I am concerned about the direction this country is going towards. Especially for intellectuals and artists, we are all concerned. There is less and less free space.” Hu Mingfen, 55, the accountant for the company that handled Ai’s affairs, and Liu Zhenggang, 49, a designer who worked at Ai’s studio, are also still missing. Asked whether police were holding the three, and if so why, foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said: “China is a country under the rule of law. For the specific situation please consult the competent authorities.” Police have refused to answer queries about them or register them as missing persons. Hong told a news briefing that Ai was “not allowed to leave the place he was living in” without permission, but did not clarify whether that meant his home or Beijing as a whole. Bail restrictions usually prevent a suspect travelling without prior approval. The spokesman confirmed that bail conditions would last for a year but declined to give further details of Ai’s situation, such as restrictions on his speech or whether he was allowed to make or exhibit art. Hong denied that China had bowed to international pressure, telling reporters: “The handling of Ai Weiwei’s case was the handling of a very common economic crime. “China is a country under the rule of law. We hope countries respect its judicial sovereignty without interfering.” He said Ai had been under residential surveillance from the day he vanished, 3 April. The measure does not require police to notify families – as detention would – and gives police six months rather than one before they have to refer the case to prosecutors. It usually equates to house arrest but the regulations do not spell out what constitutes a residence. Ai was held at an unknown location. Human rights groups have warned that in recent months dissidents and activists have been coming under intense pressure even after release from jail or detention. Some have effectively been held incommunicado. Zeng Jinyan, the wife of jailed activist Hu Jia, is understood to have left their young daughter with relatives after police warned that his release from prison on Monday could mean tight restrictions on their movements , probably amounting to house arrest. “Baobao cried her heart out on 19 June when I left for airport,” Zeng wrote in messages on a Chinese microblog service. “She asked if I could work from home and stay with her … I embraced Baobao for such a long time before saying goodbye to her that I can still feel her in my arms now.” China Ai Weiwei Human rights Tania Branigan guardian.co.uk
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Ghost Gold WoW Gold Hack Make Money Online (want to learn How To Make Money Online) Dead Space 2 Keygen Full Game Download Free Legit Working MakeMoneyDetail says: How to Make Money Using Etsy: A Guide to the Online Marketplace for Crafts and Handmade Products http://bit.ly/l5GnpB
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Eight new locations announced by Chris Huhne first guide to future of nuclear power in UK since Japan’s Fukushima disaster The government has pushed ahead with plans for new nuclear power plants in the UK, as it confirmed a list of eight sites where the next generation of reactors can be built. The eight sites are: Bradwell, Essex; Hartlepool; Heysham, Lancashire; Hinkley Point, Somerset; Oldbury, south Gloucestershire; Sellafield, Cumbria; Sizewell, Suffolk; and Wylfa, Anglesey. All are adjacent to existing nuclear sites. It is the first major announcement on the future of nuclear power in the UK since the Fukushima disaster in Japan. The energy and climate change secretary, Chris Huhne, had signalled last month that plans for new reactors in the UK were on track after an initial report on Fukushima from nuclear chief inspector Mike Weightman ruled out the need to curtail the operation of stations in the UK. The plans for new nuclear power plants are part of a series of national policy statements on energy that were published on Thursday, following public consultation. They will be debated and voted on in parliament, but ministers are hopeful that, with a pro-nuclear majority in the Commons, they will win. The energy minister, Charles Hendry, said: “These plans set out our energy need to help guide the planning process, so that if acceptable proposals come forward in appropriate places, they will not face unnecessary hold ups.” Nuclear power is one of the issues that divided Conservatives and Liberal Democrats when they entered government, with the coalition deal allowing Liberal Democrat MPs to abstain. Huhne, a Liberal Democrat, has since given his backing to new reactors. Nuclear power Chris Huhne Energy Energy industry Liberal-Conservative coalition guardian.co.uk
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