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Prince Harry’s Christmas message to bereaved military children

<p dir="ltr">Prince Harry dressed up as Spider-Man for a surprise Christmas video for children’s charity for bereaved military children and young people.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Duke of Sussex recorded himself in the superhero costume for Scotty’s Little Soldiers which was played at their annual Christmas party.</p> <p dir="ltr">The theme of the Christmas party was heroes and villains with the children being told the villains were trying to ruin the holiday season by stealing and locking away Santa’s presents.</p> <p dir="ltr">The children were then given challenges to save the day and defeat the villains for presents.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Use your teamwork, your brains, and your brawn and you do exactly that... Find them, and don't let them ruin Christmas,” Prince Harry said in the video.</p> <p dir="ltr">He then went on to tell the children and their families that it was okay to celebrate Christmas despite mourning the loss of their loved ones.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Christmas is a time when we miss our loved ones really, really badly and that’s OK,” Harry continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But at the same time, it can be possible to feel guilty for having fun without our parents. But I am here to assure you that our parents always want us to have fun, OK? So don’t feel guilty.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You are allowed to have the best time ever, especially with this Scotty’s Little Soldiers community. Go out there, have the best time, and Merry Christmas.”</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yVImKSa_HVE" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p dir="ltr">Scotty’s Little Soldiers Founder, Nikki Scott, said it meant a lot for children and their families to hear Prince Harry’s message as he could relate.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s incredible for everyone at Scotty’s to have Prince Harry’s continued support,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He knows what it’s like to grow up without a parent and understands there are certain times of the year that can be particularly challenging.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Christmas is one of those times. We love the fact that Prince Harry not only recorded such a special message but also dressed up as Spider-Man."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Scotty’s Little Soldiers</em></p>

Family & Pets

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China’s influence in Myanmar could tip the scales towards war in the South China Sea

<p>The fate of Myanmar has major implications for a free and open Indo-Pacific.</p> <p>An undemocratic Myanmar serves no one’s interests except China, which is consolidating its economic and strategic influence in its smaller neighbour in pursuit of its <a href="https://cimsec.org/chinese-maritime-strategy-indian-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two-ocean strategy</a>.</p> <p>Since the coup China has been – by far – the main source of <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/myanmar-economy-idUSL4N2U721T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">foreign investment</a> in Myanmar.</p> <p>This includes <a href="https://www.myanmar-now.org/en/news/junta-approves-25bn-power-plant-project-backed-by-chinese-companies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US$2.5 billion</a> in a gas-fired power plant to be built west of Myanmar’s capital, Yangon, that will be 81% owned and operated by Chinese companies.</p> <p>Among the dozens of infrastructure projects China is funding are high-speed rail links and dams. But its most strategically important investment is the <a href="https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/china-myanmar-economic-corridor-and-chinas-determination-see-it-through" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China-Myanmar Economic Corridor</a>, encompassing oil and gas pipelines, roads and rail links costing many tens of billions of dollars.</p> <p>The corridor’s “jewel in the crown” is a deep-sea port to be built at Kyaukphyu, on Myanmar’s west coast, at an estimated <a href="https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/kyaukphyu-deep-sea-port-poses-challenges-maday-islanders-and-local-fisheries" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cost of US$7 billion</a>.</p> <p>This will finally give China its long-desired “back door” to the Indian Ocean.</p> <p>Natural gas from Myanmar can help China reduce its dependence on imports from suppliers such as Australia. Access <a href="https://www.diis.dk/en/research/myanmar-chinas-west-coast-dream" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to the Indian Ocean</a> will enable China to import gas and oil from the Middle East, Africa and Venezuela without ships having to pass through the contested waters of the South China Sea to Chinese ports.</p> <p>About <a href="https://chinapower.csis.org/much-trade-transits-south-china-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">80% of China’s oil imports</a> now move through the South China Sea via the Malacca Strait, which is just 65 kilometres wide at its narrowest point between the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia’s Sumatra.</p> <p>Overcoming this strategic vulnerability arguably makes the Kyaukphyu port and pipelines the most important element of China’s <a href="https://theconversation.com/china-is-financing-infrastructure-projects-around-the-world-many-could-harm-nature-and-indigenous-communities-168060" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Belt and Road initiative</a> to reshape global trade routes and assert its influence over other nations.</p> <h2>Deepening relationship</h2> <p>Most of China’s infrastructure investment was planned before Myanmar’s coup. But whereas other governments and foreign investors have sought to distance themselves from the junta since it overthrew Myanmar’s elected government in February 2021, China has deepened its relationship.</p> <p>China is the Myanmar regime’s most important international supporter. In April Foreign Minister Wang Yi said <a href="https://apnews.com/article/wang-yi-aung-san-suu-kyi-china-myanmar-diplomacy-d68de69436c1462f647f6475b6315c92" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China would support Myanmar</a> “no matter how the situation changes”. In May it used its veto power on the United Nations Security Council to thwart <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/russia-china-block-un-statement-034542265.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a statement expressing concern</a> about violence and the growing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.</p> <p>Work continues on projects associated with the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. New ventures (such as the aforementioned power station) have been approved. More projects are on the cards. In June, for example, China’s embassy in Myanmar announced the completion of <a href="https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2022/06/08/feasibility-study-completed-for-myanmar039s-wan-pong-port-improvement-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a feasibility study</a> to upgrade the Wan Pong port on the Lancang-Mekong River in Myanmar’s east.</p> <h2>Debt trap warnings</h2> <p>In 2020, before the coup, Myanmar’s auditor general Maw Than <a href="https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/costly-borrowing-06102020151951.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">warned of growing indebtedness</a> to China, with Chinese lenders charging higher interest payments than those from the International Monetary Fund or World Bank.</p> <p>At that time <a href="https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Forty-per-cent-of-Myanmar%E2%80%99s-government-debt-held-by-China-46071.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">about 40%</a> of Myanmar’s foreign debt of US$10 billion was owed to China. It is likely to be greater now. It will only increase the longer a military dictatorship, with few other supporters or sources of foreign money, remains in power, <a href="https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2021/06/23/how-the-coup-is-destroying-myanmars-economy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dragging down Myanmar’s economy</a>.</p> <p>Efforts to restore democracy in Myanmar should therefore be seen as crucial to the long-term strategic interests of the region’s democracies, and to global peace and prosperity, given the increasing belligerence of China under Xi Jinping.</p> <p>Xi, now president for life, this month told the People’s Liberation Army to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/09/xi-jinping-tells-chinas-army-to-focus-on-preparation-for-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener">prepare for war</a>. A compliant and indebted Myanmar with a deep-sea port controlled by Chinese interests tips the scales towards that happening.</p> <p>A democratic and independent Myanmar is a counter-strategy to this potential.</p> <h2>Calls for sanctions</h2> <p>Myanmar’s democracy movement wants the international community to impose <a href="https://specialadvisorycouncil.org/cut-the-cash/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tough sanctions</a> on the junta. But few have responded.</p> <p>The United States and United Kingdom have gone furthest, banning business dealings with Myanmar military officials and state-owned or private companies controlled by the military.</p> <p>The European Union and Canada have imposed sanctions against a more limited range of individuals and economic entities.</p> <p>South Korea has suspended financing new infrastructure projects. Japan has suspended aid and postponed the launch of Myanmar’s first satellite. New Zealand has suspended political and military contact.</p> <p>Australia has suspended military cooperation (with some <a href="https://www.dfat.gov.au/international-relations/security/sanctions/sanctions-regimes/myanmar-sanctions-regime" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pre-existing restrictions</a> on dealing with military leaders imposed following the human rights atrocities committed against the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41566561" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rohingya</a> in 2017.</p> <p>But that’s about it.</p> <p>Myanmar’s closest neighbours in the ten-member Association of South-East Asian Nations are still committed to a policy of dialogue and “<a href="https://thediplomat.com/2022/11/will-asean-finally-change-its-approach-toward-myanmar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">non-interference</a>” – though <a href="https://thediplomat.com/2022/05/malaysian-fm-says-asean-envoy-welcomes-idea-of-engaging-myanmars-nug/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Malaysia</a> and <a href="https://thediplomat.com/2022/11/indonesian-fm-says-myanmar-military-to-blame-for-countrys-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indonesia</a> are increasingly arguing for a tougher approach as the atrocities mount.</p> <p>The <a href="https://myanmar.iiss.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project</a> says the only country now more violent than Myanmar is Ukraine.</p> <p>Given its unique geo-strategic position, self-interest alone should be enough for the international community to take greater action.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/chinas-influence-in-myanmar-could-tip-the-scales-towards-war-in-the-south-china-sea-189780" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Legal

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Australia is investigating whether ex-defence personnel provided military training to China. Would it matter if they did?

<p>Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles <a href="https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/statements/2022-11-09/statement-efforts-recruit-former-adf-pilots" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> he had directed the Department of Defence to investigate reports “that ex-Australian Defence Force personnel may have been approached to provide military related training to China”.</p> <p>This announcement comes just weeks after the British Ministry of Defence <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/top-guns-for-hire-british-pilots-training-chinese-military-slammed-as-morally-repugnant-20221019-p5bqvx.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revealed</a> around 30 of their former military pilots had been delivering flight training services to members of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) through a company based in South Africa.</p> <p>Marles has <a href="https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/transcripts/2022-11-09/press-conference-parliament-house" target="_blank" rel="noopener">committed</a> to conducting a</p> <blockquote> <p>detailed examination [of] the policies and procedures that apply to our former Defence personnel, and particularly those who come into possession of our nation’s secrets.</p> </blockquote> <p>He explained there’s a “clear and unambiguous” obligation on current and former Commonwealth officials to “maintain [government] secrets beyond their employment with, or their engagement with, the Commonwealth”.</p> <p>Australia’s highly trained defence personnel are a huge asset to us, as much as our cutting-edge physical assets and technologies. As far as possible, we should ensure these assets are protected. There should also be clear guidelines around how and when privileged information can be employed.</p> <h2>Impending investigation</h2> <p>According to Britain’s Minister for Armed Forces and Veterans James Heappey, their authorities had <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/top-guns-for-hire-british-pilots-training-chinese-military-slammed-as-morally-repugnant-20221019-p5bqvx.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">been aware of the situation for several years</a>. None of the pilots had broken existing British law.</p> <p>The BBC <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-63293582" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> the British government issued this “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/oct/18/uk-officials-threat-alert-china-attempts-to-recruit-raf-pilots" target="_blank" rel="noopener">threat alert</a>” to deter other would-be trainers from taking up similar offers. There’s also an updated National Security Bill currently before the House of Commons, which seeks to “create additional tools” to address security challenges like this one.</p> <p>By comparison, it’s unclear whether any ex-Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel took up Chinese offers to train the PLA, or whether such an action would be considered a violation of the secrecy of information provisions of the Australian Criminal Code.</p> <p>Marles <a href="https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/transcripts/2022-11-09/press-conference-parliament-house" target="_blank" rel="noopener">explained</a> the Counter Foreign Interference Taskforce is “currently investigating a number of cases” identified by the department’s initial inquiries.</p> <p>This investigation will also seek to determine whether current policies and procedures are fit for purpose when it comes to former defence personnel and the protection of official secrets.</p> <p>Taking such measures has bipartisan support. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton <a href="https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/peter-dutton-calls-on-albanese-government-to-tighten-up-laws-to-prevent-adf-personnel-spreading-australian-secrets/news-story/37ee6dc4c585922f7abf98edcc51b7b6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has indicated</a> “if there is a hole in the legislation now, the Coalition will support a change which will tighten it up”. He added that Australia “can’t allow our secrets and our methodologies to be handed over to another country, and particularly not China under President Xi”.</p> <h2>Exposing our tactics</h2> <p>Dutton’s comments highlight an important distinction: while the training of PLA (or any foreign) pilots by ex-ADF personnel may not necessarily constitute a disclosure of official secrets, it still risks exposing the ways in which the ADF is trained to fight to a potential adversary – what are referred to as its tactics, techniques and procedures.</p> <p>There are many exchange personnel from overseas embedded in the ADF (and vice versa). But given the sensitivities involved, these positions are typically restricted to close partners such as the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand or Canada. One of the benefits of close cooperation between militaries is that they can then operate more effectively alongside each other in the event of a conflict.</p> <p>But if ex-ADF personnel train the armed forces of potential adversaries, those opponents may be able to use this knowledge to better develop methods of their own to erode Australia’s military advantages.</p> <p>Professor <a href="https://twitter.com/alessionaval/status/1582232133086892032" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alessio Patalano</a> of King’s College London points out that</p> <blockquote> <p>skilled personnel are valued capabilities and this know-how is a national security resource, and for the same reason a potential vulnerability.</p> </blockquote> <p>He further <a href="https://twitter.com/alessionaval/status/1582230651834548224" target="_blank" rel="noopener">explained</a> the “reverse engineering of professional skills” has a long historical tradition. That is, personnel undergoing this training would improve their skills, but could also work backwards from the instruction they receive to draw further insights into how the other state might operate in the event of war.</p> <p>For example, in the so-called “<a href="https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2019/december/jump-starting-japanese-naval-aviation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sempill Mission</a>” of British aviators to Japan in the 1920s, British personnel provided detailed instruction to their Japanese counterparts on how to conduct and train for aircraft carrier operations – at the time a brand new and rapidly emerging form of naval warfare. This training mission contributed significantly to the Imperial Japanese Navy’s prowess in aircraft carrier operations displayed in 1941.</p> <p>While foreign governments and intelligence services are always looking for opportunities to obtain classified information about Australia and its partners, the converse is also true.</p> <p>The Daily Express <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1686465/RAF-news-china-uk-nato-raf-pilots-british-security-agencies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">claimed</a> British intelligence services used their knowledge of these recent activities as an opportunity for some pilots to obtain information on the current state of the PLA.</p> <p>The pilots allegedly had first-hand experience flying China’s frontline combat aircraft, and relayed the information to British authorities on their return.</p> <h2>Protecting our assets</h2> <p>Nevertheless, despite the “clear and unambiguous” obligation for former Commonwealth officials “to maintain [Australia’s] secrets”, ex-ADF personnel have been engaged in training foreign militaries for many years. In an interview with the ABC, former Secretary of Defence Dennis Richardson noted his <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-09/ex-defence-secretary-dennis-richardson-adf-members-china/101635972" target="_blank" rel="noopener">surprise</a> “at some of the positions that some former ADF officers have occupied in other countries” and expressed his hope the government’s review “goes beyond China”.</p> <p>The most prominent of these figures is <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-14/former-australian-soldiers-caught-up-in-yemen-civil-war/7087566" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Major General (Ret’d) Mike Hindmarsh</a>, a former Commander of Australia’s Special Operations Command who was subsequently appointed as the Commander of the United Arab Emirates’ Presidential Guard.</p> <p>Australia already has <a href="https://www.defence.gov.au/business-industry/export/controls/export-controls/export" target="_blank" rel="noopener">export control</a> regulations, which limits the physical export and intangible transfer of controlled military and dual-use goods and technologies. Also, stringent <a href="https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/education/o-neil-alters-ministerial-sign-off-for-postgrad-students-20220630-p5axwq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">limitations</a> on international students undertaking postgraduate research in Australia on critical technologies were legislated in the last Parliament. However, these measures aren’t being currently being implemented until the government can more clearly define the relevant list of critical technologies.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-is-investigating-whether-ex-defence-personnel-provided-military-training-to-china-would-it-matter-if-they-did-194252" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></p>

Travel Trouble

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“It’s a massive coup”: Royal’s new TV role

<p dir="ltr">Mike Tindall is reported to be taking part in the new season of Australia’s <em>I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/20077486/im-a-celebrity-first-royal-family-member/?utm_source=sharebar_app&amp;utm_medium=sharebar_app&amp;utm_campaign=sharebar_app_article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sun</a> reported that the husband of Princess Anne’s daughter Zara, will be heading to Australia to appear on the show. </p> <p dir="ltr">"It's a massive coup. Mike has had a box seat for some of the most important moments in royal history for generations,” a source told the publication.</p> <p dir="ltr">"He is sure to be discreet, but his sheer presence means this series will be an absolute must-watch."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!</em> Is due to hit the screens in November and the lineup will be announced closer to the launch date.</p> <p dir="ltr">If rumours are true that Mike will be appearing on the show, it will make him the first royal to sign up for the long-running programme.</p> <p dir="ltr">Others however have compared Mike’s move to Meghan Markle’s previous role in the huge Netflix series <em>Suits</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">This prompted a response from renowned UK journalist Piers Morgan who pointed out that the Tindall’s were never working royals. </p> <p dir="ltr">"There will be some who sneer today that Tindall shouldn’t be degrading himself by taking part in a TV reality show and comparing him to royal renegades Meghan and Harry, who quit Britain and royal duty to ruthlessly exploit their titles for massive commercial gain in America,” Piers wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">"But here's the difference: the Tindalls have never been working royals, had any royal titles, or received any public money. They are self-sufficient financially, trading off their mutual huge success in the sporting arena."</p> <p dir="ltr">Mike and Zara married in 2011 and have three children, Mia, eight, Lena, four, and Lucas, one.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

TV

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Why Harry didn't end up wearing military outfit to Queen’s funeral

<p dir="ltr">Prince Harry’s uniform has been the subject of heated discussion following the death of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.</p> <p dir="ltr">The former working royal first made headlines after he was spotted in a suit during royal events where Prince Andrew was wearing his military uniform.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite his father, King Charles III, giving Prince Harry permission to wear his dress uniform at Queen Elizabeth II’s vigil over the weekend, the 38-year-old arrived at Westminster Hall in his morning suit during <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/final-farewell-for-longest-reigning-queen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Monday morning’s service</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The prince added his medals to his black suit jacket which he wore while walking in the procession to and from Westminster Abbey during the funeral.</p> <p dir="ltr">But he wasn’t the only one not in uniform, after Prince Andrew was also prohibited from wearing official military dress during the service.</p> <p dir="ltr">The <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/major-backflip-over-prince-harry-s-military-uniform-rules" target="_blank" rel="noopener">changes to uniform permissions</a> came after the palace announced that only working members of the royal family who hold a rank could wear military uniforms at the funeral, with both Prince Harry and Prince Andrew being excluded from that category after leaving royal life.</p> <p dir="ltr">A source told<em> Page Six </em>last week that Prince Harry was just “prepared to wear whatever his grandmother made plans for”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He’s focused on honouring her and that’s it,” they said.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a statement, the prince said what he wore wasn’t reflective of his military service.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex will wear a morning suit throughout events honouring his grandmother. His decade of military service is not determined by the uniform he wears and we respectfully ask that focus remain on the life and legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”</p> <p dir="ltr">During the funeral, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were seated in the second row behind King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort.</p> <p dir="ltr">Meghan was spotted wearing a touching tribute to her grandmother-in-law, donning pearl earrings the Queen gave her in 2018.</p> <p dir="ltr">After the service, the couple walked behind the Queen’s coffin, with Prince Harry joining male family members for a procession through London streets ahead of her burial at Windsor Castle.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em><span id="docs-internal-guid-eb9566f2-7fff-2a5f-8bd4-8f234ab42aaf"></span></p>

Family & Pets

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Major backflip over Prince Harry's military uniform rules

<p>Prince Harry will now be allowed to wear his military uniform in a special tribute to Queen Elizabeth. </p> <p>According to <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/royals/prince-harry-wear-military-uniform-28003285" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Mirror</a>, the Duke of Sussex has been given special permission to don his military colours for a lying-in-state vigil staged by Her Majesty’s grandchildren at Westminster Hall.</p> <p>The Queen's eight grandchildren, including Prince Harry and Prince William, will stand on Saturday evening in silence for a 15 minute vigil alongside Her Majesty’s coffin.</p> <p>After disgraced royal Prince Andrew was given special permission to wear his military uniform, it is understood that palace officials stepped in to give Prince Harry the same allowance. </p> <p>A royal source said, “Common sense has prevailed."</p> <p>“It was a ludicrous situation given the Duke of Sussex has served his country and is a highly respected member of the armed forces with everything he has done for veterans."</p> <p>"It is important that the Queen's grandchildren are all made to feel welcome and comfortable as they grieve their beloved grandmother together."</p> <p>Prince Harry and Prince William will be joined by Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Zara and Peter Philips and Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn, to form the part of the guard of honour. </p> <p>Harry, who served in the British army for a decade including two tours of Afghanistan, had this week been at the centre of a row over whether he would be allowed to wear his Blues and Royals uniform.</p> <p>After <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/harry-responds-to-reports-of-being-barred-from-wearing-military-uniform" target="_blank" rel="noopener">previously being banned</a> from wearing his military colours, a spokesman for the Sussexes told CNN, "His decade of military service is not determined by the uniform he wears and we respectfully ask that focus remain on the life and legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

News

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Harry responds to reports of being barred from wearing military uniform

<p>Prince Harry has responded to claims that he has been barred from wearing a ceremonial military uniform at Queen Elizabeth's funeral. </p> <p>While the Duke of Sussex has been banned from donning the military outfit out of respect, scandal-prone Prince Andrew has been given an exception. </p> <p>While both Prince Harry and Prince Andrew served in the military, neither men are working royals. </p> <p>A Buckingham Palace edict stipulated that only working royals would be allowed to wear military uniforms at events to mark the Queen's death, making many wonder why Prince Andrew was granted an exception after his years of ongoing scandals. </p> <p>US TV network CNN today reported that the prince had issued a statement over the clothing controversy.</p> <p>"Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex will wear a morning suit throughout events honouring his grandmother," a spokesman for the Sussexes told CNN.</p> <p>"His decade of military service is not determined by the uniform he wears and we respectfully ask that focus remain on the life and legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II."</p> <p>It is likely to leave a bitter taste for ex-soldier Harry, who is proud of his decade in the forces, and who was saddened after being stripped of his honorary military roles including Captain General of the Royal Marines by the Queen after the Sussexes retreated overseas.</p> <p>Prince Andrew joined King Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Edward in a suit for the procession of the Queen's coffin through the streets of Edinburgh, in like with the edits of Buckingham Palace. </p> <p>But it has emerged that Andrew, who stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, will be allowed to wear his uniform at Wednesday's vigil in Westminster.</p> <p>However, he is expected to wear a suit for the Queen's funeral on Monday. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

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Albanese announces $100 million in military aid for Ukraine, pledging support for ‘as long as it takes’

<p>Australia has given Ukraine another $A100 million in military aid, and Anthony Albanese has pledged Australia will continue support for the embattled country “for as long as it takes for Ukraine to emerge victorious”.</p> <p>Albanese inspected devastated areas in and around the capital Kyiv, going to the towns of Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomel, and met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a visit that winds up his trip to Europe.</p> <p>But he did not say when Australia might reopen its embassy in the war-torn country. He has indicated Australia wants to do so as soon as possible, depending on security advice.</p> <p>Albanese, who travelled by train from Poland into Ukraine, met with Zelenskyy for two hours on Sunday, and they held a joint news conference.</p> <p>The latest military aid brings to about $388 million Australia’s total military assistance to Ukraine. Australia is the largest non-NATO contributor to Ukraine’s defence.</p> <p>The new package includes:</p> <ul> <li> <p>miliitary aid worth $99.5 million including 14 armoured personnel carriers, 20 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles and other equipment supplied by Australia’s defence industry, plus a contribution to NATO’s Ukraine assistance fund</p> </li> <li> <p>$8.7 million to help upgrade border management equipment, improve cyber security and enhance border operations</p> </li> <li> <p>duty free access for Ukrainian imports to Australia, complementing similar trade measures taken by other countries</p> </li> <li> <p>Australian intervention at the International Court of Justice to support Ukraine’s case against Russia</p> </li> <li> <p>financial sanctions and travel bans on 16 more Russian ministers and oligarchs</p> </li> <li> <p>prohibition of imports of Russian gold to Australia – again in line with partner countries.</p> </li> </ul> <p>“Russia’s brutal invasion is a gross violation of international law,” said Albanese. “I saw first-hand the devastation and trauma it has inflicted on the people of Ukraine.”</p> <p>“My visit to Kyiv and recent visits by other world leaders sends a clear message that democratic nations like Australia will stand side-by-side with the Ukrainian people in their time of need.</p> <p>"President Zelenskyy’s leadership has rallied the Ukrainian people to defend their country and inspired the world to support humanity and freedom. The road ahead is hard but I am confident Ukraine will prevail.”</p> <p>The prime minister described Ukraine as fighting for the international rule of law. “We saw residential buildings that have been the subject of brutal assault from missiles and other weapons,” he said. “Clearly civilian areas have been targeted by Russian forces as part of this illegal and amoral war.”</p> <p><em><strong><span id="docs-internal-guid-db139764-7fff-9f83-ec9f-a82279bf8c24">This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/albanese-announces-100-million-in-military-aid-for-ukraine-pledging-support-for-as-long-as-it-takes-186291" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</span></strong></em></p> <p><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

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Royal Family strips Prince Andrew of all royal patronages and military titles

<p dir="ltr">The British Royal Family has removed Prince Andrew’s military titles and royal patronages, meaning the Queen’s second son will no longer be known as ‘His Royal Highness’.</p> <p dir="ltr">The move comes as Andrew fights a lawsuit brought in US court by Virginia Giuffre, accusing him of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager.</p> <p dir="ltr">Andrew was already forced to step down from public duties in 2019 because of his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and after a disastrous BBC interview failed to clear his name.</p> <p dir="ltr">Buckingham Palace said in a statement, “With the Queen’s approval and agreement, The Duke of York’s military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the queen. The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.”</p> <p dir="ltr">On Wednesday, Andrew’s lawyers failed to persuade US District Judge Lewis Kaplan to dismiss Virginia Giuffre’s civil lawsuit, and Judge Kaplan ruled that Giuffre could pursue claims that Andrew battered her and intentionally caused her emotional distress while Epstein was trafficking her. Andrew continues to deny Giuffre’s accusations that he forced her to have sex with him.</p> <p dir="ltr">The decision means Andrew could be required to give evidence at a trial which could begin between September and December if no settlement is reached. A source close to Andrew said, “Given the robustness with which Judge Kaplan greeted our arguments, we are unsurprised by the ruling. However, it was not a judgment on the merits of Ms Giuffre’s allegations. This is a marathon not a sprint and the Duke will continue to defend himself against these claims.”</p> <p dir="ltr">As for the Royal Family’s move to distance themselves from Andrew, the BBC’s royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said, “This is now about the protection of the royal family’s reputation. This is likely to do, and is already doing, considerable reputational damage – it’s being followed around the world.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Andrew’s military affiliations and patronages will be redistributed to other members of the family.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Christopher Furlong - WPA Pool/Getty Images</em></p>

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Prince Harry will not be allowed to wear his military uniform at armed forces gala

<p dir="ltr">Prince Harry will not wear his military uniform when he appears at the Salute to Freedom gala on Wednesday, despite serving in the military for 10 years.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Duke of Sussex, whose service included two tours in Afghanistan in 2008 and 2012, is set to appear at the gala in New York to award five war heroes with medals. However, he will not be allowed to wear his military uniform, because he has been stripped of his honorary titles.</p> <p dir="ltr">Harry lost his titles after he and wife Meghan Markle resigned as senior royals in March 2020. It is understood that Harry wanted to retain his honorary positions, including the title of Captain General of the Royal Marines, but was not able to do so. It is thought that Princess Anne will be the next royal to hold that title, making her the first woman to do so.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 37-year-old second son of Princess Diana was appointed to the position of Captain General of the Royal Marines in 2017. Prior to his appointment, the position had been held by his grandfather, Prince Phiilip, for 64 years.</p> <p dir="ltr">As a result of losing his titles, Harry will wear plain clothes when he presents awards at the gala, which is to be held aboard a warship in New York on Wednesday November 10. Despite this, he will be allowed to pin his four medals to his suit for the occasion.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Salute to Freedom gala is being held to honour "those who have served in the US forces, defending America." Award recipients are those who have "demonstrated courage and perseverance in the face of great danger or personal struggle."</p> <p dir="ltr">The event will be held at the Intrepid Sea, Air &amp; Space Museum, and other attendees include Jon Bon Jovi, who will be receiving the 2021 Intrepid Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation. The Foundation works to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness through affordable shelter and housing, including providing permanent supportive housing for veterans.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bon Jovi and Harry have crossed paths before, when Bon Jovi recorded ‘Unbroken’ as a single for Harry’s Invictus Games Foundation last year.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Geoff Pugh - WPA Pool/Getty Images</em></p>

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Chinese defector has new theory on COVID origins

<p>A Chinese defector has suggested the COVID-19 pandemic began after the virus was potentially leaked amongst participants of the military games in Wuhan in October 2019, months before the deadly outbreak was confirmed by China.</p> <p>Defector and democracy campaigner Wei Jingsheng was speaking with Sky News journalist Sharri Markson for her new book <em>What Really Happened in Wuhan</em>.</p> <p>He said thousands of athletes from around the world came to Wuhan for the Military World Games in October and this was likely the first superspreader event.</p> <p>Jingsheng said: “I thought that the Chinese government would take this opportunity to spread the virus during the Military Games, as many foreigners would show up there,” he said.</p> <p>He claims he was aware of Chinese authorities experimenting with "strange biological weapons", a tip off from a government source, and tried to warn the US but was unsuccessful.</p> <p><strong>Many athletes from different countries reported sickness</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8fddf3839bed4bb6be443112db24b245" /><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.2971342383107px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844291/wei-military-games-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8fddf3839bed4bb6be443112db24b245" /></p> <p>Multiple athletes from around the world later reported sickness and symptoms consistent with COVID-19.</p> <p>Last month the US's Republican Foreign Affairs Committee released a report claiming Beijing was rushing to cover up the virus's spread around the time of the military games.</p> <p>Republican Representative Michael McCaul said: "When they realised what happened, Chinese Communist Party officials and scientists at the WIV began frantically covering up the leak.”</p> <p>"But their coverup was too late — the virus was already spreading throughout the megacity of Wuhan," he added.</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4f8f86d22ea94363be718fe6352928ca" /><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.1804008908686px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844293/wei-jingshang-lab-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4f8f86d22ea94363be718fe6352928ca" /></p> <p><strong>China suggests other countries are responsible for COVID</strong></p> <p>China has pointed to overseas, including Italy, France and the US, where it says the virus was detected long before it reported its first official cases in December 2019 but Jingsheng’s theory provides an explanation for such cases.</p> <p>The Communist Party of China has become angry over what it claims is a concerted effort from the West to smear China when it comes to the investigation of the origins of COVID.</p> <p>Beijing has suggested it was the US who imported the virus to Wuhan during the military games, calling for investigations into its Fort Detrick facility.</p> <p><strong>Former US president Donald Trump suggest the evidence points to a lab leak</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/687e3da31a264cff9642b3b46f5b8426" /><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.2018489984592px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844292/wei-trump-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/687e3da31a264cff9642b3b46f5b8426" /></p> <p>Former US president Donald Trump also spoke with Markson for her book and he claimed it’s “obvious” the virus had been leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology.</p> <p>Trump made a point of saying he didn’t think the virus was “intentionally” spread but that it escaped via an accidental leak.</p> <p>“I don’t know if they had bad thoughts or whether it was gross incompetence, but one way or the other, it came out of Wuhan, and it came from the Wuhan lab,” Trump said.</p> <p>Trump added one indication was the early emergence of stories filtering into his office about body bags being piled up outside the lab.</p> <p>Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also talked with Markson and he said there was “enormous, albeit indirect, evidence that the Wuhan Institute of Virology was the centrepoint for this.”</p> <p>“The cumulative evidence that one can see points singularly to the Wuhan Institute of Virology,” he said.</p> <p>Pompeo added the US has intelligence three scientists at the lab fell ill two months before the first cases of COVID were officially reported in December 2019.</p> <p>Former US director of national intelligence John Ratcliffe says these scientists are now missing.</p> <p>Another claim that was delivered to Trump was that a lab worker left for lunch and met his girlfriend, infecting her with the virus.</p> <p><strong>WHO chief calls for more investigation of the lab leak theory</strong></p> <p>Initially criticised for his soft approach with China, World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus surprisingly questioned the findings of a joint mission into the origins of COVID earlier this year, calling for more to be done to investigate the lab leak theory.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images and Sky News</em></p>

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Why you should care about the rise in China's defence budget

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>China's 6.8 per cent increase in military spending next year confirms how important China is to shaping Australia's defence strategy.</p> <p>As tensions continue to rise with China in an ongoing trade war started by Beijing almost a year ago, Prime Minister Scott Morrison is taking action.</p> <p>Analysts believe that Australia will boost its military budget by more than $11 billion a year by 2025 to defend itself against a possible war with the superpower.</p> <p>Australian security expert Sam Roggeveen explained to<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/china-increases-defence-budget-amid-pandemic/324fcf1f-bf80-496e-9fed-b994bafc902e" target="_blank"><em>nine.com.au</em></a><span> </span>that China's military expansion is the major factor shaping Federal Government Policy.</p> <p>"China is absolutely critical to shaping our defence policy in the years ahead," Dr Roggeveen, Lowy Institute director of international security, said.</p> <p>Dr Roggeveen said that the modernisation and aggressive expansion of Chinese maritime forces is a concern.</p> <p>"China now has the largest navy in the world in terms of ships, even thought some are of variable quality," Dr Roggeveen said.</p> <p>However, he is also worried about the South China Sea, as that's where China is asserting itself.</p> <p>"Expanded maritime air power has also been increased over recent years," Dr Roggeveen said.</p> <p>"China has built land-based medium-range bombers that can reach targets thousands of kilometres away."</p> <p>This is backed up by defence analyst Vera Lin.</p> <p>"China's military assertiveness in the South China Sea and expansion of spheres of influence in the surrounding region through commercial avenues such as pipelines and ports is supposedly creating a threat for Australia," defence analyst Vera Lin said to<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9344811/Australia-predicted-boost-military-spending-11billion-year-prepare-war-China.html" target="_blank"><em>The Daily Mail</em></a>.</p> <p>"Australia is preparing itself for the possibility of conflict with a greater military power, which requires a focus in long-distance deterrence such as ballistic missile defence and investment in hypersonics research."</p> <p>Australia has been punished by China over a series of diplomatic issues, as Australian officials were vocal about Beijing's crackdown on democracy advocates in Hong Kong as well as the treatment of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang Province.</p> <p>In response to these criticisms, the Chinese government imposed soaring tariffs on a number of Australian exports, including wine, barley, coal and beef.</p> </div> </div> </div>

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Woman shot as armed pro-Trump protestors storm US Capitol

<p><span>A woman was shot on Thursday morning after hundreds of MAGA supporters stormed the Capitol building in Washington DC.</span><br /><br /><span>The Donald Trump supporters made one final bid to overthrow democracy as the president carries out his final days in office.</span><br /><br /><span>A number of protestors not only swarmed the streets but managed to breach into the US capitol building, breaking through barriers and withstanding tear gas as well as an armed standoff.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">A person on a stretcher just wheeled out with what appears to be a serious injury. <a href="https://t.co/wucrpusBzE">pic.twitter.com/wucrpusBzE</a></p> — Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeDelMoro/status/1346910181075021828?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><br /><span>Reports said that one woman was in “critical condition” after being shot in the chest, and that resuscitation efforts were underway.</span><br /><br /><span>It has been suggested that an officer was the one who fired the shot, however the circumstances surrounding the situation are yet to be determined.</span><br /><br /><span>WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGERY</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">BREAKING: Trump supporters have breached the Capitol building, tearing down 4 layers of security fencing and are attempting to occupy the building — fighting federal police who are overrun <br /><br />This is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Thousands, police can’t stop them <a href="https://t.co/VVdTUwV5YN">pic.twitter.com/VVdTUwV5YN</a></p> — ELIJAH SCHAFFER (@ElijahSchaffer) <a href="https://twitter.com/ElijahSchaffer/status/1346881968819105792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span></span><br /><br /><span>House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy confirmed the shooting in an interview with Fox News, saying, "I'm with Capital police, I heard on the radio: 'Shots fired.'"</span><br /><br /><span>"I have been in this Capitol for more than 10 years and I've never seen anything like this," McCarthy added.</span><br /><br /><span>Media commentators were audibly shaken up as they likened the “attempted coup” to that of a “third world country” or “civil war”.</span><br /><br /><span>“This is just Bedlam … this is Trump’s rebellion,” one said, adding the situation was “very, very tense” and “out of control”.</span><br /><br /><span>Trump, who lost the popular and electoral college vote in the 2020 presidential elections, has continued to dispute the results without evidence.</span><br /><br /><span>As of Thursday morning, the only message the US president has made is a tweet urging Americans to “Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!”</span></p>

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Mother falsely accused of bringing COVID-19 to China says it's like living in a nightmare

<p>Maatje Benassi has had her life turned upside down after conspiracy theorists falsely placed her at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, saying that she brought the disease to China.</p> <p>These false claims are spreading like wildfire on YouTube every day, racking up hundreds of thousands of views and have been embraced by Chinese Communist Party media.</p> <p>Maatje, her husband Ben and her two children have never been tested positive for coronavirus or experienced symptoms but are now subjects of discussion on Chinese social media.</p> <p>The family’s home address has been posted online and they had to shut down their social media accounts as their inboxes were overflowing with messages from believers of the conspiracy.</p> <p>"It's like waking up from a bad dream going into a nightmare day after day," Maatje told<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/27/tech/coronavirus-conspiracy-theory/index.html" target="_blank">CNN Business</a></em><span> </span>in an exclusive interview.</p> <p>Maatje works as a civilian employee at the US Army's Fort Belvoir in Virginia and her husband Ben is a civilian employee with the Air Force at the Pentagon. Despite the couple working for the US Government, Maatje believes it's too much. </p> <p>"I want everybody to stop harassing me, because this is cyberbullying to me and it's gone way out of hand," Maajte said while fighting back tears.</p> <p>The baseless claims initially began after Maatje participated in October 2019 in the Military World Games and was hosted by Wuhan, where the coronavirus outbreak began.</p> <p>While hundreds of US athletes took part in the games, Maatje Benassi was plucked out of the group and named as the reason why COVID-19 hit the city.</p> <p>The claims have gained more traction due to George Webb, who’s a prolific American misinformation peddler. Webb, 59, regularly streams hours of misinformation on YouTube and has amassed more than 27 million views.</p> <p>Webb considers himself an “investigative reporter” instead of a conspiracy theorist, but Maatje’s husband Ben said that it’s “hard to hold Webb accountable”.</p> <p>"Law enforcement will tell you that there's nothing that we can do about it because we have free speech in this country,” Ben explained.</p> <p>“Then they say, 'Go talk to a civil attorney,' so we did. We talked to an attorney. You quickly realize that for folks like us, it's just too expensive to litigate something like this. We get no recourse from law enforcement. We get no recourse from the courts."</p> <p>Unfortunately for the Benassi family, the “damage is done”.</p> <p>"I know it [will] never be the same. Every time you're going to Google my name, it will pop up as patient zero," said Maatje sadly.</p> <p><em>Photo credits:<span> </span><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/27/tech/coronavirus-conspiracy-theory/index.html" target="_blank">Heather Fulbright / CNN</a></em></p>

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One thing Prince Harry will be barred from doing after stepping down

<p>Since Prince Harry stepped down from being a senior royal, he will no longer be allowed to wear his military uniform as part of the regulations for retired service personnel.</p> <p>While Prince Harry will be able to wear medals that he received for his service, this does not include his uniform.</p> <p>Prince Harry was commissioned in 2006 and left the Army in 2015, having undergone two operational tours of Afghanistan twice in that time. In the Army he was referred to as ‘Captain Wales’.</p> <p>However, under the terms of the deal to step away from his royal duties, he gave up all military appointments.</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height:0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7834044/prince-harry-military-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b1bbaefe31a24dcd9f072057f6aa31a1" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Members Of The Royal Family Attend The 91st Field Of Remembrance At Westminster Abbey</em></p> <p style="text-align: left;">Under the new agreement, his resignation from three honorary roles in the military will prevent him from wearing his uniform in a public setting and events such as Trooping the Colour and Remembrance Sunday at the cenotaph.</p> <p>Lord West of Spithead, the former First Sea Lord, said: “The next time he [the Duke of Sussex] is at a military event he should be in civilian clothes because he is no longer involved with any military units. It is very unfortunate. It is very sad to be losing him from the military.”</p> <p>Prince Harry’s highest military title was as Captain General of the Royal Marines, a role which was handed to him by the Queen in December 2017, in succession of his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh.</p> <p>He was also made Honorary Air Force Commandant of the Royal Air Force Base Honington and honorary Commodore-in-Chief of The Royal Navy’s Small Ships and Diving Operations.</p> <p>The Duke will still be able to don his medals but unlike his brother, Prince William, who did not serve in a conflict zone and has also retired from the Armed Forces, he is not able to wear his uniform as he no longer has any military honorary appointments.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7834045/prince-harry-military-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/184882f7d4674644860f0182795c2044" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Members Of The Royal Family Attend The 91st Field Of Remembrance At Westminster Abbey</em></p> <p>The choice made by Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan to spend more time abroad in north America and to step down from their position as ‘senior’ Royals caused alarm within the Royal Marines.</p> <p>It is not clear who will now take on the role of Captain General.</p> <p>Lord West said: “A number of people in the Royal Marines had expressed concerns that they didn’t want a part-timer carrying out such an important role. It will be interesting to see who the next captain general will be.</p> <p>“The Duke of Edinburgh took it very seriously and he was delighted to pass it on to Harry. The Royal Marines will be sad to see Harry go but they were not happy to have a Captain General who was going to be only part-time in the UK.”</p>

Retirement Life

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Prince Harry's military colleagues weigh in on the royal withdrawal

<p>Following the announcement to step back as senior members of the royal family, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have fought an increasing amount of backlash from the media and public who believe the pair are disrespecting the monarchy.</p> <p>However, some of the military members who served alongside Prince Harry have come to his defense in a number of heartfelt, meaningful posts.</p> <p>While there has been mixed reactions from the public to the news of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex intending to step back from their positions as royal members, others have firmly backed the decision and have voiced their support.</p> <p>Former British Special Forces soldier Dean Stott said, "The Duke of Sussex has and will continue to hold the utmost respect from the entire military community for his service both in Uniform and out. Say what you want about the current situation but I defy anyone to say this man does not deserve the full respect awarded to a soldier."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">The Duke of Sussex has and will continue to hold the utmost respect from the entire military community for his service both in Uniform and out.<br />Say what you want about the current situation but I defy anyone to say this man does not deserve the full respect awarded to a soldier. <a href="https://t.co/Y1K8eWU8AY">pic.twitter.com/Y1K8eWU8AY</a></p> — Dean Stott (@DeanStottSBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeanStottSBS/status/1216812009058131974?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>Another veteran shared a photograph of him with the duke, writing, "I personally served with Harry in Afghan 2012/13 and think hes a top bloke, hes done amazing things with the INVICTUS games, supporting wounded and injured soldiers so we need to do the same for him. Get behind him when he needs our country and back him in whatever he chooses."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">I personally served with Harry in Afghan 2012/13 and think hes a top bloke, hes done amazing things with the INVICTUS games, supporting wounded and injured soldiers so we need to do the same for him. Get behind him when he needs our country and back him in whatever he chooses. <a href="https://t.co/rOgP7E9DQ2">pic.twitter.com/rOgP7E9DQ2</a></p> — Father of an Angel (@M4MHA) <a href="https://twitter.com/M4MHA/status/1216781400868892672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>Ex-soldier David Wiseman, who competed in the Invictus games in 2016, and launched the games in 2014 alongside Prince Harry shared his own message.</p> <p>"Prince Harry has served this country in &amp; out of uniform," he wrote.</p> <p>"Operated in AFG on the ground &amp; in the air. Been a champion of the Armed Forces Community for many years. His work has supported thousands &amp; inspired millions. Please remember this when commenting on duty. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Prince Harry has served this country in &amp; out of uniform. Operated in AFG on the ground &amp; in the air. Been a champion of the Armed Forces Community for many years. His work has supported thousands &amp; inspired millions. Please remember this when commenting on duty. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrinceHarry?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PrinceHarry</a> <a href="https://t.co/24NpU4NDa4">pic.twitter.com/24NpU4NDa4</a></p> — David Wiseman (@wiseshow) <a href="https://twitter.com/wiseshow/status/1216774856257212416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>Former Royal Marines commando JJ Chalmers took to Twitter to pinpoint the Duke’s mental health awareness.</p> <p>"<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrinceHarry?src=hashtag_click" target="_blank">#PrinceHarry</a> served long before he was in uniform," Chalmers wrote.</p> <p>"And since, few have done more to champion the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArmedForces?src=hashtag_click" target="_blank">#ArmedForces</a> Community or have done more to progress the open discussion of <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MentalHealth?src=hashtag_click" target="_blank">#MentalHealth</a>. I’m greatful for his service and won’t forget what he’s done for me &amp; thousands of others."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrinceHarry?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PrinceHarry</a> served long before he was in uniform.<br /><br />And since, few have done more to champion the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArmedForces?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ArmedForces</a> Community or have done more to progress the open discussion of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MentalHealth?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MentalHealth</a>.<br /><br />I’m greatful for his service and won’t forget what he’s done for me &amp; thousands of others. <a href="https://t.co/h9SKeaXy1y">pic.twitter.com/h9SKeaXy1y</a></p> — JJ Chalmers (@JJChalmersRM) <a href="https://twitter.com/JJChalmersRM/status/1217011345754918913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>Veteran Micky Yule made a few cheeky statements about the Prince, but ultimately shared his own words in support.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">He might have skinny arms 😋 but the Boss is a top lad. I’ll always have the upmost respect for him. Let people get on with there life’s. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrinceHarry?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PrinceHarry</a> and once you’ve done 2 tours of Afghan come back to me 👊🏼🖤 <a href="https://t.co/cfnl4t0BZd">pic.twitter.com/cfnl4t0BZd</a></p> — Micky Yule (@MickyYule9) <a href="https://twitter.com/MickyYule9/status/1216823446887370753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>"He might have skinny arms," he wrote, "but the Boss is a top lad. I'll always have the upmost respect for him. Let people get on with there life's. <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrinceHarry?src=hashtag_click" target="_blank">#PrinceHarry</a> and once you've done 2 tours of Afghan come back to me."</p>

International Travel

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Australia’s most celebrated soldier under investigation over “appalling” allegations

<p><span>Australia’s most decorated former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith is under investigation by the Australian Federal Police for a potential war crime against an Afghan farmer.</span></p> <p><span>Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross and Medal of Gallantry recipient, has been accused of kicking handcuffed farmer and father Ali Jan off a cliff in the Afghan village of Darwan in September 2012, according to a report by <em>The Age, <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/ben-roberts-smith-under-police-investigation-for-kicking-handcuffed-afghan-off-small-cliff-20190910-p52pys.html">The Sydney Morning Herald</a> </em>and <em><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/ben-roberts-smith-australia-s-most-decorated-soldier-investigated-over-death-of-farmer-in-afghanistan/1283c713-63d8-48e0-a287-60ee39548e85">60 Minutes</a></em>. </span></p> <p><span>Sources from the Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) said Roberts-Smith was also present when the decision was made for another soldier to shoot dead the injured detainee.</span></p> <p><span>Two weeks before the farmer’s death, Afghan army sergeant Hekmatullah killed three Australian soldiers in a shooting.</span></p> <p><span>The SAS was searching for Hekmatullah in the Oruzgan province when the unit took fifty men, including Ali Jan, into custody for questioning.</span></p> <p><span>Reporter Nick McKenzie said a witness saw Ali Jan being taken from the compound before being placed on his knees near the edge of a cliff and getting kicked “like a scene from the movie <em>300</em>”.</span></p> <p><span>Under international law, detainees must be treated humanely and protected from violence.</span></p> <p><span>The AFP confirmed that it sent police detectives to Afghanistan earlier this year to collect eyewitness testimony on the role of Australia special forces soldiers in the alleged assault and murder.</span></p> <p><span>Ali Jan’s death is also being investigated by the Inspector-General of the Defence Force in a separate inquiry.</span></p> <p><span>Ali Jan’s wife Bibi Dhorko said the farmer was not involved in any violent crimes, and visited Darwan simply to obtain flour for his family.</span></p> <p><span>“He didn’t side with anyone and never had a gun. He was living in the mountain and doing his work, only going occasionally to the village if we needed any supplies,” she said.</span></p> <p><span>“He was not Taliban. There was no gun. He knew nothing about guns. He hated the Taliban.</span></p> <p><span>“I want justice because I have been widowed ... my children are now helpless.”</span></p> <p><span>Roberts-Smith said he was “<a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/vc-hero-robertssmith-denies-execution-claims/news-story/f14bdc94556bd43068a0ffed6b8aa145">appalled</a>” by the claims made against him and his colleagues in the program and launched a defamation proceeding against Nine as the publisher of the report. </span></p> <p><span>“I categorically deny the allegations made against me in tonight’s <em>60 Minutes</em> program,” he said in a statement.</span></p> <p><span>“I am concerned that tonight’s story and the previous publications by the <em>SMH</em>/<em>Age</em> are an attempt to improperly influence the outcome of the [Inspector-General of the Defence Force] inquiry.”</span></p> <p><span>He said he believed the sources quoted on the program had not witnessed the incident in person. “None of the witnesses on tonight’s broadcast provided any direct evidence of any sort to support their allegations,” he said.</span></p>

News

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Head to Darwin for a military history lesson

<p>The last century was a difficult one for Darwin.</p> <p>First, it was bombed during World War II then just over 30 years later the city was flattened once again, this time by Cyclone Tracy. Australia’s northernmost capital has since been rebuilt and is home to some excellent attractions which celebrate its tumultuous and often colourful history. Darwin’s courageous spirit remains and offers a fascinating way to take a step back in time and learn more about Australia’s history.</p> <p><strong>Australian Aviation Heritage Centre</strong></p> <p>This <a href="https://www.mydiscoveries.com.au/stories/historic-dawin-australia/darwinsairwar.com.au">hands-on museum</a> is home to a remarkable collection of aircraft, artefacts and myriad stories of courage, adventure and lucky escapes. You won’t find any touch screens or fancy interactive displays here. But what is on offer is even better. Unlike most museums, visitors are encouraged to handle many of the exhibits and ‘feel’ their history. Holding a bomb fragment from the fateful 1942 Japanese raid is deeply moving but this museum is far from sombre.</p> <p>It is impossible not to get caught up in the volunteers’ enthusiasm and tall tales about the aircraft and the pilots who flew them. Visitors can climb historic Qantas air stairs and look inside the cockpit of a mighty B-52, one of only two on public display outside the USA. On open cockpit days, you can also climb into the body of the aircraft and explore the crew areas. If you aren’t an aircraft enthusiast when you arrive, you probably will be by the time you leave.</p> <p><strong>Museum &amp; Art Gallery of the Northern Territory</strong></p> <p>This <a href="https://www.mydiscoveries.com.au/stories/historic-dawin-australia/magnt.net.au">free attraction</a> is best-known for two things: Sweetheart, a five-metre long crocodile with a story to tell, and a Cyclone Tracy display where documentary footage has been cleverly interwoven with historic recreations from the time of the cyclone. Seeing the interior of a typical 1970s house with an old television showing the news brings back memories and provides a reminder of how fragile many of the houses were when Cyclone Tracey hit.</p> <p>One of the exhibits is a pitch black room where an original audio recording of the cyclone plays on a continuous loop. Like the locals on Christmas Eve in 1974, you can hear the tortured screech of tearing metal and banshee-like scream of the wind as the cyclone rages around you. Unlike the locals, thankfully it is possible to step outside when the sound becomes too much.</p> <p><strong>Darwin Military Museum</strong></p> <p>This indoor/outdoor <a href="https://www.mydiscoveries.com.au/stories/historic-dawin-australia/darwinmilitarymuseum.com.au">museum</a> is housed in the concrete command post bunker which was once used to control the two massive guns nearby. It is surrounded by lush foliage and includes everything from dioramas showing a soldier’s life in the field to a bombed out truck. Some of the exhibits offer a personal perspective of what it was like to live in Darwin during the war. Don’t miss the compelling Defence of Darwin short film which uses footage from the bombing raid, photographs and voiceovers to create a dramatic recreation of what happened in 1942.</p> <p><strong>Parap Village Markets</strong></p> <p>Take a culinary trip around Asia and beyond at these <a href="https://www.mydiscoveries.com.au/stories/historic-dawin-australia/parapvillagemarkets.com.au">vibrant markets</a> which are renowned for their excellent food and friendly atmosphere. Don’t be surprised if you see more locals here than tourists, a sure sign you’re onto something good. Grab a mango smoothie and stroll through stalls selling everything from vibrantly coloured ornamental ginger to Vietnamese spring rolls, roti pancakes and Mary’s famous laksa. It’s rumoured to be the perfect hangover cure. If you’re staying in self-catering accommodation, it’s the perfect spot to pick up fresh tropical fruit and some of the Top End’s famous seafood for dinner. Parap is a five-minute ride from the CBD on the free shuttle bus which runs each Saturday; free parking is also available.</p> <p><strong>World War II Oil Storage Tunnels</strong></p> <p>One of Darwin’s more unusual tourist attractions, these <a href="https://www.mydiscoveries.com.au/stories/historic-dawin-australia/ww2tunnelsdarwin.com.auere">historic tunnels</a> were constructed almost entirely by hand during World War II to protect fuel supplies from Japanese air raids. The tunnels are fascinating to explore but the project itself was a complete disaster. It ran over time and over budget and water began seeping between the tunnels’ steel lining and concrete walls almost immediately after they were built. The tunnels were abandoned until 1992 when they were reopened as a tourist attraction to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin.</p> <p>Number 5 runs 120 metres beneath the city and is lined with dozens of World War II photographs. Images of the bombing show the harbour covered in plumes of black smoke but most of the photos are candid shots of those who served. Airmen lean nonchalantly against an aircraft fuselage as they conduct a de-brief and pretty girls and their beaus kick up their heels at a dance. This deeply moving photographic display shows the human face of the war effort. Whether you prefer to ponder the history which shaped this city or reach out and grab it with both hands, Darwin does not disappoint.</p> <p><em>Written by Tiana Templeman. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.mydiscoveries.com.au/stories/historic-dawin-australia/">MyDiscoveries</a>.</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Try this old military trick to fall asleep in two minutes

<p>Struggling to fall asleep? Try an old military technique that's said to help you nod off in two minutes.</p> <p>The method is outlined in Lloyd Bud Winter's 1981 book <em>Relax and Win: Championship Performance</em>, which has enjoyed a recent resurgence online.</p> <p>It was apparently used by the American military service, which found a 96 per cent success rate after six weeks of practice with people reportedly falling asleep in two minutes or less, reports <span><em><a href="https://www.joe.co.uk/news/sleeping-tricks-197402">Joe.co.uk</a></em></span>.</p> <p>So how does it work? The method involves two main steps.</p> <p>The first is to relax, and it should take about a minute and a half (which, FYI, isn't included in the two minutes to fall asleep) if you're doing it correctly.</p> <ol> <li>Start by relaxing the muscles in your face.</li> <li>Then drop your shoulders as low as they'll go, followed by your upper and lower arm on one side, and then the other.</li> <li>Breathe out and relax your chest. Then relax your legs (thighs first then calves).</li> </ol> <p>After that, spend about 10 seconds trying to clear your mind. Then focus on one of these images/sayings:</p> <ul> <li>Lying in a canoe on a calm lake with nothing but a clear blue sky above you.</li> <li>Lying in a black velvet hammock in a pitch-black room.</li> <li>Saying "don't think, don't think, don't think" to yourself over and over for about 10 seconds.</li> </ul> <p>If all goes to plan, you should be drifting off about now.</p> <p><em>Republished with permission of <span><a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/teach-me/106848461/try-this-old-us-military-trick-to-fall-asleep-in-two-minutes">Stuff.co.nz</a></span>.</em></p>

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Prince Harry breaks military rule but can you guess what it is?

<p>Prince Harry has been accused of breaking military rules while on official duty in a British Army uniform by wearing a beard.</p> <p><img width="375" height="438" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/12/12/4643F2A300000578-5074637-British_Army_rules_forbid_all_beards_except_in_a_few_rare_circum-m-44_1510488958250.jpg" alt="British Army rules forbid all beards, except in a few rare circumstances, such as when a soldier is suffering from a skin complaint, or has strong religious reasons for retaining facial hair " class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="i-427e841bef9872af"/></p> <p>The 33-year-old left the armed forces in 2015 but attended the Cenotaph in London for the Remembrance Sunday service on official duty with a full beard. </p> <p>A serving military member in the elite cavalry regiment was unhappy that Prince Harry had not shaved for the occasion.</p> <p>“Prince Harry is letting us all down. There's no place for beards in the Queen's cavalry. He should have shaved it off for such an important day,” they said.</p> <p><img width="409" height="292" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/12/12/4644044100000578-5074637-image-a-45_1510489185777.jpg" alt="Britain's Prince William (centre), Prince Andrew (left) and a bearded Prince Harry (right) take part in the Remembrance Sunday Cenotaph service in London" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="i-5466ed853f5d4ae"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Prince William (centre), Prince Andrew (left) and a bearded Prince Harry (right) take part in the Remembrance Sunday Cenotaph service in London.</em></p> <p>British Army rules forbid beards, except in a few circumstances, such as when a soldier is suffering from a skin complaint, or has strong religious reasons for retaining facial hair.</p> <p>However as Prince Harry is no longer a serving officer, the rules do not require him to comply with the regulations.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

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