Talks expected to be complex, with some member states strongly against proposed price cap on Russian gasEU energy ministers will gather for emergency talks in Brussels on Friday to thrash out common measures in an effort to counter a gas and electricity price crisis that threatens to make energy bills unaffordable for households and businesses and tip Europe into recession.The European Commission...
Large firms are consolidating power like Scott Morrison consolidates … – The Guardian
In a speech today, the assistant minister for competition, Andrew Leigh, will point the finger at big business over the inflation crisisMost Australians became acutely aware of market power in 2011 due to, of all things, the price of milk.Prior to 2011, milk prices rose largely in line with inflation. From 1998 to the end of 2010, inflation rose 43% and the price of milk rose 44%.Then in 2011 the...
Textron's Bell V-280 chosen as US Army long-range assault aircraft … – Asia Pacific Defence Reporter
Textron Inc announced today (6 December) that Bell Textron has been awarded the development contract for the U.S. Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program. The award is based on Bell’s V-280 Valor tiltrotor that was developed and tested as part of the Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR TD) program that began in 2013. The V-280 progressed through design, manufacturing...
Is inflation finally on the decline in the US? It's complicated – The Guardian
Economists say inflation possibly hit its peak, and there are signs the pressures behind it are easing – but it’s hard to say what’s nextWhat goes up must come down. Right? Inflation has been soaring over the last year. But price rises in July were “just” 8.5% higher than what they were last July, down from a 9.1% yearly rate in June. Perhaps the worst is over?Americans have been feeling the hit...
Hunter class frigate program could be accelerated – APDR – Asia Pacific Defence Reporter
Given that we are surrounded by water, one of the big headaches for Australian strategic planners is the number of naval combat platforms that will be in service during the critical period of the 2030s. This is the decade when it is assessed China will be at its most capable and most aggressive, after which profound demographic issues and leadership changes may see Beijing more internally...
'The government's got to get its hand in its pocket': Darlington … – The Guardian
The ‘red wall’ town plays host to Tory hustings amid worries over fuel bills and Labour ‘gloom’ over winning back controlRobin Blair has been behind his fruit and vegetable stall since he was three months old – in a carrycot under the till where his mother worked. Now 77, his is one of the last businesses in the historic market in Darlington, the “red wall” town won by the Tories in 2019, where...
Italian Army's UH-90A helicopter fleet handover complete – APDR – Asia Pacific Defence Reporter
The Italian Army’s UH-90A (NATO’s designation for the Italian Army’s NH90 TTH) multirole helicopter programme marked a major achievement with the completion of deliveries on 25 November. The 60th and final aircraft, assembled at Leonardo’s Venice Tessera facility, was handed over to the operator during an official ceremony in presence of representatives from the Italian Army and its Aviation...
EU's electric vehicle drive leaves supercars at the back of the grid – The Guardian
None of the 22,000 luxury fast cars sold in 2021 were fully electric but with the 2035 fuel ban sports carmakers must change, fastPetrolhead supercar owners who love the rumble of a V8 and the aroma of exhaust fumes are being told to prepare for a legally enforced smoother and cleaner ride.The EU this week agreed draft legislation banning the sale of new petrol or diesel cars by 2035, ignoring a...
Forget Collins LOTE – buy new submarines from Korea instead … – Asia Pacific Defence Reporter
One could never accuse South Korean companies of lacking in vision. DSME – one of the world’s premier ship and submarine construction companies – has developed a strategy that could see brand new, long-range, highly capable submarines starting to be delivered to Australia by 2033. This date could be brought forward because they have based their schedule on that for the Collins Life Of...
Textron Aviation Defense helps modernise Tunisia's Air Force – APDR – Asia Pacific Defence Reporter
Textron Aviation Defense announced the delivery of the first Beechcraft T-6C Texan II Integrated Training System to the Tunisian Air Force in support of operations at No. 13 Squadron at Sfax Air Base in Tunisia. The Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract comprises eight T-6C Texan II advanced military training aircraft, in-country field service and logistics support representatives, program...
