Cross post from https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/31071924

Australia is scrambling to deploy new long-range missiles as the recent arrival of powerful Chinese warships off the Australian coast delivers a sharp reminder of Beijing’s growing naval muscle.

In a move to boost military firepower, Canberra plans to arm Australian soldiers with anti-ship missiles and advanced targeting radars to protect the country’s vast maritime approaches, according to contract announcements as well as a flurry of recent official speeches and ministerial statements.

[...]

The U.S. Army in June used two Precision Strike Missiles to successfully attack a moving target at sea during an exercise in the Pacific, the army said in a statement.

China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) jolted Australia’s security services with the deployment of three warships – one of its most potent cruisers, a frigate and a replenishment ship – close to the country’s biggest cities of Sydney and Melbourne late last month. Air t

• Ukraine says it attacked Sevastopol port in annexed Crimea
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• Attack seen as biggest on Sevastopol since 2022 invasion

Sigh. Rattle them sabers.

I have ties to Hawaii, so hearing the stories of folks from American Samoa is so fascinating and thought-provoking.

Fascinating.

I know, lots of serious stuff happening in the world. Can't forget to laugh, though! Enjoy this classic!

Title speaks for itself. As those in the US are probably aware, the US hasn't had a trade surplus since the 1970s. If a highly-developed country like Japan, where its citizens enjoy a high standard of living, can rock a trade surplus...

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/43170