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13
The Sports Desk / Re: God help me - the Test Cricket thread
Last post by DJC -
I was about to have a crack at Khawaja for his slow scoring, that I think puts added pressure on our other batsmen, when he started to play some strokes.  Now he's made a 50 and has probably cemented hos place in the team for the rest of the series  ::)
14
The Sports Desk / Re: God help me - the Test Cricket thread
Last post by Milhanna13 -
Joff is definitely bowling better, after smith riled him up in the 4th dig in brisbane.  but, geez the aus batsmen would be pretty upset about the way they have got out - gifted him each of his 3 wickets, after putting in the hard yards to see out his good stuff (except Green who lasted 2 balls).   they have left some runs out there on a flat track
17
The Sports Desk / Re: God help me - the Test Cricket thread
Last post by crashlander -
Quote from: DJC – on
Quote from: crashlander – on
2 changes for Australia: Doggett and Neser out for Cummins and Lyon. No Khawaja. 12th man ... Hmmm.

I heard on the wireless that Smith was a late out and that is correct. Khawaja in for Smith and batting at four apparently.

Weatherald is making the running so far.

I know Smith was a very late out, but Khawaja at 4? Isn't there anyone else who actually bats in that position?
20
Blah-Blah Bar / Re: Shawny’s concerns about Victorian and Australian Governments
Last post by DJC -
Does anyone bother to read the ASIO Director-General's Annual Threat Assessments?

It's here: https://www.asio.gov.au/director-generals-annual-threat-assessment-2025

A couple of excerpts:

"Over the next five years, a complex, challenging and changing security environment will become more  dynamic, more diverse and more degraded.

Many of the foundations that have underpinned Australia’s security, prosperity and democracy are being tested: social cohesion is eroding, trust in institutions is declining, intolerance is growing, even truth itself is being undermined by conspiracy, mis- and disinformation.

Similar trends are playing out across the Western world.

So what does this mean for our security environment?

Australia is facing multifaceted, merging, intersecting, concurrent and cascading threats. Major geopolitical, economic, social and security challenges of the 1930s, 70s and 90s have converged. As one of my analysts put it with an uncharacteristic nod to popular culture: everything, everywhere all at once.

Or as I described it a moment ago, more dynamic, diverse and degraded."
...

"The war in the Middle East has not yet directly inspired terrorism in Australia, but it is prompting protest, exacerbating division, undermining social cohesion and elevating intolerance. This, in turn, is making acts of politically motivated violence more likely."

Terrorism is a subset of politically motivated violence. It covers acts or threats intended to advance a political, religious or ideological cause through intimidation. So while a protest or an attack on an electoral office might be an act of politically motivated violence, it may not meet the threshold of terrorism.

We raised the national terrorism threat level in 2024 and I do not anticipate being able to lower it in the foreseeable future.

Politically motivated violence is raising the temperature of the security environment and making acts of terrorism more likely.

At the same time, traditional transnational terrorist groups such as Islamic State, al-Qa’ida and their affiliates are exploiting permissive spaces to revive and renew their capabilities, particularly in Afghanistan and parts of Africa. The groups have demonstrated their ability to conduct successful external attacks, although I stress that none of last year’s terrorist incidents in Australia were directed by an offshore group, and our greatest threat remains a lone actor using an easily obtained weapon."

Our greatest threat in part because, despite all of the surveillance and intelligence at ASIO's disposal, lone actors are almost impossible to detect and apprehend.