Russian Su-27View photos
Russian Su-27
(RAF)
A Russian SU-27 in flight
On the night of March 29, 2013, a contingent of Russian combat aircraft flew across the Gulf of Finland and came within 18 to 24 miles of Swedish territory near Gotland Island, which is only 100 miles from Stockholm.
The aircraft followed a flight path that deviated from typical Russian air force routes in the region. While Russian planes often fly between "mainland" Russia and the Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad, these aircraft made a detour that suggested they were carrying out a simulated attack of some kind.
Now, a NATO report has appeared to confirm the purpose of that Russian maneuver. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's 2015 annual report, released late last month, referred to the event as one of several "simulated nuclear attacks" on NATO and its partners, according to The Local, Sweden's English-language publication.
"As part of its overall military build-up, the pace of Russia’s military maneuvers and drills have reached levels unseen since the height of the Cold War," Stoltenberg wrote.
"Over the past three years, Russia has conducted at least 18 large-scale snap exercises, some of which have involved more than 100,000 troops. These exercises include simulated nuclear attacks on NATO Allies (eg, ZAPAD [a large-scale Russian military exercises]) and on partners (eg, March 2013 simulated attacks on Sweden)," his report continued.
Sweden mapView photos
Sweden map
(Google Maps/Business Insider)
According to a Swedish-language Svenska Dogbladet report later discussed on the The Aviationist blog, the 2013 operation involved two TU-22M3 "backfire" bombers escorted by four Su-27 flankers.
The TU-22M3 has a more than 4,300-mile operational range, and is capable of carrying cruise missiles and nuclear weapons. It's a long-range aircraft perfectly suited for strategic attacks against Western Europe. The Su-27 Flanker is a workhorse Russian fighter jet, ideally equipped for protecting strategic weapons aircraft during a bombing run.
The planes reportedly carried out mock attacks on a military facility near Stockholm and a second facility in southern Sweden.
Tu 22 706x342View photos
Tu 22 706x342
(via The Aviationist)
A Russian Tu-22 Backfire in flight.
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AFP
Sushma Swaraj leaves for Sri Lanka
New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj left here on Friday on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka during which she will attend a meeting of the joint commission of the two South Asian neighbours. "Leaving for Sri Lanka! EAM @SushmaSwaraj departs for the 9th India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission Meeting in Colombo," external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted. The joint commission is co-chaired by Sushma Swaraj and her Sri Lankan counterpart Mangala Samaraweera.
IANS
Zee Cine Awards 2016 to have jury awards
Mumbai, Feb 4 (IANS) The Zee Cine Awards 2016, India's "first Integrated National Award" for cinema will introduce 'jury awards', a company official said. With the jury awards being instituted this year to ensure a high degree of fairness and transparency in the selection process, it is Zee's goal to ensure that the awards competition is conducted in a fair and ethical manner, said Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd MD & CEO Punit Goenka. "Reaching out to various cultures this year, Zee Cine Awards 2016 is India's first 'Integrated National Awards' with a special feed of exclusive regional content in Bengali, Telugu and Marathi that will air on Zee Bangla, Zee Telugu and Zee Marathi respectively.
IANS
PM, defence minister condole death of soldiers in Siachen avalanche
New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday condoled the death of soldiers who were trapped in an avalanche at the Siachen glacier in Jammu and Kashmir's Ladakh region. "Demise of soldiers in Siachen is very tragic. Condolences to their families," Modi said in a tweet.
IANS
Cameron fights for his place in history with EU vote
Prime Minister David Cameron is playing a high-stakes game which will decide his place in political history with negotiations aimed at preventing Britain from leaving the EU in a looming referendum, experts say. Cameron landed himself in his current position by promising in 2013 to hold a referendum on Europe if he won the 2015 election. Paradoxically for a leader who is arguing for Britain to stay in the European Union, Cameron has described himself as a eurosceptic.
AFP
PM inaugurates gas cracker project, wax producing unit in Assam
Lepetkata (Assam), Feb 5 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Rs.10,000 crore gas cracker project at Lepetkata in Upper Assam's Dibrugarh district and slammed the earlier United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for its inordinate delay. Had this project been completed and inaugurated 25 years back, Assam would have seen lot of industrial development and employment opportunities for the youth.
IANS
Syrian opposition should welcome Aleppo offensive as it targets militants - Russia
(Adds further quotes, background) By Tom Miles GENEVA, Feb 5 (Reuters) - A senior Russian diplomat said on Friday Syrian opposition envoys who attended U.N.-mediated peace talks this week should have welcomed a government offensive because it targeted Islamist militants, rather than walk out of the parley. The United Nations on Wednesday shelved the first peace talks in two years, halting an effort that seemed doomed from the onset as fighting raged on unabated. Washington said on Thursday it was hopeful talks would resume by the end of the month, and Russia said it expected that no later than Feb. 25.
Reuters Middle East
'Political breakthrough needed to normalise Pakistan, India ties'
Islamabad, Feb 5 (IANS) Political breakthrough is required to normalise ties between Pakistan and India, said a Pakistani daily on Friday. An editorial "Visa woes" in the News International said that the evergreen issue of the Pakistan-India visa regime hit the headlines again after Indian actor Anupam Kher alleged that he was denied a visa to attend the Karachi Literature Festival. "Kher recently targeted and led rallies against those like actor Aamir Khan who spoke out against the rise of intolerance in India.
IANS
Sanders, Trump lead in the battle of New Hampshire
Washington, Feb 5 (IANS) Four days before the next battle in the US presidential race, Bernie Sanders holds a two to one lead over Hillary Clinton among the Democrats and Donald Trump continues to hold a wide lead among Republicans. Vermont senator Sanders had the support of 61 percent among likely New Hampshire primary voters as against 30 percent for the former secretary of state in new polls conducted entirely after the Iowa caucuses that the latter won by a razor thin margin. A new CNN/WMUR tracking poll showed that Sanders's support in the small northeastern state that holds the first in the nation primary on Feb 9 has gone up slightly from the 57 percent he held in a late January CNN/WMUR poll.
IANS
Venezuela opens debate on political prisoner amnesty
Venezuelan lawmakers opened debate Thursday on an amnesty bill for political prisoners, a key legislative initiative for the opposition majority that risks unleashing another political crisis with President Nicolas Maduro's administration. Maduro's administration rejects the bill and says the prisoners in question are legitimately convicted criminals.
AFP
Sonia condoles death of soldiers in Siachen avalanche
New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday expressed deep distress over the death of soldiers in an avalanche on the Siachen glacier. A Congress statement said Gandhi saluted the soldiers who lost their lives securing the nation's boundaries in the most difficult terrain and weather conditions. "Congress president Sonia Gandhi expressed shock and deep distress on confirmation of death of 10 army men in an avalanche in Siachen," the statement said.
IANS
Hong Kong keen to play major role in Indian infra funding
New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Hong Kong on Thursday said it is keen to play a major role in helping fund the development of India's infrastructure. "Hong Kong can help finance India's infrastructure," Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's chief executive C.Y. Leung said at Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) event here. Leung said Hong Kong's position as a global financial services hub puts it in a unique position to help finance India's infrastructure requirements.
IANS
Sonam has done compete justice to 'Neerja': Director
Mumbai, Feb 5 (IANS) Director Ram Madhvani is content with the performance by actress Sonam Kapoor in his forthcoming film "Neerja", which is a biopic on braveheart flight attendant Neerja Bhanot. Asked if Sonam was his first choice for the movie, Madhvani told IANS: "Yes, from day one, I was very clear and I am happy that she said 'Yes'. Neerja's pet name was 'laado'.
IANS
Australian FM hits back at critics over Syrian aid contribution
Canberra, Feb 5 (IANS) Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has fired back at aid agencies after they criticised Australia's $18 million contribution to help the war-torn regions in Syria and Iraq. The Australian government has been lambasted by leading international aid agency Oxfam, as well as Care Australia, for its comparatively low, on a world-scale, foreign aid pledge, Xinhua reported on Friday. Australia's figure was dwarfed by the aid contributions from Germany ($2.59 billion by 2018), Britain ($1.66 billion) and the US ($940 million).
IANS
Bread, meat and a blame game: food prices fuel Turkish inflation
* Red meat and bread costs leap * Economists see structural problems * Inefficient supply chain and farming blamed By Asli Kandemir ISTANBUL, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Standing amid a jumble of food stalls in an Istanbul market, 61-year-old Gulsen Yuce wonders how she can stretch an already tight budget to make ends meet as food prices rise week after week. Inflation has become Turkey's biggest economic challenge, hitting the pockets of ordinary people even as President Tayyip Erdogan and the ruling party have built their reputation largely on economic growth and stability. Global food prices have fallen to their lowest in nearly seven years, but Turkey has consistently struggled with food costs overshooting headline inflation - at a rate that has at times outpaced other emerging markets.
Reuters Middle East
Obama proposes new oil tax to fund clean transportation
Washington, Feb 5 (IANS) U.S. President Barack Obama will require oil companies to pay $10 for every barrel of oil in his budget plan to be released next week, as part of efforts to create a cleaner, more sustainable transportation system, the White House said on Thursday. Republicans in the U.S. Congress reacted promptly to Obama's proposal for the oil tax, vowing to kill what they called an "absurd" idea, Xinhua reported. According to the White House, Obama's plan "would increase American investments in clean transportation infrastructure by roughly 50 percent while reforming the investments we already make to help reduce carbon pollution, cut oil consumption, and create new jobs." The new oil fee, if approved by the Congress, would be gradually phased in over five years, the White House said in a statement.
IANS
Room rates down 5% in Dubai hotels
Four- and five-star hotels in Dubai continued to experience weakening Average Room Rates (ARR) in December, falling 4.6 per cent to $316 (Dh1,160), while occupancy levels remained strong, albeit at a marginally lower level than in December 2014 at 80.2 per cent. According to the latest findings by HotStats, a market intelligence provider, revenues per available room (RevPAR) dropped 5.9 per cent in December, compounded by lower food and beverage revenues, which slid 18 per cent. This drove total revenue per available room (TRevPAR) 10.3 per cent lower to $434.2. Rashid Aboobacker, associate director at TRI Consulting, said that greater supply in Dubai’s hospitality market was helping to push down performance, with new inventory significantly increasing competition.
Gulf News
Rise in support for 'Brexit' after EU draft deal
Support for Britain leaving the European Union has risen since Prime Minister David Cameron unveiled proposals for a deal to keep the country in the bloc, according to a poll published on Friday. The survey showed 45 percent now wanted to leave the EU, ahead of 36 percent who wanted Britain to remain in the 28-member club. Cameron has been seeking to renegotiate Britain's relationship with the EU before a public referendum on whether to remain a member, which could be held as early as June.
AFP
Don't build walls or suspend Schengen pact: Former EU chief
Istanbul, Feb 5 (IANS) Former European Union chief Jose Manuel Barroso has cautioned against once again building walls within the 28-nation grouping in an attempt to handle the migrant crisis as well as fight terrorism, saying the Schengen agreement that allows for visa-free travel on the continent should be continued and not suspended as has been suggested by some leaders. Addressing the inaugural session of the World Tourism Forum here, Barroso said that bringing back strict border controls within the EU was just not the right response to the current panic about migrants and terror, which has dominated the EU's political discourse for the entire year gone by. It did not happen because the US was lax about its border controls," Barosso told a near house-full gathering at the Istanbul Convention Centre, located on a hill in the chic Harbiye quarter, overlooking the Bosphorous Straits.
IANS
25 Taliban militants surrender, 17 killed in Afghanistan
Kabul, Feb 5 (IANS) Amid ongoing militancy and government forces operations against armed militants in the northern Badakhshan and Kunduz provinces, over two dozen Taliban fighters have surrendered and 17 others have been killed over the past two days, officials said on Thursday. A total of 25 Taliban militants have given up fighting and handed over their weapons to police in the northern Badakhshan province with Faizabad as its capital 315 km northwest of Kabul over the past two days, Xinhua quoted Ahmad Nawed Frotan, spokesman for provincial government, as saying. "A total of 25 Taliban fighters under Sheikh Jamal who were active in Tishkan district over the past couple of years laid down arms and resumed normal life over the past two days," Frotan said.
IANS
Health Ministry issues Zika travel warning
The Health Ministry has called upon all passengers traveling to countries that have been inflicted by Zika virus to take necessary precautions. The mosquito-borne virus has already hit 26 countries in the Americas excluding the US and Canada. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rashes, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes).
Saudi Gazette
Islamic State suspect held in Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) A man suspected of being linked with the Islamic State (IS) terror outfit has been arrested in Delhi, the police said on Friday. Mohsin Abraham Sayeed (26), a resident of Malad in Mumbai, was arrested at the Kashmiri Gate ISBT (Inter-State Bus Terminal) late Thursday night by the Speccial Cell of the Delhi Police. "We arrested IS suspect Mohsin Abraham on a tipoff and recovered Rs.85,000 cash from his possession," Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Arvind Deep told IANS.
IANS
Soccer-Kurdish conflict in Turkey spills into sport as club, player punished
* Amedspor midfielder Naki banned for 12 games for "propaganda" * Second-division Amedspor to play Fenerbahce in cup quarter-final * Match to be played without spectators in punishment for chants By Melih Aslan and Daren Butler ISTANBUL, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Conflict between security forces and Kurdish militants in southeast Turkey has spilled into sport, with soccer authorities punishing the region's Amedspor club and banning one of its players for 12 matches for "ideological propaganda". Violence has flared since the collapse in July of a ceasefire between the army and Kurdish militants. Turkey's Football Federation said on Thursday it had imposed a ban on midfielder Deniz Naki and a 19,500-lira ($7,000) fine over "unsporting" comments made as second-division Amedspor beat Bursaspor last week to win a place in the cup quarter-finals.
Reuters Middle East
Australia to screen migrants for 'radicalisation risks': Leaked document
Canberra, Feb 5 (IANS) Migrants coming to Australia from the war-torn Middle-East could be subject to stronger background and character checks, in a move designed to minimise the risk of "extremist infiltration", Xinhua reported. A leaked document, obtained by local media on Friday, showed that Australia's Immigration Department had prepared a swathe of new measures to "mitigate radicalisation risks" when thousands of humanitarian arrivals make their way to Australia from Iraq and Syria. Australia previously announced it would be taking in 13,750 migrants by 2017, upping that intake to 18,750 by the end of 2019.
IANS
IS suspect held in Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) A man suspected of links with the Islamic State (IS) terror outfit has been arrested here, Delhi Police said on Friday. Mohsin Abraham Sayeed (26), a resident of Malad in Mumbai, was arrested from Old Delhi's Kashmere Gate Inter-State Bus Terminal on late Thursday night by the Special Cell of Delhi Police. "We arrested IS suspect Mohsin Abraham on a tip-off and recovered Rs.85,000 from his possession," Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Arvind Deep told IANS.
IANS
Nepal finance minister to visit India
New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Nepal Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel will visit India next week which might help in finalising the dates for the proposed visit of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to New Delhi, a senior government official said on Thursday. "Finance Minister of Nepal Bishnu Poudel is scheduled to visit India on February 7-8 to discuss reconstruction assistance projects," external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said at a media briefing here. "Poudel is scheduled to meet our external affairs minister (Sushma Swaraj) and our finance minister (Arun Jaitley)," he said.
IANS
Keeping pace in NBA matches my biggest challenge: Sim Bhullar
Mumbai, Feb 5 (IANS) Indian-origin cager Sim Bhullar, who joined Raptors 905 in the National Basketball Association (NBA) Development League, said on Friday that keeping pace with the fast-paced matches in the United States-based competition is his biggest challenge. The 22-year-old is the first player of Indian descent to play in the NBA. Bhullar, who stands seven-foot-five and weighs 163 kilograms, spent the season with the Sacramento Kings and their Reno Bighorns farm team in the NBA D-league.
IANS
Valencia coach Neville remains bullish despite Cup humiliation
Valencia (Spain), Feb 5 (IANS) Valencia coach Gary Neville insisted he was not going to resign after suffering what he described as the "most painful night" of his career. Valencia's 0-7 thrashing away to FC Barcelona in the first leg of the King's Cup semi-final would have been a disaster on its own, but it came on the back of a run of eight league games without a win, reports Xinhua. Neville, the former Manchester United player, has not enjoyed a league triumph since replacing Nuno Espiritu Santo in December.
IANS
PM gives excuses, BJP destroying pro-poor policies: Rahul
New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Friday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for giving excuses on various issues and charged the BJP with "destroying" all pro-poor policies initiated by his party. "The prime minister's job is to run the country, not to make excuses. All that the prime minister has been doing for the last 18 months is to make excuses as to why the economy is not running, why farmers are not getting their due, why labourers are not getting what they should get," the Congress leader said.
IANS
There's more to Auto Expo than just cars and bikes
Greater Noida, Feb 5 (IANS) Expensive cars and bikes were not the only attraction at the 13th edition of the Auto Expo as automobile manufacturers ensured that all those attending the biennial event got their share of entertainment too -- especially those whose sole love is not vehicles. Japanese car firm Nissan had placed their GT-R simulators which drew huge crowds. While the fathers were busy admiring the iconic Nissan GT-R sports car, their sons were racing them in virtual simulators.
IANS
Atletico to host Eibar in La Liga
Madrid, Feb 5 (IANS) Atletico Madrid have the chance to temporarily draw level on points with league leaders FC Barcelona when they entertain Eibar on Saturday afternoon at the Vicente Calderon Stadium here. The fact that Barcelona and Real Madrid don't play until Sunday lunchtime gives Atletico the opportunity to bounce back from their defeat in the Camp Nou Stadium a week ago, although that game has given Atletico coach Diego Simeone a host of problems, reports Xinhua. Both Diego Godin and Felipe Luis were sent off in Barcelona and are suspended, while Juanfran Torres is also out after reaching the end of a 5-booking cycle and with Stefan Savic limping out of Wednesday, training session, Simeone is going to have to put together a makeshift defense with perhaps, Saul Niguez partnering Jose Gimenez in central defense.
IANS
Myanmar parliament forms reviewing commission
Nay Pyi Taw, Feb 5 (IANS) Myanmar's newly-elected parliament's House of Representatives (lower house) on Friday formed a 23-member reviewing commission on legal affairs and special cases during its ongoing first session. The 15-member Bill Committee and Public Accounts Committee of the house was constituted on Thursday. The new parliament started its first sessions with the House of Representatives, of which U Win Myint of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) was elected the speaker and U Ti Khun Myat of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) as the deputy speaker.
IANS
Bombay HC verdict in Salman case wishy-washy, Maharashtra tells SC
New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) The Maharashtra government on Friday told the Supreme Court that the Bombay High Court verdict acquitting Bollywood star Salman Khan in the 2002 accident case was "wishy-washy" and sought its reversal. As Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the state, took the bench of Justice J.S. Khehar and Justice C. Nagappan through the details of the case and the proceedings before the trial court, the apex court said that since it was a matter of acquittal, they will examine the evidence before deciding to issue notice to Salman Khan. Assailing the high court verdict, Rohatgi ssaid its finding that Salman was not driving the vehicle at the time of the accident is suspicious.
IANS
Bahadur Shah Zafar's wish remains unfulfilled despite promises by Indian leaders
Yangon, Feb 5 (IANS) India's last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar died in this former capital of Myanmar 154 years ago. "We are praying that his mortal remains be buried as per his wish," Bahadur Shah's mausoleum caretaker Hafiz Kamaluddin told this visiting IANS correspondent here. The 19th century mausoleum gets visitors even from India to offer prayers to the emperor, with whose reign ended the Mughal empire in India.
IANS
TV is a one-on-one medium: Arjun Kapoor
New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) Actor Arjun Kapoor, who has made his foray into the small screen as the host of "Khatron Ke Khiladi - Kabhi Keeda Kabhi Peeda", says TV is a one-on-one medium. "I am not somebody who is planning to jump into television and do many things at one time... I think I have chosen the best possible platform for as young actor to make his entry into TV.
IANS
Russian Patriarch Kirill, Kremlin's unwavering backer
A close ally of President Vladimir Putin, Patriarch Kirill has helped to transform the Russian Orthodox Church into a powerful institution of the post-Soviet state. The 69-year-old native of Saint Petersburg will meet Pope Francis next week in Cuba. Kirill, born Vladimir Gundyaev, was chosen to take the helm of the Russian Orthodox Church in 2009 after the death of Patriarch Alexy II, a domineering presence who had been in charge since the breakup of the Soviet Union.
AFP
'Ishkiyaon Dhishkiyaon' to up the love quotient on TV
Mumbai, Feb 5 (IANS) Bollywood stars Sonam Kapoor, Pulkit Samrat and Yami Gautam along with TV actors Rashami Desai and Arjun Bijlani will spread joy and laughter on the small screen with a special show titled "Ishkiyaon Dhishkiyaon", which will air on February 14. The Valentine's Day special show will be hosted by comedian Bharti Singh and "Dilwale" star Varun Sharma.
IANS
Kerala bar scam: Now probe ordered against police official
A crime branch probe was ordered against Superintendent of Police, Vigilance, R.Sukesan after Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala gave his nod on basis of a report to this effect submitted by vigilance director N.Shankar Reddy. Sukesan who was the probe officer in the bar scam which saw the resignation of state Finance Minister K.M.Mani last year and also led to the stepping down of Excise Minister K.Babu, whose resignation was however not accepted, following a relief from the Kerala High Court. Based on the recommendation of the leaders of the ruling United Democratic Front, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, after the weekly cabinet meeting on Wednesday, had told reporters that they will go forward to unravel the conspiracy behind the solar and bar scam.
IANS
Oil up, Japan stocks down as US fears hit dollar
Growing fears that global economic turmoil is seeping into the United States kept pressure on the dollar on Friday -- boosting oil but hitting Japanese stocks -- as investors bet the Federal Reserve will hold off hiking interest rates this year. The Nikkei fell 1.49 percent by the break, with Toshiba diving to a 35-year low after the company widened its full-year loss forecast to an eye-watering $6.0 billion.
AFP
NIA custody of 11 terror suspects extended
New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) A court here on Friday extended by seven days the National Investigation Agency's (NIA's) custody of 11 suspected members of Islamic State (IS) terrorist outfit. During in-camera proceedings, District Judge Amar Nath allowed NIA to quiz the 11 suspected IS members for another seven days while it remanded four other accused, including Naseer Packers, in two-weeks' judicial custody.
IANS
TRS heading for massive win in Greater Hyderabad polls
Hyderabad, Feb 5 (IANS) The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was heading for a huge win in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections as early results and trends indicated on Friday. The party had won 20 seats and was leading in 34 other divisions in 150-member municipal body. The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) bagged eight divisions and was leading in nine others.
IANS
Kudankulam n-plant down due to steam leak
Chennai, Feb 5 (IANS) The 1,000-MW nuclear power plant at Kudankulam stopped generation on Thursday night following a steam leak, Power System Operation Corporation Ltd (POSOCO) said. On Thursday, the power generation touched the day's peak of 757 MW while the average generation for the day was 582 MW. "A minor steam leak in the feed water system in turbine building from 14 mm impulse line is being attended," R.S. Sundar, site director at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) told IANS on Friday.
IANS
French MPs to debate contested post-attacks constitution changes
France's lawmakers began debating constitutional changes on Friday allowing for dual nationals to lose their French citizenship in terrorism cases and enshrining in the text controversial measures put in place after the November attacks in Paris. The shootings and suicide bombings in the French capital that left 130 dead and were claimed by the Islamic State group caused a radical rethink of security measures in France. President Francois Hollande imposed a state of emergency in the wake of the carnage, giving police and security forces sweeping powers to raid houses and hold people under house arrest without judicial oversight.
AFP
B-Town welcomes Abhishek Bachchan into 40s club
Mumbai, Feb 5 (IANS) On Abhishek Bachchan's 40th birthday on Friday, Bollywood celebrities like Karan Johar and Rana Daggubati have welcomed him to the "decade of dreams", while others like Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh have wished him a year full of happiness, luck and love.
IANS
Sri Lanka envoy unveils welfare plan for island’s expat workers
Sri Lankan Ambassador Azim Thassim told his countrymen in the Kingdom that his mission has chalked out a 20/20 plan to promote bilateral relations with the Kingdom and to work for the welfare of the island’s 500,000 workers in Saudi Arabia. The envoy was addressing the Sri Lankan community on the occasion of his country’s 68th anniversary of its Independence Day on Thursday. A large gathering of the Lankan community, including schoolchildren and Saudi businessmen, graced the colorful ceremony organized by the mission.
Arab News
Syrian army captures new rebel bastion in Aleppo
Damascus, Feb 5 (IANS) In its latest victory against militant groups, the Syrian army has fully captured the town of Ratyan in Aleppo province, the media reported on Friday. According to a report by the pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV, the capture of Ratyan is another blow to the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front in the northern countryside of Aleppo, where the Syrian army backed by the Lebanese Hezbollah group have been actively progressing, cutting off rebels from key supply lines from neighbouring Turkey, Xinhua news agency reported. Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Hezbollah and Iranian fighters of the Iranian Republican Guards were backing the Syrian troops in the latest push in northern Aleppo.
IANS
Kapu leader be
