Russia’s NATO envoy says Arctic should be zone ‘free of military activity’
The Arctic should remain a zone with a minimum of military activity, RIA Novosti quoted Russia’s permanent representative to NATO as saying on Friday. There are no direct military risks today in the region, according to Aleksandr Grushko. Speaking in Brussels, he said that “Cold War” rhetoric should be put aside. “We are carefully watching how NATO is turning its focus to the Arctic region,” he said, adding that “the less influence from military and political organizations in that region, the better it will be for solving tasks set before the Arctic states.”
News affairs
Russian Proton-M rocket with European satellite blasts into orbit
28 12 2014
Russia’s Proton-M rocket with an Astra-2G communications satellite on board has been successfully launched from Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan. The satellite was contracted by SES of Luxembourg, along with Airbus Defence and Space, with the aim of providing the next generation of broadcast and broadband services in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Following the launch, it was brought into intermediate support orbit according to schedule, a Roscosmos official told RIA Novosti. This marks the 401st launch of the Russian Proton rocket.
Vatican arrests FEMEN activist
28 12 2014
Vatican arrests FEMEN activist who ‘kidnapped’ Baby Jesus from nativity scene
A topless FEMEN protester who tried to snatch a figurine of Baby Jesus from the manger at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City following the Pope’s Christmas message has been arrested, the Vatican said on Friday. Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi earlier said that Ukrainian citizen Iana Aleksandrovna Azhdanova had been detained and would be questioned by a Vatican judge. He stated that her action“offended the religious feelings of many people,” adding that she faces charges of vilification of religion, obscene acts in public, and theft. FEMEN said the action was in protest against “the centuries-old Vatican stance on women’s rights for own body and reproductive function,” according to the group’s webpage. The organization has announced an anti-clerical “Massacre of the Innocents” campaign, calling for the stealing of Baby Jesus from churches around the world.
A topless FEMEN protester who tried to snatch a figurine of Baby Jesus from the manger at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City following the Pope’s Christmas message has been arrested, the Vatican said on Friday. Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi earlier said that Ukrainian citizen Iana Aleksandrovna Azhdanova had been detained and would be questioned by a Vatican judge. He stated that her action“offended the religious feelings of many people,” adding that she faces charges of vilification of religion, obscene acts in public, and theft. FEMEN said the action was in protest against “the centuries-old Vatican stance on women’s rights for own body and reproductive function,” according to the group’s webpage. The organization has announced an anti-clerical “Massacre of the Innocents” campaign, calling for the stealing of Baby Jesus from churches around the world.
Pakistani army : 39 militants killed by air & ground forces
28 12 2014
Thirty-nine militants were killed in two separate operations by Pakistani military near the Afghan border, AP reports citing Saturday’s army statement. The military say the airstrikes, carried out on Friday evening in the Datta Khel area of the North Waziristan tribal region, killed 23 militants. The warplanes have also destroyed an underground tunnel system and a large underground cache of weapons and ammunition. The army statement also says late on Friday, 16 militants were killed and another 20 injured in an intense battle with Pakistani troops. Four soldiers were injured. The information given by the Pakistani army cannot be independently verified, as journalists are barred from the region where the fighting is happening.
Syrian govt reiterates readiness to hold talks with opposition in Moscow
28 12 2014
Syria’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the government’s readiness to participate in Moscow talks with the representatives of Syria’s opposition on finding a way out of the crisis, a source at the ministry told SANA state news agency on Saturday. The source added the preparatory consultative meeting in Moscow “aims at coming to agree on convening a conference for dialogue among the Syrians without any foreign interference.” Previously President Bashar Assad’s aid Bouthaina Shaaban told RT Arabic that Syria and Russia agreed that the “intra-Syrian dialogue will begin in Moscow.” In November Russia’s President Vladimir Putin met with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem for the first top-level talks between the two countries since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011.
North Korea blames US for Internet blackout
28 12 2014
Pyongyang has accused Washington of causing prolonged Internet outages in North Korea, which coincided with the recent controversy over the hacking of the film studio Sony Pictures. “The United States…has begun disrupting the Internet operations of the main media outlets of our republic,” the North Korean National Defense Commission said in a statement, comparing the US to “children…playing hide and seek.” The statement also called on US President Barack Obama to fix the country’s “hostile” policy towards North Korea, “if he seeks peace on US soil.” American officials have said Washington was not involved in the cyber attack. North Korea experienced web problems last week and a complete outage of nearly nine and half hours Monday before links were largely restored. US tech companies said reasons could have ranged from tech glitches to an attack by a hacker group.
North Korea’s 3G mobile phone networks and internet were paralyzed again on Saturday evening, China’s Xinhua news agency reported. The North Korean government has blamed the US for the blackout. The US said it would retaliate against North Korea, after the US blamed Pyongyang for a hacking attack on Sony Pictures because of a satire movie they had made about a plot to assassinate Kim Jong Un. Most of North Korea’s internet traffic passes through Chinese routers and some have suggested that it may be China behind the internet attack.
US-led coalition launches 39 airstrikes on ISIS in Syria, Iraq
28 12 2014
The US-led coalition forces said they launched 39 airstrikes against Islamic State (IS, ISIS) militants in Syria and Iraq over the past two days. The Combined Joint Task Force on Friday said it ordered bombers and remotely controlled aircraft to hit 19 targets in Syria and 20 in Iraq. The strikes in Syria destroyed buildings, a staging area, and several fighting positions. In Iraq, airstrikes hit near Al Asad, Sinjar, Mosul, Al Gaim, Baiji, Kirkuk, and Tal Afar, destroying or damaging a rocket system, vehicles, tactical units, and fighting positions, according to the statement. The strikesare the latest attacks conducted under Operation Inherent Resolve, which began in Iraq on August 8 and in Syria on September 26. It is part of the mission to eliminate the radical Islamist group in the region.
Belarus gets new PM Andrey Kobyakov
28 12 2014
Belarus gets new Prime Minister.
Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has consented to appoint Andrey Kobyakov the country’s new prime minister. Kobyakov has released Mikhail Myasnikovich from duty, who had occupied this position since December 28, 2010. On Friday, President Lukashenko said he’s about to make a number of personnel changes on Saturday. Lukashenko added that newly appointed officials will have their tasks set before the New Year.
Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has consented to appoint Andrey Kobyakov the country’s new prime minister. Kobyakov has released Mikhail Myasnikovich from duty, who had occupied this position since December 28, 2010. On Friday, President Lukashenko said he’s about to make a number of personnel changes on Saturday. Lukashenko added that newly appointed officials will have their tasks set before the New Year.
Swedish PM cancels snap election
28 12 2014
Swedish PM cancels snap election after deal with opposition.
Swedish PM Stefan Lofven said his government has struck a deal with the opposition. This would allow the minority coalition of the Social Democrats and Greens to continue to stay in power, sidelining the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats who hold the balance of power in parliament. “This agreement means that Sweden can be governed even in a difficult parliamentary situation,” Lofven, who had planned to call a vote for March 22 after losing a budget vote in December told media.
Swedish PM Stefan Lofven said his government has struck a deal with the opposition. This would allow the minority coalition of the Social Democrats and Greens to continue to stay in power, sidelining the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats who hold the balance of power in parliament. “This agreement means that Sweden can be governed even in a difficult parliamentary situation,” Lofven, who had planned to call a vote for March 22 after losing a budget vote in December told media.
The news on Sunday
Normalcy in Assam’s violence hit areas
28 12 2014
Dec 28,
In Assam, situation is limping back to normalcy in violence hit areas. Curfew has been lifted at Kokrajhar municipal area. It has also been relaxed from 7 to 8 hours in Sonitpur , Udalguri and Baska districts. Inspector General of Police, L R Bishnoi said that 55 persons have been arrested in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts for allegedly involving in arson and violence. He said that miscreants torched down 453 houses and 57 market shades in Lower Assam.
Meanwhile, operation is on against Bodo militants involved in recent massacre in Kokrajhar and Sonitpur district. Security forces have also launched operation at vulnerable reserve forest areas.
Relief materials and medical care are being given at relief camps. Over 1 lakh 20 thousand people have taken shelter at over 80 relief camps. But a section of inmates alleged that they were not getting proper relief items.
AIR correspondent reports, miscreants torched down 453 houses and 57 market shades in Lower Assam. Counter insurgency operation is on against Bodo militants involved in recent massacre. Security forces have also launched operation at vulnerable reserve forest areas. Meanwhile, relief materials and medical care are being given at relief camps. Over 1 lakh 20 thousand people have taken shelter at over 80 relief camps. But a section o
AirAsia flight from Indonesia to Singapore goes missing
28 12 2014
An AirAsia flight with 162 people aboard went missing en route from Indonesia to Singapore today after losing contact with air traffic controllers. There were unconfirmed reports that an aircraft has crashed in the waters off East Belitung, off the east coast of Sumatra. However, the details of the aircraft were not known.A transport official said, Flight QZ8501 lost contact with Jakarta air traffic control just after 07:24 am local time. Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said aircraft was in the Indonesian Flight Information Region when contact was lost, 42 minutes after takeoff. There were no Indian nationals on board. An Indonesian transport official confirmed that seven crew and 155 passengers were on board. The plane took off from Surabaya (Indonesia) at 5.20 am local time and was scheduled to land at Singapore’s Changi Airport at 8.30 am.
Indonesian Transport Ministry official Hadi Mustofa said, the plane had asked for an unusual route before it lost contact, local media reported. Air Asia said the pilot had requested deviation from its flight plan because of bad weather. Indonesian TV channels said there were 149 Indonesians, three Koreans, one Singaporean, one Briton and one Malaysian on board.
A statement on AirAsia’s Face book page said, at the present there is no further information regarding the status of the passengers and crew members on board, but all parties will be informed as more information becomes available. Search and rescue operations are in progress and Air Asia is cooperating fully and assisting the rescue service, the statement said. Malaysia has also offered assistance in the search operation.
AirAsia is popular in the region as a budget carrier. It has about 100 destinations, with subsidiaries in several Asian countries. The loss of contact with the AirAsia plane comes nearly10 months after the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH 370, which dropped off radar over Southeast Asia on March 8. Searchers are yet to find any debris from Flight MH 370,which officials believe crashed in the southern Indian Ocean.
Raghubar Das takes oath as J’khand CM
28 12 2014
Raghubar Das takes oath as J’khand CM; Stalemate continues on Govt formation in J&K
Dec 28,
Senior BJP leader Raghubar Das took oath as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand today. Governor Sayyed Ahmed administered him the oath of office and secrecy at the Morhabadi ground in Ranchi. The 59-year-old BJP leader, is the first non-tribal Chief Minister of the state. BJP MLAs CP Singh, Neelkanth Singh Munda and Louis Marandi and AJSU MLA Chandra Prakash Choudhri also took oath as Ministers.
AIR correspondent reports, BJP leader Raghubar Das is now the 10th Chief Minister of Jharkhand, and incidentally the first non-tribal Chief Minister in the state’s 14 years history. The new Cabinet is meeting today late afternoon to kick start the new phase. The swearing-in ceremony witnessed positive signs for the new government as ex- Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Arjun Munda and Babulal Marandi were also present at the Birsa Munda football Stadium of Ranchi. The task before the new government is enormous in terms of the priorities set by new Chief Minster himself, and people will keenly observe the functioning of this government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah were to attend the swearing in ceremony. But dense fog in Delhi forced them to cancel their visit to Jharkhand. In his tweets, Prime Minister congratulated the people of Jharkhand after getting an absolute majority in state elections held recently. Mr Modi said the people have voted for stability and wished that Jharkhand scales new heights of progress in the coming year. The Prime minister also extended his wishes to Raghubar Das on taking over as Jharkhand’s new Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, stalemate continues on Government formation in Jammu and Kashmir on the sixth day today with nothing concrete happening even as back door talks between leaders of various parties are going on. Meanwhile, looking for the “best deal”, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asserted that it is in no hurry to enter an alliance either with Bharatiya Janta Party at the cost of its ideology or with National Conference (NC) against the aspirations of people of the state. Reiterating that the party is looking at the implications of the possible alliance options, PDP spokesman Nayeem Akhtar said that in this scenario, Party wants to go ahead with due deliberations within the party and then decide the best deal for the state, a deal which would enable it to deliver both on political and developmental fronts. AIR Srinagar Correspondent reports that the continuing political stalemate over the government formation in Jammu and Kashmir may force imposition of Governor’s rule by January 20, 2015 when the Assembly will get automatically dissolved after the end of its six year term.
AIR correspondent reports, while exploring the prospects of forging an alliance with the BJP, PDP has reportedly sought assurances from BJP on certain issues mainly safeguarding Article 370 and revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). According to PDP Chief Spokesperson, Naeem Akhtar, it is not a question of forming a government only saying that the party will take its own time in carrying the best deal for Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, PDP also does not seem enthused to the option of a “grand alliance” with National Conference as according to PDP Chief Spokesman National Conference created a mess in the state during its six-year rule.
Congress celebrates its 130th Foundation Day
28 12 2014
Congress today celebrated its130th Foundation Day. Congress President Sonia Gandhi presided over the function at the AICC headquarters in the national capital where she unfurled the party flag. However, Vice President Rahul Gandhi was not present at the function.
The event was attended by senior Congress leaders including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, AK Antony, Ambika Soni, Motilal Vora and Ghulam Nabi Azad. The Indian National Congress was founded on this day in1885. The first session of the party was held at Mumbai between December 28 and December 31, and was attended by 72members.
Croatia new Prez as per opinion poll Ivo Josipovic
28 12 2014
Dec 28
Voters in Croatia are choosing a new president as the country struggles with the prolonged economic crisis. The incumbent, Ivo Josipovic, is one of four candidates. Opinion poll show Mr Josipovic in lead, but is not expected to win more than 50 per cent of the vote making a run-off likely. The president has a largely ceremonial role, but has a say in foreign policy and is head of the army.
Voters in Croatia are choosing a new president as the country struggles with the prolonged economic crisis. The incumbent, Ivo Josipovic, is one of four candidates. Opinion poll show Mr Josipovic in lead, but is not expected to win more than 50 per cent of the vote making a run-off likely. The president has a largely ceremonial role, but has a say in foreign policy and is head of the army.
Croatia is the newest member of the European Union, joining in July last year.
Egypt Parliamentary elections to be held in March 2015
28 12 2014
Dec 28,
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has reiterated that parliamentary elections will be held in March 2015. His remarks came while receiving Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo at the presidential headquarters in Cairo yesterday.
Al Sissi ratified the electoral constituencies law clearing the decks for parliamentary elections a few days ago. Parliamentary elections represent the final stage of the post-30 June political road map, following the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi in 2013.
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