Syria Army Entering Aleppo South amid Heavy Fighting
Syrian government forces backed by Russian air strikes have launched a fresh offensive against rebels south of the country's second city, Aleppo.
A military source told Reuters news agency that "hundreds" of troops from Hezbollah and Iran were also involved.
Control of Aleppo has been divided between government forces and various rebel groups since 2012.
The Syrian army has launched at least four ground offensives since Russia began air strikes two weeks ago.
They are in a wide stretch of mostly rural territory north of the cities of Homs and Hama, in the rugged northern parts of Latakia province along the coast and now the villages and countryside south of Aleppo.
In a statement the Syrian army said that it had inflicted "heavy losses" on rebel groups, with the help of Russian strikes.
Russia says it is targeting "terrorists", primarily jihadist militants from Islamic State (IS), but Western governments say many strikes have hit civilians and moderate rebel groups.
The Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah said the Syrian army was carrying out a "broad military operation" across a 10-mile (16km) front south of Aleppo.
"This is the promised battle," a Syrian military source told Reuters news agency.
"The main core is the Syrian army", the source said, but added that hundreds of fighters from Iran and Hezbollah were taking part.
There are unconfirmed reports that hundreds of Iranian troops have arrived in Syria to join assaults on rebel positions in northern and central Syria by government forces and fighters from the Lebanese Shia Islamist movement, Hezbollah.
An unnamed US official told AFP that as many as 2,000 Iranian-backed fighters were helping the Syrian army near Aleppo.
"We are now seeing a coordinated effort between Iran and Russia to assist Assad with fighting opposition groups", the official said.
Iran, a staunch ally of President Bashar al-Assad, has long acknowledged sending military advisers to Syria, but has denied the presence of any ground forces.
Several high-profile Iranian advisers have been killed in the past month as the fighting continues.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Syria Army Fighting to Take Aleppo Supply Line From ISIS
Syria Army Fighting to Take Aleppo Supply Line From ISIS
Syria army fighting to retake Aleppo supply line from ISIS
Syrian troops backed by Russian air strikes battled Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group fighters on Saturday in a bid to restore a key supply line to second city Aleppo, a monitoring group said.
At least 28 ISIS fighters and 21 troops and militia have been killed in the battle for the road that leads to the government-held sector of Aleppo city, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
The jihadists' cutting of the highway from the rest of government-held territory on Friday dealt a blow to the regime, which has launched multiple ground offensives since Russia began an air campaign on September 30.
Aleppo was Syria's pre-war economic hub but it has been ravaged by fighting since mid-2012 and is divided between government control in the west and rebel control in the east.
The surrounding countryside is controlled by a patchwork of armed groups, including Islamist and moderate rebels as well as ISIS and its jihadist rival, Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front.
With the support of Russian air strikes, the army has recaptured territory south of the city in recent days and is seeking to break an ISIS siege of the Kweyris airbase to its east.
The clashes to the south of the city have killed at least 16 rebels since Friday, the Observatory said.
The army has also been on the attack in Hama and Homs provinces further south.
Twelve rebels and 14 troops and pro-government militia were killed in the fighting in Hama province, the Observatory said.
Syria army fighting to retake Aleppo supply line from ISIS
Syrian troops backed by Russian air strikes battled Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group fighters on Saturday in a bid to restore a key supply line to second city Aleppo, a monitoring group said.
At least 28 ISIS fighters and 21 troops and militia have been killed in the battle for the road that leads to the government-held sector of Aleppo city, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
The jihadists' cutting of the highway from the rest of government-held territory on Friday dealt a blow to the regime, which has launched multiple ground offensives since Russia began an air campaign on September 30.
Aleppo was Syria's pre-war economic hub but it has been ravaged by fighting since mid-2012 and is divided between government control in the west and rebel control in the east.
The surrounding countryside is controlled by a patchwork of armed groups, including Islamist and moderate rebels as well as ISIS and its jihadist rival, Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front.
With the support of Russian air strikes, the army has recaptured territory south of the city in recent days and is seeking to break an ISIS siege of the Kweyris airbase to its east.
The clashes to the south of the city have killed at least 16 rebels since Friday, the Observatory said.
The army has also been on the attack in Hama and Homs provinces further south.
Twelve rebels and 14 troops and pro-government militia were killed in the fighting in Hama province, the Observatory said.
Indian Navy- How Modi's India Projected Naval Forces on Global Theatre
Indian Navy How Modi's India Projected Naval Forces on Global Theatre
India has finally made its naval strength felt across the globe. The navy has sent frontline warships to almost 40 nations in the last year. This is the first time ever, a record engagement across the world reflecting the foreign policy focus of the government has been pursued through the naval warships.
The Navy has also pulled off the almost impossible by deploying warships to nations as diverse as Iran and Israel - within ten days of each other - as well as Saudi Arabia and the UK, all within the past month. The Economic Times has spoken to several Navy officers who confirmed that this is the first time that over three dozen nations have been directly engaged, calling it a significant increase in interaction with friendly foreign nations.
"In the past 12 months, Indian warships have been deployed from the western Pacific in the east to the west coast of South Adriatic and have shown the flag in almost all major ports and interacted with friendly navies in the region," Navy chief Admiral RK Dhowan told ET.
The nations visited is diverse and reflects Indian interests across the world - from Vietnam, Japan, Singapore and Myanmar in the east to Egypt, Turkey, France and Spain in the west. Frontline warships like the indigenously made stealth frigate, INS Sahyadri, have even sailed as far as Hawaii within the past year.
"This unprecedented footprint in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond reflects the role the Navy plays in shaping the maritime environment in our area of interest," Admiral Dhowan told the ET.
Modi will be addressing top military commanders onboard aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya next month. He has already made it clear that his government's priority is on the maritime domain with most major modernisation projects cleared pertaining to the Navy, including an ambitious Rs 1 lakh crore plan to construct six nuclear powered attack submarines indigenously.
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India has finally made its naval strength felt across the globe. The navy has sent frontline warships to almost 40 nations in the last year. This is the first time ever, a record engagement across the world reflecting the foreign policy focus of the government has been pursued through the naval warships.
The Navy has also pulled off the almost impossible by deploying warships to nations as diverse as Iran and Israel - within ten days of each other - as well as Saudi Arabia and the UK, all within the past month. The Economic Times has spoken to several Navy officers who confirmed that this is the first time that over three dozen nations have been directly engaged, calling it a significant increase in interaction with friendly foreign nations.
"In the past 12 months, Indian warships have been deployed from the western Pacific in the east to the west coast of South Adriatic and have shown the flag in almost all major ports and interacted with friendly navies in the region," Navy chief Admiral RK Dhowan told ET.
The nations visited is diverse and reflects Indian interests across the world - from Vietnam, Japan, Singapore and Myanmar in the east to Egypt, Turkey, France and Spain in the west. Frontline warships like the indigenously made stealth frigate, INS Sahyadri, have even sailed as far as Hawaii within the past year.
"This unprecedented footprint in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond reflects the role the Navy plays in shaping the maritime environment in our area of interest," Admiral Dhowan told the ET.
Modi will be addressing top military commanders onboard aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya next month. He has already made it clear that his government's priority is on the maritime domain with most major modernisation projects cleared pertaining to the Navy, including an ambitious Rs 1 lakh crore plan to construct six nuclear powered attack submarines indigenously.
frontline warships,western Pacific,South Adriatic,Navy chief Admiral RK Dhowan,Vietnam, Japan, Singapore,Myanmar,Egypt, Turkey, France,Spain,stealth frigate,stealth frigate INS Sahyadri,Hawaii,Indian Ocean Region,military commanders,aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya,aircraft carrier,INS Vikramaditya,nuclear powered attack submarine,attack submarine,
Titanic Biscuits Fethched 15,000 Pounds in London Auction
Titanic Biscuits Fethched 15,000 Pounds in London Auction
London: The "world's most valuable biscuit", which survived the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, has fetched a whopping 15,000 pounds at an auction in the UK, while a photograph believed to be that of the iceberg which sank the liner sold for 21,000 pounds.
The Spillers and Bakers Pilot cracker, from a survival kit in a lifeboat, was "the world's most valuable biscuit," said Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge from Henry Aldridge & Son auctioneers Wiltshire.
The biscuit was sold to a collector in Greece, far exceeding its presale estimate of between 8,000 pounds and 10,000 pounds.
The cracker was saved by James Fenwick, a passenger on the Carpathia which picked up Titanic survivors.
He kept it in an envelope complete with original notation, "Pilot biscuit from Titanic lifeboat April 1912".
The auction also saw a photograph purporting to show the iceberg that sank the ill-fated liner selling for 21,000 pounds, 'BBC News' reported.
The estimated guide price had been between 10,000 pounds and 15,000 pounds.
Titanic had been four days into a week-long Transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York when it struck the iceberg on April 14, 1912, killing more than 1,500 people.
The grainy black-and-white photograph was captured the day after the luxury liner sank.
It was taken by the chief steward of steamer the Prinz Adalbert, who was at the time unaware of the tragedy that had occurred the previous day.
A cup presented to the captain of the Carpathia also sold for 129,000 pounds to a UK collector.
It was given to Captain Arthur Rostron by survivor Molly Brown, paid for by donations from wealthy passengers after the disaster.
Aldridge said the price paid for the cup made it the third most valuable item associated with the Titanic story to have ever been sold.
London: The "world's most valuable biscuit", which survived the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, has fetched a whopping 15,000 pounds at an auction in the UK, while a photograph believed to be that of the iceberg which sank the liner sold for 21,000 pounds.
The Spillers and Bakers Pilot cracker, from a survival kit in a lifeboat, was "the world's most valuable biscuit," said Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge from Henry Aldridge & Son auctioneers Wiltshire.
The biscuit was sold to a collector in Greece, far exceeding its presale estimate of between 8,000 pounds and 10,000 pounds.
The cracker was saved by James Fenwick, a passenger on the Carpathia which picked up Titanic survivors.
He kept it in an envelope complete with original notation, "Pilot biscuit from Titanic lifeboat April 1912".
The auction also saw a photograph purporting to show the iceberg that sank the ill-fated liner selling for 21,000 pounds, 'BBC News' reported.
The estimated guide price had been between 10,000 pounds and 15,000 pounds.
Titanic had been four days into a week-long Transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York when it struck the iceberg on April 14, 1912, killing more than 1,500 people.
The grainy black-and-white photograph was captured the day after the luxury liner sank.
It was taken by the chief steward of steamer the Prinz Adalbert, who was at the time unaware of the tragedy that had occurred the previous day.
A cup presented to the captain of the Carpathia also sold for 129,000 pounds to a UK collector.
It was given to Captain Arthur Rostron by survivor Molly Brown, paid for by donations from wealthy passengers after the disaster.
Aldridge said the price paid for the cup made it the third most valuable item associated with the Titanic story to have ever been sold.
Google Nexus 6P In India- Review
Google Nexus 6P In India- Review
Introduction
Google Nexus 6P Review
Choice. It’s a good thing. For this year’s lineup of Nexus devices, Google adds not one, but two brand new smartphones that better cover a wider gamut of the demographics. We’ve already taken an in-depth look at the smaller model of the two, the Google Nexus 5X. Purists and enthusiasts are no doubt stoked about the prospect of pure Android, but not everyone will like the duller styling of the Nexus 5X.
Enter the Nexus 6P, a rock solid phone that screams Premium – it makes more sense why they named it the 6P. First timer in the Nexus world, Google commissioned Chinese company Huawei to design one its latest Nexus phones. For Huawei, it’s undeniably a ripe opportunity for them to build brand reputation not only in the US, but all around the world as well, seeing that they’ve struggled in gaining notoriety in other markets besides Asia.
When last year’s Nexus 6 was announced, many Nexus faithfuls were given a little bit of a surprise in the form of a higher-priced smartphone – whereas with the previous two Nexus smartphones, they were much easier on the pockets. Normally, high-level, metal phones, especially ones accompanied with killer specs, tend to cost a premium as well, but for the Huawei-made Nexus 6P, it’s ensuring that it’s undercutting the competition with its $499.99 starting cost. And best of all, it’s a pure Android device.
We’ve certainly seen our fair share of killer smartphones that are on the affordable side, so how does this Nexus compare?
The package contains:
Google Nexus 6P
Wall charger
USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable
USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable
Quick start guide
Safety & warranty information
SIM removal tool
Design
Sleek. Sexy. Super. It exudes an intense premium feel, arguably the most premium Nexus to date.
Looking back at what was done, the original grand-daddy of them all, the one and only Nexus One, arguably claimed the reputation of being the most premium-made Nexus ever. Yes, the Nexus 4 came pretty close with its glass surfaces, but the original is still highly acclaimed. That’s all changing, though, mainly because the Nexus 6P is one gorgeous looking phone from head-to-toe.
Huawei has crafted a fine handset with the Nexus 6P, boasting a contoured aluminum body that never feels brittle – even with its slim 7.3mm frame. Its aluminum chassis is incredibly sturdy, exhibiting a design that’s meticulously crafted. You can see that attention to detail in things like its subtle beveled edges adorning its sides, the minimal plastic spacers used to comprise its cellular radio, and the shiny trim around the camera lens.
Speaking of the camera, some might point out the protruding hump that’s there, but it’s not as pervasive as you’d think. In fact, it looks like it doesn’t stick out that much at all when viewing it at certain angles. Its size, instead, is arguably what’s going to either attract or detract people from it. Comparing it to some other phones packing 5.7-inch screens, the Nexus 6P is a bit taller and wider – while sporting a 71.6% screen-to-body ratio, which is lower than say, the Note5 or Moto X Pure Edition. Its weight, too, at 178 grams is a bit heavier than the Note5, but it’s warranted considering it’s nearly all metal here.
Above all, it’s satisfying that it’s sporting an original design with that premium quality intact. Not only is it a different looking thing, but it’s undeniably the best-designed Nexus device put together to date. That’s not an understatement at all, however, it certainly will help Huawei gain some notoriety on a wider basis. Although they’re no strangers to premium designs, this one is just to die for.
When it comes to button placement, both the power button and volume controls are situated in ideal locations, next to one another on the right side of the phone. It helps that they’re raised and offer spring responses when pressed, but we do like how the power button bears a rigid texture to tell it apart by just feeling it with our finger. The only other things found around its edges are the 3.5mm headphone jack on the top side, and a new USB Type-C port on the bottom.
Unlike its sibling in the Nexus 5X, the 6P comes with both a USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable to enable us to charge it with the included wall charger (one that rocks a USB Type-C port), as well as a USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable used to connect to a traditional USB port. At the moment, we find the latter cable to be the more useful of the two because it means we can connect it to our computer to transfer over files, and also charge it through any other USB chargers we have around. The argument for this newer connection is that the cable is reversible, so no more wondering if it’s being inserted the correct way.
Oh yeah, the Nexus 6P also rocks dual-front firing speakers, which could’ve mitigated its screen-to-body ratio, but it’s nice to have for watching videos because it ideally projects audio towards us. And lastly, there’s a recessed fingerprint sensor in the back that functions flawlessly to unlock the phone – even when it’s in standby. That’s useful because it eliminates the need to press the power button first to wake it up, then proceed to unlock using the fingerprint sensor.
Introduction
Google Nexus 6P Review
Choice. It’s a good thing. For this year’s lineup of Nexus devices, Google adds not one, but two brand new smartphones that better cover a wider gamut of the demographics. We’ve already taken an in-depth look at the smaller model of the two, the Google Nexus 5X. Purists and enthusiasts are no doubt stoked about the prospect of pure Android, but not everyone will like the duller styling of the Nexus 5X.
Enter the Nexus 6P, a rock solid phone that screams Premium – it makes more sense why they named it the 6P. First timer in the Nexus world, Google commissioned Chinese company Huawei to design one its latest Nexus phones. For Huawei, it’s undeniably a ripe opportunity for them to build brand reputation not only in the US, but all around the world as well, seeing that they’ve struggled in gaining notoriety in other markets besides Asia.
When last year’s Nexus 6 was announced, many Nexus faithfuls were given a little bit of a surprise in the form of a higher-priced smartphone – whereas with the previous two Nexus smartphones, they were much easier on the pockets. Normally, high-level, metal phones, especially ones accompanied with killer specs, tend to cost a premium as well, but for the Huawei-made Nexus 6P, it’s ensuring that it’s undercutting the competition with its $499.99 starting cost. And best of all, it’s a pure Android device.
We’ve certainly seen our fair share of killer smartphones that are on the affordable side, so how does this Nexus compare?
The package contains:
Google Nexus 6P
Wall charger
USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable
USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable
Quick start guide
Safety & warranty information
SIM removal tool
Design
Sleek. Sexy. Super. It exudes an intense premium feel, arguably the most premium Nexus to date.
Looking back at what was done, the original grand-daddy of them all, the one and only Nexus One, arguably claimed the reputation of being the most premium-made Nexus ever. Yes, the Nexus 4 came pretty close with its glass surfaces, but the original is still highly acclaimed. That’s all changing, though, mainly because the Nexus 6P is one gorgeous looking phone from head-to-toe.
Huawei has crafted a fine handset with the Nexus 6P, boasting a contoured aluminum body that never feels brittle – even with its slim 7.3mm frame. Its aluminum chassis is incredibly sturdy, exhibiting a design that’s meticulously crafted. You can see that attention to detail in things like its subtle beveled edges adorning its sides, the minimal plastic spacers used to comprise its cellular radio, and the shiny trim around the camera lens.
Speaking of the camera, some might point out the protruding hump that’s there, but it’s not as pervasive as you’d think. In fact, it looks like it doesn’t stick out that much at all when viewing it at certain angles. Its size, instead, is arguably what’s going to either attract or detract people from it. Comparing it to some other phones packing 5.7-inch screens, the Nexus 6P is a bit taller and wider – while sporting a 71.6% screen-to-body ratio, which is lower than say, the Note5 or Moto X Pure Edition. Its weight, too, at 178 grams is a bit heavier than the Note5, but it’s warranted considering it’s nearly all metal here.
Above all, it’s satisfying that it’s sporting an original design with that premium quality intact. Not only is it a different looking thing, but it’s undeniably the best-designed Nexus device put together to date. That’s not an understatement at all, however, it certainly will help Huawei gain some notoriety on a wider basis. Although they’re no strangers to premium designs, this one is just to die for.
When it comes to button placement, both the power button and volume controls are situated in ideal locations, next to one another on the right side of the phone. It helps that they’re raised and offer spring responses when pressed, but we do like how the power button bears a rigid texture to tell it apart by just feeling it with our finger. The only other things found around its edges are the 3.5mm headphone jack on the top side, and a new USB Type-C port on the bottom.
Unlike its sibling in the Nexus 5X, the 6P comes with both a USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable to enable us to charge it with the included wall charger (one that rocks a USB Type-C port), as well as a USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable used to connect to a traditional USB port. At the moment, we find the latter cable to be the more useful of the two because it means we can connect it to our computer to transfer over files, and also charge it through any other USB chargers we have around. The argument for this newer connection is that the cable is reversible, so no more wondering if it’s being inserted the correct way.
Oh yeah, the Nexus 6P also rocks dual-front firing speakers, which could’ve mitigated its screen-to-body ratio, but it’s nice to have for watching videos because it ideally projects audio towards us. And lastly, there’s a recessed fingerprint sensor in the back that functions flawlessly to unlock the phone – even when it’s in standby. That’s useful because it eliminates the need to press the power button first to wake it up, then proceed to unlock using the fingerprint sensor.
Syria War Russia & US Talked Over Syria Political Process
The US secretary of state, John Kerry, and Russia’s foreign minister have spoken about holding talks between the Syrian government and the opposition.
In a telephone conversation on Saturday held at Kerry’s request, he and Sergei Lavrov also discussed enlisting other countries in the region to help push the political process forward, the Russian foreign ministry said.
Lavrov also appeared on Russian state TV on Saturday, urging an intensification of efforts to find a political solution to the war. He said Moscow was ready to coordinate with the US in fighting terrorism in Syria.
He said Russia would be ready to help western-backed Free Syrian Army rebels if it knew their locations.
Lavrov said the Kremlin wanted Syria to prepare for parliamentary and presidential elections and that Russia was prepared to provide air support to the Free Syrian Army, as Moscow intensified its drive to convert its increased clout with Damascus into a political settlement.
The Kremlin, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s strongest foreign ally, has spoken broadly about the need for elections in Syria before. However, Lavrov’s comments represent a notable shift in Russia’s position.
It follows a meeting on Friday with the US and other countries to discuss a political solution to the Syrian crisis and comes just days after a surprise visit by Assad to Moscow.
Lavrov said: “External players cannot decide anything for the Syrians. We must force them to come up with a plan for their country where the interests of every religious, ethnic and political group will be well protected.”
He also said the continued US refusal to coordinate its military campaign in Syria with Moscow was “a big mistake”.
The comments follow criticism of Russia’s military intervention in Syria by the Gulf Cooperation Council. Its assistant secretary general, Abdel Aziz Abu Hamad Aluwaisheg, said that the action taken by Russia was “the best gift that could be given to terrorist groups”.
“I think it has the potential of being a very dangerous escalation between the superpowers, between Russia and the US,” he told the BBC.
“I think we’re all concerned about that and I think the Russian decision that was made without consultation, without coordination with the international coalition to fight Daesh [Isis] is unfortunate, and I think it could cause dangerous escalation.”
Aluwaisheg warned that Russia’s military intervention risked bolstering terrorist groups, saying it would help them recruit more members from all over the world. He said: “I think it probably will happen in Syria if the Russian intervention continues.”
His comments came as the Russian defence ministry said its planes had flown 934 sorties and destroyed 819 militant targets in Syria since the start of its operation on 30 September, the Interfax news agency reported.
Meanwhile, Kerry, was flying to Saudi Arabia for further talks on the conflict in Syria.
http://www.newsbharati.com/ Syria War Russia & US Talked Over Syria Political Process.
Sergei Lavrov, john kerry
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