production of state-of-art multi-role transport aircraft (MTA) for their air forces.
The "formal agreement" for floating the MTA JV is expected to be signed in September during Antony's Moscow visit for the session of Joint Commission on military- technical cooperation, V Balakrishnan, General Manager of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) aircraft manufacturing division, said.
The Russian government has cleared the formalities for the creation of 50-50 JV and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has allocated funds for financing Russia's share, he told the news agency on the sidelines of the International Aero-space show 'MAKS-2009'.
From the Indian side HAL will hold 50 per cent equity in the JV. The inter-government agreement for the joint development and production of MTA was inked in 2006 during the then President Putin's India visit, as the air forces of both the countries are seeking to replace their ageing Soviet-era Antonov series transport aircraft.
Balakrishnan said IAF has evinced interest in acquiring 40 MTA aircraft for transporting troops, military hardware and military cargo with option of buying more aircraft, while the Russian air force has confirmed readiness to acquire 100 planes.
According to earlier reports under the USD 600 million JV, a highly advanced transport aircraft with the capacity of 20 tonnes and capable of landing on any type of runway, including in the high Himalayan altitudes, would be developed on the basis of Ilyushin Il-214 aircraft. HAL and Ilyushin are to co-design and develop the aircraft.
Monday, August 24, 2009
DTN News: India, Russia To Launch Joint Military Airlifter In September
DTN News: India, Russia To Launch Joint Military Airlifter In September
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - August 24, 2009: In line with the BrahMos cruise missile project, India and Russia are expected to ink a deal during Defence Minister A K Antony's Moscow visit next month on setting up of a joint venture for
production of state-of-art multi-role transport aircraft (MTA) for their air forces.
The "formal agreement" for floating the MTA JV is expected to be signed in September during Antony's Moscow visit for the session of Joint Commission on military- technical cooperation, V Balakrishnan, General Manager of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) aircraft manufacturing division, said.
The Russian government has cleared the formalities for the creation of 50-50 JV and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has allocated funds for financing Russia's share, he told the news agency on the sidelines of the International Aero-space show 'MAKS-2009'.
From the Indian side HAL will hold 50 per cent equity in the JV. The inter-government agreement for the joint development and production of MTA was inked in 2006 during the then President Putin's India visit, as the air forces of both the countries are seeking to replace their ageing Soviet-era Antonov series transport aircraft.
Balakrishnan said IAF has evinced interest in acquiring 40 MTA aircraft for transporting troops, military hardware and military cargo with option of buying more aircraft, while the Russian air force has confirmed readiness to acquire 100 planes.
According to earlier reports under the USD 600 million JV, a highly advanced transport aircraft with the capacity of 20 tonnes and capable of landing on any type of runway, including in the high Himalayan altitudes, would be developed on the basis of Ilyushin Il-214 aircraft. HAL and Ilyushin are to co-design and develop the aircraft.
production of state-of-art multi-role transport aircraft (MTA) for their air forces.
The "formal agreement" for floating the MTA JV is expected to be signed in September during Antony's Moscow visit for the session of Joint Commission on military- technical cooperation, V Balakrishnan, General Manager of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) aircraft manufacturing division, said.
The Russian government has cleared the formalities for the creation of 50-50 JV and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has allocated funds for financing Russia's share, he told the news agency on the sidelines of the International Aero-space show 'MAKS-2009'.
From the Indian side HAL will hold 50 per cent equity in the JV. The inter-government agreement for the joint development and production of MTA was inked in 2006 during the then President Putin's India visit, as the air forces of both the countries are seeking to replace their ageing Soviet-era Antonov series transport aircraft.
Balakrishnan said IAF has evinced interest in acquiring 40 MTA aircraft for transporting troops, military hardware and military cargo with option of buying more aircraft, while the Russian air force has confirmed readiness to acquire 100 planes.
According to earlier reports under the USD 600 million JV, a highly advanced transport aircraft with the capacity of 20 tonnes and capable of landing on any type of runway, including in the high Himalayan altitudes, would be developed on the basis of Ilyushin Il-214 aircraft. HAL and Ilyushin are to co-design and develop the aircraft.
DTN News: Swedish Armed Forces Will Acquire 24 Archer Truck-Mounted Guns
DTN News: Swedish Armed Forces Will Acquire 24 Archer Truck-Mounted Guns
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) STOCKHOLM, Sweden - August 24, 2009: The government decided on Wednesday that the Armed Forces may order twenty-four Archer artillery pieces, in a joint acquisition project carried out in cooperation with Norway. 
The Swedish government has approved procurement of 24 Archer truck-mounted guns, clearing the way for a joint order with Norway of 48 vehicles. (Swedish Armed Forces photo)
The Swedish government has approved procurement of 24 Archer truck-mounted guns, clearing the way for a joint order with Norway of 48 vehicles. (Swedish Armed Forces photo)
“It is gratifying that the Government has taken this decision; it was awaited, "says Torbjörn Larsson, commander of Artilleriregementet (Artillery Regiment, A 9), the Swedish Army’s center of competence for artillery.
Shortly before mid-summer this year, the Norwegian Stortinget decided to authorize the purchase of twenty-four Archers for the Norwegian armed forces. This was one of the prerequisites for Sweden to also buy these artillery pieces, manufactured by BAE Systems in Bofors.
“This decision came just in time, so now we can continue to work with Norway to prepare for the service introduction," says Torbjörn Larsson.
Costs are shared Thanks to the cooperation with Norway, development and maintenance costs are shared between the two countries. Furthermore, by acquiring the same system Norway and Sweden can also benefit from cooperation on training, exercises, maintenance and future modifications and upgrades.
Development of Archer has been a long process, which started in 2002. Sweden’s old artillery system, Howitzer 77B, was about to reach its retirement age, and there was a need for a new one.
The choice fell on the development of a fully mobile, self-propelled system based on a standard Volvo construction articulated dumper truck, and to be able to use some parts from Howitzer 77B.
Will be ready this year Two experimental demonstrator vehicles were completed in 2005; they have been carefully tested and rebuilt along the way. Two prototypes will be ready this year, and the first production vehicles will start to be delivered in 2011.
“It is good that it is ready. We will have one of the world's best artillery. It fits well into the new flexible response system and can be used to great advantage in international operations," says Björn Isaksson, A 9's project manager for the Archer system.
Characteristics: Archer:
Armored articulated dumper vehicle
Protection against small arms fire, mines, NBC, and fire protection
Maximum speed is 70 km/h on the road.
The crew consists of three to four people: commander, driver and one or two operators.
Caliber is 155mm (or 15.5 cm.)
Built on a Volvo articulated dumper truck
Range up to 50 km, and rate of fire is ten to twelve shots per minute
DTN News: South Korea To Produce Red Shark Torpedoes
DTN News: South Korea To Produce Red Shark Torpedoes
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) SEOUL, South Korea - August 24, 2009: South Korea has given the production go-ahead for the first 70 Hongsangeo anti-submarine torpedoes for deployment between 2010 and 2012, the government has said. 
The nearly 18-foot, two-stage, precision-guided torpedoes are launched vertically and fly for around 12 miles before parachuting into the sea and heading for their target.
Up to 70 of the long-range ship-to-submarine light torpedoes, called Red Shark in English, will be operational aboard some of South Korea's newest country's destroyers, the KDX-I/II, according to the procurement agency Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
After nine years of development, the final tests were completed earlier this year, the DAPA's sister organization the state-funded Agency for Defense Development announced in June. Deployment is in response to a growing threat from North Korean submarines, the ADD noted.
The nearly 18-foot, two-stage, precision-guided torpedoes are launched vertically and fly for around 12 miles before parachuting into the sea and heading for their target.
Production of the torpedoes is expected to cost around $145 million with more being manufactured beginning in 2013.
South Korean missile manufacturer LIG Nex1 co-developed the torpedo with the ADD at a cost of around $80 million, the ADD said.
The 14-foot, two-stage, solid fuel vertical launch ASROC missile was first made by Lockheed Martin in 1993 after nearly 10 years of development and production problems. Range is around 14 miles and they have carried several types of torpedoes, lately the Mark 46.
The ADD and LIG Nex1 have cooperated on other so-called shark-series torpedoes, the Blue and Cheongsangeo (Blue Shark) light torpedo and Baeksangeo (White Shark) heavy torpedo.
South Korea first test fired the Cheongsangeo (Blue Shark), missile in 2004. It can be launched from both sea vessels and aircraft such as helicopters and the Lockheed Martin PC-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft, according to a report in the South Korean national Yonhap News Agency.
Deployment on the KDX-II destroyers, part of a ship-building program to develop several classes of destroyers, will help enhance South Korea's move into a blue-water navy, meaning operating across wide expanses of ocean.
The lead ship of the Chungmugong Yi Sunshin class, called the ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sunshin, was commissioned in December 2003. All six of the planned 500-foot ships have been commissioned. Hull design of the 4,400 ton displacement class is by Hyundai Heavy Industries and ships are built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering.
The ships also carry Hyunmoo III (Korean Tomahawk) cruise missiles for land attack as well as RIM-116 rolling airframe missiles and Hae Sung (Korean Harpoon) ship-to-ship missiles.
The nearly 18-foot, two-stage, precision-guided torpedoes are launched vertically and fly for around 12 miles before parachuting into the sea and heading for their target.
Up to 70 of the long-range ship-to-submarine light torpedoes, called Red Shark in English, will be operational aboard some of South Korea's newest country's destroyers, the KDX-I/II, according to the procurement agency Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
After nine years of development, the final tests were completed earlier this year, the DAPA's sister organization the state-funded Agency for Defense Development announced in June. Deployment is in response to a growing threat from North Korean submarines, the ADD noted.
The nearly 18-foot, two-stage, precision-guided torpedoes are launched vertically and fly for around 12 miles before parachuting into the sea and heading for their target.
Production of the torpedoes is expected to cost around $145 million with more being manufactured beginning in 2013.
South Korean missile manufacturer LIG Nex1 co-developed the torpedo with the ADD at a cost of around $80 million, the ADD said.
The 14-foot, two-stage, solid fuel vertical launch ASROC missile was first made by Lockheed Martin in 1993 after nearly 10 years of development and production problems. Range is around 14 miles and they have carried several types of torpedoes, lately the Mark 46.
The ADD and LIG Nex1 have cooperated on other so-called shark-series torpedoes, the Blue and Cheongsangeo (Blue Shark) light torpedo and Baeksangeo (White Shark) heavy torpedo.
South Korea first test fired the Cheongsangeo (Blue Shark), missile in 2004. It can be launched from both sea vessels and aircraft such as helicopters and the Lockheed Martin PC-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft, according to a report in the South Korean national Yonhap News Agency.
Deployment on the KDX-II destroyers, part of a ship-building program to develop several classes of destroyers, will help enhance South Korea's move into a blue-water navy, meaning operating across wide expanses of ocean.
The lead ship of the Chungmugong Yi Sunshin class, called the ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sunshin, was commissioned in December 2003. All six of the planned 500-foot ships have been commissioned. Hull design of the 4,400 ton displacement class is by Hyundai Heavy Industries and ships are built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering.
The ships also carry Hyunmoo III (Korean Tomahawk) cruise missiles for land attack as well as RIM-116 rolling airframe missiles and Hae Sung (Korean Harpoon) ship-to-ship missiles.
DTN News: China ~ Toyota Recalls 690,000 Cars For Window Bug
DTN News: China ~ Toyota Recalls 690,000 Cars For Window Bug
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) SHANGHAI, China - August 24, 2009: Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling nearly 690,000 of its China-made vehicles after finding problems with their electric window 
controls, China's quality watchdog says.
The recall involves 407,503 Camry and Yaris passenger cars made by Toyota's joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group.
Tianjin FAW Toyota is recalling 280,811 Vios and Corollas for the same reason, said a notice by the Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.
The notice, dated Aug. 18, was posted Sunday on the agency's Web site.
Staff contacted Monday at Toyota's headquarters in Japan said the company had no comment on the recall.
The notice said that due to excessive lubrication, the window switches could short out, possibly causing them to catch fire or otherwise malfunction.
Owners of the affected cars can contact Toyota beginning Tuesday to get faulty window switches replaced for free, the notice said.
controls, China's quality watchdog says.
The recall involves 407,503 Camry and Yaris passenger cars made by Toyota's joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group.
Tianjin FAW Toyota is recalling 280,811 Vios and Corollas for the same reason, said a notice by the Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.
The notice, dated Aug. 18, was posted Sunday on the agency's Web site.
Staff contacted Monday at Toyota's headquarters in Japan said the company had no comment on the recall.
The notice said that due to excessive lubrication, the window switches could short out, possibly causing them to catch fire or otherwise malfunction.
Owners of the affected cars can contact Toyota beginning Tuesday to get faulty window switches replaced for free, the notice said. DTN News: Russian Airlines Face EU Ban From 2012 Over CO2 Emissions
DTN News: Russian Airlines Face EU Ban From 2012 Over CO2 Emissions
*Source: DTN News / RIA Novosti
(NSI News Source Info) BRUSSELS, Belgium - August 24, 2009: The European Union has placed some 100 Russian air carriers, including Aeroflot, on a list of airlines that could be banned from 
European airports unless they reduce their environmental impact from 2012.
The full list of nearly 4,000 airlines was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on Saturday.
In accordance with a newly-introduced EU law, from January 1, 2012 all airlines operating in Europe will have to limit their carbon dioxide emissions or face penalties.
The European Commission said that the list "is based on data provided by Eurocontrol using records of flight plans."
Experts say air transport produces two percent of all manmade carbon dioxide emissions and 13 percent of CO2 from transport.
European airports unless they reduce their environmental impact from 2012.
The full list of nearly 4,000 airlines was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on Saturday.
In accordance with a newly-introduced EU law, from January 1, 2012 all airlines operating in Europe will have to limit their carbon dioxide emissions or face penalties.
The European Commission said that the list "is based on data provided by Eurocontrol using records of flight plans."
Experts say air transport produces two percent of all manmade carbon dioxide emissions and 13 percent of CO2 from transport.
During the Soviet era, Aeroflot was the Soviet national airline and the largest airline in the world. Since the dissolution of the USSR, Aeroflot has been transformed from a state-run enterprise into a semi-privatised airline which ranks amongst the most profitable in the world. Aeroflot is still considered the de facto national airline of Russia.
Aeroflot has embarked on a fleet modernisation program, extensive route restructuring, and an image overhaul, in order to bring the airline up to world standards. The airline joined SkyTeam in April 2006.
During the Soviet era Aeroflot was synonymous with Russian civil aviation. It became the first airline in the world to operate sustained regular jet services on 15 September 1956 with the Tupolev Tu-104.
In January 1971 the Aeroflot Central Administration of International Air Traffic was established within the framework of IATA, and became the industry's sole enterprise authorised to operate international flights. Abroad, the airline was known as Aeroflot Soviet Airlines. In 1976 Aeroflot carried its 100 millionth passenger.
Its flights were mainly concentrated around the Soviet Union, but the airline also had an international network covering five continents: North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. The network included countries such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Spain, Cuba, Mexico and the People's Republic of China. Since the 1970s some transatlantic flights were flown using Shannon Airport in Ireland as an intermediate stop, as it was the westernmost non-NATO airport in Europe.
DTN News: Pakistan TODAY August 24, 2009 ~ Series Of Raids By Pakistan Police Foil Attacks
DTN News: Pakistan TODAY August 24, 2009 ~ Series Of Raids By Pakistan Police Foil Attacks
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - August 24, 2009: Pakistani police arrested 13 Islamist militants and seized suicide vests and heroin for export in raids they said had foiled major attacks in the country's south and east, officers said Monday.
Pakistani police officers escort detained militants, faces covered with a cloth, to produce them into Anti Terrorism Court in Karachi, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 24, 2009. Police arrested seven members of an al-Qaida-linked group and seized suicide vests, explosives and heroin during a raid in Pakistan's southern commercial center that thwarted planned terrorist attacks, officials said.
Nuclear-armed Pakistan is battling al-Qaida and Taliban militants blamed for scores of terrorist attacks over the last two years. On Aug. 5, the campaign got a major boost when Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud was believed to have been killed in a U.S. missile strike close to the Afghan border, where the militants are strongest.
Six of the militants were arrested Monday in two raids in the eastern city of Sargodha, police chief Usman Anwar said.
He said they were linked to Mehsud's Taliban and had planned to launch strikes next week on at least two places of worship, foreigners, politicians and minorities in the city. He said the raids had "prevented mayhem," giving no more details.
Among the six was Zaid Mustafa, who Anwar said recruited potential suicide bombers for training in Afghanistan and who is suspected of providing logistics, explosives and other support for terror attacks in Lahore, Karachi or Rawalpindi.
"Every time the Taliban in tribal areas wanted to carry out an attack in Pakistani cities, Zaid would certainly be on board," Anwar said.
The seven militants arrested in Karachi were members of the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi movement, blamed for two failed assassination attempts against former President Pervez Musharraf and the beheading of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl.
The arrests Sunday prevented attacks the militants were planning in Karachi on government officials, police and offices of intelligence agencies, police officer Saud Mirza said. He would not be more specific about the targets, saying it could jeopardize an ongoing investigation.
Police seized three suicide vests, 33 pounds (15 kilograms) of explosives, 10 assault weapons and about 4.5 pounds (2 kilograms) of heroin, according to Karachi police officer Fayyaz Khan.
The raid provided rare intelligence on how drug money is transferred among Muslim extremist groups cooperating to fight the Pakistani and Afghan governments as well as foreign troops in Afghanistan, he said.
"It is often talked about that militants do drug business to finance their needs, but this is the first time we have arrested such a gang," Khan told The Associated Press.
The group smuggled the heroin to Singapore, Malaysia, China and United Arab Emirates, he said. Part of the profits were transferred to a Taliban commander named Abdul Samad in Chaman, an area on Pakistan's southwestern border with Afghanistan, Khan said.
Karachi — a teeming port city of more than 16 million — has long been a hotbed for Taliban and al-Qaida-linked groups, who are believed to have staged bank robberies, kidnappings for ransom and other criminal activities to raise funds.
Lashkar-e-Jhangvi had previously been known as a Sunni sectarian group blamed for attacks on minority Shiite Muslims, whom they consider heretics. However, in recent years the group has been increasingly associated with both the Pakistani Taliban, based mostly in the northwest, and al-Qaida.
Two members of the group were arrested and accused of leading the gang that kidnapped Wall Street Journal reporter Pearl in Karachi in 2002 on behalf of al-Qaida.
Pakistani police officers escort detained militants, faces covered with a cloth, to produce them into Anti Terrorism Court in Karachi, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 24, 2009. Police arrested seven members of an al-Qaida-linked group and seized suicide vests, explosives and heroin during a raid in Pakistan's southern commercial center that thwarted planned terrorist attacks, officials said.
Nuclear-armed Pakistan is battling al-Qaida and Taliban militants blamed for scores of terrorist attacks over the last two years. On Aug. 5, the campaign got a major boost when Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud was believed to have been killed in a U.S. missile strike close to the Afghan border, where the militants are strongest.
Six of the militants were arrested Monday in two raids in the eastern city of Sargodha, police chief Usman Anwar said.
He said they were linked to Mehsud's Taliban and had planned to launch strikes next week on at least two places of worship, foreigners, politicians and minorities in the city. He said the raids had "prevented mayhem," giving no more details.
Among the six was Zaid Mustafa, who Anwar said recruited potential suicide bombers for training in Afghanistan and who is suspected of providing logistics, explosives and other support for terror attacks in Lahore, Karachi or Rawalpindi.
"Every time the Taliban in tribal areas wanted to carry out an attack in Pakistani cities, Zaid would certainly be on board," Anwar said.
The seven militants arrested in Karachi were members of the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi movement, blamed for two failed assassination attempts against former President Pervez Musharraf and the beheading of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl.
The arrests Sunday prevented attacks the militants were planning in Karachi on government officials, police and offices of intelligence agencies, police officer Saud Mirza said. He would not be more specific about the targets, saying it could jeopardize an ongoing investigation.
Police seized three suicide vests, 33 pounds (15 kilograms) of explosives, 10 assault weapons and about 4.5 pounds (2 kilograms) of heroin, according to Karachi police officer Fayyaz Khan.
The raid provided rare intelligence on how drug money is transferred among Muslim extremist groups cooperating to fight the Pakistani and Afghan governments as well as foreign troops in Afghanistan, he said.
"It is often talked about that militants do drug business to finance their needs, but this is the first time we have arrested such a gang," Khan told The Associated Press.
The group smuggled the heroin to Singapore, Malaysia, China and United Arab Emirates, he said. Part of the profits were transferred to a Taliban commander named Abdul Samad in Chaman, an area on Pakistan's southwestern border with Afghanistan, Khan said.
Karachi — a teeming port city of more than 16 million — has long been a hotbed for Taliban and al-Qaida-linked groups, who are believed to have staged bank robberies, kidnappings for ransom and other criminal activities to raise funds.
Lashkar-e-Jhangvi had previously been known as a Sunni sectarian group blamed for attacks on minority Shiite Muslims, whom they consider heretics. However, in recent years the group has been increasingly associated with both the Pakistani Taliban, based mostly in the northwest, and al-Qaida.
Two members of the group were arrested and accused of leading the gang that kidnapped Wall Street Journal reporter Pearl in Karachi in 2002 on behalf of al-Qaida.
DTN News: Afghan Journalist Shot Dead In Pakistan
DTN News: Afghan Journalist Shot Dead In Pakistan
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - August 24, 2009: Unidentified gunmen today shot dead an Afghan journalist after pulling him out of his car in Pakistan's unruly tribal region, officials said. 
Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or Movement for Justice, burn a U.S. flag during a rally against the American policy of expanding U.S. strikes in Pakistani territory, in Peshawar, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 24, 2009.
The gunmen fled and no one claimed responsibility for the killing. Hashimzada, who belonged to eastern Afghan province of Ningrahar and had settled in Pakistan, was coming to Peshawar from Jalalabad, officials said.
He worked for the Afghan news agency Pajhwak, CNN, APTN and Al-Arabiya channel.
The body of Afghan journalist Janullah Hashim Zada lies on a stretcher at a local hospital in Jamrud, a town of Pakistan's Khyber tribal area along Afghan border, Monday, Aug. 24, 2009. Zada, who worked for the Afghan-based Shamshad TV, was shot dead as he traveled on a public mini-bus from Torkham in Khyber to the northwestern frontier city of Peshawar, said Khyber Agency political official Omair Khan.
Janullah Hashimzada, who worked for several Afghan and foreign news organisations, was on his way to the northwestern city of Peshawar when the gunmen killed him in the Khyber tribal region bordering Afghanistan.
Officials said the gunmen pulled Hashimzada out of his vehicle on the Pakistan-Afghan highway and shot him. He died instantly.
Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or Movement for Justice, burn a U.S. flag during a rally against the American policy of expanding U.S. strikes in Pakistani territory, in Peshawar, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 24, 2009.
The gunmen fled and no one claimed responsibility for the killing. Hashimzada, who belonged to eastern Afghan province of Ningrahar and had settled in Pakistan, was coming to Peshawar from Jalalabad, officials said.
He worked for the Afghan news agency Pajhwak, CNN, APTN and Al-Arabiya channel.
DTN News: Yemeni Troops Kill 100 Shia Rebels In Fighting
DTN News: Yemeni Troops Kill 100 Shia Rebels In Fighting
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) SANAA, Yemen - August 24, 2009: Yemeni troops have killed more than 100 Shia rebels, including two of their commanders, in an operation to recapture a small town in the northern mountains, the government said yesterday.
A video grab from Yemen's state television shows army soldiers firing a machine gun on the frontline at rebel targets on a mountain in Saada province August 17, 2009. Fighting between Yemeni troops backed by fighter aircraft and Shi'ite rebels has killed dozens on both sides since the government launched a wide offensive against the rebels earlier this month after weeks of skirmishes.
"The bodies of more than 100 rebels have been recovered from the roadside outside the town of Hafr Sufyan," a government statement said.
"It seems that the bodies were those of rebels who were trying to flee the town during a mopping-up operation over the past two days," the statement said, adding that two of the dead were identified as commanders Mohsen Saleh Hadi Gawd and Salah Jorman.
President Ali Abdullah Saleh pledged on Wednesday to crush the Shia rebellion in the north as the army pressed on with an offensive launched two weeks ago.
The campaign, dubbed Operation Scorched Earth, aims to end once and for all a rebellion by Zaidi Shia rebels, also known as Huthis, in the rugged mountainous region.
Fighting began in Saada province on the border with Saudi Arabia and has since spread to Amran province to the south where Hafr Sufyan is located.
An offshoot of Shia Islam, the Zaidis are a minority in mainly Sunni Yemen but form the majority community in the north. Saleh is himself a Zaidi.
A video grab from Yemen's state television shows army soldiers firing a machine gun on the frontline at rebel targets on a mountain in Saada province August 17, 2009. Fighting between Yemeni troops backed by fighter aircraft and Shi'ite rebels has killed dozens on both sides since the government launched a wide offensive against the rebels earlier this month after weeks of skirmishes.
"The bodies of more than 100 rebels have been recovered from the roadside outside the town of Hafr Sufyan," a government statement said.
"It seems that the bodies were those of rebels who were trying to flee the town during a mopping-up operation over the past two days," the statement said, adding that two of the dead were identified as commanders Mohsen Saleh Hadi Gawd and Salah Jorman.
President Ali Abdullah Saleh pledged on Wednesday to crush the Shia rebellion in the north as the army pressed on with an offensive launched two weeks ago.
The campaign, dubbed Operation Scorched Earth, aims to end once and for all a rebellion by Zaidi Shia rebels, also known as Huthis, in the rugged mountainous region.
Fighting began in Saada province on the border with Saudi Arabia and has since spread to Amran province to the south where Hafr Sufyan is located.
An offshoot of Shia Islam, the Zaidis are a minority in mainly Sunni Yemen but form the majority community in the north. Saleh is himself a Zaidi.
DTN News: Egypt Court Postpones Trial Of Hezbollah Cell To Oct. 24
DTN News: Egypt Court Postpones Trial Of Hezbollah Cell To Oct. 24
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) CAIRO, Egypt - August 24, 2009: The Egyptian Supreme Court of Emergency State Security decided on Sunday to postpone to October 24 the trial of 26 men suspected of links with Lebanese Shiite armed group Hezbollah, local Nile TV reported.
Suspects accused of plotting attacks on behalf of Lebanon's Hezbollah group stand behind bars during the first day of their trial in New Cairo, August 23, 2009. Egypt began the trial on Sunday of 26 men suspected of links with Lebanon's Hezbollah and who face charges that include planning attacks inside Egypt. The charges against the 26, read out in the emergency state security court, included giving information to a foreign organisation, planning attacks inside Egypt on tourist sites and the Suez Canal and possession of explosive material.
The delay will allow the defendants' lawyers more time to review the cases, according to Nile TV. These suspected men are accused of carrying out acts of terrorism against shipping in the Suez Canal and sending operatives to Gaza to help militant groups there and spying for foreign groups. The arrested included 18 Egyptians, five Palestinians, two Lebanese and one Sudanese.
Earlier in April, Egypt arrested 49 men for allegedly being Hezbollah agents, accusing them of planning hostile operations in Egypt.
Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shiite group, has been at odds with Egypt, the Sunni-dominated country, since the 22-day Gaza war that ended in January, for which Hezbollah accused Egypt of collaborating with Israel in closing its Rafah border crossing, Gaza's sole gateway that bypasses the Jewish state.
Suspects accused of plotting attacks on behalf of Lebanon's Hezbollah group stand behind bars during the first day of their trial in New Cairo, August 23, 2009. Egypt began the trial on Sunday of 26 men suspected of links with Lebanon's Hezbollah and who face charges that include planning attacks inside Egypt. The charges against the 26, read out in the emergency state security court, included giving information to a foreign organisation, planning attacks inside Egypt on tourist sites and the Suez Canal and possession of explosive material.
The delay will allow the defendants' lawyers more time to review the cases, according to Nile TV. These suspected men are accused of carrying out acts of terrorism against shipping in the Suez Canal and sending operatives to Gaza to help militant groups there and spying for foreign groups. The arrested included 18 Egyptians, five Palestinians, two Lebanese and one Sudanese.
Earlier in April, Egypt arrested 49 men for allegedly being Hezbollah agents, accusing them of planning hostile operations in Egypt.
Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shiite group, has been at odds with Egypt, the Sunni-dominated country, since the 22-day Gaza war that ended in January, for which Hezbollah accused Egypt of collaborating with Israel in closing its Rafah border crossing, Gaza's sole gateway that bypasses the Jewish state.
DTN News: Technology TODAY August 24, 2009 ~ Iran Tries To Crack Games Market
DTN News: Technology TODAY August 24, 2009 ~ Iran Tries To Crack Games Market
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) COLOGNE, Germany - August 24, 2009: Video game developers from Iran have been exhibiting at a Western game convention for the very first time. 
Representatives from the trade body, the Iran National Foundation of Computer Games, were on hand at a dedicated stand at gamescom in Cologne.
They were there to showcase the latest games developed in Iran, establish contacts, and to see if Western retailers would stock their games.
But they acknowledged the political situation would make it a challenge.
"We need more investors," said Amir Tarbyatjoui, head of Parsan Business Development Solutions who managed the Iranian stand.
"The [US] sanctions do affect our industry, but they cannot stop it."
'More potential'
Mr Tarbyatjoui said that Iran was becoming a leading player in video game development in the Middle East and that the event in Cologne was to show people just what they were capable of.
"We are using this event to promote what is happening in the Iranian games industry," he said.
"We believe we have more potential and we want to promote that potential."
There were a number of different types of game on offer, including a tank shooter set at the start of the Iran-Iraq war, a platform adventure set in Persia, an adventure game where you play the role of a girl called Sara; a young student caught up in events during the early stages of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, and a role-playing game called Age of Pahlevans based on Iranian mythology.
Bahram Borgheai, head of Ras Games who make Age of Pahlevans, told the BBC that Iran has a rich history that was custom made for video games.
"Persia has been around for a very long time," he said.
Mr Borgheai said that while most Western developers used Greek, Norse, or Roman mythology to base their games on, Iran had its own unique mythology that has rarely been used in video games.
"What we have is something quite unique and we are using the event in Cologne to show that to the world."
Political difficulties
Video-game development in Iran attracted global media attention in 2007 with the release of Special Operation 85: Hostage Rescue. The game saw two Iranian nuclear scientists kidnapped by Israel with players in the role of Iranian special forces sent to rescue them, while battling Israeli and American forces.
However Mr Borgheai said he doubted if it was a real game in its own right.
"We never heard about it in Iran," he said. "It certainly wasn't released there and the first I heard about it was through the international media," he said.
"If it was made then I would guess they just took an existing game and stuck a few textures and the like onto it; it certainly wasn't a new game."
The group said the event in Cologne had been a success and they would be back next year, but ruled out exhibiting at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles.
"It is difficult given the relations between Iran and the USA," said Mr Tarbyatjoui,.
"Certainly all of us here today will be at E3 next year, but there will not be a dedicated Iran stand such as you see in Cologne today."
Representatives from the trade body, the Iran National Foundation of Computer Games, were on hand at a dedicated stand at gamescom in Cologne.
They were there to showcase the latest games developed in Iran, establish contacts, and to see if Western retailers would stock their games.
But they acknowledged the political situation would make it a challenge.
"We need more investors," said Amir Tarbyatjoui, head of Parsan Business Development Solutions who managed the Iranian stand.
"The [US] sanctions do affect our industry, but they cannot stop it."
'More potential'
Mr Tarbyatjoui said that Iran was becoming a leading player in video game development in the Middle East and that the event in Cologne was to show people just what they were capable of.
"We are using this event to promote what is happening in the Iranian games industry," he said.
"We believe we have more potential and we want to promote that potential."
There were a number of different types of game on offer, including a tank shooter set at the start of the Iran-Iraq war, a platform adventure set in Persia, an adventure game where you play the role of a girl called Sara; a young student caught up in events during the early stages of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, and a role-playing game called Age of Pahlevans based on Iranian mythology.
Bahram Borgheai, head of Ras Games who make Age of Pahlevans, told the BBC that Iran has a rich history that was custom made for video games.
"Persia has been around for a very long time," he said.
Mr Borgheai said that while most Western developers used Greek, Norse, or Roman mythology to base their games on, Iran had its own unique mythology that has rarely been used in video games.
"What we have is something quite unique and we are using the event in Cologne to show that to the world."
Political difficulties
Video-game development in Iran attracted global media attention in 2007 with the release of Special Operation 85: Hostage Rescue. The game saw two Iranian nuclear scientists kidnapped by Israel with players in the role of Iranian special forces sent to rescue them, while battling Israeli and American forces.
However Mr Borgheai said he doubted if it was a real game in its own right.
"We never heard about it in Iran," he said. "It certainly wasn't released there and the first I heard about it was through the international media," he said.
"If it was made then I would guess they just took an existing game and stuck a few textures and the like onto it; it certainly wasn't a new game."
The group said the event in Cologne had been a success and they would be back next year, but ruled out exhibiting at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles.
"It is difficult given the relations between Iran and the USA," said Mr Tarbyatjoui,.
"Certainly all of us here today will be at E3 next year, but there will not be a dedicated Iran stand such as you see in Cologne today."
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