AK-47s continue to be the preferred assault weapon for the country’s paramilitary forces deployed to neutralise terrorists and Maoists at the frontiers and in the hinterland.

Over 29,000 pieces of this Russian-origin rifle were imported by forces like CRPF, BSF and NSG over the last three years, leaving behind, by a large margin, other sophisticated assault weapons procured from the US and Israel. (more…)

A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden car outside security headquarters in Syria’s biggest eastern city today, killing nine people and wounding 100, state media said.

The attack was the the first of its kind in Deir Ezzor since an anti-regime uprising broke out in Syria in March 2011, and the deaths there came as at least another 10 people died elsewhere in the country. (more…)

The leaders of the G-8 group of the world’s most powerful economies said they want debt-stricken Greece to remain in the eurozone and vowed to promote economic growth to reinvigorate their economies in the face of the European debt crisis.

“We agree on the importance of a strong and cohesive eurozone for global stability and recovery, and we affirm our interest in Greece remaining in the eurozone while respecting its commitments,” the leaders said in a statement issued from the Camp David summit. (more…)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee completes a year in office, 20th May, saddled with a debt burden of over Rs two lakh crore, a not too happy relationship with ally Congress and criticism on handling of some issues.

Speaking about the achievements of her government, Banerjee told agency: “We have been working with devotion, dedication, accountability and transparency. Whatever I do I take it as a challenge.” (more…)

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa ordered the release of his former Army Chief turned political rival Sarath Fonseka, paving the way for him to walk out of prison after two years.

Rajapaksa signed the papers ordering for the release of Fonseka prior to his departure to Qatar, presidential spokesman Bandula Jayasekera told reporters in Colombo. (more…)

Russian President Vladimir Putin named a tank factory worker who once vowed on national television to protect him from Moscow protesters as one his personal regional representatives.

Uralvagonzavod military factory foreman Igor Kholmanskikh shot to fame across Russia in December when Putin was holding a marathon televised phone-in just days after the first mass protest of his 12-year rule shook Moscow. (more…)

Aspiring doctors will have to spend a year working in rural areas before getting their MBBS degrees, as the government has decided to make rural posting compulsory for them.

In a letter to the Medical Council of India (MCI), the Health Ministry has asked its Board of Governors to make rural posting for doctors mandatory and include it in the MBBS course curriculum. (more…)

The BSE benchmark Sensex continued its downslide for the fourth week in a row, shedding another 140 points to finish at 16,152.75 due to persistent selling pressure in view of various negative external as well as internal factors.

Global debacle on eurozone worries amid rupee falling to fresh historic low cast a pall over the benchmark Sensex which tumbled below 16,000-mark after four months. (more…)