China's newly-formed Rocket Force has conducted an exercise with advanced DF-16 medium-range ballistic missile that has a range of over 1,000 kms and could target a number countries in the neighbourhood, including India.

Significantly the People's Liberation Army (PLA), which is secretive about its weapons systems, has released a video of the recent exercise of its troops employing the advanced Dongfeng-16 medium-range ballistic missile.

First displayed at a military parade in Beijing in 2015, the missile is believed to have a range of 1,000 kilometers, putting it within striking distance of Okinawa, home to several US military installations in Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.

The Rocket Force is a special contingent to handle range of missiles in its military's arsenal. Several 10-wheeled mobile launch vehicles carrying the ballistic missiles were seen in the footage released to show the training of Rocket Force missile brigade soldiers around the Spring Festival holiday.

The participating units handled a number of scenarios, including chemical/biological contamination, countering satellite reconnaissance and electronic jamming, state-run China Daily reported today.

The crews practised in multiple manoeuvres, such as rapid loading, redeployment and launch sequence, though the video showed no missile actually being launched.

Two types of DF-16 appeared in the exercise. The video represents the third time the DF-16 has been shown to the public.The missile made its debut at a military parade in Beijing in September 2015.

In July, a television news programme showed General Fan Changlong, a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspecting a DF-16 unit of the Southern Theatre Command.

Though the PLA has never disclosed its ballistic missiles' specifications, experts said the DF-16 poses a challenge to foreign military installations along the first island chain, which is what the Chinese military calls the series of islands that stretch from Japan in the north to Taiwan and the Philippines to the south, the report said.

(PTI)

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While controversy trails the F-35A Lightning II fighter whenever it flies these days, only contrails were visible Thursday as the cutting-edge stealth jet made one of its first appearances in the ongoing Red Flag air combat exercise at Nellis Air Force Base.

Since the years first Red Flag began Jan. 23, the F-35A the Air Force version of the $100 million joint strike fighter has been flying for the first time in tandem with the nations other stealth air-superiority jet, the F-22 Raptor, and more than 80 other warplanes and support aircraft from the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.

So far, the Lightning II has racked up 110 missions in the exercise that ends Feb. 10 over the sprawling Nevada Test and Training Range, north of the Las Vegas Valley.

The F-35 has been in the limelight since December, when then-President-elect Donald Trump criticized the cost of the Lockheed Martin aircraft as out of control in a series of tweets and said he had asked rival Boeing to price-out a comparable F-18 Super Hornet that could perform the same mission. Eight F-18 Hornets also were participating in Red Flag.

Before his squadron departed for Thursdays war exercise, Lt. Col. George Banzai Watkins, commander of the F-35As from the 34th Fighter Squadron, declined to compare apples and oranges of the radar-evading joint strike fighters with the Navys non-stealthy F-18 Super Hornet.

But Watkins said the F-35 has been living up to what its expected to do, in the exercise.

Red Flag planners made sure that the 13 F-35s from Hill Air Force Base in Utah have had more aggressor jets than ever to counter and avoid simulated advanced missile strikes.

Meanwhile the F-35s on the friendly blue team have been successful in finding ground-based air defense sites with their high-tech sensors and taking them out with training bombs.

As of Thursday the F-35s kill ratio with aggressor jets stood at 15-1, even though the F-35s primary mission isnt air-to-air combat, which typically is left up to the Raptor.

Watkins said hes never seen a Red Flag like this where theyve put up as many advanced threats against us. If we didnt suffer a few losses, it wouldnt be challenging enough.

Members of Congress who hold the Pentagons purse strings have been paying close attention to the debate over the cost of the F-35. The unit price of roughly $100 million apiece is expected to decrease to the $90 million range as more of the estimated 150 joint strike fighters are produced for the Air Force, the Marine Corps, the Navy and allies.

Rep. Jacky Rosen, D-Nevada, a new member of the House Armed Services Committee, said she has an open mind on the presidents approach to reviewing the nations most expensive weapons system.

The president and secretary of defenses focus on tackling the cost of the F-35 is absolutely right, she said in an email via her spokesman. Costs are coming down, but I believe there are additional avenues available to continue to reduce what were paying for these aircraft.

Watkins said the F-35As debut has demonstrated that the nations newest stealth jet provides an essential complement to the F-22s.

Theyre designed for air-to-air. Were designed for the suppression of enemy air defense positions, he said. We can see the ground through the weather with our SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) mapping radar to detect a threat and take it out before its a factor to the other aircraft out there.

The Marine version the F-35B was the first joint strike fighter to fly in a Red Flag at Nellis, in July last year.

Contact Keith Rogers at krogers@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0308. Follow @KeithRogers2 on Twitter.

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Punjab polls: Age not a bar for them to excercise their franchise The Indian Express Punjab polls: Age not a bar for them to excercise their franchise. "The standard of living has not improved in last 67 years. I have always used my right to vote but I am waiting for the situation to improve in the interiors of Punjab as well." By ...

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Admiral Sunil Lanba PVSM AVSM ADC Chief of the Naval Staff embarked ships of the Indian Fleet (both Western & Eastern) over the last two days to review the ongoing Annual Theatre level Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX) 2017 which is presently underway since 24 Jan 17.

The CNS was accompanied by General Bipin Rawat UYSM AVSM YSM SM VSM Chief of the Army Staff and Vice Admiral Girish Luthra PVSM AVSM VSM ADC Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.

The CNS witnessed a host of exercises viz. Gunnery shoots, Surface to Air missile engagements, Brahmos firing and operations of the combined Fleet in a complex multi threat environment including sub surface and air threats.

The high-point of the exercise was Large Force Engagement (LFE) by the Fleet units against threat simulated by air element from Indian Air Force comprising AWACS, SU 30s, Jaguars and IL 78 (AAR). These threats emanated from different directions and were neutralised by using Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile capabilities of MiG 29Ks, the integral air arm of the Indian Navy, operating from INS Vikramaditya in coordination with other Fleet units. All these exercises validated the combat effectiveness of IN platforms.

The CNS during his address to the Fleet congratulated the men for keeping the fleet combat ready at all times and executing all assigned tasks in a most professional manner. CNS also mentioned that training during peacetime has to be at par with how we would Fight during war and emphasised on taking bold decisions with due cognisance to risks involved and ensuring safety of men and material.

TROPEX 2017 is a month long exercise/ war drill, encompassing all dimensions of maritime warfare and is witnessing participation of over 60 ships, 05 submarines and more than 70 naval aircraft. It also includes participation of a large number of assets from the Indian Air Force, such as Su-30 and Jaguar fighters, AWACS, C 130J Hercules and in-flight refuelling aircraft, Infantry amphibious elements from Indian Army and ships/ aircraft from the Indian Coast.

The area of operations for TROPEX 2017 exercise spans across the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea and North Central Indian Ocean and serves as an opportunity to validate the Indian Navys Concepts of Operation.

As a part of the exercise, niche capabilities of the Marine Commandoes (MARCOs) and Army Special Forces, including Airborne Assault and Combat Free Fall were undertaken from IAF C-130 aircraft. Naval forces, while enforcing sea and airspace control all around the affected islands, undertook beaching and heli-borne operations for landing of follow-on forces. The exercise culminated with restoration of sovereign control over the affected islands, by the Armed Forces. During debrief of the exercise, CNS and COAS discussed various options to further enhance the effectiveness of the joint exercise.

TROPEX 17 assumes special significance in the backdrop of the current security scenario, being aimed at testing combat readiness of the combined fleets of the Indian Navy, and the assets of the Indian Air Force, Indian Army and the Indian Coast Guard. It will also strengthen inter-operability and joint operations in a complex environment.

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Indian Navy's Theatre Level Operational Readiness Excercise ... - Defence Aviation Post

Senior Chelsea Raineri sticks a landing during No. 16 GW's meet Sunday. Ranieri won the floor excercise with a 9.90 tying her career high en route to a season-high overall team score of 196.40.

After one of its strongest seasons in school history last year, No. 16 gymnastics is continuing its ascent as one of the top programs on the national stage.

GWhosted East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) rivals Towson, UNH and Ball State on Sunday afternoon. The Colonials captured first in team standings (196.400) and won or shared nine additional titles in the four events.

Senior Chelsea Raineri especially shined, tying a career-high 9.90 score on the floor exercise to capture the event title at Sundays meet.

With the season-high first-place finish, the undefeated Colonials improved to 11-0, tying their best start in program history.

I was really proud of the team because we had a couple of rough spots and they minimized the errors, head coach Margie Foster-Cunningham said. They battled, they competed and theres nothing more a coach can ask for than to go out there and stay in the moment and they did that today.

Junior Cami Drouin-Allaire placed second in the all-around (39.225) and won the vault title (9.900) Sunday.

Individually, I think today went really well, Drouin-Allaire said. I had a few mistakes but I made it the whole through and I think as a team it was kind of similar. We did great, we had some mistakes but we worked through them.

Drouin-Allaire, who became the second Colonial to ever reach an individual qualifier to the NCAA Championship as a freshman in 2015,had a front row seat to the teams upward climb.

After two straight trips to NCAA Regionals in the last two years, the team entered the 2017 season with high expectations.

Its been amazing to watch the program grow and to know that my class has been a large part of that success, Drouin-Allaire said. We want to do things that GW gymnastics has never done before and keep building [the program] for the years to come.

Foster-Cunningham called juniors Drouin-Allaire and Jillian Winstanley and senior Alex Demoura cornerstones of the GW program.

Winstanley led GW, and finished second overall, with a 9.850 on the uneven bars Sunday, while DeMoura finished tied for third on the beam with 9.850, just behind her first-place teammate junior Liz Pfeiler (9.875).

Those three are exceptional, Foster-Cunningham said. They are beautiful athletes and theyre very dependable and they come through for the team time and time again.

Drouin-Allaire attributed the programs historic start to a positive atmosphere on the team.

We have confidence in ourselves because we know our routines and just stay calm [during meets], Drouin-Allaire said. We all have the same goal, and knowing your team relies on you makes you want to be better for them.

Despite the explosive start to the season, the Colonials remain focused on the coming weeks as they aim once again for NCAA Regionals. There are six meets remaining before the EAGL Championships in March.

[This sport] is so demanding and you dont want to be torn down, so at this time of year we have to continue to build up strength and endurance, Foster-Cunningham said. We still need to add more difficult skills into our routines, but were in a good place.

For the veteran head coach, however, the added pressure of recent success is a welcome motivator for the team.

Were getting invited places because of the excellence in the program, Foster-Cunningham said. Weve got a really focused team and weve laid a good ground work so we can excel at the next level.

This article appeared in the February 6, 2017 issue of the Hatchet.

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No. 16 gymnastics ties best season start, continues to grow program - GW Hatchet (subscription)

February 07 2017

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Bhubaneswar: To ensure round-the-clock electricity at remotely located SC, ST ashram schools, the state government has decided to install solar photovoltaic systems at 147 such schools by this year, sources said Monday. According to sources at the science and technology department, the state-own Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) is executing the projects. The agency has set a target to connect 500 hostels and 500 tribal villages and habitations with solar energy over a period of four years. The state government has so far identified 275 such schools to connect with solar energy of which 68 have been electrified in 2014-15 fiscal. Electrification at 60 other schools was completed in the last financial year. Installation of solar systems at 147 ashram schools is in progress for which work orders were issued last December, an official said, adding, all the projects would be completed very soon. Of the total cost of `16.27 crore sanctioned for 2014-15 fiscal, the Union ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) had released `3.25 crore while SC/ST development department has sanctioned the remaining amount. Similarly, the Centre had released `3.24 crore and the state government had spent `12.86 crore for electrification of 60 schools in 2015-16. The estimated cost of electrification of 147 SC/ST ashram schools is `33.29 crore of which the SC/ST development department would provide `25.33 crore and the remaining `7.95 crore would be given by MNRE, the official said. For electrification of 239 villages and hamlets, the science and technology department has released `4.51 crore against the estimated cost of `9.17 crore. The balance amount will be released soon, the sources said. Since the number of residential schools in remote, un-served and under-served areas is very large, the government has decided to explore sources of funding such as mineral area development fund, energy conservation fund and corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds, they said. The state government has also decided to connect all schools, hospitals, hostels, irrigation projects, drinking water supply projects, panchayati raj institutions in un-served areas through solar energy. The S&T department in consultation with the department concerned would prepare a two-year action plan in this regard, they added.

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Solar power to light 147 ashram schools in state - HERE. NOW

New Delhi :

Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) on Monday notified 7,306 vacancies under Residential Educational Institutions Societies (REIS) also know as Gurukul Ashram Schools in the state. It is one of the largest notifications to fill up posts for teachers yet.

In the Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) category, the TSPSC has issued 4,362 posts while for PG Teacher category, the Commission has notified 921 posts. In the Physical Education Teacher (PET) category, the TSPSC has issued notification for 616 posts and for Art Teacher category there are 372 posts notified. In the Music Teacher category, the Public Service Commission has notified 197 seats.

For Physical Director (School) category, the State PSC has notified six posts while for Craft Teacher category, the Commission has notified 43 posts. In the Staff Nurse category, the TSPSC has issued 533 posts and in Librarian (schools) category, the PSC has issued notification for 256 vacant posts.

The aspirants can submit their applications online by February 10. The last date to submit the application is March 4, 2017.

The full details of the vacant posts are available on the TSPSC website (www.tspsc.gov.in) and the online applications will be accepted from February 10, 2017, and the last date for submitting the online applications is March 4, 2017.

First Published: Tuesday, February 07, 2017 07:07 AM

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Telangana State Public Service Commission notifies 7306 vacancies for Gurukul Ashram Schools: Check details here - News Nation

NEW DELHI: Sending a strong message against collusion of education directorate officials with private schools, the Delhi government on Monday ordered the suspension of a regional director for "deliberate misrepresentation of facts in the affidavit filed in the Delhi high court in the matter of Mirambika Free Progress School".

The government also ordered a vigilance inquiry against officers responsible for filing the affidavit and decided to withdraw the document. It will file a fresh affidavit before the next date of hearing, February 9, 2017.

The government said its directorate of education (DoE) had wrongly stated that recognition to the school was given in 1988, whereas it was actually granted in 1989. The difference is crucial as Mirambika had moved from its location in Aurobindo Ashram to new premises in Ashram, near Lajpat Nagar, in December 1988.

The school shifted back to Aurobindo Ashram in April 2015, a move that led to protests.If DoE recognised the school in 1989, it would mean that the recognition was granted on the basis of the infrastructure at Lajpat Nagar, and not at the present premises.

Pranjal Jauhar, chairperson of Sri Aurobindo Education Society (SAES) that runs the school, said, "I don't think facts were misrepresented.But we will find out the details from DoE tomorrow." According to a senior government official, although two inspections of the school were undertaken by the government, "it was just the infrastructure that was looked into. However, last month after studying the original documents of the land and recognition of SAES, it came to light that there has been a serious misrepresentation of facts at the Delhi high court by DoE via an affidavit filed on June 29, 2016. A case was filed by parents of students after the school was shifted from its building on 9.84 acres, from where it has been functioning since December 1988, to another building in Aurobindo Ashram in April 2015."

The DoE filed its affidavit on June 29, 2016. According to the order signed by deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, after "carefully perusing the files related to this case it seems apparent that the inspection report and the affidavit filed by the DoE in the court are a deliberate misrepresentation of facts.It is, therefore, necessary to take strong action on this count".

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Delhi government suspends official for 'fudging facts' about school - Times of India

Grahamstown based aerobics club, Makana Aerobics and Fitness Club holds sessions weekly at the New Indoor Sport Centre in Extension 6 from Monday to Thursday, 6pm to 7pm.

Andisa Bonani, club marketing officer and Zimkhitha Mngxuma, event coordinator, said they already had a calendar of events for the year, starting with one on Saturday 11 February.

Bonani said the club planned to hold quarterly programmes such as athletics, and running events ranging from 5km to 21km, should they have their licence to host as a club.

Bonani said they planned to officially launch the club on 24 September 2017.

They encourage Grahamstown youth to do gym not only as a tool to lose weight, but as a healthy lifestyle.

Bonani further explained that aerobics is an activity not only for women and girls, but men and boys too.

"We have people of all sizes here, from chubby to slim. They come for wellness and a natural fitness," said Bonani.

Mngxuma said the club had established an executive committee to keep the administration side running smoothly.

All the executive members are volunteers. No one is getting paid and no one owns the club It belongs to the community.

The fee for membership is R100 a month, which is used to develop the club and keep aerobics going.

"We visited Bloemfontein, where they value their aerobics, and witnessed different routines," said Mngxuma.

"The Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture does support our programmes. We also get sponsorship from Sanlam, Old Mutual and the local Tavern, Mfanandini."

The club is also facing a shortage of mats, steps and sound equipment. They are trying to persuade members of different Grahamstown communities to join the club, emphasising that anyone can take over when the current executive commitee members step down.

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STEPHEN HEARD

Last updated13:38, February 5 2017

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Aqua aerobics is taken to a new level with pool noodles, which are used to focus on training the upper body and core through resistance.

THE BASICS

Just like the land-based version, aqua aerobics is a cardiovascular-based fitness regime that combines rhythmic exercises to get the blood flowing. The difference here being that it's performed in waist- to chest-deep water ortypically your average community swimming pool. The buoyancy factor makes each movement low impact and opens up a whole new window for resistance and strength training. Musical accompaniment is common and makes the process more fun thanyour regular lap of the pool. In this instance, it was a faultless selection of The Beatles.

GIVING IT A BASH

The instructor opened with a disclaimer that the one-hour class may feel quite long for first-timers and to take each exercise at your own pace. The class then began with basic jogging on the spot, followed by reps of splashy arms movements like jabs, uppercuts and hooks. Exhibiting a punching pace at least double the speed of my fellow classmates, I was told to "chill out" by the instructor. It's about slow and solid movements, not blowing your gasket in the first 10 minutes. Classic on-land aerobics exercises followed:star jumps, side steps, pendulum leg swings, and the running shopping trolley. The most difficult drill was made up of high knee jumps that played out several times during the class. The routine included front frog leaps, backwards jumping kicks and rising out of the water with hands on hips. The sensation of burning hamstrings and buttocks underwater was definitely a new one. After a length of doggy paddle, the second half of the class continued, this time with the addition of florescent pink pool noodles. The noodles were submerged for most of the time to focus on training the upper body and corethrough resistance. One particularly challenging exercise was jumping through a U-shaped noodle held underwater, forwards and then backwards. My floppy pool noodle flew across the pool several times, prompting laughter throughout the pool. We finished with some underwater noodle surfing to focus on balance and tighten the core.

WHY YOU SHOULD TRY IT

As well as being a credited cardiovascular exercise, aqua aerobics is a moderate form of strength training because of the resistance of the water. The buoyancy takes out the impact of body weight on joints, making it ideal for people with osteoporosis and arthritis or those weary of getting injured while training. You can also attempt exercises you'd never even think of trying on land;jumping through a pool noodle for instance. The cooler temperature of the pool is an obvious deterrent for overheating and masks the appearance of sweat. When the water is around the 29C mark it can also optimise the consumption of oxygen.

RISK RATING

Slim. There's more chance of contracting a recreational pool illness or getting eye irritation from chlorine than any real physical injury. As with any form of exercise, you should consult a registered medical professional first.

Read more: Chris Kanuta has shed 60kg with aqua aerobics We try yoga on a stand up paddle board Five great cardio options that aren't running

ANY SURPRISES

Prepared for an hour-long session of jogging on the spot, aqua aerobics was far more physical than I expected. It would be a great low-impact workout to do between more intense training sessions at the gym.

-Stuff

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We try aqua aerobics (pool noodle fitness!) | Stuff.co.nz - Stuff.co.nz