Page 263 - War Conflict
Venezuela military group arrested after call to disavow Maduro
A group of soldiers rose up against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro at a command post near Caracas on Monday, but were quickly arrested after posting an appeal for public support in a video, the government said. "We are the professional troop of the National Guard against the regime, which we completely repudiate. I need your help, take to the streets," a man who identified himself as the group's sergeant said in video images circulated on social media. Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino issued a statement shortly afterwards saying the soldiers had been arrested. "During the arrest, stolen weapons were recovered and (the mutineers) are providing useful information to intelligence services and the military justice system," added Padrino, who said the rebels would "face the full force of the law." No information on the number of mutineers has been given. The soldiers rose up during the early hours of Monday morning at a National Guard command post in Cotiza, north of Caracas, which .
Pakistan police arrest Pashtun rights activist after rally
Pakistani authorities on Monday arrested a founding member of an ethnic Pashtun movement on terrorism charges and for making anti-government speeches, police sources said. Alamzeb Mehsud who helped launch the Pashtun Protection Movement (PTM) was arrested in Karachi after appearing at a rally in the southern city on Sunday, a senior police officer told AFP on condition of anonymity. "He was arrested today and he is likely to appear in court tomorrow (Tuesday)," the source added. Mobile phone footage shared by the PTM appears to show Mehsud being rounded by up police. Amnesty International denounced the "disappearance" of Mehsud and called on the Pakistani authorities to bring him to court or release him immediately. Police on Sunday said they were filing complaints against Mehsud and a dozen other activists from the movement including its leader Manzoor Pashteen for making inflammatory speeches against the state at the demonstration. The PTM has rattled the military since it burst ...
No quick progress expected in peace talks with Japan: Kremlin
As the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe nears, the Kremlin on Monday said a peace treaty is unlikely to be signed over a territorial dispute between the two countries.
Mozambique journalist charged with espionage
A Mozambican journalist who was arrested while interviewing people displaced by jihadist attacks in the country's north has been formally charged with espionage, a media rights group told AFP on Monday. A respected radio journalist, Amade Abubacar was arrested on January 5 in Macomia, a small town in one of the areas worst hit by the Islamist insurgency in northern Mozambique. Lazaro Mabunda of the Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA), which is providing him with legal representation, said Abubacar had been formally charged with espionage and various other offences on Friday. The prosecution said the "names and contacts of jihadists wanted by the police" had been found in Abubacar's possession, Mabunda told AFP. But he said the charge was unfounded as Abubacar was known for his investigative work, which involved contact with people wanted by the police without implying collaboration. "The prosecution alleges that Amade Abubacar was gathering information to send to jihadists ...
Burkina Faso names new PM as jihadists attacks worsen
Burkina Faso President Roch Marc Christian Kabore on Monday appointed a new prime minister, part of a reshuffle coinciding with a rising wave of jihadist attacks. A decree naming Christophe Dabire as the new premier was read on state television by the government's general secretary. Dabire was previously Burkina's representative at the eight-nation West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and in the 1990s served as minister to former president Blaise Compaore, partly at a time when Kabore himself was premier. Dabire's portfolios were for health, followed by secondary and higher education, and then scientific research. He takes over from Paul Kaba Thieba, an economist whose departure along with the rest of the cabinet was announced by the presidency on Friday. No official explanation has been given for the reshuffle, but sources close to Kabore said he wanted a fresh approach on tackling the country's problems. Burkina Faso, which lies in the heart of the vast Sahel region, is .
Taliban announces meeting with US officials in Qatar
The Taliban said it met with US officials in Qatar on Monday, in the latest round of talks between the insurgents and Washington aimed at bringing an end to the 17-year war. The US has not officially commented on the reported meeting, which follows the last confirmed talks between the two parties in the UAE in December. "Following American acceptance of the agenda of ending the occupation of Afghanistan and preventing Afghanistan from being used against other countries in the future, talks with American representatives took place today in Doha, the capital of Qatar," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement. The announcement comes a day after US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad left Pakistan where he had met with Prime Minister Imran Khan, who arrived in Doha for an official visit Monday. Khalilzad's has held a flurry of meetings around the region, including in Kabul last week, to garner support for the burgeoning dialogue. Taliban representatives have met several times .
Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba visits R-Day NCC camp
Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba Monday visited the NCC Republic Day camp at Delhi cantonment here and appreciated the support lent by cadets during calamities. The Chief of the Naval Staff was given a guard of honour by smartly dressed cadets at Cariappa Parade Ground, which was followed by a band display. He also inspected the well laid-out flag areas prepared by the cadets, from all the 17 NCC Directorates, depicting various social awareness themes. Various Naval ship models fabricated by the cadets were also displayed, the Navy said in a statement. Later, the Admiral witnessed a cultural performance by the cadets, depicting the rich Indian culture. The NCC is a premier youth organisation which is single-mindedly engaged in grooming nation's future leaders and empowering them to don the mantle of country's leadership, as well as excel in all walks of life, Lanba said. Lanba also urged the NCC cadets to join the armed forces and serve the motherland.
Three militants killed in Kashmir gunfight
Three militants were killed on Monday in a daylong gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir's Badgam district.
SLC corruption: ICC urges more players to share information on corrupt practices
The International Cricket Council (ICC) which is holding the anti-corruption amnesty conduct in Sri Lanka, on Monday urged more players to share any information regarding corrupt practices in Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).ICC's anti-corruption general manager Alex Marshall said that he is encouraged by the kind of response they have received so far adding that the information has helped them develop a comprehensive picture in the case."I would urge any more players or participants who have any information concerning corrupt conduct to come forward over the next week and share it with us in the strictest of confidence without any fear of repercussions," Marshall said in a statement."I am encouraged by the number of people that have come forward and the new information we're receiving as a result. This intelligence is assisting our ongoing and wide-ranging investigations in Sri Lanka as well as enabling us to continue to develop a comprehensive picture of the situation there," he added.ICC is
EU sanctions Russia military intel chief over Skripal
The European Union imposed chemical weapons sanctions on nine Russian and Syrian officials on Monday, including the chief of the powerful GRU military intelligence agency. The EU blamed the Russians -- two agents and the head and the deputy head of the GRU -- for the "possession, transport and use" of the nerve agent used in the attack in Salisbury, England last March. In addition to an assets freeze and travel ban for the Russian officials, the bloc announced sanctions on an alleged Syrian chemical weapons agency and five Syrians, EU states said in a statement. "This decision contributes to the EU's efforts to counter the proliferation and use of chemical weapons which poses a serious threat to international security," the statement said, after a meeting of EU foreign ministers. Full details of those targeted were to be placed in the EU Official Journal later Monday. Russian agents have been blamed for the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the ...
Venezuela military group calls in video for not recognizing Maduro
A group of soldiers rose up against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro at a command post near Caracas Monday, posting an appeal for public support in a video. Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino issued a statement after the video was posted saying the soldiers were arrested. The soldiers rose up at a National Guard command post in Cotiza, north of Caracas, which was surrounded by police and troops. "We are the professional troop of the National Guard against the regime, which we completely repudiate. I need your help, take to the streets," a man who identified himself as the group's sergeant said in video images circulated on social media.
Sri Lanka releases Indian fishermen, asks to appear before court
Vanni court in Sri Lanka on Monday released 11 Indian fishermen who were caught by the Sri Lankan navy on January 13.The fishermen have been ordered to appear before the court on February 21 along with boat owners and original documents of their vessels.Straying of Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen into each others' waters is a recurrent problem as territories on the sea are not clearly demarcated.
Water ambulances for Kumbh pilgrims
Pilgrims at Kumbh have been provided with the facility of water ambulances, which are deployed at strategic locations to respond quickly in case of an emergency.Operated by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), these water ambulances provide all emergency medical facilities. The ambulances are equipped with an intensive care unit, multi-para monitors, and nebulizers and even have a facility for child deliveries.Apart from the water ambulances, the number of car-ambulances and air ambulances has also been increased to meet any emergencies.In the past a few days, the Kumbh Mela authorities have intensified medical services as the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD), being held at Varanasi, is also coinciding with the ongoing Kumbh Mela.The authorities have also beefed up security by deploying over 30,000 policemen, who are giving round-the-clock security to the pilgrims, coming to the Kumbh Mela, which will continue for one and a half months.More than 1,100 close circuit television ...
Maintain hard earned peace: Mizoram home minister tells police
Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana Monday urged the state police to maintain the hard earned peace to ensure progress and prosperity. Addressing a passing out parade of cadets at the Police Training School at Thenzawl in central Mizoram's central Serchhip district, Lalchamliana said that there could be no development without peace. At least 56 Police personnel have lost their lives while fighting militancy in Mizoram in the last 48 years, he said. "Mizoram has only seven per cent women in the rolls of its police force, much lower than the all India norms," the home minister said, adding that more women would be inducted in the state police.
Taliban attack kills at least 12 in central Afghanistan
At least 12 people were killed Monday in a Taliban-claimed attack on a military compound in central Afghanistan, officials said, as the insurgents continue to batter the war-torn country's beleaguered security forces. The attack began after a vehicle loaded with explosives rammed into the entrance of a compound in Maidan Shahr -- the capital of Wardak province that lies about 50 kilometers south of the capital Kabul. At least three gunmen stormed the base following the explosion, igniting a firefight with Afghan security forces. All three gunmen were later killed in the exchange, according to a provincial official. "So far our reports show 12 have been killed and 20 wounded, most of whom were Afghan security forces," Akhtar Mohammad Taheri -- the head of Wardak provincial council -- told AFP. "The Taliban used a Humvee vehicle to hit the compound," Taheri added. Provincial health director Mohammad Salim Asgharkhail confirmed the toll. "Some wounded people were taken to hospitals in ..
Militant held, arms and ammunition recovered in Assam
An NSCN(R) cadre was arrested and a huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered during separate raids in Assam's Tinsukia district, police said Monday. Acting on a tip-off, Army troops launched an operation near Tirap Colliery in Ledo town and nabbed the NSCN(R) militant on Monday. The militant has been identified as Singmai Haseng and a 7.65 mm pistol, a magazine and three rounds of ammunition have been recovered from him. He was later handed over to the police, a police officer said. In another operation, carried out jointly by the police and Army, a huge quantity of explosives were recovered from Bhim Chapari area in Sadiya on Sunday night. Operations in the district have been intensified to prevent any untoward incidents in the run up to the Republic Day celebrations, the police officer said.
Sri Lanka aims for $5 bn revenue from tourism in 2019
The Sri Lankan tourism industry is aiming to earn $5 billion in 2019 as it readies to attract over 3 million travellers this year, authorities said on Monday.
Filipino Muslims vote on autonomy after long peace effort
Muslims in the southern Philippines voted Monday in a referendum on a new autonomous region that seeks to end nearly half a century of unrest, in what their leaders are touting as the best alternative to a new wave of Islamic State group-inspired militants. The vote caps a tumultuous peace effort by the government in Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the main rebel group, to seal a deal that was signed in 2014 but languished in the Philippine Congress until it was finally approved last year. Bloodshed including the siege of Marawi city by IS-linked militants and other bombings and attacks in the south threatened to derail it. Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, chairman of the Moro rebels, has repeatedly said that the creation of a viable Muslim autonomous region is the best antidote to about half a dozen smaller IS-linked radical groups that remain a threat in Mindanao, the homeland of minority Muslims in the largely Roman Catholic nation. "We can roughly conclude that all these ...
Suspected LeT member arrested in Jaipur airport
The NIA and Rajasthan's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Monday arrested Mohammad Hussain, a suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) member, from Jaipur airport, officials said.
12 killed in Afghanistan suicide car bomb
At least 12 people were killed and 27 injured in a suicide car explosion that occurred near a military base in Wardak province of central Afghanistan on Monday, officials said.The explosion occurred around 7 am (local time) at Maidan Shahr, capital of the province, close to a base where Afghan special forces are stationed, TOLO news quoted provincial governor Rahman Mangal as saying.Three attackers were killed in the attack, while another militant detonated an explosive-laden vehicle near the base, the governor added.Security forces also suffered casualties but the exact number is yet to be ascertained.Later, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that a group of attackers had stormed the base. Local officials are however yet to confirm the group's role in the attack.Over the past few years the Taliban routinely carried out suicide attacks in remote parts of the country, targetting both Afghan and foreign troops.