Page 480 - War Conflict
UN chief expresses full support for US-Japan dialogue with N Korea
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he welcomes the ongoing talks between the US and North Korea to achieve total denuclearization and also supported the Japanese initiative of dialogue with Pyongyang. "As Secretary-General of the United Nations, I am obviously totally committed to the implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions on North Korea," he told reporters in Tokyo yesterday. He said he fully supports the negotiations taking place between the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) with the objective that "we all share to see a total denuclearization that is verifiable, that is irreversible, to make sure that North Korea can be a normal member of the international community in this region." The UN extended its full support for the Japanese initiative of dialogue with North Korea. In June, US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a historic summit in Singapore, signing a joint statement which included a .
US to sanction Russia over Skripal attack
The US has said it will impose fresh sanctions on Russia after determining it used nerve agent against a former Russian double agent living in the UK.
Michelle Bachelet to be next UN human rights chief
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has chosen former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet to be the next human rights chief of the world body.The nomination came after High Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein stepped down from the post, choosing not to seek another term in office. Bachelet's nomination will now go to the U.N. General Assembly for approval.UN Secretary-general spokesman Farhan Haq said that Guterres has informed the General Assembly of the nomination for high commissioner of human rights, reported Fox News.Chile's first woman president, Bachelet served the post twice- 2006-10 and 2014-18. After serving the first term as president, she was appointed the first executive director of the newly created United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).A physician with studies in military strategy, Bachelet, is also a separated mother of three.
Palestinian killed in Israeli shelling after Gaza rocket fire: ministry
A Palestinian man was killed by Israeli shelling in Gaza today, the health ministry in the enclave said, after dozens of rockets were fired from the strip. Ali Ghandour, 30, died after being hit in northern Gaza, the ministry said, as Israel struck a series of sites in Gaza in response to dozens of rockets fired from the Palestinian coastal enclave.
US commander: No need for major change in Afghan war plan
The top US commander in the Middle East said he doesn't expect any major change in the Afghanistan war strategy this fall, as a new general takes over the campaign a year after the Trump administration unveiled a broad new plan to resolve the 17-year conflict. Army Gen. Joseph Votel told reporters that the campaign to use military, social and political pressure to force the Taliban to the peace table is still valid. Incoming Afghanistan commander Army Gen. Scott Miller will make his own assessment of the war's progress, Votel said, but while he may make tactical changes on the ground fight, "I don't think that that will result in a relook at the strategy of the overall approach here." Votel also said the reconciliation plan doesn't extend to Islamic State fighters in Afghanistan. "While we apply military pressure against the Taliban to bring them to the table of reconciliation, we harbour no illusion about reconciliation with ISIS-K," said Votel, using the acronym for the Islamic ...
Martyred Army officer's body flown to Mumbai
The mortal remains of Major Kaustubh Rane, who was killed in Jammu and Kashmir during an operation to foil an infiltration bid, was flown here late tonight, Defence sources said. His last rites will be performed tomorrow will full military honours in Bhayander town in neighbouring Thane district where his family lives. Maharashtra education minister Vinod Tawde paid floral tributes to the martyred Army officer as the body was received at the Mumbai airport. Major Rane and three soldiers were killed while foiling an infiltration bid in north Kashmir's Gurez sector. At least two militants were gunned down in the operation. He is survived by parents, wife and a two-and-a-half-year old child.
JK Police issues advisory about impending terror attacks ahead of Independence Day
The Jammu and Kashmir Police has issued an advisory about impending threats from militants in view of the forthcoming Independence Day and asked people to remain alert. Police also issued an advisory to managements of schools in Jammu, asking them to not allow strangers inside their schools. "Keeping in view the forthcoming Independence Day 2018, present security scenario in the state and impending threat of militants, nakas (check points) and frisking points have been established in Jammu city and rural areas for security and safety of general public," the advisory issued by the police said here today. "You are requested to cooperate with police while at nakas and frisking points, do not take it as harassment. The barricades and checking will be intensified within the city and the borders. The citizens are requested to plan their movements accordingly," it said. The advisory requested the public to take preventive actions and not touch any abandoned object. "On seeing any suspected ..
Huge cache of arms, ammunition recovered in Manipur
Security forces today recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from suspected militants in in Manipur's Bishnupur district, police said. A combined team of Manipur Police and Assam Rifles chased a group of suspected militants at Kumbi Setapur Maning Ching area and made the recovery, which included rifles, pistols, hand grenades and geletine sticks, they said. The group, however, fled deep into a forest, a police officer said. A case has been registered at Kumbi Police Station for further investigation, he said.
Sri Lanka hit 306-7 in one day clash with S Africa
Dasun Shanaka hit a quickfire 65 as Sri Lanka blasted 306-7 off 39 overs in the rain-shortened fourth one day international against South Africa in Pallekele today. Thisara Perera made an unbeaten 51 and Kusal Perera also hit 51 as the home side punished South Africa's bowlers. Sri Lanka are seeking consolation in the series which they have already lost with defeats in the first three games. Rain delayed the start of the game which was eventually cut from 50 overs to 39.
Theresa May, Prince William commemorate 'Entente Cordiale' in Amiens
Britain's Prince William and Prime Minister Theresa May took part in commemorations today marking the centenary of the Battle of Amiens, which heralded the beginning of the end of World War I. The descendants of soldiers who took part in the Allied push, which smashed German defences and morale, travelled from across the world to Amiens for the ceremony in the city's magnificent medieval gothic cathedral. Senior officials from Britain and France were joined by representatives from the Australian, Canadian and US governments in honour of the tens of thousands of troops killed in the four days of fighting. Former German president Joachim Gauck and Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon also attended. The Battle of Amiens sounded the start of the Hundred Days Offensive on the Western Front, which led to the Armistice in November 1918. The Allies deployed hundreds of tanks to push deep into German lines on what German General Erich Ludendorff called a "black day" for the German army. May's visit
No flouting of UN sanctions on North Korea: Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka today clarified that it has not defied the UN sanctions on North Korea by importing textiles from Pyongyang. The foreign ministry said its attention had been drawn to a news report that several countries including Sri Lanka had imported textiles during the period October 2017 and March 2018. "In keeping with Sri Lanka's international obligations as a member of the United Nations, the government of Sri Lanka abides by the provisions of the UN Security Council resolutions in relation to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," a statement said. It added that Sri Lanka was working closely with the UN Security Council panel of experts for the implementation of the resolutions. The ministry said the media report about Sri Lanka's purported North Korean imports had been triggered by inadvertent customs entries which had erroneously selected North Korea as the imports source when the imports had been from the South. United Nations Security Council Resolution 2375 passed on ...
Ivory Coast ex-first lady Simone Gbagbo freed after amnesty
Former Ivory Coast first lady Simone Gbagbo, who had been serving a 20-year jail term, was released today, two days after being amnestied by President Alassane Ouattara, her lawyer said. Gbagbo left the gendarmerie academy in Abidjan where she had been held for seven years, said attorney Blede Dohore. She arrived home in the upmarket district of Cocody, where hundreds of supporters greeted her. Gbagbo, 69, the wife of former president Laurent Gbagbo, has spent seven years behind bars for her role in political violence that claimed several thousand lives in 2010-11. She had been implicated in the 2011 shelling of a market in an Abidjan district that supported Ouattara and for belonging to a "crisis cell" that allegedly coordinated attacks by the armed forces and militias in support of her husband. She was first detained without trial after her arrest in 2011 and later convicted and sentenced in 2015 on a charge of endangering state security. Laurent Gbagbo has been in detention at the .
CISF takes over security of 15th Finance Commission office
The CISF on Wednesday took over security of the 15th Finance Commission office located at Jawahar Vyapar Bhawan here, the paramilitary force said.
Naxals set two buses, truck on fire; nobody hurt
Naxalstodaytorchedtwo passengerbuses and a truckafter asking the occupants of the vehicles to get downin Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Dantewada district, police said. The incident took place two days after 15 ultras were gunned down in an encounter with security forces in the neighbouring Sukma district. The incidents took place between Dhurli and Gamawada villages on Kirandul-Dantewada road this evening, a senior police official said. A big group of Naxals stopped two buses which were heading towards Raipur from Kirandul and asked the passengers to get down. The ultras then set the buses on fire. Later they stopped a truck and torched it too after asking the driver and his helper to get down, the official said. No occupant from the three vehicles was hurt, he said. A police team has been sent to the spot, the official said, adding that police were expecting this kind of reaction from the naxals in response to the death of their 15 cadres in the August 6 encounter.
Dhaka cafe attack: Bangladeshi tribunal accepts murder charges against 8 'Islamic militants'
A Bangladeshi special tribunal today accepted murder charges against eight suspected Islamic State militants in the 2016 Dhaka cafe terror attack in which 20 hostages, including an Indian girl and 17 others from Japan and Italy, were killed. Six of the accused are behind bars, while two are fugitives. On the night of July 1, 2016, five militants stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery and took several dozen foreigners and locals hostages. The militants were killed by police commandoes inside the cafe during a 12-hour standoff. Two security officials later succumbed to injuries in a hospital. The Anti-Terrorism Special Tribunal took into cognisance the police charge for trial after the hearing on the charge sheet, prosecution lawyer Golam Sarwar Khan told reporters here. Judge Mojibur Rahman ordered the police to arrest the two fugitives and set the next hearing for August 16. The tribunal also ordered the release of a Bangladeshi-Briton, Hasnat Karim, who was arrested from the attack scene ..
J-K: 4 terrorists shot dead
Four terrorists were gunned down by security forces in an encounter here on Wednesday. The operation is still underway.On Tuesday in Awantipora, security forces in another incident arrested a terrorist identified as Abdul Majid Shah, a resident of Iqbal Colony in Pattan Baramulla. On search, arms, ammunition and other incriminating material were recovered from him. The terrorist was travelling in a car bearing registration number DL9CM0213, and he was on his way to meet other terrorists active in the area.During questioning, he revealed that he was in touch with the other terrorists of the area who were planning future terror strikes. A case has been registered under Section 7/25 Arms Act at the Awantipora police station.
Def MoS Bhamre, VC of Army pay homage to 4 soldiers killed in J-K
Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre and several senior Army officials today paid homage to four soldiers who were killed in a gunbattle with militants in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday. Bhamre, Vice Chief of the Army Lt Gen Devraj Anbu and other senior Army officials laid wreath at the bodies that were brought to the Palam Technical Area of the Air Force, Army spokesperson Col Aman Anand said. Yesterday, an Army team led by Major Kaustubh Prakash Kumar Rane (29) laid a siege of the Gurez area in Bandipore district of north Kashmir, but were fired by militants. Major Rane and three other soldiers were killed in the encounter and two of the infiltrating militants were gunned down. The mortal remains of the Army personnel were sent to their home states.
Detained Bangladesh photographer back in police custody
An award-winning photographer who accused Bangladesh officers of assaulting him after his arrest during major protests in Dhaka was back in police custody after a medical checkup, an official said today. Shahidul Alam, 63, was detained by plainclothes police at his home Sunday after giving an interview to Al Jazeera about the student demonstrations, an arrest which drew condemnation from international rights groups. The high court yesterday ordered authorities to transfer Alam to hospital. "We have completed the checkup and he didn't need hospital admission. He was taken back after the procedure," Bangabandhu hospital director Brigadier General Abdullah al Harun told AFP. Doctors would report on Alam's condition to a higher court, he added. Alam had been remanded in custody by a lower court for violating controversial laws on internet speech, but the remand order was suspended by a higher court. He was accused of making "false" and "provocative" statements as tens of thousands of ...
Four militants killed in ongoing J&K forest gunfight
Four militants were killed and a para commando of the Indian Army was injured on Wednesday in an ongoing gunfight in the forests of Rafiabad in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district, police said.
AAP demands judicial inquiry in Sukma encounter
Two days after 15 Maoists were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, the state Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today alleged that it was a fake encounter, a claim which the police denied. Fifteen rebels were killed in a gun battle after security forces raided a naxal camp near Nulkatong village on August 6. Chhattisgarh AAP secretary Uttam Jaiswal claimed that the deceased were "innocent villagers" who were working in the fields. "It was a fake encounter," he said at a press conference here. AAP's Adivasi Morcha (tribal wing) head Soni Sori met relatives of the slain persons yesterday, he said. Jaiswal also claimed that as per the villagers, six of those killed were between 13 to 15 years old. The AAP has formed a four-member fact-finding committee which will visit the village tomorrow, he said, demanding that the government institute a judicial inquiry. Sukma Superintendent of Police Abhishek Meena dubbed the AAP leader's allegations