Page 545 - War Conflict
Mozambique's gas-fuelled future threatened by jihadists
An unprecedented wave of jihadist attacks in northern Mozambique has raised fears the country will fail to fully cash in on a gas bonanza. After 180 trillion cubic feet of natural gas were discovered off the country's northeastern shore, Mozambique entertained dreams of following Qatar down the path towards wealth. The government even predicted that by 2035, the country's GDP per head could increase sevenfold. But the southeast African country's golden vision has been thrown into doubt by an explosion of bloodthirsty assaults by a shadowy jihadist group in the region where the industry plans to base its hub. Since October, more than 30 people have been killed in brazen assaults on unarmed villagers. Security forces have rushed reinforcements to the area yet seem powerless to stem the attacks. Terrorised, many civilians have fled their homes and a cloud hangs over the great expansion plans. US oil and gas giant Anadarko, the largest exploration company in the region, has invested USD 4
Canadian PM calls Air India bombing an act of 'malice'
Canada remembered the 329 victims of Air India Kanishka Flight 182 which was blown off mid-air on June 23, 1985.
First Russia air strikes hit south Syria as assault looms
Russia bombed rebel-held parts of southern Syria for the first time since brokering a ceasefire there nearly a year ago, a monitor group has said, as allied regime troops prepare a ground assault. Southern Syria is a strategic prize for local and global players involved in the country's convoluted seven-year war. After securing the capital Damascus, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad appears keen to recapture the southern provinces of Daraa and Sweida, still mostly held by rebels. He has sent military reinforcements there for weeks, dropped flyers demanding rebels surrender, and escalated bombardment in recent days. Late last night, his Russian allies bombed rebel-held towns in Daraa for the first time since the summer of 2017, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "Intense Russian air strikes are hitting towns in Daraa's eastern countryside for the first time since the ceasefire was agreed in southern Syria last year," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman. The Observatory ..
MP tea seller's daughter makes it to IAF
Aanchal Gangwal, a 24-year-old girl from Neemuch district in Madhya Pradesh and the daughter of a tea seller, has been selected in the flying branch of the Indian Air Force (IAF).Aanchal says she was inspired by the rescue operation carried out by the Indian armed forces during the 2013 floods in Uttarakhand."When I was in class 12, there were floods in Uttarakhand and I was impressed with the way the armed forces rescued the flood affected and decided to join the forces, but the family condition was not conducive at that time." Aanchal said.She says clearing the Air Force Common Admission Test was not an easy task for her.Over the years she faced the interview board five times and was only successful the sixth time, whose results were declared on June 7.She was among the 22 selected from all over the country and the only one from Madhya Pradesh. Over 6 lakh students appeared for the exam.Her father, Suresh Gangwal, who runs a tea stall at the Neemuch bus stand, said: "Now everyone in
Helmand peace team to protest outside embassies
The Helmand peace team from Sunday onwards will commence a sit-in protest, outside embassies and diplomatic missions in Kabul.At a press conference, on Saturday, Bismillah Watandost, the convoy's spokesman, stated that the members of the peace convoy will hold protests outside a number of embassies and diplomatic missions for three days.Watandost said, the first protest will be launched on Sunday outside the United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA), Tolo News reported.Earlier this week, the activists gave the Taliban three days to revert to their demands including, a month-long ceasefire. However, the insurgent group didn't respond to the convoy's plea."We will spend three days in front of each embassy. During these three days, we will try to launch demonstrations in those countries that we are protesting against. By holding our demonstration's(in the country), we want to create a relationship between our people and the citizens of those countries; and we hope the ...
Afghan-Taliban peace hopes rises after Saudi King's statement
Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz's recent statement on Afghanistan-Taliban ceasefire has added to the growing optimism in Afghanistan that peace talks with the Taliban could resume.King Abdulaziz on June 20 said, that he has followed with great interest the truce reached over Eid-ul-Fitr between the two sides.The High Peace Council welcomed the king's and the Imam of Kaaba's statement and said it would help the cause. The Kaaba Imam also prayed for peace and stability in Afghanistan."No doubt, Saudi Arabia has influence over the Taliban and their foreign supporters, especially Pakistan. We hope that Saudi Arabia, as the center of Muslim countries, will put the necessary pressure on the Taliban so that Afghans will witness a peaceful future," Tolo News quoted Sayed Ehsan Taheri, the spokesman for the High Peace Council as saying.Since Saudi Arabia shares cordial relations with Taliban, it can help establish peace in both the regions.Taliban still has not officially showed any ..
Taliban continues to fight Afghan forces despite govt's ceasefire
Despite Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani's decision of extending the ceasefire by ten days, the Taliban continues to fight the Afghan government forces.Afghan Defence Ministry said dozens of security force members have been martyred in Taliban attacks in the past four days in at least 10 provinces.They did not, however, provided the exact number of casualties."We have had casualties during the (past) week, but in the past 24 hours, we imposed casualties on those who acted against the ceasefire," Tolo News quoted Mohammad Radmanish, the Defence Ministry spokesman as saying.In the attack of June 15, Taliban stormed a police outpost on the outskirts of Gardez City, the capital of Paktia province, in the northeast of Afghanistan.Eyewitnesses said at least five policemen were killed in the attack."Changes have happened in Taliban attacks. Anti-government armed militants have increased their attacks," Tolo News quoted Sardar Wali Tabasum, spokesman for Paktia Police Chief as ...
Canada observes 'The National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism'
Canada, on June 23, observed the 'National Day of Remembrance' for Victims of Terrorism that marks the anniversary of the bombing of Air India Flight in 1985.On June 23, 1985, Air India Flight 182 was en route from Canada to India when a bomb exploded mid-flight killing every passenger on board.To honour the victims of the bombing and other acts of terrorism that killed Canadians, flags across Canada are flown at half-mast on this day."Every year in Canada June 23 is the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, that marks the anniversary of the bombing of Air India Flight in 1985. Today we pay our respects to victims of terrorism all over the world," Canada in Armenia tweeted.A total of 329 people were killed, including 268 Canadian citizens, 27 British citizens and 24 Indian citizens.
Civilian injured in clashes with security forces in J&K
A civilian was injured on Saturday in clashes with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district, police said.
Six militants, two soldiers killed in gunfight in NW Pakistan: military
Six militants and two soldiers were today killed in a fierce gunbattle during a search operation in a northwestern Pakistani tribal district bordering Afghanistan, the Army said. Security forces were carrying out an operation in the Ladha region of South Waziristan district on a tip-off about the presence of militants in the area when the gunbattle took place, they said in a statement. "Six rebels were killed including a 'high-value target' identified as 'Nanakar' who was involved in killing of local people," the statement said, adding that two soldiers were also killed in the clash. Army said that suspected terrorists had been in contact with a militant network in Afghanistan's Paktika province. The security forces also recovered weapons, ammunition and communication equipment from them. The incident happened on a day when Tehreek-i-Taliban announced the appointment of Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud as their new chief after Mullah Fazlullah was killed in a drone attack in Afghanistan's Kunar
Pakistani Taliban names new leader in place of Fazlullah
Pakistani Taliban militants today appointed Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud as their new chief in place of Mullah Fazlullah, who was recently killed in a US drone strike in Afghanistan's restive Kunar province. Religious scholar Mehsud replaces Fazlullah, the dreaded chief of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who had ordered the assassination of Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai. TTP spokesman Mohammad Khurasani said that their leader was killed and Mehsud was chosen by the Taliban council as his successor. Militant sources said that Mehsud belongs to Tiarza area of South Waziristan and had studied in various religious seminaries of Pakistan. He is believed to have authored a book in Urdu titled "Inqalab-e-Mehsud-South Waziristan: Farangi Raj say Amreeki Samraj Tak" (Mehsud Revolution and South Waziristan: From British Raj to American Imperialism). In the book, he, on behalf of Taliban, claimed for the first time that the TTP militants were involved in the killing of former premier
Army chief reviews security in Valley
Army chief, Gen. Bipin Rawat on Saturday reviewed security in the Kashmir Valley, on his first visit after Governor's rule was imposed in the state, a defence official said.
US sends coffins to inter-Korean border for soldiers' remains
The US Army on Saturday sent 100 coffins to the inter-Korean border to bring back the remains of American soldiers killed during the Korean War (1950-1953).
2 soldiers killed in Pakistan anti-terror operation
At least two soldiers were killed on Saturday in an anti-terror operation in the tribal area of northwestern Pakistan, the Army said.
Under Modi, India reeling under financial anarchy: Sena
In a fresh attack on the central government, the Shiv Sena today said the nation is reeling under "financial anarchy". The BJP's carping ally said many banking frauds have come to light during the four-year-old tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought to know what action has been taken by his government against those who "looted" banks. "The economy of the country has been destroyed under the Modi government. Modi wanted to show that he, and not (his predecessor) Manmohan Singh, was the real economist by bringing the rupee at par with the US dollar," the Sena said in an editorial in its party mouthpiece 'Saamana'. "However, the Indian currency has plummeted to its lowest levels," it said. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party said banks and financial institutions are engaging in undisciplined behaviour and those who "looted" banks ran away from the country under Modi's nose. "What happened to the promises of not tolerating corruption and sending those engaging in it to jail?" the ...
Six militants, two soldiers killed in NW Pakistan gunfight: military
Six militants and two soldiers were killed today during a fierce gunfight in a northwestern Pakistani tribal district bordering Afghanistan, military and local security officials said. The clash took place in South Waziristan's Spina Mela village after security forces were tipped off about the presence of militants who had entered the area pretending to be returning displaced locals, a military statement said. Six militants and two soldiers were killed in the fighting, including a most wanted militant called Nanakar, the statement added. Nanakar, who goes by one name, was wanted for several murders of local elders and tribesmen. The troops also seized weapons, ammunition and devices through which militants were in communication with handlers across the border in Afghanistan, the military said. Two local security officials in Miranshah, the main town of neighbouring North Waziristan, confirmed the clash and casualties to AFP. The US has repeatedly accused Pakistan of allowing the ...
Boko Haram raid kills five in Nigeria: residents
At least five people were killed and six others injured in a nighttime Boko Haram raid and suicide attack on a village in northeastern Nigeria, residents said today. A male suicide bomber detonated his explosives among a group of residents sleeping in the open in Tungushe village in Borno state at about 12:15 am. The blast was followed by indiscriminate gunfire from Boko Haram jihadists lurking in the dark, said Mustapha Muhammad, a civilian militia leader in the area. "Five people have been killed and six others injured in the attack," Muhammad said by telephone from the village, which lies six kiometres (nearly four miles) north of the Borno state capital Maiduguri. Tungushe resident Umara Kyari, who gave similar casualty toll, said the attackers torched eight thatched houses and three vehicles before stealing about 100 cows. "Fortunately all the cows returned to the village," said Kyari. "I think the attackers are not used to herding cows and could not control them." Boko Haram ...
Internet service restored in Anantnag
The Internet services that were suspended in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Friday following an encounter have been restored.The internet services were suspended yesterday after the encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Srigufwara area.At least four terrorists were killed in the encounter. A policeman also lost his life in the exchange of firing.It is pertinent to mention that earlier in May, the Centre announced to suspend the security operations in the Valley during the holy month of Ramzan.However, the suspension was lifted last week and the Centre announced that there would be no extension of the ceasefire in the state.
14 people with terror links barred from entering Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan government has banned the entry of 14 people, having alleged links with the terrorist organisation Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) from entering the country.As per a gazette notification by Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Kapila Waidyaratne, the names of the 14 persons, believed to be living overseas, have been listed for "terrorism-related activities" or for "financing terrorism" or both, Colombo Page reported.Also, the foreign and local addresses of the suspected people have been included in the notification.The gazette is an extension of the list of names published initially in the "List of Designated Persons under Regulations 4 (7) of the United Nations Regulations No. 1 of 2012" on November 9, 2016, as per the report.The 14 people include - Nadaraja Sathyaseelan aka Seel Maran, Kamalasinham Arunakulasinham aka Kamal, Antonyrasa Antony Calistor aka Parathan, Sivasubramaniyam Jeyaganesh aka Ganesh, aka Samraj, Ponnasami Paskaran aka Jeyakaran, Velaudan ..
Suspected Chinese lasers target US aircraft over Pacific
Lasers have been used to target US aerial operations in the Pacific, with 20 incidents recorded since September 2017, according to a US military official.