Page 91 - War Conflict
Yellow vest protests land at Paris airport in 25th week
Anti-government protesters marched in France for a 25th straight week Saturday but in significantly smaller numbers than during the yellow vest movement's first months or for a May Day rally that attracted tens of thousands of participants. Several dozen people demonstrated at Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport to denounce privatisation plans. Protests were also held in Paris and other cities around France, including Nice, Marseille and Lyon, where environmentalists and yellow vest protesters joined forces. The Interior Ministry counted a total of 2,600 participants at three events in Paris and 18,900 in all of France, a low for Saturday protest marches, according to French media reports. Security was visibly lighter than on Wednesday, when French officials deployed 7,400 officers from around the country to police the annual May Day march organised by labor unions. During that march, clusters of protesters wearing masks and hoods set trash bin fires, vandalised property and threw rocks .
Palestinian mother, baby reported killed in Israeli strike; Israel disputes claim
Gazan authorities reported a pregnant Palestinian mother and her one-year-old daughter killed in an Israeli strike on Saturday, but an Israeli army spokesman challenged the Palestinian account of the incident. The Gazan health ministry said in a statement Falestine Abu Arar, 37, died from the "Israeli targeting east of Gaza". It had earlier announced the death of her 14-month-old daughter in the same incident as Israel carried out strikes in response to some 250 rockets fired from Gaza. The Israeli army's Arabic-language spokesman on Twitter questioned the claim and suggested Palestinian fire may have been to blame, but did not provide details on what he believe occurred. "According to indications the baby and her mother died as a result of the terrorist activities of Palestinian saboteurs and not as a result of an Israeli strike," Avichay Adraee said. He added that pictures from the day "clearly show the launching of rockets from crowded areas." Israeli army international spokesman ..
200 rockets fired from Gaza; Israel responds with airstrikes
Hours after approximately 200 rockets were fired from the Gaza strip towards Israel on Saturday, the latter responded with airstrikes and artillery fire, said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).According to Gaza's Health Ministry, one person has died as a result of the Israeli strikes, and seven others have been wounded, reported CNN.The rockets fired by Gaza wounded two Israelis, including an 80-year old woman in the city of Kiryat Gat, about twenty miles from Gaza.In light of the rocket fire, Israel announced that it was closing Kerem Shalom and Erez crossing between the two countries, as well as the Gaza fishing zone. No specific date has been given for when the crossings and the fishing zone would reopen.Military activities have increased at the Israel-Gaza border in the past few days after nearly 5,000 Palestinians hit the streets for a weekly protest.As a part of the "Great March of Return" or weekly protest which started last year, protestors are demanding rights to return to ...
BJP's Anantnag vice-president Gul Mohammed Mir shot dead by militants in his house
Militants shot dead BJP's district vice-president Gul Mohammed Mir in his house in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Saturday night, police said. Giving details, the police said three militants came to his house in Nowgam Verinag area and asked for the keys for his car. While driving the vehicle away, they pumped bullets into Mir, who was popular in the area as 'Atal', they said. A police official said Mir was rushed to a hospital in a critical condition where he succumbed to injuries. The area has been cordoned off to nab the suspects, the official said. The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the BJP, in a statement, expressed deepest condolences to Mir's family and demanded strict action against "ill elements who are spoiling peace in valley and killing innocent people". NC vice-president Omar Abdullah and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti also condemned Mir's killing. "I condemn this dastardly act of violence and pray for the soul of the departed, Allah Jannat naseeb karey (May God grant .
Palestinian mother of baby killed in Israeli strike also dies: Gaza ministry
The pregnant mother of a one-year-old baby killed in an Israeli strike in the Gaza Strip on Saturday has also died from her wounds, the health ministry in the strip said. The ministry said in a statement Falestine Abu Arar, 37, had died from the "Israeli targeting east of Gaza". A ministry spokesman told AFP she was the mother of the baby who died in the same incident earlier as Israel carried out strikes in response to some 200 rockets fired from Gaza. Israel's military said it had no information on the incident. The army said earlier it was only targeting military sites in its response.
Militants kill BJP leader in Anantnag district
Militants on Saturday shot dead a Bharatiya Janata Party leader in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district.
EU calls for halt to rocket fire from Gaza into Israel
The European Union on Saturday called for rocket fire from Gaza into Israel to "stop immediately" and threw its backing behind efforts by Egypt and the UN to calm the situation. "The rocket fire from Gaza towards Israel must stop immediately. A de-escalation of this dangerous situation is urgently needed to ensure that civilians' lives are protected," EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said in a statement. "Israelis and Palestinians both have the right to live in peace, security and dignity." Gaza militants on Saturday fired dozens of rockets at Israel, which responded with strikes that killed two Palestinians including a baby, officials said, as another escalation between them threatened a fragile ceasefire. The latest flare-up came with Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the blockaded Gaza Strip, seeking further concessions from Israel under the ceasefire. "Only a political solution can put an end to the violence," the EU statement said.
BJP leader shot dead by suspected militants in J-K's Anantnag
Militants shot dead BJP leader Gul Mohammed Mir in his house in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Saturday night, police said. Giving details, the police said three militants came to his house in Nowgam Verinag area and asked for the keys for his car. While driving the vehicle away, they pumped bullets into Mir, who was popular in the area as 'Atal', they said. A police official said Mir was rushed to a hospital in a critical condition where he succumbed to injuries. The area has been cordoned off to nab the suspects, the official said.
BJP worker shot dead by suspected militants in J-K's Anantnag
A BJP worker was shot dead by suspected militants in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir Saturday, police said. Unknown terrorists fired at a member of the BJP, Gul AhmadMir, at Nowgam Verinag, a police official said. The official said Mir was rushed to a hospital in a critical condition where he succumbed to injuries. The area has been cordoned off to nab the suspects, the official said.
Trump reaffirms confidence in North's Kim, says 'won't break his promise'
United States President Donald Trump on Saturday reaffirmed confidence in North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, saying that "he won't break his promise" after the communist country fired several unidentified short-range projectiles from its eastern coast earlier in the day."Anything in this very interesting world is possible, but I believe that Kim Jong Un fully realizes the great economic potential of North Korea, and will do nothing to interfere or end it. He also knows that I am with him and does not want to break his promise to me. Deal will happen!" Trump took to Twitter as saying.Saturday's weapons tests were the most serious by the North since the country launched its Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missiles in November 2017, The New York Times reported.The launch of the short-range missile comes at a time when denuclearisation talks between the US and North Korea are yet to see progress following the abrupt fallout of the Hanoi summit."Today's provocation means that Kim ...
Remains of nearly 85,000 genocide victims buried in Rwanda
The remains of nearly 85,000 people murdered in Rwanda's genocide were laid to rest Saturday in a sombre ceremony in Kigali, a quarter of a century after the slaughter. Mourners sobbed as 81 white coffins containing the remains of 84,437 victims of the 1994 mass killings were buried at the Nyanza Genocide Memorial in the capital. They were among more than 800,000 people, mostly Tutsis, massacred over 100 days by Hutu extremists and militia forces determined to eradicate the Tutsi minority in Rwanda. Rwanda begins 100 days of mourning every April 7 -- the day the genocide began. But this year has witnessed particular commemorations to mark the 25th anniversary. "Commemorating the genocide against the Tutsi is every Rwandan's responsibility -- and so is giving them a decent burial," said Justice Minister Johnston Busingye at the mass burial. Some mourners broke down wailing as survivors spoke of the pain of losing their loved ones so brutally. A number were escorted from the funeral by .
Zalmay Khalilzad for laying down of arms for peace in Afghanistan
United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad on Saturday lashed out at the Taliban for rejecting his call for laying down their arms and stopping the violence as a part of efforts to move forward the ongoing peace process."All sides laying down arms is the outcome of any peace process. All sides agreeing to reduce violence is a necessary step toward achieving that outcome and the morally responsible choice to make. We stand ready," tweeted Khalilzad.Khalilzad's remarks came after Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, last week, said in a tweet that the US Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad should "forget about the idea of putting down our arms.""Instead of such 'fantasies,' he should ponder upon how to "end the use of force and incurring further human and financial losses for the Kabul administration," Tolo News quoted him, as saying.Khalilzad is holding the sixth round of talks with Taliban members in Qatar.On Friday, the Taliban in a statement rejected ...
Wing Commander Abhinandan thanks families of his colleagues in viral video
In an undated video that has gone viral on the Internet, defence personnel and colleagues gather around Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, as the IAF pilot who was captured and held captive in Pakistan earlier this year, interacts with them.In the 119 second video, Abhinandan can be seen being "mobbed" by colleagues for a photograph and the fighter pilot happily obliges them with selfies and photographs.Army and Air Force personnel are heard shouting "Bharat Mara ki Jai" and the pilot also joins them in raising the slogan."I will tell you why I clicked so many pictures with you. This is not for you but for your family. I could not meet them personally but when you show these photographs to him, tell them 'All the Best' from my side. Several people were praying for me to get well and your family members were also amongst them," Abhinandan says to armed forces personnel surrounding him.There is a round of applause for him after this to which he responds, "Thank You very ...
Lt Gen Ranbir Singh visits Ladakh region, reviews army's preparedness in the sector
Army Commander, Northern Command, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh Saturday visited Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir where he was briefed on the operational preparedness of the force in the sector. The GOC-in-C Northern Command visited the headquarters of Fire and Fury Corps, a defence spokesman said. The Army commander was briefed by Lt Gen Y K Joshi, General Officer Commanding, Fire and Fury Corps, on the operational readiness being maintained in the Ladakh sector, he said. Lt Gen Singh appreciated the high standards of professionalism displayed by all ranks of the Corps, the spokesman said.
Sri Lanka: PM Wickremesinghe orders Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry to regulate Madrasas
In the wake of the serial bomb attacks that rattled Sri Lanka killing over 250 people, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday ordered the Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry to regulate madrasas, instead of the education ministry.Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told Daily Mirror that the Prime Minister stressed the need for the Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry to look into the regulation of Madrasas, though the minister had earlier said the education ministry would take steps to regulate them."The Prime Minister wanted the Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry to deal so as to prevent any controversy," Kariyawasam said.Earlier, Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said around 800 Foreign Islamic clerics were engaged in religious teaching at the Madrasas. These clerics had arrived on tourist visas and therefore they should be deported, the minister added.Sri Lankan authorities are on high-alert after ...
Boko Haram seizes military base in NE Nigeria: Sources
Boko Haram jihadists have seized a military base in northeast Nigeria, days after an attack left five troops dead and 30 missing, security sources and residents said Saturday. A column of fighters from the IS-affiliated Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in trucks and on motorcycles stormed into the base in the town of Magumeri, 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the Borno state capital Maiduguri late Friday. The militants overran the base for several hours, hauling away weapons before they were forced out. "The terrorists dislodged troops from the base after an intense fight," a military officer told AFP. "We lost weapons and equipment to the terrorists but it is not clear if there was any human loss," said the officer, who asked not to be named. The jihadists arrived in the town around 5:00 pm (1600 GMT) and engaged troops in an hour-long fight before they "gained the upper hand and chased the troops away," militia leader Gremah Kaka told AFP. "The insurgents overpowered the ...
'Nine dead in IS attack' on Haftar forces in south Libya
At least nine people were killed Saturday in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group targeting forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar in southern Libya, officials said. IS fighters, "backed by criminal groups and mercenaries", launched a dawn assault on a military training camp in the southern city of Sebha, which is controlled by Haftar's forces, the city's mayor Hamed al-Khayali told AFP. "The attack left nine dead ... some of whom had their throats slit and others who were shot dead," he said. A spokesman for the Sebha Medical Centre confirmed it had received nine dead bodies. IS claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement distributed through social media, saying it had targeted "Haftar's heretical militia" and freed prisoners held on the base. Sebha is controlled by Haftar's self-proclaimed Libyan National Army, which opposes the UN-recognised Government of National Accord based in Tripoli. A power struggle between the GNA and a parallel administration supported by
Handover swords, large knives, army uniforms to police: Sri Lankan police to public
Police in Sri Lanka on Saturday asked members of the public to hand over swords or other large knives to the nearest police station after a haul of such blades were recovered from mosques and homes during searches following the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks. Announcing the amnesty scheme, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara that the knives which are used for day-to-day "domestic" and "justifiable" purposes were not required to be handed over to police. Apart from large blades, Gunasekara said that police and army uniforms or such camouflaged materials, which are in possession with the common people should also be hand over to the police. "This will be in effect from today until tomorrow", he said, adding, "If you are having police or camouflaged military uniforms, please hand them over to the nearest police station". The move came after police recovered a large haul of weapons, including swords, and camouflaged materials during searches of mosques and houses following the Easter ...
UN pact against terror urged as tribute to SL victims
India and Sri Lanka have urged countries to come together and adopt the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), proposed by India in 1996 but blocked by some nations, as the world mourns the victims of terrorist attacks in the island nation.
Envoy says US ready for 'all sides' to lay down arms in Afghan war
The US special envoy tasked with forging a peace deal with the Taliban said Saturday that America stands ready for "all sides" to lay down arms in the 17-year conflict. Peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is leading the latest round of talks with the Taliban in Doha, where the two foes are pursuing a deal that would see the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan in return for Taliban security guarantees. "All sides laying down arms is the outcome of any peace process," Khalilzad tweeted. "All sides agreeing to reduce violence is a necessary step toward achieving that outcome and the morally responsible choice to make. We stand ready." Khalilzad's comments come a day after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he was prepared to call an "immediate" and "permanent" ceasefire -- but the Taliban appeared to rebuff the offer. Ghani had also offered to release 175 prisoners as a goodwill gesture. His talk of a ceasefire comes as momentum builds in various Afghan peace talks. Thousands of ...