INDIA has banned the largest political and religious group in its Kashmir territory as part of a crackdown on activists seeking to end the country’s rule in the region.
The move follows days of the most serious confrontation between India and Pakistan in two decades.
India’s home ministry issued the five-year ban on Jama’at-e-Islami, or JeI, on Thursday night, accusing the group of being an “unlawful association” and supporting militancy in Kashmir.
At least 400 people, mainly from Jama’at-e-Islami, have been arrested.
The group seeks self-determination for the entire Himalayan region, which is divided between India and Pakistan.
The crackdown comes amid high tensions between India and Pakistan following the February 14 suicide car bombing of a paramilitary convoy by a Kashmiri militant, in which 40 Indian soldiers died.
IN Israel, the country’s attorney general has recommended indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a series of corruption cases.
Police had recommended indicting Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three different cases that ranged from accepting expensive gifts from wealthy allies to allegedly trading influence for more favourable press coverage.
“The attorney general has reached his decision after thoroughly examining the evidence,” his statement said.
The final decision on indictment will only take place after a hearing, where Netanyahu is given the opportunity to defend himself.
The move has shook up Israel’s election campaign and could spell the end of the prime minister’s political career.
VENEZUELA’s vice president has visited Russia to seek stronger ties with Moscow amid mounting pressure from the United States.
After talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Delcy Rodriguez said that Venezuela will rely on supplies of food and medicines from Russia as it faces a US-led blockade.
Lavrov warned Washington against military intervention, and criticised its “cynical campaign aimed at ousting the legitimate government of Venezuela”.
He added Russia has given humanitarian aid to Venezuela and will provide more such assistance.
THE death toll from a car bombing and clashes between security forces and gunmen in the capital of Somalia has risen to 18, police confirmed yesterday.
At least 40 others were injured in the attack near a hotel and a judge’s residence on a busy street in Mogadishu.
Security forces said the death toll could rise as many of the wounded are still being treated in hospitals.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here