German president backs compulsory military service amid defence push
'I am in favour of compulsory military service,' the president reiterated. He justified his position with Europe's changing security situation, Russia's war in Ukraine and the US administration's attitude towards trans-Atlantic relations. (DPA)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Indian forces kill 3 extremists linked to April Kashmir attack
dpa New Delhi India on Tuesday said its security forces killed three extremists believed to be responsible for a deadly terrorist attack in April in Indian-administered Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed, sparking a confrontation with Pakistan. The three 'terrorists' were shot dead in a firefight with the military, Home Minister Amit Shah told parliament during a debate on India's military action against targets in Pakistan in May. All three were 'Pakistani' nationals, Shah said, adding there was 'irrefutable evidence' of their involvement in the April 22 attack that killed mostly Indian tourists. According to Shah, investigations into weapons, ammunition and other evidence helped confirm their role. 'These three rifles were used to kill our innocent citizens,' he said, noting that the weapons were found on the bodies of the dead. One of the men was reportedly a commander of the banned Islamist militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which is believed to be based in Pakistan, although it is outlawed there as well. Tensions between India and Pakistan soared following the militant attack, which occurred in a mountain meadow near the town of Pahalgam. India accused its neighbour of complicity, a claim Islamabad denied. India launched missile strikes on May 7, and Pakistan downed several Indian aircraft. Both sides exchanged missiles, drones and heavy fire. The crisis was defused with a ceasefire on May 10. The Himalayan region of Kashmir remains a flashpoint between the two nuclear-armed rivals. Both countries control parts of the territory but claim it in full.
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Trump flies back to US after five-day visit to Scotland
DPA Edinburgh US President Donald Trump departed Scotland on Tuesday as his five-day visit came to an end, with Air Force One taking off from from the Lossiemouth air base. The president concluded his trip by opening a new golf course at his resort in Aberdeenshire on Tuesday morning. After playing on the new course, he flew by helicopter to the base. During his visit, he had earlier stayed at his other Scottish resort at Turnberry in South Ayrshire, where he enjoyed several rounds of golf. Despite the mostly private nature of the trip, he hosted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at both resorts on Monday. EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen also took part in a meeting with him at Turnberry on Sunday. As Trump cut the ribbon on the new course in Aberdeenshire, he said he would play a quick round before returning to Washington to 'put out fires all over the world.' The US president teed off in front of an invited crowd including golfers, football stars, Scottish First Minister John Swinney and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. Just before hitting the first ball at the new course, the US president told those gathered on a grandstand: 'We started with a beautiful piece of land, but we made it much more beautiful.'
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
North Korea leader Kim Jong Un's powerful sister says there won't be talks with Seoul
dpa Seoul The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Monday said Pyongyang would not hold talks with the government of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, according to a statement carried by state news agency KCNA. Kim Yo Jong, a senior official in the ruling Worker's Party's central committee, said Pyongyang had no interest in engaging with the government of Lee, who took office last month vowing to ease tensions and restart inter-Korean dialogue. 'We clarify once again the official stand that no matter what policy is adopted and whatever proposal is made in Seoul, we have no interest in it and there is neither the reason to meet nor the issue to be discussed with the ROK,' Kim Yo Jong said. Relations between North and South Korea 'have irreversibly gone beyond the time zone of the concept of homogeneous,' Kim Yo Jong added. The comments are North Korea's first official response to the new South Korean government, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap. Since taking office, Lee has taken several steps aimed at easing tensions with North Korea, including dismantling loudspeakers broadcasting propaganda across the border, marking a shift from his predecessor's hard-line stance. Kim Yo Jong, however, criticized Lee's close alignment with the United States, saying authorities in Seoul's 'blind trust' in Washington 'and their attempt to stand in confrontation' with North Korea 'are little short of their predecessor's.' His powerful sister also dismissed a proposal to invite Kim Jong Un to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in October as a 'daydream.'
