World

Five people including a Philippine police officer were killed Tuesday in clashes with 10 suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf kidnap group on the resort island of Bohol, authorities said.

At least one policeman was confirmed killed in the fight, national police spokesman Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said in a statement.

"Security forces reported that the armed group is well-armed with heavy-calibre weapons, but now cornered in an isolated section" of Bohol, Philippine military chief of staff General Eduardo Ano said in a statement.

The incursion would be the first on the tourist island by the Abu Sayyaf, which has long engaged in kidnapping for ransom -- often targeting foreigners.

The group, also blamed for deadly bombings, has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State movement that holds large swathes of Iraq and Syria.

The gunmen sailed into the Bohol town of Inabanga on Monday, going upriver toward a remote section of the island aboard three fast boats, Inabanga police officer Edwin Melicor said.

A clash broke out as police went to investigate early Tuesday, Melicor added.

Pakistan's Defense Minister Khwaja Asif on Tuesday said that Kulbhushan Jadhav had the right to appeal within 60 days and he justified the death sentence awarded to this Indian citizen.

He also said that Jadhav's trial has been going on since last three months. Jadhav was sentenced to death under Army Act for alleged involvement in terrorism and espionage through Military Field General Court Marshal. Army chief General Kamar Javed Bajwa confirmed the death sentence.

Asif said in the Senate that Jadhav has the right to appeal against the death penalty in 60 days.

He rejected India's concern that the proper legal process was not followed in the hearing against Jadhav.

The Pakistan's defense minister said, "There was nothing in the legal proceedings against the law."

He also dismissed the allegations of premeditated murder, saying, "This is not a premeditated murder. What is happening in Kashmir is premeditated murder. "

Asif said that the hearing against Jadhav lasted for three months. He said that those who work against the security of Pakistan will be treated strictly with them.

The Defense Minister said, "If the enemy comes from across the border or is within Pakistan, he will be punished."

A military court in Pakistan has sentenced former Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav to death for espionage charges. Alleges Pakistan Kulbhushan Jadhav was spying in Pakistan and carried out subversive activities against Pakistan.

After Pakistan was convicted of hanging Indian Kulbhushan Jadhav, India took a stern stand. India decided to ban the release of nearly a dozen Pakistani prisoners lodged in jail who had to be left on Wednesday.

The Indian government took this decision a few hours after the sentence of hanging Indian citizen Kuldeep Jadhav was sentenced to death.

The Times of India quoted official sources saying that the government feels that this is not the right time to release Pakistani prisoners. India and Pakistan were to be released in the confinement of each other's prisoners after their conviction was completed, but after the decision on Kulbhushan Jadhav, India has decided to ban the release of Pakistani prisoners.

In the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav, Sarabjit Singh's sister Dalbir Kaur said that he did the same with my brother, I am not surprised.

Former Chief of Raw AS Daulat said on this matter that anything is possible in Pakistan, he had hanged one of his prime ministers in the past.

At the same time, Sudhir Pawar, living in Jadhav's neighborhood in Mumbai, says he is shocked. Jadhav lived with us, we know how he was. This is a conspiracy created by Pakistan.

Pakistan's Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said that 'Detective was Trialed through the Field General Court Marshal under Pakistani Army Act and sentenced to death. Army Chief General Kamar Javed Bajwa has confirmed the death sentence.'

Pakistan has always been saying that Kulbhushan Jadhav is the agent of India's intelligence agency RAW.

India has expressed displeasure over Pakistan's action and summoned Pakistan's high commissioner Abdul Basit. Basit has been issued a release saying that Jadhav's sentence is ridiculous.

It is said in the Ministry of External Affairs, "If the basic principles of law and justice are not followed then the people of India and the government will consider it as thought-provoking murder."

Jadhav was arrested on 3 March 2016 from the Mashakal area of Balochistan. Jadhav is accused of spying and spreading unrest in Karachi and Balochistan.

While dismissing the allegations of Pakistan, the Indian government had said in its official statement that Jadhav has been a member of the Indian Navy ever since, and since retirement he had no contact with the Indian government or the Indian Navy.

The US has sent warships into waters near the Korean Peninsula in a show of force against North Korea's "reckless" nuclear threat.

It comes days after North Korea condemned America's strike on Syria as an act of "intolerable aggression", claiming the move justified "a million times over" their reasons for developing a nuclear deterrent.

President Donald Trump talked to China's leader Xi Jinping this week about the need for Beijing to encourage Kim Jong-Un to halt his nuclear weapons programme.

Ahead of the meeting, North Korea fired a medium-range ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan.

Now, in the latest sign that tensions are increasing, the US has deployed a Navy strike group led by the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier from Singapore.

It described the decision to divert the fleet from scheduled calls in Australia as "a prudent measure to maintain readiness and presence in the Western Pacific".

Despite UN resolutions barring North Korea from any use of ballistic missile technology, Mr Kim has been busy developing missile capabilities. So far five nuclear tests have been staged, two of them last year.

US Pacific Command spokesman Commander Dave Benham said: "The number one threat in the region continues to be North Korea, due to its reckless, irresponsible and destabilising programme of missile tests and pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability."

It is feared Pyongyang may be preparing its sixth nuclear test.

Experts believe North Korea may be just two years away from developing long-range missiles capable of reaching the United States.

In February they fired four ballistic missiles towards Japan, an act Japanese PM Shinzo Abe called "absolutely intolerable".

Last August, Pyongyang successfully test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile 500 kilometres (300 miles) towards Japan.

When it comes to putting a stop to North Korea's nuclear ambition, US secretary of state Rex Tillerson said: "The policy of strategic patience has ended.

"We're exploring a new range of diplomatic, security and economic measures. All options are on the table."

Bangladeshi opposition leader Khaleda Zia alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is selling the country to India for fulfilling her dream of remaining in power all the time.

Khaleda, a former prime minister and head of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, said in a party program last night, "Hasina dreams of living in power all the time. They did a lot of things for this. They did not keep anything for the country, they sold all. "

This statement of BNP chief came just a few hours after the signing of 22 agreements including defense between India and Bangladesh. In the presence of Hasina on a four-day visit India and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 22 treaties were made in key areas including defense and civilian nuclear.

However, there was no agreement on the long pending Teesta water sharing, Modi reiterated his government's commitment to solve the problem soon.

Khaleda said, "It appears that she (Haseena) will sell the rest of the country ... but world history tells us that no one survives after selling the country."

After extensive talks with Hasina, Narendra Modi announced an additional assistance of $ 500 million for Bangladesh's new loan facilities and military purchases for Bangladesh.

There is a sharp rivalry between Khaleda and Hasina, and the poison of their rivalry has been spreading in the Bangladeshi politics for the last three decades. Earlier, yesterday, the BNP termed the signing of the defense agreement as "extreme treason with the people and the country" and party spokesman Ruhul Kabir Rizvi claimed that Bangladesh's security system would be revealed in front of India by this incident.

Rizvi said, "After signing the agreements, our security and survival have taken place at stake."

Secretary General of the Awami League and Road Transport and Bridge Minister Obaidul Kader told the BNP that he would not make any comments without the details of the agreement signed between India and Bangladesh.

Kadar said, "There is nothing in the agreement which can be hidden because it is an era of technology."

SLAUGHTER AT THE ALTAR Shocking CCTV shows moment suicide bomb blast rips through Egyptian Coptic Christian church as two ISIS attacks leave 47 dead and hundreds injured.

Coptic churches in Alexandria and Tanta targeted by ISIS in blasts as Egyptian Christians gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday - the Sunday before Easter.

HORRIFYING CCTV footage shows the moment a blast from a suicide bomber ripped through a church in Alexandria as attacks on two religious sites in Egypt claimed the lives of at least 47 people.

Hundreds were injured as bombs ripped through two churches within hours of each other, in attacks claimed by ISIS.

The first deadly explosion took place this morning at St George's Coptic Church in Tanta, 70 miles north of Cairo, killing 29 people and wounding 78 others.

Officials said the blast happened ''in the front rows, near the altar, during the mass'' as worshippers celebrated Palm Sunday - the Sunday before Easter, which marks the start of Holy Week for Christians.

Horrifying footage and images posted on social media appears to show the aftermath as crowds gathered around dead bodies and large blood stains on the pews and church walls.

Hours later, a suicide bomber carried out the second attack outside St Mark’s Coptic Cathedral in the coastal city of Alexandria - killing 18 people and injuring 66 others, the Egyptian health ministry confirmed.

CCTV footage shows the moment the blast ripped through the church sending bricks and wood flying.

Pope Tawadros II, head of the Coptic church, had earlier attended mass in Alexandria - he was not harmed in the attack.

Three Egyptian police officers were among those killed in Alexandria, after they stopped a suicide bomber from entering the cathedral.

The dead officers, including a policewoman, were named Ahmed Ibrahim, Brigadier General Nagwa El-Haggar and Emad El-Rakiby.

Egypt’s interior ministry said the suicide bomber blew himself up after security force assigned to protect the cathedral prevented him from entering the church.

ISIS claimed responsibility for both attacks through its Amaq news agency.

Pope Francis, who is due to visit Egypt later this month, condemned the attacks.

He sent his ''deep condolences'' to the ''dear Egyptian nation'' and his ''beloved brother'' Pope Tawadros II.

Egypt's president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi  has ordered emergency deployment of troops to assist police in protecting vital facilities across country.

The Egyptian president also announced three days of national mourning in light of the attacks.

Speaking to Nile TV about the Tanta blast, governor Ahmad Deif said: "Either a bomb was planted or someone blew himself up."

A witness told the Reuters news agency: "There was a huge explosion in the hall. Fire and smoke filled the room and the injuries were extremely severe.

"I saw the intestines of those injured and legs severed entirely from their bodies."

The church bombings comes days after Donald Trump welcomed Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to Washington for talks on fighting ISIS to bolstering Egypt's flailing economy.

The US president tweeted: "So sad to hear of the terrorist attack in Egypt. The US strongly condemns. I have great confidence that President Al Sisi will handle the situation properly."

In a statement, Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK said: "What is undeniable is the senseless and heartless brutality that can lead a person or people to indiscriminately take innocent lives, especially at the most vulnerable hour of prayer.

"Today we suffer with our sisters and brothers who have experienced losses in London, in Stockholm, and as well as those who continue to suffer on a daily basis across the Middle East.

"We pray for them and their families as well as their suffering and struggling communities."

It is the second time Coptic Christians in Egypt have been attacked in six months.

Islamic State later claimed responsibility for the attack - and warned of more against Copts, who make up about 10 per cent of Egypt's population.

Egypt is home to around nine million Coptic Christians and have repeatedly been targeted by Islamic extremists.

The country's Christian community has seen a wave of attacks by extremists since the toppling of Hosni Mubarak's regime in 2011.

In 2015, 21 Egyptian Christians working in Libya were killed by Islamic State.

Copts also often faced regular attacks by Muslim neighbours - who burn their homes and churches in poor rural areas - usually in anger over an alleged inter-faith romance or the construction of church.

They say they face daily discrimination and are sidelined from many jobs in the police, justice system and universities.

African ambassadors have expressed concern over the ongoing attacks on African students in India. Describing it the behavior of hatred towards the racial and other people from other countries, he had spoken of taking action against India. African Ambassadors have said that with the setting up of International Committee on the issue, India has not been taking adequate action on the issue.

Explain that on March 27, after the death of 17-year-old Indian boy due to taking drugs in large quantities, a group took out candle march in Greater Noida. In this case, the police had questioned some Nigerians and left them. The angry people attacked 4 Nigerian students during the candle march.

However, in addition to arresting five people in this case, the police has registered an FIR against about 1200 unknown people.

On this case Nigerian High Commission officials met the injured and described it as unsafe for them. A senior official said that the talks with the Ministry of External Affairs are still on this issue.

Describing the Greater Noida attack as a racial, a top African diplomat said, "There is not enough awareness among the people about the African people. This is the biggest problem. "

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Gopal Bagale says that the government is committed to the security of all foreign people living in India. Proper steps are being taken to keep things under control.

Bagley said that Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar has negotiated with the Nigerian High Commissioner to take appropriate action on this.

According to former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal, such an event can damage India's image in Africa.

People allege that most of the students who come to India on the student visa from African countries are engaged in intoxication business. These people supply narcotics among Indian students by bringing intoxicants from African countries. On the tourist visas, girls are indoctrinated in the sex businesses of India. Due to being a foreign citizen, the police are also hesitant to take action against them soon.

A bomb blast on a subway train in St. Petersburg, Russia, killed at least 10 people and wounded some 39 others Monday, Russian officials said, in what President Vladimir Putin called a possible act of terror.

One of the blasts came from a device that appeared to be filled with shrapnel, Sky News reported. Putin said investigators were looking into all possible causes. An unexploded device turned up at a different subway station as crews worked to deactivate it, anti-terror officials said.

A security camera spotted a man who may have left the bomb in a bag on the train, an unidentified source told the Interfax news agency without elaborating.

The explosive device blew up at 2:20 p.m. on a train that was leaving the Technology Institute station and heading to the Sennaya Square station, Russia's National Anti-Terrorist Committee said. Photos and video from Sennaya Square appeared to show wounded victims on the smoke-filled platform, and a train car with a door blown out. Frantic commuters reached out through the doors and windows, shouting, ''Call an ambulance!''

Nobody immediately claimed responsibility for the blast. Seven people died at the scene of the explosion, while one person died on the way to a hospital and two others died at the hospital, the country's health minister said.

In Poland, an Indian student has been brutally beaten by some attackers. India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj got information about this incident on Twitter. However this tweet was the news of the death of the young man. Sushma immediately sought detailed reports from the Indian ambassador to Poland.

The Indian ambassador later told that the young man is alive and he is undergoing treatment in the hospital.

In the Poznaan city of Poland on Wednesday, the unidentified assailants attacked the 21-year-old Indian youth. He was going to another friend's house with one of his friend. The attackers beat and pushed him in the market, due to which his head collided with a nearby shop and bleeding started. The young man also used to pray for help, but no help came forward.

Not only this, the police, who reached for the help of the youth, took about 24 hours to understand the whole case. Indian youth knew English and Hindi only, while the policemen only considered Polish language.

The young man has been admitted to the hospital. However, the reasons behind the attack have not yet been disclosed.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was first informed of the incident by a tweet. In it the death of the young man was claimed. Sushma asked Indian Ambassador to Poland to get complete information about the incident.

In the late evening ambassador Ajay Bisaria told Sushma that the youth is alive. Some people attacked him on Wednesday, the Polish Police is investigating the case.

Mark Rowley with London Metro police says it appears that one person is responsible for Wednesday's attack.