Aljazeera news dataset extracted by crawl feeds team and it having more than 230K+ records. Last extracted on 26 Feb 2022
url, headline, datePublished, shortDescription, mainImage, author, keywords, breadcrumbs, newsDescription, newsRawDescription, imagesList, uniqId, scrapedAt
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CNN news dataset
$135.0 Records: 27 Thousand Format: csv
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| https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2014/5/23/ukraine-checkpoint-ambush-leaves-eight-dead | Ukraine checkpoint ambush leaves eight dead | 2014-05-23T16:18:54+00:00 | Villagers fear for their lives after witnessing latest violence between pro and anti-Kiev fighters in east of country. | https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/2014523152812197734_20.jpeg?fit=680%2C450 | John Wendle | News, Europe, Russia, Ukraine | News | Karlivka, Ukraine – Eight people have been killed in an attack by pro-Kiev fighters on a fortified checkpoint manned by pro-Moscow rebels in the east of Ukraine. The attack, launched early on Friday in Karlivka, destroyed one building and left four members of the pro-Russian Vostok Battalion, three fighters from the pro-Ukraine Donbass Battalion, and one civilian dead. Bullet casings and blood trails were visible on the road when Al Jazeera reached the scene of the attack. Two of the dead Donbass Battalion fighters still lay where they fell, one in a car park near a cafe and another in an outbuilding. “The attack began around 5:30 this morning,” said Sergei, a villager who lives across the street from the checkpoint, which protected a small bridge over a reservoir. “They came in from the south along that small road,” he said. “It’s becoming too dangerous here now,” said another villager, adding that he was considering an offer he had seen on television to move to Russia. “What is this? This checkpoint was peaceful. They didn’t bother us. Why did they attack it?” said a villager looking at the aftermath. “This is madness. There can be no peace here. I will join the Vostok Battalion now.” The skirmish in the village, 30km northwest of Donetsk, came a day after a surprise attack on a Ukrainian army checkpoint near the village of Volnovakha, to the south of Donetsk, that left an estimated 16 soldiers dead and an undetermined number of separatist fighters. Many in the area fear more violence ahead of the presidential election scheduled for Sunday by the interim government in Kiev. | <div class="wysiwyg wysiwyg--all-content css-1ck9wyi"><div class="newscred_smartgalleries_container" style="border:none;margin:0;padding:0;overflow:hidden;max-height:450px;max-width:680px"><iframe frameborder="0" height="450" loading="lazy" scrolling="no" style="border:none;margin:0;padding:0" width="680"></iframe></div> <p><span> <strong> Karlivka, Ukraine – </strong> Eight people have been killed in an attack by pro-Kiev fighters on a fortified checkpoint manned by pro-Moscow rebels in the east of Ukraine. </span></p> <p><span> The attack, launched early on Friday in Karlivka, destroyed one building and left four members of the pro-Russian Vostok Battalion, three fighters from the pro-Ukraine Donbass Battalion, and one civilian dead. </span></p> <p><span> Bullet casings and blood trails were visible on the road when Al Jazeera reached the scene of the attack. Two of the dead Donbass Battalion fighters still lay where they fell, one in a car park near a cafe and another in an outbuilding. </span></p> <p><span> “The attack began around 5:30 this morning,” said Sergei, a villager who lives across the street from the checkpoint, which protected a small bridge over a reservoir. “They came in from the south along that small road,” he said. </span></p> <p><span> “It’s becoming too dangerous here now,” said another villager, adding that he was considering an offer he had seen on television to move to Russia. </span></p> <p><span> “What is this? This checkpoint was peaceful. They didn’t bother us. Why did they attack it?” said a villager looking at the aftermath. “This is madness. There can be no peace here. I will join the Vostok Battalion now.” </span></p> <p><span> The skirmish in the village, 30km northwest of Donetsk, came a day after a surprise attack on a Ukrainian army checkpoint near the village of Volnovakha, to the south of Donetsk, that left an estimated 16 soldiers dead and an undetermined number of separatist fighters. </span></p> <p><span> Many in the area fear more violence ahead of the presidential election scheduled for Sunday by the interim government in Kiev. </span></p> </div> | 6c54c159-79e6-5dbc-98cd-5ace5a5007af | 26/02/2022 23:04:40 | ||
| https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/9/5/taliban-claim-deadly-attack-near-us-embassy-in-kabul | Taliban claim deadly attack near US embassy in Kabul | 2019-09-05T13:51:19+00:00 | 10 civilians killed along with US and Romanian soldiers after car bomb explodes near a heavily fortified area in Kabul. | https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/761a2051ff6f4d27abac9986793092af_18.jpeg?fit=1000%2C562 | Al Jazeera | News, Taliban, Afghanistan, Asia, United States, US & Canada | News|Taliban | A Taliban suicide car bombing in the Afghan capital killed at least 10 Afghan civilians, a US service member and a Romanian soldier in the second such attack this week after a preliminary US-Taliban peace deal was announced. The blast took place on Thursday in Shash Darak, a heavily fortified area adjacent to the Green Zone and home to several important complexes, including the National Directorate of Security (NDS), the Afghan intelligence service, and the US embassy. At least 10 civilians were killed and 42 people wounded in the attack that was claimed by the Taliban, which has been holding peace talks with the United States in Doha, Qatar, interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said. Hours later, the Taliban set off a car bomb outside an Afghan military base in a neighbouring province, killing four civilians. “Peace with a group that is still killing innocent people is meaningless,” Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said in a statement. ‘Killed in action’ Farid Ahmad Karimi, general manager at the Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital close to the bomb site, told AFP news agency that both civilians and security personnel were among the dead and wounded. 190903105533074 Surveillance footage of the attack, which occurred at about 10:10am (05:40 GMT), showed a grey minivan explode just after it cut in front of a line of white SUVs waiting to make a right turn right onto a street. One nearby pedestrian can be seen turning and trying to run away as the minivan crashed through a barrier just before the blast. A NATO Resolute Support mission statement said the two service members were “killed in action,” without providing details or releasing their names pending notification of their families. The American soldier was the fourth killed in the past two weeks in Afghanistan. A Taliban suicide bombing in eastern Kabul on Monday night – which the armed group said targeted a compound housing aid agencies and international organisations – killed at least 16 people and wounded more than 100, mostly residents. The capital has been gripped by a surge in deadly violence even after the US and the Taliban reached an agreement “in principle” that would see the Pentagon pull thousands of troops from Afghanistan in return for various Taliban security promises. Peace? The US top negotiator for peace in Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, said this week the two sides had drawn up a draft framework agreement under which US troops would leave five military bases in Afghanistan within 135 days of signing the pact. 190901051603411 “The Taliban are imposing their power while a deal is being finalised with them. In their claimed attacks, civilians are dying, they should immediately stop conducting such attacks when there are talks going on to bring peace in Afghanistan,” Intizar Khadim, a political analyst in Kabul, told Al Jazeera. On Wednesday, the Afghan government expressed doubts about the prospective deal, saying officials needed more information about the risks it posed. There are some 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan, deployed at various bases across the country. Khalilzad is expected to meet Afghan and NATO officials to explain the draft agreement, which must be approved by US President Donald Trump before it can be signed. | <div class="wysiwyg wysiwyg--all-content css-1ck9wyi"><p><span>A Taliban suicide car bombing in the Afghan capital killed at least 10 Afghan civilians, a US service member and a Romanian soldier in the second such attack this week after a preliminary US-Taliban peace deal was announced. </span></p> <p>The blast took place on Thursday in Shash Darak, a heavily fortified area adjacent to the Green Zone and home to several important complexes, including the National Directorate of Security (NDS), the Afghan intelligence service, and the US embassy.</p> <p>At least 10 civilians were killed and 42 people wounded in the attack that was claimed by the <a href="/topics/organisations/taliban.html">Taliban</a>, which has been holding peace talks with the <a href="/topics/country/united-states.html">United States</a> in Doha, <a href="/topics/country/qatar.html">Qatar</a>, <span>interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said</span>. </p> <p><span>Hours later, the Taliban set off a car bomb outside an Afghan military base in a neighbouring province, killing four civilians.</span></p> <p><span>“Peace with a group that is still killing innocent people is meaningless,” Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said in a statement.</span></p> <h2><strong>‘Killed in action’</strong></h2> <p>Farid Ahmad Karimi, general manager at the Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital close to the bomb site, told AFP news agency that both civilians and security personnel were among the dead and wounded.</p> <div class="inpage-embed article-guid" data-guid="190903105533074"> <div style="display:none">190903105533074</div> </div> <p>Surveillance footage of the attack, which occurred at about 10:10am (05:40 GMT), showed a grey minivan explode just after it cut in front of a line of white SUVs waiting to make a right turn right onto a street.</p> <p>One nearby pedestrian can be seen turning and trying to run away as the minivan crashed through a barrier just before the blast.</p> <p>A NATO Resolute Support mission statement said the two service members were “killed in action,” without providing details or releasing their names pending notification of their families.</p> <p>The American soldier was the fourth killed in the past two weeks in Afghanistan.</p> <p>A <a href="/news/2019/09/suicide-car-bomb-attack-rocks-eastern-kabul-190902180659647.html">Taliban suicide bombing in eastern Kabul</a> on Monday night – which the armed group said targeted a <span>compound housing aid agencies and international organisations</span> – killed at least 16 people and wounded more than 100, mostly residents.</p> <p>The capital has been gripped by a surge in deadly violence even after the US and the Taliban reached an agreement “in principle” that would see the Pentagon pull thousands of troops from Afghanistan in return for various Taliban security promises.</p> <h2><strong>Peace?</strong></h2> <p>The US top negotiator for peace in Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, said this week the two sides had drawn up a draft framework agreement under which US troops would leave five military bases in Afghanistan within 135 days of signing the pact.</p> <div class="inpage-embed article-guid" data-guid="190901051603411"> <div style="display:none">190901051603411</div> </div> <p>“The Taliban are imposing their power while a deal is being finalised with them. In their claimed attacks, civilians are dying, they should immediately stop conducting such attacks when there are talks going on to bring peace in Afghanistan,” <span>Intizar Khadim, a political analyst in Kabul, told Al Jazeera.</span></p> <p>On Wednesday, the Afghan government expressed doubts about the prospective deal, saying officials needed more information about the risks it posed.</p> <p>There are some 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan, deployed at various bases across the country.</p> <p>Khalilzad is expected to meet Afghan and NATO officials to explain the draft agreement, which must be approved by US President <a href="/topics/people/donald-trump.html">Donald Trump</a> before it can be signed.</p> </div> | 23c84ff3-cf67-50aa-aab9-48b4f6d9e902 | 26/02/2022 23:04:40 | ||
| https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2009/2/10/italys-right-to-die-debate-deepens | Italy’s right-to-die debate deepens | 2009-02-10T18:38:35+00:00 | Italy’s prime minister says Eluana Englaro was “killed”, as politicians weigh bill. | https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/200929203643810734_5.jpeg?fit=309%2C206 | Al Jazeera | News | News | “Eluana did not die a natural death, she was killed,” Berlusconi told the Libero newspaper. He blamed Giorgio Napolitano, the president, for rejecting an emergency decree that would have forced doctors to resume feeding her. Mixed reactions Al Jazeera’s Sabina Castelfranco, reporting from Rome, said the reaction in Italy on Englaro’s death was mixed. “The country was completely divided between these who thought that after 17 years, she should be allowed to die, and these who felt that taking her off food and water would be wrong,” she said. The Catholic church, which has opposed measures to let her die, implored God to “forgive” those responsible for Englaro’s death. “May the Lord welcome her and forgive those who led her there [to her death],” Javier Lozano Barragan, Vatican’s health minister, told the Ansa news agency. But some Italians expressed relief at Englaro’s death. “I am happy her suffering is over, after reaching a point where there was just nothing to be done,” Laura Lichieri, a Rome resident said. “She deserved a peaceful death.” Beppino Englaro, who battled his daughter’s case through the courts for 10 years, said: “I just want to be alone”, after her death was confirmed. New bill expected Italian politicians have said they would continue to pass legisalation clarifying the right to die, and a vote on a new bill is expected to take place on Wednesday. Englaro’s death came sooner than some doctors predicted – with reports it would take up to 10 days for her to pass away. An autopsy on her body is expected to be carried out, court officials said, though no date was given. Avvenire, the newspaper of the Italian Conference of Bishops, said an autopsy would deliver “justice” to Eluana Englaro. But Franca Alessio, the Englaro’s family lawyer, condemned speculation over her cause of death. “That someone would want to cast a shadow over this dramatic event is shameful,” Alessio was quoted by the Ansa news agency. | <div class="wysiwyg wysiwyg--all-content css-1ck9wyi"><p>“Eluana did not die a natural death, she was killed,” Berlusconi told the <em>Libero </em>newspaper.</p> <p>He blamed Giorgio Napolitano, the president, for rejecting an emergency decree that would have forced doctors to resume feeding her.</p> <p><strong>Mixed reactions</strong></p> <p>Al Jazeera’s Sabina Castelfranco, reporting from Rome, said the reaction in Italy on Englaro’s death was mixed.</p> <p>“The country was completely divided between these who thought that after 17 years, she should be allowed to die, and these who felt that taking her off food and water would be wrong,” she said.</p> <p>The Catholic church, which has opposed measures to let her die, implored God to “forgive” those responsible for Englaro’s death.</p> <p>“May the Lord welcome her and forgive those who led her there [to her death],” Javier Lozano Barragan, Vatican’s health minister, told the Ansa news agency.</p> <p>But some Italians expressed relief at Englaro’s death.</p> <p>“I am happy her suffering is over, after reaching a point where there was just nothing to be done,” Laura Lichieri, a Rome resident said. “She deserved a peaceful death.”</p> <p>Beppino Englaro, who battled his daughter’s case through the courts for 10 years, said: “I just want to be alone”, after her death was confirmed.</p> <p><strong>New bill expected</strong></p> <p>Italian politicians have said they would continue to pass legisalation clarifying the right to die, and a vote on a new bill is expected to take place on Wednesday.</p> <p>Englaro’s death came sooner than some doctors predicted – with reports it would take up to 10 days for her to pass away.</p> <p>An autopsy on her body is expected to be carried out, court officials said, though no date was given.</p> <p><em>Avvenire</em>, the newspaper of the Italian Conference of Bishops, said an autopsy would deliver “justice” to Eluana Englaro.</p> <p>But Franca Alessio, the Englaro’s family lawyer, condemned speculation over her cause of death.</p> <p>“That someone would want to cast a shadow over this dramatic event is shameful,” Alessio was quoted by the Ansa news agency.</p> </div> | 56119e65-dae2-5667-81be-21b2add2c9c7 | 26/02/2022 23:04:40 | ||
| https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2005/12/4/colombian-rebels-kill-politician | Colombian rebels kill politician | 2005-12-04T19:51:45+00:00 | A former Colombian senator who attracted national attention when he paid Marxist rebels to release his two kidnapped sons has been killed in an ambush by the same rebels, the police said. | https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2005/12/a763e19a-acc1-4eb4-9984-c356bc4685c480f42ce04fa84b00aa6d73833e57d8c0.jpeg?fit=190%2C151 | Al Jazeera | News | News | Suspected members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia attacked a car carrying Jaime Lozada, a former national senator who once served as governor of the southern Colombian province of Huila, on a country road on Saturday evening, a police spokesman said on Sunday. Lozada was killed and his son Jaime Felipe was wounded in a leg in the ambush. The rebel army known by the Spanish initials FARC had held Jaime Felipe and his brother Juan Sebastian hostage for three years until their release in June 2004, when their father admitted paying a ransom. A survivor of Saturday’s attack, journalist Jorge Masmelas, described two blasts hitting the car followed by gunfire. He said Lozada’s last words were of concern for his sons. One possible explanation for the attack, for which the FARC has not claimed responsibility, is that Lozada still owed the guerrillas ransom money, a police spokesman said. Peasant militia The rebels, a peasant militia fighting for socialist revolution since 1965 that has grown powerful thanks to cocaine money, still hold Lozada’s wife, Gloria Polanco. Ingrid Betancourt has been heldhostage by FARC since 2003 Ingrid Betancourt has been heldhostage by FARC since 2003 The rebels kidnapped Polanco and her two sons in a spectacular raid on an apartment building in the city of Neiva in July 2001. Rebels disguised as police went from door to door in the exclusive building and kidnapped an additional 12 people. Polanco was elected to Congress during her captivity in 2002 and the FARC has now included her in a list of 63 politicians, police officers and soldiers they are holding hostage and say they will only release in exchange for jailed guerrillas. Three US civilian Defence Department contractors captured in 2003 while searching for illegal drug crops are also on the list, together with former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, a dual Colombian-French national. | <div class="wysiwyg wysiwyg--all-content css-1ck9wyi"><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;DIRECTION:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;TEXT-ALIGN:left"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Suspected members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia attacked a car carrying Jaime Lozada, a former national senator who once served as governor of the southern Colombian province of Huila, on a country road on Saturday evening, a police spokesman said on Sunday. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;DIRECTION:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;TEXT-ALIGN:left"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;DIRECTION:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;TEXT-ALIGN:left"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Lozada was killed and his son Jaime Felipe was wounded in a leg in the ambush. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;DIRECTION:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;TEXT-ALIGN:left"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;DIRECTION:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;TEXT-ALIGN:left"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">The rebel army known by the Spanish initials FARC had held Jaime Felipe and his brother Juan Sebastian hostage for three years until their release in June 2004, when their father admitted paying a ransom. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;DIRECTION:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;TEXT-ALIGN:left"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;DIRECTION:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;TEXT-ALIGN:left"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">A survivor of Saturday’s attack, journalist Jorge Masmelas, described two blasts hitting the car followed by gunfire. He said Lozada’s last words were of concern for his sons. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;DIRECTION:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;TEXT-ALIGN:left"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;DIRECTION:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;TEXT-ALIGN:left"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">One possible explanation for the attack, for which the FARC has not claimed responsibility, is that Lozada still owed the guerrillas ransom money, a police spokesman said. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;DIRECTION:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;TEXT-ALIGN:left"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;DIRECTION:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;TEXT-ALIGN:left"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Peasant militia</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;DIRECTION:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;TEXT-ALIGN:left"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;DIRECTION:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;TEXT-ALIGN:left"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">The rebels, a peasant militia fighting for socialist revolution since 1965 that has grown powerful thanks to cocaine money, still hold Lozada’s wife, Gloria Polanco. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;DIRECTION:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;TEXT-ALIGN:left"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;DIRECTION:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;TEXT-ALIGN:left"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"></span></p> <table align="right"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-609526" class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_609526" style="width:770px"><img alt="Ingrid Betancourt has been heldhostage by FARC since 2003" class="size-large wp-image-609526" src="/wp-content/uploads/2005/12/826870148d6c4fc3941828c10bdab43eeb861.jpeg"/>Ingrid Betancourt has been heldhostage by FARC since 2003</figure> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="middle"> <p align="left"><b>Ingrid Betancourt has been held<br/>hostage by FARC since 2003</b></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>The rebels kidnapped Polanco and her two sons in a spectacular raid on an apartment building in the city of Neiva in July 2001. Rebels disguised as police went from door to door in the exclusive building and kidnapped an additional 12 people. <span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;DIRECTION:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;TEXT-ALIGN:left"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;DIRECTION:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;TEXT-ALIGN:left"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Polanco was elected to Congress during her captivity in 2002 and the FARC has now included her in a list of 63 politicians, police officers and soldiers they are holding hostage and say they will only release in exchange for jailed guerrillas. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;DIRECTION:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;TEXT-ALIGN:left"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;DIRECTION:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;TEXT-ALIGN:left"><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Three US civilian Defence Department contractors captured in 2003 while searching for illegal drug crops are also on the list, together with former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, a dual Colombian-French national. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"></span></p> </div> | https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2005/12/826870148d6c4fc3941828c10bdab43eeb861.jpeg | 540121b3-4976-5f01-851d-5431021ae3e5 | 26/02/2022 23:04:40 | |
| https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/24/swedens-first-female-prime-minister-resigns-hours-later | Sweden’s first female PM resigns hours after appointment | 2021-11-24T20:40:52+00:00 | Magdalena Andersson, the first female prime minister in Swedish history, quits hours after taking the role. | https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2021-11-24T123104Z_1743595170_RC2Y0R9X451B_RTRMADP_3_SWEDEN-POLITICS-PRIMEMINISTER.jpg?resize=1200%2C630 | Al Jazeera | News, Europe, Sweden | News | Sweden’s first female prime minister, Social Democrat Magdalena Andersson, has resigned after less than 12 hours in the top job after the Green Party quit their two-party coalition, stoking political uncertainty. But Andersson said she had told the speaker of parliament she hoped to be appointed prime minister again as the head of a single-party government. The Green Party quit after parliament rejected the coalition’s budget bill. “I have asked the speaker to be relieved of my duties as prime minister,” Andersson told a news conference. “I am ready to be prime minister in a single-party, Social Democrat government.” The Green Party said it would support her in any new confirmation vote in parliament, while the Centre Party promised to abstain, which in practice amounts to the same as backing her candidacy. The Left Party has also said it would back her. Budget voted down The government’s own budget proposal was rejected in favour of one presented by the opposition that includes the right-wing populist Sweden Democrats. Sweden’s third largest party is rooted in a neo-Nazi movement. The vote was 154-143 in favour of the opposition’s budget proposal. Speaker Andreas Norlen said he will contact Sweden’s eight party leaders “to discuss the situation”. On Thursday, he will announce the next steps for the 349-seat parliament. Andersson said that “a coalition government should resign if a party chooses to leave the government. Despite the fact that the parliamentary situation is unchanged, it needs to be tried again.” Magdalena Andersson says she is ready to prime minister of a single-party government [Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via Reuters] Opposition plan approved The approved budget was based on the government’s own proposal but of the 74 billion kronor ($8.2bn) that the government wanted to spend on reforms, just over 20 billion kronor ($2.2bn) will be redistributed next year, Swedish broadcaster SVT said. The approved budget aims at reducing taxes, increasing salaries for police officers and providing more money to different sectors of Sweden’s judiciary system. Andersson’s appointment as prime minister had marked a milestone for Sweden, viewed for decades as one of Europe’s most progressive countries when it comes to gender relations, but which had yet to have a woman in the top political post. Andersson had been tapped to replace Stefan Lofven as party leader and prime minister, roles he relinquished earlier this year. Earlier in the day, 117 politicians voted yes to Andersson, 174 rejected her appointment while 57 abstained and one politician was absent. Under the Swedish Constitution, prime ministers can be named and govern as long as a parliamentary majority – a minimum of 175 lawmakers – is not against them. Sweden’s next general election is scheduled for September 11. | <div class="wysiwyg wysiwyg--all-content css-1ck9wyi"><p><a href="/news/2021/11/24/swedens-parliament-elects-magdalena-andersson-as-first-female-pm">Sweden’s first female prime minister</a>, Social Democrat Magdalena Andersson, has resigned after less than 12 hours in the top job after the Green Party quit their two-party coalition, stoking political uncertainty.</p> <p>But Andersson said she had told the speaker of parliament she hoped to be appointed prime minister again as the head of a single-party government.</p> <p>The Green Party quit after parliament rejected the coalition’s budget bill.</p> <p>“I have asked the speaker to be relieved of my duties as prime minister,” Andersson told a news conference. “I am ready to be prime minister in a single-party, Social Democrat government.”</p> <p>The Green Party said it would support her in any new confirmation vote in parliament, while the Centre Party promised to abstain, which in practice amounts to the same as backing her candidacy. The Left Party has also said it would back her.</p> <h2>Budget voted down</h2> <p>The government’s own budget proposal was rejected in favour of one presented by the opposition that includes the right-wing populist Sweden Democrats. Sweden’s third largest party is rooted in a neo-Nazi movement. The vote was 154-143 in favour of the opposition’s budget proposal.</p> <p>Speaker Andreas Norlen said he will contact Sweden’s eight party leaders “to discuss the situation”. On Thursday, he will announce the next steps for the 349-seat parliament.</p> <p>Andersson said that “a coalition government should resign if a party chooses to leave the government. Despite the fact that the parliamentary situation is unchanged, it needs to be tried again.”</p> <figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1574833" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1574833" style="width:770px"><img alt="" class="size-arc-image-770 wp-image-1574833" data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" src="/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2021-11-16T095953Z_1546705639_RC2LVQ9UVERO_RTRMADP_3_SWEDEN-POLITICS-PRIMEMINISTER.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C513"/>Magdalena Andersson says she is ready to prime minister of a single-party government [Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via Reuters]</figure> <h2>Opposition plan approved</h2> <p>The approved budget was based on the government’s own proposal but of the 74 billion kronor ($8.2bn) that the government wanted to spend on reforms, just over 20 billion kronor ($2.2bn) will be redistributed next year, Swedish broadcaster SVT said.</p> <p>The approved budget aims at reducing taxes, increasing salaries for police officers and providing more money to different sectors of Sweden’s judiciary system.</p> <p>Andersson’s appointment as prime minister had marked a milestone for Sweden, viewed for decades as one of Europe’s most progressive countries when it comes to gender relations, but which had yet to have a woman in the top political post.</p> <p>Andersson had been tapped to replace Stefan Lofven as party leader and prime minister, roles he relinquished earlier this year.</p> <p>Earlier in the day, 117 politicians voted yes to Andersson, 174 rejected her appointment while 57 abstained and one politician was absent.</p> <p>Under the Swedish Constitution, prime ministers can be named and govern as long as a parliamentary majority – a minimum of 175 lawmakers – is not against them.</p> <p>Sweden’s next general election is scheduled for September 11.</p> </div> | https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2021-11-16T095953Z_1546705639_RC2LVQ9UVERO_RTRMADP_3_SWEDEN-POLITICS-PRIMEMINISTER.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C513 | 180b1563-e2cc-5a58-8b91-4e3c5d305212 | 26/02/2022 23:04:40 | |
| https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/3/20/indonesia-flood-death-toll-crosses-100-dozens-still-missing | Indonesia flood death toll crosses 100, dozens still missing | 2019-03-20T08:18:30+00:00 | Nearly 10,000 people have moved to shelters while at least 104 are confirmed dead, officials say. | https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/df3f999bb7ec4a379607d40bb51f3a31_18.jpeg?fit=1000%2C562 | Al Jazeera | News, Earthquakes, Asia Pacific, Indonesia | News|Earthquakes | The death toll from flash floods and landslides that tore through Indonesia’s Papua region has topped 100 with dozens more still missing, the disaster agency said on Wednesday. Nearly 10,000 people have moved to shelters while at least 104 victims are confirmed to have died and 79 are unaccounted for in the aftermath of the disaster, which was triggered by heavy rain on Saturday. Scores have suffered injuries, including cuts and broken bones, while some 40 unidentified bodies would be buried in a mass grave on Thursday, officials said. Many survivors fear more floods will rip through hard-hit Papua, which shares a border with Papua New Guinea. Hundreds of homes, bridges, schools and other public facilities have been destroyed [Reuters] “The increasing number of evacuees has made the shelters very crowded and uncomfortable,” said national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. As teams loaded mud-caked corpses into body bags, the search for survivors was hampered by mountains of debris including rocks and fallen trees. Hundreds of homes, bridges, schools and other public facilities were destroyed. More than 2,300 personnel have been deployed to search for the missing victims and to clean up debris. Flooding is common in Indonesia, especially during the rainy season which runs from October to April. In January, floods and landslides killed at least 70 people on Sulawesi island, while earlier this month hundreds in West Java province were forced to evacuate when torrential rains triggered severe flooding. Meanwhile, three people were killed – including two Malaysian tourists – and some 182 were injured after an earthquake on Sunday triggered a landslide on the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok, next to Bali. Lombok was rocked by several earthquakes last summer, killing more than 500 people and leaving over 150,000 homeless. And in September last year, the country was hit by an earthquake and tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island which killed around 2,200 people. The Southeast Asian archipelago of some 17,000 islands is one of the most disaster-prone nations on Earth, straddling the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common. This aerial photo shows the area affected by flash floods in Sentani, Papua province [Barce Rumkabu/AP Photo] | <div class="wysiwyg wysiwyg--all-content css-1ck9wyi"><p>The death toll from flash floods and landslides that tore through Indonesia’s Papua region has topped 100 with dozens more still missing, the disaster agency said on Wednesday.</p> <p>Nearly 10,000 people have moved to shelters while at least 104 victims are confirmed to have died and 79 are unaccounted for in the aftermath of the disaster, which was triggered by heavy rain on Saturday.</p> <p>Scores have suffered injuries, including cuts and broken bones, while some 40 unidentified bodies would be buried in a mass grave on Thursday, officials said.</p> <p>Many survivors fear more floods will rip through hard-hit Papua, which shares a border with Papua New Guinea.</p> <div> <figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-782809" class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_782809" style="width:770px"><img alt="Hundreds of homes, bridges, schools and other public facilities have been destroyed [Reuters]" class="size-large wp-image-782809" src="/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/1dfd342027f54f55b2c744281591b3e4_19.jpeg"/>Hundreds of homes, bridges, schools and other public facilities have been destroyed [Reuters]</figure> </div> <p>“The increasing number of evacuees has made the shelters very crowded and uncomfortable,” said national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho.</p> <p>As teams loaded mud-caked corpses into body bags, the search for survivors was hampered by mountains of debris including rocks and fallen trees.</p> <p>Hundreds of homes, bridges, schools and other public facilities were destroyed.</p> <p>More than 2,300 personnel have been deployed to search for the missing victims and to clean up debris.</p> <p>Flooding is common in <a href="/topics/country/indonesia.html">Indonesia</a>, especially during the rainy season which runs from October to April.</p> <p>In January, floods and landslides killed at least 70 people on Sulawesi island, while earlier this month hundreds in West Java province were forced to evacuate when torrential rains triggered severe flooding.</p> <p>Meanwhile, three people were killed – including two Malaysian tourists – and some 182 were injured after an earthquake on Sunday triggered a landslide on the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok, next to Bali.</p> <p>Lombok was rocked by several earthquakes last summer, killing more than 500 people and leaving over 150,000 homeless.</p> <p>And in September last year, the country was hit by an earthquake and tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island which killed around 2,200 people.</p> <p>The Southeast Asian archipelago of some 17,000 islands is one of the most disaster-prone nations on Earth, straddling the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common.</p> <div> <figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-782810" class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_782810" style="width:770px"><img alt="This aerial photo shows the area affected by flash floods in Sentani, Papua province [Barce Rumkabu/AP Photo]" class="size-large wp-image-782810" src="/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/0ea52be628bb47689d19398787a626f8_18.jpeg"/>This aerial photo shows the area affected by flash floods in Sentani, Papua province [Barce Rumkabu/AP Photo]</figure> </div> </div> | https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/1dfd342027f54f55b2c744281591b3e4_19.jpeg~https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/0ea52be628bb47689d19398787a626f8_18.jpeg | 3a66f72b-7dca-5baf-9784-2cf518bb31fa | 26/02/2022 23:04:40 | |
| https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2008/3/23/opec-chief-sees-oil-at-80-110 | Opec chief sees oil at $80-110 | 2008-03-23T07:24:32+00:00 | Chakib Khalil says the group is under “big pressures” from consuming nations. | https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/1_242400_1_5.jpeg?fit=309%2C206 | Al Jazeera | News | News | “Prices will continue to be high, and the prices for the rest of the year will be between $80 and $110,” Khalil said. “There are big pressures on Opec and some consuming nations would like to present Opec as being behind current high prices.” At a meeting in Vienna earlier this month, Opec decided to keep its output steady despite calls from consuming countries for it to be increased in order to halt high prices. Soaring prices Oil and other commodities have struck a series of record highs since the beginning of the year as investors fled stock markets and took refuge in dollar-denominated assets. But US oil prices have eased since hitting a record $111.80 a barrel on Monday as signs of an economic slowdown mount. This has raised the possibility of a slowdown in world demand for commodities. No Opec role Khalil has previously said that Opec has not played a role in rising oil prices in recent months but instead the market is responding to US economic problems and the falling US dollar. “The truth is that the current prices are linked to the US economic problems as well as to the value of the dollar.” He said Algeria’s oil and gas sector would continue to do business in the US dollar. “We will continue to work with the currency of the international market,” he said, referring to the dollar. | <div class="wysiwyg wysiwyg--all-content css-1ck9wyi"><div style="LINE-HEIGHT:1.2"> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"> <div style="LINE-HEIGHT:1.2"> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana">“Prices will continue to be high, and the prices for the rest of the year will be between $80 and $110,” Khalil said.</div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"> </div> </div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana">“There are big pressures on Opec and some consuming nations would like to present Opec as being behind current high prices.”</div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"> </div> </div> <p>At a meeting in Vienna earlier this month, Opec decided to keep its output steady despite calls from consuming countries for it to be increased in order to halt high prices.</p></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"> </div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"><strong>Soaring prices</strong></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"> </div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana">Oil and other commodities have struck a series of record highs since the beginning of the year as investors fled stock markets and took refuge in dollar-denominated assets.</div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"> </div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana">But US oil prices have eased since hitting a record $111.80 a barrel on Monday as signs of an economic slowdown mount.</div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"> </div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana">This has raised the possibility of a slowdown in world demand for commodities.</div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"> </div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"><strong>No Opec role</strong></div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"> </div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana">Khalil has previously said that Opec has not played a role in rising oil prices in recent months but instead the market is responding to US economic problems and the falling US dollar.</div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"> </div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana">“The truth is that the current prices are linked to the US economic problems as well as to the value of the dollar.”</div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"> </div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana">He said Algeria’s oil and gas sector would continue to do business in the US dollar.</div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana"> </div> <div style="FONT-SIZE:10pt;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana">“We will continue to work with the currency of the international market,” he said, referring to the dollar.</div> </div> </div> | f89cf507-7c67-5953-b521-edd67a68c5b8 | 26/02/2022 23:04:40 | ||
| https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2011/5/17/japan-miss-shot-at-double-continental-title | Japan miss shot at double continental title | 2011-05-17T09:31:00+00:00 | Champions of Asia pull out of Copa America to leave South American championships searching for replacement. | https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/20115179302590734_20.jpeg?fit=680%2C450 | Al Jazeera | Sports, Football, Argentina, Asia Pacific, Australia, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Japan, Latin America, Middle East, Qatar | Sports|Football | Coach Alberto Zaccheroni is hoisted in the air by his players in Doha in January [GALLO/GETTY] Japan are out of the running to be the champions of two continents after the Asian Cup winners withdrew from the Copa America. The Japanese pulled out of the South American championships for the second time in six weeks after failing to get the release of their European-based players, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said on Monday. The Samurai Blue, who were invited to the July 1-24 tournament in Argentina as guests, had been persuaded to reverse a decision to withdraw taken on April 4 following the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the country in March. “I regret very much to communicate to you that the Japanese national team cannot take part in the Copa America,” JFA president Junji Ogura told tournament organising committee chief Jose Luis Meiszner in a letter to the AFA. “Although the European clubs understand our situation, unfortunately most of them have told us they cannot release their players,” Ogura was quoted as saying on the AFA’s website. Ogura also explained it was difficult to assemble a squad of mainly home-based players since the domestic J-League calendar had been put back six weeks owing to the devastation of the earthquake and tsunami that left thousands dead, thousands more missing and sparked a nuclear scare. The AFA said the South American Football Confederation would send an invitation to Costa Rica on Tuesday asking them if they would like to replace Japan. Should they accept they would go into Group A with hosts Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia. Japan won the Asian Cup in Qatar in January, beating Australia in the final. | <div class="wysiwyg wysiwyg--all-content css-1ck9wyi"><table border="0" style="width:33px;border-collapse:collapse"> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="undefined" class="aligncenter size-fantasia-770 wp-image-695633" src="/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/201151792433599734_20.jpeg"/></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><span style="font-size:10px;font-family:inherit"><span style="font-size:10px;font-family:inherit"><span style="font-size:10px;font-family:inherit"><strong>Coach Alberto Zaccheroni is hoisted in the air by his players in Doha in January [GALLO/GETTY]</strong></span></span></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>Japan are out of the running to be the champions of two continents after the Asian Cup winners withdrew from the Copa America.</p> <p>The Japanese pulled out of the South American championships for the second time in six weeks after failing to get the release of their European-based players, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said on Monday.</p> <p>The Samurai Blue, who were invited to the July 1-24 tournament in Argentina as guests, had been persuaded to reverse a decision to withdraw taken on April 4 following the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the country in March.</p> <p>“I regret very much to communicate to you that the Japanese national team cannot take part in the Copa America,” JFA president Junji Ogura told tournament organising committee chief Jose Luis Meiszner in a letter to the AFA.</p> <p>“Although the European clubs understand our situation, unfortunately most of them have told us they cannot release their players,” Ogura was quoted as saying on the AFA’s website.<br/> <br/>Ogura also explained it was difficult to assemble a squad of mainly home-based players since the domestic J-League calendar had been put back six weeks owing to the devastation of the earthquake and tsunami that left thousands dead, thousands more missing and sparked a nuclear scare.</p> <p>The AFA said the South American Football Confederation would send an invitation to Costa Rica on Tuesday asking them if they would like to replace Japan.</p> <p>Should they accept they would go into Group A with hosts Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia.</p> <p>Japan won the Asian Cup in Qatar in January, beating Australia in the final. </p> </div> | https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/201151792433599734_20.jpeg | 43c979fa-6715-557d-a628-fbdbc5f4af19 | 26/02/2022 23:04:40 | |
| https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2008/3/12/thaksin-pleads-not-guilty | Thaksin pleads ‘not guilty’ | 2008-03-12T06:54:26+00:00 | Former Thai PM says he is ready to prove innocence as corruption trial opens. | https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/1_242767_1_5.jpeg?fit=309%2C206 | Al Jazeera | News | News | Under the second case Thaksin is accused of not declaring all his assets as required by political office holders. If convicted he faces a jail term of up to 15 years. Ahead of Wednesday’s hearing, Thaksin, who has had nearly $2bn of his family assets frozen, told foreign media that he and his wife were ready to “prove our innocence”. Dozens of police equipped with bomb detectors and sniffer dogs were deployed around the court for Thaksin’s appearance, while supporters waited outside. Some burst into tears when he emerged after the hearing, shouting “Thaksin, fight, fight” and holding up portraits of the former leader. “He’s a good man. He helps poor people,” one woman told Al Jazeera. “Today, guilty or not he will have to explain that to the court. Everybody here loves him. For us, a little of this and that we can forgive him. He is the one who gives so many things to our country.” The deposed prime minister was given a pop star’s welcome when he returned to Thailand at the end of February, ending 18 months of self-imposed exile following the 2006 coup. The hundreds of supporters were bussed in from around the country – many apparently having been paid to do so – to welcome his return at Bangkok‘s international airport. Revenge Thaksin has denied planning to return to politics and rejected suggestions that he has returned to seek revenge against those who forced him from power. “Let bygones be bygones,” he told reporters on Tuesday. Thaksin has been granted special permission to leave Thailand on Thursday for a month-long trip to England where he owns Premier League football team Manchester City. “Thaksin told the court he needed to go back to England to look after his soccer team and do some private business,” said spokesman Pongthep Thepkanjana. Legal officials have said the former prime minister and his wife do not have to appear in court for future hearings in the case, although Thaksin himself has said he plans to be back in Thailand in time for the Songkran Thai new year festival next month. Thaksin’s rise and fall Thaksin was ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006 [GALLO/GETTY] Born in 1949 into family of Chinese silk merchants Joined police force before winning a scholarship to study criminal justice in US Started computer dealership in 1987 which evolved into Shin Corp telecoms conglomerate, making him one of Thailand‘s richest and most powerful men Entering politics, he won landslide victories in 2001 and 2005, backed by Thailand‘s rural and urban workers But corruption scandals and alleged abuses of power eroded his popularity among Bangkok‘s middle class His family’s tax-free sale in 2006 of their $1.9bn stake in Shin Corp to Singapore’s state investment firm triggered street protests In effort to defuse growing anger, Thaksin called snap elections which were later annulled In September 2006, with Thaksin in New York to address the UN, Thailand’s armed forces moved to oust him in a bloodless coup | <div class="wysiwyg wysiwyg--all-content css-1ck9wyi"><div style="LINE-HEIGHT:1.2"><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB">Under the second case Thaksin is accused of not declaring all his assets as required by political office holders. If convicted he faces a jail term of up to 15 years.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB">Ahead of Wednesday’s hearing, Thaksin, who has had nearly $2bn of his family assets frozen, told foreign media that he and his wife were ready to “prove our innocence”.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB"></span>Dozens of police equipped with bomb detectors and sniffer dogs were deployed around the court for Thaksin’s appearance, while supporters waited outside.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB">Some burst into tears when he emerged after the hearing, shouting “Thaksin, fight, fight” and holding up portraits of the former leader.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB">“He’s a good man. He helps poor people,” one woman told Al Jazeera.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0cm 0cm 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0cm 0cm 0pt">“Today, guilty or not he will have to explain that to the court. Everybody here loves him. For us, a little of this and that we can forgive him. He is the one who gives so many things to our country.” </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0cm 0cm 0pt"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"></span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB">The deposed prime minister was given a pop star’s welcome when he returned to Thailand at the end of February, ending 18 months of self-imposed exile following the 2006 coup.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB">The hundreds of supporters were bussed in from around the country – many apparently having been paid to do so – to welcome his return at Bangkok‘s international airport.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Revenge</strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB">Thaksin has denied planning to return to politics and rejected suggestions that he has returned to seek revenge against those who forced him from power.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB">“Let bygones be bygones,” he told reporters on Tuesday.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB">Thaksin has been granted special permission to leave Thailand on Thursday for a month-long trip to England where he owns <span lang="EN-GB">Premier League football team Manchester City.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB">“Thaksin told the court he needed to go back to England to look after his soccer team and do some private business,” said spokesman Pongthep Thepkanjana. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"></span><span lang="EN-GB">Legal officials have said the former prime minister and his wife do not have to appear in court for future hearings in the case, although Thaksin himself has said he plans to be back in Thailand in time for the Songkran Thai new year festival next month.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"></span> </p> <p><span lang="EN-GB"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p><table align="left" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="MostActiveDescHeader"><strong>Thaksin’s rise and fall</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="MostActiveDescBody"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"></span></p> <table align="right" border="0"> <tbody></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table> <tr> <td><img alt="undefined" class="aligncenter size-fantasia-770 wp-image-636102" src="/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/1_241865_1_9.jpeg"/></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="middle" style="FONT-WEIGHT:bold;FONT-SIZE:8pt;COLOR:#000000;FONT-FAMILY:Verdana">Thaksin was ousted in a bloodless coup <br/>in September 2006 [GALLO/GETTY]</td> </tr> <p> </p><p><strong>Born in 1949 into family of Chinese silk merchants</strong></p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong> </strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Joined police force before winning a scholarship to study criminal justice in US</strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong> </strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Started computer dealership in 1987 which evolved into Shin Corp telecoms conglomerate, making him one of Thailand‘s richest and most powerful men</strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong> </strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Entering politics, he won landslide victories in 2001 and 2005, backed by Thailand‘s rural and urban workers</strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong> </strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>But corruption scandals and alleged abuses of power eroded his popularity among Bangkok‘s middle class</strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong> </strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>His family’s tax-free sale in 2006 of their $1.9bn stake in Shin Corp to Singapore’s state investment firm triggered street protests</strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong> </strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>In effort to defuse growing anger, Thaksin called snap elections which were later annulled </strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong> </strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>In September 2006, with Thaksin in New York to address the UN, Thailand’s armed forces moved to oust him in a bloodless coup</strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p></p></div> </div> | https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/1_241865_1_9.jpeg | 09ad2154-ac56-50d1-89e9-1a8eef69f0b9 | 26/02/2022 23:04:41 | |
| https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/19/feds-charge-nine-oath-keepers-with-conspiring-to-storm-us-capitol | Feds charge nine Oath Keepers with conspiring to storm US Capitol | 2021-02-19T23:21:10+00:00 | Following Trump, the group planned a military-style attack that even contemplated staging an armed ‘reaction’ force. | https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-02-11T164522Z_799866035_RC2GQL9V23HD_RTRMADP_3_USA-TRUMP-CAPITOL-ARRESTS.jpg?resize=1200%2C630 | Al Jazeera | News, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, United States, US & Canada | News|Donald Trump | A federal grand jury indicted nine associates of the far-right, anti-government Oath Keepers militia on Friday for conspiring to storm the US Capitol on January 6 to prevent Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s election victory. In a superseding indictment, US prosecutors charged six people allegedly connected to Oath Keepers; Ohio residents Sandra Ruth Parker, 60, and her husband Bennie Alvin Parker, 70, Graydon Young, 54, of Florida, Kelly Meggs, 52, and his wife Connie Meggs, 59, also of Florida, and Laura Steele, 52, of North Carolina. The remaining three defendants – Thomas Caldwell, Jessica Watkins and Donovan Crowl – were previously indicted for conspiracy in January. In the latest version of the indictment, the government filed additional charges against Caldwell for tampering with evidence by deleting his Facebook posts. Caldwell and Watkins have pleaded not guilty. Crowl has not yet entered a plea. The indictment alleged that the group conspired as far back as November to storm the Capitol, and extensively planned for a military-style attack that even contemplated staging an armed “quick reaction force” outside the city that would be ready to move if ordered by then-President Donald Trump. According to the indictment, Kelly Meggs is a self-described leader of the Florida chapter of the Oath Keepers. “Trump said It’s gonna be wild!!!!!!! It’s gonna be wild!!!!!!! He wants us to make it WILD that’s what he’s saying. He called us all to the Capitol and wants us to make it wild!!! Sir Yes Sir!!! Gentlemen we are heading to DC pack your s***!!” Meggs said in a Facebook post in late December about the upcoming January 6 rally, according to authorities. More than 200 people have been charged so far for their roles in the Capitol riots that left five people dead and caused members of Congress to flee. The FBI has been investigating whether far-right fringe groups, such as the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, conspired in advance to impede the election certification. So far, at least 18 associates of the Proud Boys have been charged for roles in the riots. Sandra and Bennie Parker appeared in a federal court in Ohio on Thursday and were released on bond pending their next appearance in a federal court in Washington, DC. A lawyer for Sandra Parker declined comment. A lawyer for her husband did not respond to a request for comment. The remaining defendants are due to appear in federal courts in Florida and North Carolina next week. Lawyers for Young and Kelly Meggs declined comment. Lawyers for the others could not immediately be reached. According to one of the criminal complaints filed in the case, some of the defendants did not seem too concerned they would face criminal charges. “I’ve been following FBI wanted list, seems they’re only interested in people who destroyed things. I wouldn’t worry about them coming after us,” Watkins told Bennie Parker, according to texts obtained by the FBI. “I’m sure they’re not on us,” Bennie Parker replied. | <div class="wysiwyg wysiwyg--all-content css-1ck9wyi"><p>A federal grand jury indicted nine associates of the far-right, anti-government Oath Keepers militia on Friday for conspiring to storm the US Capitol on January 6 to prevent Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s election victory.</p> <p>In a superseding indictment, US prosecutors charged six people allegedly connected to Oath Keepers; Ohio residents Sandra Ruth Parker, 60, and her husband Bennie Alvin Parker, 70, Graydon Young, 54, of Florida, Kelly Meggs, 52, and his wife Connie Meggs, 59, also of Florida, and Laura Steele, 52, of North Carolina.</p> <p>The remaining three defendants – Thomas Caldwell, Jessica Watkins and Donovan Crowl – were <a href="/news/2021/1/19/oath-keeper-faces-first-conspiracy-charge-from-pro-trump-riot">previously indicted</a> for conspiracy in January. In the latest version of the indictment, the government filed additional charges against Caldwell for tampering with evidence by deleting his Facebook posts.</p> <p>Caldwell and Watkins have pleaded not guilty. Crowl has not yet entered a plea.</p> <p>The indictment alleged that the group conspired as far back as November to storm the Capitol, and extensively planned for a military-style attack that even contemplated staging an armed “quick reaction force” outside the city that would be ready to move if ordered by then-President Donald Trump.</p> <p>According to the indictment, Kelly Meggs is a self-described leader of the Florida chapter of the Oath Keepers.</p> <p>“Trump said It’s gonna be wild!!!!!!! It’s gonna be wild!!!!!!! He wants us to make it WILD that’s what he’s saying. He called us all to the Capitol and wants us to make it wild!!! Sir Yes Sir!!! Gentlemen we are heading to DC pack your s***!!” Meggs said in a Facebook post in late December about the upcoming January 6 rally, according to authorities.</p> <p>More than 200 people have been charged so far for their roles in <a href="/news/2021/1/6/pro-donald-trump-protesters-storm-us-capitol">the Capitol riots</a> that left five people dead and caused members of Congress to flee.</p> <p>The FBI has been investigating whether far-right fringe groups, such as the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, conspired in advance to impede the election certification.<br/> So far, at least 18 associates of the Proud Boys have been charged for roles in the riots.</p> <p>Sandra and Bennie Parker appeared in a federal court in Ohio on Thursday and were released on bond pending their next appearance in a federal court in Washington, DC. A lawyer for Sandra Parker declined comment. A lawyer for her husband did not respond to a request for comment.</p> <p>The remaining defendants are due to appear in federal courts in Florida and North Carolina next week.</p> <p>Lawyers for Young and Kelly Meggs declined comment. Lawyers for the others could not immediately be reached.</p> <p>According to one of the criminal complaints filed in the case, some of the defendants did not seem too concerned they would face criminal charges.</p> <p>“I’ve been following FBI wanted list, seems they’re only interested in people who destroyed things. I wouldn’t worry about them coming after us,” Watkins told Bennie Parker, according to texts obtained by the FBI.</p> <p>“I’m sure they’re not on us,” Bennie Parker replied.</p> <p> </p> <div style="display:block;position:relative;min-width:0px;max-width:770px"> <div style="padding-top:56%"> <video class="video-js" controls="" data-account="665003303001" data-embed="default" data-player="6tKQRAx7lu" data-usage="cms:wordpress:5.8.3:2.1.3:javascript" data-video-id="6233220737001" style="width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;right:0;left:0"><br/> </video><p></p> <p> <script src="https://players.brightcove.net/665003303001/6tKQRAx7lu_default/index.min.js"></script> </p></div> <p></p></div> <p> </p> </div> | ea29a9ea-9859-5782-8ae4-9cd584c9ba3e | 26/02/2022 23:04:41 |