TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced at a press conference on Monday that he will dissolve the House of Representatives when it convenes Thursday to pave way for a general election next month. The prime minister cited the need to seek a fresh mandate to overcome "a national crisis" caused by "the biggest challenge facing Japan, which is the population aging and low birthrate," as well as security challenges. He said that he would seek mandate from the people for shifting the usage of part of the revenue generated by a consumption tax hike that has been delayed until 2019 from paying debt to welfare policies. He also said that he would seek public support for a tougher stance over the Korea Peninsula issue. Abe's decision to call for a snap election, however, has drawn staunch criticism from opposition parties, which argued that there is no reason to dissolve the lower house of parliament before its current term expires in December 2018. "The tax hike won't happen until two years later. What has it to do with dissolving the lower house now?" said Seiji Maehara, leader of the largest opposition Democratic Party. He added that the reason Abe cited for dissolving the lower house is not convincing, and that the prime minister is just trying to avoid further grilling on favoritism scandals. Abe has been under fire for his connection with nationalist private school operator Moritomo Gakuen, which purchased a piece of state-owned land in Osaka for only a fraction of the market price. He has also been accused of using his influence to make the government choose Kake Educational Institution, run by a close friend of Abe's, to open a new department in a government- designated special economic zone. baller bandsjordan wristband rubberprintable wristbandscotton braceletscustom fidget spinnerscool wristbandsbatman wristbandcustom sweatbands no minimum
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan said on Thursday that Indian forces have committed 542 cease-fire violations so far this year with 18 killings. Pakistan and India declared a ceasefire in 2003 along the Line of Control (LoC). However, escalation of tensions along the LoC has been seen since a militant attack on an army center in the Indian-controlled Kashmir on Sept. 18 last year. The LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into Indian- and Pakistan-controlled parts. The Indian military blamed the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad group for the attack, but Islamabad rejected the charges and suggested an independent investigation. Foreign Ministry spokesman Nafees Zakaria said the Indian forces are continuously engaged in cease-fire violations along the LoC and the Working Boundary. India has deliberately escalated tension along the LoC and the Working Boundary in order to try to divert the international community's attention from the grave situation in Indian-controlled Kashmir, the spokesman said at his weekly briefing. He said on July 8, an Indian cease-fire violation resulted in the death of five civilians including four girls, adding that Pakistani armed forces have given a befitting response to such provocations. "However, Pakistan has no desire to escalate the situation and we have reacted with maximum restraint," Zakaria said. He said the Indian "belligerent attitude" is a threat to regional peace and security, and the international community has expressed concern. "We have consistently maintained that the role of the UNMOGIP (UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan) in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions is crucial," he said. To a question about Indian restrictions on visas to Pakistani nationals who seek medical treatment in India, the spokesman said it is highly regrettable that India has placed such restrictions on visas for patients who are suffering from serious and terminal illnesses.
