Istanbul is the headquarters of Muslim Brotherhood: Report

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The documents reproduced by the UAE-based Arabic daily Al Roya say that the relationship between Turkey and the Brotherhood has a “profound dimension”.

Documents of the Muslim Brotherhood meetings have revealed that its permanent headquarters is based in the Turkish city of Istanbul since 2006, an Arabic daily has reported.

The documents reproduced by the UAE-based Arabic daily Al Roya say that the relationship between Turkey and the Brotherhood has a “profound dimension”. They mirror the deep relationship between Turkey’s Justice and Development political party with the banned organisation.

The documents unearthed the deliberations and outcome of the International Muslim Brotherhood’s meetings from May 29 to June 3, 2008. The minutes of the meetings showed the magnitude of the role played by Istanbul groups in the organisation.

As per the documents, the last significant meeting held in Istanbul was its 29th meeting, dating back to September 2008, when representatives and members of the organisation from across the Arab countries were present.

According to the documents, following Egypt’s revolution that uprooted the Muslim Brotherhood and overthrew the then president Mohammed Mursi from power, Turkey “became the den” in hosting the camps of the organisation’s cadres in Europe and Egypt.

The unearthing of the documents coincides with the malicious Turkish media campaign against the UAE.

The organisation lost steam after the Egyptian interim government declared it a terrorist group, following which Arab countries, spearheaded by GCC countries, declared it as a terrorist group as well. The Turkish media launched a defamatory drive against the UAE after the country declared the organisation a terrorist group.

(Khaleej Times)

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait to abide by UN blacklisting of citizens

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Two of the blacklisted men were Saudis wanted by Riyadh for links to militants, while two others were Kuwaitis, including a prominent cleric accused of links to Nusra Front.. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait agreed to comply with a United Nations resolution aimed at stopping financing for Islamist militant groups in Syria and Iraq after four of their nationals were named among a group blacklisted by the international body. The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Friday intended to weaken the Islamic State - an Al Qaeda splinter group that has seized swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria and declared a caliphate - and Al Qaeda’s Syrian wing, Nusra Front. Riyadh this year declared the Islamic State group and the Nusra Front terrorist organisations, imposing prison terms for giving them moral or material support, and has mobilised its clerics to preach against private donations to militants. The Islamic State has long been blacklisted by the Security Council, while Nusra Front was added earlier this year. Both groups are designated under the UN Al Qaeda sanctions regime. Gulf media said that two of the blacklisted men were Saudis wanted by Riyadh for links to militants, while two others were Kuwaitis, including Sheikh Hajjaj bin Fahd Al Ajmi, a prominent cleric accused of links to Syria’s Al Qaeda branch, the Nusra Front. “Kuwait will abide by the UN Resolution 2170 and implement all its terms,” Kuwait’s UN ambassador Mansour Ayyad Al Otaibi said in a statement carried by state news agency KUNA on Saturday. Under Friday’s resolution, the six people will be subject to an international travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo. It asks UN experts - charged with monitoring violations of the council’s Al Qaeda sanctions regime - to report in 90 days on the threat posed by Islamic State and Nusra Front, and on details of their recruitment and funding. The London-based Asharq Al Awsat said the two Saudis, Abdul Mohsen Abdallah Ibrahim Al Charekh and Abdelrahman Mouhamad Zafir al Jahani, were on two lists of wanted militants issued in 2009 and in 2011. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors casualties in fighting in Syria, has said that Charekh was killed near the Syrian coastal city of Latakia in March. Jahani was believed to be at large somewhere outside Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Abdullah Al Mualami, also said Riyadh was “committed to implementation” of the resolution. Both Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have recently tightened laws aimed at preventing citizens from involvement in foreign conflicts and instructed mosque preachers to abide by government policies during their sermons. The Kuwaiti government last month ordered non-governmental public welfare associations to refrain from involvement in politics and shut down branches of some associations. In Saudi Arabia, Muslim Sharia courts have issued a series of verdicts jailing people for going to fight abroad or collecting funds for militants. (REUTERS)

India face humiliating loss against England

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Indian batting order collapsed like a pack of cards for 94 runs to lose the match by an innings and 244 runs, their third heaviest loss in history.

The Indian cricket team underwent a dramatic collapse to be bowled out for merely 94 runs in their second innings, suffering a humiliating consecutive innings defeat in only three days and lose the five-match Test series 1-3 to England at The Oval on Sunday.

The hosts put on 101 runs in the morning to take their total to 486 runs with a first innings lead of 338. In reply, the Indian batting order collapsed like a pack of cards for 94 runs to lose the match by an innings and 244 runs, their third heaviest loss in history.

Only three Indian batsmen reached double figures -- Cheteshwar Pujara (11), Virat Kohli (20) and Stuart Binny (25 not out). English medium pacer Chris Jordan, playing in only his fourth Test, achieved career-best figures of 4/18 in 4.2 overs while Man of the Series James Anderson took 2/16 from his eight. Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes chipped in with a wicket each.

India's woes continued in the morning as they failed to bowl out the hosts, who resumed at 385/7. The English lower order came out with the intent of scoring as many runs in the quickest time to plunder the ineffective Indian bowlers, who got hammered all over the ground.

Man of the match Joe Root (149 not out) started the day at 92 not out and brought up his fifth Test century. Post achieving his second hundred of the series, Root started accelerating and while doing so dragged an Ishant Sharma delivery to the stumps while batting on 110.

He was on his way to the pavilion when replays showed that Ishant's left foot was over the line, making the delivery illegal and Root was lucky to return to the crease.

The 23-year-old Yorkshireman took advantage of the situation and increased the scoring rate, suddenly raising his strike rate to a staggering 90.3. In total, he hammered 18 boundaries and a six in his 165-ball knock to bring up his third highest Test score.

He was given good support by left hander Stuart Broad who also played a quick cameo of 37 off just 21 balls to propel England to a strong total.

Night watchman Chris Jordan put on only one run on the board Sunday before getting out for 20 and last man in James Anderson also scored only one more run before being found leg before wicket by Ravichandran Ashwin.

England were bowled out shortly after an hour's play but not before taking a massive first innings lead.

Pacer Ishant was the pick of the Indian bowlers clinching 4/96 including two wickets on Sunday while offie Ashwin wrapped up the England innings to end with figures of 3/72.

After having been bowled out for a dismal 148 on Day 1 in their first outing, India started their second innings in disastrous fashion losing both openers Murali Vijay (2) and Gautam Gambhir (3) at the stroke of lunch.

After a brief rain delay and lunch, Pujara and Kohli then put together the Indian innings highest partnership of only 21 runs for the third wicket before Pujara was caught behind. Thereon, English pacers kept picking up wickets at regular intervals and it looked like the Indian batsmen had no resistance to offer.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has been India's second highest run-getter of the series, also got out for a duck after which it was only a matter of time before the hosts embarrassed the visitors even more.

(IANS)

VP: Make passengers smile with your service

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Shaikh Mohammed inspects Emirates’ Airbus A380 Concourse 3, , the world’s first dedicated facility at the Dubai International Airport that is home to the airline’s growing fleet of super jumbos.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, urged the staff at the Dubai International Airport to “show good conduct” and to leave the passengers with a smile of satisfaction on their faces, “reflecting genuine Arab generosity and hospitality”. This, he said, will elevate the UAE’s prominent standing in regional and international circles.

“Welcoming guests of the country with a sweet smile and pleasant words, and assisting whoever needs help — children, patients and the elderly — promotes the genuine essence of our hospitable people and contributes to attracting tourists to our country to know our heritage and culture,” Shaikh Mohammed affirmed.

Shaikh Mohammed made these comments on Sunday while inspecting the Emirates’ Airbus A380 Concourse 3, the world’s first dedicated facility at the Dubai International Airport that is home to the airline’s growing fleet of super jumbos.

Shaikh Mohammed, accompanied by Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and other senior officials, got a first hand look at the quality of world-class services and facilities provided by the airport authorities to inbound and outbound travellers at the Dubai airport.

Warm welcome

Shaikh Mohammed began his tour at the Departures Hall at Concourse 3, where he inspected Emirates’ check-in counters, baggage screening facilities and passport counters. He interacted with passport officers, urging them to “accord a warm welcome” to travellers.

He then took the internal monorail connecting Concourse 3 to Concourse A, where the passengers board the superjumbo Airbus A 380. He toured the different facilities there and expressed satisfaction at the services being provided for the convenience of travellers.

Shaikh Mohammed shuttled back to the Arrivals Hall at Concourse 3, where he inspected the baggage handling tracking system.

He expressed satisfaction at the level of existing coordination between the Emirates Group and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). The new smart travel system, which will be introduced early next year, will help travellers process departure procedures at Emirates’ counters without the need for any immigration counters or officers.

Acting Director-General of the GDRFA Major-General Obeid bin Muhair told Shaikh Mohammed that more than one million passengers passed through the Dubai Airport since the Eid Al Fitr holiday.

Concourse D

Shaikh Mohammed and his accompanying delegation also stopped at Concourse D, currently under construction as part of the airport’s latest expansion plans to increase capacity. Once operational by the fourth quarter of 2015, the terminal will leverage the airport capacity to accommodate 92 million passengers.

Shaikh Mohammed was briefed by Khalifa Al Zafeen, the CEO of Dubai Airports, about the design, components and state-of-the-art facilities of the terminal, which will have the capacity to welcome 18 million passengers and 17 planes (Boeing 777 and Airbus A-380).

The Dh4 billion Concourse D, Al Zafeen said, will be 700 metres long and 47 metres wide and will be connected with Terminal 1 via a 350-metre elevated rail link.

Shaikh Mohammed expressed satisfaction with the progress of work on the ambitious project, which he considers an extension of the airport’s modernisation plan.

He emphasised on the need to complete the project as scheduled, with a firm commitment to the highest standards of security, safety and provision of all forms of convenience to travellers of all nationalities.

(WAM)

Obama unveils actions to curb gun violence

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Wiping away tears, Obama recalled the Sandy Hook primary school shooting in 2012 where 20 children and six adults were killed.

US President Barack Obama on Tuesday unveiled some executive measures on gun control, including expanding background checks and calling for "a sense of urgency" about gun violence.
Obama on Tuesday presented a series of executive orders to help prevent some 30,000 people from getting shot to death every year.
His executive actions, without Congress' approval, widen background checks on potential gun buyers, the BBC reported.
Wiping away tears, Obama recalled the Sandy Hook primary school shooting in 2012 where 20 children and six adults were killed.

Muslim world facing grave dangers: Sartaj Aziz

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National interest will be given priority in context of the diplomatic row in the Middle East, he said.

Islamabad: Pakistan is concerned over recent tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran that spiralled after the execution of Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr Al Nimr, Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said in a policy statement he read before the National Assembly on Tuesday.
The Muslim world faces grave dangers in the situation that has arisen in wake of the Saudi-Iran standoff, Sartaj said.
He expressed concern that terrorists can use the diplomatic crisis in the Middle East to their advantage.
The statement follows criticism from opposition parties which lashed out at the government in the National Assembly for not coming up with a clear stance on the situation in the region because of the tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran and called for a parliamentary briefing on the issue.
Leader of the Opposition Khurshid Shah while commenting on Sartaj's statement regretted that the government has adopted a weak stance. He said Pakistan could play a proactive role and mobilise the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) to resolve the escalating crisis between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
In his statement, Sartaj maintained that Pakistan will continue to play its role to ease tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia and it advocates unity among the Muslim countries.
He said the National Assembly would be given an in-camera briefing on the Saudi-Iran tensions.
National interest will be given priority in context of the diplomatic row in the Middle East, he said.
Pakistan disapproved on Monday a mob attack on Saudi Arabia's embassy in Tehran, which sparked a diplomatic crisis between Iran and Arab countries, Dawn newspaper reported.
In response to rumours that Pakistan was also exploring options about downgrading its diplomatic relations with Iran, Foreign Office spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said, "I will not comment on rumours and speculations."
There have been protests in Pakistan against the execution of the Shia cleric. But the Foreign Office has avoided commenting on the development that led to escalation of tensions between the two rivals.
Pakistan is an ally of Saudi Arabia and the two countries share close economic and defence ties. A scheduled January 18 trip by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to Tehran, according to a diplomatic source, has become uncertain following the tiff between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

"He knew he was leaving us", father of 4-yr-old

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Family outing ends in tragedy as four-year-old boy is killed.

It was almost as if four-year-old Abdullah Mohammed knew he was going to die as he and his family set out on a drive to Al Dhaid from Abu Dhabi to enjoy the pleasant weather on Sunday.
"My little one was very happy about the trip and it was like he knew he was going to leave us; he kept hugging and kissing me," said his father, Mohammed Salim, 37.
The family outing turned into a disaster for Salim, an Indian, after his four-year-old died in a rain-related traffic accident. Another eight-year-old son is battling for life, while six other family members - including a toddler - were discharged after being treated for minor injuries.
Their car flipped after Salim lost control on a rain-clogged road. The victims were rushed to Al Qasimi hospital. At the time of filing this report, preparations were under way to move Salim's eight-year-old son to Zayed Military hospital for a surgery.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Salim, who was born in Abu Dhabi and speaks Arabic fluently, said: "Since the school was closed for the holidays, my children and wife were pushing me to go to Al Dhaid to enjoy the weather."
Salim's children - Ahmed Mansad, 12; Mohammed Ameen, 10; Mohammed Saeed, 8; Mahmoud Mohammed, 6; and Abdullah Mohammed - prepared their bags with balls, skating shoes and toys, said the distressed father.
"Their mother, Fatima Alawi prepared food and snacks for the whole family," said Salim.
"We started our journey from Abu Dhabi at 10am. The weather was beautiful and it was raining. As we passed intersection 9 in Al Dhaid, our car passed through a large puddle and I lost control over it."
Due to the sudden bump, Abdullah was flung out of the car and landed five metres away. He died on the spot.
"I thought he would be fine, but came to know later that he passed away. But I thank God as my other children and wife are fine.
"It was a shocking news for my wife and she hasn't stopped crying since receiving the news. I pray to God to save my other son, Saeed. I request everyone to pray for him. I don't want to lose another son," said Salim, as he broke into tears.
The funeral of little Abdullah will be held in Abu Dhabi.

Emirates offers special rates - for limited time

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All-inclusive economy class fares from Dubai to Middle East and Asian destinations start at Dh615 to Muscat, Dh935 to Karachi, Dh1,025 to Mumbai, Dh2,205 to Manila and Dh2,245 to Kuala Lumpur.

Travellers, rejoice. Emirates airline is launching its global sale today. For a limited time, travellers can avail of special offers on business and economy class fares. Bookings can be made from today until January 18 for travel until November 18.
All-inclusive economy class fares from Dubai to Middle East and Asian destinations start at Dh615 to Muscat, Dh935 to Karachi, Dh1,025 to Mumbai, Dh2,205 to Manila and Dh2,245 to Kuala Lumpur.
Also read: Emirates, Etihad Airways among world's safest carriers
Also read: Ten best budget travel destinations of 2016
Economy class fares to European cities start at Dh2,625 to Munich, Barcelona at Dh2,815, Paris at Dh3,695 and fares to North and Central American cities like Los Angeles start at Dh4,945 and Panama City at Dh6,345.
"We know that many people have begun thinking about their travel plans and aspirations for 2016. We are pleased to add a little more inspiration and incentive to help turn those plans and dreams into reality," said Thierry Antinori, Emirates' executive vice-president and chief commercial officer.
See pictures: World's 20 safest airlines
"Our global destination network across six continents offers something for every traveller. We are combining that wide range of travel choices with special rates to offer would-be travellers an even more appealing value proposition."
- business@khaleejtimes.com

Amid falling flames of Address, they spent more than 20 hours

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The rescue team climbed the stairs up to 63 floors amid heavy smoke to ensure that no one is trapped

If it took only 20 minutes to evacuate the residents of The Address Hotel on that ill-fated night, the rescue team had to spend more than 20 hours at the fire scene. This includes, several officials who stayed back at the fire scene until the cooling work finished, giving proper guidance as well as leading them from the front.
Khaleej Times talked with a few top officials to know how they worked amid falling flames to rescue women, children and the elderly from the hotel.
Huge and medium flames from the falling debris fell on some of the rescuers including Major Ahmed Atiq Bu Rouqaiba, Acting Director of Rescue and Search Team of Operation Room of the Dubai Police, whose was injured.
Major-General Anas Al Matroushi, Director of Operations for Transport and Rescue of the Dubai Police, said that the evacuation process was an unforgettable humanitarian incident, as it involved number of children, women and elderly people.
He said that the rescue team had to calm them down until they got out of the hotel, which was engulfed by smoke and fire.
Interestingly, they had to wake up a woman who was in deep sleep, when the fire broke out and despite alarm bells ringing. She was the last person to rescue from the inferno.
He added that the Chairman of Disaster Committee Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina has spent more than 20 hours at the fire scene and he directed the entire operation.
"We expected him to leave in the morning, however, he continued until the cooling operation ensured that the site is safe."
Major Ahmed Atiq said: "I was on my annual leave and when I learnt about the fire and I headed to the fire scene to assist my colleagues and perform my national duty. While I was checking the building with Major General Anas Al Matroushi and Acting Director of Rescue Section Major Khaled Mohammed, huge explosion occurred and we saw three falling flames came towards us and the bigger one passed between me and Al Matroushi and the second passed over our heads and third one fell on my left hand, which needed a small surgery. Luckily, nothing fell on our head."
Khaled Mohammed said: "Our team climbed the stairs up to 63 floors amid heavy smoke to ensure that no one is trapped and the last person to evacuate was a woman who was sleeping when the fire erupted."
Al Matroushi attributed the successful rescue operation to coordinated work between the disaster and crisis teams and the drills carried out in high rise buildings, including the Burj Khalifa. He added that the rescuers and search team were at the site before the fire to ensure safety during the fire works planned for New Year's Eve. He said that the evacuation was done professionally, and they could finish the complicated job in minutes. Among the evacuees included 77 children, elderly, women and six people on wheel chairs. Al Matroushi said that they will consider the fire in the Address Hotel as a practical training.
Major Khaled said the Dubai Police and Civil Defense staff were so happy that the rescue team could help people get out of the burning hotel. He said: "Our role was to break into rooms, check whether someone is inside and then take them out down the stairs to get out of the fire. The exits at the hotel were designed in such a way that no smoke will enter there, which made the rescue work easier."
amira@khaleejtimes.com

US accuses Iran of conducting rocket test near warships

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Iranian naval vessels conducted rocket tests last week near US warships and commercial traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the American military said Wednesday, causing new tension between the two nations after a landmark nuclear deal.
The vital strait, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that is the route for nearly a third of all oil traded by sea, is crucial for ships taking part in the war against the Daesh group in Iraq and Syria. In the past, Iran has threatened to block the strait, which lies at the entrance of the Arabian Gulf.
While the United States has complained previously about other Iranian war games and maneuvers there, Saturday’s incident comes after a series of weapons tests and other moves by the Islamic Republic following the nuclear deal.
Iranian media and officials did not immediately discuss the tests Wednesday.
Cmdr. Kyle Raines, a US Central Command spokesman, said in a statement that Iranian Revolutionary Guard naval vessels fired “several unguided rockets” about 1,370 meters from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, the USS Bulkeley destroyer and a French frigate, the FS Provence. Raines said commercial sea traffic also was nearby, though the missiles weren’t fired in the direction of any ships.
Raines said the Iranian vessels announced over maritime radio that they’d carry out a live fire exercise only 23 minutes beforehand.
Iran’s “actions were highly provocative,” Raines said. “Firing weapons so close to passing coalition ships and commercial traffic within an internationally recognized maritime traffic lane is unsafe, unprofessional and inconsistent with international maritime law.”
A French military official, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to publicly named, confirmed the rocket fire took place Saturday. However, the official said the French military did not consider it to be a threatening event as the rocket fire clearly wasn’t directed toward the Western fleet.
The French frigate is now escorting the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which is launching airstrikes against the Daesh group.
NBC News first reported news of the Iranian rocket fire.
The Strait of Hormuz is only about 33 kilometers (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point between Iran and Oman. Ships traversing the chokepoint have even less room to maneuver. The shipping lane in either direction is only 2 miles (3.22 kilometers) wide, with a 2-mile (3.22-kilometer) buffer zone between them.
The US Navy’s 5th Fleet is based in nearby Bahrain, on the southern coast of the Gulf. It conducts anti-piracy patrols in the greater Gulf and serves as a regional counterbalance to Iran.
While the US didn’t retaliate to Saturday’s rocket test, the Strait of Hormuz has been the scene of a battle between the two countries’ navies. On April 18, 1988, the US attacked two Iranian oil rigs and sunk or damaged six of its vessels, including two naval frigates, in Operation Praying Mantis. That came after the near-sinking of the missile frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts by an Iranian mine.
A few months later, in July 1988, the USS Vincennes in the strait mistook an Iran Air flight heading to Dubai for an attacking fighter jet, shooting down the plane and killing all 290 passengers and crew onboard. The shoot-down of the jet came shortly after the US vessel reported coming under fire from Iranian speedboats.
Saturday’s rocket fire comes after Iran and world powers led by the US agreed to a landmark nuclear deal to limit the Islamic Republic’s enrichment of uranium in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. While heralded by moderates in Iran, hard-liners have criticized the deal.
In the time since, Iran has conducted missile tests criticized by the US, as well as aired footage on state television of an underground missile base. Iran also sank a replica of a US aircraft carrier in February near the strait. It seized a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship and later released it in May after earlier surrounding US-flagged cargo ship transiting the strait