Indonesian police arrest 41 suspected Islamic militants

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  Indonesian police officers stand guard outside the house of a suspected militant following a raid in Malang, Indonesia, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016. (AP Photo)
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  Indonesian police officers stand guard outside the house of a suspected militant following a raid in Malang, Indonesia, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016. (AP Photo)
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  Indonesian police officers stand guard outside the house of a suspected militant following a raid in Malang, Indonesia, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016. (AP Photo)

Jakarta, Indonesia: Indonesian police have arrested dozens of suspected Islamic militants on the main island of Java as authorities get set to tighten anti-terrorism laws following last month's deadly attack in Jakarta. Central Java police spokesman Col. Liliek Darmanto says police early on Saturday arrested 36 men who were attending military-style training at an alleged jihadi camp on the remote slopes of Mount Sumbing. Police are investigating the men's possible links to Islamic radicalism. Officers seized air rifles, knives, jihadi books and flags in the raid. Separately, police say five men were captured late Friday in Malang, a hilly city in East Java province. Indonesia's government has submitted to parliament a new anti-terrorism law that would enable authorities to hold suspects involved in radicalism and extremism for up to six months.

• Indonesian police officers stand guard outside the house of a suspected militant following a raid in Malang, Indonesia, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016. (AP Photo)
• 
  Indonesian police officers stand guard outside the house of a suspected militant following a raid in Malang, Indonesia, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016. (AP Photo)

Saudi Arabia considering 'sin tax' on cigarettes

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Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is planning to impose ‘sin tax’ on tobacco products in proposed measures against smoking.

If so, cigarette prices in Saudi Arabia would double, and in what they believe would discourage consumption.

However, such a move has already met opposition by members of Saudi society who believe young men and women may engage in illegal practices such as theft to buy cigarettes.

According to a report in English daily Saudi Gazette, supporters of the proposal say cigarettes are a gateway drug that may lead to more serious addictions.

They have called on the government to restrict access and increase the prices to make it inaccessible.

These supporters believe that such a move will reduce overall tobacco consumption.

They stress that any move to increase prices should be followed with awareness campaigns that utilise modern technology to encourage people to quit smoking.

The Anti-Smoking Society (Naqaa) has exerted great efforts and helped many smokers, both men and women, kick the habit.

The Kingdom spends over SR5 billion every year on medical treatment of smoking-related diseases.

Tobacco use causes lung cancer and heart disease.

Globally, 6 million people die every year as a result of tobacco use while 600,000 die of passive smoking.

Civil Defence warns of unsettled weather across UAE UAE WAM

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Abu Dhabi: General Commander-in-chief of Civil Defence at the UAE Ministry of Interior, Major General Jasim Mohammad Al Marzouqui, warned of exceptionally unstable weather conditions across the country.

He urged citizens and residents to exercise caution due to potential landslides and flash flooding caused by torrential rain and hailstorm that lashed the UAE yesterday, and reiterated calls for compliance with safety requirements.

People planning wilderness or camping trips are advised to monitor weather changes and avoid areas where rainwater is pooling up, including valleys, natural water canals and areas submerged in water, the official said.

He urged people to refrain from swimming in floodwater and crossing valleys filled with water, avoid low-lying lands and beds of valleys, and keep an eye on their children.

The civil defence commander also urged people not to use radio devices and cell phones in open areas during lighting and thunderstorms.

The Civil Defence broadcasts instructions and updates via official websites and accounts on social networking sites Instagram and Twitter, including those Ministry of Interior’s.

Official sources including the National Meteorological Centre provide weather bulletins and advisories for the public to help avoid potential risks and enhance safety.

Student of Sree Krishna College killed by falling tree

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THRISSUR: A student of Guruvayur Sree Krishna College was killed after a tree of the campus fell on top of her. Six students including five girls sustained injuries and have been admitted in the ICU of the Amala Medical College. The condition of two is stated to be serious. Those involved in the accident are students of Sreekrishna College.

The student killed has been identified as Anusha, daughter of Ashokan of Chittilappilly. Three of the students injured has been identified as Layana, Haritha and Shruthila.
The accident happened when the B Zone Kalolsavam of Calicut University was underway. The girl killed was a first year degree student. The tree of the college uprooted in the strong winds.

The tree uprooted when students were arriving at the venues. Some cars parked there have been damaged. The Kalolsavam which started yesterday has been suspended following the incident. Heavy winds were blowing here since yesterday.

Cherussery Zainuddeen Musliyar passes away

 
>Kozhikode: Cherussery Zainudheen Musliyar, general secretary of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, passed away at private hospital here on Thursday. He was 79. He had served as the Pro chancellor of Darul Huda Islamic University, Chemmad in Malappuram. He is survived by wife, two sons and two daughters. The funeral will be held at 4.30 p.m at Darul Huda Islamic University, Chemmad.

Saudi Arabia, Russia, Qatar and Venezuela agree oil output freeze plan

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DOHA: Russia and Saudi Arabia have agreed to freeze output levels but said the deal was contingent on other producers joining in — a major sticking point with Iran absent from the talks and determined to raise production.
Saudi, Russian, Qatari and Venezuelan oil ministers announced the proposal after a previously undisclosed meeting in Doha — their highest-level discussion in months on joint action to tackle a growing oversupply of crude and help prices recover from their lowest levels in more than a decade.
Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Ali Al-Naimi, said freezing production at January levels — near record highs — was an adequate measure and he hoped other producers would adopt the plan. Venezuela’s Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino said more talks would take place with Iran and Iraq on Wednesday in Tehran.
“The reason we agreed to a potential freeze of production is simple: it is the beginning of a process which we will assess in the next few months and decide if we need other steps to stabilize and improve the market,” Al-Naimi told reporters.
“We don’t want significant gyrations in prices, we don’t want reduction in supply, we want to meet demand, we want a stable oil price. We have to take a step at a time,” he said.
Oil prices jumped to $35.55 per barrel after the news about the meeting but later pared gains to trade below $34 as expectations for an immediate deal faded.
Iran has pledged to steeply increase output in the coming months as it looks to regain market share lost after years of international sanctions, which were lifted in January following a deal with world powers over its nuclear program.
The fact output from Saudi Arabia and Russia — the world’s two top producers and exporters — is near record highs also makes an agreement tricky since Iran is producing at least 1 million barrels per day below its capacity and pre-sanctions levels.
“We think other producers need to freeze straight away including Iran and Iraq. We believe this step is meant to stabilize the market,” said Qatar’s Oil Minister Mohammed Al-Sada.
Iraq also has long said it expected its production to rise further this year but last month it said it was ready reduce its fast-growing output if all OPEC and non-OPEC members agreed.

IRAN KEEN TO BOOST OUTPUT

The Doha meeting came after more than 18 months of declining oil prices, knocking crude below $30 a barrel for the first time in over a decade from as high as $115 a barrel in mid-2014.
The slump was triggered by booming US shale oil output and a decision by Saudi Arabia and its OPEC Gulf allies to raise production to fight for market share and drive higher-cost production out of the market.
Saudi Arabia has long insisted it would reduce supply only if other OPEC and non-OPEC members agreed, but Russia, the No. 2 exporter, has said it would not do join in as its Siberian fields were different from those of OPEC.
The mood began to change in January as oil prices fell below $30 percent barrel.
While Venezuela has been the hardest-hit producer, current oil prices are a fraction of what Russia needs to balance its budget as it heads toward parliamentary elections this year. Saudi finances are also suffering badly, running a $98 billion budget deficit last year, which it seeks to trim this year.
But while talking about potential cooperation with OPEC, Russia raised its output to a new record high in January.
“Even if they do freeze production at January levels, you have still got global inventory builds which are going to weigh on prices. So whilst it’s a positive step, I don’t think it will have a huge impact on supply/demand balances, simply because we were oversupplied in January anyway,” said Energy Aspects’ analyst Dominic Haywood.

Teacher uses students for armed robberies

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JEDDAH: The police have arrested an expatriate teacher and his four student accomplices for carrying out a string of robberies in the city.
The Arab teacher had recruited three students from his school and one from another for his criminal activities. They robbed several shops at gunpoint after threatening to shoot their victims, the police disclosed, according to a report in a local publication on Monday.
The perpetrators robbed shops in the neighborhoods of Al-Sanabel, Tahlawi and Quwaizine wearing masks and gloves. One shop manager, a Pakistani national, had reported to the police that three armed men robbed his shop, while another waited outside in a car.
Brig. Masood Al-Adwani, director of Jeddah’s police department, found that similar robberies had taken place in other parts of the city and put a team of detectives on the case.
The police got a breakthrough in the case when one father reported that his son was involved in various criminal activities. The police arrested him and he then confessed and provided information on his accomplices.
The police officers then set up a sting operation and arrested three of the gang members driving in a rented car, with gloves, masks and guns found in their possession. They later found the fourth student.
Col. Ati Al-Qurashi, spokesman of Makkah police, said Jeddah police had launched the action after receiving reports of a string of armed robberies. The four students were aged between 17 and 22.
“The primary evidence pointed to the involvement of an Arab national who rented cars under his name for the other criminals to use. All the accused persons were referred to the competent authorities for further procedures,” said Al-Qurashi.

500 hectares recovered from land thieves in Jeddah

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JEDDAH: A special committee has recovered 5 million square meters of land in southern Jeddah, part of the Al-Khamra Scheme, from land thieves, with seven citizens now facing prosecution.
Samir Basirin, chairman of the committee, said that the land had been forfeited by a citizen because of various violations, according to a press report on Monday.
He said the committee has to deal with significant resistance from some people. They often build on the occupied land, placing women and children, or expatriate workers in the buildings to fool buyers into believing they own the property.
In Makkah recently, there were several women and children placed on a 60,000-square-meter piece of land to prevent the municipality from removing them. They were basically being used as human shields, said Basabrin.
Basabrin said many citizens who sympathize with these transgressors are not aware that the land has been earmarked for agriculture or industry. These plots are subdivided and sold to unsuspecting buyers.
He said citizens wanting to buy land have to check deeds properly and should not be satisfied with documents that have not been attested. They should also not be fooled by various buildings on the land, such as stables.
He said these land thieves are aggressive and often threaten members of the committee, verbally and physically. If this happens then the police are brought in to deal with the situation. Lawsuits are launched in some cases, he said.

National Center for heart diseases to be established 

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RIYADH: The Ministry of Health (MoH) will set up a National Center to combat heart diseases in the Kingdom. Hamad Al-Duweila, deputy minister of health, has said.
The Saudi Health Council will lend maximum support for the smooth functioning of this new organization, he said. 
The minister’s announcement came during the inauguration of the 27th Congress of the Saudi Heart Association here on Saturday. 
Al-Duweila said the MoH has been carrying out all its activities under the slogan “Citizens’ Health First,” covering all sectors of health and providing the best of services to citizens. 
Quoting statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), Al-Duweila said that some 17.5 million or 31 percent of deaths in the world are due to heart diseases. 
About Saudi Arabia, he said 46 percent of the deaths recorded in the Kingdom are due to cardiac problems. He said people in the Kingdom should learn to adapt to healthy lifestyles to prevent non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension and heart and renal problems.
Regular exercises and abstention from smoking are some of the good habits people should develop, he said. 
Schools play an important role in educating children about various health issues, Al-Duweila said. The MoH will build better partnership with the schools through the Ministry of Education in ensuring that the generation next is health conscious, he said. 
“We are focusing on a program for early detection of the disease, which would reduce the number of fatalities in the Kingdom,” he said, adding that the ministry has provided all facilities and services to heart patients in their own hometowns.
Specialized treatment centers are being opened in peripheral areas such as Arrar, Jazan and Najran with support centers in Makkah, Madinah and also in the Eastern Province.

Indian students, teachers protest after nationalist violence

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NEW DELHI: Students, journalists and teachers protested inside a university campus in the Indian capital Tuesday, demanding the release of an arrested student leader and denouncing violence by Hindu nationalists.
The uproar has once again sparked allegations that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party are displaying intolerance and cracking down on political dissent in the name of patriotism.
Police cordons blocked right-wing Hindus from entering the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University, where thousands of students have been protesting for days.
Police also arrested Delhi University lecturer S.A.R. Geelani before dawn. He and JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar are accused of sedition for participating in events where slogans against India allegedly were shouted along with criticism against the 2013 secret hanging of a Kashmiri separatist convicted of attacking Parliament.
Some participants at Tuesday’s protest held placards with slogans such as “When Dictatorship is a fact, Revolution becomes a right.” They shouted “JNU, JNU” while pumping fists into the air.
The students objected to Hindu nationalists saying they were anti-India.
“We have always stood for the nation,” 22-year-old English literature student Heba Ahmad said. “We were standing against this government, not the nation.”
Few JNU students were attending classes, according to PhD science student Pamchui, who goes by one name.
“I am feeling safer now, as there is security outside the campus,” she said by telephone from inside the campus.
Outside the campus gates, protesting Hindu hard-liners pushed against police barricades in an unsuccessful effort to get onto the university grounds. One man at the Hindu rally angrily questioned how students receiving a higher education at a large university could be criticizing the country.
“Shame on you,” Samarjit Banerjee shouted toward the students behind the gates. “Shame, shame.”
On Monday, the protests erupted into pandemonium when mobs of lawyers and BJP supporters attacked students and journalists outside the courthouse where Kumar was appearing.
The BJP supporters called the journalists and students anti-nationals, and demanded they leave India and go to archrival Pakistan. Some journalists and students were beaten and had their cell phones snatched out of their hands and broken. Police said they were investigating allegations from both sides, and that no one reported any serious injuries.
Human Resource Minister Smriti Irani told reporters that “the nation can never tolerate an insult to Mother India.” The home minister, Rajnath Singh, tweeted that anyone shouting anti-India slogans “will not be tolerated or spared.”
Singh also accused Pakistani Hafiz Saeed of supporting the anti-India slogans, which the founder of the Lashkar-e-Taiba group dismissed in a YouTube video.
“The Indian minister is misleading his own people and the world” in trying to blame Pakistan for its problems, says Saeed, who is wanted in India and the United States for his alleged role in the 2009 attacks in Mumbai.
An editorial in The Indian Express said the home minister’s “invoking Hafiz Saeed to corner students is divisive and dangerous.”
Protests against the 2013 hanging of separatist Afzal Guru occur regularly in India’s portion of Kashmir, where many among the region’s Muslim majority along with several rights activists have questioned whether he was given a fair trial.
Academics at foreign universities extended support for the JNU students.
“As teachers, students, and scholars across the world, we are watching with extreme concern the situation unfolding at JNU and refuse to remain silent as our colleagues (students, staff, and faculty) resist the illegal detention and autocratic suspension of students,” said a statement posted on a blog run by academics and signed by 455 scholars, many of them JNU alumni of Indian descent.
Journalists also marched through central New Delhi, after several reported they were attacked while trying to cover Monday’s protests. Journalist unions accused police of standing by during the attacks.