Yemen PM escapes assassination bid
Sanaa, September 1
Gunmen opened fire on the motorcade of Yemen’s Prime Minister but he escaped unharmed, an aide said.

Fukushima radiation levels spike 18-fold
Tokyo, September 1
Radiation near a tank holding highly contaminated water at Japan’s crippled Fukushima nuclear plant has spiked 18-fold, the plant’s operator said today, highlighting the struggle to bring the crisis under control after more than two years.

David Frost, known for Nixon interviews, dies at 74 
London, September 1
Veteran British journalist and broadcaster Sir David Frost (74), best known for his series of interviews with disgraced US President Richard Nixon, has died after a suspected heart attack while on board a cruise ship.

Syria calls it ‘historic American retreat’ as Obama hesitates
Beirut/Washington, Sept 1
Syria hailed an "historic American retreat" on Sunday, mockingly accusing President Barack Obama of hesitation and confusion after he delayed a military strike to consult Congress. US Secretary of State John Kerry said tests showed Damascus had used using deadly sarin gas in a chemical weapons attack, and expressed confidence that the Congress would do "what is right" in deciding on a response.

Syrian Oppn urges US Cong to back military action
Istanbul, September 1
Syria’s opposition called on Sunday on the US Congress to approve military action against President Bashar al-Assad and said any intervention should be accompanied with more arms for the rebels.

Pupils in traditional costumes attend a ceremony at the Confucius temple in Jiaansu, China, on Sunday. — Reuters

Assad: Syria can confront any external aggression
Beirut, September 1
President Bashar al-Assad said on Sunday that Syria was capable of confronting any external aggression and that threats of a US strike would not discourage the country from a fight against what it described as "terrorism".

India-born nurse received many hoax calls: Report
London, September 1
India-born nurse Jacintha Saldanha had received a series of prank calls from an Australian radio station in the lead up to her suicide at a London hospital last December, a media report said today.

Egypt’s troops foil terror attack in Suez Canal
Cairo, September 1
Egyptian security forces have foiled a “terrorist” attack against a container ship in the Suez Canal as it was targeted in an attempt to disrupt traffic through the busy strategic waterway, officials said today.

Baghdad, September 1
At least 15 persons were killed in clashes following a mortar attack on an Iranian dissident camp north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Sunday, two security sources said.

It was not immediately clear who had fired the mortars, and those who died were killed in later confrontations between security forces and camp residents, the sources said. One of the sources said Iraqi security forces had opened fire on a crowd which had stormed a post at the entrance to Camp Ashraf, a site that Iraq’s government wants closed down.

About 50 persons were wounded, the source said. The Mujahadin-e-Khalq (MEK) dissident group said 44 of its roughly 100 members in the camp had been killed by the Iraqi security forces. Some of them were machine-gunned with their

hands tied behind their backs, the MEK said in an emailed statement.

The MEK, which the US State Department removed from its list of terrorist organisations last year, wants Iran’s clerical leaders overthrown, and fought with former Iraqi Sunni Muslim leader Saddam Hussein’s forces in the 1980s Iran-Iraq war. It has been trying to recast itself as an Iranian opposition force, but is no longer welcome in Iraq under the Shi'ite Muslim-led government that came to power after U-led forces invaded and toppled Saddam in 2003.

Mortar attacks on a newer MEK camp in a former military compound in western Baghdad, where authorities had relocated most Camp Ashraf MEK members, took place in February and June.

At the time, the MEK blamed Iran’s Quds force —an elite unit of the Revolutionary Guards with a special focus on foreign operations. The United Nations in Iraq strongly condemned today’s “tragic events”, without giving details on what had happened. “The priority for the Iraqi government is to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured and to ensure their security and safety against any violence from any side,” it said in a statement.

The MEK, also known as the People’s Mujahideen Organisation of Iran, led a guerrilla campaign against the US-backed Iranian Shah during the 1970s that included attacks on US targets. — Reuters

Johannesburg, September 1
Anti-apartheid leader and former South African President Nelson Mandela today returned to his home where he will continue to receive intensive care after three months in a hospital with a lung ailment.

Mandela, 95, had spent 87 days in a Pretoria hospital after he was rushed there in early June suffering from a recurring infection of the lungs, a legacy of the nearly three decades he spent in jail under apartheid.

“Former President Nelson Mandela has this morning, September 1, been discharged from the Pretoria hospital where he has been receiving treatment. We would like to wish him all the best as he continues his recovery at his Johannesburg home,” President Jacob Zuma said.

The announcement came a day after the Presidency denied reports that Mandela had already been discharged.

“Madiba’s (Mandela’s clan name) condition remains critical and is at times unstable. Nevertheless, his team of doctors is convinced that he will receive the same level of intensive care at his Houghton home that he received in Pretoria,” Zuma’s spokesman Mac Maharaj said.

The former democracy hero sparked worldwide concern after he was hospitalised on June 8 for a recurring lung infection.

“His home has been reconfigured to allow him to receive intensive care there. The healthcare personnel providing care at his home are the very same who provided care to him in hospital. If there are health conditions that warrant another admission to hospital in future, this will be done,” he said.

“Despite the difficulties imposed by his various illnesses, he, as always, displays immense grace and fortitude,” Maharaj said.

Expressing gratitude to the media for “the maturity and understanding that all have in general displayed” during Mandela’s hospitalisation, Maharaj called for all to allow the former president and his family the necessary privacy during his recuperation at home.

Scores of media representatives descended on the streets outside the hospital and at Mandela’s home in the upmarket suburb of Houghton here.

Amid rumours that Mandela was being kept alive through life-support machines ahead of his 95th birthday on July 18, the Presidency issued regular statements about his condition, usually expressing concern that he was critical, but stable.

Crowds began gathering outside Mandela’s home, many carrying flowers and messages of goodwill. — PTI

Colombo, September 1
Sri Lanka today accused UN rights chief Navi Pillay of transgressing her mandate during her week-long fact-finding mission in the country to probe alleged war crimes committed during the ethnic conflict with the Tamil Tigers.

“The High Commissioner's observation that Sri Lanka is showing signs of heading in an increasingly authoritarian direction is a political statement on her part, which clearly transgresses her mandate and the basic norms which should be observed by a discerning international civil servant,” Information Department said.

The government charges that she had failed to recognise the freedom people now enjoy following the end to the conflict in 2009.

Her judgement on the leadership of Sri Lanka was “better left for the people of Sri Lanka to decide than being caricatured by external entities influenced by vested interests,” the statement said.

The government complaints about Pillay's contention that people who had met her during her visit had come under military harassment was yet to be officially conveyed to it.

“Pillay’s office must provide evidence to prove the allegations in order to investigate it,” said government spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella.

Rambukwella, also the Minister of Information, told the Colombo Gazette that some groups might attempt to discredit the government by either threatening those who spoke to her or making false claims to that effect.

The minister also said the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights was given the freedom to travel and meet anyone she wanted and that opportunity might have been used by those who wanted to meet her and pass false information.

The government says detailed information was provided to her on the falsity of the war crimes allegations often repeated by the UN rights chief. The government also slammed Pillay for her failed attempt to make a floral tribute at Mullivaikkal, the theatre of the final battle with the LTTE. — PTI

London, September 1
Veteran British journalist and broadcaster Sir David Frost (74), best known for his series of interviews with disgraced US President Richard Nixon, has died after a suspected heart attack while on board a cruise ship.

Frost died of a suspected heart attack last night aboard the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship, where he was due to give a speech, the family said.

The cruise company Cunard said its vessel left the English port of Southampton yesterday for a 10-day cruise in the Mediterranean.

“His family is devastated and asks for privacy at this difficult time. A family funeral will be held in the near future and the details of a memorial service will be announced in due course,” a statement issued by his family said.

Besides journalism, his career spanned comedy writing and daytime television presenting, including Breakfast with Frost, which was also telecast in India.

His signature catchphrase — “hello, good evening and welcome” — and inimitable interview style made him a celebrity worldwide.

Frost did not become internationally known until 1977, when he secured a series of revealing television interviews with Nixon, recently turned into a successful stage and film production as ‘Frost Nixon’.

Nixon at one point let down his guard, telling Frost, “I’m saying when the president does it, that means it’s not illegal.” For many viewers, that moment cemented Nixon’s infamy.

British Prime Minister David Cameron paid his condolences: “My heart goes out to David Frost’s family. He could be “and certainly was with me” both a friend and a fearsome interviewer."

Born in Kent, England, Frost studied at Cambridge University where he became secretary of the Footlights club and met future comedy greats such as Graham Chapman.

After university he went to work at ITV before he was asked to front the BBC programme “That Was The Week That Was”, which ran between 1962 and 1963. Casting a satirical eye over the week’s news, the show boasted scriptwriters such as well known comic actor John Cleese.

Frost spent two decades as TV host of Through the Keyhole and from 2006-2012 presented the weekly programme Frost Over the World on Al Jazeera English.

In a career spanning over 50 years Frost’s list of interviewees included virtually every US President and British Prime Minister.

Outside world affairs, his interview roster ranged from Tennessee Williams, Woody Allen, Muhammad Ali, the Beatles and Clint Eastwood, to name a few.

His non-aggressive and affable technique of drawing out information from his subjects will continue to be emulated by conscientious journalists around the world. — PTI

Beirut/Washington, Sept 1
Syria hailed an "historic American retreat" on Sunday, mockingly accusing President Barack Obama of hesitation and confusion after he delayed a military strike to consult Congress. US Secretary of State John Kerry said tests showed Damascus had used using deadly sarin gas in a chemical weapons attack, and expressed confidence that the Congress would do "what is right" in deciding on a response.

With Obama drawing back from the brink on Saturday, France said it could not act alone in punishing President Bashar al-Assad for the August 21 attack, making it the last remaining top Western ally to hesitate about bombing Syria.

Assad said Syria was capable of confronting any external attack, but left the most withering comments to his official media and a junior minister. "Obama announced yesterday, directly or through implication, the beginning of the historic American retreat," Syria's official al-Thawra newspaper said in a front-page editorial.

The US President said on Saturday he would seek Congressional consent before taking military action against Damascus for the attack which he blames on Assad's forces, a decision likely to delay any strike for at least nine days. Syria's deputy foreign minister Faisal Mekdad accused Obama of indecision.

"It is clear there was a sense of hesitation and disappointment in what was said by President Barack Obama yesterday. And it is also clear there was a sense of confusion as well," he told reporters in Damascus.

Obama made his surprise announcement in a gamble that will test his ability to project American strength abroad and deploy his own power at home. Before he put on the brakes, the path had been cleared for a US assault. Navy ships were in place and awaiting orders to launch missiles, and UN inspectors had left Syria after gathering evidence of a chemical weapons attack that US officials say killed 1,429 people in rebel-held areas.

The United States had been expected to lead the strike soon, backed up by its NATO allies Britain and France. However, the Westminster parliament voted last Thursday against any British involvement and France said on Sunday it would await the US Congress's decision. "France cannot go it alone," Interior Minister Manuel Valls told Europe 1 radio. "We need a coalition." France, which ruled Syria for more than two decades until the 1940s, has, like the US and Britain, the military strength to blitz the country in response to the poison gas attack on areas around Damascus, which the Syrian government has accused the rebels of staging.

President Francois Hollande reaffirmed to Obama on Saturday his will to punish Syria but has come under increasing pressure to put the intervention to Parliament. A BVA poll on Saturday showed most French people do not approve of military action against Syria and most do not trust Hollande to conduct such an operation. His PM Jean-Marc Ayrault is scheduled to meet the heads of the two houses of the French parliament and the conservative opposition on Monday before a Parliamentary debate on Syria.

Last month's attack was the deadliest incident of the Syrian civil war and the world's worst use of chemical arms since Iraq's Saddam Hussein gassed thousands of Kurds in 1988. However, polls also show strong opposition to a strike on Assad's forces among Americans weary of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Congressional approval will take more than a week, if it comes at all. A senior Syrian rebel expressed concern about the delay, saying it gave Assad and his government the chance to keep killing and prepare from a missile or bomb attack. — Reuters

Istanbul, September 1
Syria’s opposition called on Sunday on the US Congress to approve military action against President Bashar al-Assad and said any intervention should be accompanied with more arms for the rebels.

“Dictatorships like Iran and North Korea are watching closely to see how the free world responds to the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people,” the Syrian opposition coalition said in a statement issued in Istanbul.

“If the free world fails to respond to such an outrageous breach of international norms, dictators around the world will be encouraged in their efforts to follow the example set by Assad,” it said.

US President Barack Obama said on Saturday he would seek Congressional consent before taking action against Damascus for its apparent use of chemical weapons, a move likely to delay an attack for at least 10 days. The Opposition said international inaction over the conflict in Syria, now in its third year, had emboldened Assad and allowed the violence to escalate. “During the past two and half years, the democratic world has offered only condolences and promises while Assad’s regime, supported by its allies in Iran and Russia, has been busy killing Syria’s democratic hopes,” the statement said.

“Any possible military action should be carried out in conjunction with an effort to arm the Free Syrian Army. This will be vital in restraining Assad and ending the killing and chaos he wants to spread throughout the region.” — Reuters

Beirut, September 1
President Bashar al-Assad said on Sunday that Syria was capable of confronting any external aggression and that threats of a US strike would not discourage the country from a fight against what it described as "terrorism".

In his first comments since Obama's speech, Assad said: "Syria ... is capable of confronting any external aggression," state television quoted him as saying during a meeting with Iranian officials. "The American threats of launching an attack against Syria will not discourage Syria away from its principles ... or its fight against terrorism supported by some regional and Western countries, first and foremost the United States of America." Syria generally refers to rebels fighting to topple Assad as "terrorists".

Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said on Sunday Obama's speech showed hesitation and confusion. "It is clear there was a sense of hesitation and disappointment in what was said by President Barack Obama yesterday. And it is also clear there was a sense of confusion as well," he told reporters in Damascus.

An editorial in al-Thawra newspaper, Syria's official daily also criticised Obama's move to go to Congress. "Obama announced yesterday, directly or through implication, the beginning of the historic American retreat," said the comments, which were carried in a front-page editorial in Syria's official al-Thawra newspaper. — Reuters 

The American threats of launching an attack against Syria will not discourage Syria away from its principles ... or its fight against terrorism supported by some regional and Western countries, first and foremost the United States of America.
— Bashar al-Assad, Syrian President

London, September 1
India-born nurse Jacintha Saldanha had received a series of prank calls from an Australian radio station in the lead up to her suicide at a London hospital last December, a media report said today.

Details of the prank call by DJs Mel Grieg and Michael Christian to King Edward VII hospital, where Kate Middleton was being treated for acute morning sickness, are well-known but new reports indicate that a number of follow up calls had been made by the 2Day FM show.

A 'Sunday Times' investigation claims Southern Cross Austereo, the owners of the radio station, will present the inquest into Saldanha's death - scheduled for September 12 and 13 - with clear evidence of four follow up calls within an hour or so of the original hoax call.

The newspaper found that the hospital continued to believe there had been no further calls but allowed for the possibility that the 46-year-old senior nurse had received the calls and never disclosed them.

This could have added to her distress and ultimately triggered her decision to hang herself in her nurse's accommodation at the hospital.

"One of the calls was ended abruptly, but three others were long enough to have been a conversation. They were not made by the DJs, but members of the 'Hot30' show's production team," the 'Times' investigation claimed.

"They were not recorded, but the phone log confirms the destination number and the duration of the calls. It seems highly likely the calls were answered by Jacintha and that she never disclosed these calls to another person before she hanged herself," it claimed.

The hospital reportedly treated Saldanha and another nurse on the Duchess of Cambridge's ward who had given out details of her condition believing Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles were on the phone as "victims" of a prank and assured them of no further disciplinary action. — PTI