W O R L D

North Korea burnishes new ruler’s credentials
Pyongyang, December 26
Kim Jong-il's son was identified today as head of a top decision-making body of the ruling Workers' Party, a post that now gives him authority over political as well as military matters in North Korea. A week after state media reported leader Kim Jong-il's December 17 death, the campaign to install successor Kim Jong-un gained momentum.

IN THE SADDLE: Kim Jong-un, son of late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, visits the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, where the late North Korean leader’s body lies in state, in Pyongyang. — AFP

Egyptian jailed blogger freed

Alaa Abdel Fattah, a prominent blogger from Egypt, hugs his recently born son, Khaled, after he was released in Cairo on Sunday. On Alaa’s right is his unidentified sister. He had been detained nearly two months ago by the ruling military for his alleged role in deadly sectarian clashes in October. An Egyptian court ordered his release. — AP/PTI

Post-NATO strike, China assures Pakistan of unwavering support
Beijing, December 26
Amid a deterioration in US-Pak ties, China has assured Pakistan’s political and military leadership of its support in maintaining sovereignty and internal stability and promised to help its ‘trusted ally’ play a bigger role in global and regional affairs.

US considering Yemen Prez’s travel request
Honolulu, December 26
The United States is considering Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's request to visit, but would only grant him entry for "legitimate" medical treatment, a senior US official said today.

China jails dissident for 10 years
Beijing, December 26
A Chinese court today sentenced a veteran dissident who organised a pro-democracy activist network to 10-year imprisonment for inciting subversion, his wife said, the second heavy punishment for a dissident in recent days.

Discarded Xmas cards can fuel 20 moon trips!
London, December 26
Discarded Christmas cards and wrapping paper can fuel 20 moon trips by a double-decker bus and back — the staggering equivalent of 18 million km. Imperial College of London scientists have shown how waste paper could be turned into high grade biofuel, with the help of micro-organisms, to power motor vehicles.

Stem cells may help 'broken' heart mend itself
London, December 26
Scientists have discovered a way to transform ordinary tissue into beating heart muscle cells, a finding they say could soon pave the way for new therapeutic approaches for making a damaged heart to repair itself.

Indian student killed in UK
London, December 26
An Indian student enrolled at a British university was shot dead today in what was described as an unprovoked attack by two white men, the police said. The Indian student, who has not been named, was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead early today morning.

North Korea burnishes new ruler’s credentials
Kim Jong-un heads top decision-making body of the ruling party

Pyongyang, December 26
Kim Jong-il's son was identified today as head of a top decision-making body of the ruling Workers' Party, a post that now gives him authority over political as well as military matters in North Korea. A week after state media reported leader Kim Jong-il's December 17 death, the campaign to install successor Kim Jong-un gained momentum.

On Saturday, state media referred to him as "supreme leader" of North Korea's 1.2 million-strong armed forces and said the military's top leaders had pledged their loyalty to him.

Today, the North's main Rodong Sinmun newspaper said North Korean soldiers are upholding a slogan urging them to dedicate their lives "to protect the party's Central Committee headed by respected Comrade Kim Jong-un."

Kim Jong II ruled North Korea as head of three main state organs: the Workers' Party, the Korean People's Army and the National Defence Commission. His father, North Korea founder Kim II Sung, meanwhile, remains the nation's "eternal president" long after his 1994 death.

Kim Jong-un, who is in his late 20s and was revealed last year as his father's choice among three sons for successor, is the third generation Kim to rule the nation of 24 million.

He was named a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party, but was expected to ascend to new military and political posts while being groomed to become the next leader. Today's reference to his new title was in commentary in the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, the mouthpiece of the Workers' Party. It came as two private South Korean delegations arrived in Pyongyang to pay their respects to Kim Jong II.

The slogan, which state media had frequently used when rallying support for Kim Jong II, made clear the son is quickly moving toward leadership of the Workers' Party, one of the country's highest positions, in addition to the military.

Rodong Sinmun yesterday urged the people to become "eternal revolutionary comrades" with Kim Jong Un, "the sun of the 21st century." North Korea refers to Kim II Sung as the "sun" of the nation and his birthday is celebrated as the "Day of the Sun," and state media has sought to emphasise Kim Jong Un's role in carrying out the Kim family legacy throughout his succession movement. — AP

Kim’s eldest son ‘under Chinese protection’

Seoul: The eldest son of North Korea's late leader Kim Jong-il has arrived in Beijing as Pyongyang prepares a state funeral for his father, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported on Monday. It was not clear whether the son would attend Wednesday's funeral in Pyongyang, Yonhap said. Kim Jong-nam, 40, has lived abroad, mainly in the Chinese territory of Macau, for years after apparently falling out of favour with his father for trying to enter Japan on a false passport in 2001.

Post-NATO strike, China assures Pakistan of unwavering support

Beijing, December 26
Amid a deterioration in US-Pak ties, China has assured Pakistan’s political and military leadership of its support in maintaining sovereignty and internal stability and promised to help its ‘trusted ally’ play a bigger role in global and regional affairs.

The assurance was conveyed to Pakistani leaders by top Chinese diplomat Dai Bingguo to Islamabad last week in the backdrop of tensions following the November 26 cross-border NATO attack in which 24 soldiers of the country were killed and open discord between government and army over a memo alleging an army plot to seize power.

Dai who concluded a two-day visit to Islamabad on December 24 has assured China’s policy of support to Pakistan “will not be shaken” despite any changes in the international landscape, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Hong Lei told a media briefing here today.

“China also supports Pakistan to play a bigger role in international and regional affairs. China believes Pakistan has the wisdom and capacity to properly deal with relations with relevant countries and safeguard its own interests”, he said.

Asked about the outcome of Dai’s visit to Islamabad, Hong said the visit took place in connection with the closing ceremony of the 60th year of establishment of diplomatic relations and year of friendship between the two countries.

“The two sides exchanged views on China-Pakistan relations, issues relating to Afghanistan and other regional issues of common interest”, Hong said.

Dai, whose official designation is a state councillor which in Chinese hierarchy is far higher than the Foreign Minister had held separate meetings President Asi Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbni Khar and Army Chief Gen. Ashfaq Kayani.

In his talks with them “Dai pointed out that China regards Pakistan as sincere and reliable friend and strategic partner for cooperation”, Hong said.

China wields considerable influence over Pakistani military by virtue of its longstanding strategic relations. “China will continue to be committed to be developing China-Pakistan strategic and cooperative partnership. Whatever the changes taking place in the international landscape this set policy will not be shaken,” Dai had assured Pakistani leadership. — PTI

US considering Yemen Prez’s travel request

A supporter of Yemen’s outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh carries a poster during a demonstration to show support for him in Sanaa on Monday. — Reuters

Honolulu, December 26
The United States is considering Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's request to visit, but would only grant him entry for "legitimate" medical treatment, a senior US official said today.

Officials also said President Barack Obama's top anti-terror advisor John Brennan called Yemeni Vice President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi yesterday to urge "maximum restraint" after forces backing Saleh killed 13 demonstrators.

Saleh, set to stand down after a presidential election in February, said on Saturday he wanted to visit the United States, though was not seeking treatment for wounds sustained in an attack on his palace in June.

But a senior US official said today that Saleh's office had contacted the US embassy in Sanaa and said the president did want to go to the United States to seek "specialised medical treatment." "The request for approval for President Saleh to travel to the United States is currently under consideration," the official said on condition of anonymity.

"The only reason that travel to the United States by President Saleh would be approved would be for legitimate medical treatment." UN envoy Jamal Benomar said last week that Saleh, treated in Saudi Arabia after June 3 explosion at his palace, needed "important" medical treatment abroad.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon had previously said that Saleh would visit New York for medical treatment. — AFP

China jails dissident for 10 years

Beijing, December 26
A Chinese court today sentenced a veteran dissident who organised a pro-democracy activist network to 10-year imprisonment for inciting subversion, his wife said, the second heavy punishment for a dissident in recent days.

The stiff sentences come near the end of a year in which the Chinese government has used various means to silence dissent, from lengthy imprisonment to months of disappearances, in a crackdown aimed at preventing Arab Spring-style uprisings.

A court in the southern city of Guiyang found Chen Xi guilty of the charge of “incitement to subvert state power” for 36 essays he wrote and posted online, his wife said by phone. Chen was active in the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests. — AP

Discarded Xmas cards can fuel 20 moon trips!

Stem cells may help 'broken' heart mend itself

Indian student killed in UK

London, December 26
An Indian student enrolled at a British university was shot dead today in what was described as an unprovoked attack by two white men, the police said. The Indian student, who has not been named, was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead early today morning.

The Greater Manchester police said the victim was aged 23, and was studying at Lancaster University. His parents in India have been informed of the incident.

“This appears to be an unprovoked attack and we can't establish a motive at this time. We are investigating every possible aspect and we are in the early stages of the investigation, but we are not ruling anything out," Chief Superintendent Kevin Mulligan, divisional commander for Salford, was quoted as saying in reports.

The victim was part of a group of nine male and female students, all Indian, who were staying in a nearby hotel for a break in Manchester over the Christmas holidays. — PTI