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4 Tuesday, February 2, 2016 National Federation will suffer jolts if constitution further twisted: Rabbani KARACHI: Head office: 509, Land Mark Plaza, I.I Chundrigar Road, Karachi, Pakistan. Ph: +9221-32214988- 32214990, Fax: +9221-32214989 messengerdaily@yahoo.com, editor@dailymessenger.com.pk Chief Editor: Muhammad Taqi Alvi Associate Editor: Ali Razavi - Hyderabad Bureau Chief: Abbas Kassar ISLAMABAD –– LAHORE –– RAWALPINDI –– KARACHI EDITORIAL BAN SENSELESS VIOLENCE INSTIGATORS: Kids firing and missiling at videogames today More likely to become terrorists tomorrow! (II) INTER-ACTIVE video games can typically serve as both positive or negative, depending on their story-line and presentation. Many are more destructive than constructive in the digital media, with players themselves controlling their characters and their decisions in games. Due to the interactive nature of the medium, some people are concerned that violent content within video games has greater potential for negative effects on the player than exposure to violent content in static media such as film. The players especially kids without moral guidelines and with their limited proper thinking powers can make wrong decisions. This factor needed attention and reforms to be made by concerned authorities. This sense of fear of kids making wrong decisions and moves have been fed by widespread media publicity about incidents where people killed or harmed others that were allegedly triggered or influenced by video games. The most well-known such incident involves the Columbine High School massacre in 1999 which was perpetrated by a pair of teenagers known to be great fans of violent first-person shooter, Doom. This fear has often been played into by members of the media and as such the topic remains a controversial one today. VIOLENT video games cause violent behavior: This is a simple statement, but true. Its good and bad points are already outlined above. Video games exist as an interactive medium. The player has control over their character and many of their character’s actions whereas in a book or movie, the audience does not. This means that the player can become invested emotionally in characters to a greater extent because of the autonomy afforded to each character. Given that this is true it becomes more difficult to ensure dissociation between the real world and the game world with which the player interacts. With the growing drive towards realism of video game graphics, game environments are able to look incredibly similar to real life, further blurring the distinction. If this is the case, then a person who visits violence upon another person within a game universe feels the same emotions as someone who does so within real life, and therefore may be desensitized to reallife violence. Whilst game producers would claim that is not their aim and that their games do not cause this desensitization, many have been actively pursuing technologies that allow for greater immersion within their By Dania Koleilat Khatib For the past few years, Iran has been suffering from a deteriorating image in the Arab and Islamic world, mainly due to its perceived role in the sectarian conflict that is shattering the region. Iran, as well as Arab countries, are draining their funds and human capital in this conflict and nurturing an unnecessary animosity instead of building a fruitful relationship based on common geography, history and interests. This conflict has led to a shift in the Arab and Islamic world’s opinion of Iran. A 2015 Pew Research Centre survey showed that 89 per cent of those polled in Jordan viewed Iran negatively. In Indonesia the approval rating for Iran went from 77 per cent in 2006-2007 to 36 per cent in 2015. In Malaysia it dropped from 56 per cent to 34 per cent and in Turkey it went from 53 per cent to 17 per cent. Prior to the outbreak of the Syrian war, Iran had a positive image in the Arab and Islamic world. Since the inception of the Iranian revolution, Ruhollah Khomeini tried to position Iran as the nation fighting injustice against Muslims and had adopted the liberation of Palestine and the fight against Israel and the US, its protector, as its prime cause. The focus on the secular national issue of Palestine, which is of high importance to the Arab and Islamic world, gave Iran popularity. In April 2006, an article in the Financial Times noted a “popular warming” in the Arab world for Iran’s right to enrich uranium, as it was perceived as a deterrent to Israel. During the rule of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, from 2005-2013, who was very vocal in defending Palestinians’ rights, Iran’s approval rating reached its peak, especially following the confrontation between Hezbollah and Israel in the summer of 2006. That year, a poll by the Washington-based Zogby Research Services found a 75 per cent favourability rating for Iran in Arab and Muslim countries. However, the image of the freedom and justice fighter that Iran tried to foment in the Arab world quickly unravelled when it took part in the sectarian conflict. Iran was no longer perceived as the Muslim brotherly nation trying to offer a helping hand, but as a Shiite state trying to impose its hegemony over the Sunni world. Despite that, the regime denies such claims and Ali Khamenei, the current Supreme Leader of Iran, dismisses this image as an American creation aimed at igniting dissent in the Muslim world. But the steep drop in approval ratings does not show he has a convincing narrative. OPINION game-worlds. If this is the case then acts of violence may fail to register the same level of shock or revulsion in a person than they usually do. Given that this is true, people who play video games become more able to harm others or less likely to intervene to prevent harm. DENIALS of video games being negative are supported by financial wizards who profit by video games. They fund studies who come up with such "results" that there was no conclusive link between video game usage and real-life violent behavior! Some famous bureaus of investigations also reportedly and allegedly found no evidence linking video game use to the massacre at Columbine or other highly publicized school shootings. There is no evidence to support the idea that people exposed to violent video game or other violent media content will then go on to commit crimes, commercial video enterprises claim. Further, if violent video games were causing violent behavior, we would expect to see rates of violent crime increase as games with realistic portrayals of violence became more widely available on popular game consoles. Instead, the profiteering stakeholders claim that violent crime has decreased! Some economists have argued based on time series modelling that increased sales of violent video games are associated with decreases in violent crime! But that may be true of effects of positive violence against criminal elements in society. A law may not be generally applied that violence does not promote violence, for good or bad purpose. Some examples are worthy of probe. In Grand Theft Childhood, a top university researchers and authors and hospital for mental health and media refute claims that violent behavior increases by violent video games. The researchers' quantitative and qualitative studies (surveys and focus groups) found that young adolescents view game behavior as unrelated to reallife actions, and this is why they can enjoy criminal or violent acts in a game that would horrify them in reality. They also found evidence that those relatively few adolescents who did not play video games at all were more at-risk for violent behaviors such as bullying or fighting (although the sample size was too small for statistical significance). The authors speculated that because video game play has gained a central and normative role in the social lives of adolescent boys, a boy who does not play any video games might be socially isolated or rejected. Iran deteriorating image in the Arab and Islamic world Even though Iran is trying to establish relations with Arab countries, it will be difficult for the Islamic republic to break the current Arab isolation. Javad Zarif, Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited Tunisia and Algeria last summer in order to garner some support. However, such efforts are unlikely to have any substantial results due to two main reasons: Arab states will not antagonise Saudi Arabia in order to establish a relationship with Iran. Moreover, Iran is unpopular in those countries. In Tunisia, for example, the nascent democracy, it will be difficult for Zarif’s diplomacy to transcend the 70 per cent disapproval rating from Tunisians. Iran is realising the public relations crisis it is facing. To counter such a negative image, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting has recently commissioned a movie “Songs from My Homeland” featuring a romance brutalised by war where Iran is portrayed as the magnanimous defender of Sunnis, Shiites and Christians alike, against terrorism and extremism. The dialogue is completely in Arabic and the movie features Lebanese, Egyptian and Syrian actors. However, fiction on the silver screen is unlikely to convince the Arab and Muslim masses of Iran’s benevolence when the news transmits true stories of children dying from starvation in the Syrian town of Madaya because of a siege imposed by Iran’s allies. Additionally, the show of power, as well as the condescending tone when addressing Arab states, only nurtures this animosity while offering Iran no real political gain. The statement of Khamenei that four capitals were under the control of the revolution were badly received by the Arab masses. So was the declaration by Rouhani’s adviser in ethnic and religious minority affairs that Iran had created an empire, and that “Baghdad has become part of this empire.” The tension has even affected Iran’s relationships with its long-term Palestinian allies. Newsweek reported that Iran had ceased funding for Hamas in Gaza. Today, Iran is heading towards increasing alienation from the Arab and Islamic world. Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Bahrain have broken diplomatic ties with Tehran. The relationship remain cold and restrained with other countries. Iran was exempted from the Muslim anti-terrorism coalition that includes 34 countries. This seclusion is not to the benefit of a country that is about to make an entry into the world global economy. The last thing Iran wants to see is a replacement of the Western embargo with an Arab-Islamic one. ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate, Mian Raza Rabbani addressing as Chief Guest at inaugural ceremony of senate internship program. ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani has said that the federation will feel jolts if the constitution was twisted ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: Islamabad High Court on Monday issued notice to Chairman, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for unannounced ban on grant of Television Channel licenses. A Single Bench of Islamabad High Court comprising of Mr. Justice Amir Farooq issued the notice on the Writ Petition filed by M/s Watan Television any further. “The constitution of Pakistan is federal and democratic. The presidential system, which was introduced Company (Private) Limited through its counsel Barrister Masroor Shah, Counsel for the Petitioner Company, Barrister Masroor while arguing the case before the Court stated that Section 19 (2) of the Ordinance makes it mandatory upon every person contemplating to engage in the business of broadcast media or distribution service to obtain license issued under the Ordinance. In this regard PEMRA has in 1962, flopped. This system weakened the country. It is being talked about these days. The presidential system has failed miserably in TV License Ban Case: IHC issues notice to chairman PEMRA Sawan Khaskheli BADIN, Feb 1: At least four died after consuming toxic liquor in marriage ceremony of their relatives in Khorwah town near Badin. According the reports, the marriage ceremony of minority community has held in village Mohammad Bachal Nindo in Khorwah town near Badin. Hundreds invitees from Tando Mohammad Khan city attended the marriage ceremony of their relative. According to our sources more than 15 invitees of Bajana community consumed the toxic liquor and three of them including Vevsi Kolhi, Ramoon Kolhi, Ramoon Kolhi have died on the spot when two of them were brought to local Civil Hospital Badin where one Karo Kolhi has also reportedly died when one was seemed very serious. The dead bodies of four persons were brought to their villages without legal proceedings and thrilled and delighted moments of marriage ceremony converted into miserable been bestowed with exclusive right to issue licenses for the establishment and operation of all broadcast media and distribution services, the counsel added. The court was further apprised that despite receiving the requisite fee in 2008 and being fully qualified for license in terms of Section 25 of the PEMRA Ordinance, PEMRA is not issuing TV License to the Petitioner. Four died after consuming toxic liquor in Khorwah near Badin Relegation in CPI from 126 to 117 great achievement: NAB ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: Chairman National Accountability Bureau, Qamar Zaman Chaudhry has said relegation of Pakistan in Corruption Perception Index from 126 to 117 is a great achievement. He said this during a meeting in Islamabad on Monday to review the performance of NAB. The Chairman emphasized to redouble efforts to come up to the expectations from NAB to eliminate corruption from the country. He said NAB recovered over two hundred and sixtyfive billion rupees looted public money since its inception. He said NAB recovered four point five billion rupees during last year alone. 4 trapped in snow rescued in Lipa Valley afte 24 hours CHINARI, Feb 1: Four people, who had trapped under snow in Ratti Dheri area while going to Lipa Valley in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, were rescued by locals after 24 hours. The locals had launched the search operation after the four persons, identified as Arif Mir, Attique Mir, Sultan Mir and Irshad, residents of Lipa Valley, got trapped under the snow while scaling a mountain amid heavy snowfall. The rescued persons were shifted to their village and they were stated to be in stable condition. –Online JAMSHORO, Feb 1: Controller of Examinations (Annual) University of Sindh has announced the dates for submission of Examination Forms for L.L.M. (Previous & Final) failure, Annual Examinations 2014. According to press release, forms can be submitted without late fees up to 10th and downcast situation. Doctors of Civil Hospital apprised the media that the death of the brought person was caused of consuming of toxic liquor. While talking with Daily Messenger, Mohammad Bux Chandio, SHO Khorwah said that people for far-flung attended the marriage ceremony and a transparent inquiry will be held and in the result of the inquiry, FIR will be lodged and perpetrators will be brought in the sphere of law. Sindh University announces form submission dates for LLM exam February. With Rs. 1000/- late fees, from 11th to 15th February, while with Rs. 2000/- late fees from 16th to 19th February 2016. Candidates are advised to deposit Examination fees through prescribed Bank Challan in Habib Bank Ltd, University of Sindh, Elsa Kazi Campus Branch, Hyderabad. the past. If joke is cut with the constitution, then federation will feel strong tremors,” he said while addressing a ceremony here on Monday. Rabbani regretted that it was being instilled in minds of the youth that all politicians were corrupt and they were being harangued almost at every forum. “There is a serious gulf and lack of coordination between masses and the parliament,” he said, however, adding that the current regime (federal system) was the best form of arrangement to run the country. Islamabad hospitals lack antiinfluenza vaccines ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: The non-availability of antiinfluenza vaccines in Islamabad hospitals has multiplied miseries of patients. Currently, anti influenza vaccines are being obtained from the district health department Rawalpindi to treat patients admitted to Islamabad hospitals including PIMS and Polyclinic. Attendants and family members of many such patients said that they were being asked to arrange vaccines from the Rawalpindi health department for their patients. According to Rawalpindi District Health Officer Dr Rafiq Ahmad that they were providing vaccines to patients being treated in Islamabad hospitals despite the fact that it was not their responsibility. He said that they were ready to provide vaccines to Islamabad hospitals in bulk if a request was in this regard. APCA for installation of walk through gates at Shahbaz building Abbas Kassar HYDERABAD, Feb 1: All Pakistan Clerks Association Sindh president Asadullah Durrani,General Secretary Syed Munawar Ali Shah and press secretary Shahid Soomro have expressed concern on out of order Walk Through gates of Shahbaz building which houses offices of divisional officers of various departments including Commissioner, DIG, Director Generals of various departments. In a joint statement they said there were installed 5 such gates after blasts in Shahbaz building but since last one year these gates were out of order and not working. They said it was surprising that administration has not got these gates repaired despite fact that the security threats today were more than previous years. They made appeal to chief minister Sindh and other concerned officers to get the walk through gates installed immediately in proper condition keeping in view the present security situation and also security be enhanced. ISLAMABAD: CDA workers seen removing illegal shades during operation against encroachments at Blue Area.
Tuesday, February 2, 2016 International 5 Myanmar begins new parliament session ending military-only rule Naypyidaw, MYANMAR, Feb 1: Myanmar entered a new political era Monday as Aung San Suu Kyi’s prodemocracy MPs took their seats in parliament, bearing the hopes of a nation subjugated for decades by the military. Wearing pastel orange uniforms, lawmakers from the National League for Democracy (NLD) arrived for their first day of work in the capital Naypyidaw, buoyed by a massive popular mandate from November’s election. That poll saw the NLD wrest a majority from the army establishment and has spurred hopes of a new political dawn in the long-repressed nation. Suu Kyi, the centrepiece of Myanmar’s struggle for democracy, entered the cavernous parliament building without comment. She took a seat alone for the short opening session which saw the lawmakers sworn in and the appointment of a close ally, Win Myint, as lower house speaker. “Today is a day to be proud of in Myanmar’s political history and for the democratic transition,” Win Myint said in an acceptance speech. The new government faces a daunting rebuilding task in one of Southeast Asia’s poorest countries, whose economy was crushed by almost half a century of junta rule. Many NLD MPs are also political novices, unskilled in Donors pledge $250 million to fight Boko Haram ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA, Feb 1: Donors at the African Union summit pledged on Monday $250 million (229 million euros) for the fight against Boko Haram insurgents, AU Peace and Security Council chief Smail Chergui said. Boko Haram, facing the heat of a military onslaught in Nigeria, has in the past year stepped up cross-border attacks in Niger, Chad and Cameroon, while continuing shooting and suicide assaults on markets, mosques and other mostly civilian targets within Nigeria itself. Despite offensives by the regional force with troops from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, the Islamist jihadists maintain strongholds in areas that are difficult to access. But Chergui praised the success of the force at the close of an AU summit on Sunday, saying territory had the business of government. They must swiftly adapt to a difficult decision-making process in a legislature where unelected soldiers occupy 25 percent of all seats. “It’s a historic moment for the country,” said Myanmar political analyst Khin Zaw Win. The country will now choose a new president to succeed President Thein Sein, the former general who in 2011 launched dramatic political and economic reforms which culminated in the election. been wrested back. “Great results have been achieved and we must consolidate these gains,” he said. Chergui said $110 million came from Nigeria, with the European Union offering 50 million euros, as well as donations from Britain and Switzerland. Chad’s President Idriss Deby, the African Union chairman, said it was crucial the money pledged was actually paid to show “our Snowden, Colombia, Greek islanders among Nobel Peace Prize tips OSLO, Feb 1: Former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden, peace negotiators in Colombia or Greek islanders helping Syrian refugees were among tips for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize at the deadline for nominations on Monday. Nobel watchers also speculated that negotiators of an accord over Iran's nuclear program could be in the running after a surprise award last year to a coalition of Tunisian democracy campaigners, the National Dialogue Quartet. "2016 may finally be Edward Snowden's year ... His leaks are now having a positive effect," Kristian Berg Harpviken, head of the Peace Research Institute, Oslo, told, putting him top of his list of candidates. Harpviken said many nations were now reforming laws to restrict intelligence gathering, helping human rights, in the wake of Snowden's leaks in 2013 of details of the U.S. government's surveillance programs. Washington has filed espionage charges against Snowden, who has been granted asylum in Russia. An award of the $930,000 prize to Snowden, by a Nobel committee in NATO member Norway, would be a huge snub for President Barack Obama, the 2009 Nobel laureate. Asle Sveen, an historian and expert on the prize, said he reckoned the "obvious choice" for 2016 would be to honor Colombia's government and FARC rebel group - if they succeed in peace talks launched in 2012 to end five decades of war. France welcomes Cuba’s Castro in historic visit PARIS, Feb 1: Cuba’s Communist President Raul Castro starts his official trip to Paris on Monday, his firstever state visit to Europe, seen as a key step in rebuilding his island nation’s ties with the West. The Cuban leader is to due to receive a grand welcome by President Francois Hollande under the Arc de Triomphe, decked out in Cuban colours, at the top of the Champs Elysees avenue. The 84-year-old Castro is on his first official trip to the European Union since taking over from his elder brother Fidel in 2006, and has been in the French capital since Saturday for a private visit. France has led the way in welcoming Cuba back into the diplomatic fold since it restored relations last year with its longtime foe, the United States. Hollande has described the visit as “a new stage in the strengthening of relations between the two countries”, building on his own state visit to Cuba last May, the first by a Western head of state in more than half a century. Suu Kyi herself is barred from the post by a militaryscripted constitution because she married and had children with a foreigner. The 70-year-old has vowed to sidestep this hurdle by ruling “above” a proxy president, although she has yet to reveal her choice for the role. While there is no clear schedule for the selection of candidates, it could be within days. Elected members of both firm commitment in the fight against terrorism.” Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said gains had been made but much more needed to be done. “Boko Haram is no longer able to operate freely foreign-sponsored as in the past or control territories as they did,” he said. “We are making tremendous progress in this battle, but we still need to remain vigilant, we need to share information and cooperate.” US seeking maritime hegemony in South China Sea BEIJING, Feb 1: China says the US is seeking to establish a maritime hegemony under pretext of “freedom of navigation” in South China Sea. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said during a daily news briefing on Monday that Washington is playing the freedom of navigation card and "creating tensions" in the China Sea. On Friday, US missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur sailed within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island, which is part of Paracel Islands in South China Sea. Move, which US described as a challenge to attempts by China, Taiwan and Vietnam to restrict navigation rights and freedoms, prompted Beijing’s condemnation. “Its essence is to push US' maritime hegemony in name of freedom of navigation which has always been resolutely opposed by most of int’l community, especially certain developing nations. Suicide bomber strikes outside police office in Afghan capital KABUL, Feb 1: A suicide bomber blew himself up in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Monday, killing 10 people and wounding 20 after joining a queue to enter an office of the civil order police, a senior official said. Kabul was hit last month by a series of suicide attacks as the Taliban have stepped up their campaign against the Western-backed government. The attacks coincided with renewed efforts to revive a peace process with the Islamist insurgent movement that stalled last year. Deputy Interior Minister Ayub Salangi announced Monday's casualty figures in a post on social media website Twitter, and said most were civilians. houses and the military will nominate three candidates to replace Thein Sein, who retains his post until the end of March. The new president will then be chosen by a vote of the combined houses. After decades under the military yoke, Myanmar’s people queued in their thousands to cast ballots for Suu Kyi and her party last November, throwing their support behind her simple campaign message of “change”. With a resounding parliamentary majority, her lawmakers are — at least initially — expected to act as a rubberstamp for her government. While the NLD majority will need to time to find their feet, the military has had plenty of time to prepare for the handover. A quasi-civilian government has steered reforms since outright army rule ended in 2011. Army troops capture village in northern Syria DAMASCUS, Feb 1: Syrian army forces have managed to establish full control over a town in the strategic northern province of Aleppo following fierce clashes with Takfiri militants. On Monday, Syrian soldiers together with fighters from pro-government popular defense groups liberated the village of Duwayr al- Zaytoun, situated more than some 355 kilometers (220 miles) north of the capital, Damascus, after heavy skirmishes, Syria’s official SANA news agency reported. Syrian government forces also pounded the positions of al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front terrorist and members of Daesh Takfiri militant group on the outskirts of the provincial capital city of Aleppo, though no reports of casualties on the side of the extremists were immediately available. ADENS, Feb 1: Dozens of Al Qaeda militants reclaimed the town of Azzan in Yemen's Shabwa province on Monday, residents said, exploiting a security vacuum in the country's south as a civil war rages. Azzan is a major commercial hub of about 70,000 people in an arid and mountainous region and was controlled by Al Qaeda for around a year until the group KABUL : A boy looks on at the site of a suicide attack. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack Akshay Kumar's Airlift crosses Rs 100 crore marks at box office MUMBAI, Feb 1: Much had been spoken about Akshay Kumar's Airlift, right from the time the promotions began. But unlike his other films, he went mellow on publicity in case of Airlift. While that must have seemed like a risk initially, the risk has been well paid now. Akshay Kumar has now hit a home run and rightly so. With some strong performances backing a phenomenal script, an excellent word of mouth ensured the film to have a smooth sailing at the box office. Also, the clash with Kya Kool Hai Hum 3 could hardly deter the film's growth at the ticket windows. Instead, Airlift overpowered all the films that released in the last two weeks and emerged victorious. After recording over Rs 84 crore plus opening week, the film added other Rs 16- 17 crore in the second weekend and the film has now easily managed to cross the Rs 100 crore mark at the box office. This is Akshay Kumar's best bet at the box office in recent years. After RAMALLAH, Feb 1: Israeli military forces have blocked entries to the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah for all non-residents of the Palestinian city a day after three Israeli soldiers were injured in an attack there. “In accordance with situation assessments following yesterday’s shooting attack in Beit El, security measures have been taken in the area and only residents of Ramallah are allowed to in a statement that said 40 police officers had been Holiday, there have been no Akki films which have crossed the coveted 100 crore signal at the cash registers. With Airlift managing to enter the city,” a military spokeswoman said on Monday. On Sunday, a Palestinian police officer identified as 34-year-old Amjad Sokkari Abu Omar, allegedly shot and wounded three Israeli soldiers near the illegal Israeli settlement of Beit El in Ramallah. The man was later killed by Israeli forces. The spokeswoman also said that a decision on lifting the ban would depend on do it without the regular mindless mad cap comedy or the masala action stunts, this marks for a new-age revolution that's probably begun. Israeli army bans entry to Ramallah for non-residents MOSCOW, Feb 1: Russia's air force has carried out 468 sorties in Syria over the past week, hitting more than 1,300 "terrorist" targets; Russian news agencies quoted Russia's Defense Ministry as saying on Monday. The Defense Ministry also delivered more than 200 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the besieged Syrian town of Deir al-Zor in January, agencies quoted it as saying. security assessments. According to Israeli sources, people would be allowed to leave Ramallah only after security checks. Tens of thousands of Palestinians pay daily visits to the city from al-Quds (Jerusalem) and across the occupied West Bank. Also on Sunday, a Palestinian teenager was killed by Israeli soldiers after allegedly trying to attack them. Russian air force continues pounding 'terrorists' in Syria was ejected in 2012 by an alliance of tribesmen and armed residents loyal to Yemen's since ousted central government. "Dozens of Al Qaeda gunmen arrived in the early hours of the morning and set up checkpoints at the entrances to the town and in its streets. They planted their black flag on government buildings," one resident who declined to be named told by telephone. "They faced no resistance or clashes," the resident said, adding that tribal militia forces quit the area as it was being taken over. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has expanded during Yemen's civil war, which triggered a military intervention by a Gulf Arab coalition last March, and also controls the major port of Mukalla in a Russia is strengthening all types of reconnaissance in the Middle East to better locate terrorist targets and hit them faster, Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov was quoted as saying. Al Qaeda militants seize southern Yemeni town neighboring province. AQAP is viewed by Western analysts as the most dangerous arm of the global militant organization, and claimed responsibility for the deadly January 2015 attack in Paris on the satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo. It has made its advances in Yemen as the Saudi-led coalition forces ─ which back the ousted government ─ have clashed with Houthi rebels. killed or wounded. The group often makes exaggerated casualty claims for its attacks. Ambulances and police vehicles rushed to the explosion site in the crowded Dehmazang district west of the city, near the Kabul traffic directorate, which is visited by those seeking driving licences and other documents. "I saw three bodies on the ground and a number of other people wounded, then ambulances arrived and took all the victims away," said witness Mohammad Ajmal. The Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP) was set up as a gendarmerie-style unit to control riots and urban disorder but have also been used in counterinsurgency roles against the Taliban.
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