TOKYO: Japan emperor Akihito has expressed his desire to retire at the age of 82. In a televised address, he spoke about his age, his rigorous schedule, and increasing physical limitations. "When I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole being as I have done until now. If he steps down, it will not only redefine the world's oldest hereditary monarchy, but also ignite the debate over allowing a woman to occupy the throne. Akihito wants to pass the title to his son Crown Prince Naruhito, 56. However, Japanese law says an emperor serves until death, and there is no provision for an abdication. Japanese emperors define eras in the country. As per the calendar based on their reigns, 2016 is counted as Akihito's 28th year on the throne. The date will be reset to Year One, when his successor takes over.
Spanish couple wins battle to call son Wolf
MADRID: Officials have finally bowed down to a couple's wish to call their newborn son 'Wolf'. Nako and Maria Javierre launched an online campaign after a registry office in Madrid refused to accept the name, arguing it could be "offensive" to their son. They were later told that "Lobo" (Wolf), was a surname in Spain and could cause confusion. The parents wanted the name because of their "love for this animal". Their petition received over 25,000 supporters and was reported across the world. After their brief fight, national registry office chief Javier Gomez Galligo said the case had been reviewed and the couple would be allowed to name the child "Lobo".
Iran executes scientist who gave N-intelligence to US
TEHRAN: Iran executed an Iranian nuclear scientist who gave the country's contested nuclear programme to the US intelligence. A spokesman for Iran's judiciary, Gholamhosein Mohseni Ejehi confirmed the news of the execution of scientist Shahram Amiri, who was caught up in a US spy mystery. Amiri "provided the enemy with vital information of the country," Ejehi said. He however, did not reveal the details on where the execution took place, but said his initial death sentence had been reviewed by an appeal court and that he had access to a lawyer. Amiri worked for a university affiliated to Iran's defence ministry. He vanished in 2009 while on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, only to reappear a year later in a series of online videos filmed in the US. In interviews, Amiri claimed to being kidnapped and held against his will by Saudi and American spies, while US officials said he was to receive millions of dollars for his help in understanding Iran's contested nuclear programme.
American deported for spying returns to Pak, held
ISLAMABAD: An American citizen who was deported from Pakistan and blacklisted years ago, has been arrested upon returning to the country. Pakistan Federal Investigation Agency officials arrested Mathew Craig Barrett from an Islamabad guest house, said interior ministry spokesman Sarfaraz Hussain. He said Barrett was deported in 2011 after he was found in an area of sensitive installation. Barrett, 33, was previously arrested May 2011, in Fateh Jang near a highly secretive military research facility. He lived in Pakistan for four years, married a Pak woman, and had two children. Barrett denied being a spy and claimed he was a victim of simmering tensions at the time between the US and Pakistani governments. An FIA court has allowed the agency to hold him for three days for investigation.
Gunmen abduct American, Australian in Kabul
KABUL: An American and an Australian have been abducted by five gunmen wearing Afghan military uniforms in Afghan capital, Kabul. They were taken from their SUV whil driving on a main road near the American University of Afghanistan, as said by Sediq Sediqqi, spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry. He added that initial reports show that up to five armed men stopped the foreigners' vehicle and carried out the kidnapping. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement confirming "the apparent kidnapping of an Australian in Kabul". It said, "Due to privacy and security considerations we will not be commenting further.We continue to advise Australians not to travel to Afghanistan because of the extremely dangerous security situation, including the serious threat of kidnapping." Over three foreigners have been kidnapped in Kabul in the past year.
Muslim woman fired for wearing hijab at workplace in US
WASHINGTON: A young Muslim woman was fired from her job at a dental clinic for wearing a hijab, in an alleged case of discrimination in the US. Najaf Khan was put off her job as a dental assistant at Fair Oaks Dental Care in Fairfax County, Virginia, as her employer wanted to keep a "neutral environment". "I was really upset. The day that it happened, I was devastated," Najaf said. She said she did not wearthe hijab for her interview or the first two days of her job. The third day, she chose to put it on and Dr Chuck Joo asked her to take off the hijab. Joo asked her to remove it because the Islamic head scarf would offend patients and wanted to keep religion out of the office. Khan said she was given an ultimatum. "When I said that I would not compromise my religion for that, he held the door open for me and I walked out." Council on American Islamic Relations said, "No employee should face termination because of his or her faith or religious practices. We call on Fair Oaks Dental Care to reinstate the Muslim employee and to offer her reasonable religious accomodation as mandated by law."
Syria's civil war: 'Chlorine gas dropped on Idlib town'
DAMASCUS: Helicopters dropped containers of toxic gas on a town in Syria's Idlib province, seriously injuring 33 civilians, including 18 women and 10 children. Raed Saleh, head of the Syrian Civil Defense group said, the injured were brought to a local hospital after the attack in the town of Saraqeb. "Just before midnight, helicopters dropped five explosive barrels containing cylinders of chlorine and shards of metal on neighbourhoods in Saraqeb." He added, "We suspect it was chlorine because of the smell and the nature of the injuries, suffocation and burning, red eyes. Members of the civil defense brought them all to the nearby hospital." The town is situation 15 km away from where a Russian helicopter was shot down, killing all five onboard. While no group has claimed responsibility for the shooting down, people are wondering whether the chlorine attack came in retaliation for the loss. Russia rejected reports of the chemical attack and said it was false information.
US designates Pakistan's Jamaat-ur-Ahrar as 'terrorist group'
WASHINGTON: The United States has added Pakistani militant outfit Jamaat-ur-Ahrar to its list of global terrorists, after it claimed responsibility for at least five major attacks in Pakistan since December. The designation announced by the State Department in a statement, means anyone who supports the group could have their assets frozen by the US government. JuA's most recent attack was a suicide bombing in a hospital in Karachi. The faction of the Pakistani Talibani movement has also declared loyalty to Islamic State's leadership in the Middle East. It is yet to comment on the designation.
