Cops turn gas on militant’s family

Tunisia: A police station was attacked by relatives of a known radical militant after he was arrested, resulting in the wounding of three members of the security force.

Interior Ministry spokesman Mohammed Ali Aroui said police in the town of Douz resorted to tear gas to disperse a crowd which had gathered and arrested 21 members of the extended family late Wednesday.

Price-fixing foreign firms feel pinch

China: The country’s anti-monopoly regulator announced its first punishment of foreign car makers for price-fixing yesterday.

It fined Volkswagen and Fiat Chrysler a combined £28.34 million.

The penalty raised the possibility of similar fines being levied against other global firms such Mercedes-Benz and Tata Motor Ltd’s Jaguar Land Rover, which are being probed for possible anti-competitive behaviour.

Government set for EU clash

Cyprus: The European Union warned the island’s government on Wednesday that it may be flouting the terms of its bailout package after parliament approved legislation softening a foreclosures law.

Legislators backed measures giving additional cover to borrowers, including writing off the outstanding amount of a loan once property was foreclosed on.

European Commission spokesman Simon O’Connor said the laws “aren’t compatible” with the bailout’s terms.

Imported fuel drops for third day

Poland: Russian natural gas deliveries dropped by 45 per cent on Wednesday, the third day of decreases.

Poland’s state gas company, PGNiG, said yesterday that it had received no notification from Russian supplier Gazprom.

Polish commentators say Russia is trying to punish Poland for selling the gas on to Ukraine’s government.

PGNiG spokeswoman Dorota Gajewska said lawyers were considering whether Poland could seek damages from Gazprom.

Peace prompts rebel slayings

Philippines: Two soldiers and 10 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter rebels opposed to a government peace accord died yesterday, a day after the president submitted legislation to create a new Muslim autonomous region.

Troops caught up with about 20 rebels who had attacked an army detachment in North Cotabato province, triggering a firefight.

Members of the breakaway group generally launch offensives “every time there is a breakthrough in the peace process,” said an army spokesman.

Pistorius case ‘not murder,’ says judge

South Africa: Judge Thokozile Masipa declared yesterday that athlete Oscar Pistorius cannot be found guilty of murder but that he was negligent in the shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

However, Judge Masipa said she felt the Olympian acted negligently when he fatally shot Ms Steenkamp through a toilet door in his home last year.

Mr Pistorius could still be found guilty of culpable homicide when judgment is concluded today.

Hamas leader will talk to Israel

Palestine: Senior Hamas leader Musa Abu Marzouk said yesterday that the group is willing to talk directly to Israel, reversing a previous ban.

In an interview with Al-Quds TV, Mr Marzouk said that “Hamas is willing to talk directly to the Israelis” over issues including Gaza border crossings and prisoner releases.

“Just as you negotiate with weapons you can also negotiate by talk,” he said. “Others should be aware that this issue is not taboo.”

Flagging disapproval of the neighbours

South Korea: Asian Games organisers have taken down the flags of competing nations in South Korean streets after protests about the inclusion of North Korean flags, officials said yesterday.

The flags have been replaced by those of the Olympic Council of Asia and the games emblem.