IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Syria

Russia presents draft constitution

Russian delegation at the Syrian peace talks in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, on Tuesday presented a draft constitution to the representatives of the armed opposition of Syria. "We presented the draft of constitution to the Syrian armed opposition, which was developed by Russian experts," said Alexander Lavrentyev, special representative of Russian President on Syria. The peace talks on Syria finished on Tuesday. Iran, Russia and Turkey have decided to establish a trilateral mechanism to reach a cease-fire in Syria.

South Korea

Japan asked to take measures on books

South Korea's sports committee has asked its Japanese counterpart to take measures on books placed in guestrooms of a right-wing Japanese hotel chain that denies Japan's wartime crimes. An official with the committee said on Wednesday that the agency had received a phone response last week from the organizing committee of the 2017 Asian Winter Games to make efforts to resolve the issue. Among the South Korean sports delegation, around 170 have been previously arranged to live in a hotel of APA Group, the Japanese operator of about 400 hotels.

India

Terror alert ahead of Republic Day

India issued a terror alert on Wednesday, warning of possible attacks during Republic Day celebrations on Thursday. The alert was based on inputs by Indian intelligence agencies that Pakistan-based terror outfits might try to sneak into this country using Afghan identities, and carry out attacks in various parts of the country, particularly the national capital, on Republic Day, sources said. The protection agency has asked the Delhi Police to scan all buildings within 2.5-km range of Rajpath, the ceremonial road on which the Republic Day parade will be held.

Somalia

7 killed in Shabaab attack on hotel

At least seven people were killed after two car bombs exploded outside a popular Mogadishu hotel on Wednesday, and gunmen forced their way inside the building and opened fire, police said.

The attack, claimed by the al-Qaida-aligned Shabaab insurgent group, began when a car loaded with explosives rammed the gate of the Dayah Hotel near the Somali parliament and state house. Gunmen then stormed the hotel and exchanged fire with security guards, police said.

(China Daily 01/26/2017 page11)