Troops clash with ‘rioters’ at holy site

information about rigged diesel emissions tests at carmaker Volkswagen before the story broke earlier this month, a spokesman said.

“The transport minister found out about the allegations of manipulation the weekend before last. We had no previous knowledge that this system was being used,” a transport ministry spokesman said.

The spokesman also confirmed that Germany’s KBA watchdog had set an October 7 deadline for the company to present a plan to bring diesel emissions into line with the law in Germany.

Volkswagen has suspended the R&D chiefs of its core VW brand, luxury division Audi and sports-car maker Porsche, sources familiar with the matter said.

The carmaker’s supervisory board last Friday agreed to put a number of employees on leave until the details of VW’s emissions cheating scandal were cleared up, without providing names.

Reuters reported last Thursday that VW would fire top brand executives as it tries to recover from the scandal.

Audi, VW and Porsche declined comment. – ANA and Reuters JERUSALEM: Fresh clashes broke out yesterday morning between Palestinians and Israeli police for the second consecutive day in Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque compound, before the opening of the site to Jewish visitors.

A police spokesman said Palestinian “rioters” barricaded themselves inside al-Aqsa mosque and placed obstacles to block entry.

Following failed negotiation attempts, police entered the al-Aqsa compound, and were met with rocks and firecrackers thrown by Palestinians.

At least 15 Palestinians were wounded as dozens of police stormed the site. The clashes erupted on the first day of the weeklong Jewish holiday of Sukkot. – ANA