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Archives for April 2016

Somalia executes al-Shabab journalist

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Hassan Hanafi was accused of being involved in the assassination of five journalists between 2007 and 2011.

Hanafi said he confessed to the killing of journalists following torture by authorities in Mogadishu [AP]

Hanafi said he confessed to the killing of journalists following torture by authorities in Mogadishu [AP]

by Al Jazeera

Somalia has executed a journalist accused of helping members of al-Shabab kill at least five journalists in the capital.

Hassan Hanafi, who was captured in neighbouring Kenya in 2014, was executed on Monday morning by a firing squad in Mogadishu after his appeal at a military court failed.

Hanafi was accused of helping fighters from the al-Qaeda-linked group identify possible targets in the journalism community between 2007 and 2011.

From 2009 to 2011 he worked for Radio Andalus, al-Shabab’s official mouthpiece.

In an interview aired on Somalia state TV in February, Hanafi admitted ordering the murder of several journalists.

But in an audio recording of a phone call leaked last month Hanafi appeared to claim he made the confessions after being tortured.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists more than 25 journalists have been killed in the Horn of Africa country since 2007.

Al-Shabab, which is seeking to overthrow the country’s Western-backed government, was pushed out of Mogadishu in 2011 by government troops backed by an African Union force.

It continues to carry out suicide attacks and targeted assassinations in south and central parts of the country, and it has also conducted major attacks in Kenya, Djibouti and Uganda, which all contribute troops to the African Union effort.

KKR overwhelm Delhi Daredevils by 9 wickets

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kkr

Kolkata: A stupendous bowling effort backed up by steady batting helped two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) overwhelm Delhi Daredevils by 9 wickets in their Indian Premier League (IPL) opener at the Eden Gardens here on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 99, KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir remained unconquered with a 41-ball 38 alongside Manish Pandey who scored 15 off 12 balls, while Robin Uthappa contributed 35 runs.

Earlier after electing to field, Chinaman bowler Brad Hogg (3/19) and West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell (3/24) helped to skittle out Delhi for 98 on a strip that had some purchase for the bowlers.

(IANS)

60 per cent turnout till 1 PM in Bengal

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(AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

(AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Kolkata: Amid reports of stray incidents of violence in some pockets, an estimated 60 per cent voters today exercised their franchise till 1 PM in 31 assembly constituencies in three districts of West Bengal in part two of the first phase of election.

Election Commission officials here said an average 60 per cent polling was recorded in Bankura, West Midnapore and Burdwan districts till 1 PM as people queued outside polling booths since morning to cast their votes.

West Midnapore recorded 65 per cent turnout, Bankura 57.6 per cent and Burdwan 56.7 per cent, officials said.

A large number of people lined up in front of the polling booths even before 7 AM when voting began to beat the sweltering heat as day temperatures are above 40 degrees C due to a heatwave.

Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from polling booths in Jamuria Assembly constituency in Burdwan.

A CPI(M) agent was injured after he was allegedly beaten up by Trinamool Congress workers and obstructed from entering a polling booth in Jamuria. TMC denied the allegation.

Two bags containing bombs were found near a polling booth in Jamuria by police.

Polling was disrupted for some time at a booth in Pandaveswar constituency in Burdwan district when a polling officer Parimal Bauri died of heart attack. Voting resumed after another officer took charge.

Seven EVMs were found to be malfunctioning at Barjora, two at Bankura and three at Chatna constituency before polling began in Bankura district. The EVMs were replaced quickly.

One EVM developed problem during voting at Chatna which was also replaced.

Surjya Kanta Mishra, CPI-M state secretary and sitting MLA from Narayangarh seat was among the early voters.

Repoll in two booths of Bankura and West Midnapore districts, where polling was held in the first part of the first phase poll on April 4, is also being held today.

(Agencies)

Temple fire: One booked for violating licence norms

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(Photo via AP)

(Photo via AP)

Kollam: One person, who had allegedly stored crackers and fireworks ten times more than the permit, was today booked by police in connection with the Puttingal Devi Temple fire tragedy here.

Attingal police said they have registered a case against the licensee, Surendran, who had stored about 150 kgs of crackers and fireworks material at the storehouse without valid permission.

Surendran had license to store only about 15 kg, police said. “It is a clear violation of license. So far no arrests have been made,” police said.

Meanwhile, forensic experts, police and fireforce took evidence from the accident spot.

In one of the worst tragedies to hit Kerala, 100 people were killed and 383 injured in the major fire that engulfed the 100-year-old Puttingal Devi Temple complex near here during a display of fireworks, for which no permission had been granted by the authorities.

(Agencies)

Women’s entry in Shani temple will lead to rapes: Shankaracharya

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Shankaracharya

Haridwar: Dwaraka-Sharda Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati has held the worship of the “unworthy” Shirdi Sai Baba by his followers responsible for a drought-like situation in Maharashtra.

The seer, who is known for his bitter opposition to Hindus worshipping Shirdi’s Sai Baba, has made this remark on Sunday during a fortnight-long visit to Haridwar.

According to the Dwaraka seer, worshipping Sai Baba, a ‘fakir’, as if he were a god was ‘inauspicious’.

“Calamity strikes where those unworthy of worship are worshipped,” the Shankaracharya was quoted as saying in a report by Times of India.

In support of his claim, the Dwaraka-Sharda Peeth Shankaracharya also quoted scriptures to emphasise that “such places suffer drought, flood, death or fear”

Maharashtra is facing all of these, he concluded.

The 94-year-old seer also expressed his opinion on the Shani temple row and said that women should not have entered the sanctum sanctorum of the Shani Shingnapur temple as “it will bring bad luck to them”.

“Shani is a planet of sins. Worshipping him will lead to a rise in crime against women,” he added.

Women entered Shani temple inner sanctum, due to this, incidents of rapes will increase further, Shankaracharya Swaroopanand was quoted as saying by ANI.

The Dwaraka seer had on many occasions in past disapproved worshipping Sai Baba.

In 2014, he had said the “mystic who was no god” should not be worshipped, and asked his devotees to remove his photographs and idols from temples where “Sai Baba gets pride of place with Hindu deities”.

Sai Baba of Shirdi, also known as Shirdi Sai Baba, was an Indian spiritual master who is regarded by his devotees as a saint.

He is revered by both his Hindu and Muslim devotees. But most of the devotees treat him as an incarnation of God and worship him.

(Agencies)

Shoe hurled at Arvind Kejriwal, attacker detained

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Arvind Kejriwal shoe

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal came to inform the public about the second phase of the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme from April 15 to 30, and instead, almost took a shoe hit.

The shoe thrower, identified as Ved Prakash, has been detained for questioning and is reportedly a member of the Aam Aadmi Sena.

Incidents of shoes being thrown at politicians are not new.

In India, in April 2009, Jarnail Singh, a journalist with a national daily then, had hurled a shoe at then Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram in protest against his remarks on the clean chit given to Congress leaders in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

Today, Singh is a legislator of the AAP.

Earlier, on December 14, 2008, during a press conference in Baghdad, Iraq, an Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw both of his shoes at then United States president George W. Bush. Bush ducked in time and avoided being hit by either of the shoes.

Al-Zaidi was subsequently grabbed, kicked and hurried out of the room by former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s guards.

(ANI)

Saudi Arabia, Egypt agree to build bridge over Red Sea

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King Salman unveils “historic step to connect Africa and Asia” during Cairo visit as allies seal multiple trade deals.

abdel-fattah-al-sisi-and-king-salman

by Al Jazeera

King Salman of Saudi Arabia has said that an agreement has been reached with Egypt to build a bridge over the Red Sea connecting the two countries.

The monarch made the announcement in televised comments on Friday – the second day of his visit to Cairo – after meeting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and before representatives of the two countries began signing investment deals.

“I agreed with my brother, his Excellency President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, to build a bridge connecting the two countries,” Salman said.

“This historic step to connect the two continents, Africa and Asia, is a qualitative transformation that will increase trade between the two continents to unprecedented levels.”

It was not mentioned where the bridge would be built, but at the closest point – Nabq, just north of Sharm el-Sheikh, in Egypt, and Ras Alsheikh Hamid, in Saudi Arabia – the two countries are 16km apart.

The plan to build a joint bridge over the Red Sea at the entrance of the Gulf of Aqaba has been in the pipeline for several years.

Earlier proposals suggested the causeway would feature a railway line in parallel with the road lanes, integrating both country’s proposed high-speed railway systems. In that plan, the causeway would pass through Saudi’s Tiran Island, which would serve as a connection between the two countries.

Sisi, who minutes before the announcement had presented the king with the ceremonial Nile Collar, suggested the name “King Salman bin Abdel Aziz Bridge”.

“The unique quality of the relations between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the extent to which they are strong and deep-rooted, will allow us to face mutual challenges,” Sisi said.

“Our cooperation will certainly allow us to resolve all of our regional crises, such as in Palestine, Yemen, Libya and Syria.”

Besides the announcement, Saudi and Egyptian representatives signed 17 investment deals and memorandums of understanding.

A government official said that the deals with Saudi Arabia during Salman’s visit would amount to about $1.7bn.

Saudi Arabia is one of the top foreign investors in Egypt, with more than $8bn pledged late last year in sectors such as tourism, agriculture and information technology.

It has also promised to help the country meet its energy needs.

Riyadh has helped to finance Sisi’s government since the Egyptian leader – then army chief – overthrew President Mohamed Morsi in 2013, giving billions of dollars in aid, grants and cash deposits to help buoy the country’s economy.

Egypt has faced years of political upheaval since the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime leader Hosni Mubarak, prompted a foreign-reserves crisis and slowed economic growth.

The country has since grown dependent on aid from abroad, although it says it seeks to wean itself off as soon as possible.

Panama Papers: El Salvador raids Mossack Fonseca office

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Documents and equipment seized by authorities in investigation of Mossack Fonseca, firm at centre of data leak scandal.

Documents and equipment were sized but no employees were detained in the raid [EPA]

Documents and equipment were sized but no employees were detained in the raid [EPA]

by Al Jazeera

Authorities in El Salvador have raided the local offices of law firm Mossack Fonseca and seized documents and equipment, according to the office of the country’s attorney general.

The Panama-based law firm is at the centre of an international data leak scandal – dubbed the Panama Papers – that has embarrassed several world leaders and highlighted the shadowy world of offshore companies.

Attorney General Douglas Melendez, who personally oversaw Friday’s raid, said that the government decided to sweep the offices after noticing Mossack Fonseca had removed its office sign late on Thursday, which raised suspicions.

An employee later said the company was planning to move, according to the attorney general’s Twitter feed.

The El Salvador office is not listed on Mossack Fonseca’s corporate website.

El Salvador’s government seized about 20 computers, some documents and interviewed seven employees, but did not detain anyone, Melendez said.

“At this moment we cannot speak about [any] crimes; all we can do at this moment is our job,” he said.

He said that the government would analyse all the confiscated information and examine its financial, accounting and legal aspects.

He said it appears the law firm’s local affiliate helped process information for clients worldwide.

Governments across the world have begun investigating possible financial wrongdoing by the rich and powerful after the leak of more than 11.5 million documents from the law firm that span four decades.

“Most of us pay our taxes because it’s the right thing to do and because we don’t have any other choice,” Nick Bryer, Oxfam’s Head of UK Policy, told Al Jazeera.

“When the world’s richest decide to exploit the loopholes and deploy armies of tax lawyers and accountants to avoid paying their share, the rest of us miss out. We miss out on things which are paid for by taxes, for example schools, roads and health services.

 

“It’s a much bigger issue in a poorer country where budgets are stretched.”

Ramon Fonseca, the founding partner of Mossack Fonseca, said the leak was the result of hacking from a computer overseas rather than an inside job and that he knew which country the hacker attack had come from but was not allowed to disclose it.

The papers have revealed financial arrangements of prominent figures, including friends of Russian President Vladimir Putin and relatives of the prime ministers of Britain and Pakistan and the presidents of China and Ukraine.

Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, Iceland’s prime minister, was forced to quit office, becoming the first politician brought down by the leaks.

A federal prosecutor has called for an investigationinto Argentina President Mauricio Macri’s links with an offshore company that were revealed in the Panama Papers as well.

IPL-9 kicks off with star-studded opening ceremony

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ipl-opening

Mumbai: The ninth edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) got off to a colourful start with a star-studded and glittering opening ceremony at the National Sports Club Of India (NSCI) here on Friday.

With a strong number of cricketers from across the globe, stars from the entertainment sector and other dignitaries filling the stands, the 120-minute plus programme saw the country’s Twenty20 tournament take off in style.

The gala started when Bollywood actress and Sri Lankan beauty Jacqueline Fernandez danced to the tunes of some famous numbers “Yaar Na Mile Te Mar Jawan”, ” Party On My Mind ” and “Sooraj Dooba Hain” along young boys and girls.

Then came a young and talented Kings United group and the dancers group from Nalasopara here showcased their skills and body flexibility to have the crowd mesmerised.

The performance was followed by former India cricketer Ravi Shastri inviting all captains of eight franchises in the stage to take the MCC’s Spirit of Cricket pledge. All captains signed the pledge to maintain spirit of the game throughout the tournament.

IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla subsequently welcomed all the audience for the ninth edition of the competition.

“On behalf of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) I would like to welcome all for the IPL opening ceremony. IPL 9 will be better and best compared to other editions. IPL is not about just entertainment… it is about cricket all the way. Like the league has brought up young talents, this year will also do so. We will do all is needed to help the Maharashtra farmers and do everything in their interest,” he said.

Next up, Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif danced to the tunes of her famous numbers “Dhoom 3”, “Bang Bang”, “Afghan Jalebi Yaa Baba”, alongside young boys and girls and was followed by a performance by none other than West Indies star all-rounder Dwayne Bravo who danced and sang his song “Champio”. He was later on joined by India’s Ankit Tiwari.

Then came India’s star rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh who entertained the crowd by singing his favourite songs like “Mai Tere Laila O Mere Laila”, “Dum Dum Bum Bum”, “Love Dose”, “Chaar Botal Vodka”.

He gave the stage to star actor Ranveer Singh dancing to his favourite numbers like “Tattad Tattad Ramji Ki Chaal”, “Tune Mari Entry”, and “Malhari” and then the much-awaited performance by musical group Major Lazer.

The last performance of the night was by American singer Chris Brown, who sang his heart out to make the evening a memorable one for the large number of fans and crowd gathered at the venue and seeing it from elsewhere.

(IANS)

Mallya skips ED third time in a row, seeks time till May

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Vijay Mallya. Photo: Reuters

Vijay Mallya. Photo: Reuters

New Delhi: Beleaguered businessman Vijay Mallya will not be presenting himself before the Enforcement Directorate investigators for the third time today as he sought time till May to depose before it in connection with a money laundering probe in the over Rs 900 crore IDBI loan fraud case.

Officials said Mallya has informed the Investigating Officer (IO) of the case in Mumbai that he will be unable to depose personally as scheduled today citing the ongoing legal proceedings going in the Supreme Court over settlement of loans.

However, it is understood that the liquor baron has suggested his legal team can help ED in taking the probe forward.

Sources did not immediately comment as to what next step the agency will take now as he has sought time till May, a request he made to the IO last week too and which was turned down.

“The next action will be decided in due course,” they said. The agency had issued fresh summons last week to Mallya asking him to appear on April 9 after he sought two extensions from the earlier dates of March 18 and April 2 citing official reasons.

Officials had, however, earlier said that the agency has by and large two options in case an accused skips appearance on summons thrice, the maximum time allowed under PMLA.The options include revoking his or her passport and/or getting issued a non-bailable warrant.

ED officials had earlier hinted that the April 9 summons could possibly be the last to Mallya.The IO of the case had allowed his plea to postpone his appearance till now, they said, both on technical and legal grounds.

It is understood that Mallya, while seeking extensions, had informed the IO that cases related to bank loans were currently sub-judice in the Supreme Court and he was trying to settle these loans with the help of his legal and corporate team and, hence, would require some more time.

Mallya was first summoned by the agency to “appear in person” at its office in Mumbai on March 18 but he sought more time citing his prior engagements, following which the agency asked him to depose on April 2.

Mallya, who is facing legal proceedings for alleged default of loans worth over Rs 9,000 crore from various banks, was also directed by the Supreme Court to disclose all assets owned by him and his family in India and abroad by April 21.

The Supreme Court also sought to know when he will appear before the apex court. The directions by the apex court came after a consortium of banks led by State Bank of India “unanimously rejected” his proposal to pay Rs 4,000 crore by September towards settlement of his loans.

The bench agreed with the consortium that Mallya’s presence was necessary in the country to show his bona fides that he was serious about settling his dues. He is reported to be in the UK after he left India on March 2.

The ED has registered a money laundering case against Mallya and others based on an FIR registered last year by the CBI. The agency is also investigating financial structure of the now defunct Kingfisher Airlines and looking into any payment of kickbacks to secure loans.

(PTI)

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