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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)

BCCI faces criticism from SC for resisting reforms

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bcci

New Delhi: BCCI faced scathing criticism for maintaining that any judicial interference in its functioning would compromise its autonomy, with the Supreme Court saying the cash-rich sports body was resisting recommendations to reform and make its working “transparent and visible”.

The apex court also expressed its displeasure over BCCI’s stand that being a private and autonomous body, it cannot accommodate a nominee of CAG in it as suggested by the Justice R M Lodha Panel on the ground that it would be derecognised from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“You are discharging public function… how best your functioning can be improved? It has to be transparent and visible .. the way you are doing (discharging your function) and how you are doing,” a bench of Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justice F M I Kalifulla said.

Taking note of the submission made by BCCI counsel and senior advocate K K Venugopal, the bench said “what we understand is that you are suggesting that I am answerable to Registrar of Societies. I will be accountable only to Registrar of the society. I will be amenable to criminal law but I will not reform. Don’t ask me to reform. Is it possible?

“What have you done? We have seen the allegations of match fixing and betting.

You have no control over these. But you give money in crores. The Lodha committee has said something. It has been said to make the functioning more transparent and visible and the effort is to reform the BCCI.”

“You are dealing with hundreds of crores of rupees. Do you say that you have complete immunity over it and you can’t be questioned? Do you say that you can’t be questioned how you spend hundreds of crores of rupees if not thousands that you collect from the public. Can we record that statement,” the bench observed.

Venugopal replied in affirmative to the bench’s suggestion that collection of funds by selling tickets and through advertisements, BCCI has total control over it and it cannot be questioned.

The bench said it was going into the issue but made it clear that it was not comparing BCCI with other sporting associations like wrestling, table tennis or kho-kho.

The senior advocate also replied in affirmative that the funds coming from the broadcasters through advertisements cannot be questioned by the court.

The bench was also not happy with the apprehension expressed by BCCI that presence of the government nominee or that of CAG will violate ICC rules and attract derecognition.

“How the presence of government nominee or CAG would violate ICC rules and attract derecognition? You are opposing the nominee of the CAG on the board as it would make you vulnerable to derecognition, but you are all advocating involvement of ministers and bureaucrats. Does it not create government influence or presence,” the bench asked.

The bench said the public money that BCCI was holding as Trust was for the promotion of the game of cricket.

“The money that you have is in your trust. Are you not accountable to the beneficiaries? This money is in trust with you for whose benefit. It is for the benefit of the people who watch matches. Are you not accountable to them?”BCCI said instead of following all the recommendations, “let us see whether there is another way” the Board can be reformed.

“We are now going to appoint a consultant for better management of our affairs,” Venugopal said, stressing that any attempt by the court to interfere would violate Article 19(1) (C) on fundamental right to form associations.

He reiterated BCCI’s position that they would account for their actions before the statutory authorities and said the board was implementing the Lodha Committee recommendations, but would not accept some of them, in respect of which the cricket body was protected by Article 19(1)(c).

The BCCI is averse to the Lodha Committee recommendations which puts a ceiling of maximum of two terms for office- bearers, one state-one vote, presence of CAG representative on the BCCI board and fixing 65 years as upper age limit of office bearers.

Senior advocate Ashok Desai, appearing for the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), told the court that there could not be uniform rules for all cricket associations and neither a cap on age limit of office bearers.

While the Lodha Committee has recommended an age limit of 65 years, the PCA has an upper age limit of 70 years.

At this, the bench asked,”should there be an upper age limit at all? What is the age at which players retire?”

When the court was getting different type of answers, it asked at what age did Sachin Tendulkar retire.

“The Bharat Ratna retired at the age of 40,” the court said.

During the hearing, Venugopal complained that the press was giving a one-sided story on the development.

“You address a press conference and tell them you are not writing the things properly. We are not addressing press conference,” the bench said.

Venugopal said,”I don’t address press on the matter, I am arguing. These people are very cynical about BCCI.”

However, after he concluded his argument, the bench said “don’t think that everything is negative in BCCI.”

(PTI)

Teenager in rash driving case charged with culpable homicide

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Mercedes

New Delhi: The 17-year-old boy who allegedly knocked dead a man with his father’s Mercedes in Civil Lines here has now been charged with culpable homicide considering his past record of negligent driving, police said today.

“On examination of CCTV footage, the possibility of knowledge to the accused juvenile offender that his extremely fast driving in a residential area can cause a death cannot be ruled out,” DCP (North) Madhur Verma said.

“Further, during investigation it emerged that it was not the first offence of rash and negligent driving by this accused juvenile. In the past too he was found driving in a rash and negligent way, thereby causing a road accident with another vehicle,” he said. Last year, the minor was also challaned thrice — for over-speeding in April and June and wrong parking in February.

“In view of these facts, the death of Siddharth Sharma is a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and, hence, section 304 of IPC has been added in the FIR,” said Verma.The last time Delhi Police booked someone under culpable homicide in such a matter was in the Sanjeev Nanda BMW case 17 years ago, a senior official said.

On January 10, 1999, six persons, including three policemen, were killed by a speeding BMW car allegedly driven by Nanda in the wee hours in south Delhi’s Lodhi Colony area.Similar stand was also taken by Mumbai Police in the Salman Khan case.

Delhi Police yesterday arrested the juvenile’s father, an Old Delhi-based businessman who lives with his family at a posh apartment in Civil lines area, under Sections 109/304 (abetment to culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of IPC.

“There has not been a single step taken by the father of the accused in prohibiting him from taking the vehicle. This is an act of criminal omission, thereby abetting the crime of the said juvenile,” the official said.

Meanwhile, the investigating officer of the case was also changed after the victim Siddharth Sharma’s sister met Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma yesterday and urged him to take strict action against the perpetrators.

The incident took place on Monday when Sharma was trying to cross a road near Ludlow Castle School in Civil Lines and the speeding Mercedes hit him.

The car was being driven at a speed of at least 80 km per hour and Sharma was flung several feet into the air by the impact of the crash and landed around 15 metres away from where he stood. After the incident, a group of youths stepped out of the vehicle and fled the spot, abandoning the car there.

(PTI)

Rahul slams Modi for silence on probe into Panama Papers

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Rahul-Gandhi

Kamalpur: Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Friday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of making ‘big promises’ on bringing back black money and asked him to explain why he has not instituted a probe into the matter of the Chattisgarh chief minister’s son’s name featuring in the ‘Panama Papers’.

“The Panama Papers have been leaked and many names have been mentioned about black money kept in Panama. It has also mentioned that Chattisgarh chief minister’s son Abhishek Singh has account in Panama,” Gandhi said while addressing a Congress poll rally here for the second phase of Assam Assembly election on April 11.

“Modi makes big promises to you about bringing back black money kept abroad. He should have at least said why no investigation has been ordered into the featuring of the chief minister’s son name in them,” Gandhi said. He said he had asked Modi in Parliament why former IPL chief Lalit Modi, who had escaped from the country, had not been brought back.

“Modiji did not utter one word in response.” Claiming that the Modi government was not taking action against black money hoarders, Gandhi said, “Recently Jaitley brought a new ‘Fair and Lovely scheme’ whereby any gangster, goon, drug dealer can make their black money white by just taking it to the government and paying minimal tax on it.”

Modi, he said, only made false promises during Lok Sabha elections about bringing back black money. “None of the Indians have received the Rs 15 lakh of that money in their bank accounts as assured by Modi.”

Addressing another election rally at Dhamdhama, the Congress Vice President said this time two parties with diametrically opposite ideologies were contesting in the Assam Assembly elections.

“Congress believes in working for peace and development with feelings of brotherhood. On the other side is the BJP, RSS which indulge in divisive politics and talk only about violence, make one Indian fight with another Indian, Hindus with Muslims”, Rahul said.

Stating that 15 years ago when BJP’s present poll alliance partner AGP was in power in the state and the saffron party was at the Centre, he said, “there was only sad news, violence till Congress came and restored the peace”.

(Agencies)

After men barge in, Shani temple trust allows women to enter inner sanctum

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Shani Shingnapur

Nashik: Shani Shingnapur temple trust has decided to lift restriction on women from entering the sanctum sanctorum soon after over 100 male devotees brazenly stormed into sanctum sanctorum on the occasion of Gudi Padwa on Friday, according to reports.

Bhoomata Brigade activists who had forced entry into the inner sanctum of the temple were assaulted and prevented by villagers even after Bombay High Court had backed the activists’ right to enter the temple’s sanctum.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis also had assured that the court’s order will be implemented in true spirit.

Details are awaited.

(PTI/Agencies)

Panama Papers: David Cameron admits profiting from fund

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British PM says he sold stake in his late father’s offshore investment fund four months before taking office in 2010.

Cameron has claimed to be leading efforts to clamp down on offshore havens, but the leak has led to criticism [Stefan Wermuth/Reuters]

Cameron has claimed to be leading efforts to clamp down on offshore havens, but the leak has led to criticism [Stefan Wermuth/Reuters]

by Al Jazeera

British Prime Minister David Cameron has admitted he benefited from the offshore investment fund set up by his late father.

After days of pressure following the publication of the Panama Papers leak, Cameron said on Thursday he owned a stake in the Blairmore trust, which he sold in 2010 four months before taking office.

“We owned 5,000 units in Blairmore Investment Trust, which we sold in January 2010. That was worth something like £30,000 ($42,000),” Cameron told Britain’s ITV television.

“I sold them all in 2010, because if I was going to become prime minister, I didn’t want anyone to say you have other agendas, vested interests,” the Conservative leader added.

“I paid income tax on the dividends. There was a profit on it but it was less than the capital gains tax allowance, so I didn’t pay capital gains tax.”

Refusing to comment

Cameron’s late father, Ian, was among the tens of thousands of people named in the leaked documents from law firm Mossack Fonseca.

The revelations showed how the world’s rich and powerful are able to stash their wealth and avoid taxes.

After having at first described it as a private matter, Cameron’s office said on Tuesday that he and his family did not benefit from any such funds at present.

Cameron also said he did not own any shares or have any offshore funds.

But his failure to say whether he or his family would benefit in the future only intensified media speculation the following days, with the story splashed across many newspaper front pages on Wednesday.

“There are no offshore funds or trusts which the prime minister, Mrs Cameron or their children will benefit from in future,” the spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Cameron has cast himself as a champion in the fight against tax evasion, particularly in British-linked territories such as the British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands.

However, the opposition Labour Party has said the Panama Papers show the government has failed to tackle the issue.

Panama Papers

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalism, a non-profit group in the US, said the cache of 11.5 million records detailed the offshore holdings of a dozen current and former world leaders, as well as businessmen, criminals, celebrities and sports stars.

On Tuesday, Iceland’s Prime Minister Sigmundur Gunnlaugsson stepped down hours after thousands of protesters gathered outside parliament to demand his resignation following the Panama Papers investigation.

Elsewhere among sitting world leaders named in the leak are Argentine President Mauricio Macri and Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko.

The documents link at least 12 current and former heads of state and 143 other politicians to illicit financial transactions.

Syria civil war: ISIL kidnaps ‘300 factory workers’

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Staff at cement plant near town of Dumayr abducted by ISIL fighters and moved to unknown location, reports say.

ISIL fighters reportedly moved the abducted workers to an unknown location [File pic: The Associated Press]

ISIL fighters reportedly moved the abducted workers to an unknown location [File pic: The Associated Press]

by Al Jazeera

More than 300 staff at a cement factory east of Damascus have been kidnapped after an attack earlier this week by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS), Syrian state TV said on Thursday.

Hundreds of employees at the Al Badia Cement company were taken by ISIL fighters from a factory in the town of Dumayr, 50km east of the Syrian capital, the report quoted the industry ministry as saying.

It added the workers’ employer had lost all contact with them.

However, there were conflicting reports on Thursday about the number of people missing, with local sources telling Al Jazeera that the number was far less than 300.

Al Jazeera’s Jamal Elshayyal, reporting from Beirut in neighbouring Lebanon, said rebels belonging to a rival group managed to secure the release of most of those kidnapped.

“Sources said ISIL initially killed or beheaded 10 of those who were taken, accusing them of espionage, and that less than 100 of them remained in captivity. The conflicting reports show the lack of clarity on the ground,” Elshayyal said.

Residents in the nearby area of Giraud, however, said they saw ISIL vehicles carrying nearly 125 workers and heading to the town of Tel Dkoh that is controlled by the group, local official Nadeem Krizan told Syria’s official news agency SANA. He did not account for the other workers reportedly seized.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said “dozens” of staff had disappeared, while a plant administrator put the figure at 250.

The Britain-based monitor, which relies on a network of activists inside Syria for information, added the ISIL attack on Dumayr killed at least 20 Syrian soldiers and allied paramilitary fighters.

A resident of Dumeir, 50km east of the Syrian capital, told the AFP news agency that contact with family members had been lost “since noon on Monday”.

“There is information that the workers might have been kidnapped by Islamic State (ISIL) and taken to an unknown destination,” Rami Abdel Rahman, the Observatory’s head, told the DPA news agency.

The cement factory lies outside Dumayr, which has seen fierce battles between government forces and ISIL fighters inside the town.

A Syrian security source told AFP that ISIL also tried to seize a nearby airbase and power plant from the government, without succeeding.

ISIL’s latest attacks near Damascus are seen as retaliation for military setbacks suffered by the group elsewhere in Syria.

Last month, Syrian regime forces – backed by Russian warplanes – drove ISIL from the strategic and ancient city of Palmyra, which the fighters had controlled for 10 months.

 

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