23-10-2025

Month: August 2024

Iraq issues arrest warrants for ‘heist of the century’

An Iraqi criminal court on Tuesday issued arrest warrants for a businessman and a former government official wanted over their alleged involvement in stealing $2.5 billion of public funds.

The scandal, dubbed the “heist of the century”, sparked widespread anger in Iraq, which is ravaged by rampant corruption, unemployment and decaying infrastructure after decades of conflict.

The criminal court issued the warrants for businessman Nour Zuhair and Haitham al-Juburi, a former adviser to then prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, state news agency INA reported.

The two suspects are among several facing a trial which opened in mid-August, but are on the run and failed to appear in court.

According to the tax authorities, the defendants allegedly expropriated the $2.5 billion between September 2021 and August 2022 through 247 cheques cashed by five companies.

The money was subsequently withdrawn — in cash — from the firms’ accounts.

The owners of those accounts — most of whom are also on the run — have also been subject to arrest warrants.

Around 30 suspects are facing trial, INA reported, including six already behind bars or awaiting extradition to Iraq, the national anti-fraud agency has said.

In October 2022, Zuhair was arrested at Baghdad airport as he was trying to leave the country.

A month later he was released on bail after giving back more than $125 million and pledging to return the rest in instalments.

Juburi also returned $2.6 million of the allegedly embezzled funds before disappearing, a judicial source told AFP.

The current whereabouts of both men is unknown.

However, wealthy businessman Zuhair was back in the news over the few days after he reportedly had a car crash in Lebanon, following an interview he gave to an Iraqi news channel.

“The Nour Zuhair affair is a scandal… that concerns the entire political system,” Iraqi journalist and commentator Hamed al-Sayyed told AFP.

He blamed the authorities for releasing him on bail two years ago, allowing him “to flee”.

“His release from jail, at a time when he was being investigated, shows that the political system, at the highest echelons, is complicit,” Sayyed added.

Corruption is endemic in Iraqi state institutions, with the top echelons of power often evading accountability.

The Scottish government’s own decisions are to blame for “much of the pressure” facing the country’s finances, a watchdog has said.

The Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC) – the official independent economic forecaster – warned the SNP government would need to make “difficult decisions” to balance its budget.

It also highlighted “significant uncertainty” about UK government funding for Holyrood.

Finance Secretary Shona Robison has introduced emergency curbs on spending, describing them as “unavoidable”.

She has said cuts are required to fund public sector pay deals, while accusing the UK government of an “attack” on Holyrood’s finances.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned that October’s UK Budget would be “painful”, citing a a £22bn black hole in Treasury finances.

He said he had no other choice and those with the broadest shoulders “should bear the heavier burden”.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned the public about the state of the UK’s finances

Ms Robison is due to set out in-year cuts in a statement to parliament next week. The Scottish government will announce more comprehensive spending plans for 2025-26 in its budget later this year.

As it released a report on the state of the country’s finances, the SFC said while decisions made by the UK government had contributed to pressure on the Scottish public purse, “much of the pressure comes from the Scottish government’s own decisions”.

It said a council tax freeze, more generous public sector pay deals than in other parts of the UK and social security reforms had all “added to the in-year pressures”.

SFC chairperson Prof Graeme Roy said: “The past choices of the Scottish government narrow its room for manoeuvre now and in the future.”

He added: “With pay making up more than half of the Scottish government’s day-to-day budget, we need more transparency and planning around pay awards at budget time to avoid disruptive spending controls being introduced part way through the year.”

The commission said the government had budgeted for a 3% limit to pay increases, but that this would be exceeded by agreements being struck, with more negotiations under way.

On devolved welfare benefits, it said ministers have chosen to spend £900m more than the Treasury allocated in a block grant, and that is on course to reach £1.5bn within five years.

Ms Robison said it would have been “impossible” for the Scottish government to budget for public sector pay rises of more than 3% and that her only option was to fund them was in-year cuts.

She told BBC Scotland News that pay deals and investing in social security had “of course” added financial pressures but that the SNP administration had always managed to balance its budget, as it legally required to do.

“What makes it very difficult though is the uncertainty around UK government funding and inflation,” Ms Robison said.

“This is not unique to Scotland but we will get on, we will make some of the difficult decisions that we have to make but we need some honesty from the Labour Party around ushering in a new era of austerity which will have a major impact on public services here in Scotland.”

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar accused the SNP administration of wasting money

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said it was “absurd” and “laughable” for the Scottish government to suggest in-year spending cuts were a response to the statement made by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in July, when she announced some cuts to help plug a “black hole” in the public finances.

Mr Sarwar told BBC Scotland News: “This is an SNP government that is looking for somebody else to blame, not taking responsibility and after 17 years people are paying the price.

“The incompetence has to end, the economic carnage has to end and the waste has to end.”

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, meanwhile, said it was “completely disingenuous” for Labour to blame the UK’s financial position on the previous Tory administration in Downing Street.

He also accused the Scottish government of trying to “blame everyone but themselves” for the economic situation in Scotland.

The outgoing Tory leader said the Scottish government had made some “extremely poor” choices in the 17 years since the SNP took power.

He told BBC Scotland News: “Now we are going to face the brunt of those choices with big cuts coming down the line by the looks of things.”

To help fund public sector pay deals and avoid strikes in Scotland, Ms Robison has ordered a halt to all non-essential spending, as well as a recruitment freeze for all but the most pressured jobs in the NHS.

The government has intervened to help avoid public sector strikes, including those involving waste workers

Ahead of the announcement next week, some spending decisions have already been announced – including introducing means tested winter fuel payments, the return of peak rail fares, scrapping free bus travel for people in the asylum system and delaying a digital devices programme.

Funding for other projects, including flood defences, nature restoration and the expansion of free school meals, will also be diverted to fund council wage settlements.

The Scottish government recently provided extra funding to help Cosla offer a pay increase of at least 3.6% to local authority workers.

Pay deals for doctors, nurses and teachers are yet to be agreed.

Ms Robison has said pay increases were not be fully funded and would require cuts from other areas.

3 Pakistani pilgrims dead, 48 injured in another Iran bus crash

A bus carrying Pakistani pilgrims crashed in southern Iran, resulting in three deaths and 48 injuries. This incident marks the second tragedy involving Pakistani pilgrims within six days.

Local media reported that the collision occurred on Sunday night on the main road between Neyriz city in Fars province and Sirjan in Kerman province.

The pilgrims were travelling to Iraq via Iran to participate in the Arbaeen commemorations.

According to Iranian authorities, the bus collided with the truck after brake failure, leaving three passengers dead and 48 others injured.

Iranian media did not report the total number of passengers on board the ill-fated bus.

Earlier, on August 21, a crash in the Iranian city of Yazd claimed 28 lives.

In the previous incident, a bus carrying 53 passengers, including 14 women, overturned near the Taftan-Dehshir checkpoint due to brake failure and caught fire.

On August 23, a special flight carrying the mortal remains of the deceased pilgrims landed in Jacobabad around 11 pm.

Three of the deceased and one injured individual belong to Karachi, and their bodies are being transported via air ambulance, officials said.

Chinese commander hails Pakistan’s ‘concerted efforts’ in combating terrorism

Commander of the People’s Liberation Army Ground Forces General Li Qiaoming expressed admiration for Pakistan’s concerted efforts in combating terrorism and extremism during a meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarter in Rawalpindi on Monday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

The Chinese commander also acknowledged the unwavering professionalism and dedication of the Pakistan army during the meeting.

“The meeting afforded an opportunity for in-depth discussions on matters of mutual interest, regional security, military training, and measures to further augment bilateral defence cooperation,” the military’s media wing said.

Moreover, the army chief underscored the robust relations between the Pakistan Army and the People’s Liberation Army, highlighting the ongoing bilateral military cooperation is a testament to the enduring brotherhood between the two nations, as per the ISPR.

The ISPR said: “COAS General Syed Asim Munir expressed his gratitude to the dignitary, reiterating that Pakistan deeply cherishes its fraternal ties with China.”

Earlier, upon arrival at the GHQ, General Li paid respects at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada by laying a floral wreath, and was presented with a guard of honour by a smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Army, in a ceremonial display of respect and hospitality, according to the statement.

General Li also called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

PM Shehbaz warmly welcomed General Li to Pakistan and underscored that Pakistan and China are All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partners and trusted friends.

The prime minister highlighted that the deep-rooted ties between the two nations enjoy broad public, political, and institutional support in Pakistan, making them indispensable for the progress and development of both countries.

He expressed satisfaction at the deepening military-to-military exchanges, noting that the defence and strategic ties between Pakistan and China are vital for peace and stability in the region. These relations form the foundation of their bilateral relationship.

General Li, in his remarks, affirmed China as an iron brother, strategic partner, and reliable friend, placing the highest priority on its relationship with Pakistan.

He also expressed China’s desire to elevate their bilateral friendship to new levels of cooperation and collaboration.

Recognising the role of Pakistan’s armed forces in promoting regional peace and stability and combating terrorism, the Chinese commander reiterated the PLA’s commitment to further expanding its cooperation with Pakistan in order to enhance the capacity building of the two armed forces.

The two sides focused on various aspects of the Pakistan-China friendship, particularly the bilateral defence and strategic partnership.

Notably, both Pakistan and China enjoy fraternal bilateral and diplomatic relations  established on May 21, 1951.

In July this year, officials from both the countries vowed to accelerate the progress on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is a cornerstone of bilateral relations.

A pledge to this effect was renewed during a productive meeting between Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof Ahsan Iqbal, and Zhao Chenxin, the vice-chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China, at the NDRC headquarters in Beijing.

Additionally, in the same month, General Munir, while revitalising bilateral ties between Pakistan and China, said that they “are exceptional and have always weathered the vicissitudes of the strategic environment with mutual trust and unwavering belief in each other’s support”.

The army chief made the remarks on the occasion of the 97th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China hosted at the GHQ in Rawalpindi, according to ISPR.

Economically, China is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and a major investor, especially in infrastructure and energy sector.

Modi discusses Ukraine visit with Biden

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke with US President Joe Biden about his visit to Ukraine, as the White House voiced hope that he embraced Kyiv’s view on ending Russia’s invasion.

Modi, who angered Ukrainians by hugging Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow recently, visited Kyiv on Friday and told President Volodymyr Zelensky that “no problem should be solved on the battlefield.”

Briefing Biden by telephone on his trip, Modi “reiterated India’s consistent position in favor of dialogue and diplomacy and expressed full support for (an) early return of peace and stability,” an Indian foreign ministry statement said.

Asked about Biden’s response, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the United States supported all countries listening to Zelensky’s perspectives on ending the war.

“We welcome any other country that wants to help President Zelensky work towards this just peace,” Kirby told reporters.

Zelensky has called for the return of all territory seized by Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

India has not explicitly backed Zelensky’s stance. Despite increasingly close relations with Washington, India has refused to join US sanctions on Moscow, with which it has historic relations, and instead has embraced Russia as a cheaper source of oil.

India said that Modi and Biden also discussed Bangladesh, where leader Sheikh Hasina, a close ally of New Delhi, resigned and fled earlier this month after mass protests against her increasingly authoritarian rule.

The Indian statement said that Modi and Biden “emphasized restoration of law and order and ensuring safety and security of the minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh.”

Hindus have faced attacks since the fall of Sheikh Hasina, whose secular rule enjoyed minority support.

The United States had repeatedly criticized Sheikh Hasina for backsliding on democracy but, knowing that India was far more invested in Bangladesh, had been careful not to clash openly with New Delhi.

No intention to increase ME tensions, says Iran

DUBAI: Iran does not seek to increase Middle East tensions, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani, adding that its response to the killing of the Hamas chief in Tehran would be “definite and calculated”.

Iran blames Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on July 31, which Araqchi was quoted by Iran’s state media as saying was “an unforgivable violation of Iran’s security and sovereignty”.

Israel has neither claimed nor denied responsibility for Haniyeh’s death in the Iranian capital.

“Iran does not seek to increase tensions. However, it is not afraid of it,” Araqchi told his Italian counterpart on the phone, according to a statement about the phone call published on Monday by Iran’s foreign ministry.

Araqchi said that Iran’s response would be “definite, calculated and accurate”, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Araqchi and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani discussed important regional issues.

The Qatari foreign minister, who is in Tehran, is also scheduled to meet Iran’s President Masoud Pezes­hkian. This is Qatari top diplomat’s the first official visit to Tehran since the formation of the 14th government in Iran.

UN forced to halt humanitarian operations in Gaza

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations said on Monday it had been forced to halt its humanitarian operations in Gaza due to a new Israeli evacuation order for the Deir al-Balah area, a senior UN official said.

“We are not operating today. As of this morning, we’re not operating in Gaza,” the official said, adding that since the start of the war the UN has sometimes had to “delay or take a pause.” “This is not a decision that we’re saying we’re stopping to operate, but practically we cannot operate,” the official said.

According to the official, the UN “had relocated most of our personnel in our operations” to Deir al-Balah following a Rafah evacuation order several months ago.

The Israeli military had told people on Sunday to “evacuate immediately”. “We need to find solutions,” the UN official said. “And if it means that we need to anchor down for 24-48 hours and reset, we do that. But we’re not leaving.

 

Israel’s military struck the Gaza Strip on Monday a day after truce talks in Cairo coincided with a major but brief cross-border escalation involving Hezbollah in Lebanon.

In the latest flare-up between Israel and Hamas-ally Hezbollah, the Lebanese group on Sunday launched rockets and drones in retaliation for a top commander’s killing as Israel carried out air raids the military said thwarted a larger attack.

Israel swiftly revoked a state of emergency declared early on Sunday, and Hezbollah said its operation was “completed”.

On the ground, witnesses and AFP correspondents reported air strikes and shelling in Gaza City and other parts of the besieged Palestinian territory overnight and Israel’s military said it had struck fighters in the south.

Medics said an air strike on a Gaza City house killed at least five people, with two rescuers telling AFP more victims may be buried in the ruins in Al-Rimal neighbourhood. “There are still martyrs and body parts under the rubble,” ambulance driver Hussein Muhaysen said.

An Israeli military statement said troops had “eliminated” dozens of fighters over the past day in the southern areas of Khan Yunis and Rafah, and near Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.

Israel’s military campaign since October 7 last year has killed at least 40,435 people in Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry. The UN rights office says most of the dead are women and children.

Hezbollah has traded near-daily fire with Israeli forces throughout the war, in what the group says is support for its Palestinian ally Hamas.

After weeks of retaliation threats, Hezbollah early on Sunday launched what it said was part of its response to Shukr’s killing.

 

Intense diplomacy has sought to head off a broader retaliation for the late July killings of senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli strike on Beirut, and of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Mediators held meetings in the Egyptian capital on Sunday but reported no breakthrough in months of protracted negotiations to end the Gaza war as the fighting raged on.

A key sticking point has been Israel’s insistence that it keep control of several strategic areas, including the so-called Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border, to stop Hamas from re-arming, something the group has refused to countenance.

Cairo, which has been mediating the talks alongside Qatar and the United States, made clear on Monday it would not support continued Israeli control of the corridor, according to state-linked media.

Egypt “reiterated to all parties that it will not accept any Israeli presence” along the corridor, Al-Qahera news reported, citing a high-level source.

The White House claimed on Monday that Gaza truce talks in Cairo have made progress and were expected to continue at a working level for several days despite clashes between Israel and Hezbollah.

“There continues to be progress, and our team on the ground continues to describe the talks as constructive,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters. “So despite the rocket and drone attack by Hezbollah over the course of the weekend, which Israel did a terrific job defending against, it has not affected the actual work on the ground by the teams trying to get this ceasefire deal in place,” Kirby said.

Kirby said that senior White House official Brett McGurk stayed in Cairo for an extra day to allow further talks at a lower level.

PTI involved in furthering India-sponsored agenda in Pakistan, says federal minister

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has yet again censured the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying that the Imran Khan-founded party has been spearheading the India-sponsored agenda in the country.

The minister said this on Sunday after detained PTI’s Information Secretary Raoof Hasan’s contacts with an Indian journalist came to the fore. The PTI leader’s contacts with the journalist of the neighbouring country had exposed the former ruling party, he added.

Hasan was arrested on July 22, the day when Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry called on the nation to stand up against militants and “digital terrorists”.

The PTI leader was arrested by the Islamabad police from the party’s Central Secretariat for heading a digital media cell allegedly involved in running propaganda against Pakistan and its integrity.

“The PTI digital media centre had become a centre of international disinformation, from where anti-Pakistan propaganda is run throughout the world,” police said, announcing Hasan’s arrest — who was later handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

The same month, he was transferred to the custody of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of the police for interrogation in a terrorism case.

In his statement issued earlier today, the information minister said that the former ruling party was using its social media cell to run a campaign against the Pakistan Army, adding that the investigation [with Hasan] has unearthed how the Indians bankrolled the PTI from abroad.

Tarar called the PTI a “foreign-funded” party, saying the PTI caused harm to the country’s foreign policy through a cipher. The party, he added, is using “its foreign lords” to harm national integrity.

Commenting further on the recent revelation of Hasan’s contact with the Indian journalist, the politico stressed that Hasan [in his messages to the Indian journalist] mirrored his party’s approach.

“The PTI’s social media cell was a major source of connections with the country’s enemies. Now, we can understand why the May 9 attacks were launched,” he added.

The federal minister further said that the “foreign-funded coterie” had crossed all limits of animosity against the country, as the party’s real objective was to damage Pakistan’s national interests and its army.

Condemning the PTI, he said the Imran-founded party’s followers are fulfilling the Indian agenda while living in Pakistan and they brought terrorists back to the country to complete the Indian agenda.

Tarar also said that “Faiz-Niazi-Bushra collusion” did harm the country for their nefarious designs.

The military earlier last week announced that the ex-director-general of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) General (retd) Faiz Hamid had been taken into custody over allegations of land-grabbing and snatching valuables from the owner of a private housing society, and a process of Field General Court Martial has been initiated against him.

The retired general turned out to be a pawn of the PTI founder to kick up political instability in the country, he said, adding that the ‘Faiz-Niazi connection’ tried to create the impression that there is some sort of rift in the military.

PM Shehbaz reiterates govt’s resolve to tackle power issues on priority

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday reiterated the government’s resolve to tackle power issues, including prevention of electricity theft, reducing line losses, and improvement of the power distribution companies (Discos) across the country.

Presiding over a meeting held here to review matters of the Power Division, the premier directed the Power Minister and Secretary Power Division to coordinate with the provinces with respect to halting electricity theft, performance of Discos and other matters of the sector.

Recently, PM Shehbaz said, the government had appointed new board chairmen and members in five power distribution companies through a transparent process, hoping that these appointments would further improve the performance of Discos.

“A whole-of-the-government approach should be adopted to resist power theft across the country,” the premier said.

He directed the provincial governments to maintain the number of police force and Tehsildars as per the Discos’ needs.

He also ordered the authorities concerned to deal with the corrupt elements in the power distribution companies with in iron hand and take strict action against them.

He directed Discos to make the kutchehri system more effective and result-oriented with respect to the public complaints.

PM Shehbaz said the meeting of the steering committee that was formed in connection with the shifting of agriculture tube wells to solar energy in Balochistan, should be called immediately.

The meeting was apprised that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding the transfer of agricultural tube wells in Balochistan to solar energy had been notified to the Steering Committee.

It was further informed that a package was being prepared regarding acknowledgement of officers who had shown good performance.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Power Awais Khan Leghari and other officers of the relevant ministries and divisions.

Putin reaches Azerbaijan for talks with Aliyev

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku on Sunday for a two-day state visit, Russian news agencies reported.

Russian television broadcast images of the Russian president’s plane as it arrived in Baku in the evening.

His visit to the Caucasus country, a close partner of both Moscow and Turkey but also a major energy supplier to Western countries, comes against the backdrop of an unprecedented Ukrainian military offensive on Russian soil.

Putin is due to hold talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev on bilateral relations and “international and regional problems”, the Kremlin said.

The two leaders are dining Sunday evening at the Azerbaijani president’s official residence, local official news agency Asertac said.

On Monday, Aliyev and Putin will sign joint documents and make statements to the press, said Russian agency Ria Novosti.

Putin will also lay a wreath on the tomb of Heydar Aliyev, father of the current leader, who was president from 1993 to 2003.

Earlier, the Kremlin said they would also discuss “the question of settling (the conflict) between Azerbaijan and Armenia”.

Azerbaijan reconquered the mountainous enclave in September 2023 from the Armenian separatists who had held it for three decades.

Armenia accused Russia of inadequate support in its conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Since then, Armenia has sought to deepen its ties with Western countries, especially the United States, much to the annoyance of Moscow, which considers both former Soviet republics to be in its sphere of influence.

Azerbaijan is a major producer of natural gas, to whom many European countries turned to make up for the sharp reduction in Russian deliveries after the start of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022.

It is also hosting the COP29 climate conference in November.

Putin’s last visit to Azerbaijan was in September 2018.

Putin has been under an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court since March 2023 for the “deportation” of Ukrainian children to Russia, an accusation the Kremlin denies.

While the threat of arrest has limited Putin’s travels abroad, Azerbaijan is not a signatory to the Rome Statute treaty that established the ICC.

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