Sunday, April 30, 2017
Saudi Arabia arrests 46 over 2016 Medina mosque attack
Attacks took place in July during final days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, killing four security officers.
Saudi Arabia has arrested 46 people suspected of belonging to a cell responsible for an attack in Medina outside of one of Islam's holiest sites last year.
"Investigations revealed
they were directly involved in the crime of targeting worshippers in
the Prophet's sacred mosque," Interior Ministry spokesman Major-General
Mansour al-Turki told reporters on Sunday.
Turki said the group was
also behind a suicide bombing near
the US consulate in Jeddah in 2016. Both attacks took place in July during the
final days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The
bombing outside Prophet Muhammad's mosque in the western Saudi city of Medina
killed four security officers, while two policemen were wounded in the attack
in Jeddah.
Turki
said 32 of those arrested were Saudis, while the 14 others were from Egypt,
Pakistan, Yemen, Afghanistan, Sudan and Jordan.
The
ministry previously identified the Medina bomber as a Saudi national and the
Jeddah bomber as a Pakistani.
There was
no claim of responsibility for the attacks, nor did the Interior Ministry blame
a specific group.
In recent
months, Saudi authorities have stepped up a nationwide clampdown on suspected
attackers.
Severe storms kill at least seven in southern US
Tornadoes and flooding kill at least seven as dangerous weather hammered the southern United States.
At least seven people have been killed by tornadoes or floods as a severe storm slammed the southern United States over the weekend.
Tornadoes hit several small
towns in eastern Texas, killing four people. Flooding swept away a car,
drowning a woman in Missouri; a tree fell on a home killing a woman in
Arkansas; and a death was reported in Sunday morning storms that raked
Mississippi.
Dozens more were injured,
according to US officials.
In Texas, search teams were
going door to door on Sunday after the tornadoes the day before flattened
homes, uprooted trees and flipped several pickup trucks in Canton.
"It is heartbreaking
and upsetting to say the least," Canton Mayor Lou Ann Everett told
reporters at a news conference.
The first reports of
tornadoes came Saturday afternoon, but emergency crews were hampered by
continuing severe weather, said Judge Don Kirkpatrick, chief executive for Van
Zandt County.
"We'd be out there
working and get a report of another tornado on the ground," he said.
The storms rolled through
Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama on Sunday with strong winds causing isolated
pockets of damage. In Durant, in central Mississippi, one person died in the
storm. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency didn't give details.
It also dumped a rare late
season blizzard in western Kansas on Sunday.
Farther north, the storms
were causing massive flooding.
Near Clever in southwestern
Missouri, a man tried to save his 72-year-old wife from floodwaters that swept
away their vehicle Saturday, but her body was found when the water receded, the
Missouri State Highway Patrol said.
Source: AP news agency
Jailed seven years by Canada, Kashif Ali now walks free
By BRENDAN KENNEDYStaff Reporter
Sunday April 30, 2017
Sunday April 30, 2017
In court testimony, Kashif Ali described the often brutal conditions of his seven-year detention, which included beatings from guards and fellow inmates, near-daily lockdowns and one stretch of solitary confinement that lasted 103 days. (BRENDAN KENNEDY / TORONTO STAR) | ORDER THIS PHOTO
In a forceful rebuke to Canada’s practice of indefinite immigration detention, an Ontario court has ordered the release of Kashif Ali, a West African man who spent more than seven years in a maximum-security jail because Canada was unable to deport him.
Superior Court Justice Ian Nordheimer called the lengthy detention “unacceptable” and said that it violated Ali’s charter rights.
“One thing is clear, and that is that Canada cannot purport to hold someone in detention forever,” Nordheimer said, reading from his decision. “Mr. Ali has not been convicted of a criminal offence, and yet he has been held for over seven years in detention facilities, facilities that, if he had been convicted of a criminal offence, would have entitled him to a credit of more than 10-and-a-half years against any sentence that might be imposed.”
Ali, 51, was the longest-serving immigration detainee still being held. He was one of two detainees profiled in Caged by Canada, a recent Star investigation.
Wearing a white dress shirt and dark slacks — rather than the orange prison jumpsuit he had previously worn to court — Ali hugged his tearful 26-year-old daughter as soon as he was released from police custody.
“I don’t know what to say right now,” Ali said outside court on Friday, standing next to his daughter, Sakina Millington. “It was very, very tough to be in there seven years without knowing when you’re coming out. I went through a lot, man.”
As part of his court testimony, Ali described the often brutal conditions of his detention, which included beatings from guards and fellow inmates, near-daily lockdowns and one period during which he was placed in solitary confinement for 103 consecutive days.
Sakina Millington holds an image of her father and mother when she was a young child. "I have not hugged my father in 7 years. It's hard to have a relationship with someone who is detained and it not take an emotional toll on you." (ANNE-MARIE JACKSON)
Ali’s lawyer Jared Will, who is also in the midst of a Federal Court challenge to the entire immigration detention system, said he was pleased with Nordheimer’s decision.
“What’s clearest is that it was an emphatic rejection of indefinite detention for removal even if the detainee could be found to not have been co-operating,” Will said. “That’s significant, and that’s something that we think is a positive development.”
Ali says he was born in Ghana to a Ghanaian father and Nigerian mother, but his birth was never registered. As a child he moved with his mother to Nigeria and later Germany and the U.S. before entering Canada with a fake passport in 1986. He says he has never had legitimate identity documents.
The former taxi driver has a long record of mostly petty crimes, which he attributes to drug addiction. Because of his criminal record, Canada has been trying to deport him for more than 20 years. Ali has always insisted he is willing to be deported, but he can’t prove his citizenship in either Ghana or Nigeria, so neither country will take him back.
Government lawyers were seeking Ali’s continued detention, alleging that he is intentionally thwarting his removal by withholding information that would help Canada deport him.
Nordheimer disagreed. He said the government “can point to nothing more than skepticism and speculation” to support that allegation and there was “no reasonable prospect” that Ali’s situation would change if he continued to be detained.
Kashif Ali with his daughter, Sakina Millington, and ex-girlfriend Penny Davidson outside court on Friday, after a judge ordered his release. "I don’t know what to say right now ... I went through a lot," Ali said. (BRENDAN KENNEDY)
Even if an immigration detainee was being unco-operative, Nordheimer said, to allow a government to detain someone indefinitely would still be “fundamentally inconsistent with the well-established principles underlying” sections 7 and 9 of the Charter, which protect the right to life, liberty and security of the person as well as the right not to be arbitrarily detained.
“It would also be contrary to Canada’s human rights obligations,” he added.
Canada detains thousands of people every year for immigration purposes if they have been deemed a danger to the public or unlikely to appear for their deportation. Most spend only a few weeks in detention, but some cases, like Ali’s, can drag on for months or years.
Unlike some other countries, Canada does not have a maximum length of immigration detention — an issue on which Nordheimer grilled government lawyers in a previous hearing.
Earlier this month, the federal government announced it was “exploring” policy changes to reduce the length of immigration detention and limit the use of jails.
Nordheimer released Ali with a number of conditions, including a nightly curfew and a requirement to report to immigration authorities on a monthly basis. He will reside with his daughter’s grandmother and must seek treatment and counselling for his drug addiction. Ali’s lawyers had asked that he also be granted a work permit and health coverage by the federal government, but Nordheimer offered only a “strong recommendation” that government officials consider whether that would be appropriate.
With his new-found freedom still sinking in, Ali said he didn’t have any big plans for the weekend. He hadn’t even decided what to have for dinner.
“I’m just going to go home and relax,” he said. “I hope I’ll feel like I’m not in the jail no more. I know it’ll take a bit, but finally I’m out.”
With Ali’s release, the next longest-serving immigration detainee is Ebrahim Toure, who was also profiled recently by the Star. A failed refugee claimant, Toure likewise has no identity documents and the government has been unable to deport him. Unlike Ali, Toure has no criminal record in Canada, but he has spent more than four years behind bars in maximum security. Toure’s detention was continued for another 30 days last week, but he too could soon be fighting his case in court.
Ciidamada Amniga Puntland oo Deked-da Bosaaso ku Qabtay Hub laga keenay Yemen
Axad, April, 30, 2017 (HOL) –Ciidamada ilaalada dekedda magaalada Bosaaso ayaa qabtay hub la doonayay in si sharci darro ah lagu soo galiyo magaalada ,iyada oo hubkan lagu soo dhex-qariyay dooni ka timid dalka Yemen.
Hubkan oo la sheegay in uu watay nin ganacsade ah ayaa lagu soo dhex-qariyay baakado timir ah oo la doonayay in loo iib-geeyo magaalada Bosaaso, waxaana saraakiil ka tirsan deked-da ay ka gaabsadeen in ay shaaciyaan magaca ganacsadaha hubkan la soo dagay.
Waxaa hubkan uu isugu jiray 16 baaskooladood oo isugu jiray biljimta iyo dhabanacasta iyo rasaas tiro badan ,waxaana la sheegay in hubkan lagu wareejiyay laanta danbi barista ee wasaarad-da amniga.
Saraakiil ka tirsan dekadda oo aan la xiriirnay ayaa noo sheegay in hubka loo soo qaaday hab ganacsi ,xilli sanadihii la soo dhaafay ay magaalooyinka Puntland ka dhacayeen dilal qorshaysan oo ka dhan ah shakhsiyaadka ka tirsan dowladda.
Ugu danbayn,ilaa iyo hadda ma jiro war rasmi ah oo ka soo baxay dowladda oo ku aadan hubkan la qabtay ,waxaana la sheegay in hub badan oo ka yimaada dalka Yemen inta badan si qarsoodi ah looga soo dajiyo dekado macmal ah oo ku yaala gobolka.
Hiiraan Online News Desk
Kansas suspects in plot against Somalis seek trial delay
Sunday April 30, 2017
Trial currently scheduled to begin June 13
Three western Kansas men accused of plotting to attack Somali immigrants in Garden City are asking for a delay in their federal trial.
U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren did not immediately act on the motion, The Hutchinson News reported. The trial is currently scheduled to begin June 13.
The three men, all members of a small regional militia group, are accused of conspiring to detonate truck bombs at an apartment complex where about 120 Somali immigrants live in Garden City.
The motion notes the case is complex, one of the defendants was recently appointed a new attorney and the large amount of evidence to be reviewed.
Somalia and International community prepare ground for a high-level partnership agreement
Sunday April 30, 2017
The Federal Government of Somalia met international partners at a high level meeting today in Mogadishu to prepare for the 11 May 2017 London Conference on Somalia.
The meeting presented senior FGS officials with an opportunity to share their policy priorities and discuss the basis for a high-level partnership agreement to be agreed in London between Somalia and its international partners.
The meeting presented senior FGS officials with an opportunity to share their policy priorities and discuss the basis for a high-level partnership agreement to be agreed in London between Somalia and its international partners.
This agreement will cover a range of issues, including a security pact; support for drought response and economic recovery; and political priorities including the constitutional review process and a democratization process leading to one-person, one-vote elections in 2020.
Participants praised the recent political agreement that was reached by the country’s top federal and state government leaders on a new architecture for Somalia’s national security forces. This agreement will provide the basis for the gradual transfer of lead responsibility for the country’s security to Somali security forces in the coming years.
“Today’s meeting was an important step towards reaching a high-level partnership agreement at the upcoming London Conference on Somalia.Participants praised the recent political agreement that was reached by the country’s top federal and state government leaders on a new architecture for Somalia’s national security forces. This agreement will provide the basis for the gradual transfer of lead responsibility for the country’s security to Somali security forces in the coming years.
The London Conference is a major opportunity to accelerate reform, strengthen the partnership between the international community and Somalia, and set out shared priorities for the coming years to help give the Somali people the future they deserve" said the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Michael Keating.
“The challenges facing the people of Somalia are formidable. They include effective response to the drought, creating jobs and building a more resilient economy, improving security and containing violence, and a process to resolve constitutional issues to ensure greater stability and a strong federal state.
“The challenges facing the people of Somalia are formidable. They include effective response to the drought, creating jobs and building a more resilient economy, improving security and containing violence, and a process to resolve constitutional issues to ensure greater stability and a strong federal state.
The key to success is reconciliation among Somalis, as well as coherent and sustained support from the international community around Somali priorities.”
Next month’s London Conference on Somalia will be a unique opportunity to secure high-level international support for Somalia at a critical stage in its ongoing security, political and economic transition.
Next month’s London Conference on Somalia will be a unique opportunity to secure high-level international support for Somalia at a critical stage in its ongoing security, political and economic transition.
Dowladda federaalka Soomaaliya iyo beesha caalamka oo wada hadalo ka leh shirka London
Axad, April, 30, 2017 (HOL) – Waxaa soconaya wada hadallo iyo kulamo u dhaxeeya dowladda federaalka Soomaaliya iyo wakiilada beesha caalamka kaa oo looga arinsanayo shirka 11 bisha May la filayo in uu ka furmo magaalada London ee dalka Britain.
Kulankii ugu danbeeyay ee maanta ka dhacay magaalada Muqdisho ayaa waxaa ka qeyb-gallay xubno ka socda dowladda federaalka iyo wakiilada beesha caalamka sida, wakiilka xoghayaha guud ee QM ee Soomaaliya, danjiraha midowga Africa, wakiilo ka kala socday wadamada daneeya arimaha Soomaaliya oo ka mid tahay Britain oo shirkan martigalin doonta.
Arrimaha ay ugu waaweyn ee DF Soomaaliya iyo beesha caalamka ay wadahadlayaan si go'aan mideysan looga gaaro ka hor shirka London ayaa waxaa ka mid ah Qorshaha Amniga, Ddib u habeynta dhaqaalaha iyo Kaalmada abaaraha, waxaa kaloo ku jira arrimaha siyaasadda ugu muhiimsan sida dib u eegista Dastuurka iyo gaarista doorasho qof iyo cod ah sanadka 2020.
‘’ Shirkan waxaa uu muhiim u yahay sidii beesha Caalamka iyo dowladda Soomaaliya ula tagi lahaayeen qorshe mideysan shirka London’’ ayuu yiri Michael Keating.
Marka aad eegto kulamada soconaya oo ah kuwo wajiyo badan laakiin dhamaantood ku saleysan shirka London iyo ajandaha iyo tahay in lala tago, ayaa waxaa ay muujinayaan in doorka beesha caalamka ee shirkan yahay mid aad u weyn.
Madaxweynaha dowladda Soomaaliya Maxamed Cabdullaahi Farmaajo iyo ra’iisal wasaaraha dalka Britain Theresa May ayaa la filayaa in wada jir u guddoomiyaan shirka.
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Yoweri Museveni: A five times-elected dictator? - Talk to Al Jazeera
Yoweri Museveni: A five times-elected dictator? - Talk to Al Jazeera
Russian police arrest dozens of anti-Putin protesters
More than 100 arrested in St Petersburg at demonstration against Vladimir Putin's expected candidacy in 2018.
Demonstrators rallied across several cities under the slogan "We're sick of him."
The protests were called by the Open Russia movement founded by Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
About 200 people gathered in central St Petersburg, according to AFP news agency. OVD-Info, which monitors political repression, said more than 110 protesters were hauled away by riot police.
"Police officers ended the actions ... of 100 people who continued to trouble the public order," St Petersburg police said, without confirming if they had been arrested.
Putin, 64, has not announced whether he plans to run for president again. He has dominated Russian politics for 17 years and enjoys high popularity ratings.
"Putin is an usurper. He has to finally go," said one of the protesters, 35-year-old Anton Danilov, in St Petersburg.
"Everything is bad. Education, health - everything has been destroyed. I want changes," said Galina Abramova, 57.
In Moscow, a similarly sized rally remained peaceful as activists lined up under the gaze of riot police to hand over handwritten appeals for Putin to stand down from running in 2018.
"I don't want Putin to stand in the next elections," said Anna Bazarova, a 16-year-old student queuing up to hand in her petition. "Our main problem is that we can't change those in power."
Police said 250 people showed up in Moscow, the Interfax news agency reported, while Maria Baronova, an Open Russia activist, said at least 500 people had handed over a petition.
OVD-Info reported more arrests in other cities, including 20 in Tula and 14 in Kemerovo.
Saturday's protests came after opposition leader Alexei Navalny organised the largest unauthorised rally of recent years in Moscow on March 26. Police detained about 1,000 people, including Navalny.
Authorities have stepped up pressure on Khodorkovsky's Open Russia in recent days.
The General Prosecutor's Office ruled on Wednesday that the activity of its British arm was "undesirable" and accused it and other organisations of trying to discredit the election.
On Thursday, police searched the Moscow offices of Open Russia's Russian branch. Activists said they confiscated 100,000 blank appeal forms that the foundation had hoped to hand out to people encouraging them to call for Putin to quit.
Friday, April 28, 2017
Legendary Somali singer-composer, Rashid Bullo, passes away in Hargeisa
Hiiraan Online
Friday April 28, 2017
Rashid Bullo spent the majority of his life working at Radio Hargeisa.
Friday April 28, 2017
Rashid Bullo spent the majority of his life working at Radio Hargeisa.
Mogadishu, Somalia (HOL) – One of the Somalia’s most renowned singers Rashid Buulo Ibrahim has died at his home in Hargeisa on Friday, his family confirmed.
Rashid Buulo began his career as a singer at Radio Hargeisa in the early 1950s and was one of the founding members of 'Walaalaha Hargeysa' before briefly moving to the capital Mogadishu where he joined and travelled with the Waberi Band.
He spent the majority of his life working with Radio Hargeisa where he was a recordings manager and producer.Rashid Buulo began his career as a singer at Radio Hargeisa in the early 1950s and was one of the founding members of 'Walaalaha Hargeysa' before briefly moving to the capital Mogadishu where he joined and travelled with the Waberi Band.
Mr. Buulo was not only a singer but also a composer. Among his popular songs are: “Warsan iyo Weedhsan i soo waceey”, by Amin Feyr Hussein; “Sidii Eyro geel”, by Farhiya Ali featuring himself.
Hargeisa residents will fondly remember “Tanni waa Hargeysa herarka gaaban idinkala hadlaysee habeen wanaagsan” which is usually played as an outro to close the local radio program.
Rashid Buulo, born to an Indian father, Balluu Ibrahim, who arrived in Seyla, Somaliland in 1886 and married a Somali woman.
He leaves behind his wife and nine children, Three boys and six girls and dozens of grandchildren.
Hiiraan Online sends our condolences to his family. May Allah bless him with jannah and give his family Sabr, InshaAllah.
Thursday, April 27, 2017
How close is Venezuela to the brink of total collapse? - Counting the Cost
They call it the Maduro diet. Many people in Venezuela cannot get access to food and are suffering from malnutrition on a widespread level. Over the past year, 74 percent of Venezuelans lost an average of 8.7 kilos in weight and critics are blaming the government of President Nicolas Maduro.
China Ready to work with UNITED STATES to solve NORTH KOREA!
China Ready to work with UNITED STATES to solve NORTH KOREA!
Super rich - THE SAUDI ROYAL FAMILY (BBC Documentary)
Super rich - THE SAUDI ROYAL FAMILY (BBC Documentary)
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Critics blast US shipment of fighter jets to Israel
Israel is the first country outside the US to get access to the F-35 warplane, the most expensive ever developed.
by
Jonathan Cook
Israel received three F-35 stealth fighter jets from the United States at the weekend - a new generation
of "near-invisible" planes that critics fear will free the country's hand to launch air strikes and spying operations against neighbouring states undetected.
of "near-invisible" planes that critics fear will free the country's hand to launch air strikes and spying operations against neighbouring states undetected.
In total, Israel has bought 50 F-35s from manufacturer Lockheed Martin, and claims it will have the
first squadron combat-ready before the end of the year.
first squadron combat-ready before the end of the year.
Israel is the first country outside the US to be allowed access to the warplane, said to be the most
expensive ever developed.
expensive ever developed.
The F-35's main selling point is its advanced stealth capabilities, reportedly allowing it to evade even
the most sophisticated anti-aircraft missile systems. Lockheed describes the plane as "virtually
invisible".
the most sophisticated anti-aircraft missile systems. Lockheed describes the plane as "virtually
invisible".
According to Israeli officials, the jet will be able to outsmart Russian S-300 missiles, which are
stationed in both Syria and Iran. Israel has launched repeated air strikes in Syria over the past five
years, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested he wants to attack Iran.
stationed in both Syria and Iran. Israel has launched repeated air strikes in Syria over the past five
years, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested he wants to attack Iran.
Analysts have noted that, although the jet comes with a huge price tag - each plane costs around $110m - US taxpayers will be footing the bill.
Israel's fleet of F-35s are to be financed out of US military aid. The annual $3bn Israel receives from Washington will rise next year to $3.8bn, under a 10-year deal agreed by Barack Obama shortly before
he stepped down as US president.
he stepped down as US president.
"Israel would never have been able to build its military might without the US - and now it will have
even greater freedom to wreak suffering across the region," Mustafa Barghouti, head of the Palestinian National Initiative party, told Al Jazeera. "The US has turned a blind eye as Israel has used its advanced weapons against Lebanon, Gaza, Syria and elsewhere."
even greater freedom to wreak suffering across the region," Mustafa Barghouti, head of the Palestinian National Initiative party, told Al Jazeera. "The US has turned a blind eye as Israel has used its advanced weapons against Lebanon, Gaza, Syria and elsewhere."
Ash Carter, Obama's defence secretary, hailed Israel's purchase of the F-35 as allowing the two
countries' air forces to work more closely together. The US military has ordered more than 2,400 of
the jets. "Together, we will dominate the skies," he said in December.
countries' air forces to work more closely together. The US military has ordered more than 2,400 of
the jets. "Together, we will dominate the skies," he said in December.
Al Jazeera Investigations - The Lobby
P4: The Takedown
P4: The Takedown
Israel's older squadrons of F-15s and F-16s, which
have been in use since the 1970s, are due to be
gradually phased out in favour of the stealth fighter.
have been in use since the 1970s, are due to be
gradually phased out in favour of the stealth fighter.
At Israel's insistence, no Arab countries have so far
been allowed to buy the F-35. In the original
negotiations, the Pentagon agreed that the jet would
ensure that Israel maintained its "qualitative military
edge" over its neighbours.
been allowed to buy the F-35. In the original
negotiations, the Pentagon agreed that the jet would
ensure that Israel maintained its "qualitative military
edge" over its neighbours.
Israeli military officials pressed for the F-35 partly because Arab states such as Saudi Arabia began acquiring large numbers of F-15s.
"This is about ensuring Israel's regional military superiority for a long time," Efraim Inbar, director of the Begin-Sadat Centre for Strategic Studies at Bar Ilan University, told Al Jazeera. "Israel wants to be able to project power over long distances, and this plane promises to do that."
According to Israeli military analysts, one of the first uses of the F-35 could be in Syria, where Israel
has been especially active since the outbreak of civil war there six years ago. It has regularly launched
strikes against Syrian army positions, claiming to be preventing the transfer of weapons to the Lebanese group Hezbollah.
has been especially active since the outbreak of civil war there six years ago. It has regularly launched
strikes against Syrian army positions, claiming to be preventing the transfer of weapons to the Lebanese group Hezbollah.
The risks of escalation have heightened for Israel as other states - notably Iran, Russiaand Turkey - have been drawn into Syria too.
This week, Israel made a rare public admission that it carried out an air strike in Syria last month.
Unusually, the Syrian military responded to the attack by launching anti-aircraft missiles at the Israeli
planes, though none are believed to have hit their targets.
Unusually, the Syrian military responded to the attack by launching anti-aircraft missiles at the Israeli
planes, though none are believed to have hit their targets.
Inbar said the biggest prize for Israel was the F-35's potential use against Iran. Its stealth capabilities
mean it could be used either to carry out attacks or for reconnaissance missions. It would also be able to pass over intermediary countries unseen.
mean it could be used either to carry out attacks or for reconnaissance missions. It would also be able to pass over intermediary countries unseen.
Netanyahu has repeatedly suggested that Israel might attack Tehran, either alone or with US help, over
claims that it harbours ambitions to develop a nuclear weapon.
claims that it harbours ambitions to develop a nuclear weapon.
According to Israeli analyst Amos Harel, one offensive use of the new fighter would be to launch an undetected, first-wave attack against another country's radar and anti-aircraft missile systems. That
would then open the way for a second wave of planes, including F-15s, F-16s and drones, to bomb sites without fear of retaliation.
would then open the way for a second wave of planes, including F-15s, F-16s and drones, to bomb sites without fear of retaliation.
Last week, US defence secretary James Mattis made a brief visit to Israel - the first senior official from Donald Trump's new administration to do so. His meetings focused on alleged threats from Iran and
Syria, Israeli media reported.
Syria, Israeli media reported.
Israeli officials have suggested that the F-35 will not be used against Palestinians, as they have no radar or anti-aircraft batteries. "We are not buying the F-35 to attack Gaza," one told Haaretz.
But Barghouti said he doubted that. "This plane will be used everywhere - and given that Gaza is
defenceless against such attacks, it could be the place where Israel tests it first."
defenceless against such attacks, it could be the place where Israel tests it first."
Israel serves as the test-bed for the development of these kinds of new weapons. The F-35 will be tested in the field, in real time by Israel. The likelihood is that the first time the plane is used in combat will be with Israeli pilots flying it.
|
As well as being the first military to receive the fighter outside the US, Israel is the only country that
has been allowed to modify the plane's software and integrate its own components and weapons systems.
has been allowed to modify the plane's software and integrate its own components and weapons systems.
Jeff Halper, whose recent book War Against the People examined the close military ties between Israel
and the US, said the payoff for the US was that Israel would refine the F-35's combat role and carry out trouble-shooting for Lockheed and the US military.
and the US, said the payoff for the US was that Israel would refine the F-35's combat role and carry out trouble-shooting for Lockheed and the US military.
"Israel serves as the test-bed for the development of these kinds of new weapons," he told Al Jazeera.
"The F-35 will be tested in the field, in real time by Israel. The likelihood is that the first time the
plane is used in combat will be with Israeli pilots flying it."
"The F-35 will be tested in the field, in real time by Israel. The likelihood is that the first time the
plane is used in combat will be with Israeli pilots flying it."
Production of the F-35 also illustrates the increasingly tight ties between Israeli and US arms
manufacturers, noted Halper. Israeli companies won contracts worth more than $250m last year with Lockheed, which makes the F-35.
manufacturers, noted Halper. Israeli companies won contracts worth more than $250m last year with Lockheed, which makes the F-35.
They included Elbit Systems, which helps develop helmets and radio systems, and Israel Aerospace Industries, which works on Lockheed's wing sets.
Avi Dadon, a senior official in the Israeli defence ministry, told Defense News in February that with the arrival of the F-35s, Israel expected to "further deepen" cooperation, boosting the Israeli economy.
Halper said: "Israel exploits this involvement in research and development and finds commercial spin-
offs, both in military and non-military applications. This is part of the reason why Israel has a reputation for being the 'start-up nation'."
offs, both in military and non-military applications. This is part of the reason why Israel has a reputation for being the 'start-up nation'."
Barghouti said Israel was allowed to act an unofficial intermediary with other countries, such as India,
selling them military equipment cheaper than the US or without the restrictions imposed by the
Pentagon.
selling them military equipment cheaper than the US or without the restrictions imposed by the
Pentagon.
He added that Israel received more than $20bn a year in help from the US, including aid, cooperation
with military industries, preferential trade status, and donations from a network of philanthropic organisations.
with military industries, preferential trade status, and donations from a network of philanthropic organisations.
 |
Some Israeli analysts are critical of the extent to which Israel is now dependent on the US military. Emmanuel Sakal, a former general and expert on battlefield strategies at the Begin-Sadat Centre, told Al Jazeera: "Israel needs to be less reliant on the US, not more. Israel needs to be able to act on its own in times of crisis."
He said the F-35 was "no magic bullet", and the money could have been better spent on developing other aspects of the Israeli military, including its ground forces.
The F-35 programme has courted much controversy over its costs, as well as over-runs and problems in the plane's three-decade development.
A Pentagon report last year suggested that the F-35 had major design flaws, especially with its software. It is also reported to have lost in a mock dogfight with the much older F-16.
Trump has threatened to reassess the US military's purchase of large numbers of F-35s. With costs over
the jet's lifetime expected to reach $1.5 trillion, Trump accused the programme of being "out of
control".
the jet's lifetime expected to reach $1.5 trillion, Trump accused the programme of being "out of
control".
Inbar said: "The plane has a lot of problems, and we will have to see if it can be made combat-ready as quickly as the Israeli air force believes."
US wants to bring North Korea to 'path of dialogue'
Diplomacy still the preferred option but military action also on the table, US senators are told at the White House.
![Senators were bused from Capitol Hill to attend the briefing at the White House [Yuri Gripas/Reuters]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_scO1RdXt2kIy5Ch8Lz6_Slo-WFqjzVCCtq-qglNhyrqwcBY-1bI2ldXv1FzVD2CXCoqtU1p-jE34_t-g6-fIYR7DII7H2JFNsZ-lxv6ws_VOZKTmOEwl9yV41CbbJkAtesIrMhjXxdxtHKjue10NlYL5q6ooa_z0VsU0iRfT9MD8YAyKR5V9rmkdLJDe-DgX6Lakw0aEV8wY8=s0-d "US wants to bring North Korea to 'path of dialogue'")
The United States wants to bring North Korea back to the "path of dialogue" over
its nuclear weapons programme and will use diplomatic measures and additional sanctions to increase pressure on it.
its nuclear weapons programme and will use diplomatic measures and additional sanctions to increase pressure on it.
After briefing senators in a highly unusual meeting at the White House on
Wednesday, Pentagon chief Jim Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and
Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats issued a statement that toned down
military rhetoric and urged the international community to help find a solution to
North Korea's nuclear programme.
Wednesday, Pentagon chief Jim Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and
Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats issued a statement that toned down
military rhetoric and urged the international community to help find a solution to
North Korea's nuclear programme.
President Donald Trump aims to "pressure North Korea into dismantling its
nuclear, ballistic missile, and proliferation programmes by tightening economic sanctions and pursuing diplomatic measures with our allies and regional partners",
the statement read.
nuclear, ballistic missile, and proliferation programmes by tightening economic sanctions and pursuing diplomatic measures with our allies and regional partners",
the statement read.
"We are engaging responsible members of the international community to increase pressure on the DPRK in order to convince the regime to de-escalate and return to
the path of dialogue," the statement added, using North Korea's official name.
the path of dialogue," the statement added, using North Korea's official name.
An administration official said Trump attended only the first five minutes of the meeting. He delivered opening remarks before handing it over to his national
security team.
security team.
The latest move comes as tension soars on the Korean Peninsula following a series
of missile launches by the North and warnings from the Trump administration that military action was an "option on the table".
of missile launches by the North and warnings from the Trump administration that military action was an "option on the table".
Al Jazeera's Kimberly Halkett, reporting from the White House, said a whole range
of options were discussed including using leverage by China, North Korea's main
trade partner.
of options were discussed including using leverage by China, North Korea's main
trade partner.
"Another option is putting North Korea on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism," she said.
"We're told the priority is still the diplomatic option, trying to isolate North Korea economically, making it difficult for it to get components that may be needed for many of its military capabilities. But also on the table is the military option - the option
that is less preferred, we're told."
that is less preferred, we're told."
The briefing team was to meet House members in the Capitol later.
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