Former Indian lawmaker, brother fatally shot live on TV

Police officers escort Atiq Ahmed, a former lawmaker in India's parliament, accused in several criminal cases, outside a court in Prayagraj, India, on April 13, 2023. (REUTERS)
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Updated 17 April 2023
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Former Indian lawmaker, brother fatally shot live on TV

  • Atiq Ahmad and his brother were under police escort on their way to a medical checkup at a hospital
  • Three men posing as journalists targeted the two brothers from close range in the Uttar Pradesh state

LUCKNOW: A former Indian lawmaker convicted of kidnapping and facing murder and assault charges was shot dead along with his brother in a dramatic attack that was caught live on TV in northern India, officials said Sunday. 

Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were under police escort on their way to a medical checkup at a hospital on Saturday night when three men posing as journalists targeted the two brothers from close range in Prayagraj city in Uttar Pradesh state. 

The men quickly surrendered to the police after the shooting, with at least one of them chanting “Jai Shri Ram,” or “Hail Lord Ram,” a slogan that has become a battle cry for Hindu nationalists in their campaign against Muslims. 

Uttar Pradesh is governed by India’s ruling Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janata Party. 

Police officer Ramit Sharma said the three assailants came on motorcycles posing as journalists. 

“They managed to reach close to Atiq and his brother on the pretext of recording a byte and fired at them from close range. Both sustained bullet injuries on the head,” he said. “It all happened in seconds.” 

Multiple videos of Saturday’s shooting went viral on social media. It was initially broadcast live on local TV channels as the brothers spoke to media while being taken to the hospital. 

The footage shows someone pulling a gun close to Atiq Ahmad’s head. As he collapses, his brother is also shot. The video shows assailants repeatedly firing at the two men after both fell on the ground. 

Atiq Ahmad, 60, was jailed in 2019 after he was convicted of kidnapping a lawyer, Umesh Pal, who had testified against him as a witness in the killing of a lawmaker in 2005. In February, Pal was also killed. 

On Thursday, Atiq Ahmad’s teenage son and another man, both of whom were blamed for Pal’s death, were killed by police in what was described as a shootout. 

Two weeks earlier, Atiq Ahmad had petitioned the Indian Supreme Court for protection, saying there was an “open, direct and immediate threat to his life” from state functionaries of Uttar Pradesh, according to media reports. But the court declined to intervene and instead asked his lawyer to approach the local state court. 

Atiq Ahmad was a state lawmaker four times and was also elected to India’s Parliament in 2004 from Uttar Pradesh’s Phulpur constituency, once represented by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. 

He faced more than 100 criminal cases and was among the first politicians from Uttar Pradesh to be prosecuted under the stringent Gangster Act in the late 1980s. He also cultivated a Robin Hood image among mostly Muslim constituents and used to financially help many poor families. 

But he was also criticized for leveraging his political clout to develop a syndicate that was an active player in the real estate market amid allegations of forced capture of properties and other crimes. 

Opposition parties criticized the killings as a security lapse. 


Freight shipping on Mosel river in Germany blocked after accident

Updated 3 min 15 sec ago
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Freight shipping on Mosel river in Germany blocked after accident

The river, known as the Moselle in France, is an important transit route for grains and rapeseed between Germany and France
Vessels cannot pass the Sankt Aldegund lock in either direction, the spokesperson said

HAMBURG: Freight shipping on the river Mosel in west Germany has been blocked to shipping after an accident involving a passenger ship that damaged a lock, authorities said on Thursday.

The river, known as the Moselle in France, is an important transit route for grains and rapeseed between Germany and France. Transit was halted after an accident on Wednesday damaged a lock at Sankt Aldegund between Koblenz and Trier, a police spokesperson said.

Vessels cannot pass the Sankt Aldegund lock in either direction, the spokesperson said.

Technical experts on Thursday were examining the lock, and it is not yet possible to comment on the level of damage or say how long the impact on shipping will last, river navigation authority WSA said.

German federal transport minister Patrick Schnieder said in a statement he will visit the accident site later on Thursday.

“I will do everything in my power to ensure that the lock can resume operations as soon as possible,” Schnieder said.

The river was closed to inland waterways shipping in December after an accident that damaged a lock at Mueden, south of Koblenz, and only reopened in February after lengthy repairs.

Initial indications are that the lock’s concrete structure and drive mechanism were not damaged in the accident, WSA head Eric Oehlmann said in a statement.

Technicians are currently assessing whether it is possible to resume limited lock operations for the waiting vessels to pass, he said.

“If not, we will find another solution, for example, through emergency locks with temporary water control barriers, which have already proven effective,” Oehlmann said.

A temporary lock was successful in allowing ships to transit during the winter disruption.

“Despite the accident, there is determination that shipping on the Moselle will not come to a complete standstill," Oehlmann said.

Japan ‘seriously concerned’ after Iran stops cooperating with IAEA

Updated 9 min 7 sec ago
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Japan ‘seriously concerned’ after Iran stops cooperating with IAEA

  • ‘The engagement of the IAEA is essential for resolving Iran’s nuclear issue,’ the Japanese Foreign Ministry says

TOKYO: Japan has expressed “serious concern” over Iran’s decision to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

“Japan attaches great importance to the activities of the IAEA in verifying Iran’s nuclear program and expresses serious concern over this announcement,” the country’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

“The engagement of the IAEA is essential for resolving Iran’s nuclear issue.”

Iranian authorities announced on Wednesday that they would no longer cooperate with the agency. Japan had been urging Iran to continue to cooperate with the IAEA and said all necessary diplomatic efforts to achieve this will go on, in cooperation with the international community and relevant organizations.

“Japan has consistently emphasized the importance of resolving Iran’s nuclear issue through dialogue, based on the position that Iran’s development of nuclear weapons must never be allowed, for the sake of maintaining the international nuclear non-proliferation regime,” the Foreign Ministry added.


Motor racing-Mayer set to stand against Ben Sulayem for FIA presidency

Updated 20 min 28 sec ago
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Motor racing-Mayer set to stand against Ben Sulayem for FIA presidency

  • Mayer would announce on Friday he was standing against Ben Sulayem
  • A press conference was called at a venue outside the Silverstone circuit

SILVERSTONE, England: Mohammed Ben Sulayem will face a challenge to his bid for re-election as president of the FIA, motorsport’s world governing body, after a rival candidate emerged on Thursday.

The BBC reported American Tim Mayer, a former Formula One steward and son of former McLaren principal Teddy Mayer, would announce on Friday he was standing against Ben Sulayem.

A press conference was called at a venue outside the Silverstone circuit ahead of British Grand Prix practice.

Ben Sulayem, an Emirati, is scheduled to attend the race which marks the midpoint in the Formula One season. He has already announced he is seeking a second term.

The FIA is the governing body for F1, the world rally championship and Formula E among other series.


Saudi culinary scene thoroughly deserves its place in Michelin Guide, says its international director

Updated 11 min 18 sec ago
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Saudi culinary scene thoroughly deserves its place in Michelin Guide, says its international director

  • Gwendal Poullennec tells The Mayman Show inspectors are busy exploring the Kingdom’s vibrant food culture, and the chosen restaurants will be revealed toward the end of the year
  • ‘I think there are a lot of places that need to be in (the guide); hidden gems that deserve their time to shine. And through the restaurants, we are also putting the spotlight on the culture,’ he adds

RIYADH: The first restaurants in Saudi Arabia chosen for inclusion in the Michelin Guide will be unveiled toward the end of this year, Gwendal Poullennec, the guide’s international director, mentioned during his appearance on The Mayman Show this week.

He said they are being selected in collaboration with the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission, and inspectors are already busy in the field exploring the vibrant food scene in various parts of the Kingdom.

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“When we consider a destination, because we have to establish a road map, we need to have a gradual plan, so as not to compromise with the value and the methodology,” Poullennec said.

“We need also to acquire the knowledge of all the different food cultures. So that takes time. But to set up a clear priority, we monitor, in the field, the evolution of the different food scenes.”

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The guide announced in June that it was adding Saudi Arabia as a destination in its 2026 edition. The Kingdom’s diverse landscapes, from its vast deserts to the stunning Red Sea coastline, provide a backdrop for some unforgettable dining experiences, Poullennec noted, and the country is also home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Diriyah. This deep historical and cultural heritage helps to set it apart.

“You feel the dynamic, the talent joining the industry, the diversity,” he said. “And based on what is happening today — and even more on the potential it has to develop in the years to come — we decided to move to the next step, which is to publish a Michelin Guide selection … And this will happen at the end of the year, with three digital releases: Oct. 15, Nov. 15, Dec. 15.”

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The recommendations will initially focus on culinary hot spots in Riyadh and Jeddah, he explained. During the process of expanding into Saudi Arabia Poullennec found there were still a lot of misconceptions about the country’s identity and authenticity in the eyes of foodies.

“I think there are a lot of places that need to be in (the guide); hidden gems that deserve their time to shine,” he said. “And through the restaurants, we are also putting the spotlight on the culture.”

He also shared some of the initial findings about the Saudi food scene based on the feedback from inspectors so far.

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“What they found is the open-mindedness,” Poullennec said. “Not only do you have local restaurants inspired by the culinary heritage but you have a lot of creativity. You have inspiration from all around the world.

“So, you feel the dynamics; you feel that, definitely. There is a momentum and that’s the reason why we decided to move forward.”

With a mind for strategy and a palate shaped by curiosity, Poullennec has been quietly helping to shape the future of fine dining through his work for the guide for the past two decades.

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From the launch of Michelin’s Tokyo guide to steering its digital transformation, he has helped bring the renowned red book to 45 destinations around the world. Known for his motto, “On the move,” he embodies the spirit of discovery, biking thousands of kilometers a year and sampling new dishes not out of hunger but wonder. He leads with discipline but eats with joy.

“When I joined Michelin, I wanted to contribute to expanding the Michelin Guide abroad because I felt it had an incredible potential to transform the world, to contribute to putting the spotlight on the cultures,” Poullennec said.

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“And that’s basically what happened, because I’ve been working 20 years now for the Michelin Guide and I have been able to make it happen, you know, to make the dreams come true and to contribute to

the international expansion of the guide, starting with the US, outside of Europe, and then Asia, where we landed the guide in Japan.”

The more authentic and unique a destination is, the more appealing an option it is for inclusion in the guide, Poullennec said, because it means it can recommend places that offer “something that you will find nowhere else. It is a reason to travel for, based on the Michelin Guide criteria. And from that perspective, Saudi (Arabia) has a lot to offer and truly deserves its place in the world of culinary conversation.”

 


Utility Stores employees vow resistance as government plans shutdown from July 10

Updated 29 min 15 sec ago
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Utility Stores employees vow resistance as government plans shutdown from July 10

  • Workers’ union says closure will affect over 11,000 direct and 5,500 indirect employees
  • A committee will discuss Voluntary Separation Scheme with union members on Friday

ISLAMABAD: The Utility Stores Corporation (USC) employees’ union on Thursday vowed to resist the government’s decision to shut down retail operations by July 10, saying it would fight for the rights of over 11,000 workers by initiating protests, sit-ins and legal action.

Established by the government in 1971, the corporation has a nationwide chain of retail outlets that provide essential commodities to the general public at prices lower than those in the open market.

The corporation took over 20 retail outlets at the beginning but now operates 6,000 stores across the country. The government allocated Rs65 billion ($229.7 million) to subsidize the products sold by the retail chain in the last fiscal year.

One of its spokespersons confirmed to Arab News the corporation’s public retail stores will be closed by July 10, adding that all operations will shut down by the end of the month.

“We have received instructions from the Ministry of Industries and Production to close down all the stores by July 10, shift remaining goods to warehouses and completely shut down operations by July 31, 2025,” Sajid Marwat, USC Public Relations Officer, said.

Meanwhile, Arif Shah, Secretary General of the All Pakistan Workers Alliance of Utility Stores, said the union will use all available avenues to protect the corporation and its employees.

“We will pursue both options, challenging the decision in court and staging on-ground protests including a sit-in at the [USC] headquarters,” he told Arab News.

“In total, around 17,000 people — including 11,500 direct employees of Utility Stores, 2,000 to 2,500 vendor staff and 3,000 franchise store workers from 1,000 to 1,200 outlets — will be affected by the closure,” Shah said, adding the authorities had already terminated around 4,100 employees.

He maintained the institution has remained in existence for 55 years, and shutting it down was not the government’s sole prerogative.

“If it is truly necessary to close this institution, the decision should be approved by parliament,” he said.

Shah noted that during emergencies and disasters, the corporation stood at the forefront to provide relief items and ensure food security due to its big presence all over the country.

He pointed out if the government was determined to shut it down, then at the very least, the employees should be given a fair and respectable voluntary separation scheme (VSS) package to help absorb the financial shock.

Asked about the possibility of offering such a proposal, USC spokesperson Marwat said a human resource committee would convene on Friday to review the issue in consultation with union representatives and the management.

“The union is not accepting the current terms as they are demanding compensation packages for everyone, including daily wage laborers and contractual staff, as all categories of workers are being affected,” he informed, adding that the government was considering a financial deal for regular employees.

Under the package for regular staff, the government is planning to offer two or three month of basic salary.

“But based on mutual consultations, the committee will prepare a comprehensive package for the outgoing employees,” he added.

Raja Miskeen, a USC employee for over two decades, termed it completely wrong to shut down Utility Stores, saying it would put the livelihood of thousands of employees like him and their families at risk.

“We are waiting for the official written order, after which we will challenge this move in court,” he told Arab News.

“We are also in contact with our unions, urging them to develop a joint strategy that includes protests, sit-ins in the federal capital and legal action,” he added.

Miskeen said the employees have dedicated many years to the corporation, adding that it had been functioning well.

“We are not against restructuring or improving its operations, but a complete shutdown is simply unacceptable,” he added.

Ayesha Anwar, a regular customer at the USC in Islamabad’s G-6 sector, said she had been shopping at Utility Stores for years, as their quality goods and subsidized rates had always helped stretch her household budget.

“Sugar at the store costs Rs164 per kilogram [$0.58], while in the open market it is around Rs200 [$0.71]. Similarly, price differences exist for other essential items as well,” she said, adding that closure of these stores would deeply affect the public, especially low-income families.