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Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Turkey's Kurdish regions not yet ready to believe in peace process
HAKKARI (Turkey), July 13 — South-east Turkey, where the army has battled Kurdish militants for decades, is not yet convinced that lasting peace is at hand. In a slickly managed ceremony across the border in Iraq Friday, members of the Kurdish rebel group PKK destroyed their weapons as part of a peace process underway with the Turkish state. But on the streets and in the tea houses of Hakkari, a Kurdish-majority town some 50 kilometres from the Iraqi border, few people express much hope that the deadly conflict is over. Police, including undercover officers, patrol the streets of the small town and make their presence felt, an AFP team observed, which discouraged locals from wanting to talk to visiting reporters. One tea drinker who was willing to speak asked not to be filmed. 'We don't talk about it because we never know what will happen tomorrow,' he explained. 'We can say something now and tomorrow be punished for it,' he added, noting that previous peace attempts have failed. The conflict has caused 50,000 deaths among civilians and 2,000 among soldiers, according to Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. 'All kinds of persecution' On the pavement in front of the restaurant where he works, Mehmet Duman raised his eyebrows. At 26, he's already seen enough to make him doubt. 'They segregated us, beat us, simply because we're Kurdish,' he said. 'We witnessed all kinds of persecution. 'So from now on, if the state wants a future for Turkey—if they want Turkey to be a good environment for everyone—they must stop all this,' he said. 'The state must also take a step' to match the symbolic operation to destroy PKK weapons in Iraq. 'Turkey has won,' Erdogan said Saturday, a day after the PKK's symbolic destruction of weapons signalling the start of the disarmament process. 'Eighty-six million citizens have won,' he added. While he has opened a peace process with the PKK, or Kurdistan Workers' Party, he has also continued his crackdown on opposition parties. The government has arrested hundreds of members of the CHP, a social-democratic, secular party descended from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. The main opposition force to Erdogan, it is rising in the polls. 'Since the beginning of the peace process, Turkey has become a much more authoritarian country,' said political analyst Berk Esen. 'The disarmament of a terrorist organization should, or could, lead to democratization and social peace, but it probably won't.' Crackdown on opposition Those arrested include the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, the party's likely candidate in the next presidential elections, and the mayors of other major cities who took power when CHP made major gains in March 2024 local elections. Accused of 'corruption', they deny the charges against them. The crackdown has also hit opposition media outlets, such as the Sozcu channel. It was forced into silence after 16 fines and suspensions since January—'one every two weeks', its director, Ozgur Cakmakci, noted Tuesday evening as lights went out. 'There is little doubt that there is an intention to liquidate opposition channels as part of an authoritarian project,' said Erol Onderoglu, the Turkish representative of Reporters Without Borders. Yesterday morning, before the plenary session of his AKP party, Erdogan sought to be reassuring. 'We know what we are doing. No one should worry, be afraid, or question anything. Everything we are doing is for Turkey, for our future and our independence,' he insisted. — AFP By Ionut IORDACHESCU
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Club World Cup proves it is imperfect but here to stay
EAST RUTHERFORD (United States), July 13 — The first edition of the expanded Club World Cup wraps up this weekend with FIFA president Gianni Infantino already hailing it as a huge success while the world of football faces up to the idea that an imperfect tournament is here to stay. Infantino's flagship competition—initially supposed to be launched in 2021 before the pandemic intervened—was derided by many, especially in Europe, before it kicked off. It was seen as an unnecessary addition to a crowded calendar, while there were also doubts as to whether it would win over the public. Even after it began former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp dismissed the competition as the 'worst idea ever implemented in football'. However, the last month in the United States has shown that such a viewpoint is surely an exaggeration. FIFA has earned criticism for the number of empty seats at many matches, but fans have turned out, with around 2.5 million attending games across the country. South American supporters in particular helped create vibrant and colourful atmospheres, and the average crowd of almost 39,000 before Sunday's final between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea was just below that of the English Premier League last season. 'The decisive factor is if the fans like it or not, and the attendances were much higher than expected,' insisted Arsene Wenger, FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development. 'I don't share the opinion of Jurgen Klopp at all because I feel a real Club World Cup is needed and if you ask all the clubs who were here at this competition I am sure all of them would want to do it again.' What they would prefer not to have to deal with again is the kind of temperatures that come with playing during the afternoon in a North American summer. Many matches were impacted by the heat and several faced long delays due to thunderstorm warnings. That looks set to cause major headaches for FIFA at the World Cup in North America next year. 'Playing in these temperatures is very dangerous, and obviously for the spectacle... the pace of play is not the same, it slows everything down,' complained Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez. That can be looked at for future tournaments, but it will surely be harder for FIFA to do anything about the dominance of Europe's leading clubs. Europe provided both finalists but did not have things all its own way, with Fluminense of Brazil flying the flag for the rest of the world. They knocked out Inter Milan en route to reaching the semi-finals, while fellow Brazilians Palmeiras got to the last eight along with Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal. Could it be expanded further? The majority of the tournament's huge US$1 billion (RM4.26 billion) prize fund still went to European teams, but the money distributed to competing clubs from around the world could give them a better chance of keeping their best players for longer. Infantino accepts that his tournament would be a greater draw if more of Europe's biggest names were involved but insists it will remain open to clubs from around the globe—even if that means mismatches like Auckland City losing 10-0 to Bayern Munich. 'Auckland represents to some extent 99.9 per cent of all players, who would like to be like them but will never have the chance—there must be a place for everyone,' he said. 'Of course I would have liked to have Liverpool here, Arsenal, Manchester United, Barcelona, Tottenham, AC Milan, Napoli... but you have to qualify.' Adding more games—up to seven for the finalists—to an already crowded calendar is problematic. Nevertheless, the determination of PSG to go all the way following their Champions League triumph, or Manchester City's disappointment when they went out, suggests that they were fully invested. 'We are very used to not having holidays unfortunately because the schedule is crazy,' City's Bernardo Silva said after his team's quarter-final exit. 'But when we are in a competition we take it very seriously and we had a lot of ambition for this Club World Cup.' And there will be another Club World Cup, even if Infantino has so far played down suggestions the tournament could be immediately expanded further, and staged more often. 'It will happen every four years, it is planned, and the next edition is in 2029,' said Wenger. — AFP
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Trump's dealmaker name on the line in high stakes tariff talks
WASHINGTON, July 13 — President Donald Trump set out early in his second term to fulfill a decades-long desire of reshaping US trade with the world, but the main outcomes so far have been discord and uncertainty. The real estate tycoon, who has staked his reputation on being a consummate dealmaker, embarked on an aggressive strategy of punitive tariffs that his administration predicted could bring '90 deals in 90 days.' The score so far? Two. Three if you count a temporary de-escalation agreement with China. The 90-day deadline was due on July 9, with dozens of economies including the European Union, India and Japan facing tariff hikes without a deal. But days before it arrived, Trump issued a delay to August 1. It was his second extension since unveiling the tariffs in April—reigniting the 'Taco Theory' that has gained traction among some Wall Street traders. The acronym coined by a Financial Times writer stands for 'Trump Always Chickens Out,' highlighting the president's inclination to roll back policies if markets turn sour. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, part of Trump's multi-leader trade team, has reportedly been a key advocate for the pauses. But the label has irked Trump and he insisted Tuesday that the deadline had always been in August. 'I didn't make a change. A clarification, maybe,' Trump said at a cabinet meeting. This week, he published more than 20 letters dictating tariff rates to world leaders including in Japan, South Korea and Indonesia. 'We invite you to participate in the extraordinary Economy of the United States, the Number One Market in the World, by far,' Trump wrote. He also issued letters to the EU, Canada, Mexico and Brazil—although Brazil was not previously targeted by the steeper 'reciprocal' tariffs and Canada and Mexico face a separate tariff regime. The documents 'appear to be Trump's way of combatting the Taco label,' said Inu Manak, a fellow for trade policy at the Council on Foreign Relations. 'He wants to show that he's not just kicking the can down the road on the deadline, but that he means business,' she told AFP. 'He's likely frustrated that there isn't a parade of deals coming in.' 'Politically complicated' 'The shift in his rhetoric from 'there is no cost—the foreigners pay the tariffs' to 'there is a short term cost, but there will be a long term gain' has put him in a more politically complicated position,' said William Reinsch, senior adviser at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Trump has repeatedly claimed that foreign countries foot the bill for tariffs, although the reality is more complicated with US companies generally paying them. 'In the public's mind, the tariffs are the pain, and the agreements will be the gain,' said Reinsch, a former US commerce official. He warned that without trade agreements, Americans could conclude Trump's strategy was flawed and deem his tactics a failure. While the 90-deal goal was probably unrealistic, Reinsch said, 'it's clear that three (UK, China, Vietnam) with only one actual text made public (UK) is too small.' Deflecting attention Meanwhile, Trump has announced a 50 per cent levy on copper imports starting August 1. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said officials would also conclude investigations into semiconductors and pharmaceuticals—which could lead to tariffs—at month-end. 'That timing is not coincidental—it lines up with the new deadline of August 1, adding more pressure and deflecting attention from any lack of deals that get made in that time frame,' Manak said. Analysts believe Trump's supporters will likely not pay much attention to trade talks unless the tariffs fuel inflation. 'Trade policy is not top-of-mind for the average voter,' said Emily Benson, head of strategy at Minerva Technology Futures. She expects the Trump administration's focus on boosting US manufacturing and reinvigorating the defense industrial base means it could be willing to bear some political heat to achieve those objectives. But it's a delicate balance. Voters will likely pay more attention if Trump follows through on his August tariff threats, Manak said. 'And we could see a negative market reaction as well, which would not go unnoticed.' — AFP
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
New Gaza-bound aid boat leaves Italy
SYRACUSE, July 13 — A Gaza-bound boat carrying pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid left Sicily today, over a month after Israel detained and deported people aboard a previous vessel. The Handala, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, left the port of Syracuse shortly after 12pm (6pm Malaysian time), an AFP journalist saw, carrying about fifteen activists. Several dozen people, some holding Palestinian flags and others wearing keffiyeh scarves, gathered at the port to cheer the boat's departure with cries of 'Free Palestine'. The former Norwegian trawler—loaded with medical supplies, food, children's equipment and medicine—will sail for about a week in the Mediterranean, covering roughly 1,800 kilometres, in the hope of reaching Gaza's coast. In early March, Israel imposed a total aid blockade on Gaza amid an impasse in truce negotiations, only partially easing restrictions in late May. The boat will make a stop at Gallipoli, in southeastern Italy, where two members of the hard-left France Unbowed party (LFI) are expected to join. The initiative comes six weeks after the departure of the Madleen, another ship that left Italy for Gaza transporting aid and activists, including Greta Thunberg. Israel authorities intercepted the Madleen about 185 kilometres west of Gaza's coast. 'This is a mission for the children in Gaza, to break the humanitarian blockade and to break the summer silence on the genocide,' said Gabrielle Cathala, one of the two France Unbowed party members set to board the boat on July 18. 'I hope we will reach Gaza but if not, it will be yet another violation of international law' by Israel, she added. The war was sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that led to 1,219 deaths, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Out of 251 people taken hostage that day, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 that the Israeli military says are dead. Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry says that at least 57,882 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed in Israel's military reprisals. The UN considers the figures reliable. — AFP
Malay Mail
11 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Kelantan police nab couple, seize RM3.1m worth of drugs
KOTA BHARU, July 13 — Police have busted a drug trafficking syndicate, with the arrest of a local couple last Friday, believed to be actively trafficking compressed ganja and ganja buds concealed in cashew nut packages, with total seizures valued at RM3.1 million. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the suspects, aged 31 and 49, were detained around 4pm while travelling in a Proton X70 along Jalan Padang Sembilan, Kuala Krai, after their vehicle was seen being driven suspiciously. He said that a subsequent inspection of the vehicle led to the discovery of 110 plastic packages, containing dried plant material believed to be ganja buds, weighing 60.8 kilogrammes, compressed ganja weighing 6.95 kilogrammes, and 150 yaba pills. 'The total drug haul in Kuala Krai alone amounted to 67.75 kilogrammes of ganja and 15 grams of yaba pills, with an estimated value of RM2.37 million,' he said, during a special press conference at the Kelantan contingent police headquarters, here, today. Following the arrest, police raided the couple's home in Selising, Pasir Puteh, on the same day, and seized an additional 22 kilogrammes of compressed ganja worth RM775,000. Cash, necklaces, and other jewellery were also seized during the raids at both locations, bringing the total value of the confiscated items to RM3.1 million. Mohd Yusoff said initial investigations found that the female suspect operates a processed chicken business, while her husband works as a p-hailing driver. The couple is believed to have been actively involved in drug trafficking for over a year, using their legitimate businesses as a front. 'We believe that this syndicate has an extensive network and serves as a major supplier, including to overseas markets, as the value of the seized cannabis buds is significantly higher than that of regular cannabis leaves,' he added. The male suspect tested positive for drugs, while the female tested negative. Both, however, have prior records related to narcotics offences, and they have been remanded for seven days, from July 11, to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,' he said. Meanwhile, Mohd Yusoff said that police have not ruled out a connection between the recently busted drug syndicate and an international network, possibly linked to the June 27 seizure of 35.4 kilogrammes of yaba pills, allegedly masterminded by a salon and restaurant owner. Investigations are ongoing, and efforts to track down remaining syndicate members continue. On July 3, Bernama reported that police had dismantled a drug syndicate and seized RM5.04 million worth of yaba pills, in six raids across Pasir Mas and Tumpat, arresting six local suspects, aged 25 to 39. — Bernama
