07/03/2025

FRIDAY | MAR 7, 2025

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Trump warns Gaza ‘you are dead’ if hostages not freed

Platini’s job hopes dashed by fraud claims: lawyer ZURICH: French footballing great Michel Platini was accused of fraud to torpedo his chances of becoming the head of world soccer governing body Fifa, his lawyer Dominic Nellen told a Swiss court on Wednesday. Platini, a former captain and manager of the French national team, is facing corruption charges in an appeal against his acquittal two-and-a-half years ago. The Swiss federal prosecutor said the 69-year-old illegally took a payment of 2 million Swiss francs (RM9.9 million) from Fifa in 2011 after it was approved by the organisation’s former Fifa president Sepp Blatter. Blatter is also accused of fraud in the hearing at the Extraordinary Appeals Chamber of the Swiss Criminal Court in the municipality of Muttenz near the city of Basel. Blatter and Platini denied the charges and were acquitted by a lower court in July 2022, which prosecutors are contesting. The investigation into the payments wrecked Platini’s hopes of succeeding Blatter. Fifa did not respond to a request for comment. Blatter’s eventual successor Gianni Infantino denied helping to bring about Platini’s downfall and said he only stepped up when UEFA asked him to after allegations against Platini emerged. Nellen said the 2 million francs was back payment for consultancy work that Platini had done for Blatter from 1998 to 2002, and was to cover the difference between what he had received and what had been agreed earlier between the two. “These proceedings have cost Michel Platini his career. It is time to finally put an end to this unworthy chapter,” said Nellen. A verdict is expected on March 25. – Reuters

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened further destruction of Gaza if all remaining hostages are not released, and issued an ultimatum to Hamas leaders to flee. The United States meanwhile confirmed unprecedented direct talks with Hamas. Strongly backing Israel as the ceasefire teeters, Trump said he was “sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job” as his administration expedites billions of dollars in weapons. “Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform after meeting freed hostages. “This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance.” Trump also warned of repercussions for Gaza as a whole, where virtually the entire population has been displaced by Israel’s military campaign. “To the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!” The first phase of a ceasefire ended over the weekend after six weeks of relative calm that included exchanges of Israeli o US confirms direct talks with Hamas

A drone view shows destroyed houses in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip, on Wednesday. – REUTERSPIC

situation in Gaza “catastrophic”, and urged Israel to ensure the “unhindered” delivery of aid. South Africa said Israel’s restriction of aid into Gaza amounted to using starvation as a weapon of war. “We lack drinking water. We cannot get rid of the waste, which affects the groundwater,”said Abu Hammam al-Hasanat, a 34 year-old who lives in the Gaza Strip. Trump’s hawkish language came after the United States confirmed unprecedented direct talks with Hamas, with the US envoy on hostage affairs, Adam Boehler.

hostages for Palestinian prisoners. While Israel has said it wants to extend the first phase until mid April, Hamas has insisted on a transition to the second phase, which should lead to a lasting ceasefire. Israel has ramped up pressure not just with threats but also by halting the flow of goods and supplies into Gaza. “Hamas has indeed suffered a severe blow, but it has not yet been defeated. The mission is not yet accomplished,” said Israel’s new military chief Eyal Zamir. France, Britain and Germany jointly called the humanitarian

“Look, dialogue and talking to people around the world to do what’s in the best interest of the American people is something that the president” believes is right, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. The United States had refused direct contact with the group since banning them as a terrorist organisation in 1997. But Leavitt said that the hostage envoy “has the authority to talk to anyone”. Five Americans are believed to remain among the hostages – four have been confirmed dead and one, Edan Alexander, is believed to be alive. – AFP

Pope Francis resting after ‘peaceful night’ VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis was “resting” yesterday after spending a “peaceful night”, as he nears three weeks in hospital with pneumonia, the Vatican said.

Lithuania quits cluster bomb treaty VILNIUS: Lithuania yesterday quit an international convention banning cluster bombs, citing security concerns over neighbouring Russia in a move that has drawn criticism from human rights groups. The formerly Soviet-ruled Baltic state of 2.8 million people has also signalled its intention to leave another international treaty prohibiting the use of anti-personnel land mines. Nato member Lithuania has said it wants to strengthen its defences following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, fearing it could be next if Moscow succeeds. But Amnesty International has called the decision “disastrous” and Human Rights Watch said it was “alarming”, with both organisations warning that it could put civilian lives at risk. The Lithuanian parliament voted to leave the cluster munitions convention last July, but the country had to wait six months after submitting exit documents to the UN for the decision to take full effect. It is the first country to leave the convention, which was adopted in 2008, and the first European Union state to leave an arms regulation agreement. Russia and Ukraine are not members of the convention and have both used cluster bombs in their three-year-long war. “Russia uses all the instruments available in a conventional war, and this shows that we need to take action to ensure effective deterrence and defence,” said Lithuania’s Deputy Defence Minister Karolis Aleksa this week. – AFP

The 88-year-old had used an oxygen mask overnight for a third time, the Holy See said. The pontiff was hospitalised on Feb 14 at Rome’s Gemelli hospital with breathing difficulties but is now battling pneumonia. Francis missed the formal Ash Wednesday celebrations in Rome marking the start of Lent, but took part in a blessing in the private suite reserved for popes on the 10th floor of the hospital. Christians across the globe celebrating Ash Wednesday prayed for his recovery, including in his native Argentina. Francis, leader of the world’s almost 1.4 billion Catholics, has not been seen in public since his hospitalisation, nor has the Vatican issued any photos, although he has published several texts. In the Flores neighbourhood of Buenos Aires where the pope grew up as Jorge Bergoglio, pilgrims prayed on Wednesday in front of portraits of him in the Basilica of San Jose de Flores. It was there that Francis has said he first felt the call, aged 17, to dedicate his life to the Church. “We are praying so that he can finish his work,” said Gabriela Lucero, 66, after the mass, which she said was themed on love for one’s neighbour, regardless of their origins. “In this time when the prevailing voices are

Mexican artist Roberto Marquez installing a portrait of Francis outside Gemelli University Hospital on Wednesday. – AFPPIC

undergoing colon surgery in 2021 and a hernia operation in 2023, but this hospitalisation is the longest and most serious. – AFP

rejecting immigrants, the pope is calling us to give love to all of them,” she said. The pope has suffered numerous health issues in his 12-year papacy, including