MUMBAI | 22 FEBRUARY 2020 WORLD 11 . < Russia meddling in election to FATF warns Pakistan, keeps it on ‘Grey List’ boost Trump, lawmakers told PRESS TRUST OF INDIA AFP/PTI Trump has been at odds with much New Delhi, 21 February Washington, 21 February of the national security establishment since he took office and claims, without Global terror financing watch- ussia is interfering in the 2020 providing evidence, that a “deep state” dog FATF on Friday decided campaign to try to get US is working against him. Since he was continuation of Pakistan in R President Donald Trump re- acquitted by the Republican-led Senate, the ‘Grey List’ and warned the elected, US intelligence officials have an emboldened Trump has been purg- country of stern action if it warned lawmakers in a briefing that ing the Justice Department, National fails to check flow of money infuriated the president, who then Security Council and Pentagon of staff to terror groups like the LeT replaced his intelligence chief, US he considers disloyal. Casualties have and the JeM, sources said. media reported. Trump erupted in included NSC staffer Lieutenant The decision was taken at anger at acting director of national Colonel Alex Vindman and EU ambas- the Financial Action Task intelligence (DNI) Joseph Maguire sador Gordon Sondland — witnesses Force (FATF) plenary in when he learned of the February 13 ses- in the impeachment inquiry — Paris. The FATF has also sion with the House Intelligence Vindman’s twin brother, an NSC lawyer warned Pakistan that if it Committee, The Washington Post and who wasn’t involved, and Pentagon pol- does not complete a full New York Times said Thursday. icy chief John Rood. action plan by June, it could Maguire aide Shelby Pierson report- Democrats have voiced outrage lead to consequences on its edly told lawmakers Russia was once over the appointment of Grenell, who businesses, a source said. again meddling in the US election on US President Donald Trump replaced his intelligence chief after learning about has no relevant background or top-lev- The plenary noted that Trump’s behalf. Trump complained that intelligence officials' briefing, according to US media reports el management experience for the post Pakistan addressed only a the Democrats would use the informa- in which he will supervise 17 agencies, few of the 27 tasks given to it tion against him, the reports said. including the CIA. “He is committed to in controlling funding to The president was also annoyed by US, Taliban plan to sign deal on Feb 29 a non-political, non-partisan approach terror groups like the With Pakistan’s continuation in the Grey List, it will be the presence of Adam Schiff, the The US and the Taliban will sign an agreement on February 29 the end of a week-long as head of the Intelligence Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the difficult for the country to get financial aid from the IMF, Democratic head of the investigation period of violence reduction in Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Community, on which our safety and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) the World Bank, the ADB and the European Union that led to Trump being impeached for the Taliban said on Friday. The agreement could represent a chance for peace after 18 security depend,” White House press and the Hizbul Mujahideen, abuse of power and obstruction of years of war and a US troop presence that dates back to 2001, as well as boosting US secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a which are responsible for a Congress, according to The New York President Donald Trump’s hopes of pulling US forces out of Afghanistan. However, statement Thursday. series of attacks in India. Times. Maguire had been a favorite to be past attempts at negotiating peace agreements have been scuttled by Taliban Grenell said on Twitter he would not The FATF said Pakistan Watchdog places Iran on nominated for the permanent DNI post attacks on international forces. The reduced violence period, to be observed by serve permanently and that Trump has to swiftly complete its but Trump soured on the official, The Afghan, international and Taliban forces, will begin at midnight (1930 GMT), an would “soon” select someone else. full action plan by June, the Washington Post said, when he heard Afghan official and Taliban leaders said. REUTERS Trump has declined to hire a per- source said. With Pakistan’s terror financing blacklist about the classified election security manent replacement for Dan Coats, continuation in the Grey List, A global dirty money watchdog divided over complying briefing. The president berated Maguire who stepped down as DNI in August it will be difficult for the on Friday placed Iran on its with the FATF. Supporters in an Oval Office showdown last week win the 2020 election, withholding mil- that he was “again jeopardising our after standing firm on the intelligence country to get financial aid blacklist after the country failed say it could ease foreign trade for the “disloyalty” of his staff, the Post itary aid considered vital to the former efforts to stop foreign meddling.” US community’s conclusion that Russia from the IMF, the World to comply with international with Europe and Asia when reported, effectively thwarting his Soviet republic in its war with Russia. intelligence concluded that Russia inter- interfered in 2016 to back Trump over Bank, the ADB and the anti-terrorism financing the country’s economy is chances of becoming a permanent hire. Democratic congressman Bennie fered in the 2016 election, especially Hillary Clinton. Grenell has cast doubt European Union, thus fur- norms. The decision comes targeted by US penalties Trump announced on Wednesday Thompson said that by firing Maguire through manipulation of social media, on the extent of Russia’s efforts, saying ther enhancing problems for after more than three years of aimed at its isolation. he was replacing Maguire with Richard over the briefing “the president is not to support Trump. that Moscow’s activities were nothing the nation which is in a pre- warnings from the Paris-based Hardline opponents argue Grenell, 53, the ambassador to Germany only refusing to defend against foreign The real estate tycoon-turned-presi- new. Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat carious financial situation. Financial Action Task that passing legislation and a Trump loyalist. interference, he’s inviting it.” Schiff dent has however repeatedly called it a on the intelligence committee, accused If Pakistan fails to comply Force (FATF) urging toward joining the FATF The president was impeached in tweeted late Thursday that if Trump was “Russia hoax” and has instead promot- Trump of prioritising “unquestioning with the FATF directive, there Tehran to enact could hamper Iran’s December over accusations that he tried interfering in the sharing of intelligence ed a debunked conspiracy theory that obedience over the safety of the is every possibility that the terrorist financing support for its allies, to coerce ally Ukraine into helping him information with Congress, it appeared Ukraine intervened instead. American people.” global body may put the coun- conventions. including Lebanon’s try in the Black List along with However, the FATF Hezbollah. North Korea and Iran. appeared to leave the Iran’s action plan to India has been maintain- door ajar for Iran saying meet with the FATF ing that Pakistan extends reg- “countries should also be able requirements, implemented in Aramco set to gain ular support to terror groups to apply countermeasures 2016, expired in January 2018. US lawmakers to introduce like the LeT, the JeM and the independently of any call by Foreign Minister Hizbul Mujahideen, whose the FATF to do so.” Mohammad Javad Zarif unconditional EU prime target is India, and has US sanctions have crippled this week appeared resigned bill that threatens encryption urged the FATF to take action Iran’s economy, slashing its oil to the FATF blacklisting, REUTERS them from liability involving have complained that such against Islamabad. exports and increasingly accusing the US using its nod for SABIC deal Washington, 21 February content posted by users. encryption hinders their Pakistan is believed to isolating it from the maximum pressure campaign REUTERS largest petrochemicals The bill threatens this key investigations. have received strong backing international financial system. to exert influence at Brussels, 21 February group, has operations in over US legislation will be intro- immunity unless companies Online platforms are from Malaysia but failed Iran’s leaders have been the FATF. AGENCIES 50 countries. The European duced in the coming weeks that comply with a set of “best prac- exempted from letting law to impress western nations World No. 1 oil producer Saudi Commission, which is could hurt technology compa- tices,” which will be determined enforcement access their due to India’s consistent Aramco is set to gain uncon- scheduled to decide on the nies’ ability to offer end-to-end by a 15-member commission encrypted networks. The pro- efforts by providing materials LeT, to 11 years in two terror rorists in Pakistan, of which ditional EU antitrust approval case by February 27, declined encryption, two sources with led by the Attorney General. posed legislation provides a and evidence on Pakistan’s financing cases. “seven are dead”. Out of the for its $69 billion buy of a 70 to comment. knowledge of the matter said, The move is the latest workaround to bypass that, the inaction to check funding The Pakistani court’s nine who are alive, seven had per cent stake in Competition and it aims to curb the distribu- example of how regulators and sources said. to terror groups operating judgment came ostensibly to applied to the UN for exemp- petrochemicals watchdogs in India tion of child sexual abuse mate- lawmakers in Washington are Titled “The Eliminating from its soil. Pakistan needed please the FATF and western tion from financial and trav- group Saudi Basic SABIC, the and a number of rial on such platforms. reconsidering the need for Abuse and Rampant Neglect of 12 votes out of 39 to exit the countries so that the country el restrictions. Industries Corp world's fourth other countries The bill, proposed by a incentives that once helped Interactive Technologies Act of Grey List and move to the can exit the Grey List. Saeed, In last month’s FATF (SABIC), people largest have already given bipartisan group of lawmakers, online companies grow, but 2019,” or the “EARN IT Act,” the White List. To avoid the Black a UN designated terrorist on meeting in Beijing, Pakistan familiar with the petrochemicals the green light aims to fight the distribution of are increasingly viewed as bill is sponsored by the List, it needs the support of whom the US has placed a got support of Malaysia matter said on group, has without demand- such material on online plat- impediments to curbing Chairman of the Senate three countries. $10 million bounty, was and Turkey besides FATF Friday. operations in ing concessions. forms like Facebook and online crime, hate speech and Judiciary Committee Lindsey The Grey Listing of arrested on July 17, 2019, in current chair China. In the Aramco over 50 Aramco’s down- Alphabet’s Google’s by making extremism. Graham and Democratic Pakistan came three days the terror financing cases. Beijing meeting, Pakistan announced the countries stream expansion them liable for state prosecu- The sources said the U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal. after a sub-group of the FATF The 70-year-old fiery provided a list of its action deal to acquire the strategy tracks tion and civil lawsuits. It does so tech industry fears these “best On Wednesday, U.S. recommended continuation cleric is lodged at the taken to comply with controlling stake rivals such as by threatening a key immunity practices” will be used to con- Attorney General William Barr of the country in it. high-security Kot Lakhpat FATF directions. from sovereign investor Exxon Mobil, BP, Total and the companies have under fed- demn end-to-end encryption - questioned whether The FATF meeting, from jail in Pakistan. Pakistan was placed on Public Investment Fund (PIF) Shell, which have over the eral law called Section 230. a technology for privacy and Facebook, Google and other February 16 to 21, was held a Pakistan has also recently the ‘Grey List’ by the FATF in in March last year, a move key years transformed them- This law shields certain security that scrambles mes- major online platforms still week after an anti-terrorism informed the FATF that JeM June 2018 and was given to its diversification into refin- selves from merely oil com- online platforms from being sages so that they can be deci- need the immunity from legal court in Pakistan sentenced founder Masood Azhar and a plan of action to complete ing and petrochemicals. panies to energy companies treated as the publisher or phered only by the sender and liability that has prevented Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind his family are “missing”. It by October 2019 or face the Riyadh-headquartered with extensive upstream and speaker of information they intended recipient. Federal them from being sued over of the 2008 Mumbai has claimed that there were risk of being placed on the SABIC, the world's fourth downstream operations. publish, and largely protects law enforcement agencies material their users post. attack and founder of the only 16 UN designated ter- ‘Black List’. Women will be hit hard by UK’s new immigration rules, warn experts With its minimum salary requirements, the full.” The Women’s Equality Party says that without substan- UK economy new system would affect female migrants tial government investment in child and elder care, women are CEYLAN YEGINSU requirement will work against put into a position where they is picking up 21 February women, who are more likely to simply cannot work. work in sectors like home and “These shortsighted plans are The British government's plan senior care that are relatively in fact more likely to exacerbate after Brexit for a post-Brexit immigration poorly compensated, even the shortages in formal care, overhaul was designed to wean though the skill levels of such leaving it to women to pick up The UK economy extended a run of the economy off its reliance on women are relatively high, unpaid and increase the number better-than-expected growth in cheap foreign labour. But in the women's advocates say. of ‘economically inactive’ full- February, more evidence of a process, women's groups have “Care workers' average annual time carers,” Reid said. rebound after fourth-quarter warned, women will suffer dis- salaries stand at just £17,000, not Women’s groups warned stagnation. While the expansion proportionately. because care work is 'low- that shutting out foreign work- continued apace, there were also The new points-based system skilled,' but because the work ers would put more pressure signs of a hit to supply chains from will give precedence to occupa- force is 80 per cent female and on women who are already in coronavirus, according to IHS tions in which women are therefore undervalued and Britain, particularly care- Markit's flash purchasing underrepresented, favor male underpaid,” says Mandu Reid, givers. “Without extra col- managers index. migrants over female and deep- the leader of the Women's leagues from abroad, UK car- The virus's outbreak weighed en gender inequality, according Equality Party. ers are going to have even less on manufacturers’ input stocks, to the Women's Budget Group, Imposing the salary require- time to do the job they’re which fell at the fastest pace in an independent network that ment would mean “shutting out employed to do and offer peo- more than seven years. Some promotes gender equality. "The care workers, piling pressure on ple the dignity they deserve,” orders from clients in Asia were new immigration system round- women to take on yet more Walker said. “This policy canceled and extended ly fails to understand the lived unpaid care, and widening the makes it an inevitability that shutdowns in China proved a experience of women, many of existing social care gap between this exhausted system will headwind. Nevertheless, whom are prevented from need and provision,” she said. come under further strain, manufacturing output grew the accessing paid work by the Women are also four while female family members fastest in 10 months, offsetting a weight of unpaid work - caring times more likely than men to will increasingly be expected small downward move in services. for children, older people and leave paid work to shoulder Industries like food production, hospitality, health and social care that rely on female migrant workers are to pick up the pieces as the Growth expectations in the private those with disabilities - that suc- unpaid caring responsibilities likely to see staff shortages after the new measures system continues to erode.” sector edged up slightly, the report cessive governments rely upon for children and older relatives. Pears said that many of her showed. The pound held gains them to do,” said Sophie Walker, This is one cause of the gender technology, engineering and points than Ph.D.s in other sub- many of those people are European friends and former after the report and traded at the chief executive of the Young pay gap and gender inequality, mathematics (STEM) once again jects already puts women on a women who are already provid- colleagues, who played impor- $1.2922 as of 9:31 am in London. Women's Trust, a British femi- the Women’s Budget Group to the detriment of women back foot,” she said, “as there is ing full-time care for children tant caregiving roles, would be "The recent return to growth nist organization. found. As a result of these because of the gender disparities already a problem with female and families. locked out of the new system signaled by the manufacturing and Under the new rules, which inequities, major industries like in those professions. students doing STEM subjects, “It feels like they just want us because they did not qualify for services PMIs provides a clear will be implemented next food production, hospitality, “There is a great emphasis on much less continuing further to fill the badly paid jobs while the salary threshold or education indication that the UK economy is January, applicants will be health and social care that rely wanting to attract scientists to education to a doctoral level with the men and foreigners will get qualifications. no longer flat on its back," said Tim required to receive a job offer on female migrant workers are the UK under the new system, that specialism.” the higher-paying jobs,” said “These people are carrying a Moore, an economist at IHS Markit. with a salary of at least 25,600 likely to see staff shortages but it is another well-known fact On Wednesday, the cabinet Amy Pears, a mother of three huge burden for our country, The expansion is running at a 0.2 pounds, about $33,300. The after the new measures are put that women are underrepresent- minister responsible for migra- who left her job as a professional and the truth of the matter is we per cent pace in the first quarter, he salary threshold will be lower in into place. ed in the sciences,” said tion policy, Priti Patel, suggested caregiver and went on benefits in need them,” she said. “Without said. Firms noted that a reduction special cases where there might In the points-based system, Adrienne Yong, a lecturer in law that around eight million “eco- 2015 because she could not them we are putting our services in political uncertainty since the be a shortage in skills, such as in the government gives top priori- at the City Law School in nomically inactive” people in afford child care. “My mother is at risk.” December election translated into nursing. ty to scientists, engineers, aca- London. “That the UK will give a Britain could be trained to fill disabled, so between her and the higher business activity and more By and large, however, that demics and graduates in science, Ph.D. in STEM subjects 10 more such shortages. Experts say three children I have my hands © 2020 The New York Times News Service spending by clients. BLOOMBERG