The trial of a major international terrorism suspect was thrown in to disarray on Thursday when it emerged the father of Muhanad Mahmoud Al Farekh approached jurors in New York to tell them he had not seen his son in 10 years.
The extraordinary twist came after the jury had just begun its deliberations after hearing two weeks of evidence including how Farekh’s fingerprints were found on a bomb intended to destroy a US base in Afghanistan.
Farekh's lawyers asked the judge to declare the hearings a mistrial but after hearing arguments from both the defence and prosecution, Judge Brian Cogan ordered four jurors to be replaced with three available alternates and told them to begin their deliberations anew.
Farekh, 31, who grew up in Dubai, has pleaded not guilty to nine terror-related charges and faces up to life in prison.
On Thursday morning Mr Cogan said juror number two reported that he and other members of the jury had been approached by Mr Farekh’s Jordanian father in the lift as they left the federal courthouse in Brooklyn a day earlier.
“I haven’t seen my son in 10 years,” he said, according to the judge’s account. “Do you think that’s fair?”
After interviewing the jurors who had been present in the elevator, the defence asked that all four be removed from hearing the case. However, with only three alternate jurors that would leave a jury of 11.
Sean Maher, for the defence, said the defendant, Farekh, was not waiving his right to a trial with 12 jurors, “which leads me to move for a mistrial”.
Prosecutors contend that Farekh left his studies at the University of Manitoba, in Canada, in 2007 and cut off contact with his family. He was captured by Pakistani security forces in 2014.
However, the defence said the prosecution had offered no evidence that Farekh had not been in touch with relatives.
On Thursday, Mr Maher said one juror believed Dr Farekh said he had not kissed or seen his son in seven years, effectively supporting the government’s case.
“From the defence’s perspective, that’s very troubling,” he said.
Earlier David Ruhnke, another of the defence team, described how he had been contacted by his client’s brother Ibrahim to say “his father had done something stupid”.
He then spoke to Dr Farekh, their father, who said he had asked the jurors: “Do you think it’s fair that I’ve not been able to kiss my son?”
“He told me he’s a very emotional person. He told me that he’s treated for bipolar disorder,” said Mr Runkhe. Dr Farekh also believed his medication had not been effective on the day in question, Wednesday.
Mr Runkhe added that he advised Dr Farekh to stay away from court.
Judge Cogan said the defence arguments were insufficient to justify a mistrial after so much time and effort had been extended.
“This trial has been expensive, extensive and complex,” he said, ruling that it would proceed with a jury of 11.
The US has strict laws against jury tampering and obstruction of justice, carrying penalties of up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 (Dh918,225) in fines.
The trial of Farekh is just the latest high-profile international terrorism case to come through the Eastern District of New York.
The evidence in court included details of how he listened to sermons by the radical cleric Anwar Al Awlaki, one of Al Qaeda’s chief propagandists, before abruptly leaving the University of Manitoba with two friends for Pakistan in 2007. There he took a circuitous route to Peshawar, gateway to the country’s militant havens along the border with Afghanistan, and cut off email communications.
A former Al Qaeda member identified Farekh as the man who took over as head of Al Qaeda’s external operations wing – responsible for plotting attacks against foreign targets - when another senior figure, Abdul Hafeez, was killed in a drone strike.
His alleged role brought him to international attention, under his pseudonym Abdullah Al Shami, long before he was captured.
Pentagon officials and the CIA wanted him included on a kill list, according to The New York Times. However, the US Department of Justice argued against the designation, questioning whether Farekh was sufficiently high-ranking for the administration to justify taking the extraordinary step of ordering the death of an American citizen overseas without a trial.
Much of the evidence against him comes from a botched attack on an American military facility in Afghanistan.
Two vehicles packed with explosives were driven by suicide bombers into Forward Operating Base Chapman in Khost province in January 2009.
Only the first exploded and prosecutors allege that 18 sets of Farekh’s fingerprints were recovered from brown packing tape recovered from the second.
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Read more:
Radical sermons set American on course to join al-Qaeda, say prosecutors
American Al Qaeda suspect 'plotted attacks against the West'
Trial set to open of American-born Al Qaeda suspect from Dubai
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One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier, in Bangkok
UAE fixtures Mon Nov 20, v China; Tue Nov 21, v Thailand; Thu Nov 23, v Nepal; Fri Nov 24, v Hong Kong; Sun Nov 26, v Malaysia; Mon Nov 27, Final
(The winners will progress to the Global Qualifier)
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
What is Diwali?
The Hindu festival is at once a celebration of the autumn harvest and the triumph of good over evil, as outlined in the Ramayana.
According to the Sanskrit epic, penned by the sage Valmiki, Diwali marks the time that the exiled king Rama – a mortal with superhuman powers – returned home to the city of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after vanquishing the 10-headed demon Ravana and conquering his kingdom of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit thousands of earthen lamps to illuminate the city and to guide the royal family home.
In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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What is double taxation?
- Americans living abroad file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service, which can cost hundreds of dollars to complete even though about 60 per cent do not owe taxes, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service
- Those obligations apply to millions of Americans residing overseas – estimates range from 3.9 million to 5.5 million – including so-called "accidental Americans" who are unaware they hold dual citizenship
- The double taxation policy has been a contentious issue for decades, with many overseas Americans feeling that it punishes them for pursuing opportunities abroad
- Unlike most countries, the US follows a citizenship-based taxation system, meaning that Americans must file taxes annually, even if they do not earn any income in the US.
Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
UAE squad
Rohan Mustafa (captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Ghulam Shabber, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Naveed, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
City's slump
L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Liverpool 4-1 Shrewsbury
Liverpool
Gordon (34'), Fabinho (44' pen, 90' 3), Firmino (78')
Shrewsbury
Udoh (27'minutes)
Man of the Match: Kaide Gordon (Liverpool)
