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PlaySMS index.php Unauthenticated Template Injection Code Execution

This Metasploit module exploits a preauth Server-Side Template Injection vulnerability that leads to remote code execution in PlaySMS before version 1.4.3. This issue is caused by double processing a server-side template with a custom PHP template system called TPL which is used in the PlaySMS template engine at src/Playsms/Tpl.php:_compile(). The vulnerability is triggered when an attacker supplied username with a malicious payload is submitted. This malicious payload is then stored in a TPL template which when rendered a second time, results in code execution.




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In His Fight Against WHO, Trump Plays Politics with Human Lives

President Donald Trump’s threat to abruptly cut all US funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) has been described as ‘reckless and deadly”—particularly at a time when the Geneva-based UN agency was engaged in an uphill battle against the spreading coronavirus. The US president, who has dismissed WHO as “China-centric”, has also been accused of […]

The post In His Fight Against WHO, Trump Plays Politics with Human Lives appeared first on Inter Press Service.




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South Korea plays down reports Kim Jong-un is near death

Officials in Seoul say they have not seen any unusual activity in North Korea, following reports North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un was gravely ill.




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Anil Kapoor chasing the 'queen' as he plays carrom with wife in quarantine

Anil Kapoor played carrom with wife and the actor revealed that he was the winner of the game.




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Fund managers fish for dividend plays amid sharp cuts

Some dividend fund managers are wading back into the shares of battered railroad stocks, energy companies and other economically sensitive, cyclical names, even as a host of companies have slashed...




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Study Downplays Risk of CT Scans

Title: Study Downplays Risk of CT Scans
Category: Health News
Created: 5/1/2012 10:05:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 5/1/2012 12:00:00 AM




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The role of relay ramp evolution in governing sediment dispersal and petroleum prospectivity of syn-rift stratigraphic plays in the Northern North Sea

Interpretation of a 3D seismic survey located on the western margin of the Northern North Sea Basin demonstrates how the propagation, overlap and linkage of two north–south-striking, en echelon normal fault segments exerted a powerful influence over prospective subtle stratigraphic traps. The relay ramp that formed between the segments appears to have focused sediment dispersal, controlled reservoir distribution and aided post-depositional petroleum migration. Integration of electrical well log data, root-mean-square (RMS)-amplitude analysis and biostratigraphy with seismic interpretation demonstrates that a series of elongate, linear, sand-prone (reservoir) channel complexes characterize the depositional slopes generated by fault growth. The combination of synsedimentary rotation of bedding due to fault propagation and associated footwall uplift led to erosion and truncation of a laterally extensive, older channelized system (Lower Sequence), the downdip parts of which extend beyond the relay ramp. Its subsequent drape by transgressive shales created the subtle stratigraphic trap that now hosts the Cladhan Field, with charge occurring because the sandstones belonging to the Lower Sequence extend as far as the active kitchen in the neighbouring (hanging-wall) depocentre situated downdip and to the east. In contrast, the exploration of a younger, Upper Sequence of sandstones has proven to be disappointing due to their more restricted distribution, lack of access to charge, and occurrence of faults that offset and breach the thin end of the stratigraphic wedge. The implication is that partially breached relay ramps not only provide a preferential site for syn-rift clastic reservoirs to develop but also form important migration pathways through which oil passed from a petroleum kitchen into a trap.

Thematic collection: This article is part of the Under-explored plays and frontier basins of the UK continental shelf collection available at: http://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/under-explored-plays-and-frontier-basins-of-the-uk-continental-shelf





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PlayStation Now Adds Rainbow Six Siege, The Evil Within II And Get Even

Sony Interactive Entertainment announced Rainbow Six SiegeThe Evil Within 2 and Get Even are now available for PlayStation Now subscribers. 

Rainbow Six Siege will only be available to download and stream until Monday, November 2. Downloads for the game are limited to the PlayStation 4 only. 

PlayStation Now features over 800 games on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 available to stream and play on the PlayStation 4 and Windows PC. PS4 subscribers can download and install over 300 games to play locally. 

Here is an overview of the three games:

Rainbow Six Siege

It’s the perfect time to try out the deeply tactical, always tense multiplayer shooter that has become an esports phenomenon in the years since its 2015 debut. Strained matches are built around two competing teams of players using a variety of weapons, gadgets and sound strategies to triumph over the other. While you’ll need to adapt to its uncompromising gameplay, it only makes every well-earned victory all the sweeter. Please note: this is the base edition.

The Evil Within 2

Genre aficionados will have plenty to savour with this horror sequel as you enter the alternate reality town of Union in search of your long thought dead daughter. Sickeningly brilliant creature designs and jump scares await as you explore the town’s expansive areas filled with dangers and secrets. But armed as you are with an arsenal of monster-shredding weaponry, as well as having the option to keep things low-key with a more stealthy approach, you’re ready to take on every abomination that stands between you and your family reunion.

Get Even

Puzzler, shooter, psychological thriller. Developer The Farm 51’s mashup of genres makes for an intriguing first-person adventure. Finding yourself trapped inside an insane asylum with a virtual reality device surgically grafted to your head, you’re forced to track down and ‘enter’ memories to gradually unravel the mystery behind your incarceration. As gripping as any murder mystery and with events shaped by your decisions, Get Even is a must play for those who love stories with plenty of twists.

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.

Full Article - https://www.vgchartz.com/article/443391/playstation-now-adds-rainbow-six-siege-the-evil-within-ii-and-get-even/




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AMD Ramping Up CPU Production for Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5

Microsoft and Sony are both hard at working preparing their next generation consoles, the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, for launch this holiday season. 

A key factor in getting as many consoles shipped for both companies will be from AMD, who will be providing the latest Zen 2-powered CPU and matching Navi GPU.

AMD is ramping up production as they expect semi-custom revenue to grow in the second quarter and have a big increase in the second half of 2020 as they provide parts for the Xbox Series X and PS5. 

"We expect semi-custom revenue to increase in the second quarter and be heavily weighted towards the second-half of the year, as we ramp production to support the holiday launches of the new PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles," said AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su. 

Thanks Tom's Hardware.

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.

Full Article - https://www.vgchartz.com/article/443398/amd-ramping-up-cpu-production-for-xbox-series-x-and-playstation-5/




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Final Fantasy VII Remake Tops the US PlayStation Store Downloads in April 2020

Sony has released the US PlayStation Store downloads charts for March 2020. Final Fantasy VII Remake topped the PS4 charts, Beat Saber topped the PlayStation VR charts, and Call of Duty: Warzone topped the Free-to-Play Games chart. Fortnite – The Iris Pack topped the DLC and Expansions chart.

Here is the complete list of charts:

PS4 Games
1 Final Fantasy VII Remake
2 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
3 NBA 2K20
4 Grand Theft Auto V
5 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered
6 Resident Evil 3
7 Minecraft
8 EA Sports FIFA 20
9 Monopoly Plus
10 Marvel’s Spider-Man
11 Madden NFL 20
12 Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
13 Uno
14 Predator: Hunting Grounds
15 MLB The Show 20
16 Red Dead Redemption 2
17 Need for Speed Heat
18 Rocket League
19 God of War
20 Kingdom Hearts III
PS VR Games
1 Beat Saber
2 Creed Rise to Glory
3 Job Simulator
4 Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality
5 Arizona Sunshine
6 Superhot VR
7 Vacation Simulator
8 Drunkn Bar Fight
9 Astro Bot Rescue Mission
10 The Room VR: A Dark Matter
Free-to-Play Games
1 Call of Duty: Warzone
2 Fortnite
3 Apex Legends
4 Destiny 2
5 Brawlhalla
6 Dauntless
7 3on3 FreeStyle
8 Warframe
9 Paladins
10 Warface
DLC and Expansions
1 Fortnite – The Iris Pack
2 GTA Online: Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack
3 Fortnite – Bassassin Challenge Pack
4 Marvel’s Spider-Man: The City That Never Sleeps
5 Mortal Kombat 11 Kombat Pack
6 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare – Atlanta FaZe Pack
7 Need for Speed Heat – McLaren F1 Black Market Delivery
8 Call of Duty Black Ops III: Zombies Chronicles
9 Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Season Pass
10 Mortal Kombat 11 – Shao Kahn

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.

Full Article - https://www.vgchartz.com/article/443430/final-fantasy-vii-remake-tops-the-us-playstation-store-downloads-in-april-2020/




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GTAV Tops the EU PlayStation Store Downloads in April 2020, Final Fantasy VII Remake Debuts in 4th

Sony has released the Europe PlayStation Store downloads charts for April 2020. Grand Theft Auto V topped the PS4 charts, Blood and Truth topped the PlayStation VR charts, and Call of Duty: Warzone topped the Free-to-Play Games chart. Fortnite – The Iris Pack topped the DLC and Expansions chart.

Final Fantasy VII Remake debuted in fourth on the PS4 charts. Resident Evil 3 debuted in 10th place.

Here is the complete list of charts:

PlayStation 4

  1. Grand Theft Auto V (3)
  2. EA SPORTS FIFA 20 (2)
  3. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (1)
  4. FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (New)
  5. NBA 2K20 (RE)
  6. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered (20)
  7. EA SPORTS UFC 3 (RE)
  8. Minecraft (5)
  9. Marvel’s Spider-Man (RE)
  10. RESIDENT EVIL 3 (New)
  11. MONOPOLY PLUS (RE)
  12. Rocket League (11)
  13. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (10)
  14. Days Gone (RE)
  15. TOM CLANCY’S RAINBOW SIX | SIEGE (RE)
  16. Red Dead Redemption 2 (19)
  17. The Crew 2 (13)
  18. Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 (RE)
  19. eFootball PES 2020 (RE)
  20. Need for Speed Heat (RE)

PlayStation VR

  1. Blood and Truth (5)
  2. Beat Saber (1)
  3. Creed: Rise to Glory (9)
  4. Job Simulator (2)
  5. RICK AND MORTY: VIRTUAL RICK-ALITY (RE)
  6. ASTRO BOT Rescue Mission (RE)
  7. Until Dawn: Rush of Blood (RE)
  8. BOXVR (RE)
  9. Farpoint (RE)
  10. SUPERHOT VR (4)

DLC

  1. Fortnite – The Iris Pack (1)
  2. Fortnite – Bassassin Challenge Pack (3)
  3. GTA Online: Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack (5)
  4. Marvel’s Spider-Man: The City That Never Sleeps – Season Pass (RE)
  5. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – Season pass (RE)
  6. Fortnite: Save the World – Standard Founder’s Pack (10)
  7. The Division 2 – Warlords of New York – Expansion (2)
  8. Need for Speed Heat – McLaren F1 Black Market Delivery (6)
  9. Modern Warfare – Atlanta FaZe Pack (New)
  10. Assassin’s Creed Origins – The Hidden Ones (RE)

Free-to-Play

  1. Call of Duty: Warzone (1)
  2. Fortnite (2)
  3. Apex Legends (3)
  4. Brawlhalla (5)
  5. DON’T EVEN THINK (New)
  6. eFootball PES 2020 LITE (4)
  7. Destiny 2 (New)
  8. WORLD OF WARSHIPS: LEGENDS (7)
  9. DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 2 Lite Version (6)
  10. Paladins (9)

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.

Full Article - https://www.vgchartz.com/article/443431/gtav-tops-the-eu-playstation-store-downloads-in-april-2020-final-fantasy-vii-remake-debuts-in-4th/




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Fish scales turned into flexible and biodegradable electronic displays

Flexible displays for wearable devices can now be made using fish scales instead of plastic – and the new displays biodegrade within a month of being discarded




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Newly discovered cell type plays crucial role in immune response to respiratory infections

With a discovery that could rewrite the immunology textbooks, an international group of scientists have identified a new type of antigen-presenting immune cell.




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Musicals out, one-man plays in: Broadway gets creative waiting for show to go on

Television can fake it, movie audiences can wear masks, but a live theatre performance like "Romeo and Juliet" needs real actors kissing and fighting rivals in front of real people.




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Wonderful moment violinist plays 'Somewhere over the Rainbow' in south London during Clap for Carers tribute

Read our live coronavirus updates HERE Coronavirus: The symptoms




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City Hall downplays fears that 'struggling' TfL will cut services because of coronavirus crisis

Fears that Transport for London may have to axe services because of a cash crisis were downplayed today.




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Chelsea Flower Show unveils online displays and exhibitions after event cancelled

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) said this summer would mark its first ever "virtual" version of the event at Royal Hospital Chelsea, London.




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US doctor caught grimacing on camera during Trump's disinfectant remarks downplays comments

The leading US doctor who was caught on camera grimacing during Donald Trump's disinfectant remarks has avoided criticising the president as she sought to play down his comments.




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PlayStation Move Motion Controller Two-Pack & Tilt Brush Bundle - $99.99 @ PlayStation Direct

 
NEW, free shipping automatic at checkout for any order over $70.
 
Tilt Brush on PSN - $19.99
 
Deals on these a far and few between. New Move controllers are out of stock in a lot of places. This is direct from PlayStation and likely to be the newest batch of manufactured controllers as they are in a new box with a digital code included.
 
Much better than dealing with the used PS3 era Moves with degraded batteries.
 
Alternatively, purchase an open-box from Best Buy for $84.99. 
 
Not a blazing deal, but if you are in the market for these it might be the best you'll find for a bit.





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DualSense is the video game controller for PlayStation 5. Here's what it does.

While we wait to get our first official glimpse of the PlayStation 5, Sony is sharing the first details on the video game console's controller.

       




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PlayStation's coronavirus contribution: Stay home and play free 'Uncharted,' 'Journey' PS4 video games

Sony PlayStation is giving players some free video games as part of its "Play At Home" initiative to encourage staying at home during the pandemic.

       




plays

Who plays Aadi in Coronation Street? Meet new actor Adam Hussain taking over from Zennon Ditchett

Hussain made his debut on Wednesday's show




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Who is David Corenswet? Meet the actor who plays Jack Castello in Netflix's Hollywood

David Corenswet plays heartthrob Jack Castello in Ryan Murphy's new Netflix series




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Newcastle's Jonjo Shelvey 'good enough' for Barcelona... but he plays too much golf, says Matt Ritchie

Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is good enough to play for Barcelona - but he plays too much golf, according to team-mate Matt Ritchie.




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Lincon McConnaughty plays football in his backyard




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Recommended Reading: Inside the PlayStation 5 with Mark Cerny

PlayStation 5 uncovered: The Mark Cerny tech deep dive
Richard Leadbetter,
Eurogamer

If you're craving even more explanation on the PlayStation 5 than lead architect Mark Cerny shared during his in-depth chat a couple weeks ago, get comfy. Eurogamer shared part two of its chat with Cerny this week, and while there weren't any new revelations per se, there was more detail on the things we'd already heard about.




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Sony reveals new PlayStation 5 details that reignite the home console wars

In what would have been big news at the coronavirus-postponed Game Developer's Conference, Sony's streamed event, along with Microsoft's announcement, heats up the video game wars.




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Newly discovered cell type plays crucial role in immune response to respiratory infections

With a discovery that could rewrite the immunology textbooks, an international group of scientists, including the teams of Bart Lambrecht, Martin Guilliams, Hamida Hammad, and Charlotte Scott (all from the VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research) identified a new type of antigen-presenting immune cell.




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South Korea plays down reports Kim Jong-un is near death

Officials in Seoul say they have not seen any unusual activity in North Korea, following reports North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un was gravely ill.




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No more good times for AFL as Dangerfield's pay clanger plays into out-of-touch view

The world has changed for AFL players — like everybody else — thanks to coronavirus. They're taking a while to process the fact, writes Offsiders' Richard Hinds.




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Hitachi Displays Agrees to Plead Guilty and Pay $31 Million Fine for Participating in LCD Price-Fixing Conspiracy

Japanese electronics manufacturer Hitachi Displays Ltd., agreed to plead guilty and pay a $31 million fine for its role in a conspiracy to fix prices in the sale of Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display panels (TFT-LCD) sold to Dell Inc.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Oberland Capital nabs $1.05B raise for late-stage plays, handing out cash for royalties

Come on in, the water’s warm. After billions already raised by VC firms since the advent of the pandemic for life science companies, Oberland Capital has tossed more than $1 billion into the pot.




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Petrov plays down out-qualifying team-mate Kubica

Vitaly Petrov played down the importance of out-qualifying Renault team-mate Robert Kubica for the first time this season




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Alonso plays down team orders row

German Grand Prix winner Fernando Alonso has played down the furore surrounding the possibility of Ferrari using team orders to rig Sunday's race result




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Power plays and political crisis in Malaysia


Dark clouds have gathered over Malaysia as a crisis deepens. Two weeks ago, the country witnessed a massive street protest - dubbed Bersih (lit: “clean”) - organized by a network of civil society groups agitating for electoral reform. This was in fact the fourth iteration of the Bersih protests (Bersih also mobilized in 2007, 2011, and 2012), and managed to draw tens of thousands of participants (the exact number varies depending on who you ask). On this occasion, the protest was a culmination of widespread popular indignation at a scandal involving 1MDB, a government-owned strategic investment firm that accrued losses amounting to approximately USD10 billion over a short period of time, and the controversial "donation" of USD700 million funneled to the ruling party through the personal bank accounts of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

All this is taking place against an inauspicious backdrop of sluggish economic growth, the depreciation of the Malaysian currency, and several exposes on the extravagant lifestyle of Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor.

How consequential was Bersih?

When Bersih first mobilized in 2007, it managed to harness a flood of dissatisfaction in opposition to the government of Abdullah Badawi, and contributed to major opposition political gains at the general election of 2008. The second and third protests have also been credited as contributing factors to further opposition inroads at the 2013 polls. Assessments of the latest iteration of Bersih however, have been more equivocal. On the one hand, Bersih 4.0 indicated that the movement can still draw huge crowds and give voice to popular discontent, which continues to grow. On the other hand, analysts have called attention in particular to the comparatively weak turnout of ethnic Malays at Bersih 4.0 compared to the previous protests. This is a crucial consideration that merits elaboration if Bersih is to be assessed as an instrument for change.

Given how Malaysian politics continues to set great store by ethnic identity, the support of the Malay majority demographic is integral for any social and political change to take place. By virtue of affirmative action, ethnic Malays are privileged recipients of scholarships and public sector jobs. Therein lies the problem for any social movement agitating for change. Years of conditioning through policy and propaganda have created a heavy reliance on the state, which in essence means UMNO (United Malays National Organisation), the dominant party in the ruling coalition which Prime Minister Najib helms as party president. While it is difficult to say conclusively that this explains the tepid reaction of ethnic Malays during the Bersih protests, it is not far-fetched to hypothesize that at least a contributing factor was the fear among recipients of scholarships and public sector employees that their benefits might be jeopardized (For example, I know that scholarship holders were sent letters "dissuading" them from participating in "political activities.").

Ultimately though, the most telling feature of the event may not have been the dearth of ethnic Malays but the presence of one particular Malay leader – Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s nonagenarian former prime minister and unlikely Bersih participant.

Hitherto a supporter of Prime Minister Najib, Mahathir has grown increasingly unhappy with the prime minister’s policies. According to Mahathir himself, attempts had been made to share his reservations with Najib in private, but they were rebuffed. Goes by this account, it is not surprising that Najib’s alleged snub prompted private reservations to crescendo into harsh public criticism. By the middle of 2014, Mahathir had assumed the role of Malaysia’s conscience to become one of the loudest critics of Najib. Asked to explain his criticisms, Mahathir reportedly responded: “I have no choice but to withdraw my support. This (referring to the act of privately reaching out to Najib) has not been effective so I have to criticize. Many policies, approaches, and actions taken by the government under Najib have destroyed interracial ties, the economy, and the country’s finances.”[1]

Today, it is Mahathir, Malaysia’s longest serving prime minister who was in office from 1981 to 2003, who is leading the charge to discredit Najib and have him removed from office for malfeasance. What explains Mahathir’s singleness of purpose to have Najib removed from power? Part of the answer may lie in Mahathir’s own record of political quarrels.

What lies beneath Mahathir’s attacks?

Mahathir is no stranger to bitter and bloody personal political battles. His interventions in Malaysian politics throughout his career in office are legion (and many Malaysians might also say, legendary). Longtime Malaysia watchers and critics have assailed Mahathir for his autocratic streak evident, for example, in how he emaciated the judiciary by contriving to have supreme court judges (and on one occasion, the Lord President himself) removed from office, incapacitated the institution of the monarchy by pushing legislation that further curtailed the already-limited powers of the constitutional monarch, and suppressed opposition parties and civil society by using internal security legislation against them.

Mahathir was no less ruthless within UMNO, where he brooked no opposition. The history of political contests in UMNO has his fingerprints all over it. In 1969, it was his provocations as a contumacious backbencher that precipitated the resignation of the respected founding prime minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman. In 1987, Mahathir weathered a challenge to his leadership of UMNO mounted by political rivals (the then deputy prime minister, Musa Hitam, and minister for international trade, Razaleigh Hamzah), turned the tables on them, and had them exiled into political wilderness. In 1998, Mahathir successfully fended off the ambitious Anwar Ibrahim by sacking him, and later having him arrested, charged, and eventually convicted for corruption and sodomy. Even when not directly involved, he was never content to be a bystander, choosing instead to either instigate or leverage power plays. In 1978, he played no small part in nudging Sulaiman Palestin to challenge then incumbent Hussein Onn for party presidency (a move that many Malaysian analysts agree signaled the beginning of the end for Hussein’s political career even though he managed to fend off Sulaiman’s challenge). In 1993, Mahathir did little to prop his then deputy, Ghafar Baba, who was crumbling under the challenge of a charismatic Malay nationalist and rising star by the name of Anwar Ibrahim. It was Mahathir's machinations in 2008 that forced Abdullah Badawi, his handpicked successor no less, to resign a year later.

All said, Mahathir had accomplished the signal feat of being involved in some way or other in almost every political crisis that has beset UMNO since 1969. Several observations can be drawn from this record to explain Mahathir’s present behavior. First, Mahathir has long been possessed of a drive to be at the center of power in UMNO and Malaysian politics. Second, he is also in possession of an acute survival instinct that has enabled the über-politician to see off a string of challengers and ensured his political survival at the helm for 22 years. Finally, one can also plausibly surmise that at the core of his recent interventions is the desire – not unlike others who have held any high office for 22 years - to protect his legacy. Therein lie the rub, for it is not difficult to imagine that Mahathir might have deemed his legacy challenged by Anwar in 1998, ignored by Abdullah Badawi in 2008, and now, disregarded by Najib.

Will Najib survive?

A crucial factor that plays in this unfolding drama between two of Malaysia’s political heaveyweights – and which cannot be over-emphasized – is the fact that power in Malaysia ultimately lies in UMNO itself, sclerotic though the party may have become. It is on this score that Najib remains formidable, even for the likes of Mahathir.

Unlike Anwar, who was only a deputy president when he launched his abortive attempt to challenge Mahathir in 1998 (for which he paid a heavy political and personal price), Najib enjoys the advantage of incumbency. Unlike Abdullah Badawi, who chose to remain quiescent when stridently attacked latterly by Mahathir, Najib has used the powers of incumbency adroitly to head off any potential challenge and tighten his grip on the party. He has done so by out-maneuvering pretenders (he removed his deputy prime minister), sidelining opponents, and co-opting potential dissenters into his Cabinet. These divide-and-rule measures closely approximate what Mahathir himself had used to devastating effect when he was in power. For good measure, Najib has lifted a few additional moves from Mahathir’s own playbook: he has neutralized legal institutions, hunted down whistle blowers, brought security agencies to heel, and shut down newspapers and periodicals that have criticized him. Najib’s consolidation of power has been aided by the fact that there is at present no alternative leader within UMNO around whom a sufficiently extensive patronage network has been created. It bears repeating that the arid reality of Malaysian politics is that power still lies within UMNO, so he who controls the party controls Malaysia. On that score, even if Najib’s credibility is eroding in the eyes of the Malaysian populace, within UMNO his position does not appear to have weakened, nor does he seem to be buckling under pressure.

There are no signs that the enmity between the current and former prime ministers of Malaysia will abate anytime soon. Given the stakes, the depths to which ill-will between both parties now run, and how far the boundaries have already been pushed, the rancor is likely to intensify. Mahathir still commands a following especially online where his studied blog musings on www.chedet.cc, a key vehicle for his unrelenting assaults on Najib’s credibility, remain popular grist for the ever-churning Malaysian rumor mill. In response, Najib has defiantly circled the wagons and tightened his grip on levers of power. While Mahathir is unlikely to relent, the reality is that the avenues available to him to ramp up pressure on Najib are disappearing fast. A recent UMNO Supreme Council meeting that was expected to witness a further culling of Najib’s detractors and Mahathir’s sympathizers turned out to be a non-event and an endorsement of the status quo. In the final analysis then, it is difficult to see Mahathir ultimately prevailing over Najib, let alone bend the sitting prime minister and party president to his will.



[1] "Dr. Mahathir Withdraws Support for Najib Government," The Malaysian Insider, August 18, 2014. http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/dr-mahathir-withdraws-support-for-najib-government

Image Source: Athit Perawongmetha / Reuters
       




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China plays increasing role in global governance


Chinese President Xi Jinping is paying a US visit to attend the 4th Nuclear Security Summit. A US-based scholar noted that the trip not only shows China’s will to beef up cooperation with the rest of the world, but also signals that China, which has kept a low-profile, is ready to play a bigger role in global governance.

During the two-day summit starting from Thursday, President Xi will also meet with his US counterpart Barack Obama.

Li Cheng, director of the John L. Thornton China Center of the Brookings Institute, said that Xi’s second visit to Washington DC in six months highlights that the two major powers are seeking cooperation rather than confrontation.

The new type of major-power ties between the two nations, with win-win cooperation and mutual respect at its core, advocates collaboration rather than conflict, saidLi, explaining that such a relationship emphasizes a desire for cooperation.

He also pointed out that Xi’s attendance at the summit shows China's willingness to further collaborate with the international community. "His attendance will be greatly welcomed," Li stressed, adding that China now plays a crucial role in climate change, cyber security, nuclear security and global economic governance.

"As a major power, China's voice should be heard, and views should be delivered," said Li. He also noted that the international community will continue to respect China's growing role in international affairs.

Though China has previously maintained a low-profile in global governance, its role has since increased, the scholar commented.

Along with its rising international status, China also shoulders more responsibilities and obligations in narrowing the rich-poor gap, promoting South-South Cooperation and other global affairs, he added.

Li also applauded the momentum of Sino-US ties, saying that the leaders of both nations are making far-sighted choices based on an expandedworld view and their fundamental interests.

Though some disputes emerged, they are far outweighed by bilateral cooperation, he noted, especially praising their collaboration in global issues.

"I believe their worldwide cooperation will generate a spillover effect, so that the two will better understand each other and advance cooperation," said Li. 

This piece originally appeared in People's Daily.

Authors

Publication: People's Daily
Image Source: © Kevin Lamarque / Reuters
      
 
 




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