UK police investigating ‘suspicious packages’ at London airports, Waterloo station

Police were called to Heathrow Airport (above), City Airport and Waterloo station after reports of suspicious packages. (AFP)
Updated 05 March 2019
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UK police investigating ‘suspicious packages’ at London airports, Waterloo station

LONDON: Police are investigating security alerts at two London airports — City and Heathrow — as well as at Waterloo station involving suspicious packages.
In a statement British Transport Police said: “British Transport Police were called to Waterloo station at 11.40am today following reports of a suspicious package.
“The item is currently being assessed by specialist teams. Cordons are in place however train services continue to operate as normal at this time.”
Metropolitan Police posted on Twitter: “At approximately 12.10hrs today, Tuesday, 5 March, police were called to a report of a suspicious package at London City Airport Aviation House, Royal Docks, #Newham”
“Specialist officers are at the scene. The building has been evacuated as a precaution. Enquiries are ongoing.”
It is still not known if the are linked but officials said the items were being investigated as a precaution.


Pakistan PM says ‘no tolerance’ for violence amid Azad Kashmir protests over price hikes

Updated 5 min 27 sec ago
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Pakistan PM says ‘no tolerance’ for violence amid Azad Kashmir protests over price hikes

  • Clashes erupted in parts of Azad Kashmir Saturday as protesters demanded cheaper wheat flour, electricity
  • The violence resulted in the killing of a police officer and injuries to 90 others on both sides, officials say

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday peaceful protests were a democratic right, but there should be “no tolerance” for violence, amid protests in Azad Kashmir for subsidized wheat flour and cheaper electricity.
The statement came a day after clashes erupted between police and supporters of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in various parts of the territory, resulting in the killing of a police officer and injuries to 90 others on both sides, according to officials.
The protests turned violent when police attempted to stop a rally headed for the Azad Kashmir capital of Muzaffarabad from Kotli and Poonch districts. The protesters are demanding electricity as per hydropower generation cost in Azad Kashmir, subsidized wheat flour, and an end to privileges enjoyed by the elite.
In his message on X, PM Sharif said he was “deeply concerned” over the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and had asked AJK PM Anwar-ul-Haq to hold talks with the protesters.
“Unfortunately, in situations of chaos and dissent there are always some who rush in to score political points,” he said. “While debate, discussion and peaceful protests are the beauties of democracy, there should be absolutely no tolerance for taking the law in one’s own hands and damaging government properties.”
Sharif urged all parties to resort to peaceful course of action for the resolution of their demands. “Despite best efforts of detractors, the matter will hopefully be settled soon,” he said.
Separately, the Azad Kashmir government on Sunday invited protesters for talks.
“The situation is currently peaceful and under control, and we are trying to settle issues through talks,” Abdul Majid Khan, a spokesperson of the Azad Kashmir government who is also its finance minister, told Arab News.
“We have invited the action committee to come and sit with us for dialogue on all their demands.”
Khan warned that no one would be allowed to take the law into their hands, emphasizing the government had exercised “significant restraint.”
He noted the government was providing wheat in Azad Kashmir at Rs3,100 [$11.16] per 40kg, which was already heavily subsidized and cheaper than in Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province, the main producer of the crop in the South Asian country.
The Himalayan territory of Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence from Britain in 1947. Both countries rule part of the territory, but claim it in full and have fought three wars over the disputed region.
The western portion of the larger Kashmir region is administered by Pakistan as a nominally self-governing entity.
Pakistan last year narrowly avoided a default on the payment of foreign debts when the International Monetary Fund and several friendly nations came to its rescue by giving it loans.
Pakistan’s monthly inflation rate at one point reached over 40 percent, but authorities say it had come down to 17 percent ahead of talks with the IMF for a new bailout. Islamabad plans to get at least $6 billion from the lender when it reaches a deal expected in the coming months.


Riyadh to host Global AI Summit in September

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority will host the third Global AI Summit from Sept. 10 to 12. (@globalaisummit)
Updated 5 min 16 sec ago
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Riyadh to host Global AI Summit in September

  • Summit will bring together international ministers, organization heads, CEOs of major tech companies, and AI experts to discuss global AI developments

RIYADH: The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority will host the third Global AI Summit from Sept. 10 to 12 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. 

Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, president of SDAIA, highlighted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s dedication to advancing the national data and artificial intelligence agenda, aiming to bolster the Kingdom’s global presence in these fields.

The summit will bring together international ministers, organization heads, CEOs of major tech companies, and AI experts to discuss global AI developments and announce initiatives and agreements, advancing international efforts in data and AI under the Kingdom’s banner.

Topics at the conference include AI innovation, industry trends, shaping a better future with AI, fostering human talent in the field, and other key areas.

This summit, under the crown prince’s leadership, is a testament to the successes of Vision 2030, which position Riyadh as a global hub for cutting-edge AI developments, the SPA said. 


‘Fight until last ball,’ PCB chief tells Pakistan side ahead of second T20 against Ireland

Updated 5 min 1 sec ago
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‘Fight until last ball,’ PCB chief tells Pakistan side ahead of second T20 against Ireland

  • Ireland defeated Pakistan in opener of a three-match series on Friday in a blow to the Pakistan side
  • PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Dublin on Saturday to boost their morale ahead of the second T20

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday held a two-hour-long meeting with the Pakistan cricket team in Dublin, where he urged the Green Shirts to “fight until the last ball” in the upcoming Twenty20 matches against Ireland and England.
Ireland beat Pakistan for the first time in a T20 fixture in the opener of a three-match series on Friday, courtesy of a heroic 77-run knock by Andy Balbirnie that helped the home side win by five wickets against Babar Azam’s squad.
The defeat was a blow for the South Asian squad as it prepares for the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled to take place from June 2 in the United States and West Indies, by playing separate cricket series against Ireland and England.
PCB chief Naqvi arrived in Dublin on Saturday to hold meetings with the team to boost their morale ahead of the second T20.
“He encouraged the players and advised to work hard and adopt a professional approach to the game,” the PCB said in a statement. “He urged the players to fight until the last ball and [said] if they work together as a team, they will achieve victory.”
After the Ireland series, Pakistan will travel to England to play a four-match series against the home side from May 22-30 in Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff and London before departing for the US for the mega event.
Pakistan will begin their World Cup campaign against the United States on June 6 before taking on arch-rivals India in a high-octane clash on June 9 in New York.
Naqvi said that the team’s bowling attack was “excellent,” but fielding needed improvement to prevent opposing teams from getting any chances.
“After Ireland and England, the real test is the World Cup,” he added.


Israel lacks ‘credible plan’ to safeguard Rafah civilians, says Blinken

Displaced Palestinians, who fled Jabalia after the Israeli military called on residents to evacuate, travel in a cart.
Updated 12 May 2024
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Israel lacks ‘credible plan’ to safeguard Rafah civilians, says Blinken

  • Blinken said Biden determined to help Israel defend itself and shipment of 3,500 2,000-pound and 500-pound bombs was only US weapons package being withheld

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday defended a decision to pause a delivery to Israel of 3,500 bombs over concerns they could be used in the Gazan city of Rafah, saying Israel lacked a “credible plan” to protect some 1.4 million civilians sheltering there.
Speaking to ABC News’ This Week, Blinken said that President Joe Biden remains determined to help Israel defend itself and that the shipment of 3,500 2,000-pound and 500-pound bombs was the only US weapons package being withheld.
That could change, he said, if Israel launches a full-scale attack on Rafah, which Israel says it plans to invade to root out fighters of the ruling Hamas militant group.
Biden has made clear to Israel that if it “launches this major military operation to Rafah, then there are certain systems that we’re not going to be supporting and supplying for that operation,” said Blinken.
“We have real concerns about the way they’re used,” he continued. Israel needs to “have a clear, credible plan to protect civilians, which we haven’t seen.”
Rafah is hosting some 1.4 million Palestinians, most of them displaced from elsewhere in Gaza by fighting and Israeli bombardments, amid dire shortages of food and water.
The death toll in Israel’s military operation in Gaza has now passed at least 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.
The war was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7 in which some 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 people taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel says 620 soldiers have been killed in the fighting.


Closing bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 12,217 

Updated 12 May 2024
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Closing bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 12,217 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Sunday, losing 67.36 points, or 0.55 percent, to close at 12,217.05.   

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.33 billion ($1.42 billion), as 78 of the stocks advanced while 147 retreated.   

On the other hand, the Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu rose 109.49 points, or 0.40 percent, to close at 27,195.93. This comes as 30 of the stocks advanced while as many as 27 retreated. 

Meanwhile, the MSCI Tadawul Index slipped 7.05 points, or 0.46 percent, to close at 1,530.49. 

The best-performing stock of the day was Saudia Dairy and Foodstuff Co. The company’s share price surged 9.97 percent to SR386.20.  

Other top performers include Saudi Chemical Co. as well as Al-Jouf Agricultural Development Co. 

The worst performer was Thimar Development Holding Co. whose share price dropped by 9.94 percent to SR14.14. 

Other subdued performers included Tanmiah Food Co. and Walaa Cooperative Insurance Co. 

On the announcements front, Etihad Etisalat Co., also known as Mobily, released its interim financial results for the period ending on March 31.  

According to a Tadawul statement, the company’s net profit hit SR638 million in the first quarter of 2024, reflecting a 37.2 percent surge compared to the same quarter last year.  

The increase was mainly driven by a rise in gross profits and a jump in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization. While operating expenses also increased, financial charges, zakat, and income tax decreased.  

Moreover, the Tanmiah Food Co. also announced its interim financial results for the first three months of 2024.  

A bourse filing revealed that the firm’s net profit reached SR21 million by the period ending on March 31, unchanged in comparison to the corresponding period in 2023.  

Furthermore, Elm Co. announced its interim financial results for the year’s first quarter.  

According to a Tadawul statement, the company’s net profits climbed 7.1 percent to reach SR345 million in the first three months of 2024 compared to the same period a year earlier.  

This increase is primarily attributed to higher revenue, operating expenses, and income from Murabaha deposits. 

Allianz Saudi Fransi Cooperative Insurance Co. also announced its interim financial results for the period ending on March 31.  

A bourse filing revealed that the firm’s net profit stood at SR9.98 million at the end of the first quarter of 2024, up 4.01 percent when compared to the same quarter a year ago.  

The increase in net profit after zakat and income tax for the current quarter compared to the same quarter of previous years is primarily due to an 86 percent rise in net investment income. 

In addition, the United International Transportation Co., or Budget Saudi, announced its interim financial results for the first three months of 2024. 

According to a Tadawul statement, the company’s net profit hit SR69.7 million in the first quarter of 2024, reflecting a 0.565 percent surge compared to the same quarter last year.  

The surge in net profits is mainly attributed to steady growth in both long-term and short-term rental revenues. 

Saudi Electricity Co. also announced its interim financial results for the period ending on March 31. 

A bourse filing revealed that the firm’s net profit stood at SR897 million at the end of the first quarter of 2024, up 86.8 percent compared to the same quarter a year ago.  

The surge in net profit for the current quarter compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year is primarily attributed to increased revenue requirements, new earnings from development projects, and higher revenue from Dawiyat Co., among other factors. 

Meanwhile, United Electronics Co., or eXtra, has announced that its shareholders approved the election of board members for the upcoming three-year term beginning May 13.