LONDON: British police arrested three men under terrorism laws Sunday after a car exploded outside a hospital in Liverpool, killing one man and injuring another.
Counter-terrorism police said the three men, whose ages ranged from 21 to 29, were detained in the Kensington area of the northwest England city under the Terrorism Act.
Police also cordoned off another residential street in the city. They did not disclose details of the operation.
Police were called to reports of a blast involving a taxi at Liverpool Women’s Hospital on Sunday morning. Photos showed a vehicle in flames near the hospital’s main entrance.
Merseyside Police said in a statement that the vehicle, a taxi, “pulled up at the hospital shortly before the explosion occurred. Work is still going on to establish what has happened and could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything.”
The male passenger of the car died and the driver was being treated for non life-threatening injuries, police said.
The explosion occurred just before 11 a.m. on Remembrance Sunday, the time people across Britain pause in memory of those killed in wars.
Police said the explosion had not been declared a terrorist attack and they were keeping an open mind about the cause, but counter-terrorism police were leading the investigation.
Britain’s interior minister, Home Secretary Priti Patel, said she was “being kept regularly updated on the awful incident.”
The Liverpool Women’s Hospital said it immediately restricted visiting access until further notice and diverted patients to other hospitals “where possible.”
Fire services said they extinguished the car fire rapidly, and a person had left the car before the fire “developed to the extent that it did.”
UK: 3 arrested over car explosion outside Liverpool hospital
https://arab.news/vrjeh
UK: 3 arrested over car explosion outside Liverpool hospital
- The male passenger of the car died and the driver was being treated for non life-threatening injuries, police said
Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli help Bengaluru stay in IPL play-off race
Chasing a modest 148 for victory, Du Plessis, who hit 64, and Kohli, who made 42, laid the foundations with a stand of 92 in 35 balls as the target was achieved with 6.2 overs to spare at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Du Plessis’ departure triggered a collapse as Gujarat hit back with wickets from Joshua Little and Noor Ahmad to have the opposition in trouble at 117-6 when Kohli was dismissed.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik, who hit 21, and Swapnil Singh, who made 15, made sure there was no more drama as they steered the team home in an unbeaten stand of 35.
“It was important we didn’t look at the scoreboard when we went out to bat and try and play the way we play,” said Du Plessis.
“It was a bit nerve-wracking, another wicket, another wicket. Probably not the best but you’re trying to be positive, get your net run-rate up.”
Bowlers set up victory after pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj removed the openers including skipper Shubman Gill early and Gujarat lost regular wickets to be bowled out for 147 in 19.3 overs.
Siraj returned figures of 2-29 to be named man of the match but the pace bowler said he nearly missed the game after being “sick since last night.”
It was Bengaluru’s fourth win and third on the bounce in 11 matches as they jumped from the bottom of the table to seventh and keep their slim play-off hopes alive.
Gujarat’s hopes are also hanging by a thread as they slumped to their seventh loss in 11 matches.
“Very important to start from zero in our next match and move on from this game,” Gill said. “Learn from mistakes and not repeat them. All about winning from here on.”
Kohli, who reclaimed the top batting spot with 542 runs, came out roaring as he hit Mohit Sharma for two sixes in the opening over of the chase and Du Plessis soon joined in and moved ahead to raise his fifty in 18 balls.
The South African veteran smashed 10 fours and three sixes in his 23-ball blitz before being dismissed by Ireland left-arm quick Little.
Little took two more wickets including Glenn Maxwell for four as Bengaluru slipped to 107-4.
Little sent back Cameron Green and then Noor’s left-arm wrist spin silenced the home crowd when he had Kohli caught behind, but the hosts had the last laugh when Singh hit the winning six.
Earlier put into bat, Gujarat went three down for 19 inside six over before big-hitter Shahrukh Khan, who top-scored with 37, stood strong in a 61-run stand with David Miller, who hit 30 off 20 balls.
Left-handed Rahul Tewatia hit a 21-ball 35 and put on another key stand with Rashid Khan to add respect to the total.
Ukraine keen to cooperate with KSA in digitalization push: vice minister
- European nation’s growing prowess in technology could help Saudi Arabia in its digital transformation journey
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s technological landscape is set to get a boost as Ukraine has expressed its eagerness to cooperate with the Kingdom in multiple sectors including agri-tech, fintech, and cybersecurity.
Speaking to Arab News during his visit to the Saudi capital, Oleksandr Bornyakov, Ukraine’s vice minister of digital transformation, said the European nation’s growing prowess in technology could help Saudi Arabia in its digital transformation journey.
During his visit to the Kingdom, the vice minister held meetings with the officials of the Kingdom’s information and investment ministries and the General Authority of Small and Medium Enterprises also known as Monsha’at.
“My visit is kind of like exploring — breaking the ice. Since we are the policymaking body in Ukraine, we know everybody in Ukraine from the tech sector. We want to hear from the local government
about what kind of problems they face, and what kind of things they need, and then, decide what’s the best fit for fulfilling those. I think there’s an interest in bringing this expertise to Saudi Arabia,” said the vice minister.
He added: “From an educational perspective we build a framework of how we teach people from school to university. So they become very talented engineers. We have expertise in almost every sector like healthcare, automotive, energy, and finance. And when countries like Saudi Arabia, trying to digitize any of these fields, I think we could be helpful.”
He said that his visit to Riyadh seeks to establish a relationship on the government level, which will in turn help them to cooperate with private sector entities including startups in the future.
During his visit to the Kingdom, the Ukrainian vice minister also presented several digital products to Saudi officials that can be used on the government-to-government level.
The world is changing fast, and I can’t imagine my life without many digital things that I have become used to. So I think any country that wants to follow up on this and, be on the edge of the technology has to change and invest a lot in this.
Oleksandr Bornyakov, Ukraine’s vice minister of digital transformation
He said that Saudi Arabia is quickly developing, and there is enormous potential for technological firms in the Kingdom.
Bornyakov added that Saudi Arabia should build an entrepreneurship culture in the Kingdom so that local talents in the country can leapfrog in the technological sector with innovations and products.
“The world is changing fast, and I can’t imagine my life without many digital things that I have become used to. So I think any country that wants to follow up on this and, be on the edge of the technology has to change and invest a lot in this. Because, in the West, many great things happen. Even Google, it came from students,” the official said.
He added: “I think, Gulf countries and Saudi Arabia in particular also want to have this, this entrepreneurship culture. And, we know how to teach people how to do that, and, be part of this. I think that’s why we have this mutual interest. And I feel that Saudi Arabia is open to that experience.” Bornyakov further noted that Saudi Arabia’s business-friendly environment for foreign investments is one of the main reasons behind his current tour of the Kingdom.
“Here, there is an investment environment. You can easily come to create a business in one or two days, then open a bank account, and then you are good to go. So this is one of the reasons that we decided to do this tour and, figure out who’s doing what,” he added.
The vice minister also lauded Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its economy away from oil aligned with the goals outlined in Vision 2030.
“I think diversifying is a good idea. It’s actually what’s happening in Ukraine. When I started in 2019, the contribution of the IT sector to the gross domestic product was 2.5-2.6 percent, and now it is close to 5 percent. As of today, 41 percent of all Ukrainian export services are IT.
“I think it is also something interesting here. The energy sector might be strong, for how many years, we do not know,” he said.
According to Bornyakov, Ukraine is also steadily reducing its dependence on grains and heavy machinery, and technological products from the IT sector are becoming major contributors to the nation’s economy.
“Historically, Ukraine was what? Grain and heavy machinery. Unfortunately, due to war, we lost a lot of factories and heavy machinery. And because we thought about IT, even though, less than a decade ago, but still, the sector was evolving very fast. We now have a source of export revenue, which is almost $8 billion every year, and just maybe five years ago, it was $3 billion or $4 billion,” he added.
HIGHLIGHT
Oleksandr Bornyakov’s visit to Riyadh seeks to establish a relationship on the government level, which will in turn help them to cooperate with private sector entities including startups in the future.
Bornyakov also talked about the success of Ukraine’s Diaa application which allows Ukrainians to use digital documents on their smartphones instead of physical ones for identification and sharing purposes, along with accessing over 130 government services.
According to the vice minister, there are 20 million active Diaa users in Ukraine, and he claimed that no other government app in the world can boast about such a huge user database. He also added that such applications have huge potential in the Gulf Cooperation Council region, which will reduce the hassles of paper passports and other government documents, as it allows people to carry everything on a smartphone.
“We want to implement the vision of President Zelensky to build a country in smartphone. Then we created a government super app called Diaa. We started by putting all the papers of a citizen like driver’s license, car titles, insurance, diplomas, birth certificates, tax IDs, and passport, everything on the phone, so you don’t carry paper. So, we were the first country in the world to introduce digital passports,” said Bornyakov.
He added: “There is a huge demand for such apps since Gulf countries have a union, GCC. And if you travel, and if you want to identify yourself, you will have to use different passports and different procedures. We have a solution to solve all of these problems.”
According to the vice minister, Ukraine has opened a source code for these applications, which makes countries use these codes to develop applications as per their requirements.
“Recently, we have opened source code, so you don’t have to pay us. So you can take this and we can showcase and you can use the source code to build, something that you own as this union (GCC), and use it for the sake of its people. And that is one of the things we are happy to share with the world,” he added.
Netherlands remembers World War Two dead amid tight security due to Gaza war
- Normally some 20,000 people attend the Dam commemoration
- Earlier this week municipal authorities announced unprecedented security measures to keep the ceremony safe and avoid possible disruptions linked to the Israel-Hamas war
AMSTERDAM: Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Prime Minister Mark Rutte joined around 4,000 people on Saturday for the country’s annual World War Two remembrance ceremony amid restricted public access and heightened security due to the war in Gaza.
The ceremony on Amsterdam’s central Dam square, with the traditional two minutes of silence at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) to commemorate the victims of World War Two, passed smoothly despite fears that there might be protests.
Normally some 20,000 people attend the Dam commemoration without having to register. But earlier this week municipal authorities announced unprecedented security measures to keep the ceremony safe and avoid possible disruptions linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
At the opening of a Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam in March, pro-Palestinian protesters opposed to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza set off fireworks and booed Israeli President Isaac Herzog as he arrived on a visit.
Every town and the city in the Netherlands holds its own remembrance ceremony on May 4 and tens of thousands of people attend the events. The Netherlands then marks on May 5 the anniversary of its liberation from Nazi occupation in 1945.
Metal bands battle it out in Jeddah
- Saudi band Wasted Land emerged as champions of the 2024 Wacken Metal Battle Middle East
JEDDAH: Wacken Metal Battle Middle East arrived in Jeddah’s Makan Music Center on Friday night, providing a platform for local metal bands to showcase their musical prowess.
The battle of the bands event featured Jaheem, Volfram, Kaizer, and Wasted Land aiming for top spot, creating a memorable experience for regional metal fans.
Wacken Metal Battle Middle East — supported by the German Consulate in Jeddah and European Weeks in Saudi, and a competition connected with Germany famous Wacken music festival — featured a jury of music experts and international guests, including judges from Germany, who evaluated the bands based on technical ability, song composition, and musical interpretation. They also took into account the band’s uniqueness, stage presence, audience interaction, execution of sound checks, communication, punctuality, and overall attitude.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Wacken Metal Battle Middle East was supported by the German Consulate in Jeddah and European Weeks in Saudi Arabia, and a competition connected with Germany’s famous Wacken music festival.
• Saudi band Volfram described the night as a ‘unique and unforgettable experience.’
The jury selected Wasted Land as the champions of the competition, meaning they now have the chance to perform at the Wacken festival, which takes place annually in Hamburg. Adding to the excitement, the winners of the 2023 event, Egyptian band Erasing Mankind also took to the stage as guest performers.
Promoter Monika Bremer said, “Since its inception 10 years ago, Metal Battle Middle East has provided numerous emerging bands with the opportunity to showcase their talent and advance their careers. This anniversary edition is an important milestone for the regional metal scene.
“Thanks to the support of our partners, emerging metal bands have the opportunity to participate in this competition and gain valuable experience,” she added.
Emad Ashor, guitarist and vocalist of Jeddah-based death metal outfit Immortal Pain and one of the judges at the event, said, “Talent, passion, and professionalism are key. This platform allows all bands to explore new experiences and pursue their dream of victory.”
Karim Mounir, composer and bassist of Erasing Mankind, who was also a judge at the event, said: “Wacken is all about embracing the present moment and fostering camaraderie between bands and the audience. Live performances truly distinguish bands, and the Saudi metal scene’s exceptional talent and musicianship have demonstrated their worthiness for such a significant event.
“The band that can most effectively captivate Wacken’s lively and inclusive crowd would be a perfect representative from the Middle East.”
Saudi band Volfram described the night as a “unique and unforgettable experience.”
Reflecting on the band’s journey to the final of the Wacken Metal Battle, a member of Kaizer said, “Being part of this competition is an honor in itself, and sharing the stage with incredible bands is an experience we will always treasure.
“Kaizer is just beginning and has so much more to offer. Our goal is to represent the Saudi metal scene in the most intense and impactful way possible. Earning the title of Jeddah’s Heaviest Music from the crowd is a recognition we deeply appreciate.”
Meet the Russian stylist living ‘blissfully’ in Saudi Arabia
- “True to our expectations, we’ve found immense satisfaction living in Saudi Arabia. We consider it the best decision we’ve made for our family, and have no regrets.” Marsden, a professional stylist, told Arab News
RIYADH: Margo Marsden relocated to Saudi Arabia two years ago when her husband — a British oil and gas engineer — accepted a job in the Kingdom. Since her arrival, she has been documenting her experience of life in Saudi Arabia on social media. Her TikTok profile states she is a “Russian mother married to British father … living blissfully in Saudi Arabia.”
“True to our expectations, we’ve found immense satisfaction living in Saudi Arabia. We consider it the best decision we’ve made for our family, and have no regrets.” Marsden, a professional stylist, told Arab News. “Living here is incredibly invigorating; one can palpably sense the positive transformations taking place in the country, aligned with the ambitious Vision 2030 plan. In my view, Saudi Arabia stands as the premier destination for living in 2024.”
Marsden was born and raised in Kazakhstan before moving to Russia with her parents when she was 14 years old. She lived in several countries before relocating to Saudi Arabia, including Malaysia, Singapore, Italy, Turkiye, Lebanon, Thailand, the UK, and Norway.
Living here is incredibly invigorating; one can palpably sense the positive transformations taking place in the country, aligned with the ambitious Vision 2030 plan.
Margo Marsden, Russian stylist in KSA
Marsden had worked in Riyadh for a month in 2019 with fashion retailer Zara during Ramadan, and when her husband told her about his job offer, she was thrilled at the prospect of visiting the Kingdom again.
“I love it here, and I look forward to sharing my knowledge with local and expat women, to elevate their confidence and refine their fashion identity,” she said.
Marsden now has more than two decades of experience in the fashion industry. It’s a passion that began in her childhood, when she would meticulously craft outfits for her Barbie dolls with her mother’s guidance.
Marsden said she worked as a model — treading catwalks in Russia, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Turkey, Trinidad and Tobago, and Thailand — before moving into the business side of the industry, studying fashion design at Accademia Italiana in Bangkok and personal styling at the London College of Style. She has worked as a buyer, content creator and stylist.
“My artistic pursuits also extend behind the camera; I coordinated photoshoots for both personal and corporate clients,” she added.
As a stylist, she said, her main objective is “to enhance my client’s natural beauty and instill confidence in each customer I work with.” While Marsden doesn’t currently have any clients in the Kingdom, she is hoping to establish her own business eventually.
“I’m eager to offer my expertise to individuals keen on enhancing their appearance. Helping others look and feel their best is immensely fulfilling to me,” she added.
To follow Marsden’s journey in Saudi Arabia, visit her Instagram @margo.marsden.
