TEHRAN: Iranian authorities said Friday they have arrested 13 burglars who cut into the vault of a Tehran state bank from a neighboring building and stole 168 safe deposit boxes.
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency quoted Tehran Prosecutor Ali Salehi as saying that three of the suspects were arrested in an undisclosed country abroad, while the rest were apprehended in the Iranian capital and the north of the country. A car containing stolen property was found abandoned at Imam Khomeini Airport, the prosecutor added.
The TV report showed footage of jewelry, gold coins and bundles of dollar bills laid out on a long table.
The gang also allegedly stole surveillance cameras and other monitoring items from the bank, which is located on a major thoroughfare near Tehran University, and within walking distance of a police station.
Bank robberies are rare in theocratic Iran. If convicted, the suspects face lengthy prison sentences.
Iran state media say 13 arrested over Tehran bank heist
https://arab.news/5au6w
Iran state media say 13 arrested over Tehran bank heist
- Three of the suspects were arrested in an undisclosed country abroad
- A car containing stolen property was found abandoned at Imam Khomeini Airport
Omoda 7 all set for global launch, with brand debut in KSA slated for Q3 2024
One year after the launch of its first global model, the Omoda 5, Omoda is set to introduce the Omoda 7 to the global market at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. The new vehicle embodies an all-dimensional “evolution” in design aesthetics and smart innovations, leading the way to a new era of mobility.
According to the official teaser images released, the design language of the new vehicle emphasizes futuristic sensibility and aesthetic beauty. Every angle exudes style; the front face of the car is sharp and distinctive, the side profile boasts an elegantly smooth waistline, and the lightning tail light design conveys the power of technology and aesthetics. The Omoda 7 will undoubtedly be an avant-garde model that refreshes SUV aesthetic standards.
Compared to the Omoda 5, the Omoda 7 positions itself higher with larger dimensions. In addition to continuing the futuristic, technological, and fashionable design ethos, it will further enhance the intelligent driving experience.
Omoda’s SUVs are known for their futuristic designs, enjoyable intelligent experiences, cutting-edge new energy technologies, and comprehensive safety features, making them highly competitive in the market and a popular choice among many young people. The first global model, the Omoda 5, introduced the fashionable crossover C5 and all-electric E5, not only reshaping consumer perception of Omoda but also leading a new trend of green technology and unique aesthetic style. The Omoda E5, in particular, achieved a 65 percent month-over-month growth in March, making it the fastest-growing star of the global A0-class all-electric SUVs in 2024. The launch of the new model will undoubtedly become another significant highlight in the global trend of youth-oriented consumerism, leveraging the power of technology to propel Omoda to new heights.
Alongside the debut of the Omoda 7, Omoda will also bring the Omoda E5 to the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. This event will feature the largest group of international dignitaries ever assembled to support the launch, and Omoda will unveil a completely new brand ecosystem and a global public welfare initiative. With these major international-level events, the unveiling of a new model, new strategies, and a new ecosystem, the surprises that Omoda has in store are highly anticipated.
Omoda and Jaecoo are set to launch in the Saudi market by the start of the third quarter of 2024, by establishing their international subsidiary in the Kingdom — a big step as this business model is new in the Saudi market, yet the most awaited one, where customers have the chance to reach the OEM.
The level of care that the Saudi customers will get will be unmatched. One of the main reasons for establishing the international head office here in the Kingdom was to make sure that Omoda and Jaecoo customers can get the best after-sales services and access all spare parts at any given moment. Needless to say, this was the major problem that was prevailing in the Middle East market. However, with the soon-expected launch of the OJ brand, this problem will be eradicated from the stem. Furthermore, Omoda and Jaecoo have opened their first warehouse in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, and the first shipment of spare parts has been shipped from China with 99 percent parts availability, to ensure a convenient customer experience.
Fire erupts at Karachi garment factory, no loss of live reported
- The biggest Pakistani city, known for poor fire safety protocols, witnesses hundreds of such incidents annually
- In November last year, a blaze at a shopping mall in Karachi killed around a dozen people and injured several others
KARACHI: A fire broke out at a garment factory in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi on Saturday, rescue officials said.
The blaze erupted on the ground floor of the garment factory in Zarina Colony in the New Karachi area, according to Rescue 1122 service.
“One fire truck is actively participating in the operation,” a Rescue 1122 spokesperson said, adding that another fire tender has been called to the site.
No loss of life has been reported in the wake of the fire.
Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and the main commercial hub, is home to hundreds of thousands of industrial units and some of the tallest buildings in the South Asian country.
The megapolis, known for its fragile firefighting system and poor safety controls, witnesses hundreds of such incidents annually.
In Nov., a blaze at a shopping mall killed around a dozen people and injured several others. In April last year, four firefighters died and nearly a dozen others were injured after a fire broke out at a garment factory, while 10 people were killed in a massive fire at a chemical factory in the city in August 2021.
In the deadliest such incident, 260 people were killed in 2012 after being trapped inside a garment factory when a fire broke out.
India’s foreign minister rejects Biden’s ‘xenophobia’ comment
NEW DELHI: Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar rejected US President Joe Biden’s comment that “xenophobia” was hobbling the South Asian nation’s economic growth, The Economic Times reported on Saturday.
Jaishankar said at a round table hosted by the newspaper on Friday that India’s economy “is not faltering” and that it has historically been a society that is very open.
“That’s why we have the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act), which is to open up doors for people who are in trouble ... I think we should be open to people who have the need to come to India, who have a claim to come to India,” Jaishankar said, referring to a recent law that allows immigrants who have fled persecution from neighboring countries to become citizens.
Earlier this week, Biden had said “xenophobia” in China, Japan and India was holding back growth in the respective economies as he argued migration has been good for the US economy.
“One of the reasons why our economy’s growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants,” Biden said at a fundraising event for his 2024 re-election campaign and marking the start of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast last month that growth in Asia’s three largest economies would slow in 2024 from the previous year.
The IMF also forecast that the US economy would grow 2.7 percent, slightly brisker than its 2.5 percent rate last year. Many economists attribute the upbeat forecasts partly to migrants expanding the country’s labor force.
Loli Bahia, Arab models walk Chanel cruise show in France
DUBAI: French Algerian model Loli Bahia, British Moroccan Nora Attal, and part-Saudi Amira Al-Zuhair took to the runway at the Chanel Cruise 2024/2025 show in Marseille, France.
Bahia donned a green ensemble, composed of a knee-length pencil skirt paired with a matching top, layered over a white shirt boasting a hoodie collar.
Attal graced the runway in a white summery dress adorned with delicate sheer geometric prints, complemented by white slippers.
Her look also featured beach-inspired layered necklaces, a thin chain belt and chunky bracelets adorned with hat, ship anchors and Chanel logo pendants.
Meanwhile, Al-Zuhair sported a vibrant yellow ensemble featuring hot shorts paired with a button-down top and a coordinating cardigan.
She also wore a beige hat, a gold choker embellished with blue detailing, chunky earrings and a chain belt adorned with pendants.
From intricate embroideries to dazzling sequined jackets and swimwear, Creative Director Virginie Viard’s latest collection showcased ensembles inspired by an underwater reverie.
The outfits included knee-length Bermuda shorts, high-waisted shorts, loose trapeze dresses, and large outerwear. Viard also demonstrated the power of layering, using shirt collars, French cuffs and jackets in unexpected ways throughout the collection.
Earlier this week, Chanel shared a series of images, captured by British photographer Jamie Hawkesworth, on Instagram featuring Bahia. The pictures, drawing inspiration from the seaside and scuba diving, provided an initial preview of Viard’s collection.
Bahia showcased multiple ensembles from the collection in the photographs. In the first shot, she dazzled in a glitzy black sequined mini pencil skirt and blazer. Another image captured her wearing the green ensemble seen on the runway, with the hoodie of the white shirt covering her head.
Additionally, she was photographed donning a white one-piece swimsuit adorned with a black bow around the chest.
The photo series also featured Bahia in a variety of other outfits, including a vibrant white dress with colorful square-like designs, tailored shorts paired with a blazer, as well as a striped set featuring a full-length skirt and matching top.
Japan beats Uzbekistan in stoppage time in U23 Asian Cup final
- Substitute Fuki Yamada broke the deadlock in the first minute of stoppage time
AL-RAYYAN, Qatar: Japan left it late to win its second Under-23 Asian Cup after beating Uzbekistan 1-0 in the final on Friday.
Substitute Fuki Yamada broke the deadlock in the first minute of stoppage time at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium and Japan goalkeeper Leo Kokubo saved a penalty to preserve the lead.
Uzbekistan, the 2018 champion, almost took an incredible lead just before halftime. Ruslanbek Jiyanov, just inside the Japanese half, tried to send a long cross into the area but, instead, the flight of the ball deceived Kokubo and bounced off the crossbar.
For the goal, Ryotaro Araki backheeled the ball to Yamada just outside the area, and he fired low into the left corner.
Just five minutes later, Uzbekistan was awarded a penalty after a VAR review when Hiroki Sekine handled in the area. Kokubo made a diving save to his right to push out Umarali Rakhmonaliev’s powerful shot.
Both finalists and third-placed Iran also qualified for Paris Olympics men’s football. Fourth-placed Indonesia has one more chance to make it to a first Olympics since 1956 with a playoff against Guinea next Thursday.
