PARIS: French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday and were preparing to enter it at the consulate’s request, after a report that someone had come in with an explosive, a police source said.
“A witness saw a man enter carrying a grenade or an explosive belt,” the source said, adding that an elite police unit had been mobilized after the consulate requested an intervention.
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French police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris: security source
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French police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris: security source
- Police preparing to enter property at the consulate’s request
Mounir Lazzez to launch new MMA promotional company with big fight night in Dubai
- 971 Fighting Championship hosts its inaugural event at The Agenda on Saturday, May 4
- Mouhamed Fakhreddine faces Gianni Melillo in main event on 14-bout card
DUBAI: Mounir Lazzez, having recently made the move into mixed martial arts promotion, is confident of surpassing his achievements as a fighter when he launches his new venture, 971 Fighting Championship, in Dubai on Saturday.
Spearheaded by Tunisian Lazzez, the first fighter born and raised in an Arab country to be signed to the UFC, 971 Fighting Championship is an innovative MMA entertainment brand that has been created with view to changing the face of the combat sports industry in the region.
Saturday’s high-profile launch event, at The Agenda in Dubai Media City, features 14 professional bouts, with Lebanon’s Mohammed Fakhreddine, the first Arab double champion, and Italy’s Gianni Melillo going head-to-head in the main event.
The two co-main events, meanwhile, are equally intriguing, with Ireland’s John Mitchell facing Egypt’s Adham Mohammed, while Eslam Abdul Baset, another Egyptian, takes on the UK’s Dan Vinni.
With further shows confirmed for August, October and December, Lazzez believes the arrival of 971 Fighting Championship signals an exciting new chapter for MMA.
“This is a big moment in relation to the long-term future of the sport, with 971 Fighting Championship providing a platform for fighters at various stages of their careers to showcase their talents,” he said.
“As a company, 971 Fighting Championship is fully committed to hosting entertaining events where elite athletes push their bodies to the limit and fans … go away knowing they have witnessed something special.
“Saturday’s launch event features some fantastic fighters, and The Agenda is a perfect location to launch such an amazing concept. We’re really looking forward to what promises to be a truly special occasion.”
After taking up MMA classes at the age of 15 in Tunisia, Lazzez’s career began to take off after a move to Dubai, where he represented several promotions, including the likes of Brave Combat Federation, and UAE Warriors, before signing to UFC in 2020.
Lazzez enjoyed a stunning debut, picking up the Fight of the Night award after a unanimous decision win over Abdul Razak Alhassan, before going on to face the likes of Warlley Alves, Ange Loosa and Gabriel Bonfim.
Now Lazzez is focused on ensuring 971 Fighting Championship is in a position to compete with some of its more established competitors in the long term.
“Becoming a professional MMA fighter was always my ambition and to have achieved a personal goal is a source of great pride, but that particular chapter is now closed,” he said.
“The 971 Fighting Championship has big aspirations, and everybody involved in the project is fiercely passionate about making the brand a major success.”
Lazzez now has an opportunity to make his mark on the sport in a different way, and he is well aware 971 Fighting Championship’s first event is a huge opportunity to put the brand on the map.
“While we have been working extensively behind the scenes for many months, Saturday’s event marks the beginning of our journey,” he says.
“Having been involved in the industry for many years, I’m well placed to assess what works well and, perhaps more importantly, what doesn’t.
“We believe our brand will become a huge success, but that will only be achieved with hard work and dedication.
“For a launch event, Saturday’s show is huge, with 14 bouts and a card made up of fighters from all around the world, which is what 971 Fighting Championship is all about. We can’t wait to get started.”
Oil prices set for steepest weekly drop in 3 months
NEW YORK: Oil prices edged up on Friday on the prospect of OPEC+ continuing output cuts, but the crude benchmarks were headed for the steepest weekly losses in three months on demand uncertainty and easing tensions in the Middle East reducing supply risks.
Brent crude futures for July rose 14 cents to $83.82 a barrel by 0646 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude for June was up 16 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $79.11 per barrel.
Still, both benchmarks were on track for weekly losses as investors worried about the prospect of higher-for-longer interest rates curbing growth in the US, the top global oil consumer, and in other parts of the world.
“With the US driving season almost upon us, high inflation may see consumers opt for shorter drives over the holiday period,” analysts at ANZ Research said in a note on Friday.
The market is now looking towards US economic data and indicators of future crude supply from the world’s top producer.
The US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady this week, and flagged recent disappointingly high inflation readings that could make rate cuts take awhile in coming.
Geopolitical risk premiums due to the Israel-Hamas war, which had kept prices high due to global supply risks, are also fading, with Israel and Hamas considering a temporary ceasefire and holding talks with international mediators.
Brent headed for a 6.3 percent weekly decline, while WTI moved toward a loss of 5.6 percent on the week.
The drop comes just weeks ahead of the next meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia, together called OPEC+.
Three sources from OPEC+ producers said the group could extend its voluntary oil output cuts of 2.2 million barrels per day beyond June if oil demand fails to pick up, but the group has yet to begin formal talks ahead of the June 1 meeting.
Pakistan envoy highlights Kashmir, Palestine at UN debate on ‘Culture of Peace’
- Munir Akram says the realization of the culture is intrinsically linked with adherence to the principles of the UN Charter
- ‘We must also confront and reverse the dark forces of fascism, aggression and occupation,’ Pakistan’s envoy tells the UN
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Munir Akram, on Thursday participated in a general debate of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the ‘Culture of Peace,’ where he highlighted the issues of Kashmir, Palestine and growing Islamophobia in the world.
The Muslim-majority Himalayan region of Kashmir has been a flashpoint between Pakistan and India since their independence from the British rule in 1947. Both countries rule part of the Himalayan territory, but claim it in full and have fought three wars over the disputed region.
Pakistan also does not recognize the state of Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters” and the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. Akram has repeatedly raised the issue of Israeli war on Gaza at the UN in recent months.
In his address on Thursday, Pakistan’s permanent envoy said the world was witnessing the “rise of hate, violence and war” despite a unanimously expressed desire to promote peace, noting that more than 300 conflicts were presently raging across the world.
“The right of peoples to self-determination is being brutally suppressed, especially in Palestine and in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said in his address. “We see the spread of discrimination, bigotry, xenophobia and Islamophobia even in mature democracies.”
Akram said his country welcomed the consideration of the agenda item, adding the realization of Culture of Peace, as delineated in Article 3 of the UN Declaration, was intrinsically linked with the adherence to the principles of the UN Charter.
“In our turbulent world, promotion of a Culture of Peace is not only desirable but imperative. Our strategy must energetically promote the values of peace and harmony under the dialogue among civilizations,” he said.
“But we must also confront and reverse the dark forces of fascism, aggression and occupation and the threat they pose to peace, prosperity and stability and a world order based on the principles and purposes of the UN Charter.”
Speaking with regard to growing Islamophobia in the world, the envoy noted Pakistan and member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) had initiated the adoption of a resolution designating March 15 as the Day to Combat Islamophobia and on the same day this year, the General Assembly adopted a resolution on Measures to Combat Islamophobia.
“We look forward to the appointment of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Islamophobia and the initiation of a Plan of Action to Combat Islamophobia,” he added.
Knicks edge 76ers, book NBA 2nd round clash with Pacers
- The Knicks, through to the second round for the second straight season, will host the Pacers in Game 1 of their series on Monday
- Embiid, last season’s Most Valuable Player whose campaign was disrupted by knee surgery in February, scored 39 points and grabbed 13 rebounds
LOS ANGELES: Jalen Brunson scored 41 points and the New York Knicks held on for a 118-115 victory over Philadelphia on Thursday, clinching a 4-2 series win to book an NBA playoffs second-round clash with the Indiana Pacers.
The Pacers powered into the Eastern Conference semifinals with a convincing 120-98 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks that sealed their 4-2 series win.
It came down to the wire in Philadelphia, where Knicks forward Josh Hart, fed by Brunson, drilled a three-pointer to put New York up 114-111 with 25.6 seconds remaining.
Sixers star Joel Embiid cut the deficit to one with a driving layup seconds later but then fouled out and the Knicks polished it off with free throws from Donte DiVincenzo and Brunson.
Brunson said that after failing to close out the 76ers at home in game five, the Knicks knew they needed a faster start in this one.
They led by 22 points in the first quarter, only to see the 76ers claw back to lead by three at halftime and push their advantage to as many as 10 in the third quarter.
“Obviously they fought back and took the lead, but that good start helped us,” he said. “The way we kept fighting, that’s what we’ve been talking about all year — just making sure we keep fighting no matter what.
“No matter what the situation is, we’re going to stick together, we’re going to fight.”
Brunson added 12 assists, DiVincenzo scored 23 points with two steals and three blocked shots and OG Anunoby contributed 19 points.
Hart finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds and heard the cheers rain down from Knicks fans who made the trek to Philadelphia, despite the fact that the 76ers owners bought 2,500 tickets on the secondary market to try and limit the invasion of New York supporters that irked Embiid during Game 4.
Embiid, last season’s Most Valuable Player whose campaign was disrupted by knee surgery in February, scored 39 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.
Buddy Hield added 20 points but Tyrese Maxey, who scored 46 in Tuesday’s series-extending victory, was held to 17.
The Knicks, through to the second round for the second straight season, will host the Pacers in Game 1 of their series on Monday.
Unable to close out the depleted Bucks on Tuesday, the Pacers got their uptempo offense flowing again, relentlessly pulling away after trailing by seven in the opening minutes in Indianapolis.
All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton delivered a double-double of 17 points and 10 assists, but it was reserve guard Obi Toppin leading the Pacers scoring with a career playoff high 21 points.
T.J. McConnell added 20 points off the bench along with nine assists and four steals as the Pacers reserves contributed a whopping 50 points.
“I’m so proud of the perseverance,” Haliburton said of Toppin and McConnell. “Obviously neither of them had a really good game last game — none of us did. We just responded the right way.”
Indiana led by 12 at halftime, and after the Bucks cut the deficit to seven on a Brook Lopez layup with 1:05 left in the third the Pacers authored an 11-0 scoring run and romped away in the final period.
Eight-time All-Star Damian Lillard returned from a two-game injury absence and led the Bucks with 28 points.
Lopez and Bobby Portis scored 20 points apiece, but with two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo still sidelined by the calf injury suffered late in the regular season the Bucks couldn’t find an answer.
The Bucks, who won the title in 2021, lost in the first round for the second straight season after falling to Miami last year.
The Pacers hadn’t won a playoff series since 2014, when they reached the Eastern Conference finals.
Pakistan takes stringent measures to broaden tax net ahead of IMF loan talks
- Islamabad expects an agreement with the IMF by July, though both sides have refrained from commenting on the program’s size
- Law Minister Azam Tarar says IMF is insisting on increasing tax net, implementing energy reforms and ensuring good governance
KARACHI: Pakistani authorities have taken some stringent measures to broaden the country’s tax net, including blocking mobile phone connections of individuals and registering retailers, ahead of Islamabad’s talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) this month for a new loan program.
Pakistan and the IMF are expected to begin formal talks after the arrival of an IMF team in Islamabad in the mid of May. Islamabad has said it expects a staff-level agreement by July. Though both Pakistani and IMF officials have refrained from commenting on the size of the program, the South Asian nation is expected to seek around $7 billion bailout from the global lender.
Last month, Jihad Azour, the IMF director for the Middle East and Central Asia, said that “reform is now more important than the size of the program.” The Fund is insisting on increasing the tax net, implement energy reforms and ensure good governance as part of the reforms, according to Pakistani officials.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad on Thursday, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the IMF had recommended a number of measures and the government would utilize this revenue for the betterment of the masses.
“The IMF has recommended to expand tax net, control electricity theft and ensure good governance to save the resources,” Tarar said, adding that introducing reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was top priority of the government to address economic issues and broaden the tax net.
The Pakistani government has reshuffled officials within the tax collection agency to streamline operations and enhance its transparency, according to the official. It has decided to block more than half a million mobile phone connections of individuals, who had not filed their tax returns, and emphasized on the registration of retailers ahead of formal talks with the IMF.
“FBR has taken decisive action by issuing an order to disable mobile phone SIMs associated with 506,671 individuals who fall under the aforementioned category,” the tax collection agency said in a notification issued on April 30.
“These measures are aimed at encouraging individuals to fulfill their tax obligations and contribute to the country’s economic development.”
In an another move, the FBR has decided to expedite the registration of around 3 million retailers, under the Tajir Dost Scheme, which focuses on traders and shopkeepers operating through a fixed place of business, including a shop, store, warehouse, office or similar physical place.
However, representatives of trade bodies say the scheme, launched on April 1, had not produced the “desired results.”
“The scheme is failing because there is no awareness among traders about the pros and cons of the scheme, while business conditions are also not supporting such a move,” Atiq Mir, chairman of the All Karachi Tajir Ittehad (AKTI), told Arab News on Friday.
“Amid high inflation and slow business activities, traders are struggling to survive and they can’t afford another burden of taxes.”
To deal with the situation, the FBR has appointed Muhammad Naeem Mir, chairman of the All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran’s Supreme Council, chief coordinator of the Tajir Dost Scheme.
Naeem, who has not yet taken the charge, said he would analyze and discuss the strategy with FBR officials next week.
“From Monday onwards, we will draw strategy and work on the scheme after discussing and getting know-how of it from FBR officials,” he told Arab News.
Naeem denied any resistance from traders, saying the FBR had not run a comprehensive campaign to introduce the scheme, but people were “voluntarily registering themselves.”
Under the scheme, the FBR has notified registration of retailers in six major cities, including Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Quetta. The tax agency expects around Rs100 billion revenue by imposing advance tax in these cities from the July this year, according to FBR officials.
If the FBR successfully implemented the scheme by bringing about 3 million more taxpayers in the net, the overall active taxpayers would increase to more than 7 million from the existing 4 million in Pakistan.
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