Bomb threat forces Indian flight bound for London to declare emergency

An Air India flight from Mumbai to London declared an emergency onboard after receiving a bomb threat an hour before landing today. The incident added to a series of bomb threats targeting multiple flights this week, according to NDTV.

As per the Indian media, the Air India flight AI129, which departed from Mumbai at 7:05 am IST, was en route to London when the emergency was declared.

The aircraft was “squawking 7700,” a code used by pilots to indicate a general emergency.

Flight tracking website FlightRadar24 showed the Boeing 777 circling over East England before landing safely at Heathrow Airport at 12:05 pm UK time.

This bomb threat was just one of several reported today.

In total, five Air India flights, two Vistara flights, and two IndiGo flights received bomb threats, marking the fourth consecutive day of such incidents.

In total, 20 aircraft have been targeted by bomb threats in the past four days.

Among the affected flights was a Vistara flight from Frankfurt to Mumbai, which carried 147 passengers.

Upon landing, the aircraft was taken to an isolation bay at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, where passengers disembarked and a thorough security check was conducted.

A Vistara spokesperson stated, “We are fully cooperating with the security agencies to complete the mandatory security checks. The safety and security of our customers, crew, and aircraft are of utmost importance.”

Similarly, an IndiGo flight from Istanbul to Mumbai also received a bomb threat and was isolated for security checks upon arrival in Mumbai.

In response to the ongoing threats, the Ministry of Home Affairs has instructed the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to remain on high alert at airports.

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu emphasized that passenger safety is the government’s top priority, saying, “We are committed to maintaining the highest security standards.”

The Home Ministry has requested a detailed report from the Civil Aviation Ministry on the bomb scare incidents.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will prepare a report based on inputs from the affected airlines. A Parliamentary Standing Committee met to address the issue, followed by discussions between the Civil Aviation Ministry and DGCA officials.

To address the crisis, airlines have proposed measures such as adding individuals who issue bomb threats to the ‘Unruly Passengers’ list and banning them from flying for up to five years. The Civil Aviation Ministry is expected to release new guidelines soon.

Punjab imposes section 144 for two days

LAHORE: In response to heightened security threats, the Punjab government has enforced Section 144 across the province for two days, effective from Friday, October 18, to Saturday, October 19, ARY News reported on Thursday.

According to the notification issued by the Punjab Home Department, all kinds of protests, processions, and public activities have been banned during this period.

The government stated that public gatherings and rallies could become soft targets for potential terrorist attacks, prompting the implementation of the ban.

The notification further mentioned that the decision was made to protect law and order, human lives, and property amid growing concerns over security risks.

Public safety remains the top priority as the province takes precautionary measures to avoid any potential incidents.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has called for a nationwide protest, urging citizens to take to the streets tomorrow [Friday – October 18].

The Chief Minister (CM) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Ali Amin Gandapur, announced that protests will be held in every district and city across the country for the release of PTI founder, party leaders and workers.

Gandapur made an appeal to the public, emphasizing the need to stand against what he termed as unconstitutional amendments.

He warned that if the nation remains silent today, future generations will suffer the consequences. He added, “We must raise our voices now to protect our rights and the future of our children.”

US dollar firms on Fed outlook, potential Trump win

NEW YORK/LONDON: The US Dollar firmed on Wednesday, hitting a new 10-week high, as investors priced out a hefty interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve at the next policy meeting and included a potential election victory by former President Donald Trump.

Sterling, meanwhile, tumbled to its lowest in two months after softer than expected British inflation data offered scope for the Bank of England to cut rates more forcefully, while the euro was at a 10-week low ahead of a European Central Bank meeting.

But with U.S. presidential elections a few weeks away, investors’ focus has shifted to the contest along with the Fed’s interest rate path.

Trump’s plan to implement tax cuts, looser financial regulations, and higher tariffs is viewed as positive for the dollar. Higher tariffs, for instance, would have negative implications for Asian currencies, notably the Chinese yuan, and would also mean increased volatility in financial markets, ultimately benefiting the dollar.

Vassili Serebriakov, FX strategist at UBS in New York, said a combination of Fed policy expectations and U.S. election prospects have provided a lift for the dollar.

“We have priced out a 50 basis-point (bp) cut. Fedspeak has also been consistent with a very gradual pace of rate cuts.” said Serebriakov.

“The proximity of the U.S. elections makes the market more hesitant to sell the dollar, especially as opinion polls have shifted a bit toward former President Trump. The market is also contemplating some of the potential tariff risks as well.”

In late morning trading, the dollar rose 0.2% to 103.44 , after hitting yet another 10-week high of 103.47.

The euro, the dollar index’s biggest component, fell 0.2% as well to $1.0876 , after earlier sliding to an 11-week low of $1.0871.

Investors will be closely watching the ECB meeting on Thursday, though if policy makers deliver the currently priced 25-bp rate cut and President Christine Lagarde refrains from giving too many clues about the further rate outlook, the market impact could be muted.

STERLING PRESSURE

The pound, meanwhile, was one of the biggest movers among major currencies, dropping 0.5% to $1.3008 . It dipped under the $1.30 level for the first time since Aug. 20, after data showing the rate of annual consumer price inflation dropped to 1.7% in September from 2.2% in August.

That was the lowest reading since April 2021, and under the 1.9% forecast by a Reuters poll of economists. It reinforced bets on a BoE interest rate cut next month and made a further cut in December more likely.

The euro was last 0.4% higher against the pound at 83.63 pence. .

Across the Atlantic, traders have priced in a 97% chance of a 25-bp cut when the Fed next decides policy on Nov. 7, with an 3% probability of a pause, according to LSEG’s estimates. A month ago, traders saw 50-50 odds of a super-sized 50-basis-point reduction.

Market pricing still strongly favours about 50 bps of easing this year, but comments from central bankers overnight leaned hawkish. The Atlanta Fed’s Raphael Bostic said he pencilled in just one 25 basis-point rate reduction for this year, while the San Francisco Fed’s Mary
Daly said “one or two” cuts in 2024 would be “reasonable”.

The dollar added 0.3% against the yen to 149.605 yen , not far from Monday’s high of 149.98 yen, the strongest since Aug. 1.

BOJ board member Seiji Adachi said on Wednesday the central bank must raise rates at a “very moderate” pace and avoid hiking prematurely, given uncertainties over the global economic outlook and domestic wage developments.

In other currencies, the Australian and New Zealand dollars sagged as scepticism widened over stimulus from top trading partner China.

The Aussie dropped to US$0.6663, the lowest since Sept. 12, and last traded at US$0.6664, down 0.6%. The New Zealand unit sank to UD$0.6041, a level last seen on Aug. 19, and was last down 0.3% at US$0.6062 .

On Saturday, China’s finance ministry said it would increase borrowing, without saying when or by how much. China will hold a press conference on Thursday to discuss promoting the “steady and healthy” development of the property sector.

Currency bid prices at 16 October​ 03:01 p.m. GMT
Description	RIC	Last	U.S. Close Previous Session	Pct Change	YTD Pct	High Bid	Low Bid
Dollar index		103.4	103.26	0.15%	2.00%	103.47	103.17
Euro/Dollar		1.0878	1.0893	-0.13%	-1.45%	$1.0902	$1.0872
Dollar/Yen		149.6	149.23	0.27%	6.09%	149.66	148.88
Euro/Yen		1.0878​	162.48	0.17%	4.57%	162.83	162.13
Dollar/Swiss		0.8642	0.8622	0.24%	2.68%	0.8657	0.8615
Sterling/Dollar		1.3007	1.3074	-0.51%	2.22%	$1.3075	$1.2984​
Dollar/Canadian		1.3776	1.3775	0.02%	3.93%	1.3793	1.3768
Aussie/Dollar		0.6667	0.6703	-0.53%	-2.2%	$0.6705	$0.6663
Euro/Swiss		0.94	0.9389	0.12%	1.23%	0.9412	0.9379
Euro/Sterling		0.8362	0.8331	0.37%	-3.53%	0.838	0.8327
NZ Dollar/Dollar		0.6062	0.6083	-0.31%	-4.04%	$0.6086	0.6041
Dollar/Norway		10.9123​	10.7989	1.05%	7.67%	10.9127	10.8073
Euro/Norway		11.866	11.7821	0.71%	5.72%	11.874	11.7724
Dollar/Sweden		10.4785	10.4016	0.74%	4.08%	10.4886	10.4032
Euro/Sweden		11.3987	11.3441	0.48%	2.46%	11.4045	11.3324

GTA 6 new gameplay ‘leak’ goes viral

Fans of Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 6 were split after a fresh leak allegedly from Rockstar Games’ upcoming title went viral on social media.

While the developer and its parent company Take-Two Interactive remain silent about the hotly-anticipated game, several alleged leaks have been making rounds on social media platforms.

The latest of such leaks was shared on TikTok, showing a street that looks like the Wynwood area of Miami.

The short clip also showed a few cars, including a van that looks like an Amazon Prime van parked in the street.

The short clip, allegedly a gameplay leak of GTA 6, soon went viral with fans debating whether the clip was actually from the sixth title in the Grand Theft Auto series.

Several maintained that Rockstar Games would not use Amazon trademarks in the game. Others mentioned that the Prime logo actually says “Crime,” a type of parody the developer is widely known for.

@gtaleaks2 @community JUST LEAKED GTA 6 #gta #gta6 #gta6leakedfootage #gtaleak ♬ PORSCHE – NXY0TAR0

It is to be noted here that Take-Two Interactive faced a massive leak in 2022 when hackers leaked footage of GTA 6.

The unprecedented leak included dozens of videos showing robberies, gameplay and open-world driving and was posted on an online message board.

The reveal trailer for GTA 6 was released last year while Take-Two Interactive’s earlier this year announced that the game will arrive in the Fall of 2025.

Later, Rockstar Games announced that GTA 6 would be released for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, however, it fell short of announcing a release date for a PC version.

Obbe Vermeij, who worked on GTA 4, later suggested that PC gamers will get their hands on the sixth title of the Grand Theft Auto series in 2027.

His statement came after a fan going by the X handle @BillNye886566, said: “If it releases in 2025 or 2026, it makes no difference because I have a PC.”

Replying to the users, Vermeij wrote: “2027 for you I’m afraid.”

Latest fine amount for late renewal of Saudi Arabia Iqama

Foreign workers, including those from Pakistan, working in Saudi Arabia must have their residency permit or Iqama renewed as quickly as possible when it expires because an invalid Iqama might get you into problems.

Iqama in Saudi Arabia refers to a residence permit or residence visa, which allows foreign nationals, including Pakistanis, to live and work in the kingdom.

Foreign nationals must renew their Iqama within three days of its expiration date, according to Saudi authorities.

Fine amount

If the expats do not renew the permit within three days, they risk being fined. According to authorities, if an Iqama renewal is delayed for the first time, a fee of 500 Saudi Riyals would be applied.

For the second time, the penalty will be raised to 1,000 Saudi Riyals for the delay.

Saudi Arabia is the most popular destination for Pakistani workers overseas, with an estimated 2.6 million of them employed there, according to the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment, Pakistan.

 

Gold rates in Saudi Arabia today – 16 October 2024

The per tola price of 24-karat gold in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (October 16) stands at 3,718 Saudi Riyal (SAR), according to forex.pk.

Moreover, the 10 grams of 24-k gold is being sold for SAR 3,191in the kingdom while the per ounce gold price stands at SAR 9,925.

Note: The gold price across the world, including Saudi Arabia, changes constantly and there will be some differences in this post as the prices were updated on October 16, 2024.

Meanwhile, the gold prices in Pakistan have reached an all-time high, surging to Rs277,200 per tola, with an increase of Rs2,200.

This upward trend follows a brief decline in the previous session. The price for 10 grams of gold also witnessed a substantial rise, reaching Rs237,654, up by Rs1,886.

According to market analysts, the rise in gold prices can be attributed to easing US Treasury yields and anticipation of upcoming US economic data.

International gold rates have also seen an increase, quoted at $2,675 per ounce, up by $22 from the previous day. In contrast, silver prices remained stable at Rs3,050 per tola.

NADRA Biker Service: How to get CNIC at doorstep

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) earlier launched the NADRA Biker Service, enabling the citizens to get Computerised National Identity Cards (CNIC) without visiting its office.

Getting a CNIC or update the information has become a tiresome and time-consuming process. Tired of long lines at NADRA offices and want to save time and hassle? NADRA Biker Service might be the answer.

What is NADRA Biker Service

Imagine a NADRA office coming to your doorstep! That’s exactly what the NADRA Biker Service offers. You can apply for a new CNIC or update your information right at your home or office.

How to book a biker service

• Call NADRA at 1777 from your mobile phone.
• Choose options by pressing 1, then press 2 to talk to a Biker Service representative.
• Request an appointment by telling representative you want to book an appointment.
• Share details what you need (new CNIC, address change, etc.) and your location.
• Confirm Appointment: You will get a message with the appointment details.

NADRA Biker Service fee

In addition to the standard application price, there is a RS 1,000 service fee. A new CNIC with Biker Service  costs Rs. 1,500. You can use a card or pay with cash.

Where to receive CNIC?

Once your CNIC or other document is ready, NADRA will deliver it right to your doorstep. There will be no need to visit a NADRA office.

Where is service available?

Currently, the service is only available in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. But NADRA plans to expand it to other cities soon.

So, why wait in long lines? Book your  appointment today and enjoy the convenience.