Turkish police foil terror attack in Ankara
Two terrorists carried out a bomb attack in front of the gate of the Security Directorate General in Ankara on October 1. But the police took timely action and succeeded in foiling this terror attack, reports Anadolu Agency. The links of one of the dead attackers to the terrorist group PKK have been confirmed, the Interior Ministry said, adding that an investigation of the other terrorist continues.
The vehicle used in the attack was found to have been stolen from a Turkish citizen named Mikail Bozlagan, who worked as a veterinary health technician in Develi in the central Kayseri province. He was murdered by the terrorists and his vehicle was stolen, the Ministry said in a statement.
Two police officers were slightly injured when one of the two terrorists blew himself. In a speech marking the start of parliament’s new legislative year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday’s terrorist act, in which two criminals were neutralized thanks to timely police intervention, was part of what he called the “last gasps of terrorism.” Stressing the need for solidarity in the fight against terrorism, Erdogan said: “We have largely solved the separatist terrorism issue, which has made our country pay heavy human and economic costs for 40 years, within our borders.”
Indonesia launches Southeast Asia’s 1st high-speed train
Indonesia launched South Asia’s first high-speed train on October 2, reports Anadolu Agency. “I declare ‘Whoosh’ is ready to be operated,” President Joko Widodo said about the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) train at a ceremony.
“Whoosh” signifies the sound of a fast train and stands for “time-saving, optimal operation, reliable system” in the Indonesian language. It can reach a speed limit of 320 kilometers (199 miles) per hour.
The Chinese-built bullet train connects the capital Jakarta to Bandung in West Java province, covering a distance of 142 kilometers (90 miles) in about 45 minutes. It reduces travel time between two cities by at least two hours.
Part of China’s multi-trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, the train is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia and will ferry more than 600 people to and from Jakarta and Bandung. China’s Premier Li Qiang rode the train during a trial last month when he visited Jakarta for a regional summit. The train route has 13 tunnels and stops at four stations, including Halim, Karawang, Padalarang, and Tegalluar.
Türkiye’s 1st aircraft factory to begin producing parts for Gokbey, Hurkus
Türkiye’s first aircraft factory, TOMTAS Aviation and Technology Inc., will soon begin producing parts for the multipurpose Gokbey helicopter and Hurkus trainer aircraft, reports Anadolu Agency on October 2. “We will be issuing our first invoice in October,” Ali Eksi, a board member at TOMTAS, told Anadolu on the sidelines of TEKNOFEST, Türkiye’s premier technology and aerospace event.
“Within a few weeks, the certification processes will be completed and we will start the production of the structural parts of Gokbey and Hurkus,” Eksi added.
TEKNOFEST, which opened Wednesday in Türkiye’s Izmir province, has been jointly organized every year by the Turkish Technology Team (T3) Foundation and the Ministry of Industry and Technology since 2018 in cooperation with other ministries and dozens of other public institutions, private companies and universities.
Anadolu has been among TEKNOFEST’s media shareholders as a global communications partner since the first edition. The history of TOMTAS Aviation and Technology dates back to the 1920s. Following the establishment of the Turkish Aircraft Society in 1925, action was taken to establish an aircraft factory.
Lebanese-American police officer awarded $400K in anti-Muslim harassment lawsuit
A former police officer from San Jose, California, will receive a $400,000 settlement for a lawsuit claiming he faced harassment due to his Muslim faith. In 2018, Nabil Haidar, a Lebanese-American police officer, filed a lawsuit against the San Jose Police Department, claiming he was subjected to anti-Muslim comments, particularly after the 9/11 attacks.
The lawsuit says that in November 2017 during a police briefing, a captain was acknowledging police veterans, and a sergeant reportedly made derogatory remarks about Haidar: “Captain, you forgot to mention Nabil. He is an ISIS veteran. He was with ISIS for two years,” referring to the Islamic State militant group.
According to court records, both the sergeant and another officer whom Haidar alleged made anti-Muslim comments were suspended for a week due to their statements. Court documents reveal that Haidar took medical leave in 2019 and came back to light duty in 2021 before applying for retirement the following year. On Tuesday, the San Jose City Council approved Haidar’s pre-trial settlement.
Al-Ittihad specify reason for canceling football match in Iran
Saudi Arabia’s football club Al-Ittihad issued a statement on Tuesday specifying the reason for canceling its Asian Champion League (AFC) match with Iran’s Sepahan club, reports Anadolu Agency on October 4. Scheduled to take place on Monday at the Naqsh e Jahan stadium in central Iran’s Isfahan city, the football match was canceled due to the presence of a statue of former Iranian general Qassem Soleimani inside the stadium, said unconfirmed reports.
In a statement, Al-Ittihad said the Saudi team officials were notified by the match observer that the match would not be played as scheduled and allowed the team to leave the stadium. It called on the AFC “to protect the club’s rights as guaranteed by the rules and regulations.”
On Monday, the AFC said the match was canceled due to “unanticipated” and “unforeseen circumstances.” It said the issue will be referred to the relevant committees, and reiterated its commitment towards ensuring the safety and security of the players, match officials, spectators, and all stakeholders involved. Soleimani was assassinated in a US drone strike in Baghdad, Iraq, in January 2020. Pertinently, Iran and Saudi Arabia in March decided to restore their diplomatic ties after seven years and following two years of negotiations. Last month, Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr football club played against Iran’s Persepolis at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium, which the Saudi team won 2-0.
GCC, Pak sign free trade agreement
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Pakistan have signed a free trade agreement (FTA) following the conclusion of the final round of negotiations between the two sides in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, reports said. GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi and Pakistan Caretaker Commerce Minister Gohar Ejaz inked the joint statement for the GCC-Pakistan FTA.
“Both parties looked forward to the expeditious signing, ratification, and implementation of the agreement, which will mark a new chapter in the economic relations between our parties,” a joint statement issued by both parties stated, Geo News reported.
The final round was held from September 26-28 at the GCC Headquarters in the Saudi capital.
The FTA is the first by GCC with any country since 2009 and marks a milestone in both sides’ economic cooperation, Geo News added.