Latest news with #661
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Two witnesses record testimonies in gifts case
The Toshakhana is a repository which stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats and other officials by heads of other governments and foreign dignitaries. PHOTO: FILE Two more prosecution witnesses on Tuesday gave their testimonies in a case related to alleged misuse of the official gift repository rules by PTI founder Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi during the former's term as the prime minister. Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand conducted the hearing of the case in a courtroom inside Rawalpindi's Central Prison popularly known as Adiala Jail. Both Imran and Bushrawho are detained in the prison facility — attended the hearing. After the testimonies, the counsel for Imran, Arshad Tabriz, cross-examined both the witnesses. Lawyer of Bushra Bibi, Qosain Faisal Mufti, will cross examine the witnesses at the next hearing. Bushra Bibi had refused to attend the last hearing of the case — also called the Toshakhana II casedespite repeated summonses by the court. The judge had later warned of cancelling her bail in the case. The court will resume hearing on June 11. According to the charge-sheet, Imran misused his position to acquire a Bulgari jewelry set that the Saudi crown prince presented as a gift during the couple's visit to Saudi Arabia between May 7 and 10, 2021. The set included a ring, bracelet, necklace, and a pair of earrings. According to the evidence gathered during the investigation, Imran and Bushra unlawfully retained the set. On May 18, 2021, the deputy military secretary informed the section officer of Toshakhana about the need to assess and declare the price of the gift, but it was not deposited. Bulgari sold the necklace for 300,000 euros and the earrings for 80,000 euros to a Saudi franchise on May 25, 2018. However, the price of the bracelet and ring could not be determined. As of May 28, 2021, the total estimated value of the Bulgari jewelry set was approximately Rs75,661,600. The necklace alone was valued at Rs56,496,000, and the earrings at Rs15,065,600.
TimesLIVE
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Volvo to cut costs by $1.9bn as earnings drop
Sweden-based Volvo Cars launched cost cuts of 18-billion Swedish crowns ($1.87bn or R34,701,964,000) on Tuesday as its operating profit fell heavily amid difficult market conditions for the automotive industry. Operating profit at the company, majority-owned by China's Geely, was 1.9bn Swedish crowns (R3,661,982,100) for the January-March period against a year earlier 4.7bn crowns (R9,060,580,100). The cost cuts, part of a new "cost and cash action plan", will include layoffs and a larger decrease in investment than earlier expected, the company said, adding it had withdrawn its financial guidance for the next two years. The company's share price fell to record low levels in recent months as it grappled with mounting tariff pressures, the continued slowdown in electric vehicle demand and global uncertainty. In a first sign Volvo was taking steps to address the situation, the carmaker made an unexpected management shake-up this month by axing CEO Jim Rowan and bringing back former CEO Hakan Samuelsson, and weeks later also replacing its CFO. "Given the turbulence in the market, we need to further improve our cash flow generation and lower our costs," Samuelsson said on Tuesday. "While we l have a lot to do, our direction going forward is focused on three areas: profitability, electrification and regionalisation," he said.
USA Today
09-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Unpacking Future Packers: No. 48, Tennessee WR Dont'e Thornton Jr
Unpacking Future Packers: No. 48, Tennessee WR Dont'e Thornton Jr The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft. The Green Bay Packers will be without the services of Christian Watson's dynamic playmaking ability for the majority of the 2025-2026 campaign after he suffered a torn ACL during the final game of the regular season. As Watson rehabs from his knee injury, the Packers have to chart a path forward without him for the upcoming season and have to decide if they want to re-sign Watson as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. A potential target in the 2025 NFL Draft that could help mitigate Watson's absence is Dont'e Thornton Jr. The Tennessee wide receiver checks in at No. 48 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown. A four-star recruit out of Maryland, Thornton started his collegiate career at Oregon. During his two seasons with the Ducks, Thornton caught three touchdowns. During his first season at Tennessee, Thornton reeled in one touchdown. This past season, Thornton caught 26 passes for 661 yards and six touchdowns. He led the nation with a 25.4 yards per reception average. 'Despite not starting for the majority of the year, Thornton was Tennessee's best receiver last season,' Ryan Schumpert, a reporter for Rocky Top Insider, said. 'Tennessee misused Thornton in 2023, playing him in the slot for the first bit of the year. They moved him back outside midseason and he was starting to turn the corner before suffering a season-ending injury at Missouri. In 2024, Thornton was Tennessee's one receiver who could truly strike fear in opposing defenses. Opponents sat on the deep curls and slants in Tennessee's offense, daring receivers to run past them. Thornton was the only one that could do it.' A former track athlete, Thornton has easy vertical speed. That straight-line speed was on display at the NFL Scouting Combine when he clocked a 4.30 40-yard dash, the fastest among wide receivers. At 6-5, Thornton is a size-speed prospect who quickly chews up cushion with his long strides. He quickly accelerates off the line of scrimmage and has the speed to blow by cornerbacks. 'The best way to describe Thornton's vertical ability is to simply look at the stats,' Schumpert said. 'He averaged 25 yards per catch and had catches over 40 yards in seven games including at massive spots in the wins over Oklahoma, Alabama and Vanderbilt. While Thornton had a few big plays on go routes, he did most of his damage on skinny posts.' Thornton has the breakaway speed to turn a short reception into a 75-yard touchdown. He destroys pursuit angles and quickly chews up grass with the ball in his hands. According to Pro Football Focus, Thornton racked up 278 yards after the catch (on 26 receptions). 'It goes hand-in-hand with his speed but it's Thornton's run after catch ability,' Schumpert said. 'Thornton isn't super shifty but his speed allows him to make things happen after the catch. After having a drop problem in 2023, Thornton had steady hands during the 2024 season." Thornton needs to grow branches on his route tree. He was a one-trick pony at Tennessee, but that trick was difficult for teams to stop. He'll need to develop other parts of his game, but he could step in on day one and provide an immediate impact as a vertical threat. Fit with the Packers Since taking over as general manager in 2018, Gutekunst has drafted 10 wide receivers, with seven of them being Day 3 selections. Thornton is built like some of those former Day 3 selections. J'Mon Moore (6-3, 207 pounds), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (6-4, 206 pounds) and Equanimeous St. Brown (6-5, 214 pounds). The Tennessee wide receiver offers an MVS-like skill set. He's a size and speed prospect with dangerous vertical speed and a wide catch radius. He's got the ability to really stretch the field and keep defensive backs honest. "Because Thornton can make a big play at any time he's on the field," Schumpert said. "He is still raw which would make it relatively easy for a general manager to talk themselves into Thornton." The Packers will be without the services of Watson for the majority of next season and they need to replace his vertical presence. Thornton won't cost the Packers a premium pick and could be the next Day 3 wide receiver that Gutekunst selects. With his speed and big-play ability, he could prove to be a steal on Day 3 of the draft.
Gulf Insider
28-01-2025
- Gulf Insider
LMRA Conducts 674 Inspection Campaigns And Visits
The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) announced the implementation of 674 inspection campaigns and visits, during the period of January 19-25, which resulted in the detention of 29 violating and irregular workers, while 192 violators were deported. The inspection campaigns and visits also resulted in monitoring a number of violations related to the provisions of a number of regulating laws, especially the Labour Market Regulatory Authority and the Residency Laws in the Kingdom of Bahrain, noting that legal measures were taken regarding the observed violations. The authority pointed out that 661 inspection visits were carried out on various shops in all governorates, in addition to 13 joint inspection campaigns, that included 8 campaigns in the Capital Governorate, 3 campaigns in the Muharraq Governorate, 1 campaign in the Northern Governorate, and 1 campaign in the Southern Governorate. The government entity that participated in the campaigns is the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA), the Governorate's Respective Police Directorate, and the Social Insurance Organization. The Authority affirmed the continuation of joint coordination with government agencies to intensify inspection campaigns in all governorates of the Kingdom, and to address any violations or practices that negatively affect the stability and competitiveness of the labour market or harm the economic and social security of the Kingdom. The LMRA renewed its call on all members of society to support the efforts of government agencies in addressing illegal labour practices, by reporting violations via the electronic form on the authority's website or by calling the authority's call centre on 17506055 or via the government's Suggestions and Complaints System (Tawasul).
