Latest news with #NTL
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Syndicate suspected behind bid to traffic 279 foreigners via KLIA
KUALA LUMPUR: A syndicate is believed to be behind an attempt to traffic 279 foreigners into Malaysia via Kuala Lumpur International Airport last week. The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MBCA), which foiled the attempt by issuing a record number of Not-To-Land (NTL) orders, believes the case may be just the tip of the iceberg. The agency's acting director-general Datuk Sazali Mohamad said the foreigners issued NTLs on June 2 displayed travel patterns consistent with past illegal entries linked to trafficking syndicates. "We found repeated red flags, identical travel itineraries, scripted responses and questionable documentation," he told the New Straits Times. "This strongly suggests a coordinated effort, possibly involving trafficking networks or illegal syndicates." On Tuesday, MBCA said it recorded its highest number of NTLs in a single day, denying entry to 240 Bangladeshis, 33 Pakistanis and six Indian citizens who failed to meet immigration requirements. The foreigners, detected by the KLIA Border Control Monitoring Team, were immediately deported. That team was established in 2023 to improve early screening and identify high-risk travellers. Previously, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the cabinet had discussed how immigration and airports handle NTL cases. He said NTLs were issued for various reasons, including being blacklisted or failing to show proof of visit purpose — such as a visa, return flight ticket or hotel accommodation — as required under immigration regulations. "The NTL decision was made in the interest of safeguarding Malaysia's borders and the integrity of its immigration system," said Sazali. He added that Sections 8 and 28 of the Immigration Act empowered authorities to refuse entry to individuals deemed unqualified or suspicious. Sazali said apart from suspected syndicate links, NTLs were also issued to travellers who fail to meet key immigration requirements, such as a clear travel purpose, sufficient funds, valid documentation and verifiable accommodation. He said these anomalies were consistent with those used by organised groups, though investigations are ongoing. MORE NTL s DURING PEAK PERIODS, HOLIDAYS Sazali said between June 2023 and May last year, 25,568 NTL cases were recorded nationwide, with the highest numbers logged during public holidays and school breaks. "The busiest months were July 2023 (2,358 cases) and August 2023 (2,224 cases)," he said. Sazali said the spike was no coincidence. "Peak travel seasons often provide cover for irregular movements. We are now using enhanced profiling and real-time data to detect these threats at the source," he said. He said MBCA primarily relied on the Immigration Department's MyIMMs system, which automatically flags travellers on watch lists, blacklists or with known criminal records, and generates real-time alerts for immediate action. "This allows officers to make immediate, informed decisions on whether to hold or deny entry for further checks. "The system is particularly valuable during peak travel periods when quick and accurate assessments are essential." He added that MBCA was working with foreign embassies and airlines to manage NTLs. "We engage embassies to verify travellers' identities and provide consular support. "We also work with airlines to arrange return flights, provide meals, and manage temporary care for individuals denied entry. "Such coordination helps prevent confusion and ensures airport operations remain orderly, even during high-traffic periods."
Business Wire
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
The National Thoroughbred League Kicks Off 3rd Season at Historic Pimlico With Record Attendance, Handle
BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the National Thoroughbred League (NTL) reported that the opening event of its third season–the NTL Pimlico Cup generated record returns, both in terms of attendance and betting totals. With a crowd of more than 5,500 on hand in support of Baltimore Community Day, in partnership with Lamar Jackson's Forever Dreamers Foundation, Pimlico Race Course generated a $3.9 million handle, which outpaced the track's year-over-year handle from the same race weekend by 30%. This event continued the 'NTL Effect' of greatly increasing attendance and betting. At the 2024 championship event in Phoenix in December, the Turf Paradise track recorded $3.1 million in total bets – its biggest handle this century and the NTL's biggest total to that date. The previous NTL attendance record was more than 4,500 at last year's Philadelphia Cup. 'Our focus with the National Thoroughbred League is to build a compelling format of competitive races complemented by the collective experience of food, fashion, culture and community all geared towards the goal of standing up an event at a track that can attract a strong following and create more pathways for more fans to fall in love with this amazing sport,' said Randall Lane, Co-Founder of the National Thoroughbred League. 'And while we're certainly proud of the turnout we achieved at Pimlico, we're even more thankful for everyone, especially Lamar Jackson and Governor Moore, who lent their time in support of the local community.' Lamar Jackson, the two-time NFL MVP, hosted approximately 1,000 local children, for free, at the event, and presided over a kids race on the track with inflatable horses. Jackson and Moore also joined forces to make the traditional 'Riders Up' call for jockeys. The New York Knights took home The Pimlico Cup and now sit atop the standings for the 2025 season, led by Knights second round draft pick Addy's Laddy T N T, who won the first of three NTL races (each worth $75,000 in purse money). The Nashville Dreams, led by King's River, and the Miami Thunderbolts, competing with Cactus, won the following races. The next chance to see the league in action comes this Father's Day Weekend (June 14-15) for the ' NTL Ultimate Sports Weekend ' where two-time Hall of Famer and Philadelphia Stallions lead owner, Julius 'Dr. J' Erving, along with a dozen Philadelphia Eagles legends, will be participating in a golf invitational at Middletown Country Club on Saturday, June 14th followed by the NTL's Philadelphia Cup event at Parx Racing in Bensalem, PA on Sunday, June 15th. For more information, please visit The National Thoroughbred League (NTL) is a first-of-its-kind racing league reimagining America's oldest spectator sport by creating a team-based professional sports league, by consistently and safely running exceptional horses allowing fans the chance to root for the same stars month after month and year after year. The NTL is also a lifestyle, creating weekends of food, fashion and fun akin to the Kentucky Derby or Formula I.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The National Thoroughbred League Kicks Off 3rd Season at Historic Pimlico With Record Attendance, Handle
More than 5,500 attended the NTL's Pimlico Cup this past Saturday, including Maryland Colts co-owner Lamar Jackson and Maryland Governor Wes Moore. The day's $3.9 million betting handle set an NTL record – a 30% jump over Pimlico's results a year prior. BALTIMORE, May 16, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the National Thoroughbred League (NTL) reported that the opening event of its third season–the NTL Pimlico Cup generated record returns, both in terms of attendance and betting totals. With a crowd of more than 5,500 on hand in support of Baltimore Community Day, in partnership with Lamar Jackson's Forever Dreamers Foundation, Pimlico Race Course generated a $3.9 million handle, which outpaced the track's year-over-year handle from the same race weekend by 30%. This event continued the "NTL Effect" of greatly increasing attendance and betting. At the 2024 championship event in Phoenix in December, the Turf Paradise track recorded $3.1 million in total bets – its biggest handle this century and the NTL's biggest total to that date. The previous NTL attendance record was more than 4,500 at last year's Philadelphia Cup. "Our focus with the National Thoroughbred League is to build a compelling format of competitive races complemented by the collective experience of food, fashion, culture and community all geared towards the goal of standing up an event at a track that can attract a strong following and create more pathways for more fans to fall in love with this amazing sport," said Randall Lane, Co-Founder of the National Thoroughbred League. "And while we're certainly proud of the turnout we achieved at Pimlico, we're even more thankful for everyone, especially Lamar Jackson and Governor Moore, who lent their time in support of the local community." Lamar Jackson, the two-time NFL MVP, hosted approximately 1,000 local children, for free, at the event, and presided over a kids race on the track with inflatable horses. Jackson and Moore also joined forces to make the traditional "Riders Up" call for jockeys. The New York Knights took home The Pimlico Cup and now sit atop the standings for the 2025 season, led by Knights second round draft pick Addy's Laddy T N T, who won the first of three NTL races (each worth $75,000 in purse money). The Nashville Dreams, led by King's River, and the Miami Thunderbolts, competing with Cactus, won the following races. The next chance to see the league in action comes this Father's Day Weekend (June 14-15) for the "NTL Ultimate Sports Weekend" where two-time Hall of Famer and Philadelphia Stallions lead owner, Julius "Dr. J" Erving, along with a dozen Philadelphia Eagles legends, will be participating in a golf invitational at Middletown Country Club on Saturday, June 14th followed by the NTL's Philadelphia Cup event at Parx Racing in Bensalem, PA on Sunday, June 15th. For more information, please visit About National Thoroughbred League The National Thoroughbred League (NTL) is a first-of-its-kind racing league reimagining America's oldest spectator sport by creating a team-based professional sports league, by consistently and safely running exceptional horses allowing fans the chance to root for the same stars month after month and year after year. The NTL is also a lifestyle, creating weekends of food, fashion and fun akin to the Kentucky Derby or Formula I. View source version on Contacts Media Contact National Thoroughbred LeagueNTL@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Local Norway
05-03-2025
- Business
- Local Norway
How US aid freezes could impact foreign workers in Norway
The ripple effects of the abrupt halt of foreign aid funds by the new American administration have been particularly severe for humanitarian groups reliant on US funding, leading to project suspensions, financial uncertainty, and job losses. Norway, a key player in global aid efforts, is now feeling the strain as aid-dependent organisations face critical funding gaps that threaten both their missions and their employees. In Norway, one of the most immediate consequences is being felt by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), which announced in late February that it could no longer sustain its operations due to delayed payments from the US government. "The United States government's continued failure to issue outstanding payments for completed and ongoing authorised work has created a liquidity crisis we, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), can no longer absorb," NRC stated in a press release. "We are therefore forced to suspend our remaining programming funded by the US at the end of this week, February 28th. This includes even lifesaving programmes for which we have received waivers to continue implementation during the US government foreign assistance review." Beyond the direct impact on aid recipients, these financial shortfalls have triggered concerns about job security among workers in Norway's aid sector. Some of these employees are foreigners working on skilled worker visas, meaning that losing their jobs could also mean losing their legal right to stay in the country. Union concerns over job security Despite growing concerns over job security, there is little concrete data on the number of foreign workers employed in Norway's aid sector. The Local contacted both the Norwegian Civil Service Union (NTL) and NORAD, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, but neither had exact figures on how many foreign employees work in the field. This lack of official statistics makes it difficult to fully assess the impact of the aid freezes on foreign workers. Although data is scarce, unions report growing uncertainty among foreign aid workers, particularly those on skilled worker visas. However, Kjersti Barsok, President of the Norwegian Civil Service Union (NTL), which also represents workers in NRC, acknowledged a growing sense of uncertainty. "Some foreign employees working for the Norwegian Refugee Council must have a skilled worker visa to work in Norway," Barsok told The Local. "These employees were shielded in the first round of furloughs (Norwegian: permitteringer – a mandatory leave of absence) this year, as they are not entitled to unemployment benefits." While furloughs are common in Norway as a temporary cost-saving measure, many foreign employees are not familiar with the concept. "Furloughs are not a usual measure outside Norway, so NRC was affected by furloughs and not layoffs in the first place. NTL argued in favour of shielding the foreign workers from being furloughed, as they would have lost their income after 14 days and would have to return to their home countries," Barsok said. Increasing layoffs and downsizing However, with the aid crisis deepening, the initial wave of furloughs may soon give way to permanent layoffs. "It is already happening, and we are deeply worried about the consequences and how far it will go – both in terms of employees in Norway and the hundreds of thousands of people impacted globally," Barsok said. The USAID aid freeze led NRC to furlough 27 employees from its head office, with around 10 foreign employees on skilled worker visas being protected from furlough. However, layoffs could soon become unavoidable as NRC restructures. "A restructuring of NRC is underway, which will likely lead to a downsizing. This process is separate from the furlough process and follows its own framework and set of rules," Barsok noted. Other organisations in Norway's aid sector are also experiencing drastic cutbacks. The Norwegian People's Aid (Norsk Folkehjelp) has announced it will lay off 1,700 employees – half of its workforce. Protecting foreign workers in the aid sector Given the dire situation, unions are discussing ways to protect foreign employees who may lose their jobs. "We work with these issues on a case-by-case basis," Barsok explained. "In cases of furloughing, we generally shield foreign workers, as mentioned above. If the member is affected by a downsizing, other assessments determine whether the dismissal is justified." As the crisis unfolds, foreign workers in Norway's aid sector face an uncertain future. Without employment, many could be forced to leave the country, deepening the challenges of a sector already struggling to maintain essential operations.
CBC
13-02-2025
- Business
- CBC
Whiffen Head terminal reopens as oil companies consider adding tanker capacity in the offshore
Social Sharing The transshipment terminal in eastern Newfoundland that serves as a critical storage facility for offshore oil resumed limited operations Thursday following an incident three weeks ago that involved a vessel laden with crude slamming into the wharf. A tanker called the MT Minerva Coralia docked at the terminal around 8 a.m. Thursday in order to load up with crude from the Whiffen Head tank farm for delivery to the market. Deliveries from the regular fleet of offshore shuttle tankers will also resume. The Coralia was the first vessel to approach the terminal since the afternoon of Jan. 22, when a shuttle tanker called the Altera Thule crashed into one of the two jetties at Whiffen Head, opening a gash in the vessel's bow, crumpling a section of the wharf's concrete decking, and nearly toppling the mechanical loading arm that connects tankers to the cargo terminal. There were no injuries, and the doubled-hulled Thule did not spill any crude into the bay. There are multiple investigations ongoing into the incident. The terminal at Whiffen Head is operated by Newfoundland Transshipment Limited (NTL). President Paul Durdle confirmed in a statement to the media that inspections and repair planning are continuing on the wharf damaged by the Thule. He would not say how long the wharf might be out of commission. He added that inspections determined a second wharf was undamaged, and could be reopened. "The team will conduct additional surveillance during start-up to provide extra monitoring of the operations," Durdle wrote. Oil companies not taking chances Despite the development, there are also signs that oil companies are taking no chances on a potential interruption in the flow of crude into Placentia Bay from Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore. A spokesperson for Basin Wide Transportation and Transshipment System (BWTTS) wrote in a statement to CBC News on Thursday that additional ships may be required, and an application has been made under the Coasting Trade Act for an increase in the fleet of shuttle tankers. "While no final decisions have been made, beginning the process now provides BWTTS participants with this contingency as an option." BWTTS co-ordinates crude transportation on behalf of the oil companies with ownership stakes in the offshore. There are three Altera-owned shuttle tankers in the regular fleet, plus the Altera Thule, which was added to the fleet for the winter season. BWTTS could bring in another vessel, the spokesperson explained, or extend the contract of the Altera Thule once it is repaired. "We continue to work closely with NTL and Altera to understand the longer-term implications, and ensure appropriate contingency plans are in place to support offshore production." The shuttle tankers collect oil produced at the Hibernia, Hebron, Terra Nova and White Rose oil fields — roughly 250,000 barrels per day — and deliver it to Whiffen Head for storage in a tank farm capable of handling three million barrels. Hibernia, for example, can store roughly 1.3 million barrels of oil inside its concrete gravity structure. Last year, the fleet delivered more than 90 cargos of offshore crude to the transshipment terminal. Without access to the Whiffen Head terminal, shuttle tankers have been offloading their crude directly into what's called second leg tankers in Placentia Bay. These ship-to-ship transfers are "a proven method of transfer, which has been used safely here and around the world," the BWTTS spokesperson stated. Up to Thursday, there were five ship-to-ship transfers.
