Latest news with #Sarhan


New Straits Times
22-06-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Operations ongoing to douse massive blaze at Kota Puteri storage yard
JOHOR BARU: Firefighters are continuing efforts to extinguish a massive blaze at a logistics depot cum storage yard in the Kota Puteri Industrial Park, near Taman Megah Ria in Masai, which broke out yesterday afternoon. The fire, which started at 12.45pm, has caused extensive damage, destroying three factories and 15 vehicles, including a used engine oil storage facility, a soap processing plant, and a lorry parking lot. While no casualties have been reported, a firefighter sustained injuries during the operation and is reported to be in stable condition. State Fire and Rescue Department operations commander Sarhan Akmal Mohamad said the site had been divided into two zones, namely Division 1 and Division 2, to optimise firefighting efforts. "Division 1 was successfully extinguished by 4am today, but operations in Division 2 are ongoing. "Thick smoke and large fuel containers have made access challenging," he said. Sarhan added that about 60 per cent of the 700 by 700 square foot site had been destroyed. Strong winds had accelerated the spread of flames from active storage areas to adjacent non-operational zones. Firefighters deployed six hose lines, drawing water from hydrants and tanker engines, and used 50 foam canisters to suppress the oil-fed flames. A Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) team was dispatched at 11.40pm to assess air quality using a Gasmet FTR detector. Preliminary readings showed trace amounts of sulphur in the air, though not at hazardous levels. Responders were advised to wear personal protective equipment, including masks and respirators. Solid material samples were also collected for further testing. Meanwhile, Johor Department of Environment (DoE) director Dr Mohd Famey Yusoff confirmed that ongoing monitoring at three key locations near the industrial park detected no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can pose health risks. "VOCs were not detected at SK Seri Kota Puteri, the Jalan Kempas 12 fire control post, or a nearby logistics company. "Ammonia levels were found at the fire control post but remain below the AEGL2 threshold," he said. AEGL2 refers to the concentration of a substance that may cause serious or irreversible health effects. Dr Famey assured the public that current air quality does not pose an immediate health threat. However, DoE officers will continue monitoring the area to ensure safety. The incident has raised concerns about industrial safety and environmental impact, with authorities pledging to provide updates once the fire is fully extinguished.


RTHK
20-06-2025
- Business
- RTHK
US stocks end week mostly lower
US stocks end week mostly lower Analysts pointed to a pullback in some chip companies and uncertainty over the Middle East. Photo: AFP Wall Street stocks mostly fell on Friday amid weakness in some semiconductor shares as markets weighed the latest developments in the ongoing war between Iran and Israel. Markets rose after US President Donald Trump's remarks on Thursday on the Middle East, allowing for up to two weeks before possible US military action against Iran. But on Friday afternoon, Trump expressed doubt that European powers would be able to help end the Iran-Israel war, telling reporters, "Europe is not going to be able to help in this." The Dow Jones finished up 0.1 percent at 42,206. But the S&P 500 shed 0.2 percent to 5,967, while the Nasdaq fell 0.5 percent to 19,447. Adam Sarhan of 50 Park Investments described the market as on edge in anticipation of new headlines on trade actions or the Middle East. "We have a situation where tensions in the Middle East missiles are still firing, there's no ceasefire and there's a fear that the US may be involved," Sarhan said. In light of uncertainty on Iran and other areas, "investors are de-risking, they're selling stocks ahead of the weekend," Sarhan said. Fed governor Christopher Waller told CNBC that central banks should "look through tariff effects on inflation" and focus instead on the underlying trend in price increases. The Fed earlier this week voted to keep interest rates unchanged, as Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the central bank could wait to see if Trump's tariffs revive inflation. Among individual companies, Kroger jumped nearly 10 percent after the supermarket chain raised its sales forecast. However the company refrained from lifting other projections, saying the macroeconomic environment remains "uncertain." CarMax surged 6.6 percent after reporting a jump in quarterly profits as the company's CEO pointed to a "very large and fragmented" used car market that "positions us to continue to drive sales, gain market share and deliver significantly year-over-year earnings growth for years to come." (AFP)
Business Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
US: Stocks end week mostly lower
[NEW YORK] Wall Street stocks mostly fell on Friday (Jun 20) amid weakness in some semiconductor shares as markets weighed the latest developments in the ongoing war between Iran and Israel. Markets rose after US President Donald Trump's remarks on Thursday on the Middle East, allowing for up to two weeks before possible US military action against Iran. But on Friday afternoon, Trump expressed doubt that European powers would be able to help end the Iran-Israel war, telling reporters, 'Europe is not going to be able to help in this'. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished up 0.1 per cent at 42,206.82. But the broad-based S&P 500 shed 0.2 per cent to 5,967.84, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index fell 0.5 per cent to 19,447.41. Analysts pointed to a pullback in some chip companies following a Wall Street Journal report that said the United States could revoke waivers used by some companies to access US technology in China. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Asked about the matter, a Commerce Department spokesperson said that chipmakers will still be able to operate in China. 'The new enforcement mechanisms on chips mirror licensing requirements that apply to other semiconductor companies that export to China and ensure the US has an equal and reciprocal process,' the spokesperson added. Adam Sarhan of 50 Park Investments described the market as on edge in anticipation of new headlines on trade actions or the Middle East. 'We have a situation where tensions in the Middle East missiles are still firing, there's no ceasefire and there's a fear that the US may be involved,' Sarhan said. In light of uncertainty on Iran and other areas, 'investors are de-risking, they are selling stocks ahead of the weekend,' Sarhan said. Fed governor Christopher Waller told CNBC that central banks should 'look through tariff effects on inflation' and focus instead on the underlying trend in price increases. The Fed earlier this week voted to keep interest rates unchanged, as Fed chair Jerome Powell said the central bank could wait to see if Trump's tariffs revive inflation. Among individual companies, Kroger jumped nearly 10 per cent after the supermarket chain raised its sales forecast. However, the company refrained from lifting other projections, saying the macroeconomic environment remains 'uncertain'. CarMax surged 6.6 per cent after reporting a jump in quarterly profits as the company's CEO pointed to a 'very large and fragmented' used car market that 'positions us to continue to drive sales, gain market share and deliver significantly year-over-year earnings growth for years to come'. AFP

Straits Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
US stocks end week mostly lower
Traders working on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York City. PHOTO: REUTERS NEW YORK - Wall Street stocks mostly fell on June 20 amid weakness in some semiconductor shares as markets weighed the latest developments in the ongoing war between Iran and Israel. Markets rose after President Donald Trump's remarks on June 19 on the Middle East allowing for up to two weeks before possible US military action against Iran. But on the afternoon of June 20, Mr Trump expressed doubt that European powers would be able to help end the Iran-Israel war, telling reporters 'Europe is not going to be able to help in this.' The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished up 0.1 per cent at 42,206.82. But the broad-based S&P 500 shed 0.2 per cent to 5,967.84, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index fell 0.5 per cent to 19,447.41. Analysts pointed to a pullback in some chip companies following a Wall Street Journal report that said the United States could revoke waivers used by some companies to access US technology in China. Asked about the matter, a Commerce Department spokesperson told AFP that chipmakers will still be able to operate in China. 'The new enforcement mechanisms on chips mirror licensing requirements that apply to other semiconductor companies that export to China and ensure the US has an equal and reciprocal process,' the spokesperson added. Mr Adam Sarhan, of 50 Park Investments, described the market as on edge in anticipation of new headlines on trade actions or the Middle East. 'We have a situation where tensions in the Middle East missiles are still firing, there's no ceasefire and there's a fear that the US may be involved,' Mr Sarhan said. In light of uncertainty on Iran and other areas, 'investors are de-risking, they're selling stocks ahead of the weekend,' Mr Sarhan said. Fed governor Christopher Waller told CNBC that central banks should 'look through tariff effects on inflation' and focus instead on the underlying trend in price increases. The Fed earlier this week voted to keep interest rates unchanged, as Fed chairman Jerome Powell said the central bank could wait to see if Mr Trump's tariffs revive inflation. Among individual companies, Kroger jumped nearly 10 per cent after the supermarket chain raised its sales forecast. However, the company refrained from lifting other projections, saying the macroeconomic environment remains 'uncertain.' CarMax surged 6.6 per cent after reporting a jump in quarterly profits as the company's chief executive officer pointed to a 'very large and fragmented' used car market that 'positions us to continue to drive sales, gain market share and deliver significantly year-over-year earnings growth for years to come.' AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.


See - Sada Elbalad
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Elham Shahin, Hala Sarhan Heading Back to Egypt after Being Stranded in Iraq
Yara Sameh Veteran Egyptian actress Elham Shahin and prominent TV host Hala Sarhan are making their way to Egypt after being stuck in Iraq as Iran exchange airstrikes with Israel. Shahin shared a video with Sarhan on Instagram of them at the Basra Airport in Iraq, six hours away from Baghdad, where they were staying, after it was reopened. The ongoing conflict raised regional security concerns, prompting multiple countries in the region, including Iraq, to halt civilian air travel as a precautionary measure. In the footage, the pair expressed their gratitude and appreciation to all officials in Iraq for providing all their needs and for the Iraqi government's care, even up to the last minute. Shahin and Sarhan had traveled to Iraq, where they were stranded three days ago, to attend media events organized by the Iraqi government, in the presence of prominent figures in Arab art, culture, and media. The actress said in a previous statement that all conference participants from all countries are fine and have all returned to their hotel, waiting for the reopening of the airspace. Shahin added that the situation in Iraq was safe, and the hotel where she was staying was well secured, and things were going well. They remained in Iraq until a truce was struck between both sides so that she and all those stranded in Iraq due to the war between Israel and Iran could return. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand