Latest news with #Arshad
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Man torches himself outside DPO office
A man set himself on fire outside the District Police Officer (DPO) office after being repeatedly denied a hearing by police officials. The man, identified as Arshad Sandhu, suffered serious burns and was shifted to Nishtar Hospital Multan in critical condition. The family claimed that police have restricted all access to him, allowing no visitors. According to details, Arshad had been visiting the DPO office for several days to file a complaint against two local men, Ramzan and Ali Dar, alleging that they had made him work but failed to pay his wages of Rs65,000. Despite multiple attempts, office staff allegedly refused to present him before DPO Muhammad Ismail Kharrak and kept turning him away. On the day of the incident, Arshad arrived with his wife and two children in another attempt to seek justice. When officials again denied him access to the DPO, he reportedly became frustrated and doused himself with petrol at the office gate before setting himself on fire. He was rushed to District Headquarters Hospital Khanewal and later transferred to Nishtar Hospital Multan due to the severity of his burns. Hospital sources say a significant portion of his body was burned, and he is being treated in the intensive care unit.
BusinessToday
6 days ago
- Business
- BusinessToday
Tariff Pressures And Trade Shifts Dominate MARC's 2025 Economic Forum
Trade disruptions, strategic tariff manoeuvres and shifting global alliances took centre stage at Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd's (MARC) 2025 forum, 'An Afternoon Talk with MARC: Global Economic & Market Outlook, Geopolitics and Tariff Agendas'. The forum brought together senior executives, economists and policymakers to explore how Malaysia and the region can adapt to an increasingly turbulent global economy. MARC Group Chief Executive Officer Arshad Mohamed Ismail described the current global climate as one where 'economic tools have become geopolitical weapons'. He warned that the resurgence of tariffs as a foreign policy instrument, particularly by the US, is reshaping trade flows, amplifying supply chain risk and demanding a fundamental rethink of how nations and businesses compete. 'Malaysia must recalibrate its competitiveness strategy — resilience, adaptability and the ability to form strategic alliances are now more critical than low costs or market access alone,' Arshad said during his opening remarks. Chief Economist Dr Ray Choy expanded on this view as he forecasted a slowing global growth driven by fragmented monetary policy, fragile consumer sentiment and sustained geopolitical uncertainty for the second half of 2025. 'While the eurozone is showing signs of cautious recovery, the US economy faces headwinds and China continues to struggle with soft domestic demand,' he said, while projecting that Malaysia's GDP to grow 4.4% this year, supported by robust domestic activity and a gradual tourism revival. Meanwhile, despite challenges such as a higher Sales and Service Tax, MARC said inflation is expected to remain under control. 'Bank Negara Malaysia's (BNM) recent rate cut to 2.75%, in line with global monetary easing, signals a more supportive policy stance aimed at sustaining domestic momentum,' it added. Separately, a panel discussion titled 'US Tariffs & Geopolitics: Demystifying Nested Agendas' featuring a distinguished lineup of BNM Assistant Governor Mohd Fraziali Ismail, academic and former deputy minister Prof Dr Ong Kian Ming and political analyst Prof Dr Bridget Welsh dissected the underlying motivations behind US trade policy shifts. The panellists highlighted that recent US actions, including selective tariff reductions and increases. indicate a recalibration of trade posture rather than a return to free trade. They shared that this evolving terrain has accelerated the formation of regional trade networks, with blocs like ASEAN and the European Union strengthening intra-regional cooperation to buffer against external shocks. Malaysia, they stressed, should adopt a strategic, non-confrontational approach. 'High-tech sectors such as semiconductors should be prioritised in tariff negotiations, while existing trade agreements like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership should be fully leveraged to diversify export markets. 'Strengthening ties with fast-growing economies in Asia and the Middle East was also seen as vital,' the panellists said. The conversation also turned to monetary dynamics as the panellists agreed that the US dollar will remain dominant for the foreseeable future. Malaysia's approach, they said, should be framed as pragmatic risk management instead of an effort to challenge the dollar's global reserve status. Subsequently, the closing discussions pointed to cautious optimism for Malaysia's medium-term trajectory where it was shared that while global headwinds persist, the country's strong domestic fundamentals, reform momentum and strategic geographic position offer a buffer against external volatility. As tariff pressures and geopolitical shifts continue to reshape the global economic landscape, the MARC forum made one point clear: Malaysia's resilience will depend not just on reacting to global trends, but on anticipating them and shaping its own place within a rapidly evolving order. Related
New Straits Times
16-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
MARC: Inflation to stay manageable despite SST hike
KUALA LUMPUR: MARC Ratings Bhd expects Malaysia's inflation to remain manageable despite the recent upward revision to the sales and service tax (SST). MARC's chief economist Dr Ray Choy said the global monetary policy environment has turned more dovish, with Bank Negara Malaysia cutting its overnight policy rate to 2.75 per cent in July, following the European Central Bank's easing cycle in 2024. "Markets are also pricing in two interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve by the end of 2025," he said at MARC's recent forum, An Afternoon Talk with MARC: Global Economic & Market Outlook, Geopolitics and Tariff Agendas. On the domestic outlook, Choy said Malaysia's economy is projected to grow by 4.4 per cent in 2025, supported by resilient domestic demand, including private consumption, investment activity and a sustained recovery in tourism. He added that the Malaysian bond market remains steady, backed by robust foreign demand for government securities and a positive medium-term growth trajectory. Commenting on trade trends, Choy noted that the average US tariff rate since 1989 has been around 2.7 per cent, but ongoing trade tensions could push this higher, likely settling in the teens. "As of 10 July 2025, data shows that the Trump administration reduced initial tariff rates on 59.1 per cent of its trading partners, with average tariff increases of 1.5 per cent and reductions of 7.3 per cent. This reflects a complex recalibration of trade policy and hope for better outcomes on future negotiations," he said. Meanwhile, Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd (MARC) group chief executive officer Arshad Mohamed Ismail said that the line between economics and geopolitics is becoming increasingly blurred, posing significant implications for global business strategies, policy decisions and financial stability. He said that the convergence of economic and geopolitical risks is now more evident than ever, with tariffs being used as strategic levers in US foreign policy and disruptions in global energy markets continuing to impact supply chains around the world. Arshad added that US tariffs have shifted beyond their traditional economic purpose and now reflect broader political and strategic priorities. "For corporations and financial institutions, understanding and navigating this complexity is vital for sound planning and risk management," he said. Arshad said that for open economies like Malaysia, the current global climate demands a more agile and multidimensional approach to competitiveness.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Yahoo
Father speaks out after son critically injured in crash allegedly involving 5-time impaired driver
A Bolton, Ont., father says he is angry and disappointed after his son was critically injured in a Brampton crash allegedly caused by a five-time repeat impaired driver, who has been released on bail. Riz Arshad, father of Gabriel Arshad, 21, said he would like people to reach out to their MPs to demand bail reform. Peel Regional Police said the accused, 58-year-old Koushal Kasiram of Mississauga, was released on bail on the condition that he not drive a motor vehicle. At the time of the crash on July 5, police said, he had five previous impaired driving convictions dating back to 2010 and was on three separate lifetime driving bans. Arshad said he couldn't believe Kasiram was released on bail. He said what happened to his son was terrible enough but when he learned about the bail, he felt it added "insult to injury" because Kasiram most likely shouldn't have been on the road. "I don't understand what the thinking there was. My son's going to be here for probably months, if we're lucky. And this guy was out the next day, enjoying his family, doing what he does every day and potentially putting his little incident behind him. We were very disappointed," he said. "We are very angry that he had this opportunity to potentially do it again. It's very discouraging." "We need to keep these guys in jail and show them that we're serious. This is a serious thing that they are doing. They are taking people's lives in their hands ... The justice system has to realize that by letting this guy out, he's putting other people at risk now." Kasiram has been charged with one count of impaired driving causing bodily harm, one count of driving with excess blood alcohol and three counts of prohibited driving. Under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, accused people in Canada have the right to bail unless there is a very compelling reason to keep them in custody. Granting them bail means they can remain out of jail, often with specific conditions, while their case moves through the justice system — a process that can take many months. Several provincial governments and police associations have been calling upon the federal government to re-examine and revise the bail system. Advocates have pointed out the vast majority of people in Ontario jails have been denied bail and are awaiting trial. Victim likely to have 'life-altering injuries': police Gabriel has been at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre since the crash. He was driving on Highway 50 between Brampton and Bolton when he was struck. The crash, involving four vehicles, happened at the intersection of Highway 50 and Coleraine Drive around 4:15 p.m. In a news release on July 10, Peel Regional Police said Gabriel is likely to have "long-term life-altering injuries." Two other people were injured. Arshad said he is hoping for the best and his son remains in a coma and has had three surgeries already to fix the damage to his stomach. "But he's still got a bunch of stuff to go. He's got a bunch of broken bones and, unfortunately, some serious head injury that he has to try to get overcome." Arshad said his son, his third child, is a "good kid" with lots of friends and a generous person. He was a volunteer soccer coach and has dreams of being a plumber. "Hopefully, he's going to get to live some of those dreams he had. I hope he gets his second and third chance as well." The family meanwhile is still in shock, said Arshad. He said the first two days were "very, very scary," but Gabriel's condition seems to have slightly improved. He said he and his wife have been by his son's side in the intensive care unit every day. Gabriel has two older sisters and a younger brother. "I strongly feel I'm going to take my son home. You know, it's not going to happen overnight... but I feel like we're going to take him home," he said. 'Some people shouldn't be released,' MADD Canada says Steve Sullivan, CEO of MADD Canada, said on Monday the decision to release Kasiram was "quite surprising" to the organization. "The assumption is always that people will get bail because everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but we do know, practically, that some people shouldn't be released," he said. In Canada, it's up to police and prosecutors to make the case against granting bail, although murder and certain other offences have a "reverse onus," meaning the accused has to convince the court to release them. In early 2024, the federal government's amendments to bail provisions under the Criminal Code came into effect, focusing on repeat violent offenders who used weapons. The changes also broadened the reverse onus targeting repeat offenders of intimate partner violence, but did not focus on offenders repeatedly convicted of impaired driving. According to the government's website, however, the changes do "require courts to state on the record for any bail decision that they have considered the safety and security of the community in relation to the alleged offence, thereby increasing accountability to the public." Sullivan said it is a challenge for the criminal justice system to deal with individuals who keep repeating behaviour that puts others at risk. "Sadly, allegedly in this case, we've now seen this person continue his behaviour until he's caused someone else serious harm, again respecting the right to be presumed innocent. This is what you don't want to happen," he said. "I think our system struggles sometimes with those people who you just can't get the message through and how do you deal with that ongoing risk?" Sullivan said he assumes the accused has a drinking problem and hopes he has been offered rehabilitation. He said better solution to a lifetime driving prohibition is the installation of a lifetime ignition interlock device — a screening device that can prevent an engine from starting if it detects a driver has alcohol in their system. It is illegal in Canada for a driver to operate a vehicle if impaired by alcohol, drugs or both. Drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 per cent are considered impaired under the Criminal Code and subject to potential charges. For young, novice or commercial drivers, no alcohol can be present in the system while operating a vehicle.
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Delhi metro trains stop for 2-3 minutes after strong earthquake
New Delhi [India], July 10 (ANI): In the aftermath of the earthquake, Delhi Metro trains were stopped for 2-3 minutes as a precautionary measure, in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). The metro trains were stopped as a precautionary measure.(Photo: Raj K Raj/HT) Speaking to ANI, a passenger, Arshad, said, "The train stopped around 9.04-9.05 am. We didn't feel (the tremor)." Meanwhile, people across the Delhi-NCR shared their experience, saying that they felt like someone was shaking the floor vigorously. A man in Gurugram, Haryana, said, "We were sitting here and having tea when I suddenly felt strong earthquakes. I told everyone to rush out of the building. Everyone rushed out..." Another person in Gurugram said, "...For a few seconds, it felt that the ground shook vigorously. All of us rushed out..." Similar reactions also surfaced from the locals of Ghaziabad. A shopkeeper in Ghaziabad said, "The tremors felt quite strong...I was at a shop when it hit, it felt as if someone was shaking the shop..." Another local said, "...I had woken up just at the time when there was a jolt. I was scared. There was another earthquake just a few days ago. Delhi-NCR experiences earthquakes quite often. So, we should be mindful of safety and precautions..." A resident of Delhi said, "I felt the was a little scary. We should be mindful of safety when this happens..." Earlier in the morning, an earthquake of magnitude 4.4 struck Jhajjhar district in Haryana, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). Strong tremors were felt in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad and adjoining areas. According to NCS, the earthquake struck Jhajjar at 9:04 am at a depth of 10 Km. "EQ of M: 4.4, On: 10/07/2025 09:04:50 IST, Lat: 28.63 N, Long: 76.68 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Jhajjar, Haryana," NCS wrote on X. On February 17, a smiliar earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale hit Delhi-NCR at a depth of 5 km, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The strong tremors were felt at 5:36 AM. The sudden jolts prompted residents to rush out of their homes in panic. "Earthquake of Magnitude: 4.0, Occurred on 17-02-24, 5:36 AM IST, Lat: 28.59°N & Long: 77.16°E, Depth: 5 Km, Location: 9 km E of New Delhi," NCS posted on X. Delhi is classified as Seismic Zone IV, according to the Delhi Disaster Management Authority. This zone is categorised as a "High Damage Risk Zone" and indicates a high potential for earthquakes of moderate to high intensity. (ANI)
