Turkey says 'terrorist attack' took place in Ankara
AFP | Ankara
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
A "terrorist attack" took place near Turkey's parliament in Ankara on Sunday leaving two police officers injured, the interior ministry said.
The powerful explosion, which was followed by large flames, was heard for several kilometres from the site of the attack.
The ministry said two attackers arrived in a commercial vehicle around 9:30 am (0630 GMT) "in front of the entrance gate of the General Directorate of Security of our Ministry of the Interior, and carried out a bomb attack."
"One of the terrorists blew himself up and the other was neutralised," the ministry added on social media, saying two officers received "minor injuries".
The targeted district is home to several other ministries and the Turkish parliament, which was due to reopen today with an address from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to Turkish media.
Media said the president was due to speak to deputies during the day's session.
TV channel NTV reported gunfire in the cordoned-off area after the explosion, where many police vehicles and ambulances were seen.
The Ankara police headquarters said on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that it was carrying out "controlled explosions" of "suspicious packages" to prevent other explosions.
The Ankara prosecutor's office said it was opening an investigation and banned access to the area.
Local media was asked to stop broadcasting images from the scene of the attack.
Nobody immediately claimed responsibility for the blast.
- Ankara attacks -
Erdogan was set to speak during the opening of this parliamentary session, which must validate Sweden's entry into the NATO alliance.
Hungary and Turkey in July lifted their vetoes against Sweden's entry into the Atlantic alliance, but have been slow to ratify its membership.
Erdogan indicated in July that ratification by the Turkish parliament would not take place before October, but it is expected to be approved during this parliamentary year.
For months, Erdogan has been putting pressure on Sweden to take action against Koran desecrations that have strained relations between the two countries.
Finland became NATO's 31st member country in April, after three decades of military non-alignment and in the midst of the war in Ukraine.
The capital Ankara has been the scene of several attacks, particularly during the years 2015 and 2016 -- many claimed by the outlawed separatist group the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), or the Islamic State group.
The PKK, which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, is blacklisted as a terror group by Ankara and its Western allies.
PKK-affiliated Kurdish militants control most of northeastern Syria.
In October 2015 an attack in front of a central station in Ankara claimed by the Islamic State group killed 109 people.
The most recent bomb attack in Turkey was in a shopping street in Istanbul in November 2022, where six were killed and 81 were injured.
There was no claim of responsibility, but Turkey accused the outlawed PKK of being behind the attack and said it had detained 46 people including a Syrian woman suspected of planting the device.
The bombing took place in the popular shopping street of Istiklal Avenue on a Sunday afternoon.
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
LuLu Group International, the leading retail chain in the region, plans to nearly double its total investment in Bahrain to over BD200 million by opening three more hypermarkets in the next three to four months, as well as other projects. This significant increase in investment is expected to provide a substantial boost to the Kingdom’s economy and create over 1,000 more jobs in the Kingdom, where the group currently employs over 800 Bahrainis.
Yesterday, LuLu Group Chairman and Managing Director Yusuffali MA revealed that the group is opening the new hypermarkets as part of a BD100 million investment in the Kingdom, as he announced the opening of the group’s 10th hypermarket in Gudaibiya.
The 40,000-square-foot store was inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa in the presence of Yusuffali MA, Jameel Humaidan, the Minister of Labour, Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture, and Vinod Jacob, the Indian Ambassador to Bahrain. The latest expansion further strengthens the presence of the UAE-based group in the Kingdom, where its investments exceeded BD130 million in 2019 alone.
This is set to increase substantially in the next quarter, as LuLu Group plans to open three additional hypermarkets, thereby creating more than 1,000 jobs by the end of the year.
Yusuffali further said, “We have already commenced construction at three new sites, and we anticipate the stores’ opening very soon.” With the upcoming hypermarkets in Manama Centre, Avenue Mall, and Diyar Al Muharraq, the total number of Lulu hypermarkets in Bahrain will reach 13.
Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, who patronised yesterday’s opening ceremony, praised LuLu Group for its strong support of Bahrain’s economy.
“The new store signals the confidence LuLu Group has in the vision of the leadership of Bahrain and its belief in the excellence of Bahrainis as partners in success in line with Bahrain’s development march,” Yusuffali said in his inaugural address. Yusuffali emphasised the group’s commitment to prioritising Bahraini products in its stores, stating that this approach will provide a boost to Bahraini entrepreneurs.”
Yusuffali also expressed his appreciation for the Bahrain team, acknowledging their achievement in winning the GCC-wide award for having the highest number of Bahraini employees working for the group, both within Bahrain and in other nations.
10th branch in Gudaibiya
The newly opened LuLu Hypermarket in Gudaibiya, spanning two levels, offers residents convenient access to an extensive array of high-quality products and services. Within this facility, LuLu has introduced several key offerings, including:
• an enhanced grocery section with an updated selection.
• A global variety of fresh fruits and vegetables;
• Premium cuts of meat and seafood;
• A well-stocked department store
• LuLu Connect, offering digital and electronics products;
• LuLu Fashion, a popular high-street fashion outlet.
This expansive hypermarket aims to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of its customers, ensuring a comprehensive shopping experience.
Big job boost
The company offers direct employment opportunities to more than 800 Bahraini individuals, and its supply chain contributes to the sustenance of thousands of other jobs.
As a testament to its commitment to local employment, LuLu was honoured with the most prestigious award in the retail sector for employing the highest number of Bahraini nationals this year.
In addition to its contributions to the economy, LuLu Group also plays a vital role in enhancing Bahrain’s social fabric.
The company serves as a prominent sponsor of both sporting and cultural events, while also extending support to numerous charitable organisations.
Furthermore, the group stands as a staunch proponent of Bahraini products, collaborating closely with local farmers and producers to champion their offerings within its stores.
Food manufacturing, logistics
The LuLu Group has ambitious plans for its future in Bahrain.
In addition to its hypermarkets, the company is actively considering investment opportunities in various other sectors, including food manufacturing and logistics.
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