SYDNEY: Australia has foiled an Islamist-inspired “terrorist plot” to bring down an airplane with an improvised explosive, authorities said Sunday, after four people were arrested in raids across Sydney.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the plot appeared to be “elaborate” rather than planned by a lone wolf, as security was beefed up at major domestic and international airports across the nation.
“I can report last night that there has been a major joint counter-terrorism operation to disrupt a terrorist plot to bring down an airplane,” Turnbull told reporters.
“The threat of terrorism is very real. The disruption operation, the efforts overnight have been very effective but there’s more work to do.”
Officials did not specify if the alleged plot involved a domestic or international flight, but Sydney’s Daily Telegraph reported that a local route had been the objective.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin described the plot as “Islamic-inspired,” saying four men had been arrested in a series of raids across Sydney on Saturday.
“We do believe it is Islamic-inspired terrorism. Exactly what is behind this is something we need to investigate fully,” he said.
Colvin added that local authorities had received “credible information from partner agencies” about the claims but would not elaborate further or state if the men were on any watch list.
“In recent days, law enforcement has become aware of information that suggested some people in Sydney were planning to commit a terrorist attack using an IED (improvised explosive device),” he told reporters.
He added that several items “of great interest to police” had been seized in the raids but police did not yet have a great deal of information on the specific attack, the location, date or time. He said the investigation was expected to be “very long and protracted.”
“However, we’re investigating information indicating the aviation industry was potentially a target of that attack.”
Colvin would not provide further details, but the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said police found items that could be used to make a homemade bomb in one of the raided homes Saturday.
Authorities believed they planned to smuggle the device onto a plane to blow it up, the ABC added.
Four men were arrested Saturday after armed police stormed homes in at least four neighborhoods, though their names and ages have not been released and they have not been charged by police.
The Seven Network reported 40 riot squad officers moved on a terraced house in the inner city suburb of Surry Hills, as TV footage showed a man with a bandage on his head being led away by authorities, draped in a blanket.
Sections of surrounding roads remained cordoned off on Sunday as forensic officers and investigators wrapped up and removed items from the house.
Airline passengers have meanwhile been asked to arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international routes, and to limit their baggage.
“Australia has very strong safeguards in place at its airports; these changes are about making them even stronger,” Australian carrier Qantas said.
Airline Virgin Australia stressed that the additional airport security measures were just “precautionary” and passengers “should not be concerned.”
Turnbull said the national terror alert level, which was raised on September 2014 amid rising concerns over attacks by individuals inspired by organizations such as Daesh, would remain at probable.
Canberra has introduced new national security laws since then, while counter-terrorism police have also made a string of arrests.
A total of 12 attacks, before the latest announcement, have been prevented in the past few years, while 70 people have been charged, Justice Minister Michael Keenan said.
“The primary threat to Australia still remains lone actors, but there’s still the ability for people to have sophisticated plots and sophisticated attacks still remain a real threat,” he told reporters Sunday.
The prime minister added that the alleged plan appeared to be “more in that category of an elaborate plot.”
Several terror attacks have taken place in Australia in recent years, including a Sydney cafe siege in 2014 that saw two hostages killed.
Australia foils ‘terror plot’ to bring down airplane
Australia foils ‘terror plot’ to bring down airplane
Thousands march in Pakistan’s Karachi in solidarity with Palestinians, demand ceasefire in Gaza
- The march, organized by Jamaat-e-Islami party, was attended by members of the civil society, professionals and common people
- Pakistan does not recognize Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on ‘internationally agreed parameters’
KARACHI: Tens of thousands of people, including women and children, on Sunday marched in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi to express solidarity with the Palestinians and demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The march, organized by the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) religious party, was attended by members of the civil society, professionals and a large number of families.
The participants carried placards and banners, and chanted slogans against Israel as they marched along Karachi’s Seaview beach.
“Palestinians have been facing a bloodshed, genocide, bombardment, death and hunger for the past 450 days,” JI Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar said, calling for a cessation of Israeli military actions.
“The tragedy that unfolded in Gaza has divided the world into two poles: the people of conscience and the followers of might.”
Israel began pounding Gaza since October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas that resulted in the deaths of 1,208 people, according to official Israeli figures. Israeli attacks on Gaza have since killed 46,537 people, the majority civilians, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters.”
The South Asian country has dispatched several relief consignments for Gaza, besides establishing the ‘Prime Minister’s Relief Fund’ that aims to collect public donations for the war-affected people.
Zafar hailed the people of Karachi for their show of solidarity with the Palestinians, urging them to continue boycotting Israeli products.
“It’s an obligation for the [Pakistani] nation to take side with the oppressed Palestinians,” he added.
During the march, the participants chanted slogans against continuing Israeli military actions in Gaza and urged the world to ensure a ceasefire in the territory.
Former provincial health minister of Sindh, Saad Khalid Niaz, criticized Israel for bombing hospitals and schools in Gaza.
“For the first time in the history, hospitals were bombed to ashes in a conflict,” he said, adding that expressing solidarity with the Palestinians has become a national obligation.
High-flying Afghanistan announce Champions Trophy squad
- Afghanistan finished sixth in the 50-over World Cup in 2023 and reached the semifinal in last year’s Twenty20 World Cup
- This will be the first time Afghanistan participate in the eight-nation Champions Trophy, starting in Pakistan on Feb. 19
KABUL: Afghanistan announced their squad Sunday for next month’s Champions Trophy, with prolific opener Ibrahim Zadran returning after an injury lay-off but spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman missing out.
The country’s performance in white-ball cricket has been strong recently — finishing sixth in the 50-over World Cup in 2023 and reaching the semifinal in last year’s Twenty20 World Cup.
This will be the first time Afghanistan participate in the eight-nation Champions Trophy, staged between February 19 and March 9 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
“Zadran, who was away from action due to an ankle injury, has returned to the squad,” said a statement from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).
“However, Mujeeb Ur Rahman misses out on the selection, as AM Ghazanfar, a similar mystery spinner, has made the cut for the mega event.”
Rahman was left out because “he has been advised by his doctor to focus on T20s for a while to ensure his full recovery,” added acting ACB chief selector Ahmad Suliman Khil.
But fast-rising opener Sediqullah Atal did secure a place in the squad, the ACB said.
Afghanistan beat England and Pakistan in the ODI World Cup and Australia and New Zealand in the T20 World Cup.
Their Champions Trophy campaign begins with a clash against South Africa in Karachi on February 21, before they face England and Australia in Lahore.
Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmat Shah (vice-capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik.
Turtles help scientists discover hidden seagrass meadows in Red Sea
- Tagged turtles lead scientists to foraging spots
- Study has implications for new sustainability policies
RIYADH: Scientists have discovered 34 previously unknown seagrass meadows in the Red Sea by tracking the foraging behavior of green turtles.
The findings were revealed in a study published by researchers from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia in collaboration with the Queensland Government in Australia.
This study highlights the benefits of observing turtles to map marine ecosystems critical for carbon capture and economic sustainability, offering valuable data for developing sustainability policies for the Red Sea region, according to a statement from KAUST.
Seagrass, along with mangroves and salt marshes, plays a vital role in absorbing “blue carbon” — carbon stored by coastal vegetation — at rates more efficient than rainforests.
Despite this, it is estimated that only 10 percent of global seagrass areas have been identified, as satellite-based surveys, though effective in shallow areas, fall short in accuracy for deeper regions.
By tagging 53 green turtles in the Red Sea, scientists were able to track their natural foraging paths, which led to the discovery of these previously hidden seagrass meadows.
This expanded the mapped seagrass coverage in the region by nearly 15 percent. Remarkably, the turtles proved to be about 20 times more accurate in identifying seagrass areas than the widely used Allen Coral Atlas, especially in deeper waters.
Green turtles also offer a more cost-effective approach to mapping marine vegetation.
According to Prof. Carlos Duarte, Ibn Sina Distinguished Professor at KAUST and lead researcher on the study, traditional methods such as aerial surveys with hyperspectral and LiDAR sensors cost tens of millions of dollars, whereas tagging turtles costs less than 1 percent of that amount.
“Countries need reliable, accurate data to make good policies for environmental protection, which also safeguards their economies. Our study provides crucial data for the Red Sea and supports the conservation strategies and blue carbon programs of the countries along its coasts,” Duarte said in a statement.
Saudi foreign minister holds high-level meetings on sidelines of Syria conference in Riyadh
- Discussions underscore Kingdom’s commitment to fostering international cooperation
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a series of meetings in Riyadh on Sunday on the sidelines of the expanded ministerial meeting on Syria, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The discussions underscored Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering international cooperation and addressing regional challenges, the SPA added.
Prince Faisal met Asaad Al-Shaibani, his counterpart in the new Syrian administration. The parties reviewed the latest developments in the Syrian crisis and exchanged views on issues of mutual concern.
Waleed Al-Khuraiji, the deputy minister of foreign affairs, and Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al-Farhan, adviser of the foreign minister for political affairs, also attended the meeting.
In a separate meeting, Prince Faisal spoke with David Lammy, the UK’s foreign secretary. Their discussions focused on enhancing relations and joint cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the UK, alongside exchanging perspectives on regional and international developments. Prince Khalid bin Bandar, the Saudi ambassador to the UK, was also in attendance.
Prince Faisal also met Kaja Kallas, the high representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy and vice president of the European Commission.
The parties explored opportunities for joint cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the EU and also discussed pressing regional and global matters.
Prince Faisal also engaged in talks with Annalena Baerbock, the German minister for foreign affairs. They discussed strengthening Saudi-German relations and emphasized the importance of coordination on key international issues. Prince Abdullah bin Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi ambassador to Germany, was also present.
Biden spoke with Netanyahu, source says; Sullivan says hostage deal very close
- Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN’s “State of the Union” program earlier on Sunday that the parties were “very, very close” to reaching a deal
WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden spoke on Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a source familiar with the matter said, as US officials race to reach a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal before Biden leaves office on Jan. 20.
Biden and Netanyahu discussed efforts under way to reach a deal to halt the fighting in the Palestinian enclave and free the remaining 98 hostages held there, the source said.
Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN’s “State of the Union” program earlier on Sunday that the parties were “very, very close” to reaching a deal, but still had to get it across the finish line.
He said Biden was getting daily updates on the talks in Doha, where Israeli and Palestinian officials have said since Thursday that some progress has been made in the indirect talks between Israel and militant group Hamas.
“We are still determined to use every day we have in office to get this done,” Sullivan said, “and we are not, by any stretch of imagination, setting this aside.”
He said there was still a chance to reach an agreement before Biden leaves office, but that it was also possible “Hamas, in particular, remains intransigent.”
Israel launched its assault in Gaza after Hamas fighters stormed across its borders in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Since then, more than 46,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials, with much of the enclave laid to waste and gripped by a humanitarian crisis, and most of its population displaced.
Vice President-elect JD Vance told the “Fox News Sunday” program in an interview taped on Saturday that he expects a deal for the release of US hostages in the Middle East to be announced in the final days of the Biden administration, maybe in the last day or two.
President-elect Donald Trump, a staunch supporter of Israel, has strongly backed Netanyahu’s goal of destroying Hamas. He has promised to bring peace to the Middle East, but has not said how he would accomplish that.
