FRANKFURT: German carmaker BMW aims to more than double the number of electric and hybrid vehicles it has sold to 500,000 by the end of 2019, CEO Harald Krueger told German weekly WirtschaftsWoche.
In 2018 alone, deliveries of electrified vehicles are to rise by a “medium double-digit percentage,” he said.
A pioneer in electric cars, BMW launched the i3 hatchback in 2013 but sales have been relatively low and management has wrestled with whether to go all-out for electrification.
But that changed in September when the Munich-based group said it would gear up for mass production of electric cars and aimed to have 12 fully electric models by 2025 with a range of up to 700 km.
The group said on Monday it had hit its target of selling 100,000 fully electric cars this year around the world, benefiting from strong demand in western Europe and the United States for models such as the i3 and the 2-series plug-in hybrid Active Tourer.
He said the automaker would nonetheless keep making and selling cars with combustion engines to help finance a gradual shift to electrified cars.
Unlike his peer Matthias Mueller, the CEO of Volkswagen, he rejected the idea of doing away with tax subsidies for diesel.
“Bearing customers in mind who bought diesels, that is unjustifiable,” Krueger said.
Mueller earlier this month called for subsidies for diesel vehicles to be shifted gradually to incentives for green cars, such as electric vehicles.
Acting Transport Minister Christian Schmidt had shot down the idea, though, saying that diesel was still needed during the transition to greener vehicles and there was therefore no reason to change tax rules.
BMW aims to have sold 500,000 hybrid, electric cars by end-2019
BMW aims to have sold 500,000 hybrid, electric cars by end-2019
Pakistan’s Sindh province bans vehicles without Ajrak-inscribed plates on roads from Apr. 3
- The provincial government introduced white registration plates that feature an Ajrak-inscribed design in July 2021, replacing the old, yellow plates
- While some motorists adopted the new plates, owners of more than 3 million vehicles continue to use the old ones, the Sindh excise department says
KARACHI: The government in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province has banned vehicles without the ancient Ajrak-inscribed registration plates from plying the roads from April 3, the Sindh excise department said on Saturday.
Ajrak, a vibrant block-printed cotton cloth with striking crimson and indigo hues, is deeply ingrained in the Sindhi culture. Adorned with symmetrical patterns and sparkling white motifs, primarily stars, it is believed to have roots in the ancient Indus Valley Civilization.
The cherished fabric accompanies every stage of life in Sindh, from infant cradles to grand ceremonial occasions. Its versatility is reflected in its wide array of uses as a hammock for infants, bridal accessory, turban, shawl, bed cover, tablecloth, meaningful gift, and as a token of respect for honored guests.
The Sindh government had decided to replace the old, yellow-colored registration plates with white, Ajrak-inscribed plates in July 2021, keeping the province’s traditions in view. While some motorists adopted the new plates, owners of more than 3 million vehicles continue to use the old ones, according to the excise department.
“This will not only allow vehicles from Sindh to represent their province wherever they travel, but also showcase the region’s 6,000-year-old history of peace and civilization,” Shabbir bin Babar, a spokesperson of the Sindh excise department, told Arab News.
In December last year, the excise and taxation department had made it mandatory for all private and commercial vehicles to obtain the new plates.
The significance of Ajrak in Sindh’s culture can also be gauged from a bust of the Priest-King excavated at Mohenjo-daro, a UNESCO world heritage site and the largest settlement of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization that flourished around 2,500 BCE, that is currently housed in the National Museum of Pakistan in Karachi, depicting his one shoulder draped in a cloth resembling Ajrak.
Sindh Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla told Arab News the initiative is aimed at celebrating the region’s rich culture.
“No weapons have ever been found among the artifacts unearthed at Mohenjo-daro, which sets it apart from other ancient discoveries worldwide,” he said.
“But we have the discovery of beautiful Ajrak, which signifies that the inhabitants of Sindh were always a peace-loving and civilized people.”
Chawla said Ajrak is an integral part of Sindh’s rich culture that reflects the region’s hospitality.
“The people of Sindh are considered some of the most hospitable globally,” he said. “[Ajrak is] a reflection of these traditions and their deep connection with the land.”
30 killed in drone attack on hospital in Sudan’s Darfur: medical source
SUDAN: A drone attack on one of the last functioning hospitals in El-Fasher in Sudan’s Darfur region killed 30 people and injured dozens, a medical source said Saturday.
The bombing of the Saudi Hospital on Friday evening “led to the destruction” of the hospital’s emergency building, the source told AFP, requesting anonymity for fear of retaliation.
It was not immediately clear which of Sudan’s warring sides had launched the attack.
Since April 2023, the Sudanese army has been at war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who have seized nearly the entire vast western region of Darfur.
They have besieged El-Fasher, the state capital of North Darfur, since May, but have not managed to claim the city, where army-aligned militias have repeatedly pushed them back.
Last week, they issued an ultimatum demanding army forces and allies leave the city by Wednesday afternoon in advance of an expected offensive.
Local activists have reported intermittent fighting since, including repeated artillery fire from the RSF on the famine-hit Abu Shouk displacement camp.
On Friday morning alone, heavy shelling killed eight people in the camp, according to civil society group the Darfur General Coordination of Camps for the Displaced and Refugees.
The United Nations has voiced alarm, calling on both parties to ensure the protection of the city’s civilian population — some two million people.
“The people of El-Fasher have suffered so much already from many months of senseless violence and brutal violations and abuses, particularly in the course of the prolonged siege of their city,” United Nations rights office spokesman Seif Magango said Wednesday.
Flick demands Barca focus more after Liga slump
- “I think you can have a feeling that in La Liga we’re missing 5-10 percent,” Flick told a news conference
- “It’s like we’re not playing well, we’re not focussed and this is what we have to do”
BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick called on his team to show more concentration in La Liga on Saturday after a dismal run of domestic form.
While the Catalan giants are flying high in the Champions League, second in the group with direct qualification to the last 16 already secured, domestically they have dropped behind their title rivals.
Barcelona have won just one of their last eight league games and trail league leaders and reigning champions Real Madrid by seven points.
The Blaugrana, third, are also five points behind Atletico Madrid going into this weekend’s round of fixtures.
“I think you can have a feeling that in La Liga we’re missing 5-10 percent, it’s like that and this is what we have to change,” Flick told a news conference ahead of Sunday’s home clash with Valencia.
Last weekend Barcelona could only muster a 1-1 draw against Getafe, 16th.
“I think in Getafe it was our fault we didn’t end this match with three points — it has nothing to do with Getafe,” continued Flick.
“It’s like we’re not playing well, we’re not focussed and this is what we have to do.
“We have to be focussed from the beginning to the end of the match and this is what I want from the team.”
Valencia, 19th, are playing well under new coach Carlos Corberan and are hoping to fight their way up the table.
“They stabilized their defense and they really know how to play football,” said Flick.
“Their defense is doing really well and we have to create chances and score goals — it’s not so easy.”
Atletico Madrid host Villarreal while Real Madrid visit Valladolid, both on Saturday.
‘Best honeymoon ever’: Keys hails reluctant husband-coach after Slam win
- “I feel like this is the best honeymoon ever. This is perfect,” a beaming Keys said
- “I have the most supportive, best husband in the entire world, who didn’t even want to coach me”
MELBOURNE: Madison Keys paid tribute to her coach and new husband Bjorn Fratangelo saying it “was the best honeymoon ever” after winning her first Grand Slam title on Saturday aged 29 — and then revealed he did not even want the job.
The American battled injury and self-doubts last year and curtailed her season early, in October, to get married.
“I feel like this is the best honeymoon ever. This is perfect,” a beaming Keys said.
The former teen prodigy, who first won a WTA match at 14, has now finally got her hands on a major after beating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in the Australian Open final.
“I have the most supportive, best husband in the entire world, who didn’t even want to coach me,” Keys said on Channel Nine TV straight after lifting the trophy.
“And I was like, please, please come with me.
“So it took some arm-twisting, and he has just been the most supportive, and he’s fully believed in me every step of the way.”
Keys is the fourth-oldest first-time winner of a major since the Open Era began in 1968.
She overcame fierce three-set challenges from both the two top seeds, Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, in the semifinal and final.
“I have absolutely the greatest team,” Keys said.
“They have really believed in me in the moments that I didn’t believe in myself.
“They helped me completely rebuild after some pretty gnarly injuries last year.
“And if it wasn’t for those three people who have been cheering me on all week through all of the three-set matches, I wouldn’t be here.”
Keys is on a tour-leading 12-match unbeaten streak after lifting the Adelaide International trophy two weeks ago and will move up to world number seven, equalling her career-best ranking from 2016.
“I think dealing with some of the injuries that I dealt with last year really kind of forced me into some changes.
“It made me kind of have to stop being stubborn and listen to my husband.
“It pushed me to get a little bit uncomfortable and be okay with that. And I feel like buying into that just set me up to start playing some really good tennis.”
Italian Prime Minister Meloni begins official visit to Saudi Arabia
JEDDAH: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni began an official visit to Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Meloni arrived in Jeddah where she was met at the airport by the Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz among other officials, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Her visit comes after Saudi Arabia and Italy signed an agreement earlier this month to boost energy cooperation.
The deal includes a possible supply to Europe of green hydrogen made in the Kingdom.
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman met with Italy’s Minister of Energy and Environment Gilberto Pichetto Fratinon on Jan. 14 to sign the memorandum of understanding.
