DHAKA,Bangladesh: Bangladesh’s central bank has filed a lawsuit in a New York court against a Philippine bank over the heist of $81 million from its account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in 2016.
Abu Hena Mohd. Rajee Hassan, head of Bangladesh Bank’s Finance Intelligence Unit, told The Associated Press Friday that the case was filed in the Southern District Court of New York against Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.
Court documents say hackers from North Korea used fraudulent orders on the SWIFT payments system to steal the money. The money was sent to accounts at the Philippines’ bank and then vanished into the casino industry in the Philippines. The complaint says the funds’ ultimate destination remains unclear.
Bangladesh Bank is seeking the $81 million plus damages and legal costs.
Bangladesh sues Manila-based bank in NY over heist
Bangladesh sues Manila-based bank in NY over heist
- The money was sent to accounts at the Philippines’ bank and then vanished into the casino industry in the Philippines
- Bangladesh Bank is seeking the $81 million plus damages and legal costs
Kingdom arrests 17,153 illegals in one week
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 17,153 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
A total of 10,305 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 3,644 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,204 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,109 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 62 percent were Ethiopian, 35 percent Yemeni, and 3 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 76 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 13 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.
The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
Five militants killed, two apprehended in separate operations in Pakistan’s northwest
- A paramilitary troop was killed in Balochistan amid reports of attacks on a passenger bus and government buildings in the province
- Pakistan has been battling twin insurgencies in its western provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan that border Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD: Five militants, belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), were killed and two others were apprehended in three separate operations in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the Pakistani military said on Saturday.
Pakistani security forces killed three militants, including a high-value target, in an intelligence-based operation in KP’s Bajaur district, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.
Two TTP militants were killed in the second operation in the North Waziristan district, while security forces busted a TTP hideout in the Mohmand district and arrested two members of the outlawed group.
“Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from these khwarij (TTP militants), who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities,” the ISPR said in a statement.
“Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other kharji found in the area.”
Pakistan has struggled to contain surging militancy in KP in recent years, where the Pakistani Taliban, or the TTP, have mounted their attacks against security forces and police since their fragile, months-long truce with Islamabad broke down in late 2022.
Late last month, the Pakistani military said it had killed 71 militants in three days of operations in the North Waziristan district that borders Afghanistan.
The number was usually high in Pakistan’s battle against militancy and instability along its border with Afghanistan during the nearly four years since the United States withdrew its military support from the country and the Taliban took over Kabul.
Islamabad has frequently accused Afghanistan of supporting the Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups, an allegation denied by Kabul.
Pakistan is also facing an intensifying separatist insurgency in the southwestern Balochistan province.
On Friday, a Levies paramilitary troop was killed in an attack on a check-post in Balochistan’s Kalat district, while there were reports of militant attacks on government buildings in Mangochar city, according to a Levies official.
“One Levies soldier was killed after gunmen targeted a Levies check-post in Kot Langove, an area of Kalat district,” Levies official Muhammad Ramzan told Arab News.
“Many armed militants obstructed the Quetta-Karachi highway in Mangochar and there are reports that many government buildings were torched in Mangochar Bazaar.”
The official said they were gathering more details about the incidents.
In another attack, armed men targeted a passenger bus heading to Karachi from Quetta in Khad Kocha area near Mastung.
“Six passengers were injured in the attack who were later shifted to Nawab Ghosh Bukhsh Memorial Hospital,” Mastung Deputy Commissioner Raja Atthar Abbas told Arab News.
“They were the same militants who attempted to take control of the highway in Kalat, but couldn’t succeed in blocking the road.”
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, but suspicions are likely to fall on Baloch separatists.
In March, fighters from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) separatist group hijacked the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan’s Bolan region, holding hundreds of passengers hostage.
The military launched a rescue operation in which 354 passengers were freed and 33 militants were killed. Officials said the hijacking killed 31 soldiers, railway staff and civilians.
Pakistani kickboxer Abdullah Chandio defeats Jordanian opponent in Karate Combat-54 event in Dubai
- The 24-year-old defeated Jordan’s Ali Alqaisi via unanimous decision after three rounds
- Chandio, who hails from Karachi, made an impressive international debut in October 2022
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani kickboxer Abdullah Chandio on Friday defeated his Jordanian opponent Ali Alqaisi in the Karate Combat-54 event in Dubai.
Chandio has been competing in the ongoing KC-54 championship in Dubai along with another Pakistani fighter Shahzaib Rind.
The 24-year-old defeated his Jordanian opponent via a unanimous decision after three rounds.
“The heat from multiple days all got unleashed tonight, and bother[ed] fighters gave it all they had,” Karate Combat wrote on their Instagram account.
“Abdullah Chandio takes the win after 3 intense rounds with Alqaisi.”
Karate Combat is a brand which promotes the first professional full-contact karate league. It has been hosting worldwide events since April 2018.
Chandio, 24, who hails from Karachi, made an impressive international debut in 2022 by knocking out his Indian opponent Muhammad Shuhaib in the BKK Kickboxing Championship in Dubai.
VentureDive’s AI-powered contact center compliance engine wins ‘Best Analytics Solution of the Year’ award
VentureDive’s AI-powered Compliance and Call Insights Engine was named the “Best Analytics Solution of the Year” at the 9th Middle East Enterprise AI and Analytics Summit. This prestigious accolade highlights the transformative potential of VentureDive’s innovative, AI-first approach to tackling the challenges of modern call/ contact center operations across industries such as BFSI, telecommunications, retail/ CPG, healthcare, e-commerce, and the public sector.
Designed to meet the unique needs of businesses in the Kingdom and MENA region, the AI-powered Compliance and Call Insights Engine leverages generative AI, large language models, and advanced automatic speech recognition to deliver deep, actionable insights. Built with a focus on addressing granular business pain points, the solution enables real-time compliance monitoring, multilingual transcription, and culturally relevant sentiment analysis.
Imran Moinuddin, senior vice president of data and AI at VentureDive, said: “AI empowers contact centers to revolutionize customer interactions by analyzing behaviors at an unprecedented scale. By delivering near real-time insights into both customer and agent dynamics, AI accelerates compliance assurance — achieving in moments what traditional quality review teams would take hours or even days to accomplish. This transformative capability not only enhances operational efficiency but also ensures a seamless, high-quality customer experience.”
The solution’s potential was demonstrated through a successful collaboration with a leading BFSI in Saudi Arabia. In this engagement, the solution automated compliance evaluations, significantly reducing manual review times and exceeding client expectations by delivering more than a 70 percent success rate in fulfilling regulatory and internal quality/ compliance standards. Its ability to accurately transcribe and analyze Arabic and local dialects ensures precision and compliance with regional standards.
Underscoring VentureDive’s commitment to enabling enterprises and startups to become AI-first, Saad Fazil, COO of VentureDive, said: “Building something that truly understands the complexities of the Saudi and MENA markets, especially with Arabic dialects, was a real challenge. We’re not just throwing AI at a problem. We’re using it to make a real difference for our clients. Imagine cutting compliance review times from days to minutes. That’s the kind of tangible impact we’re delivering.”
This recognition reaffirms VentureDive’s ability to drive innovation through AI-powered solutions, empowering organizations to optimize their call/contact center operations, enhance customer satisfaction, and achieve operational excellence.
For more information, please visit VentureDive’s Website.
From new Friends to big adventures: Children share what they want on their dream holidays
As summer approaches, a new global survey has revealed what our young travelers are dreaming about, and it's not just ice cream and cartoons.
From friendship quests to superhero adventures, today's young adventurers are bringing big imagination to their travel wish lists.
The survey was commissioned by Experience Abu Dhabi, the destination brand of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, polling over 7,000 children aged 5 to 12 and their parents from across nine countries, including France, Italy, Germany, China, UK, US, and India, as well as UAE and Saudi Arabia.
The data reveals something both unexpected and universal: 90% of children worldwide want holiday activities that help them make new friends.
In an age of screens and streaming, what kids are genuinely craving is real connection.
Whether it's exploring the children's library, splashing at a waterpark, or a day out at the aquarium, these shared adventures can easily help children form new bonds that stretch across the globe.
Additionally, peer influence also plays a powerful role: 95% of kids want to try activities they can tell their friends about, while 91% are inspired by what their friends have done.
While connection is key, imagination still plays a huge role, with 89% of children saying their ideal holiday lets them experience their favorite video game or movie in real life.
These young travelers aren't just watching, scrolling or gaming, they're trying to imagine themselves inside those worlds.
Nouf Mohamed Al-Bushlaibi, executive director of strategic marketing & communications at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: "As both a parent and a marketer, I know firsthand how important it is to really listen to kids, to understand what lights them up, what sparks their imagination, and what makes a holiday unforgettable.
“We commissioned this research to hear what truly matters to children when they look at holidays, and what they told us was inspiring: they want connection, adventure, and the freedom to play out the stories they love. Abu Dhabi brings all of that to life as a place where kids can dream big, try new things, and feel right at home doing it with their loved ones."
As children from around the world revealed what makes a holiday unforgettable, each country had its own standout passion.
In the UAE, 98% of kids said big, exciting adventures are a must.
More than 3 in 4 kids surveyed in India want to visit a museum on holiday.
In the UK, 94% prioritise activities they can talk about with friends.
German children showed a strong interest in cultural food experiences, with 84% wanting to visit a food market.
89% of kids from China want time to relax, play and hang out.
Italian kids stood out for their curiosity, with 95% wanting to try activities they’ve never done before.
French kids gravitated towards water activities, with 97% wanting to spend a day at a waterpark or enjoying water sports.
Children in Saudi Arabia showed a love for variety with 82% wanting to try lots of different cool activities on holiday.
In the US, 85% of children are keen to take part in make-believe activities like being a race car driver or zookeeper for the day.
The takeaway is simple: kids want to follow their passions. They’re looking for a holiday that blends fun, freedom and the chance to explore their interests in their own way.
And they’re looking to do it all with their loved ones.
The research also finds that family time remains sacred, even in today's day and age, with 97% of kids saying that enjoying fun moments with their families is one of their must-haves on their dream holiday.
With a diverse range of attractions dotted across the emirate, Abu Dhabi stands out as a "Totally Recommended" holiday destination for families, entirely children-approved.
As kids look for opportunities to play make-believe roles (85%), Abu Dhabi is setting the stage for them to do it all.
From cruising through Yas Marina Circuit and exciting animal encounters at Emirates Park Zoo, to donning the capes of their favorite superheroes at Warner Bros.
World Abu Dhabi, the emirate is packed with experiences that will make kids feel like they've jumped straight into their dream holidays.
And there’s even more to discover.
At teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, families can explore a world where art comes alive, light reacts to movement and every step sparks a new surprise.
Opening later this year are Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the UAE, and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, which will narrate the story of life on Earth and the origins of our universe.
So, with all of these incredible insights, what does the perfect family holiday look like? That’s exactly what we set out to create, by handing the planning over to the kids themselves.
We asked children to design their dream holiday. Not just what they wanted to see and do, but how they wanted to feel, where they wanted to eat, and what kind of pace made the experience fun.
The result is a seven-day itinerary filled with culture, big adventures, creative play, nature, and moments to slow down.
From waterparks and wildlife to desert discoveries, the itinerary reflects exactly what today's young travelers are looking for.
And because it's shaped by the kids themselves, it speaks their language: curious, imaginative and full of excitement.
Best of all, every part of it can be experienced right here in Abu Dhabi.
With a kids-recommended itinerary, we're handing parents a blueprint to their kids' ultimate dream holiday.
This summer, Abu Dhabi isn't just about what you can do. It's about setting your own pace. Whether you're up for non-stop adventure or slow, easy days with space to wander, everything is close and accessible.
Parents usually need to have kids choose one or two things on a given trip, but Abu Dhabi is the all-in-one family holiday that almost plans itself.
It's everything you want without the "I'm bored" or the "are we nearly there?"... it's a family destination that gives you space to explore, relax, and spend time together, all at your own pace.
Abu Dhabi is recommended because whatever kind of holiday you're looking for, you'll find it.
