15th AGM of Karnataka NRI Forum Jeddah held, new executive committee formed
Jeddah, Dec 23: The Karnataka NRI Forum Jeddah recently organized its 15th annual general body meeting on December 15. The event, held at The Village Restaurant Banquet Hall in Jeddah, aimed to discuss community welfare and achievements. The gathering included community members, distinguished guests, and featured Raza Ali Khan, country manager of Air India and Air India Express - Western Province, Saudi Arabia, as the guest of honor.
During the meeting, Raza Ali Khan expressed gratitude to the forum for its efforts in promoting the welfare of Kannadigas. He commended their initiatives in fostering unity, preserving culture, and providing support to the NRI community. Khan acknowledged the KNRI Forum Jeddah’s delegation for their proposal to start direct passenger flight services from Jeddah to Mangaluru. He assured that Air India management is considering the request with top priority.
Outgoing president Mohammed Mansoor welcomed the guest of honor and attendees. He thanked everyone for their support during his tenure and presented a memento to Raza Ali Khan as a token of appreciation. The outgoing general secretary, Peter Mascarenhas Udupi, presented the forum's annual report, outlining achievements in cultural events, cricket tournaments, educational programs, and social welfare projects.
The financial report for 2022-2023 was presented by treasurer Habib Rahman Uchila, emphasizing transparency and responsible financial management. The new executive committee for 2023-2024 was formed under the supervision of election officer Dr Ashfaq Maniyar Bijapur.
The newly elected executive committee includes Sabu Chandran as president, Shaikh Saoud Yermal as general secretary, Arifulla Shariff and Habib Rahman Uchila as vice presidents, Mohammed Imran as treasurer, and Mohammed Ismail as joint treasurer. Additional coordinators and committee members were also appointed for the 2023-2024 term.
The annual general body meeting, hosted by Saoud Yermal, concluded with a vote of thanks from Mohammed Imran. Attendees enjoyed a diverse culinary experience and cultural performances.
The office bearers team of 2023-2024 term has the following additional coordinators and executive committee members. Joint secretary R Dorai Swamy from KGF, coordinators – cultural Mohammed Kaleem from Raichur and Rajesh Suvarna from Mangaluru, coordinator – sports Mohammed Fayaz from Udupi, chief coordinator – Mahboob Ali Khan from Bengaluru and assistant chief coordinator Peter Mascarenhas from Udupi, internal auditor – Rafeeq Ahmed Bengaluru, advisors – Mohammed Mansoor Mangaluru and Dr Ashfaq Maniyar Bijapura.
Mukarram Khan Bengaluru, Faize Abdul Razak Shaikh Mangaluru, Mohammed Haneef Sakleshpur, Denis Noronha Udupi, Jerry Gomes Murudeshwar, Suhail Malik Rayachuru, Mohammed Saifuddin Sami Mysore, Mohammed Irshad Sandi Belagavi, Thomas Daniel Hubli, Shakil Ahmed Raichur, Mahantesh Bagalakote, Salim Hubbali from Belagavi, Zeeshan Mansoor Bale-Hannooru, Raza Ali Khan Bengaluru, Waseem Ahmed Tumakuru, Mohammed Sajid Kanakapura, Mohamad Arshad Husain Mangaluru and Qamar Sada Bhatkal.
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Iran attacks oil tanker near Dubai; Trump warns of strikes on energy sites if Hormuz remains shut
Tel Aviv/Washington: Iran attacked and set ablaze a fully loaded crude oil tanker off Dubai on Monday after US President Donald Trump warned that Washington would target Iran’s energy infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.
According to a Reuters report, the Kuwait-flagged tanker Al-Salmi is owned by Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and was capable of carrying around 2 million barrels of crude. . It was struck in what authorities later described as a drone attack. The company said the incident occurred early Tuesday, causing a fire and hull damage. No injuries were reported and the fire was brought under control, Dubai authorities said .
Oil prices rose briefly following the attack and added to volatility in global energy markets. In the United States, retail gasoline prices crossed $4 per gallon for the first time in more than three years, according to data from GasBuddy, as crude prices moved above $101 per barrel.
Israel said it carried out missile strikes on military infrastructure in Tehran and on sites linked to Iran-backed Hezbollah in Beirut. Explosions were reported in parts of Tehran, with Iran’s Tasnim news agency saying power outages occurred in the eastern Pirouzi district following the blasts.
The Israel Defense Forces said four soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon. In recent days, three peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon were also killed in separate incidents in the same area.
Iran’s military spokesperson said Tehran’s latest wave of missile and drone strikes targeted US military positions at five bases in the region and sites in Israel. Thousands of troops from the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division have begun arriving in the Middle East, according to US officials, expanding Washington’s military options even as diplomatic efforts continue.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Reuters Trump wants an agreement with Iranian leaders before a revised April 6 deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, adding that talks were progressing, while public statements from Tehran differed from private communications.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said proposals received through intermediaries were “unrealistic” and maintained that Iran was focused on defending itself.
In a social media post, Trump said that if a deal is not reached soon and the strait is not reopened, the US would strike Iran’s electric generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island. However, a report in The Wall Street Journal said Trump had told aides he may be willing to end the military campaign even if the strait remains largely closed and address reopening it later. The White House referred to earlier remarks by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the strait would be opened “one way or another.”
The administration has also requested an additional $200 billion in funding for the conflict, a proposal that faces opposition in the US Congress.
