Saudi Arabia to privatise its airports

RIYADH • Saudi Arabia will begin privatising its airports and related services in the first quarter of next year, the country's civil aviation authority said yesterday, as the kingdom seeks ways to support state finances due to lower oil prices.

The announcement is the latest sign the world's top crude exporter is looking at ways to manage the impact of lower oil prices.

REUTERS

Oman's leader makes rare appearance

MUSCAT • Omani leader Sultan Qaboos made a rare public appearance yesterday to address the annual session of Parliament, in his first live broadcast speech since he returned from an eight-month medical stay in Germany.

His long absence fuelled concern over succession in the Arabian peninsula state over which the sultan, nearly 75, has been absolute ruler since 1970.

REUTERS

Man with weapons at Gatwick charged

LONDON • A Frenchman who triggered an evacuation of one of Britain's busiest airports on Saturday has been charged with possessing an air rifle and a knife, police said.

Police said Jerome Chauris, unemployed and of no fixed address from Vendome, in central France, had been carrying the weapons at Gatwick Airport.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Turkey axes $4.8b China defence deal

BELEK, Turkey • Turkey has cancelled a US$3.4 billion (S$4.8 billion) long-range missile defence system tender which was provisionally awarded to China in 2013, a move that had stirred US and Western concern, an official at the Turkish prime minister's office said yesterday.

REUTERS