israel wont leave
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Israel won’t leave Gaza until Hamas disarms, Pea…

ByJustpaste.in

JERUSALEM: Israeli forces will not withdraw from the Gaza Strip until Hamas is fully disarmed, according to Nikolay Mladenov, following high-level talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The remarks came after a meeting in West Jerusalem between Mladenov, who heads the US-backed Board of Peace, and Netanyahu, where the two sides discussed the future of Gaza, regional security and the implementation of a proposed peace framework.

According to a statement issued by the Board of Peace, reports suggesting that Israel had agreed to withdraw from Gaza before Hamas is disarmed are inaccurate. The organization stressed that the Israeli military’s withdrawal would only take place once Hamas had surrendered all of its weapons, including both light and heavy arms, and dismantled its network of underground tunnels.

“The objective is clear and leaves no room for ambiguity,” the Board of Peace said in a statement shared on social media. It added that the long-term goal is the complete removal of weapons from the Gaza Strip and the transition toward civilian governance capable of maintaining stability and security.

The meeting also highlighted concerns raised by Israeli political leaders regarding the peace initiative recently announced by the US president. While details of the proposal have not been fully disclosed, Israeli officials reportedly voiced reservations about aspects of the plan during discussions with Mladenov.

Meanwhile, Hamas rejected the latest position, insisting that implementation of any agreement would remain impossible unless Israel fulfills its own obligations under the proposed framework. The group argued that both parties must comply with agreed commitments for any lasting ceasefire or political settlement to succeed.

According to a news agency report citing two people familiar with the discussions, Mladenov also urged Netanyahu to halt Israeli military operations in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of reducing violence and creating conditions for diplomatic progress.

Despite a ceasefire announced in October 2025, Israeli military operations in Gaza have continued, with both sides accusing each other of violating understandings reached under previous agreements. The continued fighting has complicated international efforts to revive negotiations and address the humanitarian situation in the territory.

The latest statements underscore the deep divisions that continue to hinder peace efforts, with disarmament, security guarantees and governance remaining among the most contentious issues in negotiations over Gaza’s future.

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    US approves $125m missile sale to South Korea

    ByJustpaste.in

    WASHINGTON: The United States has approved a potential $125 million sale of advanced air-to-air missiles and related military equipment to South Korea, in a move aimed at strengthening Seoul’s defence capabilities amid continuing security concerns in the region. According to reports, the US State Department has approved the proposed arms package, which includes AIM-9X Sidewinder Block 103 missiles and tactical guidance units requested by South Korea. The proposed deal is valued at approximately $125 million and is intended to enhance the South Korean military’s ability to respond to potential aerial threats. South Korea has requested the purchase of the AIM-9X Sidewinder Block 103, along with 10 tactical guidance units. The missiles are designed to be launched from fighter aircraft against airborne targets and are considered an important component of modern close-range air combat capabilities. The AIM-9X is an advanced short-range, infrared-guided air-to-air missile. It is designed to provide pilots with rapid engagement capabilities and improved accuracy against highly manoeuvrable aerial targets. The proposed sale is also significant because of the close defence relationship between Washington and Seoul. The two allies regularly conduct joint military exercises and maintain extensive cooperation aimed at strengthening deterrence and preparedness on the Korean Peninsula. However, the approval does not necessarily mean that the transaction has been completed. The proposed arms sale still has to go through the formal US Congressional notification and review process. The process allows lawmakers to examine major foreign military sales before they proceed. The package comes at a time when security issues in East Asia remain a major focus for both Washington and Seoul. South Korea continues to modernise its military capabilities while maintaining close coordination with the United States. For Washington, arms sales to South Korea are part of a broader defence relationship that includes military exercises, weapons cooperation, intelligence sharing and the deployment of US forces in the region. For Seoul, acquiring advanced air-to-air weapons could strengthen the capabilities of its fighter fleet and improve its readiness to respond to potential threats. The AIM-9X system is already used by several US allies, making interoperability an important factor in joint operations and training. The proposed $125 million package therefore represents more than a weapons purchase. It also underlines the continuing strategic partnership between the United States and South Korea at a time when regional military preparedness remains under close scrutiny. The final outcome will depend on the completion of the Congressional review and subsequent steps required for the proposed sale.

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    PIMS tragedy revives questions over delayed hospit…

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: Almost three years after the caretaker federal government proposed appointing officers from the Pakistan Army Medical Corps to lead the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Federal Government Polyclinic (FGPC), the proposal remains unimplemented. Following the August 26, 2026 fire in the PIMS Mother and Child Health (MCH) Ward that claimed the lives of several newborns, questions are being raised over whether prolonged administrative delays contributed to weaknesses in   hospital management On October 9, 2023, the Ministry of National Health Services approached the Ministry of Defence seeking BS-21 officers from the Army Medical Corps for three-year deputations as Executive Directors of PIMS and FGPC. The ministry cited vacant executive positions and a shortage of eligible officers in the relevant cadre as reasons for seeking experienced hospital managers. The proposal was described as an interim measure intended to improve the management and service delivery of two of Islamabad’s busiest public hospitals. The proposal faced opposition from sections of the medical community. On October 30, 2023, the Islamabad chapter of the Pakistan Medical Association criticized the plan, arguing that bringing military officers into civilian hospitals could undermine the role of civilian doctors. Legal complications subsequently emerged. The Islamabad High Court restricted the appointment of outside deputationists as permanent heads, pushing authorities toward appointments from within the existing health system. The health ministry also maintained that appointments would ultimately be made according to established procedures and merit. Nearly three years later, the absence of permanent leadership at the hospitals has renewed criticism of the government’s handling of the issue. A senior health-sector observer argued that timely implementation of the original proposal might have improved management, reduced financial leakages and strengthened oversight of procurement, medicines, machinery, construction and renovation projects. PIMS has already faced concerns over staffing and expenditure. Figures cited in the debate include Rs22 billion allocated over three years, an alleged Rs670 million over spend against a budget of Rs6.84 billion last year, and 949 vacant positions out of 2,451 sanctioned posts at PIMS. More than 1,470 posts are reportedly vacant across four federal hospitals in Islamabad. The August 26 fire has intensified these concerns. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the incident, while Health Minister Mustafa Kamal was directed to submit a report. Health Secretary Aslam Ghauri was suspended and a high-powered inquiry was ordered. The controversy has now moved beyond the question of who should manage federal hospitals to whether those responsible for prolonged administrative shortcomings should be held accountable. Critics are questioning whether officials who managed billions of rupees in public funds should face consequences if negligence or poor oversight is established. They have also warned against allowing the inquiry to end with routine transfers, suspensions or committees without meaningful reforms. Supporters of the original proposal point to the management of military-run Combined Military Hospitals (CMHs), arguing that they demonstrate stronger discipline, cleanliness and operational management. However, opponents maintain that civilian healthcare institutions should be strengthened through transparent, merit-based appointments rather than relying on military deputations. With legal restrictions and opposition to military appointments, the government may need to move quickly toward permanent, merit-based leadership for PIMS and FGPC. The recent tragedy has made the issue more urgent. The central question is no longer simply whether the 2023 proposal should have been implemented, but whether years of administrative uncertainty contributed to systemic weaknesses. Ultimately, an independent inquiry must determine the causes of the fire and establish responsibility based on evidence. The priority now should be ensuring that Islamabad’s major public hospitals have competent leadership, adequate staffing, effective safety systems and transparent financial oversight. August 25, 2023: Health ministry stresses merit-based appointments. October 9, 2023: Defence ministry approached for Army Medical Corps officers. October 30, 2023: PMA Islamabad opposes the proposal. Late 2023–2024: Legal restrictions emerge over outside deputations. August 26, 2026: Fire breaks out in PIMS MCH Ward, resulting in multiple deaths.

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    Nicki Minaj rejects claims in hotel bill dispute

    ByJustpaste.in

    Nicki Minaj has responded through her legal team after a business dispute with production company 24/7 Productions intensified in court. The rapper’s lawyers have strongly rejected claims made by the company, arguing that the lawsuit unfairly targets her personally and attempts to damage her reputation instead of focusing on the contractual issues at the centre of the case. The latest development comes after 24/7 Productions described Minaj as a “spoiled and entitled” rap star in court filings related to an ongoing payment dispute. Her lawyers argue that such language has no relevance to the legal issues and was included solely to create a negative public image of the Grammy-nominated artist. According to Minaj’s legal team, the remarks were designed to distract attention from the actual contractual disagreement. The dispute centres on production work carried out during Minaj’s Jingle Ball performances and the Pink Friday 2 launch events held in New York in 2023. 24/7 Productions claims it covered a wide range of event-related expenses, including hotel accommodation, staffing, security services and production costs. The company alleges that it has not yet received full payment for those services and has therefore taken legal action to recover the outstanding amount. Minaj’s lawyers, however, dispute those claims and insist that the hotel accommodation and related expenses were already included in the agreed budget for an artist of her stature. They argue that such costs should not be portrayed as unusual or excessive. Her legal team also contends that the production company is attempting to sensationalise the case by focusing on her celebrity lifestyle rather than the actual business agreement between the parties. Another key argument presented by Minaj’s lawyers concerns the identity of the contracting party. They maintain that the agreement was entered into with Pink Friday Productions LLC, not with Nicki Minaj in her personal capacity. As a result, they argue that the rapper herself should not be held personally responsible for any financial obligations arising from the company’s agreements. The legal team has also insisted that the disputed payments have already been made, directly challenging the production company’s allegations that it remains unpaid. The case is scheduled to return to court on August 3, when a judge will consider Minaj’s request to have her name removed from the lawsuit. The hearing is expected to focus on whether the claims should proceed against the artist personally or remain directed at Pink Friday Productions LLC instead. For now, both sides remain firmly committed to their opposing positions. While 24/7 Productions continues to pursue payment through the courts, Nicki Minaj’s legal representatives insist that the company has mischaracterised both the facts of the dispute and the rapper’s role in the contractual arrangement. The outcome of the upcoming court hearing will likely determine how the case proceeds in the months ahead.

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    Pakistan envoy Saadia Altaf Qazi honors Sahara Wel…

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    OSLO: In a heartfelt ceremony marking the end of her diplomatic tenure in Norway, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Norway, Saadia Altaf Qazi presented a certificate of appreciation to Hafiz Muhammad Aslam Haq, chairman of the Sahara Welfare Foundation, in recognition of his longstanding humanitarian services and commitment to social welfare. The ambassador acknowledged Hafiz Aslam Haq’s contributions to supporting underprivileged communities across Pakistan, including assistance for poor families, orphans, widows and victims of devastating floods. She praised the foundation’s welfare initiatives, describing them as a valuable example of community service and compassion that reflects the true spirit of humanity. During the ceremony, Hafiz Aslam Haq paid tribute to Ambassador Saadia Altaf Qazi for her dedicated service to the Pakistani community in Norway and her efforts to strengthen diplomatic, cultural and people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Norway. He commended her leadership throughout her diplomatic assignment and wished her continued success in her future responsibilities. Expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Hafiz Aslam Haq thanked the ambassador for honoring his organization’s humanitarian work. He also extended his best wishes and prayers for her health, prosperity and continued achievements in representing Pakistan abroad. The event came as Ambassador Saadia Altaf Qazi concluded her diplomatic mission in Norway. Following the completion of her tenure, she is departing Oslo to assume her new assignment as Pakistan’s ambassador to Thailand. Her tenure in Norway has been widely recognized for promoting stronger bilateral relations, engaging with the Pakistani diaspora and enhancing cooperation between the two countries. The farewell recognition ceremony served not only as a tribute to humanitarian service but also as a celebration of the enduring partnership between Pakistan and Norway, highlighting the important role played by both diplomats and community leaders in strengthening international goodwill and supporting those most in need.

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    Power sector circular debt rises by Rs364 billion in FY2025-26

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s power sector circular debt increased by Rs364 billion during fiscal year 2025-26, highlighting persistent weaknesses in the electricity supply chain despite substantial government subsidies and efforts to contain the buildup of unpaid liabilities. According to the circular debt report for June 2026, the increase was significantly higher than the previous year, when the debt had risen by around Rs45 billion. The latest increase represents a surge of roughly 709% year-on-year in the annual flow of circular debt. The Power Division has not yet formally uploaded the one-page circular debt report for June 2026 on its official website. The latest figures indicate that structural problems, including distribution company inefficiencies, weak bill recovery, payment disputes and delays in tariff adjustments, continue to generate fresh liabilities in the power sector. The development comes despite the government’s efforts to contain the debt through budgetary support and subsidies. IMF target and government commitments The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had permitted Pakistan to record up to Rs400 billion in circular debt flow during the year, while simultaneously requiring the government to take measures to prevent the accumulation of new liabilities and eventually bring the flow down to zero. Under the IMF programme, the government has been relying on tariff adjustments, subsidy rationalisation and other reforms to improve the financial health of the electricity sector. However, the latest increase suggests that governance and operational problems remain a major obstacle to achieving a sustainable reduction in circular debt. The government provided approximately Rs302 billion in subsidies aimed at supporting the power sector and reducing the debt burden. However, the amount was insufficient to maintain the circular debt stock at the level of Rs1.614 trillion recorded at the end of June 2025. As a result, the debt stock recorded a net increase of around Rs61 billion during the year. The Power Division had earlier stated that the federal government allocated Rs893 billion for the power sector in the FY2025-26 budget. However, around Rs98 billion of the allocated amount was not released, affecting the government’s ability to reduce the outstanding liabilities. A Power Division spokesperson said that if the entire budgeted allocation had been released, the circular debt stock could have fallen further to around Rs1.577 trillion. The funding shortfall, according to the official, contributed to the Rs61 billion increase recorded during the year. Distribution companies remain a major source of losses Inefficiencies within power distribution companies continued to be one of the biggest contributors to the accumulation of circular debt. The government incurred approximately Rs262 billion in losses during FY2025-26 because of inefficiencies in distribution companies. The amount was only around Rs3 billion lower than the previous year, indicating that little progress has been made in addressing operational weaknesses. Another Rs64 billion was added to the circular debt because of lower electricity bill recoveries. Although significant, this amount was around 51% lower than the corresponding figure recorded in the preceding year. The figures underline the financial pressure created by electricity theft, transmission and distribution losses, weak collection systems and inadequate enforcement against non-paying consumers. Privatisation of distribution companies The government has initiated the process of privatising three relatively profitable distribution companies — Faisalabad Electric Supply Company, Gujranwala Electric Power Company and Islamabad Electric Supply Company. However, the proposed privatisation is not expected to immediately resolve the broader circular debt problem because a substantial portion of sector losses originates from other distribution entities. Earlier, the government had considered a model under which profitable distribution companies would be combined with loss-making entities before privatisation. The plan, however, was subsequently abandoned in favour of offering comparatively stronger companies separately. Experts have repeatedly argued that privatisation alone cannot eliminate circular debt unless the underlying issues of electricity theft, poor recoveries, governance and operational losses are addressed across the entire distribution network. K-Electric dispute adds to debt Payment disputes with K-Electric also contributed substantially to the increase. According to the report, approximately Rs194 billion was added to the circular debt because of non-payments by K-Electric. The company’s outstanding payments are linked to a dispute concerning the delayed finalisation of its multi-year tariff by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority. The prolonged disagreement has created financial pressure throughout the power supply chain, adding to the accumulation of unpaid liabilities. In addition, around Rs75 billion was added to the circular debt because of delays in tariff adjustments. The government, meanwhile, made payments of approximately Rs129 billion against principal loans of the power sector. Without these payments, the annual circular debt flow could have exceeded Rs600 billion, according to the figures. The Power Division also benefited from a reduction of around Rs98 billion in the circular debt flow because of subsidy payments. Interest payments add further pressure Interest charges also contributed to the accumulation of liabilities, adding around Rs14 billion to the circular debt during the fiscal year. These financing costs ultimately increase the burden on consumers because the cost of servicing the sector’s outstanding liabilities is recovered through electricity bills. Consumer groups have frequently criticised the practice, arguing that households and businesses that regularly pay their electricity bills are effectively being charged for inefficiencies, theft and non-payment elsewhere in the system. Subsidies and burden on consumers The government’s continued reliance on subsidies has helped prevent an even larger accumulation of circular debt, but it has also placed pressure on the national budget. The power sector received hundreds of billions of rupees in subsidies during the year, while the government simultaneously pursued tariff increases and other measures intended to improve cost recovery. The contrast has raised questions about whether existing policies are addressing the underlying causes of circular debt or merely shifting the burden between consumers, the federal budget and power-sector entities. The government has also been under pressure to address similar financial problems in the gas sector. Although no comparable subsidy was provided for the gas sector, the authorities were expected to prevent a further increase in its circular debt. The government reportedly refrained from passing the full reduction in gas prices on

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    Kate Middleton reportedly steps in amid alleged royal will dispute

    ByJustpaste.in

    Kate Middleton is reportedly refusing to remain on the sidelines as tensions surrounding the British Royal Family continue to attract attention. New claims suggest that the Princess of Wales has become involved in an alleged dispute over King Charles’ financial arrangements and the future inheritance of Prince William. According to reports circulating about the royal family, King Charles has allegedly made changes to his will that could leave William without the fortune he was reportedly expected to inherit. The claims come at a time when tensions between the monarch and his eldest son are said to be heightened by disagreements over several family matters, including Prince Harry’s expected return to the United Kingdom. Sources cited in the reports claim that Charles’ decision was influenced partly by what has been described as William’s strong-willed personality. Royal biographer Hugo Vickers has previously characterized the future king as someone who believes he knows what is best, a description that has been used in discussions about the alleged differences between father and son. One particularly dramatic claim suggests that William has been removed from Charles’ will, with the fortune allegedly being redirected toward Prince Harry. The reported inheritance has been estimated at around $2 billion, although there has been no official confirmation from Buckingham Palace or the royal family regarding the contents of the King’s will. The alleged disagreement has also been linked to tensions between Kate and Queen Camilla. According to the reports, William and Kate were involved in an awkward moment at a recent royal event after they allegedly passed Camilla without performing the expected curtsy. The incident reportedly fueled speculation about disagreements behind closed doors. Claims surrounding the alleged inheritance dispute further suggest that Kate has sought legal advice from palace lawyers. The Princess of Wales is reportedly taking the matter seriously and is said to be seeking clarification over any financial arrangements that could affect her husband and their family. However, the claims remain unverified, and there has been no public statement from the Palace confirming that William has been removed from Charles’ will or that Harry has been named as the recipient of a multibillion-dollar inheritance. The alleged dispute comes as attention also turns toward Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The couple are reportedly expected to return to the UK with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, before the end of August. Harry’s potential return with his family could place renewed attention on the complicated relationships within the royal household. His relationship with William has remained strained since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped away from royal duties and relocated to the United States. With Harry potentially returning to Britain alongside Meghan and their children, speculation surrounding the brothers, their wives and the wider royal family is likely to continue. For now, however, the claims about Charles’ alleged will remain unconfirmed, leaving questions over whether there is any truth behind the reported financial dispute.

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