south asian games
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South Asian games preparations take centre stage i…

ByJustpaste.in

ISLAMABAD: Preparations for the 14th South Asian Games are gaining momentum as senior Olympic officials from across the region gather in Islamabad ahead of a key meeting on the regional sporting event.

The Executive Committee of the South Asian Olympic Council (SAOC) is scheduled to meet in the Pakistani capital on Sunday to review arrangements for the Games, which Pakistan is due to host early next year.

Delegations from several participating countries have already arrived in Islamabad, while others are expected to reach the capital shortly. A delegation from Nepal, including National Sports Council President Jeevan Ram Shrestha, Vice-President Chaturananda Raj Vaidya and council member Sikka Suwal Shrestha, was among those welcomed by the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA).

India’s representative is expected to join the executive committee meeting through video link.

The visiting officials are also scheduled to inspect sports facilities in Islamabad as part of their assessment of preparations. Lahore, however, is not included in the venue inspection itinerary.

Pakistan intends to hold the Games primarily in Islamabad and Lahore. Lahore will serve as the Games Secretariat and is expected to host most of the competitions, while Faisalabad will also be involved as a host city, with handball scheduled to be played there.

The upcoming edition will be Pakistan’s third time hosting the South Asian Games. The country previously staged the regional competition in Islamabad in 1989 and again in 2004.

The biennial Games bring together athletes from across South Asia in a wide range of sporting disciplines. Sunday’s meeting is expected to give regional officials an opportunity to assess preparations, examine venues and address remaining issues before the competition begins.

With the Games approaching, the Islamabad gathering represents an important step in Pakistan’s efforts to finalise arrangements and deliver a successful regional sporting event.

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    Israeli raids, settlement plans deepen West Bank t…

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    RAMALLAH: Tensions across the occupied West Bank intensified on Monday as Israeli forces reportedly destroyed water pipelines, detained Palestinians and ordered families to leave their homes ahead of a planned demolition. While a new settlement plan near Jerusalem raised fresh concerns over the expansion of Israeli settlements. The latest developments have added to growing pressure on Palestinian communities already facing restrictions on movement, damage to agricultural land and disruptions to basic services. Palestinian human rights activist Aref Daraghmeh said Israeli forces destroyed water pipelines in the Atouf and Ras al-Ahmar areas of Tubas governorate. The areas, located in the northern Jordan Valley, have experienced repeated military operations in recent months. According to Daraghmeh, agricultural land has been cleared, water networks damaged and artesian wells filled in, causing significant losses for farmers who depend on the land and water supplies for their livelihoods. The destruction of water infrastructure has particular significance in the Jordan Valley, where Palestinian farming communities rely heavily on limited water resources. Brothers detained during raid In another operation in the northern Jordan Valley, Israeli forces detained two Palestinian brothers in the Ein al-Hilweh area, according to local sources cited by Anadolu. Meanwhile, Israeli troops raided the village of Tell, southwest of Nablus, and ordered residents to leave several homes ahead of the planned demolition of a house belonging to Palestinian Farouq Ramadan. Ramadan was killed on July 24 during an attack in the village, according to Palestinian sources. They said he had disarmed and killed one of the attackers before being shot dead. Three other members of his family were also killed and four Palestinians were injured during the incident, the sources said. Near Ramallah, agricultural land east of Jaljaliya village was also set on fire, Palestinian official news agency Wafa reported. Palestinian civil defence crews later brought the blaze under control. Village council head Osama Nazmi said an Israeli outpost had been established in the area about a year ago and that Palestinian homes belonging to residents from nearby Al-Mazraa Al-Sharqiya had subsequently been seized. New settlement plan raises alarm At the same time, Palestinian officials said Israel had advanced plans for a new settlement containing approximately 650 housing units south of Jerusalem. The Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate said Israel’s District Planning and Building Committee had deposited the plan for the proposed “Nofei Rachel” settlement. 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Critics say continued settlement construction threatens the possibility of establishing a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel. West Bank caught in wider conflict The latest events come as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to reverberate across the region. According to figures cited by Palestinian authorities, violence in the West Bank has intensified alongside the wider war that began after the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. The situation has also drawn attention to the issue of Palestinian remains held by Israel. Report: Israel holds 1,700 Palestinian bodies Israel is holding the remains of around 1,700 Palestinians for possible use in future exchanges, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported, citing two unnamed sources familiar with recent discussions within Israel’s security establishment. According to the report, Shin Bet chief David Zini supports retaining the bodies in case Israeli citizens are captured or disappear in the future. The Israeli military is also reportedly supportive of the position. Haaretz reported that most of the remains are believed to belong to Palestinians from Gaza who participated in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel or subsequent fighting. However, the newspaper also reported that some of the bodies belong to Palestinians who were not involved in combat. The issue has raised legal questions inside Israel. Legal experts cited by Haaretz questioned whether authorities have the power to retain the remains of Palestinians who have not been proven to have taken part in fighting. The Palestinian National Campaign for the Retrieval of Martyrs’ Bodies and Disclosure of the Fate of the Missing said in October 2025 that Israel was holding around 1,500 bodies of Palestinians from Gaza at the Sde Teiman military facility in southern Israel. A crisis extending beyond borders The developments in the West Bank are unfolding against the backdrop of the devastating Gaza conflict. Palestinian health authorities say tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed and injured since October 2023, while much of Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed or severely damaged. The reported destruction of water pipelines in the West Bank, the proposed settlement expansion and the continued disputes over Palestinian remains highlight how the conflict affects not only major political centres but also ordinary families, farmers and communities. For Palestinians living in areas such as Tubas, Nablus and the outskirts of Jerusalem, the immediate concerns are often deeply personal: access to water, the safety of their homes, the ability to farm their land and the uncertainty of what another military raid may bring. As settlement plans move forward and military operations continue, hopes for a reduction in tensions remain overshadowed by developments that are reshaping the landscape of the occupied West Bank.

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    Deepika Padukone shares candid pregnancy update

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    Ariana Grande explains decision to step back from …

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    Ariana Grande has finally addressed her decision to step back from public life, reassuring fans that the move is about finding balance and protecting her well-being rather than reacting to recent criticism. During an emotional speech at her Eternal Sunshine Tour stop in Chicago, the singer explained that her upcoming break had been planned long before recent public discussions about her appearance. Grande said the decision was not a response to online negativity but part of a personal commitment to creating a healthier and more balanced future.  The Grammy-winning artist told fans that the tour has been one of the most healing experiences of her career. Speaking from the stage, she thanked concertgoers for their unwavering support and said their love has carried her through challenging moments. Grande emphasized that stepping away from the spotlight is an empowering choice that allows her to prioritize herself after years of nonstop work.  Grande has spent the past several years balancing multiple high-profile projects, including new music, a worldwide tour and her acting career. Earlier this year, she admitted in an interview with Vogue Japan that taking a break would probably be healthy because she has rarely slowed down since becoming a global star as a teenager. She said her goal for the next chapter of her life is to find more balance than she had during the previous 15 years.  Her representatives recently confirmed that she will step back from public-facing appearances after the Eternal Sunshine Tour concludes in September. They explained that Grande wants to finish the tour on a positive note before taking a well-earned break from constant public visibility. The statement also confirmed that she has withdrawn from the planned West End production of Sunday in the Park with George, with producers expressing their full support for her decision.  Despite the temporary pause, Grande has made it clear that she is not saying goodbye to music or acting. She has previously described music as her “lifeline” and has repeatedly said she hopes to continue exploring both creative passions in the future.  For now, Ariana Grande is choosing rest over relentless schedules. Her latest message highlights the growing importance of setting boundaries, proving that even one of the world’s biggest pop stars recognizes the value of protecting personal well-being while looking ahead to the next chapter of her career.

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    IHC reserves decision on Imaan Mazari, Hadi Chatth…

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    Ghazi University marks Minorities Day, reaffirms e…

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    Dera Ghazi Khan: The Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan observed National Minorities Day today on the special directions of the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad. The event, organized by the Directorate of Students Affairs and hosted by Prof. Dr. Arshad Munir, brought together members of the non-Muslim community and university officials to highlight the equal rights, religious freedom, and contributions of minorities in Pakistan. Members of the non-Muslim community from Dera Ghazi Khan, including Mr. Saleem Ilyas and Mr. Boota Masih, and others attended the ceremony. Senior university officials, Registrar Dr. Muhammad Asif, Prof. Dr. Saeed Ullah, Dr. Muhammad Ziaullah, Director ORIC Dr. Sagheer Atta, Dr. Irum Aziz, Dr. Khizra Bakhsh, and other faculty members were also in the event. The programme commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran by an M.Phil scholar from the Department of Islamic Studies, followed by the recitation of verses from the Injeel (Gospel) by Mr. Boota Masih. Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim then presented a Naat-e-Rasool-e-Maqbool in praise of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Thereafter, the National Anthem of Pakistan was played, with all participants standing in respect. In his welcome address, Prof. Dr. Arshad Munir highlighted the significance of National Minorities Day in Pakistan. He acknowledged the historic contributions of the non-Muslim community to the establishment of Pakistan and their continued role in strengthening the nation. On behalf of Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad, he extended an open invitation to members of the non-Muslim community to visit Ghazi University and enrol their children for higher education, assuring that the university would provide full facilitation and support in this regard. Two documentaries were screened during the event. The first showcased the establishment and progressive transformation of Ghazi University under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad. The second, prepared by the Directorate of Students Affairs, highlighted the efforts of non-Muslim personalities and movements that played a vital role in the creation of Pakistan and in its subsequent development. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Saleem Ilyas expressed gratitude to the university administration for inviting members of the non-Muslim community and honouring them. He stated that minorities in Pakistan enjoy complete liberty, freedom of livelihood and worship, and equal rights alongside citizens of all other faiths. Mr. Boota Masih also thanked the university for the respect and affection extended to the community. He said non-Muslims feel comfortable and content in Dera Ghazi Khan, actively participate in local festivities, and remain an integral part of the social fabric. Extending a gesture of interfaith harmony, he invited all participants to visit their church. A cake marking National Minorities Day was cut by the honourable guests, symbolising unity and equality among people of all religions. Refreshments were also served to the participants. The Director Students’ Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Salman Haider presented the vote of thanks at the conclusion of the programme. The event conveyed a clear message of equal rights, religious freedom, and interfaith harmony, reaffirming that minorities are valued partners in Pakistan’s national progress and social cohesion.

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