zelenskyy warns egypt
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Zelenskyy warns Egypt of Black Sea food security threats as Russia rejects maritime ceasefire

ByJustpaste.in

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cautioned Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi that ongoing Russian strikes on commercial shipping in the Black Sea pose a direct threat to regional food security and grain exports across Africa and the Middle East. Speaking via X, Zelenskyy noted that significant supply reductions are already driving up global grain prices and warned of severe consequences if attacks on cargo vessels persist.

In response to proposals for a maritime truce, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova rejected a third-party proposal from Kyiv to halt strikes on civilian shipping. Moscow dismissed the initiative as a “half-measure” that would merely grant Ukrainian forces operational breathing space, accusing Kyiv of attempting to destabilise Black Sea shipping routes.

The diplomatic standoff coincides with several broader geopolitical developments across the region. Russian authorities acknowledged domestic petrol shortages after a Ukrainian strike forced the six-month closure of the Orsk oil refinery, located 1,300 km from the front line. Meanwhile, Polish officials warned that Russian cyber actors are exploiting historical grievances over World War II massacres to strain relations between Warsaw and Kyiv. Further escalating regional concerns, Romanian defence officials confirmed that a second unidentified drone crashed inside NATO territory near the border village of Plauru, whilst Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed deep security cooperation with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during commemorations marking the end of Japanese colonial rule.

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    Four terrorists killed in foiled South Waziristan …

    ByJustpaste.in

    Security forces have thwarted a suspected suicide attack on a security check post in South Waziristan, killing four terrorists, according to the military’s media wing. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said terrorists attempted to target a security forces’ post on Saturday using a vehicle packed with explosives. The vehicle was intercepted before it could reach the check post. Security personnel destroyed the explosive-laden vehicle outside the post’s perimeter, killing the suicide bomber inside. The failed attack caused no damage to the check post, according to the military. The ISPR said three other attackers attempted to escape and took shelter in a nearby compound. Security forces subsequently launched a targeted clearance operation and killed all three terrorists. No security personnel were reported killed or injured during the operation. Following the engagement, security forces launched a sanitisation operation in the area to search for any remaining militants and ensure the area was secure. The military said the operation demonstrated the preparedness and professional response of security personnel against terrorist threats. It added that counterterrorism efforts would continue under the government’s broader security strategy. President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces for responding quickly and preventing the attack. He said security and law enforcement agencies would continue their operations against terrorism with determination. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also commended the personnel involved in the operation. He said the nation was proud of the security forces and their continued efforts to counter terrorism. The latest incident comes amid heightened security concerns in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where militant attacks have increased in recent years. Security forces have continued targeted operations in several areas to disrupt militant networks and prevent attacks on security personnel and civilians. The South Waziristan operation comes shortly after a deadly attack in Tank district in which several security personnel and a government official were killed. Another attack in Kohat also claimed the lives of government officials after militants ambushed a vehicle at a joint check post.

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    Protests erupt in Bologna after man’s death during police restraint

    ByJustpaste.in

    Thousands of people marched through the Italian city of Bologna after the death of a Moroccan born man who died while being restrained by police, prompting a criminal investigation and violent clashes that left dozens of officers injured. The protests were held in memory of Abderrahim Fakir, whose death on Sunday has sparked widespread public anger and renewed debate over police conduct in Italy. Demonstrators gathered to demand justice before a smaller group broke away from the main rally and clashed with riot police late into the night. Authorities said 64 police officers were injured during the unrest as protesters threw objects, confronted security forces and set two vehicles on fire. Police eventually brought the situation under control. The incident that led to the demonstrations began after officers responded to reports of a man behaving erratically in Bologna’s Pilastro neighbourhood. According to police, Fakir was seen kicking garage doors before officers attempted to calm him. They later used pepper spray during the confrontation. A video widely shared by Italian media shows two police officers holding Fakir face down on the ground while another man restrains his legs. Emergency medical workers are also visible nearby. In the footage, Fakir can be heard asking the officers to stop before he gradually stops moving. After he became unresponsive, officers handcuffed him and attempted to wake him before medical staff intervened. Prosecutors have opened a manslaughter investigation involving the police officers and emergency workers who were present at the scene. The inquiry will examine whether the restraint methods or medical response contributed to Fakir’s death. Several witnesses told local media that although Fakir appeared distressed, he was unarmed and did not pose a threat to anyone nearby. His sister, Khadija Fakir, called for a full investigation and said the family wanted answers about how he died while in police custody. Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore also expressed shock after watching the video and organised Monday’s public demonstration in support of Fakir’s family. During the rally, Fakir’s niece addressed the crowd, describing her uncle as a caring and respected member of the community. She said he deserved compassion, dignity and help rather than the outcome that followed. Although the main demonstration remained peaceful, officials said a small number of protesters later turned violent. Mayor Lepore condemned the unrest while drawing a distinction between peaceful demonstrators and those who resorted to violence. The police union defended the officers’ actions and argued that the available video showed they had acted appropriately under difficult circumstances. Union representatives said the officers immediately handed over body camera footage to investigators and insisted the use of force was justified because officers faced resistance during the incident. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for a thorough investigation into Fakir’s death while strongly condemning the violence that followed. She said determining the truth about the incident was essential but stressed that attacks on law enforcement could not be justified. Fakir’s death has drawn comparisons with previous high profile cases involving deaths in police custody in Italy. Opposition politicians have criticised the government’s strong support for police, while human rights advocates say the investigation must establish whether officers followed proper procedures during the arrest. The case has intensified public discussion over policing practices and accountability across the country.

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    Punjab University sports management faces backlash…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Punjab University’s sports management has come under scrutiny after imposing one-year bans on players, coaches, managers, and team officials, a decision that has sparked debate among the university’s sports community. Critics have questioned whether disciplinary measures of this nature represent the right approach toward promoting sports development at one of Pakistan’s leading educational institutions. They argue that the primary responsibility of sports administrators should be to support athletes, improve training facilities, resolve issues, and create a positive environment for sporting growth. Concerns have also been raised over the involvement of some officials in administrative and internal matters rather than focusing solely on strengthening sports programs and addressing athletes’ concerns. A video circulating on social media has further fueled discussion, showing university officials participating in a bhangra performance with students, with critics questioning whether the department’s priorities are aligned with its core responsibilities. Sports circles have called for a balanced approach, emphasizing transparency, athlete welfare, and constructive management practices to ensure that disciplinary actions contribute to improvement rather than discouraging participation in university sports.

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    Gohar Rasheed criticises Aurat March posters

    ByJustpaste.in

    Actor Gohar Rasheed, known for his versatility and outspoken nature, has sparked a fresh round of public debate after sharing his views on Aurat March during a recent podcast appearance, taking particular issue with what he described as vulgar posters that appear at the annual women’s rights march. Rasheed drew a comparison between two things he sees as similarly problematic. He said that women should not be objectified, and in that spirit, item numbers in films should not exist because they reduce women to objects. He then extended that same logic to certain placards that appear at Aurat March, arguing that some posters cross a line into vulgarity and do not represent an appropriate way to communicate ideas or demands. He said the same points could be made in a more sophisticated manner without resorting to language or imagery that he found objectionable. The remarks touched on one of the most consistently contested topics in Pakistani public life. Aurat March, held annually on March 8 in major cities across Pakistan to mark International Women’s Day, has been a flashpoint for debate since its earliest editions. Supporters argue it is a necessary and long-overdue platform for women to voice demands around safety, equality and rights. Critics, including Rasheed, have frequently taken issue with specific posters that appear at the marches, arguing that certain slogans or images do not reflect the broader values of Pakistani society. The response online was immediate and divided, as it tends to be whenever the march becomes the subject of public commentary. Some users agreed with Rasheed. One person wrote: “He is right. Now Aurat Marchers will go against him,” anticipating the backlash while expressing support for the sentiment. Others pushed back sharply. One commenter wrote: “I wish he was this offended by violence against women and child rape,” arguing that the energy directed at posters would be better channelled toward the far graver issues women face daily. Another said: “Three men mansplaining what women should do or not do,” pointing to the irony of male voices deciding what is and is not an appropriate mode of feminist expression. The division in the comments reflects the genuine complexity of the debate. For those who support Aurat March unconditionally, the criticism of posters is a distraction from the march’s core purpose and represents the kind of policing of women’s expression that the march itself is pushing back against. For those who share Rasheed’s view, the concern is that certain forms of communication within the march alienate potential allies and hand critics easy ammunition to dismiss the broader cause. What is clear from the reaction is that this is a conversation Pakistan has not finished having, and that every public voice that enters it, whether from the entertainment industry or elsewhere, adds another layer to a debate that touches on deeply held values about gender, expression and what it means to advocate for change.

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    Poland condemns Gaza humanitarian crisis, calls for accountability over Israeli military actions

    ByJustpaste.in

    WARSAW: Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has criticised the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the lack of accountability for what he described as the Israeli military’s “excessive use of force,” warning that such actions are weakening public support for Israel even in countries traditionally sympathetic to it. Writing on X on Thursday, Sikorski said that genuine partnerships require mutual respect and suggested that the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza was having an impact on international public opinion. “The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, as well as the failure of accountability for [Israel Defence Forces] IDF’s excessive use of force, are undermining public support in even pro-Israel nations,” Sikorski said. His remarks came after Poland’s Foreign Ministry expressed strong disappointment over Israel’s decision to close proceedings into the April 1, 2024, attack on a World Central Kitchen humanitarian convoy in Gaza. The strike killed seven aid workers, including Polish national Damian Sobol. The Polish ministry said the Israeli ambassador in Warsaw had been summoned after Polish authorities were informed on August 19 that the Israeli military had decided to discontinue the proceedings. Warsaw said it remained dissatisfied with the measures taken so far to determine what happened during the attack. Polish authorities also called on Israel to provide all explanations and documents requested by Polish investigators. The District Prosecutor’s Office in Przemyśl is conducting a separate investigation into the incident, according to the Polish Foreign Ministry. Poland said the circumstances surrounding the deaths needed to be fully established and stressed that those responsible should not be allowed to avoid legal or moral accountability. The ministry also said that the families of the victims deserved appropriate compensation and redress. Poland’s criticism came shortly after the Israeli military acknowledged details surrounding another incident involving the death of a Palestinian child during the war in Gaza. The case concerns five-year-old Hind Rajab, who was killed in January 2024 after Israeli forces opened fire on a vehicle carrying her and members of her family. The Israeli military had previously denied that its troops were operating in the area where Hind was killed. However, following a months-long internal investigation, the military said it had determined that its forces had fired at the vehicle as it approached them. According to reports, Hind remained trapped inside the vehicle for hours while several of her family members were killed. During that time, she reportedly contacted Palestinian emergency workers by telephone and pleaded for help. An ambulance was dispatched to rescue her, but communications with both Hind and the emergency responders were subsequently lost. Twelve days later, the bodies of Hind, her relatives and two ambulance workers were reportedly recovered from the area. The Israeli military also said its investigation found that a shell was later fired at a Palestine Red Crescent ambulance that had been sent to assist Hind. The incident became one of the most widely reported cases involving civilian deaths during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Rights organisations have repeatedly criticised the limited number of prosecutions and convictions resulting from Israeli military investigations into alleged violations. The developments have intensified calls from Poland and other international actors for greater transparency, independent investigations and accountability over incidents involving civilian casualties and humanitarian workers. Polish officials maintain that the circumstances surrounding the deaths of humanitarian workers and civilians must be thoroughly investigated and that families affected by such incidents should receive justice and appropriate redress.

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    Islamabad police receive 30 new vehicles after 14 …

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Islamabad Police has received 30 new vehicles for 27 police stations in the federal capital after a gap of 14 years, in a move aimed at improving police mobility and reducing emergency response times. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry handed over the vehicle keys to police officials during a ceremony at Police Lines on Saturday. Speaking at the ceremony, Naqvi said modern policing could not be achieved without providing police with functional and adequate transport. He said the newly provided vehicles would help officers respond to emergencies more quickly and perform their duties more effectively. The interior minister said the government was making efforts to provide Islamabad Police with the resources required to improve public safety and maintain security in the capital. He also said work was underway on the construction and upgrading of police stations across Islamabad. According to him, the projects would be completed soon and would improve the working environment and operational capacity of the force. Naqvi highlighted the inclusion of electric vehicles in the government’s efforts to promote environmentally friendly policies. He said the use of electric vehicles would also help reduce expenditure on petroleum products. Tallal Chaudhry said the new vehicles had been distributed among all 27 police stations in Islamabad. He pointed out that police personnel had previously been operating vehicles that were around 14 years old, creating difficulties for effective field operations. The minister of state said rehabilitation and construction work at the capital’s 27 police stations was also in progress and was expected to be completed by the end of the year. He further disclosed that around 9,000 new personnel were being recruited to address the shortage of manpower in Islamabad Police. He said the recruitment process would be conducted strictly on merit.

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