UN chief slams ‘systematic’ looting of Gaza humanitarian aid

UN chief slams ‘systematic’ looting of Gaza humanitarian aid
People queue to receive humanitarian aid, supplied by the World Food Program, in the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on Nov. 18, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 04 December 2024
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UN chief slams ‘systematic’ looting of Gaza humanitarian aid

UN chief slams ‘systematic’ looting of Gaza humanitarian aid
  • Aid distribution in Gaza is complicated by shortages of fuel, war-damaged roads and looting
  • On Monday, Gaza’s interior ministry said it had carried out a major operation targeting looters

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations chief on Tuesday denounced the “systematic” looting of humanitarian aid in Gaza, a day after the territory’s Hamas authorities said 20 people were killed in a security operation targeting such actions.

“Armed looting has become systematic and must end immediately. It is hindering life saving aid operations and further endangering the lives of our staff,” said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

“However, the use of law enforcement operations must be lawful, necessary and proportionate.”

Israel imposed a total siege on Gaza in the early stages of the war last year, and the UN warned on November 9 that famine was looming in some areas due to a lack of aid.

Aid distribution in Gaza is complicated by shortages of fuel, war-damaged roads and looting, as well as fighting in densely populated areas and the repeated displacement of much of the territory’s 2.4 million people.

Several humanitarian officials have told AFP on condition of anonymity that almost half the aid that enters Gaza is looted, especially basic supplies.

On Monday, Gaza’s interior ministry said it had carried out a major operation targeting looters.

“More than 20 members of gangs involved in stealing aid trucks were killed in a security operation carried out by security forces in cooperation with tribal committees,” the ministry said in a statement.

It said the operation was “the beginning of a broad security campaign that has been long planned and will expand to include everyone involved in the theft of aid trucks.”

On Tuesday, the US-based Washington Post newspaper cited a UN memo as saying some of the gangs were receiving “passive if not active benevolence” or “protection” from the Israel Defense Forces.

Dujarric said he was unaware of the memo, but that the allegation was “fairly alarming” if true.

“The idea that the Israeli forces may be allowing looters or not doing enough to prevent it is frankly, fairly alarming, given the responsibilities of Israel as the occupying power to ensure that humanitarian aid is distributed safely,” he said.


China issues safety warning for its nationals studying in the Philippines

China issues safety warning for its nationals studying in the Philippines
Updated 7 min 22 sec ago
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China issues safety warning for its nationals studying in the Philippines

China issues safety warning for its nationals studying in the Philippines
  • Chinese students told to increase their safety awareness should they choose to study in the Philippines
  • Relations between the governments of China and the Philippines are particularly tense due to disputes

BEIJING: China’s Education Ministry issued a safety warning for Chinese students in the Philippines after what it said were a series of criminal incidents targeting them.

The brief warning Friday did not identify any specific incidents but told students to increase their safety awareness should they choose to study in the Philippines. The number of Chinese students in the country was not given but enrolments have fallen to just a few hundred in recent years, according to the Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post.

Relations between the governments of China and the Philippines are particularly tense due to disputes over maritime claims in the South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety. China has used water cannons and other non-lethal shipboard deterrents to drive off Philippine fishing boats.

Undersecretary Claire Castro of the Presidential Communications Office said on Friday that China has the right to issue such an advisory but underscored that the crime rate in the Philippines has been falling and “safety and security in the Philippines, we can say, have been improving as far as we are concerned.”

Police response to public concerns over crime has been fast. Crimes sparked by Chinese online gambling have declined or have been eradicated and many Chinese suspects have been deported by the Philippines, Castro told a daily news briefing.

In February a 14-year-old Chinese student was kidnapped in Manila by a Chinese-led gang, which killed his driver and cut off the student’s finger in a bid to force his parents to pay a huge ransom. The Philippine interior secretary said the student’s family and the Chinese leader of the kidnappers were allegedly former operators of lucrative online gambling outfits.

Politically, China has dismissed a UN-backed court decision in The Hague that ruled out most of China’s claims in the South China Sea and has expressed resentment over close ties between the US and Manila.

China often disrupts cultural and economic ties to register their discontent over actions by foreign governments.

In April, China issued a similar warning about the risk to Chinese students in the United States.


Pakistan minister pushes for deeper UK trade links during Birmingham visit

Pakistan minister pushes for deeper UK trade links during Birmingham visit
Updated 10 min 43 sec ago
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Pakistan minister pushes for deeper UK trade links during Birmingham visit

Pakistan minister pushes for deeper UK trade links during Birmingham visit
  • Jam Kamal Khan pitches Pakistani exports in auto, processed food and EV sectors
  • Commerce ministry targets diaspora-led diplomacy to expand UK market footprint

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s commerce minister has met with key UK businesses and trade bodies in Birmingham, promoting deeper commercial ties and encouraging new investment in sectors beyond traditional textile exports, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Friday. 

Jam Kamal Khan, who is on an official visit to the United Kingdom, on Thursday held meetings with the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, major Pakistani food retailers and British firms in the Midlands, pitching Pakistan’s strengths in processed foods, pharmaceuticals, leather goods, and information technology.

Pakistan exported £2.5 billion worth of goods and services to the UK in 2024, while importing £2.2 billion, according to the UK government. Total trade between the two countries stands at £4.7 billion, up 7.3 percent from the previous year.

“Khan highlighted Pakistan’s readiness to diversify its export basket in alignment with the UK’s industrial needs,” APP reported. 

The minister emphasized Pakistan’s value proposition in supplying Birmingham’s advanced manufacturing and automotive sectors, citing “cost-effective production capabilities and expertise in light engineering and metal fabrication.”

During his engagements, the minister also “spotlighted Pakistan as a reliable partner” in Birmingham’s electric vehicle (EV) supply chains and renewable energy push. 

“He underscored opportunities under Pakistan’s National EV Policy... in areas such as battery technology and electric drivetrains,” APP added.

The visit also included a stop at Birmingham City Football Club, where the minister discussed community outreach and Pakistan’s role in manufacturing football equipment used in top global leagues.

Later, at food distributor Nouvo, which supplies major UK supermarkets, Khan met with retailers of Pakistani products and explored expanding halal-certified and ethnic food lines in the British market.

“These engagements underscore Pakistan’s renewed emphasis on industrial linkages, regional value chains, and diaspora-led commercial diplomacy,” the APP statement said.

The trip is part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to deepen trade relations with key partners.

While the UK remains one of Pakistan’s top European export destinations, the country is also pursuing tariff concessions with the United States and courting Gulf investors under its Special Investment Facilitation Council.


Pacquiao is back, but how back is he? Saturday’s fight against Barrios will reveal all

Pacquiao is back, but how back is he? Saturday’s fight against Barrios will reveal all
Updated 16 min 48 sec ago
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Pacquiao is back, but how back is he? Saturday’s fight against Barrios will reveal all

Pacquiao is back, but how back is he? Saturday’s fight against Barrios will reveal all
  • It will be Pacquiao’s first fight since losing by unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas nearly four years ago
  • Pacquiao: I’m going to prove to everyone that I’m in great condition
  • Barrios, a 30-year-old from San Antonio, is a -275 favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook to spoil Pacquiao’s return

LAS VEGAS: Manny Pacquiao insisted he was back, and from a purely technical standpoint, he was correct.

Back in the ring. Back as a headliner.

But back to what he was when Pacquiao was one of the planet’s most dominant fighters, building a massive fanbase and a gold-standard resume that put him in the International Boxing Hall of Fame last month? That is the real question.

He will get a chance to answer it Saturday night when the 46-year-old from the Philippines will try to take the WBC welterweight belt from Mario Barrios. It will be Pacquiao’s first fight since losing by unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas nearly four years ago. His last victory occurred in 2019, a split decision over Keith Thurman.

“Saturday night, it’s going to be a great fight,” Pacquiao said. “It’s been a while that I’ve been out of the ring, but I’m still active and exercising all the time. I’m going to prove to everyone that I’m in great condition.

“I’ve been enjoying training camp like I did in the past, just like when I was 26 years old. The discipline is still the same. Even with my layoff, my passion is still there.”

Barrios, a 30-year-old from San Antonio, is a -275 favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook to spoil Pacquiao’s return. But he needs to bounce back from a split-decision draw on Nov. 15 against Abel Ramos that dropped his record to 29-2-1, 18 wins by knockout.

“Manny is one of a kind,” Barrios said. “He’s not an easy style to copy in training camp. We’ve gotten a lot of different southpaw looks, so I’m feeling extremely comfortable.

“It feels amazing to be in this position. I poured everything into this sport since I was (a) kid, and now I get to walk the (Las Vegas) Strip with my family and see my name all over. It’s something that I’ve always dreamed of. Now it’s my job to show why I’m going to continue to be the champion.”

The buildup to this bout hasn’t come with the usual forced hatred that envelops many title fights. The combatants even chatted during the standard face-off pose at Wednesday’s news conference and then broke into laughter.

Hard to imagine that happening at a Gervonta Davis presser.

Barrios cautioned not to read too much into the mutual respect and admiration when it comes to what the action in the ring might look like, that each boxer would bring his all.

Pacquiao enters with a resume that includes 12 world championships in eight divisions as well as a 62-8-2 record with 39 KOs. He’s considerably older and gives away about seven inches in height to the 6-foot Barrios.

Pacman is back, but how back he truly is will be revealed Saturday night.

“I’ve been a challenger many times and it’s always the same feeling,” Pacquiao said. “I’m excited to take the belt. He’s a good fighter also, but our job is to entertain the fans. We’re going to give them a real fight.”

In the co-main event, WBC super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora (21-1-1, 14 KOs) will face Tim Tszyu (25-2, 18 KOs). Fundora emerged with a split-decision victory over Tszyu on March 30, 2024.

The WBO stripped Fundora of his belt for taking the rematch rather than face mandatory challenger Xander Zayas.

“It doesn’t matter what happened in the first fight because we have the second fight coming up,” Fundora said. “Tune in Saturday, because it’s going to be another great war.”


Pakistani cueist Muhammad Asif advances to IBSF World Masters final in Bahrain

Pakistani cueist Muhammad Asif advances to IBSF World Masters final in Bahrain
Updated 24 min 23 sec ago
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Pakistani cueist Muhammad Asif advances to IBSF World Masters final in Bahrain

Pakistani cueist Muhammad Asif advances to IBSF World Masters final in Bahrain
  • Veteran Asif beats India’s Chandra 4-2 to secure title shot in Masters category
  • Teen cueist Hasnain Akhtar also reaches U-17 final after 4-0 win over Poland’s Nizialek

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Muhammad Asif has qualified for the final of the Masters category at the IBSF World Snooker Championships in Bahrain, defeating India’s Manan Chandra 4-2 in the semifinal, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Friday.

The 42‑year‑old from Faisalabad — a three‑time IBSF World Amateur Champion (2012, 2019, 2024) and recipient of Pakistan’s Pride of Performance Award in 2015 — took the first frame 118‑6 before conceding the next two, then reeled off three straight wins to secure his place in the final.

He will now face Brijesh Damani in the final, scheduled for Friday, 6pm Bahrain Time, 8pm PKT, the IBSF said in a post on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMOGw_2CAWt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

“Another Pakistan cueist Hasnain Akhtar has also reached final in the U-17 category of IBSF World Masters Final after beating Oliwier Nizialek of Poland by 4-0,” Radio Pakistan reported. 

Asif qualified for the semifinals of the masters after defeating Habib Sabah (Bahrain) 4-0 (68(68)-8, 57-37, 68(68)-8, 40(40)-8) in the quarterfinal on Thursday.

In the pre-quarterfinals, Asif defeated Mohamed Shehab (UAE) 4-2 (56-68, 21-72, 57-21, 80(80)-0, 68-45(43), 68-58).

The IBSF World Snooker Championships are being held in Manama from July 13–24 and feature top amateur players in Masters and youth categories.

Pakistan has a long record of success in amateur snooker. 


Pakistani man, deported after boarding wrong flight to Jeddah, accuses airline of ‘criminal negligence’

Pakistani man, deported after boarding wrong flight to Jeddah, accuses airline of ‘criminal negligence’
Updated 44 min 30 sec ago
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Pakistani man, deported after boarding wrong flight to Jeddah, accuses airline of ‘criminal negligence’

Pakistani man, deported after boarding wrong flight to Jeddah, accuses airline of ‘criminal negligence’
  • Malik Shahzain Ahmed had ‘mistakenly’ boarded a Jeddah-bound flight instead of Lahore–Karachi flight on July 8
  • The passenger has requested court to suspend airline license until an investigation into the matter is completed

KARACHI: A Pakistani man, who was “mistakenly” flown to Saudi Arabia last week, has moved a high court against the private airline, Air Sial, according to the court petition, which accuses the airline of demonstrating “criminal negligence” in a matter of national security.

Malik Shahzain Ahmed, a resident of Karachi, was scheduled to fly from Lahore to Karachi on July 8 on the private airline’s flight PF-146. However, he boarded an international flight to Jeddah without any visa or passport and was subsequently detained and deported by Saudi immigration authorities.

In a petition filed in the Sindh High Court on Friday, the passenger requested the court for an early hearing which the court accepted and fixed his plea for July 21. The complainant made the private airline and the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) parties in his petition.

“This is a matter of national security. A JIT (joint investigation team) should be formed on this matter,” Ahmed said in his petition filed through his lawyer, Muhammad Nawaz Dahri.

“How did a person go abroad without a ticket, without a passport and other documents? This is criminal negligence of the private airline.”

Ahmed also accused the airline management of harassing him.

“The license of the private airline should be suspended until the investigation is completed,” he requested.

In a legal notice previously served to the airline, Ahmed said he was denied assistance by the airline and subjected to humiliation, distress. He said he faced “severe mental trauma” and had to purchase another ticket to return to Karachi.

The notice had accused the airline of violating the Sindh Consumer Protection Act, 2014, citing “defective” service, lack of identity verification and “misleading representations regarding safety and professionalism.” It also alleged breaches of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Rules, 1994, the Pakistan Immigration Ordinance, 1979, and international air travel conventions, including the Montreal Convention of 1999.

In a statement after the incident was first reported by news channels, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said it had taken notice of the lapse and written letters to the civil aviation regulator and the station manager.

“In the letter, the civil aviation regulator has been requested to impose a heavy fine on the airline that is guilty of negligence,” PAA spokesman Saifullah, who goes by a single name, told Arab News.

Ahmed’s legal notice demanded a written response within two days alongside compensatory damages.

Air Sial has not publicly commented on the matter.