Al Jazeera English
중도 성향
정치
‘Unacceptable situation’: Minister cries foul as Jamaica suffers blackout
Minister Daryl Vaz reassures residents that power had been restored across Jamaica after a rare island-wide outage.
"SITUATION" · 총 673건
필터 보기현재 지수
50.3
0 = 부정 우세
50 = 중립
100 = 긍정 우세
최근 7일 기준 88,482건을 분석한 결과, 뉴스 심리지수는 50.2(균형)입니다. 긍정 4,309건(4.9%)·중립 82,019건(92.7%)·부정 2,154건(2.4%)이며, 중립 비중이 뚜렷하게 높습니다. 성향 지수는 종합 14.9(중도 균형)입니다.
Minister Daryl Vaz reassures residents that power had been restored across Jamaica after a rare island-wide outage.
After analysing the chatter on social media and getting a sense of the situation on the ground, it was felt that refusing permission may have led to some protesters storming the venue or the police station; the confrontation would have further fuelled the anger among the youth, government sources say
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday held a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, during which they discussed the latter’s upcoming visit to Tehran, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The interior minister also briefed the prime minister on his recent engagements on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, the PMO added. “Consultations also took place between the prime minister and the interior minister regarding his upcoming visit to Tehran. The prime minister provided guidance related to the visit,” the statement added. A day earlier, Naqvi met his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni. The two ministers held an important meeting focusing on bilateral relations and the current regional situation. During the talks, both ministers exchanged views on Pakistan-Iran relations and recent regional developments, according to a post by the Interior Ministry. In the meeting today, a detailed exchange of views also took place on the country’s overall law and order situation and prevailing security conditions between the premier and the interior minister. The interior minister informed the prime minister about the measures being taken to maintain peace and security across the country and ensure the protection of citizens, the statement said. PM Shehbaz emphasised the need for close coordination among all relevant institutions and the adoption of a unified strategy to strengthen law and order and further enhance national security. On May 17, Naqvi landed in Tehran on a previously unannounced two-day visit, which diplomatic sources said was linked to Pakistan’s continuing efforts to revive the stalled Iran-US peace process after President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s latest response to American proposals. Diplomatic sources in Islamabad said the unscheduled trip was part of Pakistan’s continuing shuttle diplomacy aimed at preventing the negotiations from collapsing entirely after momentum generated by earlier rounds of talks in Islamabad slowed sharply. The visit, officially framed around bilateral and border security cooperation, came as the fragile ceasefire brokered earlier through Pakistani mediation continued to hold unevenly amid intermittent tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and prolonged disruption to global energy shipping. During the visit, Naqvi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. According to Iranian media, the minister’s one-on-one meeting with the president was held at the Presidential Palace and lasted around 90 minutes. Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were also present on the occasion, the official IRNA news agency reported. Naqvi later met Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who criticised “some regional governments” for believing that the presence of the United States would bring them security. “Recent events have shown that this presence not only fails to create security but also lays the groundwork for insecurity,” Ghalibaf was quoted as saying by IRNA. The US-Iran conflict is currently stalemated in a shaky ceasefire struck in April, which was followed by historic direct talks between the warring parties hosted by Pakistan. Though daily strikes throughout Iran and the Gulf have stopped since then, bursts of armed conflict have continued. Earlier today, tensions surged again when the US military said it struck radar sites in Iran after downing drones headed toward the strait. Shortly after, air raid sirens sounded in neighboring Gulf nations Kuwait and Bahrain — both US allies. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had targeted “enemy bases in the area” with missiles in response to a US “invasion” of the country’s Sirik and Qeshm islands. The US and Iran also exchanged attacks on each other’s military targets on Monday. After the US military carried out strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, Iran responded with a missile attack on Wednesday, damaging Kuwait’s airport and resulting in casualties. Since the conflict began, Iran has repeatedly attacked targets in the Gulf region home to US military bases. Nevertheless, diplomacy has continued with Trump under pressure to reach an agreement that would lift the US and Iranian competing blockades around the Strait of Hormuz, which have choked international oil supplies and threatened the global economy with rising prices.
ISLAMABAD: The PTI on Saturday accused the federal and Gilgit-Baltistan governments of “pre-poll rigging” over the deployment of 5,600 local police personnel and over 13,000 additional security personnel from outside the region ahead of the polls. Elections in GB are scheduled for Sunday (June 7), after a four-month delay attributed to harsh winter weather. The PPP and other political parties have staged a series of rallies across the region and ramped up efforts to garner support ahead of the polls. The PTI called upon the international community, human rights organisations and all democratic forces to take immediate notice of the gross violation of fundamental rights and the “blatant murder of democracy” in the region. Meanwhile, the party’s Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram criticised the unprecedented deployment of external forces and the “systematic suppression” of the PTI. “In a region with a total population of approximately 900,000 and only 5,600 GB police personnel, the federal government has deployed over 13,000 additional security personnel from outside Gilgit-Baltistan, including 11,000 from the Punjab Police, 1,000 from the Sindh Police, 700 from the Frontier Constabulary (FC) and 140 from the ICT Police,” he said. “This overwhelming presence of external forces, far exceeding the requirements of the local population, lays bare the regime’s alleged intent to seize control of polling stations, disrupt the voting process with the help of local proxies and engineer a pre-determined outcome on election day,” he alleged. Akram further claimed: “This massive influx of police is not for maintaining peace but for orchestrating large-scale rigging. The Form-47 government is deliberately pushing the peaceful region of Gilgit-Baltistan into an atmosphere of fear and hostility by attempting to prevent genuine voters from exercising their right to vote for the PTI.” He alleged systematic pre-poll rigging, saying internet services and landlines had been disrupted across Gilgit, noting that it was “a classic tactic to sever communication among PTI workers and supporters”. He further claimed that key PTI workers had been arrested in Gilgit over the past two days, even as the situation, according to him, had been improving for PTI candidates. “PTI MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly) were coerced and bribed to abandon the party. Leaders and workers loyal to Chairman Imran Khan were forced into exile from GB. The PTI election symbol was arbitrarily banned,” Akram claimed. “A last-minute alliance with the Gilgit-Baltistan Democratic Party was sabotaged when its symbol was abruptly withdrawn at midnight via a single text message to returning officers, without any written orders or legal justification from the Election Commission,” he claimed. “Polling schemes were manipulated to target PTI and local nationalist candidates. Postal ballots for PTI have been blocked under fabricated pretexts, while PPP and PML-N candidates enjoy unrestricted access,” Akram alleged. The party’s information secretary further alleged that PTI leaders and workers were barred from campaigning on “flimsy and unlawful grounds”, with no supporting notification or law produced by the Election Commission despite repeated demands by PTI lawyers. “Rallies have been stopped and public movement restricted. Even the chief election commissioner told PTI lawyers that the party’s candidates should be ‘thankful’ for being allowed to submit nomination forms — a shocking admission of the commission’s alleged partisan role and complete abandonment of neutrality,” he said. Akram alleged that in the final days of nominations, government ministers ensured that no viable PTI candidate remained in the field, further claiming that the administration was openly pressuring voters to vote for the PML-N and PPP, while widespread pre-poll rigging continued unabated in every constituency. “It is an open secret that both the PPP and PML-N are banking on yet another Form 47-style manipulation because they know the people of Gilgit-Baltistan overwhelmingly support Imran Khan and the PTI,” he claimed. “The message has been clearly conveyed to PTI leaders that the party will not be allowed to win any seats, and that any resistance or noise will result in the disqualification of candidates before polling. This is not an election; it is a state-orchestrated farce designed to crush the democratic will of the people,” Akram asserted. He warned that unconstitutional and undemocratic tactics would not succeed in silencing the resilient people of Gilgit-Baltistan, who remained firmly committed to the vision of Imran Khan. He called upon the international community, human rights organisations and all democratic forces to take immediate notice of the gross violation of fundamental rights and the “blatant murder of democracy” in Gilgit-Baltistan. The PTI also expressed concern and disappointment over the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government’s sudden decision to declare the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) a proscribed organisation. “The party strongly believes that political, social and constitutional grievances must be addressed through democratic engagement, meaningful dialogue and constitutional means, not through bans, coercion or the use of force,” it said in an official statement. “If JAAC was truly a terrorist organisation, why did the government spend months negotiating with it, signing agreements with it, implementing its demands, holding meetings with its leadership and treating it as a legitimate stakeholder?” it asked. The PTI claimed that this was the “same failed model” used against itself, involving the suppression of peaceful protest, blocking of roads, suspension of communication, intimidation of citizens, and branding “every democratic demand as a threat to the state”.
Delhi Police on Saturday issued a clarification on X, dismissing claims circulating on social media that an FIR had been registered against protesters who participated in the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) demonstration at Jantar Mantar.In its post, Delhi Police stated: "Certain social media posts and news reports are claiming that Delhi Police has registered an FIR against the protesters at Jantar Mantar."The police further clarified: "It is clarified that no such FIR has been registered."Urging people not to spread misinformation, the post added: "Citizens are advised not to believe or circulate unverified information. Please rely only on official updates issued by Delhi Police."The clarification came amid widespread discussion online following the protest organised by the youth-led movement.— DelhiPolice (@DelhiPolice) Delhi Police denies reports of FIR against CJP protestersThe statement was issued after reports and social media posts suggested that legal action had been initiated against individuals who attended the protest at Jantar Mantar.However, Delhi Police made it clear that no FIR had been registered in connection with the demonstration.The department urged citizens to verify information through official channels before sharing it online, highlighting the importance of preventing the spread of false or misleading claims.Six people detained as precaution during Jantar Mantar protestEarlier in the day, Delhi Police confirmed that six individuals had been detained as a preventive measure to avoid any possible confrontation between rival groups near the protest venue.According to officials, police received inputs indicating the possibility of tensions between supporters and opponents of the online movement.The detentions were carried out to maintain law and order and ensure that the protest concluded peacefully.Officials said the individuals were taken into preventive custody after allegedly attempting to create a disturbance near the demonstration site.No major incidents were reported during the gathering.Heavy security deployed across Delhi for CJP demonstrationDelhi Police implemented extensive security arrangements ahead of the protest.More than 1,000 police personnel were deployed across New Delhi district and other sensitive locations in the national capital.Additional security measures were also put in place at Indira Gandhi International Airport and major border entry points.Senior officers closely monitored the situation, while barricades were installed around Jantar Mantar to regulate movement and maintain separation between groups.The security arrangements were aimed at ensuring public safety and preventing any disruption during the event.Hundreds gather at Jantar Mantar for Cockroach Janta Party protestThe protest was led by Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke and attracted hundreds of participants, including students and young professionals.Many attendees wore cockroach masks and carried flowers as symbols associated with the movement.Several school students were also seen attending the gathering along with their parents.Participants raised slogans demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment processes.The protest focused on calls for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over concerns related to examination and recruitment systems.Why students joined the CJP protestThe Cockroach Janta Party emerged as a youth-driven online movement following allegations of irregularities in various examinations and recruitment tests.Supporters have raised concerns regarding examinations such as NEET, CUET, CBSE-linked tests and Staff Selection Commission (SSC) recruitment processes.Over the past several weeks, the group has expanded its reach through social media campaigns advocating greater transparency, accountability and reforms in examination systems.The Jantar Mantar gathering marked one of the movement's largest public demonstrations so far.Delhi Police urges public to rely on official informationFollowing the protest, Delhi Police reiterated the importance of relying on verified information from official sources.The department's clarification on X sought to counter rumours about an FIR and prevent misinformation from spreading online.While preventive detentions were carried out to maintain order, police confirmed that no FIR had been registered against protesters participating in the demonstration.Authorities continue to monitor the situation and have urged citizens to exercise caution before sharing unverified claims on social media.Inputs from agencies
Mirra Andreeva won her first Grand Slam title on Saturday by downing Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in straight sets in the French Open final. The 19-year-old Russian beat Chwalinska 6-3, 6-2 to become the youngest Roland Garros women’s singles champion since Monica Seles, then aged 18, won her third straight title in Paris in 1992. With her first-ever major crown, Andreeva also became the first player, man or woman, born after 2005 to win a Grand Slam. Russia’s Mirra Andreeva reacts as she celebrates her victory over Poland’s Maja Chwalinska at the end of their women’s final singles match on day 14 of the French Open tennis tournament. — AFP The Coupe Suzanne Lenglen will now take centre spot in Andreeva’s burgeoning trophy cabinet, which already features two WTA 1000 titles. “I’ve been watching Roland Garros on TV since I was very, very young, so it’s also a big dream of mine to win this tournament and I honestly cannot believe that I’m holding this trophy right now,” Andreeva said on court, before thanking her team and notably her psychologist. “Congrats to Maja for these amazing three weeks, passing through qualies, winning so many matches, beating so many great players.” Defeat at the final hurdle brought to an end an astonishing run which started in qualifying for Chwalinska, who won nine matches in the French capital to become the first qualifier to reach the final in the Open era. “I will definitely not forget these three weeks,” she said. “Paris will stay forever in my heart.” However, the world number 114’s career will now be on a different stratosphere as she will climb to 21 in the rankings and be assured of competing regularly in tennis’ biggest tournaments. “Congrats to Mirra, you’re such an incredible player. You’re so young and talented, it’s so annoying,” Chwalinska said. “Congrats to you, congrats to your team for an amazing job, and I wish you all the best in the future. “I wish (the spectators) could see a better match today, but Mirra was just too good for me, so I guess it’s her fault.” True grit Chwalinska displayed some early nerves as she dumped two serves straight into the net on the very first point of the match. Both players seemed to be struggling with the occasion, a situation not helped by blustery conditions on centre court, as four consecutive breaks of serve started the match. Poland’s Maja Chwalinska poses with the runners up trophy on the podium at the end of her women’s final singles match against Russia’s Mirra Andreeva on day 14 of the French Open tennis tournament. — AFP First Chwalinska then Andreeva held as they continued to probe each other in their first meeting. The Russian dug in and moved back into the ascendancy as she showed the greater consistency of the pair to win the next three games. Two Andreeva errors and an unplayable drop shot gave the Pole the chance to instantly wipe out that advantage but the teen showed serious mettle to pull off a battling hold and at 3-0 the writing looked on the wall for Chwalinska. Andreeva then rattled through the next two games to move to the brink. But Chwalinska refused to give in and held to make it 5-1, before breaking Andreeva as she served for the match. However, the new world number six was not to be denied as she pounced in the very next game to claim the biggest trophy so far of her fledgling career. A backhand winner sent her crumpling to her knees as she surpassed her coach Conchita Martinez’s 2000 runner-up finish at Roland Garros. The winner of that duel, Mary Pierce, was present for the trophy ceremony, a fact not lost on Andreeva despite it taking place nearly seven years before her birth. “I don’t know if I should thank you, Mary, as you beat my coach here in the final,” she quipped. “But I’m joking of course, thank you so much! “
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday held a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, during which they discussed the latter’s upcoming visit to Tehran, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The interior minister also briefed the prime minister on his recent engagements on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, the PMO added. “Consultations also took place between the prime minister and the interior minister regarding his upcoming visit to Tehran. The prime minister provided guidance related to the visit,” the statement added. A day earlier, Naqvi met his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni. The two ministers held an important meeting focusing on bilateral relations and the current regional situation. During the talks, both ministers exchanged views on Pakistan-Iran relations and recent regional developments, according to a post by the Interior Ministry. During the meeting, a detailed exchange of views also took place on the country’s overall law and order situation and prevailing security conditions. The interior minister informed the prime minister about the measures being taken to maintain peace and security across the country and ensure the protection of citizens, the statement said. PM Shehbaz emphasised the need for close coordination among all relevant institutions and the adoption of a unified strategy to strengthen law and order and further enhance national security. On May 17, Naqvi landed in Tehran on a previously unannounced two-day visit, which diplomatic sources said was linked to Pakistan’s continuing efforts to revive the stalled Iran-US peace process after President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s latest response to American proposals. Diplomatic sources in Islamabad said the unscheduled trip was part of Pakistan’s continuing shuttle diplomacy aimed at preventing the negotiations from collapsing entirely after momentum generated by earlier rounds of talks in Islamabad slowed sharply. The visit, officially framed around bilateral and border security cooperation, came as the fragile ceasefire brokered earlier through Pakistani mediation continued to hold unevenly amid intermittent tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and prolonged disruption to global energy shipping. During the visit, Naqvi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. According to Iranian media, the minister’s one-on-one meeting with the president was held at the Presidential Palace and lasted around 90 minutes. Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were also present on the occasion, the official IRNA news agency reported. Naqvi later met Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who criticised “some regional governments” for believing that the presence of the United States would bring them security. “Recent events have shown that this presence not only fails to create security but also lays the groundwork for insecurity,” Ghalibaf was quoted as saying by IRNA.
U.S. Central Command said on social media Friday night that Iran fired seven ballistic missiles toward Kuwait and Bahrain.
The world should analyze the situation surrounding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Executive Secretary of the presidential commission on fuel and energy sector development strategy and environmental security and Rosneft CEO said
Nearly 500 Ebola cases have now been confirmed in the deadly outbreak raging in central Africa, a WHO overview showed on Saturday, amid mounting concern over the swelling scale of the epidemic. In its daily update on the situation, the World Health Organization tallied 452 confirmed cases, including 82 deaths, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), where the outbreak was declared three weeks ago. In neighbouring Uganda, meanwhile, it counted 19 confirmed cases, including two deaths. The...
India's onion farmers, particularly in Maharashtra's Nashik district, are facing a deepening crisis as falling auction rates and oversupply continue to push prices downward. In what many are calling the "Onion Paradox," bumper production has failed to translate into profits, leaving growers burdened with mounting debt and financial losses. As returns shrink, several farmers are reportedly shifting to less risky crops in search of stable incomes.The situation has triggered growing demands for government intervention, with farmer groups seeking measures such as better price support, improved procurement systems, export incentives, and market reforms. The crisis highlights the challenges faced by agricultural producers when supply outpaces demand, leaving farmers vulnerable despite strong harvests. n18oc_breaking-newsn18oc_IndiaNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube
Hundreds of young students gathered in New Delhi on Saturday for the first street protest by the satirical “Cockroach People’s Party” over alleged irregularities in recent major examinations. Carrying paper cockroach masks and pamphlets, the protesters called for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan who has faced criticism over the irregularities, including question paper leaks and technical glitches. “We want accountability from the government,” Utkarsh Raj, a medical college aspirant, told AFP at the protest site, which was watched closely by police officers in riot gear. “How is it that exam papers get leaked in this country? How is this right?” added Raj, 16. Protesters were led by Abhijeet Dipke, a 30-year-old Boston University graduate who arrived in New Delhi from the United States on Saturday. “The youth of the country will no longer fear anyone, they will fight,” Dipke, a former political communications strategist for the opposition Aam Aadmi Party, told supporters at the rally. “Cockroaches don’t ever fear, they never die either,” said Dipke, as others shouted in unison. Protesters said young people were justifiably angry. “India deserves better administration of such crucial exams by the government,” said 20-year-old Sarthak, who gave only one name. Last month, authorities scrapped the nationwide medical college entrance exam after investigators uncovered a question paper leak. Indian media reported suicides of teenagers following the fiasco over the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET), one of the country’s most competitive exams. That came on top of another scandal related to online marking system in tests taken by nearly two million high school students. “Young people have to give these exams and they can’t have a situation where these exam systems have no credibility left,” said Sapan Gyan, 52, who accompanied his sons to the protest. Modi’s government has blocked the movement’s X account in the country, a move the Cockroach Janta Party has challenged in a Delhi court. Senior cabinet minister Kiren Rijiju has accused the group of seeking followers from Pakistan and the “anti-India gang”. The group, which has amassed roughly 22 million Instagram followers since launching in mid-May, is the largest online expression of dissent against the Hindu nationalist Modi’s 12-year-old rule, fuelled by persistently high youth unemployment and recurring leaks of examination papers that threaten to derail the careers of millions of students. Political analysts say the group’s popularity has begun to dent Modi’s image despite his party’s recent victories in key state elections, even as wider frustration grows over rising fuel prices and gas shortages brought by the Middle East war. India has nearly 400 million people aged 15 to 29, and generating non-farm jobs for them remains one of its biggest challenges despite rapid growth. The urban youth jobless rate was nearly 14 per cent in April. Many educated young people are also stuck in low-paid or insecure jobs that do not match their skills, economists say.
BJP accused TVK of portraying the struggle for rights as a threat to peace and questioned his argument that the situation should remain as it was two years ago.
Few situations test the integrity of human relationships more severely than the necessity of refusal. To deny a request from a friend or family member is to step onto morally treacherous ground, where competing obligations collide: compassion contends with judgment, loyalty with prudence, and the desire to preserve affection with the duty to remain truthful. […] The post Very kind, yet not nice, By Osmund Agbo appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.
Trois des plus gros youtubeurs français viennent de lancer une nouvelle boisson énergisante. Squeezie, Inoxtag et Léna Situations la présentent comme une alternative plus naturelle aux boissons énergisantes actuelles. Un marketing remis en question par plusieurs voix, sur Internet.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said on Saturday that fewer people are opting to take long-route buses for short trips following revisions to the HK$2 transport subsidy scheme. Since April 3, those aged 60 and above and the disabled have been paying 20 percent of fares for trips costing more than HK$10 and a flat HK$2 fare for those costing less than that. Sun said the amount paid out in subsidies in April was HK$69 million less than that for March – the final month before the measures took effect. He also pointed out that April had fewer days than March and more public holidays. "If we look at the average subsidy for each trip, particularly rides costing more than 10 dollars, we can see that for each trip in March, it was HK$4.90. In April, the average was HK$4.50, meaning the amount that the government subsidised had become less," he said. "This also means that the number of people taking longer-route bus trips under the HK$2 transport subsidy scheme has fallen slightly." On another issue, Sun said social workers had, in the morning, met a couple who had been arrested on suspicion of child neglect involving their baby, Danny, to better understand their situation and keep them up to date on the latest developments concerning the one-and-a-half-month-old boy. The infant, who has been placed in a shelter under professional care, is in very good condition, he said. Sun noted that a court is processing a protection order for the baby which the Social Welfare Department is seeking. “For the next step, we have to wait for the court to approve an official protection order. "At the same time we have launched a multi-disciplinary system to assess Danny's condition, to understand the family situation,” he said. “After the multi-disciplinary group has carried out an assessment, we will propose to the court our next move.” Sun added that social workers would work out arrangements to accompany the parents on visits to baby Danny. Edited by Azam Khan
Pakistan and India again traded barbs at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) — this time on occupied Kashmir — with Islamabad slamming the other side for “misleading” the council. Speaking during the presentation of the UNSC’s Annual Report to the General Assembly on Friday, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad called for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute, according to a press release. Pakistan coordinated and drafted the introduction to the annual report. Subsequently, in his statement, India’s UN envoy, Harish Parvathaneni, accused Pakistan of misusing the UN platforms for its so-called “divisive political interests”. He also asserted that the occupied region of Jammu and Kashmir “was, is and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India”. In turn, Political Coordinator at the Pakistan Mission Gul Qaiser Sarwani, utilising the right of reply, pointed out that Jammu and Kashmir “remains an internationally recognised dispute on the agenda of the Security Council”. “No amount of obfuscation can alter the historical, legal and international character of this dispute. Jammu and Kashmir never was, neither is, and nor will ever be so-called an integral part of India,” the official declared. “I would advise the Indian representative to carefully read the report, rather than denying facts, deflecting attention and misleading the august Assembly,” Sarwani said, highlighting facts stated in the Annual Report. He continued: “Nearly eight decades after the Council’s resolutions, calling for a UN-supervised plebiscite, the Kashmiri people continue to be denied their inalienable right to self-determination. “Meanwhile, arbitrary detentions, restrictions on fundamental freedoms, demographic engineering and other human rights violations continue in the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The gravity of the situation was reflected in the Joint Communication issued by United Nations Special Procedures on 16 October 2025.” Sarwani emphasised that “by refusing to implement Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, India continues to disregard its obligations under the UN Charter, including Article 25, which requires member states to accept and carry out” the UNSC’s decisions. He then went on to shed light on New Delhi’s “troubling record: sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan, perpetrating state terrorism in the IIOJK, conducting state-backed assassination campaigns in foreign countries, stoking violence against minorities, support for destabilising activities in the region and disregard for international law, including its unlawful attempt to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance”. Continued relevance of Kashmir, Palestine issues In his remarks, Ambassador Ahmad said the UNSC’s Annual Report for 2025 highlighted the continued relevance of long-standing disputes on the council’s agenda, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the Question of Palestine. “Pakistan believes that durable peace in South Asia requires a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, who must be allowed to exercise their right to self-determination promised to them by the Security Council and the international community,” he said. Ahmad highlighted that more than 20 communications concerning the India-Pakistan Question were brought to the attention of the UNSC during the reporting period, adding that the council also held closed consultations under this agenda item in May 2025. This, he said, underscores that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which has remained on the UNSC’s agenda for more than seven decades, continues to engage its attention. Ambassador Ahmad also raised the Palestine question, calling for the implementation of the UNSC’s Resolution 2083, which was adopted in November 2025 and endorsed US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. He noted that the continuing tragedy in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in Gaza, remained high on the UNSC’s agenda. Referring to the unanimous adoption of Pakistan-sponsored Resolution 2788 in July 2025, Ambassador Ahmad said that it reflected a shared commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes and the fuller utilisation of the UN Charter’s mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution. The envoy noted that Pakistan coordinated and drafted the introduction to the UNSC’s 2025 Annual Report in its capacity as the Council President in July 2025. “As a penholder, Pakistan’s objective was to make the report comprehensive, objective, analytical, and consensus-based, while recognising that further improvements remain possible,” the press release noted. Underscoring the importance of a more democratic and accountable multilateral system in light of current global challenges, the envoy expressed Pakistan’s concern over the use of veto among the member states and called for reforms within the UNSC. Ahmad opposed the expansion of permanent seats and veto powers, arguing that such measures would undermine the objectives of reform. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to comprehensive UNSC reform that serves the interests of the wider UN membership, encapsulated in its position: “Reform for all, privilege for none.”
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Kolokoltsev, signed agreements to enhance cooperation in preventing illegal immigration and drug trafficking, the interior ministry said on Saturday. Naqvi is currently attending a special meeting of the Ministers of Interior and Public Security of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. According to the interior ministry, Naqvi and Kolokoltsev signed agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation to curb illegal immigration and facilitate the repatriation of citizens. The two also signed an agreement to enhance collaboration in combating narcotics and preventing drug trafficking. Meanwhile, Naqvi also held separate meetings with his counterparts from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, the ministry said. It added that during his meeting with Tajikistan’s Interior Minister Rahimzoda Ramazon Hamro, the discussions focused on terrorist camps inside Afghanistan. “Both ministers agreed that terrorist camps and narcotics production in Afghanistan pose serious security concerns for the region,” the ministry said, adding that they noted that 25 terrorist organisations were currently active in Afghanistan. During the meeting with Uzbekistan’s Interior Minister Aziz Tashpulato, the discussions focused on cooperation between law enforcement agencies and joint training initiatives. It was decided that a working group would be established to enhance cooperation between the interior ministries of the two countries, the ministry said. Separately, Naqvi and Kyrgyzstan Interior Minister Ulan Niyazbekov agreed to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The interior minister congratulated Kyrgyzstan on being elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and also thanked him for the excellent arrangements for the SCO moot, the ministry added. Naqvi also met with his Kazakh counterpart Yerzhan Sadenov, where the two ministers agreed to enhance cooperation in preventing illegal immigration. They also decided to establish a working group of their respective ministries to strengthen bilateral cooperation, the ministry said. Naqvi addressed the moot on Friday and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the “Shanghai spirit” and called for a joint strategy among SCO member states to counter terrorism, organised crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime and terror financing. On Thursday, Naqvi met his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni, on the sidelines of the moot and the two discussed bilateral relations and the current regional situation. Both ministers also exchanged views on Pakistan–Iran relations and the latest regional situation.
This blunder will be featured in Victor Wembanayama "motivation" highlight reels for years to come.
“The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease” — Sir William Osler (1849-1919) IN 1986, Carlo Petrini founded the ‘slow food’ movement in Italy to counteract the so-called ‘fast food’, by promoting local food cultures, traditional cooking and sustainable farming. Inspired by this, the concept of ‘slow medicine’ took birth: a patient-centred approach to healthcare that prioritises time, listening, and comprehensive care over rapid, high-tech, intensive interventions. It emphasises quality, the patient’s context and shared decision-making to avoid hurried, unnecessary, harmful treatments. There is no doubt that modern medicine is revolutionising healthcare. In emergency situations diagnoses are generated in minutes. Imaging technologies are replacing exploratory surgery. Algorithms now identify patterns invisible to the human eye. This advancement has saved countless lives. Yet amid this relentless drive for efficiency, questions are emerging: what do we lose in this fast-paced medicine? Most health challenges are the result of an imbalance in our lives, and most quick-fix solutions actually exacerbate these imbalances. The slow medicine approach focuses on identifying the root cause of our health challenges, creating a thoughtful, step-by-step and long-term response to restore balance in our lives, because good care requires time, attention, and reflection. It reminds us that patients are not just a set of signs and symptoms to be fixed, but individuals whose illnesses are embedded in social, psychological and cultural contexts. For countries like Pakistan, slow medicine is particularly relevant. Slow medicine is built on three principles: careful deliberation before intervention; minimal necessary treatment rather than maximal possible treatment; and respect for the patient’s lived experience and values. It asks physicians to pause and think before acting. In medicine, as in life, acting quickly is not always acting wisely. The concept has gained attention in response to the global problem of overdiagnosis, overtreatment and rising costs of healthcare. As diagnostic tools become more sensitive, medicine increasingly detects abnormalities that may never cause harm. Small lesions, borderline results and incidental findings often mean further tests and interventions, leading to unnecessary physical, psychological and financial stress. Slow medicine offers a different approach. It suggests that not every abnormal result or every symptom requires a battery of tests and immediate action. Observation, patience, context and careful history-taking can be more valuable in many situations. Although the principles of slow medicine can be applied to any clinical interaction, there are at least four areas where they are most relevant. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease evolve over years, shaped by lifestyle, environment and stress. Managing them effectively requires careful and thoughtful history-taking, a good doctor-patient relationship, continuity of care and gradual adjustment. Understanding why the condition exists in the first place is more important than simply making changes to the prescription. Secondly, mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and trauma are closely related to relationships and social contexts. In healthcare systems like Pakistan, mental health consultations are brief, fragmented and heavily reliant on medications. Very few psychiatric consultations end without a prescription. Yet psychological healing often depends on something more essential: being listened to and understood — things that cannot be rushed. Geriatric care is another area. Older patients frequently have multiple conditions, medications and vulnerabilities. Aggressive interventions may prolong life but at the cost of dignity and comfort. Slow medicine shifts the question from ‘what more can we do?’ to ‘what is worth doing?’ In many cases, less intervention results in better quality of life. End-of-life care perhaps represents the most profound expression of slow medicine philosophy. The goal is no longer cure but care: relief of pain and suffering, preserving dignity, and respecting patients’ and family’s wishes. This requires patience, tolerance and time and cannot be rushed. For countries like Pakistan, slow medicine is particularly relevant. Many of the country’s health problems are shaped by societal conditions: poverty, unemployment, rampant inflation, political uncertainty, violence, etc leading to medicalisation of social distress. Patients and physicians both get trapped in seeing these problems through the biomedical lens, ie, quick assessment in which patients’ complaints are addressed through various lab and radiology tests, followed by medicines, while the root cause of their complaints are hardly ever asked about or addressed. Doctors are neither trained nor feel comfortable enquiring about social factors as most wonder that even if they inquire about them what can they can do about it. No wonder the burden of almost all conditions — communicable and non-communicable — is extremely high in Pakistan. Ultimately, slow medicine is not about rejecting urgency where it is necessary — emergencies demand rapid action, and modern medicine excels in such moments. It is about recognising that much of healthcare does not occur in emergencies. It unfolds over time — in chronic illness, in mental health, in ageing and in recovery. In these areas, haste can do more harm than good. At its heart, slow medicine is a reminder of what medicine has always aspired to be: not just a technical but a human one — one that demands not only scientific advancement, but also wisdom, humility, compassion and humanity. It asks clinicians to see beyond the scan, the lab report and the prescription pad, and to engage with the person behind the patient. It reminds us that the true practice of medicine is in caring for people. In 1953, Sir Robert Hutchison wrote A physician’s prayer: “From inability to let well alone; from too much zeal for the new and contempt for what is old; from putting knowledge before wisdom, science before art, and cleverness before common sense; from treating patients as cases; and from making the cure of the disease more grievous than the endurance of the same, Good Lord, deliver us.” More than 70 years later, his prophetic words remain strikingly relevant to modern medicine. The writer is professor emeritus, psychiatry, Aga Khan University. mmkarticle@gmail.com Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2026