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Six UN workers killed in Israeli strike on Gaza school, as Lebanon tensions surge

Six UN workers

UNITED NATIONS: Israeli strikes killed six UN workers and civilians at a school sheltering displaced families in Gaza as needs grow, according to the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA.

At least 220 agency staff have been killed in Gaza since  the Israeli  war against the enclave began in October 2023.

UNRWA Acting Commissioner-General Christian Saunders said the safety of humanitarian staff, premises and operations had been blatantly disregarded since the beginning of the war.

“The longer impunity prevails, the more international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions will become irrelevant,” he said.

Since the fragile 10 October 2025 ceasefire agreement, local authorities have reported 1,334 deaths and 4,429 injuries in Gaza, according to the UN emergency relief agency, OCHA.

The UN’s safety and security partners reported military operations, including airstrikes, shelling, gunfire and naval fire, continued across all parts of Gaza over the weekend, particularly west of the so-called “yellow line” Israel established at the start of the ceasefire agreement.

Israeli airstrikes and other attacks continued to hit populated areas, causing casualties and property damage and driving further displacement, according to OCHA’s latest humanitarian update.

Currently, nine in 10 people in Gaza are internally displaced, including people who have been repeatedly displaced.

Overcrowding, inadequate shelter and limited access to safe water and sanitation are increasing the risk of communicable disease transmission in Gaza, particularly respiratory infections, acute watery diarrhoea and acute jaundice syndrome, OCHA said, adding that winter preparedness efforts at overcrowded displacement sites remain severely constrained by funding shortages and restrictions on the entry of essential materials.

OCHA said Israeli denials and delays of approvals for engine oil and spare parts threaten generator-dependent water, sanitation, health and waste management services.

At the same time, about one in four people in the enclave are likely to have acute and ongoing care needs, including patients with extreme injuries, amputations, head and spinal cord injuries and burns, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO).

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said that over the past seven days in the Gaza Strip, attacks killed multiple children, including reports that:

1. Sisters Bana, 6, and Lana, 12, were killed alongside their parents in an airstrike in Beit Lahia while they slept

2. Wafaa, 8, was killed in Gaza City

3.  A pregnant mother and her unborn baby were killed by gunfire in Khan Younis

4. Saadi, 3, and Obaida, 9, were also killed by gunfire in Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis

5. Hilal, 14, was injured in an airstrike in Khan Younis on Thursday. Yesterday, he died from his injuries.

Another three children died from earlier injuries, and at least 13 children were injured, the UN agency said.

“Every child must be protected,” UNICEF said. “The killing must stop.”

Meanwhile, UN peacekeepers in Lebanon continue to observe Israeli military activity inside Lebanese territory, on land, in the air and at sea, according to the Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Farhan Aziz Haq.

Of particular concern is the continued use of explosive-filled jerrycans. Between Thursday and Sunday, peacekeepers with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) observed Israeli drones dropping the devices near Al Mansuri, all of which later detonated, including at least nine explosions on Saturday alone.

UNIFIL also recorded numerous violations of Lebanese airspace, mostly by drones but also fighter jets and, on one occasion, a helicopter, with at least 32 airstrikes logged within its area of operations over the same period.

Peacekeepers reported extensive artillery activity, troop deployments, engineering work and vehicle movements across both sectors, while Israeli patrol boats were observed daily in Lebanese waters off Naqoura.

Freedom of movement also remains a concern. On Sunday, Israeli personnel held a UNIFIL patrol for two hours northeast of Kafer Chouba, and Mr. Haq repeated that peacekeepers must be able to carry out their mandated work without obstruction.

Despite the security situation, UNIFIL said the force continues to support humanitarian efforts, facilitating 16 missions in coordination with aid coordination office OCHA on Thursday and Friday.

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Health minister orders probe into Sindh MDCAT complaints

Sindh MDCAT

ISLAMABAD:Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal has taken notice of alleged irregularities in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) held in Sindh and ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the complaints.

According to official sources, the minister directed a five-member committee, including the President of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), to conduct a transparent investigation and submit its report within 15 days.

The committee has been tasked with examining the complaints and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the alleged irregularities during the examination, sources said.

The minister directed the committee to complete the inquiry within the stipulated timeframe and present its findings for further action in accordance with the applicable rules.

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CDA chairman directs faster work on Expressway East project

CDA chairman

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Sohail Ashraf has directed officials to accelerate work on the Islamabad Expressway Service Road East project while ensuring strict compliance with approved designs and construction standards.

During an inspection of the project on Saturday, the chairman reviewed progress and was briefed on ongoing works and the next phase of development.

He directed the project director and relevant departments to maintain continuous field monitoring and quality control and ensure effective traffic management to minimise inconvenience to commuters.

The chairman described the Expressway East project as an important infrastructure scheme for improving connectivity, traffic flow and road capacity in the capital. He also stressed that construction quality should not be compromised in efforts to meet the project timeline.

During the visit, he was also briefed on an ongoing enforcement operation against unauthorised and illegal construction along the Islamabad Expressway.

According to the CDA, 377 buildings have been identified for action, including 281 commercial structures. So far, 58 buildings have been sealed, while 124 buildings between Sohan and Khanna bridges have been marked for demolition.

The authority said Rs234.685 million had been recovered through land-use conversion, unauthorised construction and de-sealing charges. Around Rs3 billion remained recoverable under applicable regulations in connection with land-use conversion and violations relating to unauthorised construction, setbacks, floor area ratio and covered area.

The chairman directed the relevant departments to ensure strict enforcement of building-control and land-use regulations, particularly mandatory fire-safety requirements.

The enforcement operation is being conducted by the CDA’s Building Control Section and Enforcement Directorate in coordination with the district administration and Islamabad police.

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GB ministers call on Governor Kundi

Faisal-Karim-Kundi-Governor-KPK

PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Saturday held a meeting with a delegation of Gilgit-Baltistan ministers at the Governor’s House here and discussed the country’s political situation and other matters of mutual interest.

The delegation comprised Gilgit-Baltistan Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Zulfiqar Ali Murad, Minister for Health Iqbal Hassan and Minister for Education Aman Ali Ameer.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the prevailing political situation in the country and various issues of mutual interest. They also discussed the recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Pakistan Peoples Party’s success in the polls.

The visiting ministers were taken on a tour of the Governor’s House. Governor Kundi presented them with traditional shawls and caps.

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