'He couldn't go into the pub in Jindabyne ... they'd punch his lights out'
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Express Tribune
20 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan pushes for ceasefire to end Ukrainian conflict
Pakistani Ambassador to the United Nations Asim Iftikhar Ahmad speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the Israel-Iran conflict at the UN headquarters in New York on June 20, 2025. Photo: AFP Listen to article Amid intensified aerial strikes on Ukrainian cities, Pakistan has underscored in the UN Security Council the urgent need for renewed diplomatic efforts and a comprehensive ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. "We firmly believe that military means cannot resolve this conflict," Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told the 15-member body on Thursday. "The only viable path towards sustainable peace is that of dialogue and diplomacy," he said during a meeting called by Russia to discuss "the prospects of a diplomatic solution to the Ukrainian conflict". It was the last meeting Ambassador Asim Iftikhar presided during Pakistan's presidency of the UN Security Council which ended on July 31. Thursday's meeting was met with scrutiny by a number of Council members, who stressed that it does not represent a genuine step towards renewed diplomacy, but rather serves as a distraction from Moscow's continued violations of international law. But Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy said while many in the West — who have been arming Kyiv to the teeth — are putting on "the sheep's clothing of diplomacy," they do not seem to want to close this "very dangerous chapter" of international peace and security. Moscow has never denied the potential of diplomacy, he asserted, recalling the coup in Kyiv in 2014 and its aftermath. Yet, its appeals to find mutually acceptable ways of resolving the European crisis were ignored, leaving no choice but to initiate the special military operation in February 2022. The United States Representative, John Kelley, recalled the 14 July announcement by President Donald Trump that his country will sell its defensive weapons to NATO allies, "who can then send them on". "Our support for Ukraine's defence cannot be compared to the supply of arms and materials to Russia," which enables the aggressor to continue its full-scale invasion and occupation of Ukrainian territory, the US representative said, citing the support given by North Korea, Iran and China. Russia and Ukraine must negotiate a ceasefire and a durable peace. "It is time to make a deal," he urged, declaring that "this must be done by 8 August". Washington is prepared to implement additional measures to secure peace, Kelley added. In his remarks, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan stood for de-escalation and immediate cessation of hostilities and a comprehensive ceasefire in the Ukrainian conflict. Pakistan, he said, also advocates holding of meaningful negotiations that address mutual security concerns, within the framework of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter; and adopting a path of inclusive and constructive diplomacy, involving key regional and international stakeholders to promote trust and build confidence to pave the way for a just and lasting peace. In conclusion, he added, "Pakistan reiterates its firm support for a peaceful resolution of this conflict and stands ever ready to support all efforts towards that end."
Yomiuri Shimbun
an hour ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Ukraine Says It Uncovers Major Drone Procurement Corruption Scheme
KYIV, Aug 2 (Reuters) – Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies said on Saturday they had uncovered a major graft scheme that procured military drones and signal jamming systems at inflated prices, two days after the agencies' independence was restored following major protests. The independence of Ukraine's anti-graft investigators and prosecutors, NABU and SAPO, was reinstated by parliament on Thursday after a move to take it away resulted in the country's biggest demonstrations since Russia's invasion in 2022. In a statement published by both agencies on social media, NABU and SAPO said they had caught a sitting lawmaker, two local officials and an unspecified number of national guard personnel taking bribes. None of them were identified in the statement. 'The essence of the scheme was to conclude state contracts with supplier companies at deliberately inflated prices,' it said, adding that the offenders had received kickbacks of up to 30% of a contract's cost. Four people had been arrested. 'There can only be zero tolerance for corruption, clear teamwork to expose corruption and, as a result, a just sentence,' President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram. Zelenskiy, who has far-reaching wartime presidential powers and still enjoys broad approval among Ukrainians, was forced into a rare political about-face when his attempt to bring NABU and SAPO under the control of his prosecutor-general sparked the first nationwide protests of the war. Zelenskiy subsequently said that he had heard the people's anger, and submitted a bill restoring the agencies' former independence, which was voted through by parliament on Thursday. Ukraine's European allies praised the move, having voiced concerns about the original stripping of the agencies' status. Top European officials had told Zelenskiy that Ukraine was jeopardising its bid for European Union membership by curbing the powers of its anti-graft authorities. 'It is important that anti-corruption institutions operate independently, and the law adopted on Thursday guarantees them every opportunity for a real fight against corruption,' Zelenskiy wrote on Saturday after meeting the heads of the agencies, who briefed him on the latest investigation.
NZ Herald
an hour ago
- NZ Herald
Kiwis' travel to Europe alters over climate change, insurers' $25,000 flood payout as claims rise
David, a Kiwi currently travelling through Southern Europe, said being outside during Greece's most recent heatwave 'felt like being in an oven'. In Athens, his group managed to visit the Acropolis the day before the ruins were partially shut over extreme temperatures. When the heat was at its worst, people would stay indoors or 'stick to the shade as much as possible' throughout the day – although after 6pm, the streets filled back up again. Intrepid Travel, which sees more New Zealanders join its tours per capita than any other country, has made a significant operational shift in response to travellers' concerns. David (right), a Kiwi currently travelling through Europe, said the extreme heat has "felt like being in an oven". Photo / Supplied Intrepid's Australia and New Zealand managing director Brett Mitchell said it's now 'evolving how and when we run' Europe tours, moving some to the Iberian Peninsula out of peak season (June to August) and into April, May and September. The company has also made itinerary tweaks, like visiting attractions earlier or later 'when it's cooler and less crowded'. 'For the first time, over half (55%) of our travellers to Southern Europe are booking in the shoulder seasons,' Mitchell said. 'Destinations like Italy, Spain and Portugal are still incredibly popular, but we're seeing demand shift to spring and autumn when it's cooler and less crowded.' June 2025 was Western Europe's hottest on record, with temperatures exceeding 40C in some cities. Fires have ravaged Greece, North Macedonia and other parts of the Balkans this month as extreme heat continued to roast the region. Intrepid Travel is shifting some European tours to spring and autumn due to extreme heat and overtourism concerns. Photo / AFP David, who is now in Albania, said they could 'see the wildfires on the hills' and 'firefighters tending to [the flames]' during a coastal drive. Temperatures have since dropped to about 30C, and with the ability to swim at the beach, the heat wasn't as unbearable as it was in Athens. 'Everyone goes for 'Euro summer', you expect it'll be hot ... you still have fun.' Insurers are also witnessing the consequences of climate-related disruption play out through rising claims. 'We're definitely seeing increases,' said Allianz New Zealand managing director Kevin Blyth. 'Those one-in-100-year floods are becoming far more prominent and far more prevalent than once in 100 years.' Smoke and flames rise from a wildfire near Athens on July 26. Photo / Getty Images Jess Strange, SCTI's chief customer officer, said it 'certainly feels like' travellers are making more climate-related claims. The company paid out over $593,000 across 425 claims related to cyclones, fires, floods, heatwaves, storms and turbulence between July 2024 and July 2025. One family claimed over $25,000 in accommodation and airfare costs after their flights from Tokyo were cancelled when the 2023 Auckland Anniversary floods closed Auckland Airport. Strange said the earliest flights available for the family were two weeks later via Kuala Lumpur. 'Then, bad luck struck again with that flight cancelled due to Cyclone Gabrielle.' They managed to return to Auckland on February 17 – three weeks later than originally planned. Bookings to Italy during shoulder seasons are up 16% in one year. Photo / Intrepid Travel The increasing frequency of such events is making travellers more cautious, and engaging them more with their insurance policies, Strange said. 'There's significant media coverage – traditional and social – and our customers are experiencing extreme weather events firsthand.' House of Travel chief executive David Coombes said how Kiwis book Europe travel is changing fast. 'Our early September bookings are 141% higher than mid-July and the first week of September will be our busiest week for customer departures to Europe this year.' Cooler and less crowded destinations are also seeing a surge in bookings, and Intrepid has opened its first Northern Europe office in Copenhagen to manage the influx. 'Between June and August, we've seen strong growth in Norway, Estonia, Lithuania and Iceland,' Mitchell said. Intrepid's Australia and New Zealand managing director Brett Mitchell said it's important we don't stop travelling to European destinations. Photo / Supplied 'For travellers from ANZ alone, Iceland bookings are up 46% year-on-year for those months, with Serbia (+27%), Estonia (+20%) and Bosnia & Herzegovina (+18%) also climbing.' Mitchell said bookings to Italy in the shoulder seasons alone have risen 16% in the past year. 'This shift spreads tourism more evenly across the year, which is better for our travellers and better for local communities.' With weather-related disruptions affecting everything from flight paths to cruise itineraries, insurance providers are encouraging customers to think ahead. 'Every insurance policy is different,' Coombes said. 'Many policies won't cover you if you choose not to travel due to adverse weather, or if there were warnings or advisories in place before you left New Zealand.' But rather than cancelling tours or discouraging travel to affected destinations, Intrepid wants to build a tourism model that works with a changing climate. 'We believe the most important thing we can do is not stop travelling to these places, rather adjust the way that we travel to ensure the best possible traveller experience. 'For us, this means small group, locally-led visitation that works in concert with the people and places that we visit.' As extreme weather becomes more prevalent worldwide, Mitchell said they expect climate-related questions will inevitably 'play a greater role in travel planning going forward'. Tom Rose is an Auckland-based journalist who covers breaking news, specialising in lifestyle, entertainment and travel. He joined the Herald in 2023.
