Latest news with #Bashir
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
The long and deadly walk Gazans are forced to take for a food parcel
Carrying empty sacks and plastic containers, many walked for hours in hopes of collecting basic food supplies for their families. Gazans are forced to travel long, often dangerous distances — through active combat zones — to reach new, controversial aid distribution sites. The journey is impossible for many disabled or injured people, as well as the elderly and families with small children. Many of those who can take the risk of being killed in an active war zone and of being shot during chaotic scenes at aid centres say the journey for aid is worth it. Ahmed Bashir, 36, walked more than 12 kilometres to reach the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) centre. "My feet and back hurt," says the father of several children, "but coming back with a parcel of food is a victory." The package — containing flour, rice, pasta, sugar, salt, and tea — can last a family about a week, Bashir estimates. "Every morning I wake up wondering if I can feed my children today." Still, Bashir, who lives with his children in the al-Mawasi humanitarian zone after being driven from his home during Israel's Gaza offensive, feels conflicted. "It feels like we're being manipulated. Like they want us to forget where we come from." Israeli soldiers have been accused of opening fire and killing dozens of people seeking aid amid chaotic scenes during the distribution of food in the new centre in Rafah in Gaza's south. GHF employees have denied killings and say they fire warning shots when Palestinians rush to the front, forcing employees of the US company to retreat. Israel halted aid deliveries in March Most of the population in Gaza has been desperate for food since Israel began blocking all aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip in March, before it ended a ceasefire with the Islamist Hamas. It has justified its moves as increasing pressure on the group to release the remaining hostages. According to Israel, at least 20 hostages are still alive and being held in Gaza by Hamas or affiliated militant groups. The fate of three other captives remains uncertain, while the bodies of 35 abductees have been identified. Former hostages have described their captivity as brutal, recounting experiences of torture, humiliation and being kept in chains. Israel began its offensive in Gaza more than a year and a half ago after the Hamas-led attacks in October 2023 which killed around 1,200 people. Israel's offensive has since killed more than 53,000 according to the Hamas-led Health Ministry. External analysis suggests the death toll is significantly higher in reality. According to the GHF, which was established just a few months ago, the controversial aid system requires one representative from each Palestinian family to visit a distribution centre every five days to collect a food parcel. According to the organization, around 8,000 food parcels have been distributed so far — each intended to sustain roughly 5.5 people for 3.5 days — providing a total of approximately 462,000 meals. In its initial phase, the system is expected to reach only about 60% of Gaza's population. Roughly two million Palestinians live in the war-torn territory, many of whom have been displaced multiple times by ongoing fighting. UN considers the new aid mechanism dangerous With the establishment of four initial distribution points in the southern and central Gaza Strip, Israel says it aims to bypass the United Nations and other international aid organizations. The stated goal is to prevent Hamas from intercepting supplies or profiting from them. However, UN officials have criticized the plan, noting that Israel has not provided concrete evidence that aid is being diverted by Hamas. The United Nations has also warned that the new aid mechanism is both inefficient and unsafe. Critics say the system fails to meet the basic standards of humanitarian relief and that Israel is using hunger to kettle starving civilians into Gaza's south. "Aid should be coordinated by the United Nations, not by an unknown foundation," says Ibtisam Abu Salem, a nurse from central Gaza. Adding to the disruption, deliveries are frequently halted whenever the Israeli army issues new evacuation orders — a recurring occurrence in the volatile region. Many residents say they are physically and emotionally exhausted, worn down not only by fear of attacks but also by the repeated calls to flee their homes. Locals suspicious of new system Many in Gaza express scepticism and mistrust of the new system. "We don't know who is behind it," says Ibrahim Abdul Jawad, who lives in the City of Gaza in the north. He believes that people are afraid that the operators are working with the Israeli military and that there could be arrests or pressure to help Israeli intelligence services in the distribution centres. The Hamas-controlled Interior Ministry has called on residents to boycott the new distribution mechanism, claiming the new system is part of an intelligence gathering operation. "We don't want any help from unknown groups," says Abu Chalid, an elderly man who comes from Beit Lahia in the north of the coastal strip. Forced to flee to Nuseirat in central Gaza during the war, he shares the concern about potential arrests at the newly established aid distribution centres. "We trust [the UN agency for Palestinian refugees] because it has been here for decades," says the Palestinian, who used to be a farmer. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) employs around 13,000 people in the Gaza Strip. Israel accuses the organization of being infiltrated by the Islamist Hamas. Israel has not provided evidence to back up its claim, which the UN body denies. Jalal Hamatu, another father, speaks with bitter clarity: "The world is debating our existence while we starve. We don't need speeches — we need bread."
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
England's Bashir open to leaving Somerset
Shoaib Bashir took nine wickets in England's defeat of Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge [Getty Images] England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir is open to leaving Somerset when his contract expires at the end of the season in order to play more county cricket. The 21-year-old is first-choice spinner for Ben Stokes' Test team but behind left-armer Jack Leach in the pecking order at Taunton. Advertisement Bashir had three County Championship matches on loan at Glamorgan earlier this season and one match for Worcestershire in 2024. He is now free to speak to other counties as, from 1 June each year, players with expiring contracts are permitted to negotiate with other clubs. ESPNCricinfo have named Surrey, Warwickshire and Worcestershire as potential destinations. Bashir signed a two-year deal with Somerset in 2023, and was then picked for England's tour of India the following year after playing only six first-class matches. Despite a modest domestic record – Bashir's average in the County Championship is 84 – he has thrived for his country under Stokes' leadership. Advertisement He was man of the match in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe last month with career-best match figures of 9-143, which also included Bashir becoming the youngest England man to reach 50 Test wickets. While he has replaced Leach as England's number one spinner, Somerset have kept faith with the 33-year-old as their first choice. Bashir's route to Somerset's first XI is further complicated by the emergence of 19-year-old Archie Vaughan, who provides an all-round option with his off-breaks.
Scroll.in
2 days ago
- Climate
- Scroll.in
Jammu & Kashmir: Ramban downpour devastation was made worse by construction
On April 19, Bashir Ahmad, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, was carrying a load of 600 apple boxes in his truck when he left from Shopian district. While on his way, heavy rainfall began to lash the region, forcing the closure of roads. Bashir parked his truck near Ramban town, hoping to resume his journey once the weather cleared. However, on the intervening night of April 19 and 20, landslides triggered by incessant rains struck the region. 'My fellow driver and I were sleeping in the truck when we heard a loud rumbling noise – landslides and stones crashing down from the mountains,' he said. 'We immediately ran to a safer place.' When daylight broke the next morning, Bashir was distraught to find his truck buried under debris. 'The truck along with the apples was completely damaged,' he said. The truck, valued at around Rs 20 lakh, was carrying apples worth Rs 5 lakh scheduled for delivery in Delhi. Bashir's story is just one among hundreds affected by the massive natural calamity that struck the hilly district of Ramban. On April 19 and 20, heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and cloudbursts triggered flash floods that wreaked havoc across the district, particularly affecting the Ramban town and its surrounding villages. The flash floods caused widespread destruction, particularly to a 10 kilometre stretch of the vital Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, cutting off traffic movement for days. According to the India Meteorological Department, Ramban district received over 117 millimetres of rainfall between April 19 and the morning of April 21, with the heaviest downpour recorded during the intervening night of April 19-20. Widespread destruction Brijesh Kumar, a resident of Ramban, vividly recalled the terrifying night. 'It felt like there was a massive explosion around 3 am during the intervening night of April 19-20,' he said. 'Mud and rocks came crashing down from the mountains, blocking the highway and burying dozens of vehicles. Hundreds of homes were damaged, and many were completely washed away.' Another local, Ravi Kumar, spoke of his personal tragedy. 'Both my shops were swept away by the flash floods,' he said. 'I lost my entire livelihood in just one night.' The devastation left residents in shock, struggling to comprehend the scale of destruction. Ramban legislator Arjun Singh told Mongabay India that 80% of the town had been affected. 'We have never seen such devastation in our lives,' he added. 'Many villages were left without electricity or mobile connectivity for days. Several areas remained inaccessible due to debris and damaged roads.' Preliminary figures of the government reveal the staggering scale of the damage. Three people died and nearly 10,000 livestock – including sheep, goats, and cattle – were killed. At least 109 residential homes were completely destroyed, while 227 others suffered partial damage. A total of 67 commercial structures, including shops, business establishments, and hotels, were fully damaged, and 78 others sustained partial damage. The floods also destroyed 96 private vehicles and 126 commercial vehicles. Additionally, over 3,000 vehicles were stranded along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway for several days due to landslides and avalanches. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the areas and assured proper rehabilitation and compensation to victims. Director of the Meteorological Department Kashmir, Mukhtar Ahmad, said that they had issued an advisory warning of a western disturbance impacting Jammu and Kashmir from April 18. 'We had already advised that inclement weather could lead to a rise in water levels in rivers, streams, and nallahs – and unfortunately, that is what happened,' he said. According to a Jammu & Kashmir State Disaster Management Authority report, the Union Territory has long been vulnerable to both natural and human-induced disasters due to its peculiar topography, rugged terrain, extreme weather conditions, and underdeveloped infrastructure. 'Hazards such as earthquakes, flash floods, fires, droughts, avalanches, and landslides frequently result in the loss of human lives and extensive damage to public and private property,' the report says. Construction, human activity Experts believe that the scale of the recent disaster was worsened by human activities, particularly unplanned construction and infrastructure development. Yudhbir Singh, a geologist at the University of Jammu, pointed to a combination of natural and human-induced factors behind the devastation. 'It was undoubtedly a natural calamity, but the magnitude of the damage was amplified by human interference,' he said. 'We have witnessed a tremendous surge in construction activities, including road development and private infrastructure projects.' He explained that many natural water channels in the region have been blocked by construction. 'When rainfall occurs and these channels are blocked, there is no path for the water to flow,' he told Mongabay India. 'As a result, water levels rise uncontrollably, flooding villages and triggering flash floods. There are several places where buildings have been raised directly on old water channels, blocking the natural drainage paths.' He further stressed the urgent need for comprehensive planning, including the construction of concrete embankments along rivers and the proper diversion of floodwaters. 'Without proper flood channel management, we are inviting future disasters,' he said, pointing out that the construction of the four-lane highway had further increased vulnerabilities. 'At several places, debris from mountain excavation was simply dumped to construct roads over it. These makeshift foundations are prone to collapse during heavy rains, triggering landslides.' Citing an example, he noted that in one area where a landslide had occurred years ago, people built houses over the unstable land, resulting in a land-sinking incident last year. 'Blasting and drilling during construction have also weakened the soil in several areas,' he added. Another geologist, SK Pandita of Jammu University, said that while the construction of tunnels on the highway was largely carried out using drilling and boring, with minimal use of blasting, the problem lay elsewhere. 'Massive damage occurred due to the construction of hotels, houses, and shops without proper planning,' Pandita said. 'When we block natural drainage systems, where will the water go during rainfall? The water naturally overflows into settlements.' He added that while the recent disaster was triggered by rainfall and a cloudburst, the lack of proper drainage infrastructure turned what could have been a manageable event into a catastrophe. Mohammad Rafi, a researcher, said the recent tragedy in Ramban serves as a wake-up call for the region. 'While natural factors like heavy rainfall and cloudbursts are inevitable, proper urban planning, strict regulations on construction, preservation of natural drainage systems, and scientific road development are crucial to minimising the impact of such disasters,' he said. He also pointed out that there are many hydro power projects in the area. 'If there are flash floods, the dams could also burst at any time,' he added. 'We need proper planning to meet any eventuality in the future.'
Business Recorder
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan's Zaki Bashir joins Heimtextil advisory board
KARACHI: Heimtextil, the world's leading trade fair for home and contract textiles, has announced the appointment of Zaki Bashir, CEO of Gul Ahmed Textile Mills Ltd., to its Advisory Board. This landmark appointment marks the first time a Pakistani industry leader has joined the Board in Heimtextil's history. Bashir was officially welcomed by Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt, Ms. Margit Herberth, Director of Heimtextil, and Omer Salahuddin, CEO of Messe Frankfurt SP Pakistan. The leadership team expressed their appreciation for Bashir's participation and acknowledged the significance of this milestone for Pakistan's textile sector. The Heimtextil Advisory Board includes prominent figures from the global textile industry, representing leading associations such as the Association of the German Home Textiles Industry (HEIMTEX), the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT), the German Textile Retailers Association, the Association of the German Wallpaper Industry (VDT), and several leading textile companies worldwide. Bashir brings with him a wealth of experience and a track record of leadership at Gul Ahmed, one of Pakistan's most respected vertically integrated textile companies, known globally for its innovation, quality, and commitment to sustainability. His appointment is expected to enhance Heimtextil's strategic outlook and reinforce its role as a global trendsetter in home and contract textiles. The upcoming edition of Heimtextil will take place in Frankfurt from January 13–16, 2026, and the previous exhibition of 2025 featuring over 3,000 exhibitors from around the world. With 275 participating companies, Pakistan is ranked 4th globally in terms of exhibitor presence – a testament to the country's growing influence in the global textile market. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
28-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Zaki Bashir joins Heimtextil advisory board
KARACHI: Heimtextil, the world's leading trade fair for home and contract textiles, has announced the appointment of Zaki Bashir, CEO of Gul Ahmed Textile Mills Ltd., to its Advisory Board. This landmark appointment marks the first time a Pakistani industry leader has joined the Board in Heimtextil's history. Bashir was officially welcomed by Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt, Ms. Margit Herberth, Director of Heimtextil, and Omer Salahuddin, CEO of Messe Frankfurt SP Pakistan. The leadership team expressed their appreciation for Bashir's participation and acknowledged the significance of this milestone for Pakistan's textile sector. The Heimtextil Advisory Board includes prominent figures from the global textile industry, representing leading associations such as the Association of the German Home Textiles Industry (HEIMTEX), the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT), the German Textile Retailers Association, the Association of the German Wallpaper Industry (VDT), and several leading textile companies worldwide. Bashir brings with him a wealth of experience and a track record of leadership at Gul Ahmed, one of Pakistan's most respected vertically integrated textile companies, known globally for its innovation, quality, and commitment to sustainability. His appointment is expected to enhance Heimtextil's strategic outlook and reinforce its role as a global trendsetter in home and contract textiles. The upcoming edition of Heimtextil will take place in Frankfurt from January 13–16, 2026, and the previous exhibition of 2025 featuring over 3,000 exhibitors from around the world. With 275 participating companies, Pakistan is ranked 4th globally in terms of exhibitor presence – a testament to the country's growing influence in the global textile market. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
