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Gaza hospital generators stop operating amid shortages of fuel, oil: Health Ministry

Several electricity generators at hospitals in the Gaza Strip have stopped operating due to shortages of oil, spare parts and fuel, the Health Ministry said Sunday. The ministry said several generators had stopped working in recent days, warning that shortages of generator oil were making it increasingly difficult to maintain electricity supplies at hospitals. It said the limited quantities of oil recently allowed into Gaza by Israel were only sufficient for emergency needs, while hospitals require around 2,500 liters per month. “The remaining generators are operating around the clock under difficult technical and mechanical conditions and are unable to meet the electricity needs of all life-saving departments,” the ministry said. Read: Muslim states warn against forced Gaza exodus It warned that more generators could stop working without urgent oil changes and called for the immediate entry of essential supplies to keep them operational. Generators have beco...
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Pentagon chief sounds 'alarm' over China's buildup, urges allies to boost defence spend

US Defence Secretary ​Pete Hegseth urged Asian allies on Saturday to ramp up military spending to counter China's growing power and prevent its dominance in the region, warning of "rightful alarm" ‌over its rapid military buildup. Hegseth, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia's premier forum for defence leaders, militaries and diplomats, said a stronger, more self-reliant network of allies is essential to deter aggression and preserve the balance of power. "There is rightful alarm regarding China's historic military buildup and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond," he said. "A Pacific dominated by any hegemon would unravel the regional balance of power," Hegseth said. "No state, ​including China, can impose its hegemony and hold the security or prosperity of our nation and our allies in question." The US expects its Asian allies and partners to increase defence ​spending to 3.5% of GDP as it pledged a $1.5 trillion investment in its military, the Pentagon chief said. "Less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs," Hegseth said, stressing ⁠that the region needed greater defence capability than conferences. Allies want stability, not escalation, he said. "What they want, and what the United States delivers, is strength that is disciplined, resolve that is steady, and ​leadership that is confident enough to speak and walk softly while carrying a big stick." Hegseth also struck a measured tone on US-China ties, saying relations are "better than they have been in many years," with ​more frequent military-to-military engagement helping to manage tensions. "We are meeting more frequently with our Chinese counterparts by maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication." Zhou Bo, a senior fellow at Tsinghua University and retired People’s Liberation Army senior colonel who was part of the Chinese delegation, described US-China relations as "complicated." Read: PM ends China visit after high-level meetings, diplomatic anniversary events Nonetheless, he said Hegseth struck "a much better tone" this year than last, attributing the shift to Trump’s visit to China. "Both sides have open channels of communication; the situation is ​not as exaggerated as the outside world makes it out to be," Zhou said. China, whose defence minister is skipping the dialogue for a second consecutive year, accused Hegseth last year of making "vilifying" remarks. 'No freeloading' Hegseth ​echoed President Donald Trump's long-standing demand that allies shoulder more of their own defence costs. Trump has pointedly said European and NATO partners should reduce reliance on Washington. "The era of the United States subsidising the defence ‌of wealthy nations ⁠is over," Hegseth said. "We need partners, not protectorates," he added. "We don't have a strong alliance unless everyone has skin in the game. No freeloading." Read more: NATO faces strain from planned US cuts Hegseth praised contributions from allies including South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and said Japan was taking concrete steps to bolster its defences. Tokyo and Washington "must each pull our weight to strengthen the US-Japan alliance,” he said. Ready to restart strikes on Iran On the Middle East conflict, Hegseth said the United States stands ready to resume strikes on Iran if diplomacy fails, as negotiators from Washington and Tehran work to bridge major differences blocking a deal. "Our ability ​to recommence if necessary...we are more than capable," ​Hegseth said. He added that Trump remains "patient" and ⁠is seeking a "strong deal" to ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. Trump said on Friday he would convene advisers in a secure White House setting to make a "final determination" on a proposal to end the Iran war. Hegseth also pushed back on concerns that the conflict would distract from Asia-Pacific priorities. "We can ​do two things at one time."

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