World Defense Forum

World Australia, Italy and others halt funding to U.N. agency over claim staff involved in Hamas attack on Israel

Australia, Italy and others halt funding to U.N. agency over claim staff involved in Hamas attack on Israel​

Updated on: January 27, 2024 / 4:07 PM EST / CBS/AFP

Several key donor countries to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees joined the U.S. and said on Saturday they would halt their funding following accusations by Israel that several UNRWA staff were involved in Hamas's Oct. 7 attack.

The U.S. State Department said on Friday they suspended payments to the organization. The U.S. underlined that "UNRWA plays a critical role in providing lifesaving assistance to Palestinians, including essential food, medicine, shelter, and other vital humanitarian support." The UNRWA is the United Nations humanitarian agency that serves Palestinians.

The organization said it had opened an investigation into allegations from Israel that some of its staff members participated in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said 12 UNRWA employees had been accused of participating.

UNWRA head Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement on Saturday that nine countries have suspended funding to the agency which threatens "our ongoing humanitarian work across the region including and especially in the Gaza Strip." He added, "It would be immensely irresponsible to sanction an Agency and an entire community it serves because of allegations of criminal acts against some individuals, especially at a time of war, displacement and political crises in the region. "

PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL-CONFLICT


Palestinians walk at the entrance of a UNWRA school used as shelter in Gaza City. Key donors have paused funds to the U.N. agency after a claim staff participated in Hamas attacks on Israel. OMAR EL-QATTAA/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Canada's International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen also announced on Friday that Ottawa had "temporarily paused any additional funding to UNRWA while it undertakes a thorough investigation into these allegations."


UNRWA responded by saying it had fired several staff over Israel's accusations, promising a thorough investigation into the claims, which were not specified, while Israel vowed to stop the agency's work in Gaza after the war. U.N's top spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was briefed on the situation by Lazzarini and was "horrified by this news and has asked Mr. Lazzarini to investigate this matter swiftly."

Here are what the countries that have suspended funding have said about the allegations:

Germany announced late Saturday they are suspending funding to UNRWA.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Saturday that while UNRWA provides "vital, life saving work", Brisbane would "temporarily pause disbursement of recent funding."

"We welcome UNRWA's immediate response, including terminating contracts and launching an investigation," she said on the social media platform X.

Finland, which had a four-year agreement to provide five million euros ($5.4 million) annually to UNRWA, suspended its payments and called for an "an independent and thorough investigation", in a statement from its foreign ministry.

"We must make sure that not a single euro of Finland's money goes to Hamas or other terrorists," it said.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said it was joining the ranks of those suspending funding, adding, "We are committed to providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population while protecting Israel's security."

Switzerland, which has made annual contributions of around 20 million Swiss francs ($23 million) to UNRWA, said Saturday no decision would be taken on the 2024 payment until the accusations were clarified.

"Switzerland has zero tolerance for all forms of support for terrorism, and for calls to hatred or incitement to violence," it added.

Dutch Minister for Trade and Development Geoffrey van Leeuwen announced a freeze in funding for UNRWA while the investigation is ongoing, saying the government was "extremely shocked."

"The accusation is that the attack was committed on Oct. 7 with UN money, with our money," he told public broadcaster NOS on Saturday.

The British government said it was "appalled by the allegations" made by Israel and would be "temporarily pausing any future funding" while the Foreign Office reviewed the claims. The head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, has vowed to hold "accountable, including through criminal prosecution", any agency employee found to have been involved in "acts of terror."

Canada's International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen also announced on Friday that Ottawa had "temporarily paused any additional funding to UNRWA while it undertakes a thorough investigation into these allegations."

Guterres pledged to conduct an "urgent and comprehensive independent review of UNRWA," Dujarric said.

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World Ukraine invites China’s Xi to ‘peace summit’

Ukraine invites China’s Xi to ‘peace summit’​

2024年1月27日

Xi-Jinping-red-background-800x450.jpg

File photo. Chinese President Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the opening of a study session on boosting the high-quality development of the financial sector, attended by principal officials at the provincial and ministerial levels, at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance) in Beijing, China, 16 January 2024. [EPA-EFE/XINHUA / JU PENG]


Ukraine has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to participate in a planned “peace summit” of world leaders in Switzerland, a top diplomatic adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russia’s invasion approaches its second anniversary.

China has close ties with Russia and has refrained from criticising its invasion of Ukraine but has also said the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected and has offered to help mediate in the conflict.
“We are definitely inviting China to participate in the summit, at the highest level, at the level of the President of the People’s Republic of China,” the adviser, Ihor Zhovkva, told Reuters in an interview this week.

“China’s participation will be very important to us. We are working with the Chinese side. We involve our partners in the world so that they convey to the Chinese side how important it is to participate in such a summit.”

China’s Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a “no limits” partnership in Beijing just three weeks before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Since then, China has dramatically increased its Russian energy imports.
Putin says the invasion was necessary to protect Russia’s own security, while Kyiv and the West say it is an unprovoked war of aggression and a land grab.

Neutral Switzerland agreed to host the Ukraine peace summit on Ukraine at Zelenskyy’s request but no date or venue has yet been set. Zhovkva said teams were still working on the details.

Switzerland agreed Monday (15 January) to a request by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to host a peace summit of world leaders on ending Russia’s full-scale invasion — but without inviting Moscow.

Peace plan​

Zhovkva also said the national security advisers of a record 82 countries had taken part in talks this month in the Swiss town of Davos that focused on Ukraine’s 10-point peace plan.

Russia has not been invited to the planned summit and has previously said Ukraine’s 10-point plan will come to nothing.

That plan envisages the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, withdrawal of all Russian troops, protection of food and energy supplies, nuclear safety, and the release of all prisoners of war.

“We will talk about a certain road map (at the summit) to implement this (peace) formula,” said Zhovkva.

Ukraine is scrambling to maintain international support amid signs of war weariness among its Western allies after the failure of Kyiv’s counteroffensive last year to bring a breakthrough on the battlefield. The frontlines have remained little changed and the war in Gaza has recently become a more pressing focus of global attention.

Zhovkva hailed the participation of many countries from the Global South at the Davos talks, saying Ukraine hoped to maintain this level at the summit.

China’s representative participated in a meeting on Ukraine in Saudi Arabia last summer, and Xi and Zelenskyy have also spoken by phone.

Beijing last year put forward its own 12-point plan for peace in Ukraine that involves declaring a ceasefire but does not stipulate that Russia should withdraw from any of the territory it has seized.

Russia denies Putin reaching out to US​

The Kremlin on Friday denied a Bloomberg report that President Vladimir Putin was “putting out feelers” to the United States for possible talks on ending the war in Ukraine and might consider dropping key demands on Ukraine’s security status.

The Bloomberg report said Putin was “testing the waters” on whether Washington was ready to engage in talks, and had reached out to the United States via indirect channels.

It cited two people close to the Kremlin as saying Putin “may be willing to consider dropping an insistence on neutral status for Ukraine and even ultimately abandon opposition to eventual NATO membership – the threat of which has been a central Russian justification for the invasion”.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked by reporters about the story, and specifically whether Moscow was really ready to give up its demands on neutrality and NATO.

“No, this is a wrong report. It absolutely does not correspond to reality,” Peskov said.

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[🇵🇰] 2023: Pakistanis remain among top 10 buyers of Dubai property, Indians top list

2023: Pakistanis remain among top 10 buyers of Dubai property, Indians top list

Faiza Virani
January 22, 2024
https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sha...er.com/news/40285061&display=popup&ref=plugin
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https://pkdefense.com/javascript:void(0)
Indians emerged as the top buyers of Dubai real estate in 2023, while Pakistanis were placed seventh and also surpassed purchases from last year, according to a report released recently by the emirate-based property consultancy Better Homes.

As Dubai’s population added another 100,000 residents in 2023, the property market also saw record purchases and prices. Prices rose by approximately 18% in 2023, an acceleration of the 11% increase seen in 2022, added the report.

Buyers from India and the United Kingdom accounted for the most transactions, with Russians – who topped the list last year – ranked as the third-largest buyers.

Notably, there was a significant increase in buyers from Pakistan – ranked as 7th largest – Egypt, Lebanon and Turkey, indicating Dubai’s continued role as a global safe haven for geopolitical and economic stability, added the report.



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The total value of Dubai property sold in 2023 was AED322 billion, up 52% year-on-year. Consumer demand also remained on the uptick throughout 2023, with a 91% increase in leads year-on-year.

Dubai’s GDP grew 3.3% between January and September 2023, according to data released by state news agency WAM on Sunday.

Over those nine months, accommodation and food services grew 11.1%, while transportation and storage services rose by 10.9%, and the information and communications sector grew by 4.4%.

Dubai’s property market also reached new highs in November 2023, crossing a previous record set in September 2014, according to data released by Property Monitor earlier.

In 2023, Dubai’s key communities experienced a widespread increase in the average sales price of villas, ranging from 15% to 30%. A shortage of available inventory led to substantial increases in popular expat communities such as Arabian Ranches (up 25%) and Dubai Hills Estate (up 29%).

Recently, Business Recorder reported that interest of Pakistanis in Dubai’s real estate has pivoted a tad from buying properties for investment purposes to looking to relocate in the city. Quoting an official at renowned developer DAMAC Properties, the report added that most Pakistani buyers are usually in their 40s or above, although there are some in their mid to late 30s who are also interested.

In the report by Better Homes, data also suggested an overall tilt towards end-users being buyers of real estate as opposed to investors in 2023.

Luxury market

Meanwhile, after a record-breaking 2022, Dubai’s luxury real estate market maintained its momentum in 2023, witnessing an impressive 89% growth in transactions over AED15 million.

The appeal of long-term visas, a favourable tax regime, lifestyle, and the relative affordability of luxury homes in Dubai attracted wealthy investors globally with 4,500 millionaires expected to have moved to the UAE in 2023, added Better Homes.

In their cosmopolitan push, Dubai has also enacted social reforms such as decriminalising alcohol and the cohabitation of unmarried couples.

Last week, Khaleej Times reported that the sale of top-tier luxury homes – $25 million (DHS92 million) and above – doubled to 56 the past year in Dubai, due to scarce availability as compared to 2022.

In the Palm Jumeirah, the average price of villas surged by 74%, added Better Homes.


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[🇵🇰] Villagers kill rare white leopard in Kerthar National Park

Villagers kill rare white leopard in Kerthar National Park​

The body was recovered in the village of Mohammad Ali Faqeer; SWD registers case against 5 involved in the killing

Sameer Mandhro
January 23, 2024

a white leopard shot dead within the limits of kerthar national park photo express


A white leopard shot dead within the limits of Kerthar National Park.


Local villagers killed a rare white leopard within the boundaries of Kerthar National Park on Monday night, officials said.

The Sindh Wildlife Department (SWD) swiftly took action, registering a case against five individuals involved in the killing.

Sources revealed to The Express Tribune that the leopard was shot dead at approximately 12:30am, and photos of the incident were circulated on social media, sparking public outrage.

SWD officials, led by Deputy Conservator Wajid Shaikh, identified two of the individuals responsible as Qadar Bux and Ghulam Hussain Sonaro from the local community.

A white leopard shot dead within the limits of Kerthar National Park. PHOTO: EXPRESS

A white leopard shot dead within the limits of Kerthar National Park. PHOTO: EXPRESS

Shaikh expressed the department's commitment to apprehending the culprits, stating, "We will have to arrest these men." The SWD learned about the incident through social media, prompting a prompt response.

The body of the killed animal was recovered in the village of Mohammad Ali Faqeer, within the jurisdiction of taluka Thano Bola Khan.

Deputy Conservator Shaikh confirmed the unprecedented nature of the incident, noting that a white leopard had never been sighted in Kerthar National Park before.

He speculated that the leopard might have migrated from Balochistan. The last recorded sighting of a leopard in the area dates back to 1976.

The SWD is taking legal measures in response to this unfortunate incident. The leopard's body is being transferred to Hyderabad, where it will be presented before the court.

The department plans to initiate preservation procedures after obtaining necessary permissions.


tribune.com.pk

Villagers kill rare white leopard in Kerthar National Park | The Express Tribune

The body was recovered in the village of Mohammad Ali Faqeer; SWD registers case against 5 involved in the killing
tribune.com.pk
tribune.com.pk
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[🇷🇺] Russia's parliamentary leader warns of a third world war

Russia's parliamentary leader warns of a third world war​

DPA
Sat, January 27, 2024 at 11:42 PM GMT+8·1 min read
Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma, arrives for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. -/Kremlin/dpa

Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma, arrives for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. -/Kremlin/dpa

Russian parliamentary leader Vyacheslav Volodin has evoked the danger of a third world war on the 80th anniversary of the end of the siege of Leningrad.

"Fascist ideology has become the norm for the leadership of NATO countries," Volodin wrote on his Telegram channel on Saturday.

He accused Western governments, including explicitly the German government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, of supporting a policy of genocide in Ukraine. "This is a dangerous path that could lead to a new world war," Volodin said.

Russia's main justification for its war against Ukraine, which has been going on for almost two years, is the claim that the neighbouring country needs to be "de-Nazified."

Russian President Vladimir Putin repeatedly uses historical comparisons with World War II to justify his attack on the neighbouring country.

He equates the invasion of Ukraine that he ordered with the Soviet Union's defence against Nazi Germany's criminal war of aggression. Especially on anniversaries, Moscow uses the argument of "defending the memory of the war dead" for its war propaganda.

Exactly 80 years ago, on January 27, 1944, Soviet troops broke through the German Wehrmacht's siege ring around what was then Leningrad, now St Petersburg.

Before this, German troops had deliberately caused the deaths of an estimated 1.2 million people, who died from bombing, hunger and cold.

Germany's ambassador in Moscow, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, characterized the blockade as "a particularly shocking and brutal war crime in the midst of the criminal invasion of the Soviet Union."

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[🇺🇸] US to station nuclear weapons in Britain 'imminently', report claims

US to station nuclear weapons in Britain 'imminently', report claims​

The UK must keep Ukraine at the top of the agenda "because they're fighting for us out there", a former NATO secretary general has told Sky News. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin made his first remarks on the military plane crash this week - and accused Ukraine.

Saturday 27 January 2024 15:37, UK

America is reportedly planning to station nuclear weapons in the UK in response to the growing threat from Russia.

They would be kept at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk under the proposals - which are detailed in The Telegraph.

It says Pentagon documents reveal contracts for a new facility and "show the US intends to place nuclear warheads three times the strength of the Hiroshima bomb at the air base".

The paper says it would be the first time in 15 years that America has stationed nuclear weapons in the UK.

"Unredacted documents on the US department of defence’s procurement database reveal plans for a 'nuclear mission' that will take place 'imminently' at RAF Lakenheath", reports The Telegraph.

The nuclear weapons that could be located at the base are reported to be B61-12 gravity bombs, which can be deployed from fighter jets.

The Telegraph says it's part of a NATO programme to "develop and upgrade nuclear sites" in the wake of Russia's invasion.

Responding to the report, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "It remains a longstanding UK and NATO policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at a given location."

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[🇨🇳] China orders a Japanese fishing boat to leave waters near Japan-held islands claimed by Beijing

China orders a Japanese fishing boat to leave waters near Japan-held islands claimed by Beijing​

BEIJING (AP) — China's coast guard said Saturday its officers ordered a Japanese fishing vessel and several patrol ships to leave waters surrounding tiny Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea. It marked the latest incident pointing to lingering tensions between the sides.

By The Associated Press

Saturday, January 27, 2024

BEIJING (AP) — China's coast guard said Saturday its officers ordered a Japanese fishing vessel and several patrol ships to leave waters surrounding tiny Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea. It marked the latest incident pointing to lingering tensions between the sides.

China says the islands belong to it and refuses to recognize Japan’s claim to the uninhabited chain known as the Senkakus in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese. Taiwan also claims the islands, which it calls Diaoyutai, but has signed access agreements for its fishermen with Japan and does not actively take part in the dispute.

Coast guard spokesperson Gan Yu said in a statement that the vessels “illegally entered” the waters, prompting its response. “We urge Japan to stop all illegal activities in the waters immediately and to ensure similar incidents would not happen again,” the statement said. But the statement did not specify whether the vessels complied with the order.

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East Asia China has 50% more metro length than the next 10 countries. COMBINED.

China has 50% more metro length than the next 10 countries. COMBINED.​

Rishabh Bhandari

China's metro System is 50% bigger than the next 10 countries combined.jpg


China, unsurprisingly, has the largest metro system in the world. It’s on another level, in a different league. In both metrics of total metro length and annual ridership numbers, China is so high that it distorts the graph.

But South Korea and Japan blow most countries out of the water when we adjust for population and area.

  • In the ranking for total metro system length, India comes in at 4th. We’re behind even tiny countries like South Korea and the most far behind when adjusting for people and area. But we have to remember that Indian metros are just beginning to get constructed, so it’s kind of expected.
  • We should also remember the differences in the transportation systems between countries like US (dominated by Flight + Cars), Europe (flight, highways, rail, metro), India (buses, railways) etc.
I wish it was otherwise, but in the India vs China debate, infrastructure is an important battle that China is absolutely crushing.

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[🇵🇰] 9 Pakistanis killed in Iranian city of Saravan, confirms diplomat in Tehran

9 Pakistanis killed in Iranian city of Saravan, confirms diplomat in Tehran

Abdullah Momand
January 27, 2024

Nine Pakistanis were killed in Iranian city of Saravan on Saturday, according to Pakistan’s envoy in Tehran, Ambassador Muddasir Tipu.

Iran’s Mehr news agency reported earlier today that “according to witnesses, this morning unknown armed men killed nine non-Iranians in a house in the Sirkan neighbourhood of Saravan city” in the Sistan-Baluchistan province.

The agency added that no group or individuals had claimed responsibility.

The Baluch rights group Haalvash said on its website that the victims were Pakistani labourers, who lived at an auto repair shop where they worked. Three others were wounded, it said.

Reacting to the development, Ambassador Mudassir said: “Deeply shocked by horrifying killing of nine Pakistanis in Saravan. Embassy will extend full support to bereaved families. Counsel Zahidan is already on his way to incident site and hospital where injured are under treatment.We called upon Iran to extend full cooperation in the matter.”

The development occurred a day after Mudassir arrived in Tehran while his Iranian counterpart landed in Islamabad, signalling the full restoration of diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries following a brief disruption in ties after Iran conducted strikes on alleged terrorist targets inside Pakistani territory.

Earlier in the day, Mudassir said he was honoured to present his credentials to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian will reach Islamabad on Sunday at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani.

Last week, Iran had launched attacks in Pakistan targeting what it described as bases for the militant group Jaish al-Adl in the border town of Panjgur in Balochistan, Iranian state media reported, prompting strong condemnation from Islamabad and downgrading of diplomatic ties.

Less than 48 hours later, Pakistan struck “hideouts used by terrorist organisations namely Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF)” in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province, in an intelligence-based operation codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’.

Iran’s IRNA news agency had reported that nine people were killed in the attack targeting a village in the city of Saravan, with Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi saying all the dead “were foreign nationals”. Iran had condemned strikes and summoned Pakistan’s charge d’affaires “to protest and request an explanation from the Pakistani government”.

In Islamabad, the escalation had prompted a high-level meeting of Pakistan’s premier authority on security and foreign policy, the National Security Committee. It was chaired by caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar with cabinet members, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Staff, and other heads of intelligence in attendance.

During the hours-long meeting on Friday, the NSC had ratified the move towards reducing tensions between Pakistan and Iran and underscored a commitment to addressing mutual security concerns.

“The forum (NSC) expressed that Iran is a neighbourly and brotherly Muslim country, and existing multiple communication channels between the two countries should be mutually utilised to address each other’s security concerns in the larger interest of regional peace and stability,” a statement issued by the prime minister’s office after the meeting said.

The NSC hoped that both countries “would mutually be able to overcome minor irritants through dialogue and diplomacy and pave the way to further deepen their historic relations” but at the same time emphasised that any violation, under any pretext, would be met with the state’s full force.

That sentiment was reciprocated by Tehran, whose foreign ministry, in a statement later that day, had said Iran “adheres to the policy of good neighbourliness and brotherhood between the two nations and the two governments”.

These exchanges had subsequently set the stage for a phone conversation between FM Jilani and his Iranian counterpart on Friday.

The two foreign ministers had underscored the importance of collaboration and synchronising efforts at the operational level, with a specific focus on counterterrorism and other mutual concerns. They also committed to de-escalating tensions.

Furthermore, the foreign ministers had deliberated on the reappointment of each country’s ambassadors to their respective capitals, signalling a move towards restoring diplomatic normalcy.

Jilani had also invited Amirabdollahian to visit Islamabad. The Iranian foreign minister, according to the Iranian side, had emphasised that the assurances about security and military cooperation should be seriously pursued.




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[🇵🇰] 1947-2024 Pakistan : History & Operations of Wars

History & Operations of Wars in Pakistan​

Chumik Operation

Introduction


The Siachen dispute was added to the roster of major issues in Indo-Pakistan relations for the first time in April 1984. During the month, Indian Army airlifted mountain trained forces into position over-looking key passes in the Baltoro Range , a spur of the Karakoram Mountains , flanking the Siachen Glacier's southern rim, setting in motion a spectacular high-altitude military struggle with Pakistan that has continued unabated to the present day. Confronting one another in some areas at altitude over 6000 metres, the two armies contested for possession of a largely uninhabited wedge-shaped piece of territory, about 2500 square kilometers in size, situated just south of the Chinese border. The struggle is on till today and a number of operations have been executed by both sides for occupation or retention of key areas / posts.


Background

Chumik is a minor sub sector of Bilafond Sub Sector, which has remained quiet since 1984 with the exception of Chumik Operation in 1989. Forwarded posts of the sub sector overlook Gyong Glacier and also dominate by observation, enemies Baniya Base. A Pakistani post was established in the Location of present Sher Post in 1985. The post was later withdrawn suffering heavy losses due to avalanches and enemy artillery fire the same year. The post was re-established in 1988 by 9 Northern Light Infantry on the order of Commander Force Command Northern Area. In the early spring of 1989, there were signal intercepts indicating enemy activity in the area. On 22 February 89 , enemy helicopter's conducted reconnaissance of the area followed by inaccurate artillery fire. Reconnaissance was conducted by Helicopter and it revealed that enemy had established five new posts/bases. Enemy had also occupied off shoots of point 22158 (the highest peak in the area which came to be known as Naveed Top after this operation). This gave enemy, the vital observation over our entire sub sector which could create serious problems in holding and maintenance of own posts. Enemy started engaging our forwarded posts, Ashgar Base and escalated the situation in the sub sector , forcing us to react.

Conduct of operation

Relative strength and deployment in the area is as under:


Enemy

Enemy had intruded into Chumik area and occupied the area. Enemy's one complete battalion supported by different calibers of artillery and complete flight of Lama Helicopter took part in the operation. She established the following posts/bases which were supported through administrative bases of Bniya and Rani:
  • GANGA One platoon
  • SADHU One platoon (minus)
  • AGRA -I One Section
  • AGRA-II One Section with an artillery observer
  • MG Position One Section with heavy Machine Gun
  • Support Troops One Company in support role (for back up support)
Own

A company of regular troops was detailed to relieve Northern Light Infantry troops in the Chumik Sector on 10 April 1989 . The force was further strengthened later, which was necessary for the final eviction of the enemy from the Sector. Activities in this sector had intensified considerably and constant vigil was kept on the enemy activities. Risk of weakening of our forces in this area could therefore not be taken. Guns and mortars of available artillery in the area supported the operation. One company of Northern Light Infantry on relief from the sector was provided for assistance. Ten men of Special Services Group were provided for technical assistance and expertise. Four Lama Helicopters of Arms Aviation were provided to support the operation.

The Initial Plan

Company minus ex 9 Azad Kashmir was holding Chumik sub sector which was subsequently augmented by another company for offensive role. Helicopters were also provided for the operation, along with Special Services Group troops and additional 81 millimeter Mortars. It was planned to occupy the area to check the further movement of enemy. The out line plan was as follows:


Mission

To occupy the area by engaging enemy Ganga Base with observed artillery fire to interdict her Line of Communication.

Execution
  • The plan/task was to be accomplished in following phases:
  • Phase-I Establish Kausar Base.
  • Phase-II Establish Kausar 1, Kausar 2 and Kausar 3 Bases.
  • Phase-III . Occupy the area.
First Attempt

Aerial reconnaissance of the area was carried out on 16 April 1989 . The expedition was sent out in establishing Kausar Base by mid night the same day. Kausar 1 was established on 17 April at a height of 17000 feet and in the same evening Kausar 2 was also established. It was found that movement thereafter was not possible due to extreme difficult nature of terrain. The expedition was immediately called off to avoid detection by the enemy.


Second Attempt

Force Commander Northern Area decided to drop Special Services Group persons on Saddle by helicopter. Effort was made to drop the persons but helicopter could not hover at such a low level where persons could jump basically because of poor weather and configuration of ground. The mission was once again aborted.
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[🇵🇰] Pakistani nuclear forces

Pakistani nuclear forces

Hans M. Kristensen, Robert S. Norris & Julia Diamond

Pages 348-358 | Published online: 31 Aug 2018
Pakistan continues to expand its nuclear arsenal with more warheads, more delivery systems, and a growing fissile materials production industry. Analysis of a large number of commercial satellite images of Pakistani army garrisons and air force bases shows what appear to be mobile launchers and underground facilities that might be related to nuclear forces.

We estimate that Pakistan now has a nuclear weapons stockpile of 140 to 150 warheads.

With several delivery systems in development, four plutonium production reactors, and its uranium enrichment facilities expanding, however, Pakistan has a stockpile that will likely increase further over the next 10 years. The size of the increase will depend on many factors. Two key factors will be how many nuclear-capable launchers Pakistan plans to deploy, and how much the Indian nuclear arsenal grows. Speculation that Pakistan may become the world’s third-largest nuclear weapon state – with a stockpile of some 350 warheads a decade from now – are, we believe, exaggerated, not least because that would require a buildup two to three times faster than the growth rate over the past two decades. We estimate that the country’s stockpile could more realistically grow to 220 to 250 warheads by 2025, if the current trend continues. If that happens, it would make Pakistan the world’s fifth-largest nuclear weapon state. But unless India significantly expands its arsenal or further builds up its conventional forces, it seems reasonable to expect that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal will not continue to grow indefinitely but might begin to level off as its current weapons programs are completed.


Nuclear policy developments

Pakistan is modifying its nuclear posture with new short-range nuclear-capable weapon systems to counter military threats below the strategic level. The efforts seek to create a full-spectrum deterrent that is designed not only to respond to nuclear attacks, but also to counter an Indian conventional incursion onto Pakistani territory.1 This development has created considerable concern in other countries, including the United States, which fears that it lowers the threshold for nuclear use in a military conflict with India.

In the Worldwide Threat Assessment for 2018, US Director of National Intelligence Daniel R. Coats said, “Pakistan continues to produce nuclear weapons and develop new types of nuclear weapons, including short-range tactical weapons, sea-based cruise missiles, air-launched cruise missiles, and longer-range ballistic missiles. These new types of nuclear weapons will introduce new risks for escalation dynamics and security in the region” (Coats 2018).

Pakistan’s National Command Authority, which includes all government agencies involved in the nuclear mission, held its 23rd meeting on 21 December 2017, under the chairmanship of then-Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. The group reviewed a study of “certain destabilizing actions” occurring in the region around Pakistan, including “the massive arms build-up in the conventional domain, nuclearization of the Indian Ocean Region and plans for development/deployment of [ballistic missile defense].” The National Command Authority had paid similar attention to conventional weapons development at its meeting in 2016.

At the 2017 meeting, according to a Pakistani Inter Services Public Relations press release, the command authority “reiterated Pakistan’s policy of developing and maintaining Full Spectrum Deterrence, in line with the policy of Credible Minimum Deterrence and avoidance of arms race,” while expressing confidence in the country’s “capability to address any form of aggression” (ISPR 2017d). The National Command Authority also reviewed the “Nuclear Security Regime” of the nuclear arsenal and expressed “full confidence” in both Pakistan’s command and control systems and existing security measures meant to “ensure comprehensive stewardship and security of strategic assets and materials.” It lauded the nuclear arsenal’s “high standards of training and operational readiness.”

The December 2017 meeting emphasized that Pakistan strives for “peaceful coexistence in [South Asia] and will endeavor to work with its neighbors to ensure strategic stability” there (ISPR 2017d). As in 2016, the National Command Authority’s latest statement on security and safety was, in part, a response to international concern that Pakistan’s evolving arsenal – particularly its growing inventory of short-range nuclear weapon systems – could lead to problems with warhead management and command and control during a crisis. Satellite images show that security perimeters around many bases and military facilities have been upgraded over the past seven years in response to terrorist attacks.

Over the past decade, the US assessment of nuclear weapons security in Pakistan appears to have changed considerably from confidence to concern, particularly as a result of the introduction of tactical nuclear weapons. In 2007, a US State Department official told Congress that, “we’re, I think, fairly confident that they have the proper structures and safeguards in place to maintain the integrity of their nuclear forces and not to allow any compromise” (Boucher 2007). In stark contrast, the Trump administration assessment in 2018 was: “We are particularly concerned by the development of tactical nuclear weapons that are designed for use in battlefield. We believe that these systems are more susceptible to terrorist theft and increase the likelihood of nuclear exchange in the region” (Economic Times 2017). Upon unveiling his South Asia strategy on 21 August 2017, Trump urged Pakistan to stop sheltering terrorist organizations, and noted the need to “prevent nuclear weapons and materials from coming into the hands of terrorists” (The White House 2017). US concern over the security of Pakistan’s tactical nuclear weapons precedes the Trump administration. In 2016, US Undersecretary of State Rose Gottemoeller told members of the US Congress, “Reinstate full original statement: “Battlefield nuclear weapons, by their very nature, pose [a] security threat because you're taking battlefield nuclear weapons to the field where, as you know, as a necessity, they cannot be made as secure” (Economic Times 2016).


Pakistani nuclear forces, 2018
The Nuclear Notebook is researched and written by Hans M. Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project with the Federation of American Scientists, and Robert S. Norris, a senior fellow w...

Taylor & Francis/Sep 3, 2018
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[🇵🇰] Pakistan’s nuclear journey

Pakistan’s nuclear journey

Dr. Rizwan Zeb


June 28, 2020


Twenty-two years ago, Muhammad Arshad chanted Allahu Akbar and pushed the button. It took a nerve-racking 30 seconds before the mountain turned white. Pakistan’s nuclear tests were successful. This was the culmination of a long arduous Pakistani quest for a nuclear weapon.

Scott Sagan in his magnum opus ‘Why Do States Build Nuclear Weapons? Three Models in Search of a Bomb’ has identified different factors that lead a state to build nuclear weapons: national security concern is one of these reasons: Pakistan is a classic case for this model. Pakistan’s nuclear history can be divided into two phases: 1947-1972 when Pakistan had a peaceful nuclear programme, whereas in the post 1972 due to national security concerns in the wake of the east Pakistan debacle, Pakistan started exploring options for building a bomb that got intensified after India’s nuclear test in 1974.

In the first phase, four personalities played the most significant role and established the programme on firm footing: Dr Rafi Mohammad Chaudhry of Government College Lahore, (now Government College University – GCU), Pakistan’s only Nobel laureate Professor Abdus Salam and Dr Nazir Ahmed who was the first chairman of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). These three laid a solid foundation by training the manpower, and setting institutional priorities. Pakistan also benefited from the American Atom for Peace program. During this phase, the programme was focused on peaceful use of atomic energy.


The fourth was Dr Ishrat Hussain Usmani who was appointed Chairman of PAEC by President Ayub Khan on the recommendation of Dr Abdus Salam. According to Feroz Hasan Khan: “PAEC chairman Usmani laid down three objectives: to construct nuclear power plants and so alleviate the shortage of conventional energy sources; to apply nuclear knowledge (radioisotopes) to agriculture, medicine, and industry; and to conduct research and development on problems of national importance.” (Eating Grass, Stanford University Press, p50) Dr Usamani is credited to have laid down the foundation of the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH), a world renowned education and training centre.

During this phase, the focus was on the peaceful use of nuclear energy and even if there was a voice in favour of building one, it lacked any major support and was mostly muffled. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Munir Ahmed Khan were among the bigger supporters of going for this option.

The second phase of Pakistan’s nuclear programme began with Bhutto taking over the helm of affairs in Islamabad. In 1972, Bhutto held a meeting with key officials in Multan and ordered them to build a nuclear bomb. He appointed his friend and fellow member of the so-called bomb lobby, Munir Ahmed Khan the new chairman of PAEC. This meeting set the future direction of Pakistan’s nuclear programme. After the Indian nuclear explosion in 1974, Pakistan’s own quest for nuclear weapons began in earnest. Despite this, Pakistan offered several arms control measures to India but India rejected all of them on the pretext that they have to take their security concerns about China into account as well.

PAEC under Munir Ahmed Khan’s leadership worked hard towards achieving their goal. This effort was further intensified when Dr. A. Q. Khan joined the effort. Despite the political change in the country, the nuclear quest continued and General Zia continued it despite tremendous pressure from the international community especially when he was fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan as a frontline state. According to media reports, in 1987, he signalled that Pakistan had achieved the capability to make a nuclear weapon. Despite achieving the capability, Pakistan neither expressed nor demonstrated its capability as Pakistan built the bomb only to ensure its national security. Had the situation remained ambiguous and India not conducted another series of tests, the likelihood of Pakistan conducting overt tests was extremely remote.

To fulfil its electoral promise, the BJP government tested its nuclear devices Shakti I, II and III on May 11, 1998 followed by two more on May 13. This rang alarm bells in Islamabad. Then Prime minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif cut short his state visit to Uzbekistan and rushed back to Islamabad. Immediately after his return, he summoned a meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC). In this meeting, Dr Samar Mubarakmand assured the Prime Minister that PAEC needs only ten days to prepare and conduct the tests. Once again, the Indians caught the global power centres napping as neither of them were able to stop the Indian tests. Once again, the international community, instead of addressing the root cause, started pressuring Pakistan not to conduct its tests. Despite Islamabad’s declaring the Indian tests a “death blow to the global efforts at nuclear non-proliferation” the Americans were more focused on convincing Islamabad to abstain from responding. The Talbot mission delivered a sermon to the Pakistani leadership about what is best for Pakistan and the Pakistani people, but were not willing to pay any heed to Pakistan’s security concerns.

After intense and extensive debate, and also due to the inability of the international power centres especially USA to objectively engage and address Pakistan’s concerns and the statements emanating from India, the Defence Committee of the Cabinet decided to conduct the nuclear test. Once given the go ahead, the PAEC team, under the leadership of Dr Samar Mubarakmand, prepared the testing site and conducted the test. In total six successful tests were conducted by Pakistan on 28 and 30 May 1998.
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[🇵🇰] Timeline of Pakistan's Nuclear Programme

Timeline of Pakistan's Nuclear Programme


1956- Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) established with the establishment of the Atomic Energy Research Council (AERC)

1960- Dr. I.H. Usmani, a physicist and an ex-ICS officer, takes over as PAEC Chairman from Dr. Nazir Ahmad (1955-60)

1961- PAEC sets up an Atomic Energy Mineral Centre at Lahore

1963- Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology (PINSTECH) is established at Nilore, near Islamabad. Construction work begins under the guidance of the American architect Edward Stone.

1965- September 6th-21st, second Indo-Pak war

1965-October, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto visits Vienna and meets Mr. Munir Ahmad Khan. They discuss India’s nuclear plans and Pakistan’s future nuclear roadmap. Their private meetings continue till 1972.

1965-December 11, Munir Khan meets President Ayub Khan at the Rochester Hotel, London. Ayub remains unconvinced that Pakistan needs to take notice of India’s nuclear program and acquire nuclear facilities while they were still easily available. Munir comes out of the meeting and tells Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, “The President did not agree.” Bhutto replies, “Don’t worry, our turn will come.”

1965- December 21st, the 5 MW Pakistan Research Reactor-1 (PARR), supplied by the United States, becomes critical.

1965- September; Construction of 137 MW Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP) 137 MW begins near coast of Karachi under a contract from Canadian General Electric Company (CGE)

1967- The Electronics Division is established at PINSTECH

1967- Nuclear Physics Division (NPD) is established at PINSTECH

1967- Reactor School is established in PINSTECH to train scientists and engineers, and put R&D on fast track

1968- Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty is completed. Pakistan refuses to sign.

1970-Reactor School becomes operational

1971- July; Construction of KANUPP is completed

1971- August 1st, KANUPP reactor becomes critical

1971- October 21st, generation of electricity is achieved at KANUPP

1971- December, third Pak-Bharat war. Bharat invades East Pakistan subsequently making into Bangladesh.

1971-December President Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto takes over as President of Pakistan soon after the fall of East Pakistan. He immediately asks Mr. Munir Ahmad Khan, a nuclear engineer working as Head of Reactor Engineering at the IAEA, to return to the country and prepare a feasibility status report on Pakistan’s nuclear infrastructure. Munir Khan takes a round of all PAEC establishments and prepares a status-report which is submitted to ZA Bhutto before the Multan Conference.

1972- January 2nd, President Z.A.Bhutto calls a meeting of senior scientists and engineers at Multan where he announces the intention of building an atomic bomb for Pakistan. This meeting was attended by the future Nobel Laureate, Dr. Abdus Salam, PAEC Chairman (1960-72) Dr. I.H.Usmani and other senior scientists. It was here that Bhutto announced that he was appointing Mr. Munir Ahmad Khan, a nuclear engineer working as Head of Reactor Engineering Division at the IAEA as PAEC Chairman (1972-91) and head of the nuclear weapons program. This was the day when Pakistan embarked on its quest for the atomic bomb.

1972- PAEC was transferred from the Science and Technology Research Division to the President's Secretariat

1972- March, Mr. Munir Ahmad Khan formally takes over as Chairman PAEC

1972-May, PAEC submits a detailed nuclear plan to President Bhutto which calls for the establishment of a various nuclear plants and facilities. This plan is aimed at acquiring complete control of the nuclear fuel cycle

1972- November 28, Pakistan’s first nuclear power plant, KANUPP, inaugurated by the President of Pakistan, Z.A.Bhutto, Dr. Abdus Salam and PAEC Chairman Mr. Munir Ahmad Khan.

December 1972- Two theoretical physicists working at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy, asked to report to the PAEC chairman by Dr. Abdus Salam. This marked the beginning of the “Theoretical Physics Group” in PAEC that would develop the designs of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons.

1972- Radio Isotopes and Applications Division (RIAD) established at PINSTECH

1973-Dr. Riazuddin travels to the United States and obtains all the declassified information on the Manhattan Project. On his return to Pakistan, he is appointed Member (Technical), by chairman PAEC.

1973- Nuclear Materials Division (NMD) established at PINSTECH, which played a critical role in Pakistan's nuclear program.

1972-PAEC decides not to pursue plans to acquire and build a pilot-reprocessing plant which is downgraded and is on offer from the UK Atomic Energy Authority. It is also decided to open negotiations with the French and the Belgians for an upgraded reprocessing facility.

1973- March, PAEC and Saint Gobain Nucleaire (SGN) of France, sign an initial contract, to prepare the basic design for a large-scale reprocessing plant at Chashma, one with a capacity of 100 tons of fuel per year.

1973-March, A team of three PAEC scientists and engineers is sent to the headquarters of the Belgian firm Belgonucliare at Mol for participation in the designing of a pilot reprocessing facility and obtain training in reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel.

1973-December, PAEC chairman announces the discovery of large-scale uranium deposits in Dera Ghazi Khan. He also announces plans for setting up 15-24 nuclear reactors by the end of the century to meet two-thirds of Pakistan’s energy requirements. This plan could not be implemented due to international sanctions and apathy of successive Pakistani governments.

1973- The Theoretical Physics Group in PAEC decides to opt for an “implosion” design for the atomic bomb in place of the gun-type bomb. Dr. Zaman Sheikh is also tasked with the development of the explosive lenses of the nuclear device.

1974-March, PAEC Chairman summons a meeting to start work on the nuclear weapons program. This meeting marks the beginning of Pakistan's efforts to locally produce nuclear weapon design and development. In this meeting, the "Wah Group" is constituted under PAEC's Directorate of Technical Development (DTD) to start work on the manufacture, triggering mechanism, implosion system, mechanical and precision systems and all other related development areas for a developing an atomic bomb. It was attended by Mr. Muhammad Hafeez Qureshi, Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad, Dr. Zaman Sheikh and Dr. Riazuddin and other scientists.

1974- March 25, An explosive manufacturing plant is set up to develop the explosive lenses for the nuclear device. This decision is taken in a meeting between PAEC chairman and the head of the Pakistan Ordnance Factories, Wah, Lt. General Qamar Ali Mirza, and attended by Dr. Abdus Salam, Dr. Riazuddin and Mr. Hafeez Qureshi.

1974- October 18th, contract between PAEC and SGN for the Chashma plant is signed.

1974-May 18; India tests a device of up to 10-15 kilotons, at Pokhran, in the Rajasthan desert, 40 miles from the Pakistani border, and calls the test a “Peaceful Nuclear Explosion”

1974- May 19, Prime Minister Bhutto declares in a press conference that Pakistan will not be intimated by India’s nuclear blackmail.

1974- Pakistan proposed to India the establishment of a nuclear weapons free zone in south Asia.

1974-June 15; Prime Minister Z A Bhutto chairs a meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet to finalize the future course of the nuclear program in response to India’s nuclear test. In this meeting, he gives his official go-ahead to PAEC to begin work on the atomic bomb.

1974- Several PAEC scientists and engineers at PINSTECH carry out successful experiments of various uranium enrichment technologies and complete "proof of concept studies" of first uranium separation in PAEC Labs. These include gaseous-diffusion, electromagnetic separation, jet-nozzle, gas-centrifuge, and laser methods for uranium enrichment.

1974-Oct-Nov. PAEC chairman asks a nuclear engineer, S. Bashiruddin Mahmood, to prepare a feasibility report for setting up of a centrifuge-based uranium enrichment program. Mahmood is appointed as the head of this project, known as Project-706 which begins under the deceptive name of Directorate of Industrial Liaison (DIL)

1975-Feb 15; PAEC chairman hand-carries a feasibility report for getting formal approval and setting up of a $450 million nuclear weapons program comprising; a) a centrifuge-based uranium enrichment plant at Kahuta; b) a nuclear weapons design and development team led by Dr. Riazuddin and Hafeez Qureshi; c) a uranium refining plant at Baghalchur (BC-1) and a uranium hexafluoride production complex at Dera Ghazi Khan.

1975- March-April, DIL begins work at the pilot-scale centrifuge plant in the barracks of Chaklala airport under Bashiruddin Mahmood.

1975- PAEC embarks to establish an elaborate network for arranging the supply of necessary materials and equipment from suppliers and companies for the Uranium Enrichment and Plutonium Reprocessing programs of the PAEC

1975- Reactor School upgraded and the Centre for Nuclear Studies (CNS) established at PINSTECH which trains and produces over 2000 high caliber nuclear scientists, engineers and technicians, and provides the trained manpower for the nuclear program

1975- July, Mr. S. A. Butt is posted at the Pakistani Embassy in Brussels, in charge of science and technology division to establish an elaborate network for arranging the supply of necessary materials and equipment from suppliers and companies for the Uranium Enrichment and Plutonium Reprocessing programs of the PAEC

1975- Ford Administration offers Pakistan 110 A-7A “Corsair II” attack-aircraft in return Pakistan should withdraw from SGN contract.

1975-December- Dr. AQ Khan returns to Pakistan from Holland.
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[🇵🇰] Pakistan’s journey for peaceful nuclear energy

Pakistan’s journey for peaceful nuclear energy

by The Frontier Post

Pakistan’s Nuclear Power Plant, K-3 has completed loading of nuclear fuel to its second 1,100 megawatt nuclear power plant after getting a formal fuel load permit from Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA).

According to reports, Karachi Nuclear Power Plant Unit-3 (K-3) is in the final stages of commissioning after satisfactory operational and safety tests. The plant is expected to begin its operation by the end of March 2022. The official statement revealed that with the introduction of K-2 and K-3 into the national grid, the share of nuclear power in the energy mix of Pakistan will exceed 10 percent of total energy requirements of the Country.

The energy deficient Pakistan had been struggling for economical and sustainable energy resources to fulfill its energy needs during recent years. However, being a non-signatory state of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) largely remained reluctant to trade in nuclear plants or material with Pakistan, which restricted Country’s ability to develop its civil nuclear energy capability in the past.

However, People’ Republic of China (PRC) remained steadfast in its support to Pakistan by providing necessary technical and financial assistance to fulfill energy needs through peaceful nuclear energy. Presently, Pakistan has five operational Nuclear power plants having production capacity of 2242 MWe which constitutes about 8% of total energy requirements of the country. After completion of K-3 Nuclear Power Plant, additional 1104 MWe will be added into mainstream, thus the share of nuclear energy in the national electricity grid would reach at 10 percent of total consumption.

China-Pakistan technical cooperation in the Nuclear Power Generation Program of Pakistan began with the signing of Agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy between the two countries in 1986. Later, Pak-China cooperation was further strengthened through a contract between China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) for construction of a 325 megawatt Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) at Chashma in December 1991.

After successful completion of Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 and 2, Pakistan and China set a discourse for construction of two 1100 MWe Nuclear Power Plants at Karachi during 2013. The recent fuel loading in the K-3 Nuclear Reactor marked an important milestone that coincided with three decades of successful nuclear cooperation between Pakistan and China.

Presently, Pakistan is actively working to achieve the goal of 8800 MWe Nuclear energy production through domestic sources by 2030. The Government of Pakistan is in consultation with IAEA for provision of IAEA’s nuclear safeguards for its nuclear power plants including Chuchma1 & 2, K2 and K-3, which would further pave the path for IAEA’s cooperation with Pakistan in the Nuclear Energy field. In fact, Pakistan is planning to construct several nuclear reactors to meet its rising energy demands, to curb greenhouse gas emission and counter products of climate change through low carbon electricity generation in the country.

Recently, Pakistan has signed an agreement with IAEA to enhance collaboration with IAEA’s member states for peaceful use of Nuclear energy in the field of agriculture, health, training and regulatory affairs.

Currently, Pakistan is in a position to benefit the world from its knowledge and expertise in the atomic energy realm and hopefully it will achieve self-sufficiency in the use of peaceful nuclear energy in coming years.
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Middle East/Africa Visualizing the Top Trading Partners of MENA Countries

Visualizing the Top Trading Partners of MENA Countries

on January 23, 2024
By Bruno Venditti
In this graphic, we visualize the top trading partners of the MENA countries using data from the International Monetary Fund.

Visualizing the Top Trading Partners of MENA Countries​

This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.

Due to its strategic location, vast energy reserves, strong economies, and complex political dynamics, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region plays a critical role in global markets.

In this graphic, we visualize the top trading partners of the MENA countries based on data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as of October 2023.

China: The Top Import Partner of MENA​

China dominates as the top import supplier to MENA countries. The Asian country sent over $171 billion in goods to the region in 2022.

India is another crucial trading partner in the region, importing goods worth over $50 billion from the United Arab Emirates, with over 40% of these imports comprising petroleum products.

Italy, the leading exporter to Tunisia, is another key player leading trade with Middle East and North Africa countries. In 2022, the country purchased over $28 billion from Algeria and Libya, primarily petroleum.

Trade in the region is expected to increase, with some countries recently deciding to join the BRICS. The addition of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, and the UAE to the bloc represents over one trillion dollars in exports.

Outlook for MENA Countries​

According to the IMF, growth in many economies in the Middle East is slowing due to tighter policies, oil production cuts, geopolitical tensions, and other domestic challenges.

The organization recently lowered the real GDP growth forecast for the region to 2.0% for 2023, compared to the 3.3% projected in April 2023.

The IMF forecasts, however, that annual growth will accelerate to 3.4% in 2024 as some of these factors fade.

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World Wakhan Corridor officially connects Afghanistan to China: Taliban

Wakhan Corridor officially connects Afghanistan to China: Taliban​

08:45 PM, Jan 18, 2024
Myind Staff

Wakhan-Corridor (1).jpg


On 15th January Moizuddin Ahmadi, the head of Information and Culture in Badakhshan, informed that the construction of the Pamir Highway has been completed up to the Chinese border. Now, the project’s plan and budget for the road’s development will begin.

Previously, Michael McCaul, Chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed tension about China’s influence in Afghanistan. He suggested that China might gain control of Bagram airport shortly.

US officials have frequently expressed concerns about China’s investments in Afghanistan, especially in valuable resources like lithium. They see this as conflicting with their national interests.

Earlier in September 2023, Taliban officials reported that the construction of a 50-kilometre stretch of the Silk Road, which extends from Wakhan district to the Chinese border and has a width of 5 meters, has been inaugurated by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development.

The head of Rural Rehabilitation and Development in Badakhshan said in September 2023 that the reconstruction work on nearly 50 kilometres of the Silk Road, connecting Badakhshan to China, officially commenced with the presence of Mullah Mohammad Yunus Akhundzada, the acting head of the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development of the Taliban, and some local officials.

The total cost of this project amounts to over 369,579,000 Afghanis, which is funded by the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development’s Road construction budget and is supervised by development councils.

According to local officials in the Taliban, the construction of the Silk Port, with the shortest distance and the lowest cost, will facilitate the import and export of commercial goods to Afghanistan. It will also enable local traders with limited capital to engage in trade, establish hotels, and guesthouses along the route, and provide the groundwork to boost 50% of Badakhshan and Afghanistan’s economy. Afghanistan shares a border with China in the Wakhan Corridor, which spans 90 kilometres.

Meanwhile, in September 2023, Mohammad Sadiq, the Taliban government’s ambassador to China, mentioned having detailed discussions with Chinese authorities regarding the commencement of traffic through the Wakhan Corridor.

The Wakhan Corridor is a narrow strip of land in northeastern Afghanistan, stretching towards China, and acting as a buffer between Tajikistan and Pakistan. It spans approximately 350 kilometres (220 miles) in length and varies in width from 13 to 65 kilometres (8.1 to 40.4 miles). The corridor is home to around 12,000 inhabitants residing in roughly 110 villages.

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Military Tesla CEO Elon Musk: Chinese EV firms will 'demolish' rivals without trade barriers

Tesla CEO Elon Musk: Chinese EV firms will 'demolish' rivals without trade barriers​

25 Jan 2024 10:52AM

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SAN FRANCISCO : Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on Wednesday Chinese automakers will "demolish" global rivals without trade barriers, underscoring the heat the U.S. electric vehicle market leader faces from the likes of BYD, who are racing to expand worldwide.

Musk's comments come after Warren Buffett-backed BYD - with its cheaper models and a more varied lineup -overtook Tesla as the world's top-selling EV company last quarter, despite Tesla's deep price cuts through 2023.

Chinese car companies were the "most competitive" and "will have significant success outside of China, depending on what kind of tariffs or trade barriers are established," Musk said on a post-earnings call with analysts on Wednesday.

"If there are no trade barriers established, they will pretty much demolish most other car companies in the world," he said. "They're extremely good."

Musk has reason to be concerned.

He sparked a price war last year to woo consumers hit with high borrowing costs, in turn squeezing Tesla's margins and worrying investors. On Wednesday, Musk warned Tesla was reaching "the natural limit of cost down" with its existing lineup.

Tesla plans to start producing a cheaper, mass market compact crossover codenamed "Redwood" mid-2025 to compete with inexpensive rivals, Reuters reported on Tuesday. Musk on Wednesday confirmed that Tesla expects to start production of its next-generation EV at its Texas factory in the second half of 2025.

But Chinese EV makers, adept at keeping costs in check with a stable supply chain, are moving fast. With rising competition and excess capacity in China, many are now working on rapidly expanding their foreign footprint.

SAIC Motor, for instance, has been placing orders for more vehicle vessels in its fleet to counter shipping costs as it looks to boost sales overseas.

"While automakers such as BYD and Nio are middle-of-the-pack with reliability, durability and safety, they enjoy high demand in China with innovation such as in-car technology and battery swapping," Spencer Imel, a partner at consumer insights firm Lansgton.

"That, we believe, will be an important ingredient and a differentiator in their future growth overseas," Imel said. He noted, though, that Chinese car companies still had extremely low brand awareness in the United States.

Musk's comments also come as the U.S. presidential election picks up pace. President Joe Biden has said China was determined to dominate the EV market and that he "won't let that happen".

Former President Donald Trump, who is again seeking the Republican nomination for president this year, has signaled that he would double down on stronger tariffs if elected, calling for a universal 10 per cent tariff on all imports into the U.S. and revoking China's most-favored-nation trading status.

Musk on Wednesday said there was "no obvious opportunity" to partner with Chinese rivals but Tesla was open to giving them access to its charging network and licensing other technologies such as self-driving.

Europe has also taken a protectionist stance towards Chinese EV makers. Last year, the European Commission launched an investigation into whether to impose punitive tariffs to protect European Union producers against cheaper Chinese EV imports it says are benefiting from state subsidies.

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World US asks China to urge Iran to curb Red Sea attacks by Houthis

US asks China to urge Iran to curb Red Sea attacks by Houthis -FT
Reuters
January 24, 20241:55 PM GMT+8


KZXYFBXRFJOHDNKTOVXED6DTRQ.jpg


The Galaxy Leader cargo ship is escorted by Houthi boats in the Red Sea in this photo released November 20, 2023. Houthi Military Media/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing Rights, opens new tab

Jan 24 (Reuters) - The United States has asked China to urge Tehran to rein in the Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea but has seen little sign of help from Beijing, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing U.S. officials.

The U.S. has repeatedly raised the matter with top Chinese officials in the past three months, the report said.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and his deputy, Jon Finer, discussed the issue in meetings this month in Washington with Liu Jianchao, head of the International Liaison Department of China's Communist Party, the newspaper said.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also raised the issue with his Chinese counterpart, the report said, adding U.S. officials believe there was little evidence that China had put any pressure on Iran to restrain the Houthis beyond a mild statement Beijing issued last week.

Earlier on Wednesday, the U.S. military carried out strikes in Yemen, destroying two Houthi anti-ship missiles that were aimed at the Red Sea and were preparing to launch.

On Monday, U.S. and British forces carried out a round of strikes in Yemen, targeting a Houthi underground storage site as well as missile and surveillance capabilities used by the Iran-aligned group against Red Sea shipping.

The Houthi attacks have disrupted global shipping and stoked fears of global inflation. They have also deepened concern that fallout from the Israel-Hamas war could destabilize the Middle East.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us-ur...attacks-by-iran-backed-houthis-ft-2024-01-24/
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World Russia clashes with US and Ukraine supporters at UN, ruling out any peace plan backed by Kyiv and the West

Russia clashes with US and Ukraine supporters at UN, ruling out any peace plan backed by Kyiv and the West​

90



BY EDITH M. LEDERER
Updated 5:34 AM GMT+8, January 23, 2024
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia’s foreign minister clashed with the United States and Ukraine’s supporters at a U.N. meeting Monday where Moscow ruled out any peace plan backed by Kyiv and the West, and China warned that further global chaos could impact the slowing global economy.

Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s top diplomat, claimed that Ukrainian forces have been “a complete failure” on the battlefield and are “incapable” of defeating or weakening Russia.

He told the U.N. Security Council that Moscow is always ready to negotiate peace, but he claimed peace plans presented by Ukraine and its Western “masters” are “only used as cover to continue war and continue getting money from Western taxpayers.”

“All of these formulas are a road to nowhere, and the sooner Washington, London, Paris and Brussels realize this the better for Ukraine and the West,” he said, warning that their “crusade against Russia has already created new, clear, reputational and existential risks.”

U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood dismissed Lavrov’s claims as “just blatant disinformation” and countered that it was Russia’s Feb. 24, 2022 invasion of Ukraine that started the war, and it is President Vladimir Putin ‘s “single-minded pursuit of the obliteration of Ukraine and subjugation of its people that is prolonging it.”

“Russia’s imperialist designs are obvious,” and “for Russia, anything other than capitulation — total capitulation by Ukraine is the only solution, and that’s just not acceptable to the international community,” Wood said. stressing that the war could end tomorrow if Moscow withdrew hundreds of thousands of troops in Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory.

Russia called the council meeting to again sharply criticize Western military aid to Ukraine. Just before it started, diplomats from more than 40 countries surrounded Ukraine’s U.N. Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya who read a joint statement underscoring Russia’s “hypocrisy” in criticizing lawful arms transfers to help Ukraine defend itself.

Ukraine’s supporters called Monday’s meeting another Russian attempt “to distract from its war of aggression,” and they condemned military support to Moscow — drones from Iran and ballistic missiles from North Korea — in violation of U.N. sanctions, as well as military equipment from Belarus.

The council heard many calls for stepped up peace efforts, and there was growing concern from Russia’s ally, China, about the increasing threat to global security from the ongoing war in Ukraine at the same time that Israel and Hamas are at war in Gaza following the militant group’s surprise attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7.

“We must spare no effort to stem the spillover of the (Ukraine) crisis at a time when the Palestinian-Israeli conflict drags on, and some hotspot issues are at the risk of flaring up,” China’s U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun said. “The world cannot afford to see further spreading of geopolitical clashes at the same time the global economy is slowing down.”

Zhang told the council “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected,” which Ukraine has insisted on and which Russia has violated by annexing four Ukrainian regions. But the Chinese ambassador criticized Ukraine for seeking to join NATO and warned Kyiv, without naming Russia, that this would deepen Moscow’s security concerns.

Zhang urged the resumption of direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations as soon as possible. He did not mention the peace plan China issued in February 2023 that called for a ceasefire, negotiations and an end to sanctions against Russia but he did focus on the war’s disruption to the world economy.

“The negative impacts of the Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict have added snow to the icy cold global economy,” Zhang said. “Countries with significant influence should … refrain from politicizing, instrumentalizing or weaponizing the world economy, and should instead work together to maintain global food, energy and financial security as well as the stability and smooth functioning of industrial and supply chains.”

China was the third speaker from the 15-member council and Lavrov left immediately after Zhang spoke, giving his seat to a deputy. Lavrov didn’t hear Wood but he did hear Malta’s U.N. Ambassador Vanessa Frazier who echoed the U.S. call for Russia to withdraw its forces and accused Moscow of violating its duty to maintain international peace and security, the Security Council’s primary mission.

“Today’s meeting is yet another attempt to justify the unjustifiable and seek to provide a narrative where the victim is the aggressor and the aggressor the victim,” Frazier said, decrying the killing of 10,200 Ukrainian civilians, including 575 children, and injuries to more than 19,300 others in Russian attacks since the war began, according to the U.N. human rights office.

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World Russia’s top diplomat accuses US, South Korea and Japan of preparing for war with North Korea

Russia’s top diplomat accuses US, South Korea and Japan of preparing for war with North Korea​

Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks at a media briefing on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at United Nations Headquarters. (AP Photo/Peter K. Afriyie)


Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks at a media briefing on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at United Nations Headquarters. (AP Photo/Peter K. Afriyie)

BY EDITH M. LEDERER

Updated 2:21 PM GMT+8, January 25, 2024

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia’s top diplomat accused the United States, South Korea and Japan on Wednesday of preparing for war with North Korea.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a U.N. news conference that this new military bloc brought together by the United States is building up military activity and conducting large-scale exercises. The United States, South Korea and Japan have described their combined military drills as defensive in nature and necessary to cope with growing North Korean nuclear threats.

All of a sudden South Korea’s rhetoric “became even more hostile towards Pyongyang,” Lavrov said. “In Japan as well, we hear aggressive rhetoric” and it is seriously talking about setting up NATO infrastructure with U.S. assistance.

Lavrov said the objective of the military bloc is clearly stated: “They’re preparing for war with the DPRK,” the initials of North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The Russian minister said the United States and its Asian allies have also been talking about developing their cooperation. “It’s quite wishy-washy the way they phrased it, but they said something like nuclear-related cooperation,” he said.

Last week, the three countries conducted combined naval exercises involving an American aircraft carrier in their latest show of strength against nuclear-armed North Korea.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been on a provocative run of weapons testing and threats that raised regional tensions to their highest point in years. Senior diplomats from the three allies were to meet in Seoul to discuss the worsening standoff with Pyongyang.

On the other hand, Lavrov said Russia’s relationship with North Korea is “proceeding nicely, it’s developing quite actively.”
“We see that the DPRK is trying to be independent, not to dance anybody’s tune,” he said.

Kim is one of the few world leaders openly supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine. Kim has been actively boosting the visibility of his ties with Russia in an attempt to break out of diplomatic isolation and strengthen his footing, as he navigates a deepening nuclear standoff with Washington, Seoul and Tokyo.

When asked about Lavrov’s comments, South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lim Soosuk said they reflected North Korea’s “constantly false and misleading claims as it tries to shift the blame to the outside world while developing nuclear weapons and missiles under its own schedule.”

He accused North Korea of further raising tensions with its weapons demonstrations this month, including missile tests and artillery test-firings near a disputed sea boundary with the South.

“Our government has consistently expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with North Korea without any preconditions,” Lim said during a briefing.

The alignment between Moscow and Pyongyang has raised international concern about alleged arms cooperation. North Korea has been accused of providing Russia with arms supplies to help prolong its warfighting in Ukraine, possibly in exchange for economic assistance and military technology.

Both countries have denied accusations by Washington and Seoul that North Korea has been shipping artillery shells, missiles and other military equipment to Russia in recent months.

Putin confirmed his willingness to visit the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, at a convenient time during his meeting with Kim in Russia’s Far East in September. Lavrov said the timing will be decided by the Kremlin.

Lavrov compared Kim’s recent announcement that North Korea would not pursue a peaceful unification with the South to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement saying there will be no Palestinian state after the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

“It’s terrible when, instead of unity, we have trends which divide us,” the Russian minister said. “And yet, this is a systematic process across many regions, and the main contributor to that trend are those who believe to be the masters of the universe.”

Without naming the United States and former Western colonial powers, he said countries that told others how to live for half a millennium and believe they are “masters of the universe” ignore that the overwhelming majority of ex-colonies and are now independent and want to buttress their, cultural and religious identity.

These ex colonial states are “leaving the West behind,” pointing to the BRICS economic bloc of developing economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. countries. The BRICS members have invited Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Ethiopia to join.

Lavrov said “the ex-colonial powers have to face up to the reality in today’s world.”

“You shouldn’t just think that you’re so strong just because you have the dollar,” he said.

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World OVERSPENDING ON THE PENTAGON IS STEALING OUR FUTURE

OVERSPENDING ON THE PENTAGON IS STEALING OUR FUTURE​

The military-industrial complex is the winner (not you).
By William Hartung | January 16, 2024
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2023 was a year marked by devastating conflicts from Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine to Hamas’s horrific terror attacks on Israel, from that country’s indiscriminate mass slaughter in Gaza to a devastating civil war in Sudan. And there’s a distinct risk of even worse to come this year. Still, there was one clear winner in this avalanche of violence, suffering, and war: the U.S. military-industrial complex.

In December, President Biden signed a record authorization of $886 billion in “national defense” spending for 2024, including funds for the Pentagon proper and work on nuclear weapons at the Department of Energy. Add to that tens of billions of dollars more in likely emergency military aid for Ukraine and Israel, and such spending could well top $900 billion for the first time this year.

Meanwhile, the administration’s $100-billion-plus emergency military aid package that failed to pass Congress last month is likely to slip by in some form this year, while the House and Senate are almost guaranteed to add tens of billions more for “national defense” projects in specific states and districts, as happened in two of the last three years.

Of course, before the money actually starts flowing, Congress needs to pass an appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2024, clearing the way for that money to be spent. As of this writing, the House and Senate had indeed agreed to a tentative deal to sign onto the $886 billion that was authorized in December. A trillion-dollar version of such funding could be just around the corner. (If past practice is any guide, more than half of that sum could go directly to corporations, large and small.)

A trillion dollars is a hard figure to process. In the 1960s, when the federal budget was a fraction of what it is now, Republican Senator Everett Dirksen allegedly said, “A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you’re talking real money.” Whether he did or not, that quote neatly captures how congressional attitudes toward federal spending have changed. After all, today, a billion dollars is less than a rounding error at the Pentagon. The department’s budget is now hundreds of billions of dollars more than at the height of the Vietnam War and over twice what it was when President Eisenhower warned of the “unwarranted influence” wielded by what he called “the military-industrial complex.”

To offer just a few comparisons: annual spending on the costly, dysfunctional F-35 combat aircraft alone is greater than the entire budget of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2020, Lockheed Martin’s contracts with the Pentagon were worth more than the budgets of the State Department and the Agency for International Development combined, and its arms-related revenues continue to rival the government’s entire investment in diplomacy. One $13 billion aircraft carrier costs more than the annual budget of the Environmental Protection Agency. Overall, more than half of the discretionary budget Congress approves every year — basically everything the federal government spends other than on mandatory programs like Medicare and Social Security — goes to the Pentagon.

It would, I suppose, be one thing if such huge expenditures were truly needed to protect the country or make the world a safer place. However, they have more to do with pork-barrel politics and a misguided “cover the globe” military strategy than a careful consideration of what might be needed for actual “defense.”

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World With warming shelters closed, many homeless people in Portland in US fear freezing to death

With warming shelters closed, many homeless people in Portland in US fear freezing to death​

The severe weather state of emergency is over in Multnomah County, and warming centers are closed, leaving homeless people in search of a dry place to stay.


4:22 PM PST January 19, 2024

PORTLAND, Ore. — As ice coats the streets of Portland, homeless people make paths out of cardboard to get around. Many in Old Town Wednesday morning had just left warming centers, which closed earlier in the day.

“They just said it was time to go and kicked us out,” said one man, who goes by the street name ‘Knives.’ “So, I had the idea to come here and light things on fire,” Knives continued, referring to the wooden pallets he was burning on the sidewalk to help him and his friends stay warm.

“If they could’ve just let us stay for the rest of the day until the snow melted, that would have been ideal,” his friend, Casey, said of the warming centers.
Multnomah County opened a record number of warming centers since Friday. They were scheduled to close at 8 a.m. Wednesday, but given the weather, some were kept open until noon.

Homeless people left the emergency shelters with new supplies like tents, sleeping bags and a tarp — yet those supplies only go so far given the new, stricter policies around homeless camping in Portland.

“Quite literally, it’s illegal to camp, so what’s the point? Every time I have a tent, it gets stolen anyway,” said one homeless man who was packing up his supplies.
Since Friday, four people died in Portland from suspected hypothermia, including one woman who spent time at Blanchet House, a popular day center for homeless people in Old Town. Another person died from suspected hypothermia while inside their Tigard home.

“I don’t even know what to say to that somebody dying because they’re freezing to death; that’s kind of scary,” said Marcel who’s homeless in Old Town but was able to make it to a warming center over the weekend.

In Northeast Portland, a church caught fire early Sunday. Two pastors who lived there died. Reggie, a homeless man who often stayed there, tried to save them.
“For a while, I thought these hands were strong, but they failed when the time came. We couldn’t get to them fast enough,” he said, fighting back tears, hands covered in burns and blisters. “I had to tear the building apart with my bare hands. I couldn’t do it.”

Portland Fire and Rescue has not confirmed the cause of that fire, but there are talks of it starting from a generator. The fire department said to KGW that they aren’t ruling out the possibility of the cause being weather-related.

As the storm’s aftermath makes life outside that much harder, just making it through the night is a fear shared by far too many.

“I mean, people are all still cold and hypothermic from before; it’s going to be ongoing,” Casey said.

Two other people died during the storm: An elderly man in Lake Oswego after a tree fell on his home and hit him while he was sleeping, as well as one person living in an RV in Southeast Portland; he died after a tree fell on that RV and caused a fire.
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