SEOUL: The threat of nuclear missile attack by North Korea is accelerating, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Saturday, accusing the North of illegal and unnecessary missile and nuclear programs and pledging to repel any strike.
In remarks in Seoul with South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo at his side, Mattis said North Korea engages in “outlaw” behavior and that the US will never accept a nuclear North.
The Pentagon chief added that regardless of what the North might try, it is overmatched by the firepower and cohesiveness of the decades-old US-South Korean alliance.
“North Korea has accelerated the threat that it poses to its neighbors and the world through its illegal and unnecessary missile and nuclear weapons programs,” he said, adding that US-South Korean military and diplomatic collaboration thus has taken on “a new urgency.”
“I cannot imagine a condition under which the United States would accept North Korea as a nuclear power,” Mattis said.
As he emphasized throughout his weeklong Asia trip, which included stops in Thailand and the Philippines, Mattis said diplomacy remains the preferred way to deal with the North.
“With that said,” he added, “make no mistake — any attack on the United States or our allies will be defeated, and any use of nuclear weapons by the North will be met with a massive military response that is effective and overwhelming.”
Mattis’ comments did not go beyond his recent statements of concern about North Korea, although he appeared to inject a stronger note about the urgency of resolving the crisis.
While he accused the North of “outlaw” behavior, he did not mention that President Donald Trump has ratcheted up his own rhetoric. In August, Trump warned the North not to make any more threats against the US, and said that if it did, it would be met with “fire and fury like the world has never seen.”
Song said at the news conference that he and Mattis agreed to further cooperation on strengthening Seoul’s defense capabilities, including lifting warhead payload limits on South Korean conventional missiles and supporting the country’s acquisition of “most advanced military assets.” He offered no specifics and refused to answer when asked whether the discussions included nuclear-powered submarines.
Some South Korean government officials have endorsed the nation getting nuclear-powered submarines amid calls for more military strength. There is a growing concern among the South Korean public that North Korea’s expanding nuclear weapons arsenal, which may soon include an intercontinental ballistic missile that could target the US mainland, would undermine Seoul’s long alliance with Washington.
South Korea’s conservative politicians have also called for the United States to bring back tactical nuclear weapons that were withdrawn from the Korean Peninsula in the 1990s. But Mattis and Song were strongly dismissive of the idea.
“When considering national interest, it’s much better not to deploy them,” said Song, adding that the allies would have “sufficient means” to respond to a North Korean nuclear attack even without placing tactical nuclear weapons in the South. Mattis said current US strategic assets are already providing nuclear deterrence and that the South Korean government has never approached him with the subject of tactical nuclear weapons.
Trump entered office declaring his commitment to solving the North Korea problem, asserting that he would succeed where his predecessors had failed. His administration has sought to increase pressure on Pyongyang through UN Security Council sanctions and other diplomatic efforts, but the North has not budged from its goal of building a full-fledged nuclear arsenal, including missiles capable of striking the US mainland.
If Trump sticks to his pledge to stop the North from being able to threaten the US with a nuclear attack, something will have to give — either a negotiated tempering of the North’s ambitions or a US acceptance of the North as a nuclear power.
The other alternative would be US military action to attempt to neutralize or eliminate the North’s nuclear assets — a move fraught with risk for South Korea, Japan and the US.
Mattis touched off unease in South Korea last month when he told reporters at the Pentagon that the US has military options for North Korea that does not put Seoul at risk. At Saturday’s briefing, Mattis did not offer a direct answer to what those options are or how and when they would be used.
“Our military options as I mentioned are designed to buttress the diplomats’ efforts to maintain a deterrence stance and denuclearize the Korean Peninsula,” he said. While the allies are committed to deterring North Korea, they also need “many different military options that would realistically reduce that threat as low as possible,” Mattis said.
“And yes, we do have those options,” he said.
Pentagon chief says North Korea engages in ‘outlaw’ behavior
Pentagon chief says North Korea engages in ‘outlaw’ behavior
Asma Alhosani becomes first Emirati woman to reach black belt finals at Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship
- First time four UAE athletes in different categories have reached black belt finals since competition’s inception
ABU DHABI: Emiratis Zayed Alkatheeri, Khaled Al-Shehhi, Mohammed Alsuwaidi and Asma Alhosani on Friday secured their spots in the finals of the professional black belt division at the 16th Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
The finals will will take place on Saturday at Mubadala Arena, and will feature four Emirati athletes for the first time since the championship’s inception.
Representing Baniyas Club, Alhosani has made history by becoming the first Emirati woman to qualify for the professional finals in the women’s brown/black belt category. She achieved the milestone after defeating France’s Lina Grosset from School of Champs in the 55 kg division.
“I am very proud to be the first Emirati woman to reach the final in the women’s brown/black belt division at this world championship,” Alhosani said. “This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our wise leadership and the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation. I eagerly look forward to the final, where I aim to win gold and stand on the podium.”
In the men’s 62 kg men’s division, Al-Ain Club’s Khaled Al-Shehhi secured his place in the finals after defeating Ecuadorian Enrique Guerrero.
“Reaching the final for the second consecutive year is a significant step in my career,” he said. “I’m determined to give my best performance and win the gold medal and the championship belt. Last year’s silver medal motivated me to improve my skills, refine my strategy, and work harder throughout the year. My goal tomorrow (Saturday) is to take gold.”
Meanwhile, Zayed Alkatheeri, representing Abu Dhabi Police Academy, also advanced to the finals. Alkatheeri, who made history in 2022 as the first Emirati to win gold in the black belt division, defeated Armenian Rafayel Kostanyan from Legacy Jiu-Jitsu Armenia.
“I’m thrilled with my performance today and excited about the opportunity to reclaim the title,” Alkatheeri said. “I’m confident in my abilities and ready to compete against one of the best athletes in the world. Tomorrow is my chance to showcase my skills and prove my progress.”
Elsewhere, Mohammed Alsuwaidi from Al-Wahda Jiu-Jitsu Academy secured his place in the 69 kg final after overcoming Brazilian Raimundo Sodre from Clube Feijao in the semifinal. “I am so glad I made it to the finals in the black belt division. I’m really looking forward to the final tomorrow. I’ve done all the preparations right, so I am confident I will do my best to win the title,” he said.
Commando Group leads as Emiratis shine on penultimate day of Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship
- Six home favorites claimed medals at Mubadala Arena on Friday night
ABU DHABI: The UAE’s Commando Group took the lead on the penultimate day of the 16th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, held at Mubadala Arena.
Friday’s competition saw the finals of the purple and brown belts and the qualifying rounds for the black belt category. Emirati MOD UAE finished in second place, and American Checkmat International secured third. The finals for the black belt divisions will take place on Saturday night.
Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “I congratulate the champions who made it to the podium on Friday. This success is the result of hard work, dedication to training and thorough preparation. I’m confident that this new generation of athletes will continue the journey of achievements, supported by the UAE’s wise leadership that provides everything needed for their success.”
The Emirati athletes’ total of six medals on Friday in the professional competitions (purple and brown belts) included two golds, one silver and three bronzes. Zayed Al-Shamsi from Al-Wahda Club, competing in the purple belt category, achieved the gold medal in the 56 kg weight category. His club colleague Saeed Al-Kubaisi, competing in the brown belt category, also secured the gold medal in the 85 kg weight category.
Hadi Abbas from Al-Ain Club earned the silver medal in the 62 kg purple belt category. Meanwhile, Mohammed Saeed Al-Ketbi, Fahad Al-Hammadi and Maid Al-Shehhi, all from Baniyas Club, claimed bronze medals in the 56 kg purple belt, 69 kg purple belt and 56 kg brown belt categories, respectively.
The black belt finals for the professional category take place at Mubadala Arena on Saturday, with a group of champions from countries including the UAE, Brazil, the US, Portugal, the Philippines and Russia, competing. The black belt finals will be held from 6 p.m. 9 p.m. (UAE time), followed by the champions’ crowning ceremony.
Sofia Boutella promotes BBC drama ‘SAS Rogue Heroes’
DUBAI: French Algerian actress Sofia Boutella took to social media to promote her latest project, season two of the BBC’s “SAS Rogue Heroes.”
The trailer for season two was released by the BBC this week, and Boutella took to Instagram to re-post a clip of the military drama that follows the exploits of the special forces unit of the British Army.
Created by Steven Knight (“Peaky Blinders”), series two rejoins British troops in spring 1943 during World War II.
Returning for series two are actors Jack O’Connell, Connor Swindells, Dominic West and Boutella, who plays French intelligence agent Eve Mansour.
Commissioned by the BBC, the show is based on Ben Macintyre’s best-selling book of the same name, with season two having been directed by Stephen Woolfenden.
Boutella most recently starred “The Killer’s Game,” which hit cinemas in September, and Netflix’s “Rebel Moon — Part 2: The Scargiver.”
In the sci-fi adventure — a sequel to last year’s “Rebel Moon — Part One: A Child of Fire” — a peaceful colony on the edge of a galaxy finds itself threatened by the armies of a tyrannical ruling force.
Kora, played by Boutella, has assembled a small band of warriors — outsiders, insurgents, peasants and orphans of war from different worlds.
Boutella drew on her history as an immigrant. She grew up in Algeria during its civil war and later moved to France and found herself navigating the complexities of adapting to a different culture.
“Having left Algeria young, when I go back there I don’t feel like I belong to Algeria. And then, in France, I don’t feel like I belong to France because I didn’t grow up there,” she told Arab News in a previous interview.
Boutella has learned to embrace her rootlessness, though. “I feel like I belong to this planet. I have the freedom to travel wherever I want, without any limitation,” she said. “But sometimes, I miss the proximity and attachment that people have to their country.”
Kora was not Algiers-born Boutella’s first role as a sword-wielding extraterrestrial. The actress, who at the age of 10 fled to Paris with her family during the Algerian civil war, is known for her breakout performance in the Oscar-nominated film, “Star Trek Beyond,” in which she portrayed the fierce alien warrior, Jaylah.
Pakistan’s Punjab conducts successful artificial rain trial amid smog crisis
- Punjab carries out cloud seeding in Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang and Gujar Khan
- Toxic smog due to air pollution has enveloped Punjab province since last month
ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government has conducted a successful artificial rain trial using local technology to reduce smog, state-run media reported on Saturday, as the province grapples with deteriorating air quality and takes measures to protect millions from pollution.
State broadcaster Radio Pakistan said the provincial government carried out “cloud seeding” in the eastern cities of Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang and Gujar Khan on Friday, which resulted in rainfall in Jhelum and Gujar Khan within a few hours.
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that improves a cloud’s ability to produce rain or snow by introducing tiny ice nuclei into certain types of subfreezing clouds.
In December last year, a cloud seeding experiment was carried out by the United Arab Emirates to bring about artificial rain in Lahore. The UAE sent two special planes and a technical team, which waited in Lahore for several days for the right conditions before carrying out its mission.
“Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif congratulated all scientific experts and associated institutions on the success of this artificial rain experiment,” Radio Pakistan said.
It said the experiment was conducted due to the combined efforts of the Punjab government, Pakistan Army’s Scientific Research and Development experts, Army Aviation, PARCO and the Environmental Protection Agency.
“This success will open new avenues for technological advancement in Pakistan and help alleviate weather-related issues for the public,” it said.
The development takes place as Punjab extended school closures in smog-hit major cities from Nov. 17 by a week, with thousands hospitalized as the country battles record air pollution.
Toxic smog has enveloped Punjab’s cities, especially its cultural capital of Lahore, since last month. Smog occurs when cold air traps dust, low-grade diesel fumes and smoke from illegal stubble burning on fields.
As the air quality deteriorates, the provincial government has taken certain measures such as closing schools, banning the entry of heavy transport vehicles in Lahore on specific days and banning entry to parks, zoos, playgrounds and other public spaces.
Other parts of South Asia are also dealing with high levels of pollution and Punjab blames neighboring India for contributing to its hazardous air quality.
New Delhi, the world’s most polluted capital, has banned non-essential construction, moved children to virtual classrooms and asked residents to avoid using coal and wood from Friday.
Saudi Fund for Development marks 50 years with efforts in emerging economies
RIYADH: As the world is being divided by geopolitical tensions and wars, Saudi Arabia’s development fund is extending a helping hand to emerging nations through soft loans and grants.
Established in 1974, the Saudi Fund for Development has supported more than 800 projects worth $20 billion in over 100 countries.
As it celebrates 50 years since it was founded, the fund’s offerings for developing nations show no signs of slowing down.
Here are the highlights of its activities in the first nine months of 2024.
Water project to Benin
In February, SFD signed a memorandum of understanding with Benin to allocate a $5 million grant to support the implementation of the fifth phase of the Saudi Program for Drilling of Wells and Rural Development.
According to a press statement, the water project is expected to overcome the effects of drought in 37 villages across the West African nation.
“The project will contribute to the growth and prosperity of the infrastructure sector, provide access to water and food security, maintain public health, and reduce environmental pollution, to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 6, clean water and sanitation,” said SFD.
The fund’s development cooperation with Benin started in 2008, with it providing soft loans to finance six development projects and programs worth more than $145 million in the country over the past sixteen years.
Supporting Turkiye’s education sector
In February, SFD signed a $55 million loan agreement with Turkiye to rehabilitate five public schools covering an area of approximately 55,000 sq. meters.
The project will equip these schools with the necessary equipment and resources to protect them against earthquake damage, ensuring the continuity of their quality and efficiency, according to a statement.
Over the past four decades, SFD has financed nine development projects and programs in Turkiye, worth over $300 million, in multiple sectors including energy, health, agriculture, and education.
Empowering transport sector in Tunisia
Earlier this year, the fund signed a development loan agreement worth $55 million to renew and develop the railway network for phosphate transportation in Tunisia.
According to a press statement, the project will help renew approximately 190 km of the system, support increasing the capacity for transporting phosphate, and contribute toward Tunisia’s economic growth by creating direct and indirect job opportunities.
Loan to support clean energy growth in Pakistan
In March, SFD signed two development loan agreements totaling to $101 million to finance the establishment of the Shounter Hydropower and the the Jagran-IV Hydropower Projects in Pakistan.
A loan worth $66 million is intended to construct the 48-megawatt Shounter Hydropower station and connect it to the country’s national electricity grid.
This project also involves dam construction, water diversion and purification structures, powerhouse development and discharge tunnel construction.
The second loan, amounting to $35 million, will help establish the Jagran-IV Hydropower Project, which is set to have a capacity of 22 MW. This project entails the construction of dam, powerhouse, water diversion and purification building, as well as the provision of generators, transformers, necessary equipment, and transmission lines.
“These two agreements mark a continuation of efforts to boost clean energy projects in Pakistan, addressing challenges posed by conventional energy and its associated financial costs,” said SFD.
It added: “Additionally, they underscore the significance of clean energy and its contribution to fostering vital opportunities for sustainable development, aiming to support social development, stimulate economic growth, and meet population basic needs.”
In 2023, SFD financed oil derivatives worth $1 billion for Pakistan, when the South Asian nation was facing a tough economic situation amid dwindling forex reserves and rapidly depreciating national currency.
Supporting energy sector in Saint Kitts and Nevis
In April, SFD signed another development loan agreement worth $40 million to bolster the energy sector in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
According to a press statement, the loan centers on the financing of the expansion of the Needsmust Power Plant Project in the island nation. The project entails the establishment of a state-of-the-art dual-fuel power generation station with a capacity of 18 MW.
“This initiative is poised to significantly enhance the country’s energy production capabilities, contributing to a flexible hybrid power generation platform. It emphasizes efficiency improvements, utilization of clean fuel, and a pivotal step toward sustainable energy practices,” said SFD.
Aid to disaster-affected communities in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
To support the disaster-affected communities in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the SFD in April signed a $50 million developmental loan agreement with the Caribbean nation.
According to a press statement, the agreement aims to finance the construction and rehabilitation of buildings and facilities affected by natural disasters in the country.
“The goal is to enhance the sustainability and resilience of these structures to withstand future disasters and climate change effects. The project encompasses furnishing and equipping buildings with necessary equipment, including the establishment of four health care facilities, construction of primary and secondary schools, government buildings, and rehabilitation of damaged houses by volcano, among other infrastructure works,” said SFD.
SFD enters El Salvador and Nicaragua
In June, SFD forayed into El Salvador and Nicaragua by signing developmental loan agreements with these nations.
The fund signed a $83 million deal with El Salvador to fund a water treatment and biogas power generation project in the Central American country.
“The project will treat wastewater that currently flows into the Acelhuate River, while also producing biogas for renewable electricity generation. Expected to benefit over 1.2 million people, it will significantly increase El Salvador’s renewable energy capacity, and contribute to environmental sustainability,” said SFD.
#Infographic | A first developmental step; for effective sustainable development #SFD Signed the first development loan agreement worth $103 million; to support the health sector in the Republic of #Nicaragua.#ProsperTogether pic.twitter.com/UqisoTrZPp
— الصندوق السعودي للتنمية (@SaudiFund_Dev) June 7, 2024
In the same month, the fund signed another developmental loan agreement worth $103 million with Nicaragua to finance the development of the Carlos Centeno Departmental Hospital in the Central American nation.
According to a press statement, the fund will be used to construct a 25,000-sq.-meter hospital with a capacity of 300 beds, serving the surrounding regions.
The facility will also include specialized clinics for surgery, comprehensive child immunization, training and qualification of medical personnel, emergency departments, and a full range of integrated health care services.
Supporting socio-economic growth in Dominica
In September, SFD signed a developmental loan agreement worth $41 million with Dominica to enhance socio-economic growth in the country.
The agreement aims to rehabilitate seven main streets in Roseau, which will help improve road connectivity, reduce congestion, enhance safety and access to basic services, as well as facilitate the smoother movement of people and goods, according to a press statement.
#Video | The signing ceremony for the first development loan agreement worth $41 million, provided by #SFD to finance the Infrastructure Rehabilitation project in the capital, Roseau, of the Commonwealth of #Dominica.#ProsperTogether#SFD50 pic.twitter.com/rxLkdQWMJ6
— الصندوق السعودي للتنمية (@SaudiFund_Dev) September 15, 2024
The loan will also contribute to commercial and residential development and create numerous job opportunities.
In the same month, SFD also signed a deal worth $25 million to co-finance the development of renewable energy infrastructure in the Solomon Islands.
The financing initiative aims to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and promote sustainable development in the Oceanian nation.
