Gandapur links negotiations on Nov 24 protest to PTI founder’s release

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur said that negotiations on the November 24 protest will only be commenced after the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, ARY News reported.

Speaking to ARY News after meeting the PTI chairman at Adiala Jail, Ali Amin Gandapur reaffirmed his commitment to securing Imran Khan’s release and fulfilling all related demands on November 24.

He emphasised that the time has come to uphold PTI’s slogan, “If Not Now, Then When? If Not Us, Then Who?” He urged the nation to decide whether to confront the system of oppression or fight for justice.

“Our leader is fighting not just for us, but for future generations. We will not let him down,” Gandapur stated. “PTI’s ideology is our passion, and passion never dies; it only grows stronger.”

Separately, senior PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan expressed satisfaction regarding Imran Khan’s release, citing a significant decision by the Islamabad High Court.

Read More: PTI founder secures bail in Toshakhana-II case  

Earlier on Wednesday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) announced the verdict and ordered to release former prime minister Imran Khan after his bail was approved against two surety bonds worth Rs 1 million each in the Toshakhana-II case.

On November 14, PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi’s pleas seeking acquittal in the Toshakhana-II case were rejected.

Special Central Judge Shah Rukh Arjumand announced the reserved verdict and rejected the acquittal pleas of former prime minister and his wife.

In a separate development, the FIA challenged Bushra Bibi, wife of Imran Khan, bail in the Toshakhana-II case in the Supreme Court.

The FIA stated in its plea that bail was granted in Islamabad High Court judge’s chamber and it violates Supreme Court guidelines. The FIA also claimed that Bushra Bibi was involved in the case along with her husband Imran Khan.

It is pertinent to note that, Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were arrested in a fresh National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reference on July 13 related to Toshakhana, hours after their acquittal in the Iddat case.

How Blake Lively changed ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ ending?

The director of ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ has revealed the role of Hollywood actress Blake Lively in changing the ending of the blockbuster film.

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The Marvel film, starring actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, ended with ambiguity about Deadpool and Wolverine’s fate after they destroyed the time ripper and disappeared from the screen.

The scene shows Matthew MacFadyen’s Paradox delivering a speech, leaving audiences wondering whether the two superheroes made it out alive.

The original ending saw the two superheroes destroy the Time Ripper and survive for another day.

Now, ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ director Shawn Levy has opened up on the last-minute changes to the ending scene after a note from Blake Lively.

“Credit where credit is due. It used to be that there was no suspense, that the power room blew up, and our heroes had survived. It was Blake Lively who said to us, ‘You know, I’ve been with you this whole movie. I want to sit in the fear that they’re lost. Let me be in that place of suspense so the triumph of their survival is more emotional and visceral,’” he said in an interview with a US media outlet.

Read more: ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ tops $1 billion at global Box Office

“It really opened up a new way of thinking about this part of the movie and it’s why we did this reshoot… and, here, the payoff is so much more satisfying,” the filmmaker added.

Ryan Reynolds, husband of the Hollywood actress, revealed that the team only did a day-and-a-half of reshoots.

“These kinds of movies typically involve weeks of reshoots. But this speech that Matthew has is one of the pieces that we reshot. And he is miraculous,” he said.

It is worth noting here that Blake Lively appeared in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ as the voice of Lady Deadpool.

Russia starts making nuclear-resistant mobile bomb shelters

MOSCOW: Russia has begun serial production of mobile bomb shelters that can protect against a variety of threats including shockwaves and radiation from a nuclear blast.

The emergency ministry’s research institute said the “KUB-M” shelter could offer protection for 48 hours against these and other natural and man-made hazards.

Among those it listed were: explosions and shrapnel from conventional weapons; falling debris from buildings; dangerous chemicals and fires.

The “KUB-M” looks like a reinforced shipping container and consists of two modules – a room for 54 people and a technical block. More modules can be added if needed, the institute said.

It did not link the move to any current crisis, though the announcement came days after the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden agreed to allow Ukraine to fire U.S. long-range missiles deep into Russia – a decision that the Kremlin said was reckless and would draw a response from Moscow.

President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday approved a new official doctrine that lowered Russia’s threshold for using nuclear weapons.

Russia fires missiles to simulate response to a nuclear attack

“The mobile shelter is a multifunctional structure that provides protection for people from various threats, including natural disasters and man-made accidents,” the research institute said, calling it “an important step towards improving the safety of citizens”.

It can easily be transported on a truck and connected to water supplies, and can also be deployed in Russia’s vast northern permafrost, it added.

Punjab govt issues update on school closure amid smog crisis

LAHORE: The Punjab government announced that all schools will reopen on November 20 in Lahore and Multan, after being closed due to severe smog, ARY News reported.

The provincial government decided to reopen the schools as air quality has started improving. According to a notification, students and staff are advised to wear masks while outdoor sports and extracurricular activities will remain suspended

Earlier, the government had announced the closure of schools from November 17 to 24 due to hazardous smog levels. The Punjab government had earlier announced to further extend the closure period of all educational institutions including schools till November 24 due to the heavy smog.

However, with improving air quality, educational activities will resume as usual.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad administration revised school timings for winter in order to prevent children and staff from cold weather.

Read More: Restrictions ease in Lahore as smog levels drop

As per the notification issued by the Federal Directorate of Education, the schools will remain open from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm while the timing for regular classes on Fridays would be from 8: 00 am to 12:00 pm.

Subsequently, the evening shift schools will open from 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

Is is to be noted here that toxic smog has dropped in Lahore and the city goes down to third place at the Air Quality Index (AQI) among the most polluted cities of the world after remaining on top of the list for several days.

Local administration has eased restrictions, and all hotels and restaurants’ opening time has been extended to 10 in the night. The dine-in and takeaway facilities will be available at eateries till 10:00 PM.

The bakers have also been exempted from shutdown at 8:00 PM and keep open until 10:00 PM.

However, the shops and markets shutdown order will remain in place until November 24.

Bhoja Air Flight 213 Crash: A Detailed Account of the 2012 Tragedy

On April 20, 2012, Bhoja Air Flight 213, a Boeing 737-236A, tragically crashed while attempting to land at Benazir Bhutto International Airport (now Islamabad International Airport) in Islamabad, Pakistan, killing all 127 people on board. The crash remains one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Pakistan’s history and brought to light several flaws in the country’s aviation safety practices.

Flight Background and Aircraft Information

• Flight Number: Bhoja Air Flight 213
• Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-236A
• Aircraft Registration: AP-BKC
• Operator: Bhoja Air
• Departure: Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, Pakistan
• Destination: Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad, Pakistan
• Flight Date: April 20, 2012

The Boeing 737-200 involved had been in service for more than 30 years and was one of the older aircraft in Bhoja Air’s fleet. The airplane had been recently maintained, though concerns were raised later about the airline’s maintenance practices and the aircraft’s age.

The Flight and Weather Conditions

Bhoja Air Flight 213 took off from Karachi at approximately 6:50 PM local time, with an expected arrival in Islamabad around 8:15 PM. However, the flight encountered severe thunderstorms, high winds, and heavy rain as it approached Islamabad, making the landing conditions extremely challenging.

Around the time of the final approach, the weather worsened significantly, with thunderstorms causing downdrafts that affected the aircraft’s descent.

The Crash

At approximately 8:15 PM, while attempting to land, the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control and was no longer visible on radar. The aircraft crashed into a field about 5 miles (8 km) from Benazir Bhutto International Airport, near the village of Rawat, in the Rawalpindi District. The crash site was located at an altitude of around 4,200 feet.

The fire caused by the impact engulfed the wreckage, making recovery operations extremely difficult. Tragically, all 127 people aboard—121 passengers and 6 crew members—were killed. The crash was one of the deadliest in Pakistan’s aviation history.

Investigation and Findings

The investigation into the crash was led by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), with assistance from international aviation safety bodies. The Pakistan Investigation Board (PIB) conducted the inquiry, which identified several key factors that contributed to the disaster:

Weather Conditions

The investigation found that severe weather, including thunderstorms, strong winds, and downdrafts, played a significant role in the crash. These weather conditions led to significant turbulence and loss of altitude during the final approach. The aircraft was unable to maintain stable flight due to the extreme turbulence.

Pilot Error

The pilot in command, Captain Noorullah Afridi, had over 14,000 flying hours and was considered experienced. However, the investigation pointed to pilot error as a major contributing factor. Captain Afridi continued the approach despite the worsening weather and failed to initiate a go-around or divert the aircraft to an alternate airport, such as Rawalpindi or Lahore, which could have provided safer conditions for landing.

The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) revealed moments of confusion and disorientation in the cockpit. At one point, Captain Afridi reported low visibility and struggled to locate the runway. His decision to continue the approach instead of aborting it or diverting was later determined to be a critical mistake.

Aircraft Maintenance

While maintenance issues were considered in the investigation, they were not determined to be the direct cause of the crash. However, the aircraft’s age and the airline’s financial difficulties raised concerns about the quality of the maintenance procedures at Bhoja Air. There were suggestions that the airline may not have followed proper protocols for maintaining older aircraft, though mechanical failure was not found to be a primary factor in the crash.

Air Traffic Control and Communication

The investigation also raised concerns about air traffic control (ATC) procedures. Communication lapses between the flight crew and ATC contributed to the confusion and mismanagement during the final approach. Although ATC provided standard landing instructions, they did not offer sufficient guidance considering the severe weather conditions. There were no clear recommendations from ATC to divert the flight or initiate a go-around.

Aftermath and Impact

Casualties and Public Reaction

The loss of 127 lives in the crash of Bhoja Air Flight 213 sent shockwaves across Pakistan. The tragedy deeply affected the families of the victims, many of whom were businesspeople, professionals, and their families. In addition to the emotional toll, the crash raised serious concerns about the safety practices of Pakistan’s aviation industry.

Bhoja Air’s Collapse

Following the crash, Bhoja Air faced significant scrutiny. The airline had resumed operations in 2011 after being grounded in 2010 due to financial difficulties. In the aftermath of the crash, questions were raised about the airline’s safety standards and its ability to maintain and operate aging aircraft. Bhoja Air was grounded shortly after the incident and ceased operations entirely in 2013.

Industry Reforms and Lessons Learned

The Bhoja Air Flight 213 crash highlighted several key issues in Pakistan’s aviation industry and prompted calls for reforms, including:

• Pilot Training: Improving training in handling adverse weather conditions, particularly regarding decision-making and the importance of go-arounds and diversion.
• Aircraft Maintenance: Stricter regulations on the maintenance of older aircraft, especially for financially struggling airlines. The quality of maintenance for aging fleets became a point of concern.
• Air Traffic Control: Ensuring better communication and coordination between air traffic controllers and flight crews, especially in critical conditions, could have prevented the disaster.

Conclusion

The crash of Bhoja Air Flight 213 was caused by a combination of severe weather, pilot error, and communication lapses. The loss of 127 lives in this tragic event led to widespread concerns about the safety of Pakistan’s aviation industry. It prompted calls for reforms in pilot training, aircraft maintenance, and air traffic control procedures, and highlighted the critical importance of safety in the industry.

Putin issues warning to United States with new nuclear doctrine

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a broader range of conventional attacks, and Moscow said Ukraine had struck deep inside Russia with U.S.-made ATACMS missiles.

Putin approved the change days after two U.S. officials and a source familiar with the decision said on Sunday that U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration allowed Ukraine to use U.S.-made weapons to strike deep into Russia.

Russia had been warning the West for months that if Washington allowed Ukraine to fire U.S., British and French missiles deep into Russia, Moscow would consider those NATO members to be directly involved in the war in Ukraine.

The updated Russian nuclear doctrine, establishing a framework for conditions under which Putin could order a strike from the world’s biggest nuclear arsenal, was approved by him on Tuesday, according to a published decree.

Analysts said the biggest change was that Russia could consider a nuclear strike in response to a conventional attack on Russia or its ally Belarus that “created a critical threat to their sovereignty and (or) their territorial integrity”.

“The big picture is that Russia is lowering the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a possible conventional attack,” said Alexander Graef, a senior researcher at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg.

The previous doctrine, contained in a 2020 decree, said Russia may use nuclear weapons in case of a nuclear attack by an enemy or a conventional attack that threatened the existence of the state.

Lower Threshold

The doctrine said any attack by a non-nuclear power supported by a nuclear power would be considered a joint attack, and that any attack by one member of a military bloc would be considered an attack by the entire alliance, it said.

Russia’s defence ministry said Ukraine had struck Russia’s Bryansk region with six missiles, opens new tab, and that air defence systems intercepted five and damaged one.

On the 1,000th day of the Ukraine war, Russia also included a broader definition of the data that could be used to indicate Russia was under mass attack from aircraft, cruise missiles and unpiloted aircraft.

The war is entering what some Russian and Western officials say could be its final and most dangerous phase as Moscow’s forces advance at their fastest pace since the early weeks of the conflict and the West ponders how the war will end.

Together, Russia and the U.S. control 88% of the world’s nuclear warheads. Putin is the primary decision-maker on the use of Russia’s nuclear arsenal.
Safe-haven assets such as government bonds, the Japanese yen and gold bounced sharply after the publication of Russia’s updated doctrine.

War

Russian diplomats say the crisis is comparable to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis when the two Cold War superpowers came closest to intentional nuclear war, and that the West is making a mistake if it thinks Russia will back down over Ukraine.

The Kremlin said Russia considered nuclear weapons a means of deterrence and that the updated text was intended to make clear to potential enemies the inevitability of retaliation should they attack Russia.

“Now the danger of a direct armed clash between nuclear powers cannot be underestimated, what is happening has no analogues in the past, we are moving through unexplored military and political territory,” said Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister overseeing arms control and U.S. relations.

The main changes to the nuclear doctrine were flagged by Putin in September.

Asked whether publication of the decree was linked to Washington’s decision on allowing Ukraine to fire U.S. missiles deep into Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the doctrine had been published in a “timely manner”.

“Nuclear deterrence is aimed at ensuring that a potential adversary understands the inevitability of retaliation in the event of aggression against the Russian Federation and/or its allies,” Peskov said.

HBO boss hints at reviving Jon Snow spinoff series

Fans of ‘Game of Thrones’ celebrated when reports said that HBO was planning to develop a spinoff series about Jon Snow, played by Hollywood actor Kit Harington.

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Reports about the sequel series began circulating in June 2022 with author George R.R. Martin revealing that the series had ‘Snow’ as a working title.

Martin at the time also announced that the ‘Game of Thrones’ spinoff series had writers and showrunners on board, and Kit Harington also agreed to reprise his role following the original series.

However, the Hollywood actor, in April this year, confirmed that the ‘Jon Snow’ series was shelved as involved parties could not find the right story.

“Because we all couldn’t find the right story to tell that we were all excited about enough. So, we decided to lay down tools with it for the time being,” Kit Harington said at the time.

Now, HBO chief Casey Bloys has said that the makers of the series have not entirely shelved the project and might revisit it in the future.

“Maybe we’ll try again,” Bloys said during an interview on Tuesday.

HBO has developed a ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel series titled ‘House of the Dragon’ which attracted strong viewership for its second season.

The studio is also working to make ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’  which will follow Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg.

“So far [those] are the only ones that we felt could go the distance. I mean, practically speaking, you don’t want to overdo any anything. There’s no blinking green lights on any other ones. At the moment, we take our time with them, with the development, and only do them when we can serve it,” Casey Bloys said.