News Review 22/03/2023

UK to Give Ukraine Depleted Uranium Shells Despite Russian Warnings

A British official has confirmed that the UK will be providing Ukraine with depleted uranium shells to be used with the British-made Challenger 2 tanks despite warnings from Russia that it would consider the use of the toxic ammunition the same as a dirty bomb. “Alongside our granting of a squadron of Challenger 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine, we will be providing ammunition including armor piercing rounds which contain depleted uranium. Such rounds are highly effective in defeating modern tanks and armored vehicles,” said Annabel Goldie, the British deputy defense minister, in a written response to a question posted on the British Parliament’s website. Depleted uranium is typically created as a byproduct of producing enriched uranium and is extremely dense. Because depleted uranium munitions are radioactive, they are linked to cancer and birth defects, especially in Iraq, where US forces used an enormous number of controversial munitions during the Gulf War and the 2003 invasion. Birth defects are still common in the Iraqi city of Fallujah to this day, likely due to depleted uranium. Responding to the news, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu warned that sending Ukraine depleted uranium rounds brings the world closer to a “nuclear collision” between Russia and the West and warned Moscow would respond. “Naturally, Russia has something to answer this with,” he said.

Drastic Emissions Reductions Needed to Halt Climate Catastrophe

The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned there was a rapidly closing window for addressing climate change, saying global warming will likely exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius during the 2030s. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on wealthy countries to try to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by around 2040. The IPCC's scientists said there was a "feasible, but narrow pathway" to avoid the worst effects of climate change, but doing so would require cutting greenhouse gasses by 43% globally by 2030 and 60% by 2035, with even higher CO2 emissions reductions. The report warns that implementing current policies announced by governments would result in global warming reaching an estimated 3.2 degrees Celsius. With the COVID outbreak and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine many of the world largest emitters have gone back on their emission reduction targets and many have re-started their coal powered fire plants. The world’s largest emitters were already dragging their feet on emission reduction targets and its likely they will continue doing this.

Unrest in Pakistan

A Pakistani court cancelled former Prime Minister Imran Khan's arrest warrant after his supporters clashed with police outside of a judicial complex at which Khan appeared as part of the cases against him. The police subsequently charged Khan and several leaders of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party with terrorism. The political showdown between Khan and the government may result in more violent clashes between Khan's supporters and the police in the coming weeks. Because this volatility is close to Pakistan's general elections that will occur later in 2023. Imran Khan continues with attacking retired army general, Qamar Bajwa as well as the wider role the army plays in the country. Both Pakistan’s establishment and Imran Khan are playing to maintain their positions and remain in in power. As far as the county is concerned, this is of little consideration.