Author: News Desk

Ethiopia PM urges civilians to join armed forces as war rages
12Aug By News DeskNo Comments
Conflict, Politics, World

Ethiopia PM urges civilians to join armed forces as war rages

Ethiopia PM urges civilians to join armed forces as war rages A camp for displaced people in the town of Azezo. More than two million people have fled their homes since fighting in Tigray began last November, according to UN figures. DIS ABABA - Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed issued a call Tuesday for all eligible civilians to join the armed forces as fighting raged in multiple regions of Africa's second most populous nation. "Now is the right time for all capable Ethiopians who are of age to join the Defense Forces, Special Forces and militias and show your patriotism," Abiy's office said in a statement released less than two months after he declared a unilateral ceasefire against Tigrayan rebels. Abiy sent troops into Ethiopia's northernmost Tigray region last November to topple...
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Ratch acquires 9.9% share in BCIL
12Aug By News DeskNo Comments
Business, World

Ratch acquires 9.9% share in BCIL

Ratch acquires 9.9% share in BCIL SET-listed Ratch Group has acquired a 9.9% share totalling 190 million baht in Bangkok Chain International (Lao) Co (BCIL) to co-invest in a new hospital in Vientiane as it sees an opportunity in the growing healthcare industry. The share purchase agreement made on July 30 is in line with the Lao government's plan on social welfare development, with a goal to enhance the public health system and quality of living. A private tertiary hospital in the Lao capital that has 110 beds is planned in the first phase, with operation scheduled to begin on Aug 19. Full accommodation capacity is 254 beds. It will become an alternative hospital for both locals and expatriates, according to Ratch. The company expects healthcare and wellness businesses will grow as ...
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The resurgence of Indigenous canoes
11Aug By News DeskNo Comments
World

The resurgence of Indigenous canoes

Sacred Journey, a newly opened exhibit, showcases the resurgence of Indigenous canoe cultures and shares stories of Indigenous Peoples’ ability to adapt, adopt, and transform over time, according to one of the installation’s co-curators. λáλíyasila Frank Brown describes the responsibility that comes with welcoming canoes from many nations to Haíłzaqv (Heiltsuk) shores during annual Tribal Canoe Journeys. “How we travel and how we participate matters, doing it in the right spirit, for both hosts and guests,” λ.λ.yasila tells IndigiNews. “I’ve heard old people say, when you’re traveling, you’re not only representing yourself, you’re representing us, your family and your community, so you have to carry yourself accordingly.” The hereditary chief of the Heiltsuk Nation played a key role in
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When crossed arms cross lines: Will the Olympic Lords of the Rings come after Raven Saunders’ silver?
11Aug By News DeskNo Comments
Conflict, World

When crossed arms cross lines: Will the Olympic Lords of the Rings come after Raven Saunders’ silver?

TOKYO—A twerk, arms crossed in a defiant “X,” and a tweet warning that, if authorities tried to repossess her silver medal for breaking rules about athlete protests, they’d have to wrest it from her cold unrelinquishing hands. “Let them try and take this medal,” wrote Raven Saunders — Black, lesbian, South Carolinian — after expressing herself on the podium as Olympic champion shot putter with something to say. “I’m running across the border even though I can’t swim.” Or — should it come to that — Saunders can dig in her heels, maybe seek refuge from the U.S. embassy, and refuse to get on a plane. As has Belarusian sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, who sought help from Japanese police at Haneda airport on Sunday after her delegation tried to bundle her onto a flight and out of the countr
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Asean at 54: In need of some speed
11Aug By News DeskNo Comments
Conflict, Opinion, Singapore, World

Asean at 54: In need of some speed

Asean at 54: In need of some speed Despite the plethora of criticism, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in its 54th year is actually stronger and bolder than ever. That might sound propagandistic but it is not. Today, member countries are more engaged and expressive in their exchanges of opinions and ideas, especially on proposed plans of action in relation to the challenges confronting the bloc. External powers are also wooing Asean in a way that has never seen before. Given the current regional strategic environment, the role of Asean has expanded and is under close scrutiny by the international community. Indeed, in the era of smartphones and social media, Asean members can no longer hide their disagreements. Taking it a step further, a few Asean members also have sav...
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Canadian faces spy ruling as Huawei decision looms
11Aug By News DeskNo Comments
Conflict, Politics, World

Canadian faces spy ruling as Huawei decision looms

BEIJING (AP) — A Canadian entrepreneur who was charged with spying after his government arrested an executive of Chinese tech giant Huawei faces a possible verdict Wednesday as Beijing steps up pressure on Canada ahead of a court ruling on whether to hand over the executive to face U.S. criminal charges. Michael Spavor and another Canadian were detained in China in what critics labeled “hostage politics” after the executive’s 2018 arrest in connection with possible violations of trade sanctions on Iran. On Tuesday, a court rejected the appeal of a third Canadian whose prison term in a drug case was abruptly increased to death following the executive’s arrest. Canada and other governments including Australia and the Philippines face growing Chinese pressure including trade boycotts in dis
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Anti-military protests in Myanmar on anniversary of 1988 uprising
11Aug By News DeskNo Comments
World

Anti-military protests in Myanmar on anniversary of 1988 uprising

Anti-military protests in Myanmar on anniversary of 1988 uprising FILE PHOTO: Protesters wear wet weather gear to protect against police water cannon as they take part in a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon, Feb 9, 2021. (AFP) Protests against Myanmar's military government broke out across the nation on Sunday, the anniversary of the bloody suppression of a 1988 uprising against a previous army junta. At least six separate protests were documented on Facebook pages of opponents of the military, which seized power from the elected government six months ago and detained its leader, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, and several other key officials. The Feb 1 coup ended a brief, decade-long experiment in democracy in the Southeast Asian nation of 53 million, shattering hopes...
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Myanmar’s strike holdouts maintain defiance of ‘wicked junta’
11Aug By News DeskNo Comments
Business, World

Myanmar’s strike holdouts maintain defiance of ‘wicked junta’

Myanmar's strike holdouts maintain defiance of 'wicked junta' Ongoing strikes have left Myanmar's junta deprived of staff to manage utilities, issue bills and collect taxes. BANGKOK: Doctors healing patients from hiding, teachers giving up their classrooms and bankers losing their savings are among the stubborn holdouts still on strike to protest Myanmar's military coup six months ago. Thousands of civil servants joined a mass walkout in the days after the February ouster of Aung San Suu Kyi's government in an effort to deny the junta legitimacy, manpower and resources. It is difficult to know how many are still participating in the campaign, with many sacked for joining protests and a severe coronavirus outbreak likely keeping others away from their desks. The strikes have left the j...
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Woman convicted in kidnapping gets re-sentencing hearing
10Aug By News DeskNo Comments
Business, World

Woman convicted in kidnapping gets re-sentencing hearing

KANKAKEE, Ill. (AP) — A woman convicted in the 1987 kidnapping and death of a northern Illinois businessman has been granted a re-sentencing hearing by the state’s appellate court. Nancy Rish, 59, petitioned in December 2017 for a resentencing hearing so that the court can consider evidence of domestic violence. Stephen Small of Kankakee suffocated in a plywood box when a breathing tube running to the surface failed before a ransom could be paid. Her attorneys argued Rish was coerced by ex-boyfriend Daniel Edwards into driving him and that she was unaware of his kidnapping plan even as he had her pick him up from the remote, wooded burial site and drive him between phone booths where he made ransom calls. The attorneys argued her case is what Illinois legislators had in mind when they p
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Walking with Myanmar’s anti-junta fighters
10Aug By News DeskNo Comments
World

Walking with Myanmar’s anti-junta fighters

Walking with Myanmar's anti-junta fighters Members of Myanmar's Karenni People Defense Force take part in military training at their camp near Demoso in Kayah state. KAYAH STATE, Myanmar: In their camp hidden in the forested hills of Kayah state near the Thai border, Myanmar anti-junta volunteers practice firing their homemade weapons, do physical training, and play guitar in between skirmishes with the military. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government in February and launched a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests. In some areas civilians have formed "defence forces" to combat the State Administration Council, as the junta dubs itself, often using hunting rifles or weapons manufactured at makeshift factories. "I've been away f...
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