Politics – Page 15 – The Singapore Post

Boycotting the next Olympics in Beijing will hurt athletes: Here’s a better idea

22Aug

By Desk TeamNo Comments

Boycotting the next Olympics in Beijing will hurt athletes: Here’s a better idea

This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Disclosure information is available on the original site. ___ Author: Bruce Kidd, Professor Emeritus of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto With the Tokyo Olympics coming to an end, human rights activists are expected to step up their campaign against the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing in protest against the genocide of the Uyghurs and other Turkic-speaking people in Xinjiang, the colonization of Tibet and the suppression of democracy in Hong Kong. They will call upon the International Olympic Committee to cancel or move the Games that start in just six months, and if that fails, they’ll urge athletes to boycot

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...

Myanmar marks anniversary of killing of independence hero

11Aug

By Desk TeamNo Comments

Politics, World

Myanmar marks anniversary of killing of independence hero

BANGKOK - Myanmar’s military-installed government and those seeking to topple it on Monday marked the 74th anniversary of the assassination of independence hero Gen. Aung San, the father of the country’s recently ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. The separate commemorations by the contending groups were a reminder of the tragic political turmoil that has marked much of the country’s history, including dysfunctional parliamentary rule, armed struggle by ethnic separatists and military repression. It also highlights the complicated relationship of Suu Kyi and the military to her father, whose legacy they both claim. There were protest marches Monday in several cities across the country commemorating Aung San, six Cabinet colleagues and two other officials who were killed at a Cabinet meetin

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

Duterte retained US military deal as ‘concession’ for vaccines

5Aug

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Politics, World

Duterte retained US military deal as ‘concession’ for vaccines

Duterte retained US military deal as ‘concession’ for vaccines US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin fist bumps with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during a courtesy call at the Malacanang Palace in Manila, Philippines July 29, 2021. (via Reuters photo) Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said US vaccine donations convinced him to keep a military deal between the two long-time allies that forms a key part of President Joe Biden’s efforts to counter Chinese influence in the region. At a late Monday briefing, Duterte said he agreed to continue the Visiting Forces Agreement with the US as a “concession” for donated coronavirus shots, including more than 3 million Moderna Inc doses scheduled to arrive on Tuesday. “It’s just give and take,” Duterte said. “I’d like to thank president o

China setting back old theory of business and democracy

5Aug

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Business, China, Politics, World

China setting back old theory of business and democracy

When any country let the private company business in its territory, it is to be thought that the country is getting democratic, but China which is taking business from four decades breaking all the stereotypes and getting more stronger in terms of one-party state. When China began allowing private businesses and foreign investment four decades ago, many outside the communist country expected that as its economy became more capitalist, its politics also would become more democratic. They didn’t. Instead, the Chinese system, which puts stability and cohesion ahead of individual freedoms, became adept at delivering prosperity, with the Communist Party still firmly in control. For Beijing, its success legitimizes its model as an alternative to the liberal values of the West, an idea the U.

To reach a peace deal, Taliban say Afghan president must go

4Aug

By Desk TeamNo Comments

Conflict, Politics, World

To reach a peace deal, Taliban say Afghan president must go

ISLAMAB (AP) — The Taliban say they don’t want to monopolize power, but they insist there won’t be peace in Afghanistan until there is a new negotiated government in Kabul and President Ashraf Ghani is removed. In an interview with The Associated Press, Taliban spokesman, Suhail Shaheen, who is also a member of the group’s negotiating team, laid out the insurgents’ stance on what should come next in a country on the precipice. The Taliban have swiftly captured territory in recent weeks, seized strategic border crossings and are threatening a number of provincial capitals — advances that come as the last U.S. and NATO soldiers leave Afghanistan. This week, the top U.S. military officer, Gen. Mark Milley, told a Pentagon press conference that the Taliban have “strategic momentum,” and he

Sara Maria Haukioja survived grim conditions in Finland and northern Ontario before creating a beautiful life for her family

2Aug

By Desk TeamNo Comments

Politics, World

Sara Maria Haukioja survived grim conditions in Finland and northern Ontario before creating a beautiful life for her family

Sara Maria Haukioja may have been a quiet person, but her warmth and strength spoke volumes. The mother of three immigrated from Finland to northern Ontario in 1951 to reunite with her husband, who had secured a job and housing. What started off as a tough time in Canada’s harsh lumber camps eventually turned into a beautiful, fulfilling life. “She wanted a better future for her children because she came from quite a poor background. She went through war,” says her daughter Olivia Lee, who recalls their first home resembling a trapper’s camp with no finished floors. “She couldn’t put us down because we’d get splinters.” Despite the difficult early years, Haukioja went on to be a dedicated homemaker, often baking delicacies from Finland. Her son, Ari Haukioja, says her food was an integr

Two Koreas restore severed communications in surprise thaw

2Aug

By Desk TeamNo Comments

Politics, Singapore, World

Two Koreas restore severed communications in surprise thaw

Two Koreas restore severed communications in surprise thaw South Korean President Moon Jae-in (right) is credited with brokering the rapprochement between North Korea and the United States in 2018. SEOUL: North and South Korea signalled a surprise thaw in relations on Tuesday, announcing a restoration of cross-border communications that were severed more than a year ago and revealing that their leaders had exchanged a series of letters. The North unilaterally cut off all official military and political communication links in June last year after threats over activists sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border. The suspension came with inter-Korean ties at a standstill, despite three summits between the North's Kim Jong Un and the South's President Moon Jae-in in 2018. But the ...

China jabs deal hailed as leaders tackle Covid economic woes

29Jul

By Desk TeamNo Comments

Business, China, Politics, World

China jabs deal hailed as leaders tackle Covid economic woes

China jabs deal hailed as leaders tackle Covid economic woes Covax has delivered more than 100 million jabs so far, well short of its aims after expected supplies from India failed to materialise. GENEVA: A global initiative to distribute coronavirus vaccines to poorer countries was boosted on Monday by a deal to buy more than 100 million Chinese jabs, as Asia-Pacific leaders agreed to address the Covid-induced economic slump. European countries were also facing a reckoning with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson expected to announce further details of England's plans to do away with most restrictions on July 19, and French President Emmanuel Macron set to address the nation on his ideas for weathering the onslaught from new variants. The virus has killed more than four million people sin...

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