Xi says China, US 'should and must' achieve peaceful co-existence
Reuters
23-09-19 05:39
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for peaceful coexistence between China and the US, stating that the two countries "should and must achieve mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation." Xi made the comments in response to a letter from two US Flying Tigers veterans, who fought for China during World War II. Xi emphasized the shared enemy of China and the US during the war and the "profound" friendship that was formed. His call for stable and peaceful ties comes amid ongoing efforts to reduce tensions and restore channels of communication between the two countries. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng also stressed the importance of stable and healthy China-US relations during a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
What’s the point? All you need to know about this year’s UN talkfest
The Sydney Morning Herald
23-09-19 04:26
The 78th session of the UN General Assembly is set to open with no single crisis dominating the General Debate, but with ongoing conflicts, political crises, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic instability, and natural disasters all featuring. The theme of this year's General Debate is "Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all." The General Assembly provides an opportunity for countries to broadcast their agendas, grievances, and calls to action to the entire world. The meeting is also a chance for leaders to engage in meetings on the sidelines in neutral territory. Heads of state and government from at least 145 countries are expected to attend this year's General Debate. However, the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, China, and Russia will not be attending in person, but will be sending representatives. Foreign Minister Penny Wong will deliver Australia's national statement at the UN General Assembly, where she is expected to emphasize the government's commitment to climate change policies and preventing conflict in the Pacific.
World leaders gathered at the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week to discuss the pressing issues of our time, including climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and global poverty. However, the U.N. is facing criticism that it is no longer fit for purpose and is struggling to meet the challenges of the modern world. Efforts to reach the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals are faltering, and there is growing frustration that the organization is not doing enough to resolve conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended a special Security Council session on the conflict this week, but there are concerns that the war is draining Western resources and attention. Additionally, some developing countries feel that their concerns are being overshadowed by the focus on conflicts in other parts of the world. There are also concerns about the U.N.'s structures, including the Security Council, which have proved dysfunctional and have been a source of global opprobrium. However, significant reforms seem unlikely in the current climate of great power competition.
Pilots racing in WWII-era planes die in midair collision shortly after first-second finish in Reno
The Toronto Star
23-09-19 02:36
Two pilots have died in a mid-air collision as they prepared to land following a race at the National Championship Air Races. Chris Rushing and Nick Macy, both experienced pilots, were competing at the event in Reno, Nevada. The 59-year-old event is to find a new location for 2025, due to increased development around the airport. Since 1964, 34 pilots or performers and 10 spectators have died at the event.
New Yes23 ad shows Indigenous Voice is nothing to fear
The Sydney Morning Herald
23-09-19 08:00
A recent article in The Sydney Morning Herald discusses the ongoing debate surrounding the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum in Australia. The article addresses the potential impact of the Yes campaign's new advertisement, which aims to sway voters in favor of a Yes vote. The author, Dee Madigan, argues that voters make decisions based on emotions, suggesting that the emotional appeal of the advertisement could change people's minds. However, the article also acknowledges that there are existing negative attitudes towards Indigenous people that are racially based, meaning that some voters will always object to positive assistance. Additionally, the No campaign has stoked fear about the real motives of the Voice and how it would be structured and implemented. The article concludes that while the new advertisement may have an emotional impact on some viewers, many people have already made up their minds and are operating on other emotional responses.
In response to the article, a reader suggests that one strategy to facilitate attitudinal openness and change is to “normalise” an alternative view. The reader argues that people tend to believe their own views are “normal” and that exposure to different viewpoints can make them less scary. The reader suggests wearing a T-shirt, attaching a badge, or putting up a yard sign to support the Yes campaign. Another reader expresses hope that the Yes campaign will be successful in the referendum and highlights the ongoing racism present in Australian society. The reader argues that while Australia may not be as overtly racist as other countries, racist sentiment is still present and perpetuates the disadvantage faced by Indigenous people. The reader also mentions the internal conflict among high-profile First Nations people, which hampers the prospects of referendum success.
More mini-Putins are waiting in the wings across Europe
SCMP Opinion
23-09-19 13:00
The European Union's (EU) fight against Russia has created a breeding ground for far-right, nationalist politicians, according to Jake van der Kamp, writing in the South China Morning Post. As ordinary people suffer from economic hardships, their leaders are fighting a proxy war against Russia, which has become a bottomless pit, with austerity and cuts to social welfare programmes being imposed, and real hourly wages dropping in 22 EU countries. Van der Kamp argues that voters are increasingly blaming their own politicians and big corporations, many of which profit from the war in Ukraine, rather than Putin and the Russians, as they are told to do. He argues that the EU's fight against Russia is leading to a drift towards ultra-right-wing, xenophobic nationalism across Europe. This nationalism is more pronounced in countries such as Poland and Hungary, which are anti-Russian, but will not necessarily remain pro-Ukrainian. Van der Kamp calls for the EU to end its fight against Russia before the 2030s become the 1930s.
Suspend Russia from the UN – or accept the agency is now totally impotent
Telegraph
23-09-19 11:25
The United Nations (UN) has come under criticism for its failure to prevent conflict and hold rogue states accountable. The illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia highlights the ineffectiveness of the UN, which allows authoritarians and rogue states a platform. The UN Security Council's five permanent members have veto power over substantive resolutions, including Russia, making it impossible to sanction members of the "axis of evil." The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the UN to acknowledge Putin's war crimes and demanded more support from the West. However, it is difficult to remove Russia from the Security Council or expel it from the UN altogether. The article calls for President Biden, supported by the UK and France, to enforce change on the UN to make it a more effective force for good.
The Conference of European Rabbis (CER) has moved its headquarters from London to Munich, Germany and opened a Center for Jewish Life. The move was announced in May 2023, and the center has now been completed. CER President Pinchas Goldschmidt said that Munich has "one of the largest and most important Jewish communities in Germany" and spoke of the "courage of a new beginning." The move comes at a time when Jewish life in Germany is becoming more visible and diverse, with increased training and ordination of rabbis and significant architectural projects underway.
Biden tells UN General Assembly that US is regaining global leadership role
South China Morning Post
23-09-19 16:30
US President Joe Biden has called for the US and China to work together where possible, while also criticising China over intellectual property theft and human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Biden stated that the US does not seek to decouple the two economies but rather to “de-risk” their relationship. Biden’s messaging has been made easier by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s decision not to attend the UN opening. The US president also defended US-led global institutions, while supporting the need for change.
Biden Aides Discuss Asian Pacts as Model for Saudi Defense Treaty
NY Times
23-09-19 15:45
The US and Saudi Arabia are in talks to create a mutual defence treaty in a move that would deter Iran and its armed partners from attacking either country. The US has similar robust military agreements with Japan and South Korea. The Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, sees the deal as the most important element in negotiations with the Biden administration over Israel, according to current and former US officials. The deal would also raise questions about whether the US is becoming more entwined militarily with the Middle East, at a time when the Biden administration is seeking to reorient its military away from the region. It would also draw objections in Congress, where some lawmakers consider Saudi Arabia to be an untrustworthy partner. The Trump administration secured agreements between Israel and four Arab nations, known as the Abraham Accords. President Biden has said he would build on the agreements, but the Saudis have demanded more US help with defence and nuclear energy.
Japan's new jet fighter alliance pushes limits of defense policy
Nikkei Asia
23-09-19 21:00
Japan's largest maker of jet engines, IHI, is recruiting engineers to design advanced stealth engines for a sixth-generation fighter plane as part of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). The GCAP is a tri-nation project involving the UK, Italy, and Japan, with the aim of developing a future Japanese air force. The project is politically sensitive in Japan, a largely pacifist nation with strict constitutional limits on arms production and exports. However, recent changes in the global security environment have led to increased interest in the defense sector, with more young people becoming attracted to work in the defense business.
The GCAP is the flagship project of the Japanese government’s proactive defense policy, which seeks to transform Japan’s pacifist legacy in the face of an increasingly threatening international environment. To succeed, the government will need to reconsider the restrictions placed on defense projects by the country’s constitution. The government is also considering revising long-standing restrictions on arms exports, allowing the GCAP aircraft to be sold abroad. However, this would require a change in Japan’s interpretation of the pacifist constitution and could face opposition from the public and political parties.
The GCAP project is a challenging and complex endeavor, as it involves three countries with different military goals and approaches. Negotiations have been slowed by disagreements over who makes what and where, as well as disagreements over the export of GCAP aircraft to other countries. However, the project presents an opportunity for Japan to acquire the independent capability to develop an aircraft engine, which has been a top priority for the country. The GCAP aims to develop a fighter jet that can network with other military assets, locate enemy aircraft before being detected, and shoot them down using a range of weapons.
It was my dream to run away to a Greek island and write a book - this year, I did it
The Sydney Morning Herald
23-09-19 19:00
Charmian Clift, an Australian writer, is remembered as a talented author who lived on the Greek island of Hydra with her husband, George Johnston. Clift's books, such as Peel Me a Lotus and Mermaid Singing, captivated readers with their evocative descriptions of life on the island. However, Clift's life was filled with challenges and disappointments, including the loss of her daughter and the deterioration of her marriage. Despite these difficulties, Clift was known for her resilience and determination to pursue her dream of being a writer.
Hydra, the island where Clift lived, is described as a place of contradictions. It is both wild and chic, with designer boutiques and international art exhibitions. Many creative artists, such as Leonard Cohen and Lawrence Durrell, have been drawn to the island’s beauty and tranquility. Clift’s connection to Hydra was deep and profound, and the island became the setting for many of her life’s dramas.
Clift’s marriage to George Johnston was fraught with challenges, including financial worries, infidelities, and constant struggles to find time to write. The couple’s drinking habits and health issues further strained their relationship. Johnston’s novel, My Brother Jack, which was published to great acclaim, contained elements of Clift’s own life and writing. However, Clift’s contributions were not publicly recognized, and she was left to pack up and sell her dream house on Hydra.
Clift’s life ended tragically when she took a fatal overdose of her husband’s barbiturates. She left a note to Johnston, expressing her belief that he would have a successful career. Soon after her death, Johnston won the Miles Franklin award for the second time. Despite the challenges she faced, Clift’s words continue to be read and remembered, and her legacy as a talented writer lives on.
The term "industrial policy" has been rehabilitated in the US, but there is no agreement on what it means. Two visions of industrial policy are competing: defense industrial policy and green industrial policy. Defense industrial policy aims to ensure that strategic supply chains are located at home or in allied countries, while green industrial policy aims to encourage the rapid replacement of fossil fuels with renewable power sources. Proponents of both strategies use threat inflation and promises of creating "good jobs" to win public support. However, the jobs created by these policies are not necessarily good jobs with high wages and decent working conditions. The United Auto Workers (UAW) in the US is currently striking to guarantee workers in the green energy industry the same wages, benefits, and rights to union representation as those in the legacy auto industry. Advocates of defense industrial policy and green industrial policy can agree on reducing dependence on China for critical resources, but for the most part, the two strategies are incompatible. Defense industrial policy favors decoupling from China, while green industrial policy favors continued access to green components from Chinese factories. The two strategies also differ in the choice of industries to be promoted. The green industrial policy of the Biden administration has focused on subsidies for renewable energy technology, while defense industrial policy favors a wider range of manufacturing industries. In the long run, traditional defense industrial policy may dominate due to the dependence of the government-sponsored green transition on massive subsidies.
Biden acknowledges the old world order needs a refresh
CNN
23-09-19 21:55
President Joe Biden addressed the United Nations Tuesday and urged the world to stand by Ukraine. At times, it felt like he was also imploring the countries to stick with the United Nations. "If we abandon the core principles of the UN charter to appease an aggressor, can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected?" Biden asked. Read the UN charter here. It was agreed to in a very different world -- in San Francisco in 1945 -- with different global powers, different threats and different economies. Ukraine, at the time a member of the Soviet Union, was also a founding member of the UN. On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made his first in-person address to the UN General Assembly since Russia invaded his country. He wanted to drive home that negotiating with Russia would equal failure. "The aggressor is weaponizing many other things, and those things are used not only against our country, but against all of yours as well, fellow leaders," Zelensky said. Multiple top world leaders skipped the meeting this year, including President Vladimir Putin of Russia, which is a villain for invading Ukraine, but also a permanent member of the UN Security Council with veto power over any resolutions it opposes. Of the five permanent Security Council members - the US, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom - Biden is the only leader to attend.
Japan's new jet fighter alliance pushes limits of defense policy
Nikkei Asia
23-09-19 21:00
Japan's largest maker of jet engines, IHI, is recruiting engineers to design advanced stealth engines for a sixth-generation fighter plane as part of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). The GCAP is a tri-nation project involving the UK, Italy, and Japan, with the aim of developing a future Japanese air force. The project is politically sensitive in Japan, a largely pacifist nation with strict constitutional limits on arms production and exports. However, recent changes in the global security environment have led to increased interest in the defense sector, with more young people becoming attracted to work in the defense business.
The GCAP is the flagship project of the Japanese government’s proactive defense policy, which seeks to transform Japan’s pacifist legacy in the face of an increasingly threatening international environment. To succeed, the government will need to reconsider the restrictions placed on defense projects by the country’s constitution. The government is also considering revising long-standing restrictions on arms exports, allowing the GCAP aircraft to be sold abroad. However, this would require a change in Japan’s interpretation of the pacifist constitution and could face opposition from the public and political parties.
The GCAP project is a challenging and complex endeavor, as it involves three countries with different military goals and approaches. Negotiations have been slowed by disagreements over who makes what and where, as well as disagreements over the export of GCAP aircraft to other countries. However, the project presents an opportunity for Japan to acquire the independent capability to develop an aircraft engine, which has been a top priority for the country. The GCAP aims to develop a fighter jet that can network with other military assets, locate enemy aircraft before being detected, and shoot them down using a range of weapons.
It was my dream to run away to a Greek island and write a book - this year, I did it
The Sydney Morning Herald
23-09-19 19:00
Charmian Clift, an Australian writer, is remembered as a talented author who lived on the Greek island of Hydra with her husband, George Johnston. Clift's books, such as Peel Me a Lotus and Mermaid Singing, captivated readers with their evocative descriptions of life on the island. However, Clift's life was filled with challenges and disappointments, including the loss of her daughter and the deterioration of her marriage. Despite these difficulties, Clift was known for her resilience and determination to pursue her dream of being a writer.
Hydra, the island where Clift lived, is described as a place of contradictions. It is both wild and chic, with designer boutiques and international art exhibitions. Many creative artists, such as Leonard Cohen and Lawrence Durrell, have been drawn to the island’s beauty and tranquility. Clift’s connection to Hydra was deep and profound, and the island became the setting for many of her life’s dramas.
Clift’s marriage to George Johnston was fraught with challenges, including financial worries, infidelities, and constant struggles to find time to write. The couple’s drinking habits and health issues further strained their relationship. Johnston’s novel, My Brother Jack, which was published to great acclaim, contained elements of Clift’s own life and writing. However, Clift’s contributions were not publicly recognized, and she was left to pack up and sell her dream house on Hydra.
Clift’s life ended tragically when she took a fatal overdose of her husband’s barbiturates. She left a note to Johnston, expressing her belief that he would have a successful career. Soon after her death, Johnston won the Miles Franklin award for the second time. Despite the challenges she faced, Clift’s words continue to be read and remembered, and her legacy as a talented writer lives on.
The term "industrial policy" has been rehabilitated in the US, but there is no agreement on what it means. Two visions of industrial policy are competing: defense industrial policy and green industrial policy. Defense industrial policy aims to ensure that strategic supply chains are located at home or in allied countries, while green industrial policy aims to encourage the rapid replacement of fossil fuels with renewable power sources. Proponents of both strategies use threat inflation and promises of creating "good jobs" to win public support. However, the jobs created by these policies are not necessarily good jobs with high wages and decent working conditions. The United Auto Workers (UAW) in the US is currently striking to guarantee workers in the green energy industry the same wages, benefits, and rights to union representation as those in the legacy auto industry. Advocates of defense industrial policy and green industrial policy can agree on reducing dependence on China for critical resources, but for the most part, the two strategies are incompatible. Defense industrial policy favors decoupling from China, while green industrial policy favors continued access to green components from Chinese factories. The two strategies also differ in the choice of industries to be promoted. The green industrial policy of the Biden administration has focused on subsidies for renewable energy technology, while defense industrial policy favors a wider range of manufacturing industries. In the long run, traditional defense industrial policy may dominate due to the dependence of the government-sponsored green transition on massive subsidies.
Meet five Canadian women in film who are proving the future of cinema is brighter than ever
The Toronto Star
23-09-19 22:30
Five Canadian women filmmakers are making waves in the industry by telling incredible stories and making dreams a reality. Anubha Momin has several projects in development, including a series with Disney and a rom-com set at a luxury inn in Newfoundland. Noura Kevorkian is an award-winning documentarian whose film "Batata" was nominated for multiple awards and has just been submitted for Oscars consideration. Zoe Hopkins is a writer and director who has worked on a variety of projects, including the hit sitcom "Run The Burbs" and the APTN series "Little Bird." Vanessa Magic is a writer and director whose short films have premiered at the Cannes Short Film Festival and the Brooklyn Film Festival. Meredith Hama-Brown is a writer and director who recently completed her debut feature film, "Seagrass," which explores themes of grief, motherhood, and sisterhood.
These women are breaking barriers and creating opportunities for themselves and others in the industry. They are telling stories that are often overlooked or marginalized, and their work is being recognized and celebrated. As more diverse voices are heard and stories are told, the future of film is bright and promising. These filmmakers are paving the way for others and proving that dreams can become a reality.
Michael Caine says his next film might be his last before retirement
The Independent
23-09-21 09:24
Michael Caine has hinted that his next film, The Great Escaper, could be his last. The 90-year-old actor stars opposite the late Glenda Jackson in the drama, playing a World War II veteran who escapes from his care home to attend the D-Day anniversary celebrations. Caine revealed that he feared the Covid-19 pandemic had ended his career in 2020, but he was thrilled to take on the role in The Great Escaper. He also discussed his mobility problems and stated that he was "sort of" retired already. Caine previously suggested that his final film would be Best Sellers in 2021 but later denied his intention to retire.
COVID-19 inquiry is a second-rate fix unworthy of any government
The Sydney Morning Herald
23-09-21 06:45
The Australian government's decision to hold an inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 instead of a royal commission is short-sighted and undermines the country's ability to learn from the pandemic, according to an editorial in The Sydney Morning Herald. The publication argues that the inquiry lacks the necessary power and resources to make findings without fear or favor and does not include key decisions made by state and territory governments. The editorial calls for a royal commission to evaluate Australia's pandemic response, stating that it is the most effective and powerful form of scrutiny that the government can bring to bear.
