Yoon picked a necktie of a blueish color — the official color of the Democratic Party (DP) — and stopped to greet lawmakers while making his way to the podium. He bowed toward representatives from the DP and Justice Party and walked up to their seats after making his speech. His gesture drew applause from his People Power Party (PPP). The sight should be common in democracies. But in Korea, presidents often are booed and cold-shouldered by rival parties during appearances in the National Assembly. During his 18-minute address, Yoon repeatedly called for the politics of cooperation. “The gravity of the challenges and crisis we face today require cooperation beyond ideological and party differences,” he said, and cited the coalition government British Prime Minister Winston Churchill formed with Labor Party leader Clement Attlee during the Second World War. “A true free democracy is based on legislative faith. The legislature is the center of governance,” he said. “We may differ in … [Read more...] about Cooperation is a two-way street
Cooper kupp
Rights group: Israel approves over 4,000 new settler homes
Israel advanced plans for the construction of more than 4,000 settler homes in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, a rights group said, a day after the military demolished homes in an area where hundreds of Palestinians face the threat of expulsion. It was a jolting illustration of Israel's policies in the territory it has occupied for nearly 55 years. Critics, including three major human rights groups, say those policies amount to apartheid, a charge Israel rejects as an attack on its very legitimacy. Hagit Ofran, an expert on the settlements at the anti-settlement watchdog group Peace Now, said a military planning body approved 4,427 housing units at a meeting on Thursday that she attended. Israeli officials did not respond to requests for comment. It's the biggest advancement of settlement projects since the Biden administration took office. The White House opposes settlement construction and views it as an obstacle to any eventual peace agreement with the … [Read more...] about Rights group: Israel approves over 4,000 new settler homes
Ukrainian forces say they seized Russian commander’s secret notebook
A Ukrainian mountain unit called "The Transcarpathian Beavers" says it seized a Russian commander's secret notebook and other trophies after beating back invading troops. The Transcarpathian Legion of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, shared footage of well-camouflaged soldiers on May 10 with the message: "Hairy Devils!" On May 15, the Legion posted images of a burning Russian battery in a field after being attacked by "The Transcarpathian Beavers." The Legion said: "The mortar section of the Russian Army burns after the accurate work of the engineering and sapper unit of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade." In a statement the same day, the Ukrainian legion said: "BMP-3 tank, weapons, ammunition and personal belongings – the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade captured trophies from the Russians of North Ossetia. "The 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, in cooperation with other units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, continues to beat back … [Read more...] about Ukrainian forces say they seized Russian commander’s secret notebook
Gab complains about “anti-white hate” after being called out for Pittsburgh shooting suspect’s anti-Semitic posts
Social media platform Gab lashed out Saturday after being called out for a raft of anti-Semitic messages that were posted by the alleged suspect behind a deadly shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. Gab has long been criticized for allowing hate speech to fester on its site as white nationalists have increasingly been banned from other social media platforms. "Unlike Twitter, we take action against terrorists," the official Gab Twitter account tweeted in response to a question from a Buzzed News reporter about the social media platform's response to the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting suspect being named as Robert Bowers. The post continued: "Secondly, we are working with the FBI directly and they have our full cooperation to see to it that justice is served. Now tell us what you think about the anti-white hate tweeted by Buzzfeed employees constantly." The account then went on to tweet posts from Buzzed News reports it claimed represented "anti-white hate." Previously the Gab … [Read more...] about Gab complains about “anti-white hate” after being called out for Pittsburgh shooting suspect’s anti-Semitic posts
PM Modi lays foundation stone for India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage in Nepal’s Lumbini
Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba on Monday laid the foundation stone for the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage in the Lumbini Monastic Zone here. Once completed, the Centre will be a world-class facility welcoming pilgrims and tourists from all over the world to enjoy the essence of spiritual aspects of Buddhism. “Taking forward our cultural ties. PM @narendramodi and PM @SherBDeuba perform Shilanyas ceremony of the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture & Heritage,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Twitter. Taking forward our cultural ties. @narendramodi and PM @SherBDeuba perform Shilanyas ceremony of the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture & Heritage. pic.twitter.com/GRGdne7wOj — Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) May 16, 2022 “The centre is being built at the initiative of the International Buddhist Confederation, New Delhi,” … [Read more...] about PM Modi lays foundation stone for India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage in Nepal’s Lumbini
India grants e-visas for Chinese nationals
To the cheers from the audience of students at Tsinghua University here, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday that India has decided to “extend electronic tourist visas to Chinese nationals.” The announcement was anticipated for some weeks, and The Hindu had reported last month on the Chinese government’s repeated requests to India to cut some of the security and visa regulations for Chinese businessmen and tourists. The Prime Minister said it was part of a concerted effort by his government to bring the “world’s two largest populations in closer contact.” “Thirty-three per cent of the world is either Indian or Chinese, and yet we know so little about each other,” he said. The e-visa facility would enable Chinese applicants to apply for visas online a few days before they travel. Accent on people-to-people Shortly before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement on Friday of the extension of e-visa facility for Chinese nationals, Foreign Secretary S. … [Read more...] about India grants e-visas for Chinese nationals
Sabah leaders on both sides want illegals problem solved, says Kitingan
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah leaders from both sides of the political divide want to resolve the problem of illegal immigrants and stateless people in Sabah. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (pic) said all leaders, with the close cooperation with enforcement authorities, are working closely together to find a workable and acceptable solution to the problem. "However, the solution proposed by the Home Ministry to issue a document and call it 'kad warga asing' or 'foreign nationals' card' seems unacceptable to Sabahans. "Naming the document a 'non-citizen resident card' would be more acceptable because it immediately distinguishes these cardholders from genuine citizens," he said in a statement on Monday (May 16). On Saturday (May 14), Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said that Sabah leaders must have political will to resolve the illegal immigrants problem, and consider the proposal for the issuance of foreigner cards. Kitingan said the GRS-BN government … [Read more...] about Sabah leaders on both sides want illegals problem solved, says Kitingan
Singapore foreign minister to visit Malaysia from May 17-19
PUTRAJAYA: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah will host his Singaporean counterpart Dr Vivian Balakrishnan in conjunction with his three-day working visit to Malaysia starting Tuesday (May 17). Wisma Putra in a statement on Monday (May 16), said both ministers are scheduled to meet and exchange views on broad-ranging bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest. During the visit, Dr Balakrishnan is also scheduled to have an audience with the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah. He will also meet with Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, National Recovery Council Chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar. "The visit by Dr Balakrishnan will provide an excellent opportunity for Malaysia and Singapore to further strengthen the longstanding relations and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries," the statement read. In 2021, Singapore was Malaysia's … [Read more...] about Singapore foreign minister to visit Malaysia from May 17-19
In 1st Visit to Nepal After Boundary Row, PM Modi Invokes ‘Shared Heritage’ at Buddha’s Birthplace
In his first visit to Nepal since the 2020 border dispute led to strained ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reached the Himalayan nation for a four-day visit. Accompanied by his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba, the prime minister offered prayers at the sacred Maya Devi temple in Nepal on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. He was accompanied by his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba during his visit to the historic temple in Lumbini, which is the birth place of Gautam Buddha. PM Modi, who is in Nepal on the invitation of Deuba, is paying a day-long visit to Lumbini on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. “Landed in Nepal. Happy to be among the wonderful people of Nepal on the special occasion of Buddha Purnima. Looking forward to the programmes in Lumbini,” he said on Twitter upon his arrival. I feel blessed to have prayed at the Maya Devi Temple on Buddha Purnima. May Lord Buddha bless us all and make our planet peaceful and prosperous. … [Read more...] about In 1st Visit to Nepal After Boundary Row, PM Modi Invokes ‘Shared Heritage’ at Buddha’s Birthplace
Obama, Airbnb’s Brian Chesky launch $100M in scholarships
NEW YORK (AP) — The co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, Brian Chesky, has donated $100 million to the Obama Foundation to fund scholarships for students pursuing careers in public service and includes multiple stipends for travel. The Voyager Scholarship will grant $50,000 to rising juniors to cover tuition costs over two years as well as a $10,000 grant and Airbnb credit to fund a summer experience designed by the student. Scholarship winners will also get an Airbnb credit worth $2,000 a year for 10 years after their graduation, which is in addition to Chesky's donation a foundation spokesperson said. "You're going to find young people from every corner of this country who are going to be future change makers. There are leaders everywhere. We just have to find them," former President Barack Obama said in a video announcement Monday. He and Chesky will meet with scholarship recipients at an annual conference to talk about service and leadership. Travel engenders curiosity and … [Read more...] about Obama, Airbnb’s Brian Chesky launch $100M in scholarships