Live Tv
Rtv Plus
New Taiwan president calls on China to stop its threats
International desk
24 May 2024, 19:07
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te asked China on Monday to stop its military and political threats, saying in his inauguration speech that peace is the only choice and that Beijing had to respect the choice of the Taiwanese people.
Lai, addressing the crowd outside the Japanese-colonial-era presidential office in central Taipei, repeated a call for talks with China, which views the proudly democratic island as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under Beijing's control, Reuters reports.
"I also want to urge China to stop intimidating Taiwan politically and militarily, and to take on the global responsibility with Taiwan to work hard on maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the region, to ensure the world is without the fear of war breaking out," he said. "We also want to declare this to the world: Taiwan makes no concessions on democracy and freedom. Peace is the only option and prosperity is our goal for long-term peace and stability.”
There was no immediate reaction from China, which repeatedly called Lai a "separatist" risking war in the run-up to his election in January.
Taiwan has faced pressure from China, including regular air force and navy activities near the island, since the election victory by Lai, 64, who is widely known by his English name, William.
Lai, who took over from Tsai Ing-wen having served as her vice president for the past four years, said people must be realistic about the threat and Taiwan must show its determination to defend itself.
"Fellow citizens, we have the ideal to pursue peace, but we must not have illusions," he said. "Before China gives up using force to invade Taiwan, citizens must understand this: Even if we accept all of China's claims and give up our sovereignty, China's ambition to annex Taiwan will not disappear."
Lai received loud applause after reiterating that the Republic of China - Taiwan's formal name - and the People's Republic of China are "not subordinate to each other", a line Tsai also took.
Taiwan's defence ministry, in its daily report on Monday about Chinese military activities in the previous 24 hours, said six Chinese aircraft had crossed the Taiwan Strait's median line, which previously served as an unofficial boundary but that China says it does not recognise.
At least one of the aircraft got within 43 nautical miles (80 km) of the northern Taiwanese port city of Keelung, according to a map provided by the ministry.
In attendance at the ceremony are former US officials dispatched by President Joe Biden, lawmakers from countries including Japan, Germany and Canada, and leaders from some of the 12 countries that still maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, such as Paraguay President Santiago Pena.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Lai, saying the United States looked forward to working with him "to advance our shared interests and values, deepen our longstanding unofficial relationship, and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait".
Lai wore a purple tie, representing a butterfly native to Taiwan, and a yellow pin on his lapel of mustard flowers, a common plant in fields across the island. He received two seals symbolising his presidential power from the parliament speaker, the seal of Republic of China and the seal of honour, both brought to Taiwan after the Republican government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing the Chinese civil war to Mao Zedong's Communists.
Late Sunday, widely read state-backed Chinese newspaper the Global Times said Lai could become "more and more provocative" once he takes office.
"So in the long term, the state of cross-straits relations will not be optimistic," it said in an online commentary.
Lai's domestic challenges loom large too, given his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lost its parliamentary majority in the January election.
On Friday, lawmakers punched, shoved and screamed at each other in a bitter dispute over parliamentary reforms the opposition is pushing. There could be more fighting on Tuesday when lawmakers resume their discussions.
Source: Daily Asian Age
Comments
31 More Palestinians Killed in Israeli Airstrikes on Gaza
Israel has intensified its attacks on the Gaza Strip, with at least 31 people killed in the latest airstrikes. This brings the total death toll in the area to over 43,340, according to Reuters.
A report on Monday, November 4, stated that Palestinian doctors reported at least 31 casualties from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on Sunday, November 3, with nearly half of the fatalities occurring in northern Gaza.
Claiming that Hamas is regrouping in the region, the Israeli military has been conducting month-long operations to prevent this.
In a separate report, the Anadolu news agency stated that at least 27 more Palestinians were killed in the ongoing attacks, bringing the total death count to 43,341 since October of last year, as reported by Gaza's Health Ministry on Sunday.
The ministry's statement revealed that over 102,105 individuals have also been injured in relentless attacks. Over the last 24 hours, Israeli forces’ continuous assaults have led to 27 more deaths and 86 injuries. Many people remain trapped under rubble or stranded in the streets, as rescuers are unable to reach them.
Palestinian health authorities estimate that more than 10,000 people are still missing under the rubble of destroyed buildings across Gaza. Despite a United Nations Security Council proposal urging an immediate ceasefire, Israel continues its severe offensive in the blockaded territory.
The conflict between Hezbollah, a Lebanese armed group supporting Hamas, and Israel also escalated after Israel's assault on Gaza began on October 7, with Hezbollah launching rockets at Israel.
Israel has reported that Hamas’s attack on October 7 resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the taking of approximately 250 hostages.
According to Gaza's health authorities, Israeli attacks have killed 41,600 people in Gaza and displaced over 2.3 million individuals.
US Presidential Election 2024: Date, Time, Results, Where to Watch
The United States is set to hold its presidential election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, in what promises to be a high-stakes contest between Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. This election has already captured global attention, with the campaigns from both sides intensifying, particularly in crucial battleground states. As polling in the US draws near, this election is set to mark another turning point for politics in the US.
US elections always held on the first Tuesday of Nov
The tradition of holding federal elections on the first Tuesday in November dates back to 1845. The decision was made by Congress when the US was primarily an agrarian society. By scheduling elections after the autumn harvest, farmers could conveniently travel to polling stations, which were often situated far from their homes. The timing and tradition have remained intact since then.
This tradition has been criticized in recent years as election day does not constitute a federal holiday in the US. However, several states have enacted laws requiring that employees be given a few hours off to vote.
Kamala Harris looks to make history
The 2020 election saw then-Senator Kamala Harris join Joe Biden's campaign as the first Black and South Asian woman to be nominated for vice president by a major national party. Her eventual victory was a landmark achievement, marking the first time a woman of color held the vice presidential office. Now, as the Democratic nominee for the top position, she may make history once more by potentially becoming the US' first female president and the first woman of color to hold the office.
Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, who could strengthen Harris' campaign with voters in key Midwestern states.
Donald Trump's bid for a comeback
Former President Donald Trump is attempting a rare return to the White House, aiming to reclaim the presidency he lost to Joe Biden in 2020. However, Trump's path is fraught with unprecedented legal and political obstacles, as he bears the distinction of being the first US president, former or current, to face criminal charges. Despite these controversies, Trump remains a dominant figure within the Republican Party, promising to "Make America Great Again".
Trump has chosen Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate. Vance is an outspoken conservative and author, who resonates with rural and working-class voters.
US Presidential Election 2024: Date and time in Bangladesh
Polling stations across the US will open between 7:00 am and 9:00 am local time on Tuesday (November 05), translating to 5.00 pm to 10.00 pm Bangladesh Standard Time (BST), accounting for the different time zones in the country.
Most stations will close between 6:00 pm and midnight Eastern time, with results expected to start trickling in once polls begin to close around 6:00 pm Eastern Time (5.00 am Wednesday in Bangladesh).
US Presidential Election 2024: Exit polls
Exit polls, which help gauge voter sentiment and trends, will be released at 5:00 pm EST (3.00 am BST on November 6).
US Presidential Election 2024: When will results be announced?
While the counting of votes should begin by 5.00 am BST on Wednesday, it could take days for the final result to be announced, especially in the case of a tight race. Counting will also include in-mail ballot votes which are already in.
In 2020, the US Presidential elections took place on November 3, but Joe Biden was not declared winner till November 7.
US Presidential Election 2024: Where to watch
The US presidential elections will be covered by all major news networks across the world.
Harris vs Trump: Who is leading the US Presidential polls?
As of November 3, US national polls show Harris holds a narrow lead over Trump.
New York Times polls:
Harris: 57 per cent
Trump: 40 per cent
FiveThirtyEight:
Harris: 47.9 per cent
Trump: 47 per cent
This election could be decided by razor-thin margins in states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Polls indicate that these states remain highly competitive, with voters divided over key issues and each candidate's vision for the future. For both Harris and Trump, securing these states is crucial to achieving the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency.
Source: BS
Quincy Jones: 'Thriller' Producer Dies at 91
Legendary US music producer Quincy Jones passed away Sunday night at the age of 91, his publicist announced.
"Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones' passing," the family said in a statement. "And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him."
Born in 1933 in Chicago, Jones started out making his own music, backing the likes of Billie Holiday and later fronting his own band. It was then that he met Ray Charles, who would become a lifelong friend and collaborator.
Jones later became one of the first Black executives to thrive in the entertainment industry and amassed a music catalog that included Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album, work from jazz legends like Duke Ellington, as well as crooners like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.
His own music was also frequently sampled by rappers such as Tupac Shakur and Kanye West. He also wrote film and television scores, including "The Color Purple" and "Sanford and Son."
Can Trump Repeat a 132-Year-Old Feat?
Donald Trump now has the chance to make new history. After 132 years, he’s the first former president to run for office again after a loss. If he can defeat Kamala Harris in this election, Trump’s name will join Grover Cleveland's in the history books, as Cleveland is the only U.S. president to lose an election and then win a comeback.
Running again after a loss is rare in American history. If Trump wins this time, he will achieve a historic presidency.
132 years ago, Grover Cleveland was the only one with this unique accomplishment in U.S. political history. He was first elected in 1884, ran again in 1888 as the Democratic candidate, but lost to Republican Benjamin Harrison. Later, in 1892, Cleveland ran again, defeating Harrison to reclaim the White House. He became the 22nd and 24th president of the United States.
In 1912, former Republican President Theodore Roosevelt also attempted a comeback, running as the Progressive Party candidate. However, he lost to Democrat Woodrow Wilson.
Trump's path mirrors Cleveland’s and Roosevelt’s so far, but the final difference will come with the election results. Trump, the Republican candidate, won in 2016 but lost the next election. This year marks his third run. If he wins, he’ll make history like Cleveland; if he loses, his story will resemble Roosevelt’s.
Interestingly, Trump and Cleveland share similar ideals: both advocate for reduced foreign intervention and military spending. Their economic policies align as well, and both faced accusations of dishonesty. For instance, Trump was accused of faking illness to avoid attending a military event in Vietnam, while Cleveland is said to have sent a substitute to fight in the Civil War in his place. Analysts believe such actions caused voters to deny them a second term initially.
Experts say both Cleveland and Trump had controversial first terms, yet Cleveland overcame this to win on his third attempt.
Can Trump, like Cleveland, earn public trust again and repeat history after 132 years? If he succeeds, he will be the first Republican president to achieve this feat.
US election: Washington Experiences Calm Before Storm
Ahead of the presidential election, the US capital is ramping up security measures to prevent a repeat of past riots and violent protests. Some residents have come up with contingency plans in case things get violent.
Washington D.C. was not up to its usual hustle and bustle on Monday, the day before Americans head to the polls to elect a new president on November 5. Traffic seemed just a little bit lighter, with fewer people out and about.
"The city is quiet, so quiet," said Manaye, an elderly Uber driver, on Monday. He didn't sound happy, and it soon became clear why. "I guess everyone is watching the election from home," he complained. Not a lot of business to be had for Uber drivers.
Some buildings along Pennsylvania Avenue, the street that the White House is on, started safety preparations as early as Friday, with workers barricading the street fronts with plywood. Office buildings as well as convenience restaurants are taking precautions.
"There always are fears living around D.C. that something like the Capitol riots might happen again, that it might get violent around here," a young woman walking along the fencing protecting the White House said. "But overall, I think people will be ok."
Washington wants to prevent a repeat of the January 6
Washington is on high alert ahead of the November 5 election because the memory of the last transfer of power is still fresh in people's minds. On January 6, 2021, when Congress certified Joe Biden's election victory, an angry mob of Donald Trump supporters and right-wing extremists stormed the US Capitol. Half a year before that, during the Black Lives Matter protests in May and June 2020, several street-front businesses in Washington's downtown area were damaged.
City officials as well as local and federal agencies have vowed not to be caught off-guard this time around and to keep everyone safe through election week and beyond. All eligible 3,300 D.C. police officers will work 12-hour shifts "to ensure we have enough officers on the street and in every corner of the District," Police Chief Pamela A. Smith said.
Brooke Pinto, a Democratic D.C. council member, also said security is the highest priority. "Across the DC government we have prepared and coordinated with federal partners to ensure the safety of DC residents and visitors throughout the election and inauguration," Pinto said in a statement shared with the Washington Post. "Violence or destruction will not be tolerated."
Democratic presidential candidate and current vice president Kamala Harris will be in Washington on November 5. Her election night party will take place at her alma mater Howard University. In the university's neighborhood, workers have set up metal fencing, and police cars are a constant presence.
Bars and restaurants are closed, and not many people are around on campus since classes have been moved online for November 4 and 5. (Donald Trump will spend election night in West Palm Beach, Florida, not far from his Mar-a-Lago residence.)
Some Washington residents have contingency plans
A little further uptown, where bars, restaurants, and shops line 14th Street, it's business as usual — no boarded-up storefronts in sight. Locals here aren't too concerned about their safety.
"I am not overly worried about riots, probably because I won't be in proximity of the White House or the Capitol," said Emma, 24. "If I lived downtown, I probably wouldn't feel too comfortable being out and about this week though, emotions are running high."
Christopher, 47, a resident of Washington's Capitol Hill neighborhood, certainly feels the discomfort.
"I'm trying not to be overwhelmed with worry, but it is a concern," he said. "I live close to the Capitol and have vivid memories of January 6."
Should the situation escalate again after the election or in the run-up to the inauguration, Christopher says he already has an escape plan. "If things get crazy, I'm going to pack up the cat and stay with my partner across town."
US Presidential Election: Trump Set for a Big Win
The United States stands on the brink of a new chapter in its history, as American citizens cast their votes to elect their 47th president. Voting has already concluded in several states, and the counting has begun. Polls in a few other states will close within a few hours.
According to the data available so far, Republican candidate Donald Trump is leading by a significant margin over Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Contrary to the predictions of a close race suggested by opinion polls, reality shows a different picture. The initial vote counts indicate that Democrats have lost substantial support, primarily due to policies of the Biden administration.
As of 8 AM Bangladesh time on Wednesday, Kamala trails significantly in the crucial Electoral College votes needed to secure the presidency. Trump, on the other hand, is well on his way to the White House, having secured more than half the required path. With 270 electoral votes needed to win, Trump has already garnered 210, while Harris has received only 113, according to CNN.
Voting took place continuously from morning to evening on Tuesday, November 5, local time, across all 50 states. Due to time zone differences, voting times vary across states, with Indiana and Kentucky finishing first, both showing strong support for Trump.
Voting began at 7 AM in Los Angeles, California, at the YMCA center on Oxford and Third Street, where a majority of voters are of Bangladeshi and South Asian descent. Voters lined up well in advance, and the lines grew longer as the day progressed. Many voters noted they had never seen such a turnout before, and despite the wait, they expressed no discomfort.
American media outlets are announcing results state by state as the final stages of voting conclude and results gradually emerge. Although election officials previously hinted that this year’s results might be delayed, it appears that, while formal results may take time, the winner could be clear much sooner.
U.S. Presidential Election: Global Stock Market Surge
The forecast of the results of the U.S. presidential election has led to a surge in stock markets worldwide. On Wednesday morning, benchmark share indices in Japan and Australia were trending upward. Meanwhile, as investors closely monitored the U.S. election results, the value of the U.S. dollar also rose against major currencies.
The outcome of this election is expected to have a significant impact on the global economy, especially in Asia. It remains uncertain whether the results will be known during the trading hours in Asia, as the vote count in the swing states could take some time.
In the U.S. presidential election, voting has already concluded in over 40 of the country’s 50 states. Forecasts of the results are gradually beginning to emerge. However, the wait for results from some states could be extended further.
So far, in the early results, Donald Trump is leading. His Republican Party has approximately secured 210 electoral votes. Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris has won 113 electoral votes. A total of 270 electoral votes is required to win the election.
Trump is currently ahead based on the results from his stronghold states. The results from the battleground states are still unknown.
Donald Trump is set to win in states such as Texas, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Arkansas, and South Carolina. Kamala Harris is winning in states like Delaware and Rhode Island.
According to BBC, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Arizona, and Nevada are witnessing fierce competition between the two candidates, with very narrow vote margins in these states.
