• newsinsightplus.com
• abiding
• ability
• March 16, 2024
• 0 Comments

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaMacron switches from dove to hawk on Russia’s invasion of UkrainePublished2 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsWar in UkraineImage source, EPAImage caption, Emmanuel Macron (right) now insists that Ukraine’s security is Europe’s securityBy Hugh SchofieldBBC News, ParísWhat came over Emmanuel Macron to turn him from appeaser to warmonger in the matter of Russia and Ukraine?That – crudely put – is the question being asked in chancelleries across Europe, as the French president warms to his new role as the continent’s resister-in-chief to Vladimir Putin.Certain countries – the Baltics, Poland – welcome President Macron’s apparent conversion to their “realistic” assessment of the Moscow threat.Others – notably Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Germany – are aghast at this new-found va-t-en-guerre (gung-ho) French spirit.All are confused and uncertain. How genuine is the new Macron line? Is his recent refusal to rule out sending troops to Ukraine just another of his surprises – testimony to his insatiable need to cut a diplomatic dash?And how much of his new positioning is purely politics? European elections are approaching, and the hard-right of Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella looks set to trounce the Macronites.So is Emmanuel Macron using Ukraine to create a fault line between his side and the opposition, setting a contrast between his own lucid belligerence and Ms Le Pen’s turbid complicity with Moscow in the past?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, France has sent weaponry and trained Ukrainian troops – but Mr Macron insists more must be doneIn a live interview on French television on Thursday evening, the president implicitly acknowledged that these critical questions were being asked.But in true Macron fashion, he set out not to mollify but to assert. Far from muting his new-found alarmism, he explained it.Not remotely embarrassed about his “conversion” from dove to hawk, the president’s view was that the one inevitably had to precede the other.Only after all efforts to reach out to an adversary have been exhausted, he argued, is it possible to say conclusively that that adversary is beyond the pale. Furthermore – the second part of his self-justification – he argued that the Russians have now pushed their aggression to a whole new level.The Kremlin, he said, had in recent months “got noticeably harder-line” – placing the Russian economy on a permanent war-footing; stepping up repression of internal opposition; escalating cyber-attacks on France and other countries.With Ukraine looking increasingly beleaguered, and the United States no longer dependable as an ally, Europe was entering a new world, he said: “A world where what we thought was unthinkable actually happens.”This is why, according to the new Macron doctrine, France and Europe needed to be preparing a sursaut – a mental leap out of the cosy certainties of the dying era and into the harsh realities of the new one.In deliberately Churchillian tones, he believes that in order to keep the peace, Europe needs to be ready for war.Image source, EPAImage caption, Emmanuel Macron has even suggested France may need to put boots on the ground in UkraineAs always with Emmanuel Macron, the logic is impeccable; the arguments unbreakable.But as always with Emmanuel Macron there is also the question: he may convince, but can he persuade? Because the French head of state’s abiding difficulty is not, obviously, lack of brainpower – but the ability to convert that brilliance into a different talent: leadership. A capacity for getting others to follow.And on this issue, it is far from clear that the others will fall in line.The most glaring sign is the rift that separates the French leader from the man who is supposed to be his closest ally in Europe, Germany’s Olaf Scholz.In traditional Franco-German style, both sides are now publicly patching up and putting on the mandatory common front. Hence the Macron visit to Berlin on Friday. But no amount of man-hugs can conceal the fundamental discord: France accusing Germany of foot-dragging on help for Ukraine, and wilful blindness in clinging to the permanence of the US security umbrella; Germany accusing France of reckless belligerence, hypocrisy (its arms deliveries are in fact way behind Germany’s), and Macronic grandstanding.Image source, ReutersImage caption, Emmanuel Macron travelled to Berlin on Friday for talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz about Russia’s invasion of UkraineBut domestically too, support for Emmanuel Macron on Ukraine is softer than he likes to think.Polls show that a big majority – around 68% – oppose his line on sending Western troops. More generally, while most people are clearly opposed to Russia, the Ifop polling company reports a “progressive erosion of support for the Ukrainian cause”.And if there is indeed an electoral subtext to his new hard line on Moscow – intended to expose the far right’s ambiguities – then it does not seem to be working. Opinion surveys show support for Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) only strengthening.In transforming into Europe’s leading anti-appeaser, President Macron is once again staking out new ground. He is taking the lead, and pushing Europeans to think hard about their security, and about the sacrifices that may soon become necessary.All this is no doubt welcome.His difficulty is that too many people react badly to him. They resent his self-belief, and feel he too readily confuses what is right for Europe and the world with what is actually just right for France – or himself.Related TopicsWar in UkraineFranceOlaf ScholzEmmanuel MacronMore on this storyEurope rift on Ukraine clouds Macron talks in BerlinPublished13 hours agoRussian defeat in Ukraine vital for Europe – MacronPublished27 FebruaryIs Europe doing enough to help Ukraine?Published6 days agoTop StoriesWales’ next first minister set to be announcedPublished30 minutes agoSecret classes to counter Russian brainwashing in occupied UkrainePublished7 hours agoGridlock fears as M25 closures come into forcePublished54 minutes agoFeaturesSecret classes to counter Russian brainwashing in occupied UkraineThe Papers: ‘Tory PM ousting plot’ and ‘Gran’s death row wait’Should adult Harry Potter fans ‘grow up and get over it’?Born on 7 October: Gaza mum’s fight to feed her babyWhat we know about Meghan’s regal lifestyle brandWorkaholics Anonymous: ‘I couldn’t step away from the computer’How to get Glastonbury tickets if you missed outThe ‘insane’ plan to save the Arctic’s sea-iceSri Lanka parents spending hundreds on child leukaemia medsElsewhere on the BBCThe ultimate bromanceWatch the masters of satire Peter Cook and Dudley Moore with a look back through the archivesAttributioniPlayerThe mystery of a devastating helicopter crash…A weekend away for those leading the intelligence war in Northern Ireland turns to disasterAttributioniPlayer’A few people laughed, a few cried, most were silent’The extraordinary story of the rise and fall of the inventor of the atomic bomb, J Robert OppenheimerAttributioniPlayerFancy a film tonight?There’s something for everyone on BBC iPlayerAttributioniPlayerMost Read1’Tory PM ousting plot’ and ‘Gran’s death row wait’2Should adult Harry Potter fans ‘grow up and get over it’?3Gridlock fears as M25 closures come into force4Billie Piper opens up about Laurence Fox comments5What we know about Meghan’s regal lifestyle brand6Boeing tells pilots to check seats after plane drops7The ‘insane’ plan to save the Arctic’s sea-ice8All 35 bodies in funeral inquiry identified9Ex-Tory councillor discriminated against, report says10Secret classes to counter Russian brainwashing in occupied Ukraine

[ad_1] But no amount of man-hugs can conceal the fundamental discord: France accusing Germany of foot-dragging on help for Ukraine, and wilful blindness in clinging to the permanence of the…

Continue reading

• newsinsightplus.com
• 2023Belt
• 2023Do
• March 11, 2024
• 0 Comments

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityAsiaChinaIndiaTwo Sessions: China touts openness while tightening controlPublished2 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Premier Li Qiang – right, with President Xi Jinping – will not be giving this year’s closing speechBy Tessa WongBBC NewsAs China’s annual parliamentary sitting comes to a close after a hectic week of meetings, a glaring void looms on Monday’s final agenda.The National People’s Congress is usually capped off by the premier’s press conference. But this year, and for the rest of the term, the tradition has been mysteriously nixed.Officials have said there was no need for it given there were other opportunities for journalists to ask questions. But many observers saw it as another sign of consolidation and control, in what became a running theme for the congress, even as top officials preached openness.The cancellation of the press conference also effectively diminishes Premier Li Qiang’s profile. Though the event was scripted, it was a rare chance for foreign journalists to ask questions and gave the country’s second-in-command some room to flex his muscles.In years past, it even yielded some unexpected moments. In 2020 then-premier Li Keqiang disclosed figures that stoked debate over a government claim that they had eradicated poverty. The dimming of the spotlight on the premier, along with a shorter congress this year, are all signs of ongoing structural change within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) where President Xi Jinping is increasingly accumulating power at the expense of other individuals and institutions, noted Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore who studies Chinese governance.But to the outside world, the party is keen on projecting a different kind of image as it battles dwindling foreign investor confidence and a general malaise in its economy.Addressing international journalists last week, foreign minister Wang Yi insisted China was still an attractive place to invest in and do business. “China remains strong as an engine for growth. The ‘next China’ is still China,” he said, before citing ways in which “China is opening its door wider”. Who is China’s new foreign minister Wang Yi?Can a rubberstamp parliament help China’s economy?This year’s economic blueprint, delivered by Mr Li at the start of the session, laid out plans to open up more areas to foreign investment and reducing market access restrictions in sectors such as manufacturing and services.These moves come after foreign investors were spooked by recent anti-espionage and data protection laws, as well as several sudden high-profile detentions of Chinese and foreign businessmen. Foreign direct investment in China recently fell to a 30-year low.”There are fewer political checks and balances, there is no transparency. This is the bigger concern for investors… you cannot predict what’s going to happen, so you avoid the risk,” said Dr Wu.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi declared China was “opening its doors wider”But last week Mr Wang dismissed such concerns. “Spreading pessimistic views on China will end up harming oneself. Misjudging China will result in missed opportunities,” he said, as he focused on talking up China’s prospects.Both Mr Wang and Mr Li repeatedly used buzzwords like “high quality development” and “new productive forces” to signal a new stage in China’s development, though neither fully explained what they meant. China is aiming to hit an ambitious goal of around 5% GDP growth this year. “Beijing is changing how it opens to the world,” said Neil Thomas, a fellow in Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute.He said it is now focused on attracting high-end foreign technology and advanced manufacturing operations to help Chinese companies in key future industries. “Foreign investment and trade are less important for China’s economy than they once were, but Beijing still wants to avoid a rush to the exits that could further shake its growth prospects.”Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, China is focusing on boosting its high-end technology sectorAt the same time, officials were keen to emphasise the government’s ultimate goal.”Stability is of overall importance, as it is the basis for everything we do,” said Mr Li. Elsewhere in his report, he made it clear that while China pursues growth, it would also prioritise greater national security.Some may question how successfully China can achieve a thriving open economy while increasing control. But “from Beijing’s perspective, there is no contradiction between high-quality development, especially with foreign investment, and greater security needs,” said Jacob Gunter, lead analyst with Merics specialising in China’s economy.For instance, when it comes to critical technologies where Chinese firms have yet to catch up, it would want to ensure as much of it as possible is produced within its borders, pointed out Mr Gunter. This reduces the risk of rivals – such as the US and its allies – stealing the technology or blocking their exports to China.Beijing also signalled it would continue to clamp down on problematic areas in its economy, such as the floundering real estate sector and ballooning local government debts. Mr Li promised more measures to defuse financial risks and improve supervision, and pledged to crack down on illegal financial activities. While these problems have existed for several years, “the debt levels and size of the property bubble have gotten big enough that they have to solve it now and can’t back off”, said Mr Gunter.”The economy is performing really poorly right now. The fact that they haven’t gone back to kicking this can down the road signals this is a longer term priority and not something they will back off on.”Related TopicsXi JinpingAsiaChinaCommunist Party of ChinaMore on this storyCan a rubberstamp parliament help China’s economy?Published7 days agoChina sets ambitious economic target for 2024Published5 days agoXi arrives in US as his Chinese Dream sputtersPublished15 November 2023Belt and Road: Is China’s trillion-dollar gamble worth it?Published17 October 2023Do China’s vanishing officials spell trouble for Xi?Published22 September 2023Who is China’s new foreign minister Wang Yi?Published26 July 2023How a diplomat’s downfall leaves China red-facedPublished27 July 2023Top StoriesPalace faces questions as news agencies withdraw Kate’s Mother’s Day imagePublished59 minutes agoLive. Oscars 2024: Oppenheimer sweeps awards with best picture and actor winsThe outfits: Stars turn on the style for the OscarsPublished30 minutes agoFeaturesThe full list of winners at the Oscars 2024Oscars 2024: How to watchLily Gladstone: The actress who could make Oscars historyIs Europe doing enough to help Ukraine?What a $1 deal says about America’s office marketGaza war fuels Jerusalem fears as Ramadan to beginThe people keeping the historic foot ferry afloat’I thought I’d never get to have a Mother’s Day’Listen: How to win an Oscar. AudioListen: How to win an OscarAttributionSoundsElsewhere on the BBCHair-pulling, punching and kickingFootage from the moment a brawl erupts in the Maldives ParliamentAttributioniPlayerExploring the mysterious deaths of Nazi fugitivesThree brothers investigate whether a family connection may explain the truthAttributioniPlayerFrom triumph to tragedy…After more than 30 years of service, America’s space shuttle took to the skies for the last timeAttributioniPlayerCan they take on an elite boarding school?Five black inner-city teens must leave their old worlds behind…AttributioniPlayerMost Read1Palace faces questions over Kate image2Oscars red carpet fashion: Stars turn on the style3The full list of winners at the Oscars 20244Two arrested in funeral home investigation5Actor Ryan Thomas wins Dancing on Ice6Six skiers missing near Matterhorn in Swiss Alps7’Town Halls’ woke jobs’ and ‘Palace’s doctored photo’8Ukraine criticises Pope’s ‘white flag’ comment9Israel’s president faces Gaza protest at Holocaust museum10Met officers suing force over Grenfell response

[ad_1] China’s pushed duelling narratives of openness and control at the National People’s Congress.

Continue reading

• newsinsightplus.com
• abductions
• account.Our
• March 9, 2024
• 0 Comments

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaGaza aid ship expected to set sail from CyprusPublished5 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsIsrael-Gaza warImage source, WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN/OPEN ARMSImage caption, The ship belongs to Spanish charity Open Arms, and will be carrying food provided by US charity World Central KitchenBy Sofia Ferreira SantosBBC NewsA ship carrying desperately needed humanitarian aid is expected to set sail this weekend, bound for Gaza.The Spanish vessel, Open Arms, is scheduled to depart from Cyprus – the closest EU country to Gaza – and hopes to use a newly opened shipping route.With no functioning port and shallow waters, it is still unclear where the ship will dock when it reaches Gaza.The UN says a quarter of the Strip’s population is on the brink of famine and children are starving to death.The ship, expected to reach Gaza in the next few days, belongs to the Spanish charity of the same name, Open Arms. It will tow a barge loaded with 200 tonnes of food provided by US charity World Central Kitchen, Open Arms founder Oscar Camps told the Associated Press.The ship is expected to depart Cyprus’ Larnaca port this weekend, and will take around two to three days to reach an undisclosed location off the coast of Gaza, Mr Camps told the news agency.He added that the final mile of the journey – which is about 216 nautical miles in total – would be “the most complicated operation”, but added that he was not “concerned at all about security”.At the destination point, a team from the World Central Kitchen has been building a pier to receive the aid, he said. The group has 60 kitchens throughout Gaza, where it will be able to distribute the food.”What initially appeared as an insurmountable challenge is now on the verge of realization,” read a post on Open Arms’ X account.”Our tugboat stands prepared to embark at a moment’s notice, laden with tons of food, water, and vital supplies for Palestinian civilians.”Image source, WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN/OPEN ARMSImage caption, World Central Kitchen said its team had been waiting for a sea corridor to open to be able to scale up its efforts in GazaWorld Central Kitchen said it had been preparing for the aid trip for weeks, waiting for the shipping route to open.The maritime corridor was announced by European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Friday, while she was in Cyprus.That came a day after President Joe Biden announced that the US plans to build a temporary floating port to Gaza’s shoreline. The Pentagon later said it would take up to 60 days to complete and need about 1,000 troops to build – none of whom would go ashore.The port will be able to receive large ships carrying food, water, medicine and temporary shelters, US officials said. Initial shipments will arrive via Cyprus, where Israeli security inspections will take place.A Pentagon spokesman said the pier could help to deliver up to 2 million meals every day.It is unclear whether, or how, the US’ temporary pier and the EU’s sea corridor will work together, as neither Mr Biden nor Ms Von der Leyen mentioned the other’s plans.Why food airdrops into Gaza are controversialGaza desperately needs more aid but agencies can’t copeGetting aid into the Gaza Strip has been increasingly difficult and dangerous – the World Food Programme paused its deliveries to northern Gaza last month, after its convoys endured “complete chaos and violence”, the organisation said.With land deliveries near impossible, several nations have turned to air drops, but the situation in Gaza is so dire, the drops are an inefficient way of getting supplies to people.And on Friday there were reports that five people had been killed by a falling aid package, when its parachute failed to open properly.Israel’s military launched an air and ground campaign in the Gaza Strip after Hamas’s attacks on Israel on 7 October, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 253 others were taken hostage.More than 30,800 people have been killed in Gaza since then, the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry says.The conflict has created a growing humanitarian crisis, and the UN has warned that famine in Gaza is “almost inevitable”. At least 576,000 people across the Gaza Strip – one quarter of the population – are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity and one in six children under the age of two in the north are suffering from acute malnutrition, a senior UN aid official warned last week.Save the Children welcomed the recent international efforts to provide more aid into Gaza, but said children there “cannot wait” for the time it may take to build a temporary port to eat.”They are already dying from malnutrition and saving their lives is a matter of hours or days – not weeks,” the charity said in a statement.Doctors Without Borders said the US plan for a temporary pier was a “glaring distraction from the real problem”, urging Israel to facilitate the flow of supplies.Additional reporting by Tiffany WertheimerRelated TopicsIsrael-Gaza warGazaEuropean CommissionMore on this storyWhy food airdrops into Gaza are controversialPublished2 days agoSea corridor to Gaza could open at weekend, EU saysPublished9 hours agoFive killed in Gaza aid drop parachute failure – reportsPublished13 hours agoUS to set up temporary port on Gaza coast for aid deliveryPublished22 hours agoGaza desperately needs more aid but agencies can’t copePublished24 FebruaryTop StoriesGaza aid ship expected to set sail from CyprusPublished5 hours agoNew life springs from rescued Sycamore Gap treePublished7 hours agoThe Oppenheimer story that won’t win OscarsPublished7 hours agoFeaturesThe Papers: ‘Camilla to the rescue’ and ‘Budget falls flat’Channel migrant deaths are rising. Who’s to blame?’Wedding photographer caused mayhem – I told him to leave’On patrol with the anti-social behaviour squadThe sisters defying the Taliban by singingFF7 actress’s nervous wait for fan reactionsDid State of the Union change how voters see Biden?Why mass abductions have returned to haunt NigeriaWest Bank violence: ‘My child’s destiny was to get killed’Elsewhere on the BBCSeven times cruises have caused commotionFrom the largest ship to disasters on deck…AttributioniPlayerThe mystery of a devastating helicopter crash…A weekend away for those leading the intelligence war in Northern Ireland turns to disasterAttributioniPlayerThe untold story of the first moon landingIt was a journey that changed the way we think about our place in the universeAttributioniPlayerParkinson meets the greatest names in entertainmentHe’s joined by guests Michael Palin, Kate Adie and Ricky GervaisAttributioniPlayerMost Read1New life springs from rescued Sycamore Gap tree2’Camilla to the rescue’ and ‘Budget falls flat’3I was cyberbullied while pregnant, says Meghan4Muriel McKay killer ‘willing’ to show where body is5The other Oppenheimer story that won’t win Oscars6Faisal Islam: The Budget was more radical than it looked7’Wedding photographer caused mayhem – I told him to leave’8Destructive Joshua knocks out Ngannou in second roundAttributionSport9The Brit up for three visual effects Oscars10Gaza aid ship expected to set sail from Cyprus

[ad_1] Carrying desperately needed food, the vessel will hope to use a newly opened shipping route to Gaza.

Continue reading

• newsinsightplus.com
• 11s
• ability
• February 24, 2024
• 0 Comments

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaUkraine war: Zelensky insists country will win on second anniversaryPublished20 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsWar in UkraineImage source, ReutersImage caption, Marches were held across Europe in solidarity with UkraineBy Kathryn ArmstrongBBC NewsUkraine’s president has issued a rallying cry, vowing that his country will prevail, as it marks two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion. “None of us will allow our Ukraine to end,” Volodymyr Zelensky said in an address in the capital Kyiv. He was joined by Western leaders in a show of solidarity.The anniversary comes as Ukraine experiences a range of setbacks in its efforts to expel Russia from its territory. Mr Zelensky said in his speech on Saturday that while any normal person would want the war to end, it could only be on Ukraine’s terms. “That’s why, to the words ‘end of the war’, we always add ‘on our terms’. That’s why the word ‘peace’ always goes with ‘fair’.”We are fighting for it. For 730 days of our lives already. And we will win on the best day of our life.”Exhausted Ukrainians refuse to give up Steve Rosenberg: How two years of war in Ukraine changed RussiaJoining him in Kyiv were the leaders of Italy, Belgium and Canada – as well as the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. They laid wreaths at a wall commemorating those who have lost their lives in the conflict. However, there were some glaring omissions among the visitors. No senior US representatives were present, whereas last year President Joe Biden attended the anniversary.Ms von der Leyen praised the Ukrainian troops who defended the country in the early days of the invasion and confounded expectations about their ability to withhold Russia’s invasion force.”You managed to stop Russia’s attack to the heart of Ukraine. You saved your country, you saved all of Europe,” she said. Italy and Canada used the anniversary visit to announce that they had signed bilateral security pacts with Kyiv- meant to boost Ukraine’s hopes of becoming a member of the Nato military alliance. Image source, ShutterstockImage caption, Western leaders joined the Ukrainian President in Kyiv to mark the anniversaryIn a further show of support, marches were held across Europe – with participants demanding that Russian President Vladimir Putin end the war. At least four people were reportedly detained in Moscow on Saturday at a rare protest against the war, organised by wives of mobilised soldiers. Such demonstrations are rare as there are several laws in place now in Russia that punish dissent.The anniversary of Russia’s invasion comes at a difficult time for Ukraine. Only a week ago, it announced that troops had withdrawn from the embattled town of Avdiivka – one of Russia’s biggest wins for months. The failure of Ukraine’s counter-offensive and issues over securing further aid from the US have also been big setbacks. Meanwhile, the fighting continues. At least four people were killed during the latest Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities. Kyiv said it had hit one of Russia’s largest steel plants in a drone attack early on Saturday. Ukraine has made some gains in the war – sinking Russian warships and reportedly downing spy planes – but the victory President Zelensky has promised still seems far away.Related TopicsEuropeWar in UkraineRussiaUkraineMore on this storyUK reaffirms Ukraine support on war anniversaryPublished7 hours agoUS targets Russia with more than 500 new sanctionsPublished1 day ago‘I miss you’: Ukraine’s children orphaned by Russian missilePublished2 days agoTop StoriesTories suspend MP over ‘Islamists’ commentsPublished2 hours agoNavalny’s body returned to mother, spokeswoman saysPublished2 hours agoLive. Trump speaks to activists as South Carolina votes in election raceFeaturesHow a gay TV drama changed people’s livesThe Creator’s Gareth Edwards on shaking up HollywoodThe ‘strange’ story of man who killed a familyIs this the most chaotic by-election ever? On the campaign trail in RochdaleTwo years into Russia’s invasion, exhausted Ukrainians refuse to give upOprah and Nigella deepfaked in influencer ‘manifestation’ adsFashion, fire and water: Photos of the weekWhat are the sanctions on Russia and are they working?Listen: No Return for Shamima Begum. AudioListen: No Return for Shamima BegumAttributionSoundsElsewhere on the BBCExperience Apollo 11’s adventure first-hand!Discover the awe-inspiring journey of Apollo 11 and its crew with newly released cockpit audioAttributioniPlayerWhat is it really like to be a monk?’To be a monk is something very vast, very high and very beautiful’AttributioniPlayer’I smashed all my trophies’Bradley Wiggins opens up about his mental health and imposter syndromeAttributioniPlayerThe sound effect that became the ultimate movie in-jokeIt’s used in everything from Toy Story to Reservoir Dogs, but what is the Wilhelm Scream?AttributioniPlayerMost Read1Tories suspend MP over ‘Islamists’ comments2Wendy Williams thanks fans after dementia diagnosis3Navalny’s body returned to mother, spokeswoman says4Graham Norton leaves Virgin Radio weekend show5’I refuse to die’: Couple saved from Valencia fire hail dramatic rescue6Kuenssberg: Commons chaos was grisly reminder of threats MPs face7Van der Merwe hat-trick sinks England at MurrayfieldAttributionSport8King says Ukraine faces ‘indescribable aggression’9Alton Towers log flume boat found on river bank10The ‘strange’ story of man who killed a family

[ad_1] Western leaders are in Kyiv in a show of solidarity as the country grapples with a range of setbacks.

Continue reading

• newsinsightplus.com
• 000212Watch
• 2nd
• February 19, 2024
• 0 Comments

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaMunich security talks marked by global ‘lose-lose’ anxietyPublished45 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsWar in UkraineImage caption, UN Secretary General António Guterres (2nd left) and EU top diplomat Josep Borrell (2nd right) had a lot to discussBy Lyse DoucetChief international correspondent in MunichIt’s called the Munich Rule: engage and interact; don’t lecture or ignore one another.But this year, at the 60th Munich Security Conference (MSC), two of the most talked-about people weren’t even here. That included former US President Donald Trump, whose possible return to the White House could throw a spanner in the work of the transatlantic relationship, which lies at the heart of this premier international forum. And Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, who was vehemently blamed by one world leader after another for the death of his most prominent critic Alexei Navalny, not to mention his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which continues to cast a long dark shadow across Europe and far beyond.The staggering news of Navalny’s death, which broke just hours before the conference kicked off on Friday, underlined again the perilous unpredictability of a world carved up by multiple fault lines and entrenched interests.”We live in a world where there is more and more confrontation and less co-operation,” regretted the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. “The world has become a much more dangerous place,” he told me as the conference drew to a close on Sunday.”Lose-Lose?” was the maxim of this year’s gathering, at a time of deepening geopolitical tensions and jarring economic uncertainties. The MSC’s annual report warned that it could give rise to “lose-lose” dynamics among governments, “a downwards spiral that jeopardises co-operation and undermines the existing international order”.”I think this has been the conference of a disordered world,” reflected David Miliband, the CEO and president of the International Rescue Committee (IRC). “It’s a world dominated by impunity, where the guardrail stabilisers are not working and that’s why there’s so much disorder, not just in Ukraine and in Gaza and Israel, but more widely in places like Sudan, whose humanitarian crisis isn’t even getting on the agenda,” he said.This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Watch Yulia Navalnaya speak following report of husband’s deathThis issue of impunity, one of the toughest of political challenges, was suddenly transformed into a poignant personal story when Navalny’s wife, Yulia Navalnaya, unexpectedly appeared on the conference’s main stage in the grand Bayerischer Hof hotel to condemn Russia’s president and urge the assembled presidents, prime ministers, defence chiefs and top diplomats to bring him to justice. Her remarkable composure and clarity stunned the packed hall, which gave her a sustained standing ovation before and after she spoke with palpable pain. This year Russia, as well as Iran, weren’t invited to Munich because the organisers assessed they weren’t “interested in meaningful dialogue”. Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockImage caption, Protesters against Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine made their voices heard during the Munich conferenceIn MSC forums gone by, vitriolic speeches by Russia’s veteran Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov angered and electrified the main hall, and Iran’s visible presence highlighted the rivalries and risks in urgent need of resolution.The imperative of continuing hefty Western military and financial assistance to Ukraine was underscored repeatedly by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, who exhorted participants to act, as he rushed from one high-level meeting to the next. “The year of 2024 demands your response – from everyone in the world,” he beseeched delegates when he spoke from the top podium. Zelensky warns of ‘artificial deficit’ of weaponsThe US’s pivotal support was uppermost in his mind as a vital security package, amounting to $60bn (£48bn), is being held up by a US Congress where Republican lawmakers are increasingly divided over whether to keep backing Kyiv in its fight. Back home in Ukraine, soldiers are even running out of bullets on front lines.Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockImage caption, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh argued that a “serious ceasefire” was urgently needed in GazaUS delegates in Munich, including Vice-President Kamala Harris, were at pains to insist that she and President Joe Biden would not abandon Ukraine, nor America’s leadership in global affairs.But with US elections just nine months away, Mr Trump is already shaping the polarised political debate in Washington and reviving anxiety that he could pull the US out of the Nato military alliance and other international commitments.”They know what they need to do but they can’t get it done, and that’s the gap that has to be filled,” was how Mr Miliband assessed pledges voiced by the US and European allies in Munich.Others were even more stinging in their criticism. “Lots of words. No concrete commitments,” posted Nathalie Tocci, Director of the Institute of International Affairs, on X, formerly known as Twitter. “It’s a sad MSC2024.”The gaps were even more glaring when it came to the devastating Israel-Gaza war, which erupted after Hamas’s murderous assault on southern Israel on 7 October. Israel’s military operations are causing a staggering number of civilian casualties and have ravaged much of this coastal strip.”We have seen a really great interest from the international community and the world leaders who have gathered here in Munich that they would like to see a serious ceasefire and a substantial amount of international aid into Gaza,” Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh remarked in an interview.But Israeli delegates, including former peace negotiator Tzipi Livni, doubled down on the need to keep pressing forward. “I’m a political opponent of [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu, but I support the war in Gaza,” she emphasised in a session, which also included Mr Shtayyeh and the Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. “I support the strategic need to eliminate Hamas as a terrorist organisation and as a regime,” Ms Livni said.This year’s MSC marked a record attendance: more than 900 participants including some 50 heads of state and government from around the world, more than 100 ministers, as well as representatives of think-tanks, non-governmental organisations and leading businesses. Top spooks, feminist foreign ministers, climate warriors, Iranian activists, weapons experts, technology wizards and more – all gathered for their own get-togethers on public stages and in private rendezvous and hushed huddles. It all underlined how the world’s understanding of “global security” keeps shifting shape.Over the decades, this forum – born in 1963 in a Cold War quest for peace and prosperity – has often been a venue for real-time diplomacy, too. But in a year marked by worry over “lose-lose dynamics” Munich was a place for a lot of talking and taking stock as the world nervously wonders where the next blows will fall.Related TopicsWar in UkraineIsrael-Gaza warGermanyAlexei NavalnyMore on this storyWatch Yulia Navalnaya speak following report of husband’s death. Video, 00:02:12Watch Yulia Navalnaya speak following report of husband’s deathPublished2 days ago2:12Rosenberg: Dissent takes courage – and Navalny supporters are defiantPublished1 day agoZelensky warns of ‘artificial deficit’ of weaponsPublished1 day agoIs Russia turning the tide in Ukraine?Published1 day agoWhy are Israel and Hamas fighting in Gaza?Published5 days agoGaza Strip in maps: How life has changed in four monthsPublished9 FebruaryTop StoriesIsrael sets deadline for ground offensive in RafahPublished2 hours agoMurder arrest after three young children found dead in BristolPublished5 hours ago‘Without painkillers, we leave patients to scream for hours’Published10 hours agoFeaturesThe Papers: ‘Schools phone ban’ and Kremlin ‘covering tracks’Who won what at the Bafta Awards – the full listWatch Baftas 2024 best bits… in two minutes. VideoWatch Baftas 2024 best bits… in two minutes‘Without painkillers, we leave patients to scream for hours’The Oscar-winning film that captured Navalny’s life and future deathWhat should you do if a dog attacks?Conjoined twins given days to live are proving world wrongInfluential names among those rejected for new Overground linesUN: Asylum seekers report assault and self-harm on remote UK islandElsewhere on the BBCHow are jelly beans made?Gregg Wallace visits a Dublin factory that makes over ten million of the sweets per day!AttributioniPlayerHair-pulling, wrestling and kicking!Watch the moment a violent brawl unfolded in the Maldives ParliamentAttributioniPlayerA billionaire’s playground…What is it really like in the boom town of Mumbai?AttributioniPlayerCould this Italian dream turn into a real nightmare?Amanda Holden and Alan Carr don their boiler suits to renovate a dilapidated house in TuscanyAttributioniPlayerMost Read1’Schools phone ban’ and Kremlin ‘covering tracks’2More than 60 shot dead in Papua New Guinea ambush3’Oppenhomies’ Murphy and Downey Jr rule Baftas4Search for two-year-old boy who fell into river5Murder arrest after three children found dead6Michael J Fox brings audience to tears at Baftas7Badenoch in row with former Post Office chairman8Israel sets deadline for ground offensive in Rafah9Two boys charged over fatal stabbing of teenager10Harry Styles turns heads at Premier League match

[ad_1] The conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine underline deepening geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties.

Continue reading

• newsinsightplus.com
• 180degree
• 18th
• February 4, 2024
• 0 Comments

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaEl Salvador’s president eyes re-election on back of gang crackdownPublished6 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage caption, Francisco Villegas travelled back from his home in Pennsylvania just to vote for Nayib BukeleBy Will GrantBBC News, San SalvadorThere was no doubting Francisco Villegas’ political colours as he stepped off his flight into El Salvador. Draped in a flag bearing President Nayib Bukele’s face, he was dressed in light blue – the colour of the ruling party, Nuevas Ideas.”We’re going to win!” he yelled, to cheers and applause from a small crowd of people waiting for their relatives outside the arrivals lounge.Like thousands of Salvadorans living abroad, Francisco is such a staunch supporter of El Salvador’s controversial president that he travelled back from his home in Pennsylvania specifically to vote for him.”Quite honestly, in the past I didn’t care who won,” he says. “But I’ve seen the changes in five years and I thought I’d make the effort to come and support him. It’s been a 180-degree shift. I feel so safe here now.”He’s far from the only one who feels that way.Mass arrests bring calm to El Salvador but at what price?The abandoned gang houses being returned to localsEl Salvador region ‘under siege’ to hem in gangsIn the run up to Sunday’s election, Mr Bukele’s campaign spots have featured bereaved relatives of victims of the country’s two main gangs, the MS-13 and the 18th Street gang. In tearful testimony, they thank the president for his ruthless military-led crackdown which has turned El Salvador from one of the most dangerous nations in the world to one of Latin America’s safest.”Never again”, reads the slogan.It’s a potent message in a country which has suffered as much as El Salvador and its implication – that a vote for the president’s rivals would see the gangs take a foothold again – is likely to see Mr Bukele re-elected by a huge margin. The latest polls have his main rivals receiving barely 12% of the vote between them. Constructor, Armando Grande, used to faithfully vote for one of those rivals – the left-wing FMLN party. Such has been the transformation he’s witnessed in the neighbourhoods where he works, this time he plans to vote for President Bukele. “What we thought couldn’t be done in decades, he’s achieved in five years. I can only rate his first term as ten out of ten,” he says.Image source, Lisette Lemus Image caption, Armando Grande wants the president to focus on the nation’s economic needs in a second termThe biggest and most glaring problem in the country was security.”We were drowning,” Armando remembers. Now the gang issue has been seemingly brought under control, he’d like to see the president focus on the Central American nation’s urgent economic needs in his second term.The government says its investments in Bitcoin – in which El Salvador declared the cryptocurrency legal tender – are now in the black. Is El Salvador’s Bitcoin bet paying off?El Salvador country profileBut Armando readily admits President Bukele’s Bitcoin experiment hasn’t caught on with the general public or most businesses and would like to see him take more traditional steps to tackle the cost of living.So it remains security – both the newfound sense of peace and the nagging fear that the bad old days might return – that will prompt most Bukele voters to the polls.Critics, though, see a slide into authoritarianism and autocracy. “To begin with, his re-election is unconstitutional”, says Alejandro Diaz of the human rights NGO, Tutela Legal. Mr Bukele says the constitutional court has ruled that he can stand for re-election as long as he doesn’t exercise the role of president for six months before a second term.Critics say he appointed loyalists to the court in order to reach a favourable ruling.”One man’s subjective decisions are going to dominate the three branches of power,” Alejandro Diaz says of a second Bukele term.Image source, Lisette Lemus Image caption, Alejandro Diaz believes the president’s re-election will be unconstitutional”The control will intensify with no clear division between the powers of the state” he warns, saying that “through manipulation and propaganda, the majority seem to be comfortable with the erosion of their democracy in El Salvador”.Tutela Legal represents around 500 families who say their relatives have been unjustly swept up in the mass arrests as part of President Bukele’s gang crackdown. Some 75,000 people have been detained since the “state of exception” – an emergency measure granting draconian powers to the police and military – was imposed in March 2022.Salvadoran and international human rights organisations claim many thousands of them have no discernible link to gang crime. Others were forced to collaborate with the gangs, either as lookouts or to hide guns or drugs for them, out of fear of their lives.Bukele voter, Armando, has limited sympathy for such cases. “It’s impossible to avoid some innocent people getting caught up in it,” he concedes. “But it’s a necessary evil to fix this huge problem that we had.”That’s not how Doña Berta Silvestre sees it.She lives in Colonia Montelimar, a neighbourhood that until recently was controlled by the fearsome MS-13. Her two daughters and her grandson were arrested for “unlawful association” leaving her to bring up four small granddaughters almost singlehandedly.Thousands moved to El Salvador mega-prisonEl Salvador deploys 10,000 troops in gang crackdownImage source, Lisette Lemus Image caption, Berta Silvestre is scared about how another five years of Nayib Bukele may impact her family members’ trialsBerta insists her children were street vendors who were not involved in gang activity.”I’ve had no contact with them in almost two years,” she weeps. “I ask how they’re doing but the authorities don’t tell me anything.” Berta is frantic with worry about their conditions and treatment inside jail.She’s been told it could be years before her daughters get a proper trial. Meanwhile, she fears what another five years of Nayib Bukele as president might mean for her beleaguered family.”They say things are going to get even harder, especially for the relatives of those in prison,” she sobs.Outside the National Palace in San Salvador, workmen are erecting a stage and a huge sound system ahead of Nayib Bukele’s planned victory party.In just five years, this 42-year-old media-savvy leader has become a point of reference for conservative leaders across the Americas trying to burnish their credentials as “tough on crime”.From Argentina to the US, right-wing politicians have pointed to Bukele’s model as the best way to tackle gangs.He has undoubtedly changed the face of this impoverished, conflicted nation – and voters adore him for it. Rarely in Central America has a president been so clear of his rivals before a single vote was even cast.Related TopicsEl SalvadorNayib BukeleMore on this storyThe abandoned gang houses being returned to localsPublished29 May 2023Is El Salvador’s Bitcoin bet paying off?Published6 December 2023El Salvador region ‘under siege’ to hem in gangsPublished2 August 2023El Salvador country profilePublished3 April 2023Top StoriesLive. US and UK launch strikes on Iran-backed Houthi targets in YemenBan children’s access to social media apps – Brianna’s mumPublished52 minutes agoNo more easy deals for Russian convicts freed to fightPublished6 hours agoFeaturesCan Musk’s Neuralink brain chip really change the world?The Papers: ‘We’ll hold Iran to account’ and O’Neill ‘steps into history’Did bodybuilding bring on my early perimenopause?How Imran Khan plans to win an election from jailI almost died up a mountain scattering dad’s ashesThey fled as lava spilled into town – and they may never returnDoes Germany’s economy need more than a cup of coffee?One of worst halves of my coaching career – GatlandAttributionSportHistoric moment stirs painful memories and hope for change in NIElsewhere on the BBCA Scottish wild swimming road-trip!Julie Wilson Nimmo and Greg Hemphill take the plunge at Scotland’s breathtaking wild swimming spotsAttributioniPlayer’I never tried to be famous…it was accidental’Michael Parkinson with guests Ricky Gervais, Michael Palin and Kate AdieAttributioniPlayer’I smashed all my trophies’Bradley Wiggins opens up about his mental health and imposter syndromeAttributioniPlayerBritish television’s greatest double actEric and Ernie share their remarkable journey through TV appearances, rare radio material and BBC archivesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Ban children’s access to social media apps – Brianna’s mum2No more easy deals for Russian convicts freed to fight3I almost died up a mountain scattering dad’s ashes4’We’ll hold Iran to account’ and O’Neill ‘steps into history’5They fled as lava spilled into town – and they may never return6Did bodybuilding bring on my early perimenopause?7Video released of search for Clapham attack suspect8Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish and SZA set to star at Grammy Awards9Protesters climbing war memorials could face jail10Angela Rippon ‘stopped breathing’ on Strictly tour

[ad_1] President Nayib Bukele is far ahead of rivals in polls – but not all voters are convinced.

Continue reading

• newsinsightplus.com
• 17K
• 2023The
• January 28, 2024
• 0 Comments

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaIs Canada vulnerable to foreign interference?Published1 hour agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Toronto Star via Getty ImageImage caption, Canadian member of parliament Michael Chong learned through media reports that China allegedly targeted himBy Nadine YousifBBC News, TorontoThe allegations kept mounting in Canada: Election-meddling by China, an Indian-backed assassination on home soil, and a campaign to harass Iranian dissidents. Is Canada especially vulnerable to foreign interference?Michael Chong said it did not take long for him to become a target of Beijing.In testimony before US lawmakers on Capitol Hill last year, the Canadian Conservative politician described how an alleged intimidation campaign against him was born after he spoke out against China’s human rights record in parliament.He said that a Chinese official in Canada began gathering details about his relatives living in Hong Kong shortly after, and that a smear campaign against him was launched on China’s most-popular social media platform, WeChat.”My experience is but one case of Beijing’s interference in Canada,” he said. “Many, many other cases go unreported and unnoticed, and the victims suffer in silence.”Canada launches inquiry into foreign interferenceThe alleged targeting of Mr Chong, which first became public when intelligence reports were leaked to Canadian media, unleashed a fierce debate in the country around its vulnerability to foreign interference and the safety of its citizens.On Monday, he and others will begin testifying before a public inquiry that will look into Beijing’s meddling in Canada, especially its alleged efforts to sway the country’s last two federal elections by backing certain candidates.China has denied any interference and the allegations have soured relations between Beijing and Ottawa. While the inquiry will focus on claims of election interference by China, Russia, India “and other foreign actors”, experts say the problem of foreign meddling in Canada is much more complex and widespread. Solving it, they say, demands a restructuring of the political and social DNA of the country, which has long-failed to prioritise matters of national security. “Generally speaking, we have been neglecting national security, intelligence, law enforcement, defence, and so on,” Thomas Juneau, a political analyst and professor at the University of Ottawa, told the BBC.While it is tough to determine whether Canada is uniquely vulnerable compared to its allies, Mr Juneau argued that other countries have done a far better job in addressing the issue.An outdated system that is slow to adaptOne glaring problem, Mr Juneau said, is the out-of-date act governing the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (csis). It is almost 40 years old, designed with the Cold War in mind, “when the fax machine was the new thing”, he said. Because of this, he said, the nation’s primary intelligence agency has been limited in its operations, focused on sharing information solely with the federal government.This means possible targets are often left in the dark. That was spotlighted by Mr Chong’s story. He only discovered that he had been an alleged target of Beijing through the media, despite csis having monitored threats against him for at least two years.Canada has since launched public consultations into how the law governing csis can be amended to better inform and protect individuals who could be a target.The source of Canada’s security complacency, argued Richard Fadden, a former csis director and national security advisor to two prime ministers, is that Canada has lived in relative safety, largely protected from foreign threats by its geography: the US to the south, and surrounded by three oceans.”I mean, nobody is going to invade Canada,” he said. Canada’s allies – like the US and Australia – have been quicker to adopt certain tools to help catch bad actors, such as establishing a registry of foreign agents and criminalising acts that can be classified as interference.In December, Australia convicted a Vietnamese refugee who was found to be working for the Chinese Communist Party, thanks to a law it passed in 2018 that made industrial espionage for a foreign power a crime.Such laws are not only important for charging and convicting culprits, but can also help educate the public and deter other nations from interfering, said Wesley Wark, a leading Canadian historian with expertise in national security.Diaspora groups are especially vulnerableMr Wark said the country’s diverse population has also made it a convenient target for foreign states.”We are a multicultural society and we have gone to great lengths over decades to preserve and protect that,” he said.But diaspora groups, especially those vocally opposed to the government of their country of origin, have naturally become a target.British Columbia lawyer Ram Joubin has had a first-hand look at the threats facing dissidents in Canada, particularly those from Iran. While investigating people with ties to the Iranian regime who call Canada home, Mr Joubin said he has heard from Iranian-Canadians who say they have been followed and harassed by regime agents in their own communities.”We’ve had death threats, knock-on-the-door type of death threats,” he said. “And then we have a lot of people with their families in Iran being threatened because they engaged in some sort of activism.”Csis has previously said it is aware of alleged intimidation attempts. The Iranian government has not commented publicly on these allegations. In Mr Joubin’s experience, reporting these incidents to officials like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has been a challenge, especially when additional work is needed to establish a credible criminal or civil case.Both the RCMP and csis were criticised after the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist that was killed in June in British Columbia, which Canada has alleged was done with the involvement of Indian government agents – something India denies. Prior to his death, Mr Nijjar had said that police were aware he was a target of an assassination plot. Questions were raised about whether something could have been done to stop his killing after the FBI said it was able to foil a similar assassination plot in November against another Sikh separatist leader in New York City. Image source, Bloomberg via Getty ImagesImage caption, Richard Fadden says Canada is only now coming to terms with its vulnerability to foreign meddlingMr Fadden said the events of 2023 represented a seismic shift in Canada’s psyche, forcing the country to finally confront the issue of foreign interference.”Despite a deep reluctance on the part of the government to hold a foreign inquiry, they were compelled to do it,” Mr Fadden said. “I think if there hadn’t been that shift, we wouldn’t have an inquiry.”The inquiry, led by Quebec appellate judge Marie-Josée Hogue, will be conducted in two phases, ending with a final report in December that will include recommendations on what Canada can do to deter future interference.Some have expressed concern about the inquiry’s short mandate, and whether its recommendations will be wide-ranging enough and implemented as Canada inches closer to an election year that could see a change in government.But in the meantime, Mr Fadden and others said they believe urgent action is needed.”There are two big issues: there’s interference in our elections,” Mr Fadden said. “But there’s also interfering and scaring members of the diaspora in this country, which is a very serious matter.””We have a responsibility to protect people who are in Canada, and I don’t think we’re doing as good of a job on this as we could be.”Related TopicsChinaCanadaMore on this storyCanada launches inquiry into foreign interferencePublished7 September 2023US must work with Canada to stop China meddling – MPPublished13 September 2023The long fight for justice over downed plane in IranPublished8 January 2023Top StoriesThree US troops killed in Middle East drone attackPublished4 hours agoDisposable vapes to be banned over fears for children’s healthPublished8 minutes agoPost Office chairman had to go – BadenochPublished3 hours agoFeaturesBBC confronts man who abused boy in secretive Christian churchKey UN Gaza aid agency runs into diplomatic stormWho invented butter chicken? Creamy dish centre of court battleWhen Louis Vuitton tries to make you change your brand nameAuschwitz film was ‘like Big Brother’ in house next to campKuenssberg: What do voters think of party leaders? Not a lotWould it bother you if you only got mail three days a week?Net closes in on vigilante destroyer of Italy’s speed camerasCould the UK’s ‘pre-war generation’ become a citizen army?Elsewhere on the BBCHow are jelly beans made?Gregg Wallace visits a factory in Dublin that makes over ten million of the sweets per day!AttributioniPlayerIs this the greatest Jurassic predator that ever lived?Sir David Attenborough investigates a unique discovery: the skull of a giant, prehistoric sea monsterAttributioniPlayer’I smashed all my trophies’Bradley Wiggins opens up about his mental health and imposter syndromeAttributioniPlayerA Royle Family reunion and the best of the North!Ricky Tomlinson and Ralf Little set off on an epic camper van adventure across Northern EnglandAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Disposable vapes to be banned for child health2British base jumper dies after parachute fails3Boys aged 15 and 16 killed in stabbing attack4Record UK January temperature in Scottish Highlands5Protesters throw soup at Mona Lisa painting6Three US troops killed in Middle East drone attack7When Louis Vuitton tries to make you change your brand name8I’ll repay mistaken £17K exit payout, says Dorries9UK navy ship shoots down Houthi drone in Red Sea10Post Office chairman had to go – Badenoch

[ad_1] A public inquiry launching on Monday could be a reckoning in the country on national security matters.

Continue reading