Latest news with #30th
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Asia must not ‘rest on its laurels', and continue to reinforce partnerships amid turmoil: S'pore DPM Gan
TOKYO: Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong on Thursday (May 29) appealed to Asia to form agile partnerships and double down on regional integration amid deepening global strife. While many countries in Asia are already part of overlapping partnerships of varying permutations – bilateral, regional, plurilateral – the inherent danger is if they rest on their laurels and not work on growing and strengthening these links, he said. 'We should recognise the challenges of the current turmoil and raise the ambition of each of these mutually reinforcing partnerships,' DPM Gan said in a speech during the 30th Nikkei International Forum on the Future of Asia in Tokyo. Exercising agility and flexibility in building ties is increasingly vital as the world grapples with what DPM Gan described as 'the greatest uncertainty confronting us today', with questions lingering over what will happen after the US' 90-day reprieve over 'reciprocal tariffs' ends on July 8. 'Things are changing all the time, every morning when (you) open the newspaper, there is always big news on trade and tariffs, and sometimes shocking news, and that is the first dish on your breakfast table,' DPM Gan, who is also Singapore's Trade and Industry Minister, said in conversation with the Nikkei's Singapore bureau chief Fumika Sato. While he noted that the risk of a recession cannot be ruled out, another bad-case scenario was that it would be difficult to undo the damage caused by the sweeping Liberation Day tariffs. 'At the end of 90 days, whatever outcome that may be, the uncertainty remains that tariffs can be raised or reduced at any point in time,' he said. 'This will result in weakening of the global trading system, and that is going to be the new order of the day. In time to come, this will be the new landscape.' Trade-reliant economies, such as Singapore – whose trade is three times the size of its economy – would be vulnerable to these headwinds. This was why it is essential for Asean and its partners to double down and expand existing relationships, he said. Doing so would 'demonstrate to the rest of the world that despite this contestation and competition, there is still room for cooperation and collaboration'. The Straits Times is a media partner for the two-day event, whose theme for 2025 is Asia's Challenge In A Turbulent World. DPM Gan, who leads Singapore's tariff negotiations with Washington, used his 20-minute address to emphasise that a winner-takes-all approach towards trade goes against the spirit of a level playing field that the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has been advocating. In such a climate, larger economies with stronger bargaining chips can leave smaller economies in the dust. 'This is why recent moves by some countries to impose and remove tariffs at will are concerning,' he told an audience of more than 200 diplomats, bureaucrats, executives and academics. Singapore faces the baseline 10 per cent reciprocal tariff imposed by the US, although some countries across South-east Asia were hit harder with rates of more than 40 per cent. 'We must do all we can to reinforce a shared rules-based order, so that global trade can continue to be conducted on a free, fair and non-discriminatory basis,' DPM Gan said. In this regard, Japan and Singapore are partners, given the convergence in their strategic outlooks and a shared agenda to strengthen and reform multilateral institutions. The two countries mark 60 years of diplomatic ties in 2026, an occasion that lends itself to the opportunity for new areas of collaboration such as digital trade, supply chain resilience and the green transition. DPM Gan reiterated Singapore's hopes for Japan to play an even bigger role in the upkeep of regional peace and stability – a point that Singapore's political leaders have made repeatedly in recent years. 'Singapore stands ready to work with Japan as a trusted and reliable partner, and we hope to step up our economic and security cooperation in time to come,' he said. Japan's expanding role in regional security comes despite its history as a wartime aggressor. But the tides have changed 80 years since its surrender, with Japan now relied upon as a staunch defender of a rules-based multilateral order. This order is now under attack, with assertive behaviour in regional waters, as well as international conflicts both on the battlefield and in trade. DPM Gan said the world is facing three key fundamental challenges today: - How can Asia maintain strategic autonomy amid intensifying US-China contestation? - How can we preserve the rules-based, multilateral trading system that underpins Asia's economic growth and development? - How do we address global threats and protect the global commons? For one thing, the persistent risk of flare-ups between the world's two largest economies could well spread beyond trade into other areas such as investments, supply chains and critical technology, DPM Gan warned. 'While both powers claim that they do not wish to force countries to take sides, each seeks to draw others closer to their respective orbits,' he said. This makes it all the more paramount for Asian countries, which maintain close ties with both powers, to 'continue to maintain our strategic autonomy and act in a principled and consistent way on the basis of our own national interests', he added. It was also in Asia's interests to modernise the WTO, DPM Gan said, noting: 'While the system is not perfect, we must not abandon it. Instead, we should reform it and make it better.' Among his suggestions were to review the existing consensus-based decision-making processes such that they do not 'end up a recipe for gridlock' and to update the WTO rulebook to address emerging issues. Other institutions such as the World Health Organisation, International Monetary Fund and World Bank cannot be allowed to fail, DPM Gan said, as this would impair the world's ability to respond to future crises like pandemics or recessions. The key way to prevent this was to entrench relationships – especially in areas where the collective commitment already seems to be waning, such as in climate change – by deepening existing ones and forging new ties. He noted how Asean, which earlier this week concluded talks on upgrading its trade in goods agreement, was looking to deepen economic ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This includes a potential free trade agreement between Asean and the GCC, as well as its possible admission to the 15-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which now comprises Asean, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. The more vigorous Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), too, is looking at how to broaden economic partnerships, including with Asean and the European Union. The CPTPP comprised 11 founding members after the US pulled out – Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam – with Britain acceded as the 12th member in 2024. Singapore supports cementing multilateralism, including by expanding the CPTPP if countries can meet its stringent criteria, with DPM Gan noting China and Indonesia as among countries that have indicated interest. 'These new alliances will facilitate effective and timely collaboration on key trade policy issues, and signal our commitment to a rules-based trading system,' he said. There are also measures driven by like-minded countries, such as a WTO Joint Statement Initiative on E-commerce that Japan, Singapore and Australia co-led in 2019 and now involves 91 members, accounting for more than 90 per cent of global trade. Despite unsuccessful efforts to formally incorporate the initiative within the WTO in February, the countries are exploring how to implement the agreement in the interim. 'This is one example of 'flexible multilateralism', where we allow like-minded partners to move ahead on important issues of mutual interest, such as e-commerce, while leaving the door open for others to join as and when they are ready,' DPM Gan said. Other areas for collaboration with Asean include deeper digital integration and cross-border payment connectivity, and what DPM Gan described as a 'cross-border flow of electrons'. Referring to plans for an Asean Power Grid by 2045, which would facilitate the flow of renewable energy across borders and reduce the reliance on fossil fuels, he said: 'Asia is at the epicentre of the battle against climate change'. He added: 'There is urgency to galvanise global action not only for climate mitigation measures, but also to accelerate the green transition.' During his three-day visit to Tokyo ending on May 29, DPM Gan also met Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, Economic Security Minister Minoru Kiuchi, as well as Economic Revitalisation Minister Ryosei Akazawa, who is leading Japan's tariff negotiations with the US. - The Straits Times/ANN
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
SeaWolves unveil initial roster ahead of opening day
The Erie SeaWolves, the double-A affiliate of the MLB's Detroit Tigers, released its initial roster ahead of the team's 2025 opening day (Friday, April 4th at 6:05 pm at UPMC Park). 2025-SeaWolves-Break-Camp-Roster-ReleaseDownload The SeaWolves kick off the 2025 season on Friday, April 4 at 6:05 p.m. against the Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals). Before the game, the club will raise their 2024 Eastern League Championship banner as they begin their back-to-back title defense. The first 1,000 fans will receive a 30th Season SeaWolves lapel pin. The UPMC Park Stadium Club will also feature a specialty Fish Fry buffet menu on Opening Night. Details are available at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Los Angeles Times
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times Announces Lineup for the 30th Annual Festival of Books
The Los Angeles Times today revealed the lineup for the 30th annual Festival of Books, taking place April 26-27 at the University of Southern California. The weekend festival will bring together more than 550 writers, experts and storytellers, and hundreds of exhibitors on the university campus. Participants scheduled to appear include Stacey Abrams, Hannah Berner, Big Sean, Blippi, Matt Bomer, Hannah Brown, Roy Choi, Jon M. Chu, Marcia Clark, Tom Colicchio, Robert Crais, Jason De León, Paige DeSorbo, Maureen Dowd, Griffin Dunne, Percival Everett, Josh Gad, Amanda Gorman, Max Greenfield, Jasmine Guillory, Chelsea Handler, E.A. Hanks, Mamrie Hart, Robyn Hitchcock, Mellody Hobson, Ibram X. Kendi, Rachel Khong, Kristen Kish, TJ Klune, Amanda Knox, Rachel Kushner, Jonathan Lethem, Joanna 'JoJo' Levesque, Jon Lovett, Ivan McCombs, Jim O'Heir, Patrick Renna, Raegan Revord, Krysten Ritter, Veronica Roth, Paul Scheer, Amy L. Schneider, V.E. Schwab, Harry Shum Jr., Jenny Slate, Tika Sumpter, Christina Tosi, Amor Towles, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Wilmer Valderrama, Bruce Vilanch, Gretchen Whitmer, Brooke Williamson, Rebecca Yarros and many more. The weekend festival will feature: To kick off the literary weekend, on the evening of Friday, April 25, The Times will host the 45th annual Book Prizes at USC's Bovard Auditorium. The ceremony will honor award-winning author Pico Iyer with the Robert Kirsch Award for lifetime achievement, Amanda Gorman with the Innovator's Award and Emily Witt with the Christopher Isherwood Prize for Autobiographical Prose. The Book Prizes recognize 61 exceptional works in 13 categories, including achievement in audiobook production, presented by Audible. The complete list of finalists and further information, including ticket packages, is available at The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is presented in association with USC. General admission to the festival is free. Friend of the Festival packages (advance ticket packages), which include reservations for indoor conversations, weekend parking and festival merchandise, are available for purchase now. Tickets for the Ideas Exchange with Amanda Gorman are on sale now; tickets for the conversation with Rebecca Yarros will go on sale Friday, March 14. Individual conversation tickets will be available April 20. Festival news and updates are available on the event website and Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok profiles (#bookfest).
Khaleej Times
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Critics Choice Awards 2025: Chelsea Handler addresses Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni feud
The 30th annual Critics Choice Awards was hosted by Chelsea Handler on February 7. This marked Handler's third time as the Critics Choice Awards host, and she didn't hold back in her monologue. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Handler poked fun at several celebrities, including Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, Colin Farrell, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Nicole Kidman. She also mentioned the ongoing legal battle between Baldoni and Lively. "I want to acknowledge that we've been through a lot lately, not just here in Los Angeles, but our entire country, waking up every day not knowing what news we are going to hear that will disappoint or horrify us," Handler said. "So, it is important in times like these to have a distraction, and that's why I want to personally extend my gratitude to Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively. Thank you for providing us with that distraction. I'm grateful. I think we're all grateful," she added. "And I think we're good! I think everybody in this room, no matter whose side you're on, we can all agree to accept that there's probably not going to be a sequel. It ends with us, guys," she further said. The 30th annual Critics Choice Awards ceremony was rescheduled from January 12 due to the LA wildfires. The event saw the star-studded celebration of the best in film and television, with notable mentions including Conclave and Wicked, which dominated the film nominations. In television, Shogun led with six nominations, while several series including Abbott Elementary, Hacks, and The Diplomat each garnered four nominations.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ralph Fiennes Calls Chelsea Handler a 'Good Girl' During Her 'Babygirl' Milk Moment at Critics Choice Awards
Ralph Fiennes and Chelsea Handler teamed up for a cheeky Babygirl moment at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards. In between awards at the Friday, Feb. 7 ceremony in Los Angeles, host Handler, 49, stood next to Fiennes' table and began praising Nicole Kidman's 2024 erotic thriller Babygirl. "Babygirl was one of my favorite movies this year because I love everything Nicole Kidman does and it even inspired me to hire a new sexy intern," she said, as someone off camera handed her a full glass of milk, in reference to one of the movie's unforgettable scenes. "Oh, this must be from him, thank you," Handler said as she began to drink the full glass with two sips. As she drank the full glass of milk, Fiennes, whom Handler identified as attractive in movie roles across his career in her monologue to begin the ceremony, further amused the crowd by repeating Harris Dickinson's line from Babygirl: "Good girl. Good girl. Good girl." "Keep going, don't stop, go on, go on," Fiennes said, as Handler finished the drink and moved the ceremony on to its next award. Related: Chelsea Handler Goes There with Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Jokes at 2025 Critics Choice Awards In Babygirl, Kidman, 57, portrays a New York City tech company CEO who engages in a risky affair with a young intern (Dickinson, 28) as she and her husband (Antonio Banderas) struggle to keep a spark alive in their marriage. Earlier in the night, Fiennes accepted the best acting ensemble award on behalf of Conclave, the drama he starred in with Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Carlos Diehz, Isabella Rossellini, Lucian Msamati and Sergio Castellito, among others. "Thank you Critics Choice, on behalf of the extraordinary group of eminences that you saw — we all enjoyed being in our red skirts together," Fiennes said in that speech. Related: All the Stars Arriving at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. See PEOPLE's full coverage of the 30th annual Critics Choice Awards as they're broadcasting live on E! from Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. The show will also be available to stream the following day on Peacock. Read the original article on People
