Latest news with #AnnaKelly
The Age
2 days ago
- Business
- The Age
AUKUS agreement: Trump official questions Australia's commitment amid Pentagon review
'That's still a jump ball as far as I'm concerned. Because the Australians have been noticeably fickle. We need to understand, Australia has a population of around 30 million people. It's a remarkably small tax base, and they are making a significant tax investment in this over the next 10 years.' A jump ball in basketball is similar to a ball-up in Australian Rules Football, where either team has a chance of gaining control of the play. Both Labor and the Coalition have expressed consistent commitment to AUKUS. Hendrix has also argued AUKUS does not provide enough capacity for Australian shipyards to repair American and British submarines, as well as Australian ones, and the US should 'more heavily leverage' the agreement. He has said of Australia and the Philippines: 'We're going to need them and their assistance and their basing rights and infrastructure, and I don't think they're ready to host Americans in the way that we're going to need to be hosted to do a counter-campaign to the Chinese invasion.' Hendrix appears to have deleted a number of posts on X about Australia and AUKUS. In one that is still online, from April 2024, he said there were two key questions – 'whether the Australian government will sustain their commitment across the coming years and change of governments', and 'whether the US will actually be willing to give up Virginia-class boats'. Loading Last week, Hendrix welcomed a news story that reported the Pentagon was asking Australia and Japan to make clear commitments about what they would do in a conflict between the US and China over Taiwan. 'Given these nations [are] critical [to] the task of logistically supporting US forces should we come to the aid of Taiwan, this inquiry is legitimate,' he said. 'I would be shocked to find that the previous administration hadn't asked the partners.' Reached by text, Hendrix declined to comment and referred questions to the White House. Spokeswoman Anna Kelly supplied a statement that said US shipbuilding had been neglected for decades and would be boosted by a $US43 billion ($66 billion) investment in the president's One Big Beautiful Bill. 'No president has done more to bolster American maritime power, and his White House Office of Shipbuilding will operate under the Office of Management and Budget,' she said. In their letter to Hegseth, Republican committee chair John Moolenaar and Democratic representative Raja Krishnamoorthi said AUKUS had bipartisan support in Congress for a reason, and that it would strengthen US security as well as that of Australia and the United Kingdom. They noted Beijing's 'unprecedented' live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea in February. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth watches a display of drone technology at the Pentagon on Wednesday. Credit: AP 'This attempt to project power as far south as New Zealand's front door highlights the importance of AUKUS in cementing ties to longstanding allies like Australia, as well as advancing vital undersea capabilities that will be central to deterrence,' they wrote. 'We are stronger together under the AUKUS framework.' The committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday in Washington on strategies to counter economic coercion by the Chinese Communist Party against democracies. Former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison, who brokered the AUKUS deal, is scheduled to appear, as is former US senator and ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel. Undersecretary of defence for policy Elbridge Colby, who is heading the Pentagon's AUKUS review, has posted actively on social media over the past fortnight, doubling down on his calls for American allies to 'step up'. Loading 'No one at the Pentagon is asking for a blank cheque from our allies. Rather, the United States and our allies all benefit from a reasonable expectation of what contributions we can anticipate each other to make,' he said on Monday, US time. 'That is why we are working closely with our allies to align expectations, an approach akin to what we have with NATO and South Korea. This will make our alliances sturdier and more equitable. That's just common sense.' Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what's making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
The truth about Unesco is too sinister to ignore
I love a Unesco World Heritage Site as much as the next lazy 'cultured' tourist. I can't count how many remote ruins and religious compounds I have gone to see, at great effort, drenched in sweat, wondering why I'd bothered, only to be reassured by the imprimatur of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). Unesco World Heritage sites can range from the quirky to the splendid: Derwent Valley Mills, for instance, in Derbyshire, or Aachen Cathedral or… the whole Great Barrier Reef. But Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States out of Unesco did not cause me to flinch. For once, I entirely agreed with the rationale given. '[It] supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the common sense policies that Americans voted for in November,' White House deputy spokeswoman Anna Kelly said. When it comes to rooting out endemic anti-Semitism, Trump has shown he has real chops, as his attitude to Harvard and other Gaza-mad universities makes clear. With regard to Unesco, back in February, the White House ordered a 90-day review of America's membership, particularly considering 'anti-Semitism or anti-Israel sentiment within the organisation'. You'd have to be in complete denial not to see the rot at Unesco. It has forced through measures that are both anti-Israel and anti-Jewish, such as designating Jewish holy places as 'Palestinian World Heritage' sites. It throws around inappropriate and inaccurate language, for instance that 'Palestine' is 'occupied' by Israel. Unsurprisingly, it is also drunk on woke ideology. One item for its executive board meeting in March noted that its Global Alliance against Racism and Discriminations should advocate … wait for it … 'intersectionality and the adoption of a transversal approach to address inequalities across sectors of government.' Why on earth should America continue to bankroll this sort of corrosive rubbish? Then there's the China influence. Beijing is one of the largest funders of Unesco, with big cheeses from Beijing in leadership positions. So no, this is not some cuddly, benign outfit dedicated solely to protecting artisanal cheese or female education. It is deeply suspect. What Trump is doing is putting paid to the idea that there is any point in staying in organisations like this. The argument that the likes of America should continue paying the bills because otherwise they'll fall under the influence of the West's enemies is clearly wrong. It's the same with the likes of the World Health Organisation: free countries are expected to subsidise international organisations while ignoring evidence that they have been captured by our adversaries. If only Unesco could focus on the preservation of old mills and churches. Its role is an important one. But it's the UN, and thus fatally infected by anti-Zionist obsessions and the insane woke upside down view of the world. So Trump is right to get America out and redirect the money to something less malign and more in keeping with his country's original values.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Trump pulls US out of Unesco over ‘anti-Israel bias'
President Donald Trump is pulling the US out of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) over its 'anti-Israel bias'. In February, Mr Trump ordered a 90-day review of America's membership of the heritage group, probing any 'anti-Semitism or anti-Israel sentiment within the organisation'. Now Mr Trump is set to cut ties with the agency after the review uncovered alleged pro-China and anti-Israel bias, as well as the promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, according to The New York Post. 'President Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from Unesco – which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the common-sense policies that Americans voted for in November,' White House deputy spokeswoman Anna Kelly told the newspaper. 'This president will always put America First and ensure our country's membership in all international organisations aligns with our national interests.' The US is home to numerous celebrated Unesco heritage sites, including the Everglades National Park, the Grand Canyon and the Statue of Liberty. Mr Trump's withdrawal from the agency is not expected to affect their status as protected sites. Unesco board members forced through anti-Israel actions, such as designating Jewish holy sites as 'Palestinian World Heritage' sites, a White House official claimed. According to the review, Unesco frequently states that Palestinian territory is 'occupied' by Israel and condemns the Jewish state's war against Hamas without criticising the terrorist group. It added that Beijing holds significant sway over Unesco as its biggest donor and through having Chinese nationals such as deputy-director general Xing Qu in top leadership positions. 'China has leveraged its influence over Unesco to advance global standards that are favourable to Beijing's interests,' the official said. Unesco has come under criticism for apparently glossing over the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP's) persecution of Uyghur Muslims. The organisation has also been accused of promoting 'woke' social justice causes. In 2023, Unesco published an 'anti-racism toolkit' which urged member states to adopt 'anti-racist' policies and engage in a 'race to the top' to be social justice leaders, address questions about the history of racism in their country and strive towards racial equality. The following year, the organisation's 'Transforming MEN'talities' initiative highlighted its work in India addressing 'how men think about gender issues', including 'harmful gender norms'. It also published research looking at how video games could 'promote gender equality '. Gabriela Ramos, Unesco's assistant director-general for the social and human sciences, said at the time: 'It is not only about controlling the negative impacts, but also relying on video games to address socio-cultural stereotypes and encourage positive, anti-discriminatory behaviours.' Mr Trump first withdrew the US from Unesco in 2017 amid allegations of anti-Israel bias. Joe Biden then rejoined the heritage group in 2023, claiming US presence was needed to push back against the rising influence of China. Audrey Azoulay, the director-general of Unesco, said: 'I deeply regret president Donald Trump's decision to once again withdraw the United States of America from Unesco. 'However regrettable, this announcement was anticipated, and Unesco has prepared for it. 'In spite of President Trump's first withdrawal in 2017, Unesco stepped up its efforts to take action wherever its mission could contribute to peace and demonstrated the pivotal nature of its mandate. 'Unesco's purpose is to welcome all the nations of the world, and the United States of America is and will always be welcome.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Trump pulls U.S. out of 'woke' UN cultural agency AGAIN after raging against it for years
President Donald Trump has withdrawn the United States from UNESCO, citing the agency's decision to admit Palestine as a member state and its commitment to ' woke ' causes. In a statement to the Daily Mail, White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said UNESCO 'supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November.' The State Department formally announced the decision on Tuesday. It will take effect December 31, 2026. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce added that the agency's 'decision to admit the 'state of Palestine' as a member State is highly problematic and contrary to U.S. policy. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said he deeply regretted Trump's decision but had anticipated it and adjusted its budget accordingly. 'Thanks to the efforts made by the organization since 2018, the decreasing trend in the financial contribution of the U.S. has been offset, so that it now represents 8% of the organization's total budget compared to 40% for some United Nations entities,' Azoulay said in a statement. UNESCO first admitted Palestine as a full member in 2011, in a bow to Palestine's strategy to seek international recognition through UN agencies. This is the third time the U.S. has left UNESCO, with the first withdrawal occurring in 1984 under President Reagan. The U.N. agency, which is based in Paris, promotes international cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication. But some of its decisions, particularly around the naming of world heritage sites, have been controversial. The Trump administration ordered a review of the United States' membership in the organization earlier this year. Israel has also left the agency. UNESCO is best known for designating World Heritage Sites, including the Grand Canyon in the United States and the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria. But the organization has been criticized for supporting the eviction and abuse of Indigenous peoples in some World Heritage sites. And it faces complaints about its overly-bureaucratic structure. Trump removed the U.S. from UNESCO during his first term - citing anti-Israel bias - but President Joe Biden readmitted the country to the organization. After withdrawing from the agency during the Reagan administration after claims it advanced the interests of the Soviet Union, President George W. Bush rejoined UNESCO in 2003. Trump, in a push for isolationism, has removed the U.S. from other global bodies. He's already decided to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization and halt funding to the Palestinian relief agency UNRWA as part of a review of the U.S.' participation in UN agencies, due to be concluded in August. In his first administration, Trump removed the U.S. from the WHO, the U.N. Human Rights Council, a global climate change accord and the Iran nuclear deal. Biden returned the country to those bodies.
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Trump administration pulling U.S. out of cultural agency UNESCO again
The Trump administration is withdrawing the United States from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), accusing the U.N. agency of supporting 'woke, divisive cultural and social causes.' 'President Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from UNESCO — which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November,' White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in an emailed statement. 'This President will always put America First and ensure our country's membership in all international organizations aligns with our national interests.'
