Latest news with #Jo
Korea Herald
2 hours ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Seoul should set new bottom line for USFK: expert
Seoul needs to be proactive in setting the new 'baseline' with Washington over the talks involving a possible change in the role of the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea stationed here, a Seoul-based military and foreign relations expert said Wednesday. 'South Korean officials and experts' current discussions, in dealing with Washington's talks of strategic flexibility of the USFK, are focused on maintaining the current situation or reacting to the US' moves,' Jo Bee-yun, a research fellow at Sejong Institute said in a report. 'However, Seoul must take a proactive approach (toward the issue) and prevent any radical adjustments to the USFK,' she added. The report comes amid growing speculation that Washington may reduce and reconfigure the USFK to prioritize deterrence of Chinese threats. A May report by the Wall Street Journal indicated that Washington was reviewing wheter to relocate 4,500 troops from South Korea to other areas in the Indo-Pacific region. US President Donald Trump has been also putting pressure on Seoul to sharply increase its spending on national defense or pay more fo the cost of stationing the USFK on the peninsula. He recently took a jab at the latest South Korea-US defense cost-sharing deal, dubbed, the Special Measures Agreement, signed under the previous Joe Biden administration last year, saying falsely that the cost was reduced 'to nothing.' The latest SMA for the 2026-2030 period states that Korea is to pay 1.52 trillion won ($1.11 billion) next year, up from 1.4 trillion won this year. In this regard, Jo pointed out that the gap between the stance on security priorities between Seoul and Washington are growing wider. 'South Korea prioritizes responding to threats from North Korea due to its geopolitical conditions, but the US is attempting to expand the strategic flexibility of the USFK with the focus on deterring threats from China — this has led to a widened gap between stances on security,' she explained. To prevent further security risks, Jo claimed Seoul must first admit the possibility of a USFK troop reduction and set a new baseline that could help maintain the strength of the South Korea-US alliance and Washington's commitment to extended deterrence. Specifically, Seoul would need to propose to Washington about maintaining at least 15,000 troops on the peninsula, as well as the current level of the 'Super Squadron' formation test, an initiative by the US Air Force, to consolidate a larger number of F-16 fighter jets into a single squadron at Osan Air Base. The test is aimed enhancing combat effectiveness. Seoul should also pursue permanent deployment of an F-35A wing, a radar-evading aircraft, to Kunsan Air Base and request Washington to continue to send four-star generals to lead the USFK, she added. Advancing and developing conventional-nuclear integration options, under which South Korea mobilizes its conventional military assets to back America's nuclear operations in a crisis scenario, would be another key step, Jo noted.
Otago Daily Times
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Letters to the Editor: electricity, Gaza and elections
Today's Letters to the Editor from readers cover topics including the high cost of electricity, moral leadership on Gaza, and do good intentions make a good candidate? Clean energy means yes to your backyard There is a universal belief that us Kiwis are being exploited by the gentailers, including its part-owners, the government, by high electricity prices. A driver of this is constraint of supply. Why then, when expansion of low-cost electricity is offered, it is opposed by the public? I am referring to the Helios Energy solar farm proposal between Ranfurly and Naseby. Of 179 community submissions, opposition outnumbered supporters 6 to 1. Objections included concerns about noise pollution, glint and glare from the panels but focused principally on fire safety and gas emissions if the panel ignited. Locals also lamented the noise and vibrations generated briefly while 10,000 metal stakes were installed. These factors are vastly eclipsed by the alternative, business as usual, generating 20% of our electricity from burning fossil fuels, which globally are estimated to kill 3-6 million people annually by air pollution and heatwaves. Photovoltaic electricity is very inexpensive and extremely safe, particularly when the biggest danger, falling off the roof during installation, doesn't apply in this instance. Our need to decarbonise our electricity supply must not be stymied by Luddites, nimbys and pedants. Vale Jo Millar A mighty totara has fallen with the death of Jo Millar. Jo was a tireless advocate for her community and particularly the elderly. She fired up over issues and when she spoke she made sure people listened. Her life was a selfless one of service. She had fire in her belly and a real need for fairness and better living conditions and lower costs for pensioners. RIP Jo. I will miss you. Beg to disagree In the strongest possible terms I disagree with Lynne Newall's opinion "that it is not the Dunedin City Council's business to support a party in government backing sanctions against Israel" (Letters ODT 3.7.25) Ever since the beginning of the genocide in Gaza I have been hoping that our city council would show some moral courage to voice their opinion on the atrocities Israel imposes on Gaza. Now at last the council breaks their silence and shows some moral leadership. I applaud their decision, I salute them, and hope many more councils follow their example. Appeasement costs The government was swift and decisive in sanctioning Russia over Ukraine and providing support to Kyiv, but has equivocated shamelessly with endless angry Winston weasel words over the Gaza and West Bank genocide and the illegal attack on Iran by Israel and the US. Robert Patman ( ODT 14.7.25) is right. This revolting appeasement of Trump will come at a cost. Cowardly equivocation and silence makes our nation complicit in the crimes. Our foreign policy has plumbed new depths. How about a terrier? Re: the proposed mural, ( ODT , 10.7.25) I very much admire art in all its forms and wish myself that I was gifted in the field. I love the subject proposed but the dog depicted is, I believe, of the wrong breed for Dunedin. With its very much Scottish heritage, I would love to propose tartan and the depiction of black and white Scottish, Westie, or Cairn terrier. Road to council is paved with good intentions I read Steve Walker's letter ( ODT 18.7.25) with a certain amount of scepticism. I have no doubt Steve, and indeed all councillors and candidates, are well intentioned fully believing in what they stand for: indeed Steve painted a wonderful campaign picture around it. Good intentions are not the core issue however, all candidates have them. I believe independents have the freedom to draw from a cross-section of views and beliefs that aren't tied to a central ideology. Let's face it, all parties have something good to offer and an independent can choose from all options to specifically target what is best for our city overall. Endorsed candidates are somewhat akin to chickens within a fenced run: they can wander a bit but aren't going past the boundaries. There's no free lunch and if candidates aren't toeing the party line the endorsement will inevitably end. They are tied to party ideology and the bottom line is they stay under that party's umbrella. The good thing about democracy though is that as voters we can decide which option we support and I encourage all voters to get out and do exactly that come election time. Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@
West Australian
a day ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Jo Lual-Acuil: Perth Wildcats sign former Melbourne United star on a two-year NBL contract
Perth Wildcats have been rewarded for their patience and persistence when chasing an Australian marquee player for next season after star big man Jo Lual-Acuil Jnr signed a two-year deal. The Wildcats were determined to sign a big name Australian following the departure of Keanu Pinder and struck gold by signing the former Melbourne United centre. Lual Acuil was picked in the All-NBL First Team in 2022 and is a massive signing for the Wildcats. Having preached patience with the club's roster build, Wildcats basketball operations manager Danny Mills said he was thrilled to sign a player with the talent of Lual Acuil. 'We identified Jo early in free agency as someone who would be a perfect fit for what we are building,' Mills said. 'He is a proven winner at NBL level, has played against top competition internationally, and is still performing at an elite level. Beyond the stats, Jo is an exceptional teammate and professional. He will have a major presence on and off the floor.' The West Aussie will join imports Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler as the biggest names at the club, and Perth is still on the hunt for an import guard for their starting five. Coach John Rillie said having Lual Acuil would give the team more weapons at both ends of the floor. 'JLA is one of the elite talents in the league, so it's exciting for us to add him to our roster,' Rillie said. 'He has tasted success in this league, so he understands what is needed to win in the NBL. 'He can impact the game at both ends of the floor. Protecting the rim and rebounding. While offensively his ability to score in the paint and stretch the floor will always get the opponent's respect.' Lual-Acuil didn't play in the NBL last season, so his return is significant for both the Wildcats and the league. He said having the opportunity to play for the Wildcats for the first time was huge for his career. 'I'm excited to be coming back home,' Lual-Acuil said. 'This is the city where I fell in love with the game. I grew up in Perth watching the Wildcats and now I'm looking forward to being part of it. 'I've always enjoyed playing at RAC Arena, I can't wait to run out there in front of the Red Army and get to work with JR and the guys.'
Perth Now
a day ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Wildcats land big fish with key NBL signing
Perth Wildcats have been rewarded for their patience and persistence when chasing an Australian marquee player for next season after star big man Jo Lual-Acuil Jnr signed a two-year deal. The Wildcats were determined to sign a big name Australian following the departure of Keanu Pinder and struck gold by signing the former Melbourne United centre. Lual Acuil was picked in the All-NBL First Team in 2022 and is a massive signing for the Wildcats. Having preached patience with the club's roster build, Wildcats basketball operations manager Danny Mills said he was thrilled to sign a player with the talent of Lual Acuil. 'We identified Jo early in free agency as someone who would be a perfect fit for what we are building,' Mills said. 'He is a proven winner at NBL level, has played against top competition internationally, and is still performing at an elite level. Beyond the stats, Jo is an exceptional teammate and professional. He will have a major presence on and off the floor.' Jo Lual-Acuil fights for the ball. Credit: Daniel Pockett / Getty Images The West Aussie will join imports Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler as the biggest names at the club, and Perth is still on the hunt for an import guard for their starting five. Coach John Rillie said having Lual Acuil would give the team more weapons at both ends of the floor. 'JLA is one of the elite talents in the league, so it's exciting for us to add him to our roster,' Rillie said. 'He has tasted success in this league, so he understands what is needed to win in the NBL. 'He can impact the game at both ends of the floor. Protecting the rim and rebounding. While offensively his ability to score in the paint and stretch the floor will always get the opponent's respect.' Jo Lual-Acuil is strong at both ends of the court. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images Lual-Acuil didn't play in the NBL last season, so his return is significant for both the Wildcats and the league. He said having the opportunity to play for the Wildcats for the first time was huge for his career. 'I'm excited to be coming back home,' Lual-Acuil said. 'This is the city where I fell in love with the game. I grew up in Perth watching the Wildcats and now I'm looking forward to being part of it. 'I've always enjoyed playing at RAC Arena, I can't wait to run out there in front of the Red Army and get to work with JR and the guys.'
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Sydney Morning Herald
PM must begin to address his legacy - what will he leave us?
Recently, I went into the Sydney Opera House, where my partner was briefly working, for the first time in years. I had passed it, of course, travelled by on ferry, on my visits to the city in which I spent most of my youth. On such returns, there are always things you have not noticed – or perhaps forgotten. I had certainly never properly appreciated the shade of carpet in one of its bars, a gentle red that lies perfectly at the intersection of luridness, elegance and nostalgia. And I had not for years trod its inside concrete steps. The feel of those stairs, their exact width and hardness, somehow recalled me to my childhood, the bag of Minties my grandfather shared with me when he and his wife Jo took me to hear the orchestra. Staying in the CBD, I became dependent on the city's public spaces. I worked in the State Library of NSW, became accustomed to its rhythms; I spotted kookaburras with my son in the Domain. These places I know from my youth and so there was the shock, too, of just how different much of the city feels even compared to a decade ago. It feels more exciting, mostly – which also means busy. A friend told me about the squash to get onto the Metro in the morning, the aggressiveness that can come out, the simultaneously intimate and impersonal experience of being pressed against other human beings. And these things made me feel that the denser Australian cities everybody has talked about for years – a little nervously – are upon us. Of course, we don't know that this trend towards greater density will continue. It is possible, say, that the work-from-home shift is only getting started; that employers' recent push for more days in the office is merely a brief reversal, and that the fading of the importance of cities that seemed to begin during the pandemic will continue. One thing to remember is that nothing pans out quite as expected. A report in The Australian Financial Review last week suggested that work-from-home has not, as many predicted, drastically decreased the need for office space. As Challenger's chief economist told the paper, even if people only spend three days in the office, 'You still need pretty much the same amount of space.' Cafes, though, are doing awfully. What will governments do about these 'third places', neither work nor home but necessary? If commercial 'third places' are dying, will we get more parks? Some new type of hybrid space? This reminded me of one of those pandemic-era conversations – like so many now forgotten – about infrastructure created through Depression public works programs. Instead of our generation's version of ocean pools – something visionary and beautiful, both useful and communal – we got HomeBuilder. In all this I was reminded of that constant push-pull of Australian identity: the desire to mix with the 'big world' out there, to compare ourselves with the largest cities, the most powerful countries, and yet to retain whatever is unique about ourselves. Have we achieved either to our satisfaction? Is it possible to do both? This was the subtext of Anthony Albanese's trip to China last week, as it is of all prime ministerial engagements with other powers. The ever-growing rivalry between China and America reminds us of our great luck in being stuck at the bottom of the globe. Have Australians ever been more conscious than they are, right now, of the upside of isolation? And yet our public debate about foreign affairs seems driven by the linked ideas that we are more central than we are and have more control than we do. And so our news becomes dominated by questions such as when will Albanese meet Donald Trump and whether we should commit to wars that haven't happened.
