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Time Out
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Sound On: Cape Town's iconic clock tower gets a glow-up
The City Hall clock, in the heart of the CBD, hasn't worked properly for nearly 15 years. But thanks to the dedication of a local engineer and one self-taught horologist, this grand old clock is ticking and set to be chiming again soon. Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has just dropped a behind-the-scenes look at the painstaking restoration of the iconic clock tower, once the tallest building in the city about 120 years ago when it was first built. Earlier in 2022, horologist Alexios Vicatos successfully repaired the time-keeping mechanism. Now, under the guidance of local engineer Marius Schoemant, the restoration of the chime mechanism is set to be fully complete between June and July. Watch the Mayor's video t o get a rare peek inside the clock tower: Cape Town's heritage tourism is alive and ticking This iconic clock is ticking time-traveller proof that Cape Town knows how to fix the past without necessarily losing the plot. The City Hall's balcony is also where former president Nelson Mandela delivered his first speech as a free man to a throng of supporters looking on from the Grand Parade. Don't miss the chance to grab a snap with the life-size statue of the great Nobel Peace Prize winner on the City Hall balcony. There is also an exhibition inside City Hall dedicated to Madiba and his long walk to freedom. You'll also find the Cape Town Tourism Visitor Experience Centre located on the ground floor. They're packed with local advice and a few gift ideas celebrating the Mother City. And the City Hall isn't only about politics. You can also experience a Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra performance in the historic main hall, with its grand acoustics and vintage charm. Set your clocks for a lunchtime date Head to City Hall around 12 pm, grab a gatsby, park off on the parade and soak in the steampunk vibes. You might hear the bells ring out for the first time in nearly 20 years. There is instant local cred in being able to say, " I was there when that old clock came back to life.' Check out this interview with the Mayor himself, as he shares a few of his favourite things to do in the Mother City. TIME OUT RECOMMENDS:
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New doc tells story of Holocaust survivor, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel
An Elie Wiesel documentary presents a compelling portrait of a Holocaust survivor who bore witness. Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire, the new documentary portrait of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Holocaust survivor, and Jewish writer who devoted his life to sharing the story of what millions of his fellow victims couldn't, received the Yad Vashem Award and was just shown at the Docaviv Festival. The documentary opens with a telling quote from Wiesel: 'Whoever listens to a witness, becomes a witness.' That encapsulates his life's mission: He wanted to create a world of witnesses, and he did so by bringing the story of the tragedy of the Holocaust to millions. But living a life filled with this sense of mission took a toll on him, personally, and on those around him, as this candid and very compelling documentary by Oren Rudavsky shows. The film came about because the director's friend, author and Holocaust film historian Annette Insdorf, who was close to the Wiesel family, had been getting requests from filmmakers who wanted to tell Wiesel's story since he died in 2016. But she felt that Rudavsky and his late partner, Menachem Daum, who collaborated on such documentaries as Hiding and Seeking: Faith and Tolerance After the Holocaust, would be a good fit for a Wiesel film. 'The process of making a film is partially by choice, partially by chance, and partially whether you can raise the money to make it,' Rudavsky said. He decided to make the film despite all the obstacles. 'I think a figure like Elie Wiesel is somebody whose message of tolerance and speaking up in times of crisis is very relevant today,' he said. 'His kind, prophetic, messianic way he spoke is very… well, timely is the wrong word because he's timeless, I think.' Rudavsky admitted that it was a challenge to create a film portrait of a man who was so revered by many. His mother had studied with Wiesel at Boston University, and his parents had Wiesel's books. As he read over Wiesel's works, such as Night, an autobiographical novel about his Holocaust experiences, and watched many of Wiesel's speeches, he said, 'It was daunting – absolutely!' But after he gained the trust of Wiesel's widow, Marion, who recently passed away, and his son, Elisha, who told him their stories and were honest about how difficult it could be to be close to Wiesel and to be in his shadow, he began to formulate a structure for the film. THE DOCUMENTARY uses rare photographs and clips, as well as interviews with his family members and short animations to tell the story of Wiesel's happy childhood in the heart of a close-knit Jewish community he was born into in 1928 in Sighet, a village which was alternately part of Romania and Hungary. He was encouraged by his parents to study both Torah and literature, and he spoke multiple languages. 'As in a dusty mirror, I look at my childhood and wonder if it really was mine,' Wiesel says in the film. He shares his vivid memories of how his family was put in a ghetto under Nazi rule and then deported to Auschwitz when he was 14. His mother instructed him not to stay with her and his three sisters but to go to the men's camp with his father. The father and son were able to stay together through the concentration camp, a death march, and Buchenwald, where his father eventually died, and Wiesel recalls his anguish at being helpless as his father passed away. Taken to a Jewish children's home in France following the war, he realized that the Holocaust experience would always be a key part of who he was. 'Whether we want it or not, we are still living in the era of the Holocaust. The language is still the language of the Holocaust. The fears are linked to it. The perspectives, unfortunately, are tied to it,' he said in a speech years later. His parents and younger sister were killed in the war, but he was reunited with his older sisters afterward, and one of them is interviewed in the film. For about 10 years, he did not talk or speak about the war, studying at the Sorbonne and working as a journalist. Eventually, in response to encouragement from the author Francois Mauriac, he wrote a long book on the war in Yiddish, The World Was Silent, which he then shortened and translated into French, changing its title to Night. The documentary dramatizes, through its animations, some of the most horrific moments from the book. 'Why do I write?' Wiesel says to an interviewer. 'What else could I do? I write to bear witness.' He went on to write many more books, including novels, autobiographies, and memoirs, and his fame grew. But the movie details how he remained isolated from others, resolving not to become close to anyone until he met Marion, a translator, whom he married. WHILE HE traveled the world speaking about his life and his writings, he had a special moment in the spotlight in 1985 when he opposed then-president Ronald Reagan's visit to a military cemetery in Bitburg, Germany, that contained graves of SS officers. While Reagan seemed not to have known about the presence of the SS graves when he was first invited there, Reagan compounded the faux pas by saying that these SS members were victims of the Nazis 'just as surely as' those who were killed in the death camps. The planning of the Bitburg visit coincided with the moment when Wiesel was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by Reagan. In a small meeting, which was caught on tape and is included in the documentary, and in a public speech when accepting the medal, Wiesel very respectfully – but very directly – challenged the president, imploring him not to lay a wreath on the graves of those who murdered his family and millions of others. 'This medal is not mine alone. It belongs to all those who remember what SS killers have done to their victims… While I feel responsible for the living, I feel equally responsible to the dead. Their memory dwells in my memory. Forty years ago, a young man woke up and found himself an orphan in an orphaned world. 'What have I learned in those 40 years? I learned the perils of language and those of silence. I learned that in extreme situations, when human lives and dignity are at stake, neutrality is a sin. It helps the killers, not the victims. But I've also learned that suffering confers no privileges. It all depends on what one does with it,' he said. He went on to say, 'I, too, wish to truly attain reconciliation with the German people. I do not believe in collective guilt nor in collective responsibility. Only the killers were guilty; their sons and daughters are not, and I believe, Mr. President, that we can and we must work together with them and with all people, and we must work to bring peace and understanding to a tormented world that, as you know, is still awaiting redemption.' Rudavsky said he was impressed by 'that speech, which I consider as one of his top few speeches. His eloquence, the whole circumstance considering where we are now with our politics… the way he spoke so gently and persuasively to President Reagan...' The film goes on to show Wiesel's speech at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in 1986 and other important moments, such as his visit to Auschwitz with Oprah Winfrey, who featured him on her show. 'He always saw himself as a teacher,' said Rudavsky, and one of the highlights of the film is a scene in which a class of African-American high school students in the US discuss Night, completely engaged by it. As he worked to finance the film, Rudavsky said he was grateful to a number of his producing partners, among them the Claims Conference, Jewish Story Partners, the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, the Public Broadcasting Service's American Masters, and Patti Askwith Kenner. The film has been shown at and will be shown at Jewish film festivals in America, and Rudvasky is hopeful for a limited theatrical release of the film in the fall in the US. Eventually, it will be shown on the PBS American Masters series. It has won Audience awards at several US film festivals and will likely turn up on one of Israel's documentary channels. Asked at a recent screening – and virtually all screenings – what Wiesel would say about what's happening in the world today, Rudavsky said, 'I can't speak for Elie, but he would be crying for those who are suffering.'
Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Will the future of Asia be one of conflict or cooperation?
Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said the world stands on the precipice of a 'once-in-a-century turning point in history'. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG News analysis Will the future of Asia be one of conflict or cooperation? – The 21st century is meant to be the 'Asian century', but will the world's largest continent live up to its brimming potential, or will it be derailed by conflict? This was the biggest question weighing on the minds of politicians, business leaders and academics who convened in Tokyo for the Future Of Asia conference, held by Japanese media conglomerate Nikkei Inc on May 29-30. Many attendees sounded the clarion call for solidarity and unity, saying that only by entrenching cooperation can the world overcome its many fissures. Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, citing wars, pandemics and financial turmoil, said the world stands on the precipice of a 'once-in-a-century turning point in history'. 'When we look at each of the events that are happening, it is hard not to feel the similarities between today and 100 years ago,' he said. 'A stable international order is no longer a given.' That is an ominous message for a flagship forum – of which The Straits Times is a media partner – that is celebrating its milestone 30th year. Is the future of Asia doomed? Plenty of positivity was dished up over two days of speeches which were, however, lacking in substantive suggestions for action. What was of note, however, were some young participants who gave a glimpse of what the future might hold with their innovative ideas and their optimism. First up was Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who said: 'Asia, home to more than half of humanity, sits at the epicentre of uncertainty. It is also at the centre of possibility at the same time.' Although he warned that 'cooperation is not always guaranteed', he pointed to the region's 'formidable collective strength'. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet described Asia as 'relatively peaceful, stable and prosperous, at least for the moment', even as a Cambodian soldier was killed in gunfire with the Thai military during a brief clash on May 28 on a disputed stretch of the border between Cambodia and Thailand. Mr Jin Liqun, head of China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, insisted: 'Asia can maintain its growth regardless of what's happening in the rest of the world.' Yet it is impossible to ignore the undercurrents of uncertainty and tumult as the world experiences whiplash from United States President Donald Trump's unpredictable policies. The restrictions on international students enrolling in US universities is an affront to the role that education plays in innovation and in fostering the exchange of ideas across continents and political divides. The effective abolition of the US Agency for International Development, which provides aid to about 130 countries and regions, inflicts more suffering on the impoverished people in these areas. The US pullout from the Paris Agreement on climate change ignores climate risks that threaten countries worldwide, particularly those in vulnerable regions such as South Asia and Africa. What has been most disruptive, however, are Mr Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs imposed on more than 100 of America's trading partners and ranging from 10 per cent to 50 per cent. On pause for 90 days from April 9 while negotiations take place, they form an assault on the rules-based multilateral trading order. Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, speaking at the forum, pointedly said that Mr Trump has effectively made 'the whole world the enemy'. It became clear that weaker economies are lower down the pecking order for tariff negotiations – major economies such as the European Union, China and Japan are in the midst of negotiation – when Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith told the conference that Vientiane has reached out for talks but not yet received any response. Laos was hit with a 48 per cent rate. 'Protectionism disrupts the global equilibrium and heightens tension, therefore leading to an increasing risk of armed conflict,' Mr Thongloun said. Speakers including Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said that a possible antidote to such inward-looking tendencies of the US is to entrench existing partnerships and forge new alliances. Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa added that a 'renewed commitment to cooperation' was necessary as the Indo-Pacific becomes a theatre for intensifying US-China rivalry. 'The old saying, 'unity is strength', is now more crucial than ever,' he said. 'While we do not seek confrontation, we must protect our interests in a world shaped by the competition of giants.' It goes without saying, however, that national interests vary from country to country. This can be seen in the vastly different positions adopted by different countries in the unfolding conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. How, then, will countries respond in the event of an accidental conflict in contested waters, as Chinese and Philippine military activities intensify around shoals in the South China Sea over which the two sides have overlapping claims? Or if China invades Taiwan, which Beijing considers a renegade province to be reunified by force if necessary? To stave off conflict, Mr Ishiba said Japan's position is to continue communicating with China at all levels to build a relationship 'based on true trust (and) common strategic interests for a constructive and stable relationship'. He also emphasised the need for 'an enduring US commitment to the region at a time of growing Chinese economic and security influence'. While Mr Ishiba's remarks sound contradictory, they point to the delicate diplomatic tightrope Japan needs to tread, given that it has close economic ties with China but is wary of its giant neighbour in security terms due to their historical tensions and Beijing's growing military power. But his remarks leave open the question whether China will engage with Japan on the same terms. For Mr Hun Manet, the solution is clear: 'New tensions are rising in many traditional flash points, so our leaders need to stay united in purpose, strategic in vision and steadfast in collective actions.' Heavy geopolitics aside, there were some bright sparks at the forum in the form of a young generation of start-up leaders who were invited to discuss social innovation and the prospects for Asian growth. Among them was Singapore's Mr Kee Cheng Heng, 29, of HelloHolo that uses virtual reality to support language learning. While most start-ups do not take off, he credited Singapore with having built an environment where failure is a learning journey and 'a badge that you can wear proudly'. Fellow start-up founder Shunsuke Inoue, 25, of data optimisation company Japan Process Mining Technology, agreed that the tide seems to be turning in Japan which traditionally does not take too kindly to failure. He said: 'I don't think one failure means that you never get another chance.' The future of Asia, clearly, will lie in its youth and their never-say-die perseverance. The 84-year-old Dr Yunus summed it up best: 'The future of Asia is not just about economics or geopolitics. It's about people, it's about ideas. It's about the young people wanting to create a new world different from the one they were born in.' He added: 'Let us be guided not by fear, but by possibilities. Not by power, but by purpose. Let us have the courage to imagine a better world.' Walter Sim is Japan correspondent at The Straits Times. Based in Tokyo, he writes about political, economic and socio-cultural issues. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yomiuri Shimbun
a day ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Head of Interim Bangladesh Govt Yunus: Election to Be Held Between Dec. 2025 and June 2026; Cotton, LNG Eyed as Bargaining Chips in Bangladesh-U.S. Trade Talks
The Yomiuri Shimbun Muhammad Yunus speaks during an interview in Tokyo on Friday. Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, reiterated his intention to hold a general election between December this year and June next year, as calls for a December election grow. Yunus also called for more investment from 'technology-oriented industries' to help the country's development, in an interview with The Japan News on Friday. Last year in Bangladesh, student-led anti-government protests grew as a result of dissatisfaction with then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's iron fist rule, leading her to flee the country. The student group that led the demonstrations proposed that Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank and 2006 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, become head of the interim government. He accepted. Hasina had been prime minister since 2009. 'We had a terrible experience for over 16 years of corruption, massive amount of mismanagement and misrule,' said Yunus during the interview in Tokyo. 'And then we have to fix all these things.' He stressed the interim government needs to promote political and electoral reforms before a general election so that 'the country doesn't slip back again in the same old way.' Yunus said, 'We are [a] nonpolitical government, so [a] political government through elections should come and take the responsibility.' At the same time, he pointed out that there are certain timing issues, such as 'how much time you allocate for reform so that you can hold the election.' He said the general election will be held 'between December and June.' 'We can hold [an] election maybe, if you have less reform, by December of this year, and if you want to do more reform a little bit, then maximum June of next year,' he said. He has been in talks with political parties to hold a general election, but he does not intend to run, and said, 'I go back to my work' after the election. He emphasized the importance of Japan's support for rebuilding the country. 'After this terrible 16 years of mismanagement and corruption, everything went destroyed, damaged,' Yunus said. 'We need enormous support from Japan, and Japan has been responding very generously.' He said his country needs 'technology-oriented industries' like vehicle assembly plants. While he praised that the garment industry has propelled the Bangladeshi economy and helped it become one of the largest exporters of garments in the world, he said, 'We are so focused on the garment, we didn't pay attention to other things.' Among its population of about 170 million, the country has many young workers. Yunus said, 'You can bring all your investment here, set up your factory here, you'll have no problem with cheap labor.' 'We are inviting to produce anything from technology-oriented industries, assembly plants, any kind of assembly that China has been doing for the rest of the world,' he added. U.S. eyes more cotton exports Bangladesh, which exports a large amount of garment products to the United States, faces a 37% 'reciprocal tariff' imposed by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Yunus said, 'We are looking for ways [on] how to see this as an opportunity, how to minimize any dislocation in our economy and all the future economies, so that it's not disrupted.' He said his country has been negotiating with U.S. officials, who advised Bangladesh to increase such imports from the United States as cotton and liquefied natural gas. 'What happens if you start buying from [the U.S.]? Will that ease that problem? We are looking for the packaging of the trade between the U.S. and Bangladesh,' Yunus said. 'We are hopeful that we'll find a solution to this.' After Trump returned to the presidency, the United States cut aid programs through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), resulting in the suffering of Rohingya people living in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Yunus said Bangladesh has been trying to secure funds for the refugee camps from other countries. 'Since [the] USAID program has been stopped, we are looking for other countries' support like Japan, European countries – [the] European Union particularly – to replenish that so that people don't have to suffer … They are very supportive,' he said. Meanwhile, the United Nations has proposed to support Rohingya people in Myanmar through the border with Bangladesh. Yunus said: 'In principle, we said yes. In a kind of humanitarian situation where people are dying, if you want to take some goods from [the] Bangladesh side to [the] other side, I don't think Bangladesh will mind.' Yunus visited Japan to attend a forum and to meet Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Japan to give US$1.1bil to Bangladesh in budget support, says Dhaka
Bangladesh's interim leader, Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba today. (EPA Images pic) DHAKA : Japan will provide US$1.063 billion in support to Bangladesh for budget assistance, railway upgrades and education, Dhaka said today, as interim head Muhammad Yunus visits Tokyo to strengthen ties between the two countries. 'The package includes US$418 million as a development policy loan to Bangladesh to help with economic reforms and climate resilience,' Yunus' press office said in a statement. Another US$641 million will be used to upgrade a railway line, while Japan will also provide US$4.2 million in grants for scholarships for Bangladeshi students. Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met with Nobel Peace laureate Yunus today, who took over as interim head of the South Asian country last August, after deadly student-led protests forced then prime minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India.
