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NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Xi Mingze: All About Xi Jinping's Daughter And Why She Is In News
Xi Mingze, the only daughter of Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan, has been in news due to reports suggesting she may have returned to the United States to resume studies at Harvard University. News outlets picked up the story after a far-right political commentator Laura Loomer, also an ally of US President Donald Trump, claimed in a post on X that Xi "lives in Massachusetts" under the security cover of CCP guards. Here's what is known about Xi Mingze. Early Life and Education Born on 25 June 1992 in Fuzhou, Fujian province, Xi Mingze was raised in a politically prominent family, according to Newsweek. She attended Beijing Jingshan School and Hangzhou Foreign Language School, where she studied French. In 2010, she enrolled at Harvard University under a pseudonym to maintain privacy, graduating in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. Public Appearances and Philanthropy Xi's public appearances have been rare. Following the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, she volunteered for a week in Hanwang, Mianzhu, participating in disaster relief efforts. In 2013, she made a public appearance with her parents in Liangjiahe village, Yan'an, Shaanxi, offering Chinese New Year greetings to locals. "She studied all the time," Asahi Shimbun correspondent Kenji Minemura told New Yorker in 2015 about Xi's previous US stay. Privacy and Media Attention Xi Mingze has maintained a life away from the public eye. Her privacy has been a subject of intense protection by Chinese authorities. In 2019, a man named Niu Tengyu was arrested for allegedly leaking personal information about Xi online. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison, highlighting the government's commitment to safeguarding her privacy. Potential Future Role Speculation about Xi Mingze's future role in Chinese politics exists, given her family's prominence. However, there is no public indication of her political ambitions.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Trump allies' fact finding mission on white farmers and genocide may not change US President's mind
US President Donald Trump's narrative on white farmers received a backlash from his ally, Pastor Mark Burns (right). Image: X Mark Burns, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, has returned from a visit to South Africa with a message contradicting claims of genocide against white farmers in the country. However experts believe that Trump always knew that there was no white genocide in the country and even if Burns advises the US President otherwise, this will not make a difference. Burns, who is the founder and CEO of the NOW television network, met with white Afrikaner farmers and business owners during his trip and concluded that there is no evidence to support the claims of genocide. According to Burns, the farmers he met were shocked to discover that such claims were being made. "You were able to hear their perspectives. "From their point of view, being white Afrikaners, there is absolutely no genocide or white genocide in South Africa," Burns said. He added that the farmers were more concerned about crime and safety, rather than genocide. Burns cited statistics provided by a white farmer, which showed that out of 5,200 murders in the last reporting quarter, only 12 were related to farmers, and only three of those were white. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading "You clearly see that based on those statistics, and this was given to me by a farmer, a white farmer, and that to me speaks extreme volumes," he said. Despite the controversy, Burns is optimistic about the future of US-South Africa relations. He believes that a stronger South Africa is a stronger America, and vice versa. "If we are going to continue to make America great, partnering with South Africa is one of the components to do it," he said. Burns The question remains whether Burns' claims will change Trump's "belief" that there is a white genocide in South Africa. International relations expert Rich Mashimbye said for a while, the SA-US diplomatic tensions centred around the Trump-led government's accusations that the Ramaphosa government, was persecuting white South Africans and confiscating land from Afrikaner farmers while remaining silent. He said it did not matter what people said because Trump was aware there was no white genocide in South Africa but wanted to use the claim to get his way. 'As president of a country with one the largest embassies that is fully staffed in South Africa, Trump has access to all the information he requires about South Africa's transformation project and he likely knows that the issues of land reform and crime dynamics are not as has been portrayed so far. 'He knows that there is no genocide happening nor confiscation of white owned farms in South Africa. It is likely that the diplomatic attacks directed at South Africa are aimed at discouraging the Ramaphosa government from robustly executing the transformation project,' he said. Political analyst Sandile Swana said Burns' public statements were encouraging and showed that not everyone in Trump's camp agreed with him. 'To me they represent signs from the Trump's they have to tell a different story, which they are now doing…and a different story they are now telling is that whatever crime that is happening, is not a genocide but just crime that needs to be attended to." "There are about 600 American companies in South Africa such as Microsoft, IBM, Amazon, the Ford Motor Company and so on, so quite clearly the sources of information they have used (for the genocide claims) were not genuine. He said the country should welcome the efforts of Burns and hope that his camp will start to change their narrative to a much more sensible one.
Newsweek
27-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Elon Musk Breaks With Trump on Energy: 'Oil Is Small-Time'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Elon Musk appeared to contradict long-running efforts by President Donald Trump to promote fossil fuels over renewable energy on Monday, writing in a post on his X platform Tuesday morning: "Compared to solar, oil is small-time." Why It Matters Trump reignited the "drill, baby, drill" mantra during his 2024 campaign, declaring a national energy emergency and rolling back environmental regulations to boost U.S. oil and gas production. Musk is a close ally of the president, with the billionaire Tesla owner spearheading efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce government spending. Elon Musk flashes his T-shirt that reads "DOGE" to the media as he walks on the South Lawn of the White House on March 9, 2025. Elon Musk flashes his T-shirt that reads "DOGE" to the media as he walks on the South Lawn of the White House on March 9, 2025. Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press What To Know Musk's post featured a clip from the DER Task Force podcast, which included an interview with Jesse Peltan, co-founder and CTO of HODL Ranch, a developer of Bitcoin mining projects in Texas. "China's still growing exponentially on their solar deployments," Peltan said in the clip. "The targets for what their solar and battery manufacturing that could do, if you take two terawatts of solar, and about eight terawatt-hours of storage, that's an entire U.S. worth of electricity generation." "That's 4,000 terawatt-hours a year of 24/7 solar power. They're going to be able to make that every single like 2030," Peltan added. Upon reentering office, Trump signed executive orders to expand fossil fuel development, including lifting a pause on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports and withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement. "We will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it," Trump said in his inaugural address. The administration's policies led to the cancellation, closing, or downsizing of $8 billion worth of clean energy projects in the first quarter of 2025, according to a study by the nonpartisan group E2 published in April. Trump has also urged U.S. allies to increase oil extraction and reduce their reliance on green energy. He urged British Prime Minister Keir Starmer last week to abandon its "costly and unsightly windmills" in favor of increased oil drilling in the North Sea. In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that tapping into the North Sea's oil reserves could significantly reduce Britain's energy costs, suggesting Aberdeen as a central hub for drilling operations. "Our negotiated deal with the United Kingdom is working out well for all. I strongly recommend to them, however, that in order to get their energy costs down, they stop with the costly and unsightly windmills, and incentivize modernized drilling in the North Sea, where large amounts of oil lay waiting to be taken. A century of drilling left, with Aberdeen as the hub," he wrote. "The old fashioned tax system disincentivizes drilling, rather than the opposite. U.K.'s Energy Costs would go WAY DOWN, and fast!" What People Are Saying President Donald Trump, in his inaugural address: "America will be a manufacturing nation once again, and we have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have—the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on earth—and we are going to use it. We'll use it." What Happens Next Vice President JD Vance told Fox News in April that Musk would "remain a friend and an adviser" to both him and the president after he leaves DOGE.
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Hindustan Times
Quiet luxury is in and pearls are leading the fashion revolution: 4 ways to style them from Zoom calls to dinner dates
In a world where louder often means better, there is a refreshing charm in elegance that whispers and today's fashion-forward audience is finding comfort in quiet luxury, a trend that celebrates subtle sophistication over showy extravagance. This is because millennials and Gen Z feel that true elegance does not need to shout - it simply shines. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Avanish Agarwal, Managing Partner at Sri Jagdamba Pearls, shared, 'Pearls, with their classic appeal and soft lustre, have emerged as the ultimate symbol of understated elegance. Whether it's a festive occasion or simply enhancing your everyday ethnic wear, pearls make all the difference, especially when paired with timeless Indian silhouettes like a chikankari kurta or a handloom sari.' From balancing a busy workday to heading out for a quiet dinner, these pearl accents will ensure you look effortlessly elegant and composed. Whether you are heading into back-to-back meetings or running between errands and events, a pair of pearl studs can be your best ally. Simple, classic and endlessly versatile, they complement everything from a tailored blazer to a soft cotton kurta. You don't need to overthink them. That's the beauty: one elegant pair, and you're polished for the day. Imagine a soft ivory chikankari kurta, its hand embroidery catching the light. Now, pair it with a delicate single-strand pearl necklace or subtle drop earrings. The look is unmistakably graceful. Pearls add to the fluidity of traditional Indian attire without ever competing for attention. For working professionals, pearls offer that rare mix of sophistication and subtlety. A slim pearl bracelet or a minimal pendant can glide seamlessly from a Zoom call to a Sunday brunch. It's jewellery that keeps pace with your day, regardless of the setting. Investing in pearls isn't just about fashion; it's about curating a wardrobe that feels intentional. These aren't one-season wonders. They are pieces you'll wear for years, with different outfits, in different moods,and still feel like yourself every time.
14-05-2025
- Politics
'Cowards': Ramaphosa on Afrikaners migrating to US
President Cyril Ramaphosa has criticised a group of 59 Afrikaners who recently moved to the United States, calling them 'cowards' and saying saying they would likely return soon. President Donald Trump granted refugee status to a group of Afrikaners who landed in the US on Monday 12 May. According to BBC , the US claims they are victims of racial discrimination and face a 'shadow of violence and terror' in South Africa. Senior officials, including Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau, received them at Dulles Airport near Washington DC. Speaking at an agricultural expo in the Free State, Ramaphosa rejected the widely discredited claim by Trump and his ally Elon Musk that Afrikaners face 'genocide.' Daily Maverick reported that, Ramaphosa said, 'As South Africans, we are resilient. We don't run away from our problems. When you run away, you are a coward, and that's a real cowardly act.' He added that those who left were unhappy with the government's efforts to address historical injustice. 'They are not favourably disposed to our national transformation agenda. But I can bet you they'll be back soon because there is no country like South Africa.' Tensions between the US and South Africa have escalated following the signing of a law by Ramaphosa allowing land expropriation without compensation under specific conditions. The South African government insists that it has not seized any land yet. Trump has offered to resettle Afrikaners, whom he described as fleeing a 'terrible situation.' Ramaphosa, however, said they 'don't fit the bill' for refugee status. Ramaphosa revealed that he recently told Trump during a phone call that the US assessment of South Africa was 'not true.' He also announced plans to meet with Trump soon to resolve the matter. Trump has threatened to boycott the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa if South Africa does not address the issue. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
