Xi says US-China ties at ‘hinge moment’ |
- Xi says US-China ties at ‘hinge moment’
- Cops lauded for keeping the peace between Bersih 5, ‘Red Shirts’
- Holiday gift guide 2016 for jet-setters and globetrotters
- Take a walk in space at Singapore’s ArtScience Museum
- US slams ‘heinous’ attacks on rebel-held Aleppo
- Where hipster parents hang out for great grub in Singapore
| Xi says US-China ties at ‘hinge moment’ Posted: 19 Nov 2016 05:55 PM PST
Without referring to Trump directly, Xi spoke of his hope for a "smooth transition" in a relationship that Obama described as "the most consequential in the world." The two men were meeting in Lima, Peru on the margins of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. During a vitriol-filled election campaign Trump frequently took a combative stance against China, blaming Beijing for "inventing" climate change and rigging the rules of trade. The White House, surprised by Trump's lack of details on the issues, has urged world leaders to give Trump time to get his feet under the desk. For much of Obama's presidency, China and the United States have slowly improved cooperation and tried to limit the fallout from disputes, all while vying for influence in the Asia-Pacific. China has been quick to seize on the failure of a US-backed Pacific trade deal to push its own version of the pact — excluding Washington at the Apec meeting. Xi — who the White House sees as perhaps the most powerful Chinese leader since Deng Xiaoping or even Mao Zedong — said he wanted to see cooperation continue. "I hope the two sides will work together to focus on cooperation, manage our differences, and make sure there is a smooth transition in the relationship and that it will continue to grow going forward." The two men have met nine times since Obama took office in early 2009. Obama said he wanted to "take this opportunity to note our work together to build a more durable and productive set of bilateral ties." "I continue to believe that a constructive US-China relationship benefits our two peoples and benefits the entire globe," he said at the start of the meeting. "We've demonstrated what's possible when our two countries work together," he said, citing an agreement to tackle climate change. Areas of tension Obama also acknowledged that his eight years guiding US-China relations have seen difficulties. That period has seen tensions in particular over China's seizure of territory it claims in the South China Sea, as well as over the treatment of US firms in China. Obama said he expected a "candid conversation on areas where we continue to differ, including the creation of a more level playing field for our businesses to compete, innovation policies, excess capacity and human rights." One area of continued tension concerns how hard to push sanctions against North Korea over its ballistic and nuclear weapons programmes. Obama said he and Xi "are united on our strong opposition to North Korea's provocations, and we will intensify our efforts to de-nuclearize the Korean peninsula." The US is pushing for further sanctions to choke off funding to North Korean weapons programmes. Pyongyang has launched multiple tests to develop a miniaturized nuclear warhead and a missile capable of delivering that deadly payload to the United States, alarming the White House. Beijing has long dragged its heels on sanctioning its allies in Pyongyang, fearing a flood of refugees if North Korea's economy collapses. But earlier this year Beijing moved to sanction a conglomerate based in China's frontier city of Dandong that did an estimated US$530 million (RM2.34 billion) in trade with North Korea between 2011 and 2015. Obama has looked to his National Security Advisor Susan Rice — who backpacked around China in the late 1980s — to guide much of the relationship. The White House points to some tangible progress from those efforts, including tying China to limited norms on cybersecurity after a series of hacking scandals and measures that increased the number of Chinese visitors to the United States. "There is real value in, first of all, more engagement with China, more diplomacy, more channels and multifaceted discussions. And often, not always, that can yield progress," Rice told AFP ahead of the meeting. — AFP   |
| Cops lauded for keeping the peace between Bersih 5, ‘Red Shirts’ Posted: 19 Nov 2016 05:47 PM PST
Despite Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar's warning of robust response by the thousands of police officers deployed, yesterday's rallies proceeded without a single tear gas canister fired. The police's restraint, particularly in corralling the "Red Shirts" that repeatedly tried to intercept the Bersih 5 rally, did not go unnoticed, with organisers of the latter expressing their thanks despite the arrest of their leader, Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah. "Bersih 2.0 would like to extend our thanks to @PDRMsia for keeping the peace and ensuring the safety of #BERSIH5's rally-goers. @KBAB51," the group wrote on Twitter, addressing the police and Khalid's accounts. Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, activist and daughter of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, similarly congratulated the police for their handling of what could have been an incendiary situation. Although Marina noted that police chose to arrest 14 leaders of both rallies prior to their starts, she said they had otherwise performed commendably in maintaining peace and security. "I want to say that @PDRMsia were very good today. Just did their job and kept the peace. We all felt very secure. Thank you!" she wrote on Twitter last night. More than 10,000 people took to the streets of the capital city yesterday at the fifth edition of polls reform group Bersih 2.0's demonstrations to protest against corruption. A smaller number of the "Red Shirts" also rallied without major incident aside from sporadic arrests by police. Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz told Malay Mail Online that yesterday's events demonstrated that Malaysia enjoyed a healthy democracy in which dissent was tolerated. Khalid also congratulated his officers for preventing possible clashes between the two rallies yesterday. "Members of @PDRMsia demonstrated most commendable patience and professionalism in performing their duties today. #GoPDRMGo," he wrote last night.  |
| Holiday gift guide 2016 for jet-setters and globetrotters Posted: 19 Nov 2016 05:46 PM PST
For both globetrotters looking for their next adventure and armchair travellers who love to excite their imagination, consider getting them a copy of this Amazon.com bestseller released this past fall. From glowworms in New Zealand to a pub built inside a huge baobab tree in South Africa, the book features more than 600 of the strangest, most curious places and events in the world. The perfect book for those with an insatiable travel appetite. http://www.atlasobscura.com/books US$35 (RM154) For the jet-setting beauty junkie: Origins Bestsellers Containing six travel-sized Origins products, you'll score big points with the beauty junkie in your life with this gift. Included in the Origins Bestsellers kit are some of the brand's cult products, including the Active Charcoal Mask, which cleans out pores, and their GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream, popular for brightening and depuffing the under eye area -- particularly helpful to hide the effects of jet lag. Sold at Sephora US$45
If the passport holder for the travelling man on your holiday gift list is getting ratty, here's an easy stocking stuffer or gift idea. Canadian brand Herschel has a range of handsome passport holders, from neutral crosshatch designs, to army fatigue and basic navy blue or black. US$24.99
Have a jetsetting BFF in your life who has everything? Well, odds are high she doesn't have a robin's egg blue luggage tag affirming your relationship as BFFs and official sidekicks, each for the other. www.katespade.com/products/wedding-belles-luggage-tag/PWRU4591.html US$68
Infused with essential oils like lavender, vetivert, and wild chamomile, this pillow spray is meant to help users fall into a good night's sleep. A thoughtful gift and stocking stuffer idea for the frequent flier who often travels through several time zones. http://www.thisworks.com/us/deep-sleep-pillow-spray.html#sthash.6g5CCbdK.dpbs US$29 Gadget geek: UE ROLL Wireless Mobile Bluetooth Speaker Gadget-loving globetrotters will appreciate this travel-sized portable bluetooth speaker not only for being compact, but also for being waterproof and shockproof -- particularly useful for withstanding the lumps and bumps of travel. The UE ROLL features 360-degree sound with a 65-foot wireless range, and "marine-grade" bungee cord that can attach the device to bikes, backpacks, and even snorkeling equipment. https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Bluetooth-Speaker-Waterproof-Shockproof/dp/B00YARCGDI?th=1 US$80 — AFP-Relaxnews
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| Take a walk in space at Singapore’s ArtScience Museum Posted: 19 Nov 2016 05:45 PM PST
Also, in this era of billionaires starting space exploration companies (We are looking at you, Elon Musk), being a space nerd is not just cool, but even lucrative. So if you want your children to aspire to be the next Musk, there is no better place to start than Singapore's largest space flight exhibition, Nasa — A Human Adventure at the ArtScience Museum, opening this weekend. Here are five reasons why you should check out the exhibition. 1) Explore a space shuttle One of the centrepieces of the sprawling exhibition is a full-scale construction of the front section of Nasa's iconic Space Shuttle. This was the first spacecraft in the world used for transporting cargo to space and back. The massive exhibit enables visitors to see the flight deck, where astronauts fly the orbiter during the actual launch and landings, and the mid-deck, where shuttle crew eat, sleep and work on experiments. You can imagine life as an astronaut and live your dream of being in a rocket. 2) Instagram-worthy shots
3) Hear the sounds of space Remember the movie Gravity where Sandra Bullock's character was floating out in space? Ever wondered what the experience would be like, or the kind of sounds you would hear in that wide expanse? Indonesian artist Venzha Christiawan's work provides the answer. He captures transmitted signals from planets and stars and converts them into radio waves, which echo within a darkened room so that visitors can actually hear the sounds of space. A few minutes in the room and the sounds will envelope you, giving you a sense of the vastness of the universe. You can also get to see the radio waves displayed on glowing projections on the surrounding walls of the room. 4) Holiday on Mars, anyone? Here's something a tad more thrilling. Head to the G-Force Astronaut Trainer ride at the exhibition, which takes you on a short but adrenaline-pumping simulated flight of the 1961 Mercury Liberty Bell 7. Each ride can accommodate four guests, perfect for a family experience. According to producer and curator Jukka Nurminen, director and chief executive officer of John Nurminen Events B.V., which specialises in developing large-scale exhibitions, private companies are currently working on making space travel a reality in the coming years. So who knows, within a decade, the whole family could be planning for a short holiday trip to Mars or Venus. 5) Relive historic moments
'Nasa — A Human Adventure' runs from Nov 19 to March 19, 2017 at the ArtScience Museum. Tickets are available at all Marina Bay Sands box offices and website. — TODAY  |
| US slams ‘heinous’ attacks on rebel-held Aleppo Posted: 19 Nov 2016 05:38 PM PST
UN officials said they were "appalled" by escalating violence and urged access to east Aleppo, where more than 250,000 people have been under siege for nearly four months. Since it began on Tuesday, the assault on the rebel-held east of Aleppo has damaged hospitals, forced schools to close, and killed nearly 100 civilians, according to a monitor. An AFP correspondent described relentless bombardment with air strikes, mortar rounds and barrel bombs hitting neighbourhoods where residents cowered at home. "It is a catastrophic day in besieged Aleppo with unprecedented bombardment with every type of weapon," a member of the White Helmets rescue group said in a video on the organisation's Facebook page. US National Security Advisor Susan Rice said Washington condemned "in the strongest terms these horrific attacks against medical infrastructure and humanitarian aid workers." "There is no excuse for these heinous actions," she said. "The Syrian regime and its allies, Russia in particular, bears responsibly for the immediate and long-term consequences these actions have caused in Syria and beyond." Moscow says it is not involved in the current assault on Aleppo, concentrating its firepower on opposition and jihadist forces in neighbouring Idlib instead. But Damascus and its allies have made clear they want rebels expelled from eastern Aleppo, which fell from regime control in mid-2012. UN officials 'appalled' Once Syria's economic powerhouse, Aleppo has been ravaged by the war that has killed more than 300,000 people since it began with anti-government protests in March 2011. No aid has entered east Aleppo since government forces surrounded it in July, and residents report food, fuel and water shortages and lengthy power cuts. Two top UN officials said they were "extremely saddened and appalled by the recent escalation in fighting in several parts of Syria." Humanitarian coordinator for Syria Ali al-Za'atari and regional humanitarian coordinator Kevin Kennedy also said they had shared a plan to deliver aid, and evacuate the sick and wounded from east Aleppo. "It is imperative all parties agree to the plan and allow us to secure immediate, safe and unimpeded access to provide relief to those most in need," they said. The relentless bombardment forced schools in east Aleppo, many of which already operate from basements because of government attacks, to close Saturday and Sunday, a statement said, "for the safety of students and teachers, after the barbarous aerial strikes." Hospitals and rescue facilities have been particularly affected, with shelling destroying one of the last medical facilities in the east on Friday. Staff were also forced to evacuate the east's only children's hospital because of repeated attacks, removing babies from incubators. "This is a dark day for east Aleppo," said Teresa Sancristoval, emergency coordinator for the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) charity. "The severity of the bombing has inflicted huge damage on the few hospitals working around the clock to provide medical care." 'No more body bags' A White Helmets centre in the Bab al-Nayrab district was destroyed in an air strike on Friday, and rescuers have struggled to cope with the pace of the bombing. "We have no more (body) bags," said one rescue worker in another video posted yesterday. The Observatory said at least 31 civilians were killed in east Aleppo yesterday, including five children. It also said 17 men who were not identified were killed. The deaths brought the death toll since Tuesday to 96, with state media saying two people were also killed in rebel fire on the government-held west of Aleppo yesterday. The assault on rebel-held Aleppo has ended a period of relative respite after Russia halted its strikes and organised a series of brief truces to encourage residents and surrendering rebels to leave. Syria expert Thomas Pierret said regime forces "intended to combine air strikes with famine resulting from the siege to get rebels to surrender." Elsewhere, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters known as the Syrian Democratic Forces said they had seized the hilltop village of Tal Saman from the Islamic State group. The village is 25 kilometres from IS's de facto Syrian capital of Raqa, which the SDF began an operation to capture earlier this month with support from the US-led anti-IS coalition. The Observatory reported seven civilians killed in an air strike believed to have been carried out by the coalition on Buaas village in northern Raqa province. — AFP  |
| Where hipster parents hang out for great grub in Singapore Posted: 19 Nov 2016 05:38 PM PST
And as babies are about the hottest accessory one can have, hipster parents and their offspring need a cool cafe or restaurant to hang out at. Truth is, grown-up neophiles and hip parents alike never tire of a well-pulled cuppa; and it helps if one could be enjoyed alongside a hearty mix of artisanal grub and anything you can sell out of a food truck — preferably paired with a side of grilled cauliflower, and the option to wash it all down with a craft beer, of course. This should make the newly opened Picnic at Wisma Atria a choice hangout, if only because it serves all manner of easy meals right out of cunningly decked-out food trucks. "My five-year-old loves the fact that he can order tempura and fries for lunch," said Tan Su-Lyn, director of Ate Group, an integrated communications agency that specialises in the F&B industry. The mother of two recently discovered this indoor food-truck-park of sorts. "For dad, there's the prata tacos (he loves the spicy Korean pork), beef bulgogi bowl, and beer and cocktails all day." Tan, though, is partial to the Ko-Mex ginger soya chicken tacos and acai berry smoothie made with Greek yogurt and honey. And for that caffeine fix, she recommends the Cafe Bombon, a speciality of Valencia she feels is reminiscent of local kopi — made with equal parts of condensed milk and extra-strong espresso served in a shot glass. "We stake out the low table in the astro-turfed Picnic Park, which has tree trunks for chairs and is at the perfect height for young kids; mine were dancing around in circles to the (piped) music." Of course, when her children ask for pancakes, what they really want are the Earl Grey pancakes at Punch on North Canal Road, complete with an extra order of sliced bananas. "We have this nearly every weekend," she said, adding that Punch's coffees (both drip and espresso-based) are made to the uncompromising standards of artisans, as are its chai lattes. Suffice it to say, there does not seem to be a shortage of boldly fashionable cafes that pair quality fare with equally stunning coffee. A recently updated option is Revolution Coffee at Media Circle. "We have always targeted people who appreciate a good cup of coffee," said owner Ajie Permana, who wanted to create a space with quality coffee, complemented by hearty, fresh, local-inspired food. She added that the business, which serves coffee sourced from roastery-cafe The Caffeine Dispensary in Jakarta, has, in the last three years, organically acquired a slightly older, more discerning audience ranging in age from 25 to 55, partly because of the office crowd at Infinite Studios, where it is located. "The cafe is also popular with children, who enjoy the hot chocolate and banana pancakes," she said. "There's also a large, quiet area outside the cafe, where they can run about. We get a larger number of young families on the weekends, and they make up quite a bit of the crowd then." For the older tween girl who loves K-culture as much as mum, trendy lifestyle entertainment coffee chain dal.komm Coffee — with 160 outlets in Korea and Malaysia — will be opening its first Singapore outlet next month (December 3) at The Centrepoint. Fans will go on about how it was featured in a number of memorable scenes in hit Korean TV drama Descendants Of The Sun, but coffee aficionados can rest assured that it does also specialise in quality brews made with a proprietary selection of four blends (dubbed K1 to K4), each with its own characteristic aroma and flavour. Growing needs Beaches, similarly, boast some of the most kid-friendly spaces to kick back in, but finding a place with a groovy party atmosphere and a nursing room is a little harder. Slated to open at the end of the month, Ola Beach Club on Sentosa's Siloso Beach does just that with its mix of exhilarating water sports such as the jetpack and banana boat, delectable Hawaiian-inspired cuisine, cocktails and chill-out tunes by a resident DJ. It also offers a kid's menu and dedicated dining area for the little tykes. "I envision a slice of my hometown Hawaii in this space, with a wide selection of activities that cater to the whole family," said the club's "chief enjoyment officer", Christina Tran. "Being a young mother myself, I don't think (satisfying the hip party crowd and young families) are opposing concerns really; it has just never been done in Singapore. "In Honolulu, Hawaii, where I'm from, beachside venues often cater to the whole family, and that's what I wanted to do as well — create an all-inclusive, fun-filled seaside destination." Others, such as public relations consultant Ruth Chew, are not too surprised with this renewed interest in accommodating young families. "It's a sound business decision," said the mother of two children aged two-and-a-half and seven, adding that it makes sense to cater to diners as they progress through life and have children. And it is not only about providing high chairs — she felt more places are increasingly attentive to changing dietary requirements, and also the needs of children who are now coming to these places with their parents. "Some cafes are more accommodating of allergies and children — Craftsmen Specialty Coffee, for one," she shared. "Also, Wimbly Lu and other stalwarts such as Symmetry and Kith are great examples." Her elder daughter, she explained, is allergic to a few items — cocoa, chicken and apples — and these cafes took special care to ensure her food and drink orders did not contain the allergens. "My kids always have activities (paper, crayons and such) to keep them occupied, and staff also are mindful of the food they can and cannot eat." Speaking of foods they should be eating, it helps that some hipster food fads are actually good for you. Chia seeds are better than brown rice, and third-wave coffee is not about fashionably overpriced beverages. In fact, conscious consumption does not have to be just about stylish posturing. Instilling the value of eating right will always be in, no matter how young or old you are. — TODAY  |
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