Foreign News
British PM Warns Against new Cold War
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that Britain must not get drawn into a “new Cold War” with China as he set out his vision for a post-Brexit foreign policy.
“Those who call for a new Cold War on China or for us to sequester our economy entirely from China, I think are mistaken,” Johnson told lawmakers at the House of Commons, the lower house of Parliament.
Britain would have to “work with China where that is consistent with our values and interests,’’ said Johnson.
He added that this included building “a stronger and positive economic relationship” and cooperation on climate change issues.
Johnson made the remarks as the government published a major defense, security and foreign policy review earlier on Tuesday.
According to the document published on the government website, the policy review entitled Global Britain in a Competitive Age: the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy, reveals “the government’s vision for the UK’s role in the world over the next decade and the action we will take to 2025’’.
Johnson had described the document, which runs more than 100 pages, as the biggest review since the Cold War.
According to the document, Britain needs to pursue a positive economic relationship with China, including deeper trade links and more Chinese investment.
Prof. Anthony Glees from the University of Buckingham, told Xinhua that the review shows plainly that China and Chinese investment play a key part in the ambitions of a Global Britain.
“In his brief statement to Parliament today, Johnson made it crystal clear that there is no break with China.
“There was no suggestion in his remarks that he will give in to his own party’s critics who seek a more adversarial policy,’’ Glees said.
Meanwhile, the document also included an emphasis on openness as a source of prosperity, a more robust position on security and resilience, and an increased determination to seek multilateral solutions to challenges like climate change.
“Whilst the review is billed as being about ‘Global Britain,’ it’s not clear that ‘Global Britain’ is that much different from Britain the way it is,” Glees said.
“In particular, it’s one thing to say we do all these things but another to work out how to improve relations with the EU, Germany and France in particular, given all that has gone on since 2016, after Brexit referendum.
“The review says on security we will work closely with partners, but at present we have no security treaty with the EU and the review skips over this issue,’’ said Glees, adding “it takes two to tango.”
Glees said it is not surprising that the review proposed levelling up and going all out for growth to nurture a strong British economy that benefits its citizens and was more competitive internationally.
“But given the current Brexit-deal-induced mess that has meant our exports to the EU are down by 41 per cent at the moment, it’s not clear where the cash is coming from.
“We’re told there is no money to reward nurses and carers for their efforts during the COVID crisis, so how can we afford the expense of this Review? Not answered,’’ he added. (Xinhua/NAN)
U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Iran to conclude an agreement with Washington on its controversial nuclear programme, amid a series of Israeli strikes on nuclear facilities and military leaders.
“There is still time to make this slaughter come to an end,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday.
“Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire,” Trump continued.
“JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”Observers consider it unlikely that Iran’s leadership would opt for a diplomatic approach in light of the Israeli attacks.
Israeli media reported that Tehran had retaliated with an attack involving about 100 drones, all of which were shot down.
“I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal,” Trump wrote.
“The U.S. makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come and they know how to use it,” Trump wrote. (dpa/NAN)
Pope Leo XIV said on Wednesday that he was praying for the victims of the mass shooting in a school in the Austrian city of Graz.
“I would like to express my prayers for the victims of the tragedy at the Graz school,” Leo said during his weekly audience in the Vatican.
Leo added that he is keeping the families, teachers, and fellow pupils in his thoughts.
According to police, a 21-year-old former pupil at the school entered the grounds on Tuesday and opened fire, killing 10 pupils aged between 15 and 17 as well as a teacher.
He then shot himself.
Eleven people remain in the hospital, most of them in intensive care.
All are now reported to be in a stable condition.
Graz, in south-eastern Austria, is home to around 300,000 people. (dpa/NAN)
The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NiDO)-Worldwide has appointed Mr Chibuzo Ubochi, as its new Coordinating Chairman of NIDO-Europe.
Ubochi succeeds Dr Victor Ubani, the Chairman of NIDO Americas and outgoing coordinating chairman of NiDO-Worldwide.
Ubani disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, against backdrop of the end of his tenure as coordinating chairman and inauguration of Ubochi’s tenure as the new chairman of the organisation.
He congratulated Ubochi over his recent electoral victory where he emerged chairman of the organisation, saying it was a closely contested NIDO-Europe election against Dr Johnson Odibo.
According to him, the process which was conducted with robust participation, ushered in a new era for NIDO-Europe.
Ubani said: “It is one marked by renewed strength, unity and purpose. I write in my capacity as the outgoing Coordinating Chairman of NIDO-Worldwide, having had the honour of serving in this rotational role on behalf of the Americas.
“I am deeply grateful for the cooperation and commitment demonstrated by our continental bodies throughout my tenure.
“Together, we pursued the vision of a more effective, united and relevant NIDO across all regions. I believe we made notable progress in advancing our collective mandates.
“As is the custom within our global structure, which comprises five continental bodies, I will now be handing over the rotational leadership of the Coordinating Chairmanship to the current Chairman of NIDO Europe, Sir Chibuzo Ubochi”.
Ubani explained that he had observed Ubochi’s leadership as Chairman of NIDO UK South and his previous tenure as Legal Adviser to the NIDO-Worldwide Coordinating Platform, to express confidence in the latter’s ability to lead the organisation.
“I am confident in his capacity to fulfill this responsibility with vision, integrity and diplomatic skill.
“He is well acquainted with the complexities of our global structure and is well-positioned to continue strengthening and advancing a more focused and impactful NIDO Worldwide.
“As he assumes this role, I urge all continental chairs, executives and members to extend the same cooperation and collegiality accorded me to him.
“The task ahead requires a united front, focused energy and shared commitment free from unnecessary distractions and geared solely toward the progress of our global diaspora, and the development of our homeland,” he said. (NAN)
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