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Thousands flee military conscription in Myanmar

Around The Globe - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 17:00
Thousands of young people are fleeing Myanmar any way they can to avoid being conscripted into the military.

Relatives of Gaza captives protest in cages

Around The Globe - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 16:16
Relatives of Gaza captives locked themselves in cages and blocked roads in Tel Aviv, calling for their release

Israel: Above the law?

Around The Globe - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 16:00
A look into how and why international laws and principles are being applied and ignored in the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Chinese Leader to Dutch PM: Restricting Technology Access Won't Stop China's Advance

Technology - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 15:57
BEIJING — Chinese leader Xi Jinping told visiting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Wednesday that attempts to restrict China's access to technology will not stop the country's advance.  The Netherlands imposed export licensing requirements in 2023 on the sale of machinery that can make advanced processor chips. The move came after the United States blocked Chinese access to advanced chips and the equipment to make them, citing security concerns, and urged its allies to follow suit.  An online report from state broadcaster CCTV did not mention the chip machinery, but quoted Xi as saying that the creation of scientific and technological barriers and the fragmentation of the industrial and supply chains will lead to division and confrontation.  "The Chinese people also have the right to legitimate development, and no force can stop the pace of China's scientific and technological development and progress," Xi said, according to CCTV.  Dutch company ASML is the world's only producer of machines that use extreme ultraviolet lithography to make advanced semiconductors. In 2023, China became ASML's second-largest market, accounting for 29% of its revenue as Chinese companies bought up equipment before the licensing requirement took effect.    Rutte, speaking to journalists after his meeting, declined to go into specifics of the talks.  "What I can tell you is that ... when we have to take measures, that they are never aimed at one country specifically, that we always try to make sure that the impact is limited, is not impacting the supply chain, and therefore is not impacting the overall economic relationship," he said.  The Dutch leader, who was accompanied by Trade Minister Geoffrey van Leeuwen on the trip, said the top issue for him in their meetings with Xi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang was the war in Ukraine.  China has taken a neutral position on the war, providing Russia with diplomatic cover and economic support through trade. That stance has angered and frustrated much of Europe, which sees Russia as the aggressor and Ukraine as the victim.  Rutte said it's important for China to understand that "this is a direct security threat for us, because if Russia will be successful in Ukraine, it will be a threat to the whole of Europe. It will not end with Ukraine."  He added that he had asked China's leaders "to put their considerable weight — and they can do that as far as I'm concerned in a very discreet way — but as much as possible on Russia to influence the course of events."  ASML, the Netherlands' largest company, recently threatened to leave the country over anti-immigration policies that may impact the company's ability to hire talent, leaving government officials scrambling to ensure that the firm does not leave.  Van Leeuwen said this week in an interview with The FD, a Dutch business newspaper, that protecting the interests of ASML is a top priority but acknowledged that national security comes before economic interests.  Beijing has repeatedly accused the U.S. of trying to hold back China's economic development by restricting access to technology. In response, Xi has launched a campaign to develop home-grown chips and other high-tech products.  "China always opposes the U.S. overstretching the concept of national security and making various excuses to coerce other countries into imposing a technological blockade against China," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in January.  Rutte said that NATO and its growing ties with Asia did not come up at Wednesday's talks. He is a leading candidate to be the next head of the alliance, which China has criticized for provoking regional tensions and making diplomatic forays into the Asia-Pacific region.

Germany Flixbus crash: At least five killed as coach veers off highway

Around The Globe - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 15:52
'Numerous' people injured after a bus travelling from Berlin, Germany to Zurich, Switzerland drives off the A9 motorway.

Beit Daras and Gaza: An intergenerational tale of struggle against erasure

Around The Globe - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 15:33
My ancestors were expelled from our village 76 years ago; today my family are forced to flee once again.

Israel’s war on Gaza: List of key events, day 173

Around The Globe - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 15:00
The Israeli military say its forces are continuing their siege of al-Shifa Hospital.

Human rights crisis in El Salvador ‘deepening’: Amnesty

Around The Globe - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 14:25
Rights group says President Nayib Bukele has reduced gang violence by replacing it with state violence.

Japan pulls red mould supplement pill linked to deaths and hospitalisations

Around The Globe - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 14:22
Kobayashi company recalls brands with 'benikoji' ingredient after kidney complaints by customers.

Videos of malnourished children show Gaza’s forced starvation crisis

Around The Globe - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 14:13
Starvation is getting worse in north Gaza where 31% of children under the age of 2 are suffering from acute malnutrition

Trapped, abandoned: Filipino workers lured to Poland by shadowy agents

Around The Globe - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 13:41
Filipinos pay large sums to unofficial recruitment companies, only to find themselves at the sharp end of Polish law.

Djokovic and Ivanisevic split after winning 12 Grand Slam titles together

Around The Globe - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 13:17
The world number one ends a hugely successful, seven-year partnership with coach Goran Ivanisevic.

Judges vs spies: Pakistan’s jurists accuse intel agency ISI of intimidation

Around The Globe - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 13:16
Six judges write open letter accusing agency of intimidating and coercing them over 'politically consequential' cases.

Extreme heat is the silent assassin of climate change

Around The Globe - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 13:06
We need to raise our voices and start taking precautions now.

How will a shrinking population affect the global economy?

Around The Globe - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 12:57
Falling fertility rates could bring about a transformational demographic shift over the next 25 years.

Tonnes of cocaine seized after high-speed boat chase in Colombia

Around The Globe - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 12:54
Over five tonnes of cocaine have been seized in Colombia after two drug bust operations that involved a boat chase.

Hezbollah launches rocket barrage after Israeli strikes on Lebanon kill 7

Around The Globe - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 12:11
Israeli assault hit health centre in southern Lebanon; Hezbollah attacks have killed one man in Israeli border town.

North Africa bears the brunt of Europe’s externalisation policies: Analysts

Around The Globe - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 12:07
Desperate people are still seeking safety in Europe via North Africa in spite of the systems being set up to stop them.

Israeli bombardment targets more residential areas in Rafah

Around The Globe - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 12:06
Israel’s military has carried out new air attacks on Palestinians in a residential area in Rafah.

South Africa orders 'dysfunctional' colleges to close

Education - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 11:41
Some 13,000 students are stranded at the four colleges, accused of fabricating exam results.

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