Sri Lanka president to visit China ahead of budget
COLOMBO:  , Sri Lanka’s president will travel to the island’s largest bilateral lender China next week ahead of his first national budget, the information minister said on Tuesday ( Jan 7 ). The attend comes one month before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s first funds, which is expected to describe hisContinue Reading
Nippon Steel and US Steel: One last chance, Mr Trump – Asia Times
Team Biden is doing so many strange things on its way out the door that nobody should have been surprised that President , Joe Biden , ( or whoever calls the shots )  , rejected , Nippon Steel’s bid to buy , US Steel.  ,
The White House stated that the agreement threatened regional stability. However, most of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, known as the CFIUS assessment committee that considered the national safety perspective, didn’t see it that way.
President Biden needs to state in detail what concerns are if there are concerns about national protection with this package.  ,
The pieces of American Pennsylvania and Indiana that will suffer the most from this determination must then be compelled to testify in public before union rooms and local chambers of commerce.
Does they? No.
In south Pennsylvania, both Senator John Fetterman and Governor Josh Shapiro must even appear. They, too, may discuss why this was a good choice.
Does they? No.
Shaking the alliance ,
This decision didn’t send down the , US-Japan ally. But it hurts.  ,
Japan is frequently touted as America’s key ally. The “most significant diplomatic marriage, club none,” as former adviser Mike Mansfield put it.
Immediately, we’ll have Japan to engage in more military action than it has ever done, or even more than it wants to do.
Telling Japan,” We want you to combat China with us but we don’t want you to private US Metal” won’t be well received in Tokyo.  ,
Japan and its businesses have previously been treated this way, starting in the 1980s when it was portrayed as the monetary composite who would put US businesses out of business. Japan, in contrast, exhibited some compassion by jolting the US economy, especially Detroit automakers, into getting its act collectively.
In the , Nippon Steel , situation, the business bent over backward – or, better said, bent over forward in an nearly humiliating style – to show its great faith. It also offered to give the US government a , reject  , over any potential business decisions regarding US Steel production.
A vital allied world’s company should not have to do this.
As for the , regional security , explanation?
Tokyo may find it irksome that it is included in the socialist Chinese. And don’t assume they haven’t noticed that the Biden administration supports the planned , CCP-tied Gotion , power factory in Michigan. A US defense foundation is even close by that location. The citizens don’t want it, but Team Biden does.  ,
However, Nippon Steel poses a greater threat to national security than the US companies whose equipment and technology were officially used in the Chinese spy balloon the Biden management allowed to fly over the country in 2023.
Heartless? A deception? Or both?
Without Nippon Steel’s funding and technology, US Steel did fish and just may collapse. That would endanger people, families, and full towns.
US Steel control, people, and local folks support the deal. Yet the neighborhood organizations do. Top , United Steelworkers , ( USW) leadership, as is often the case with union bosses, don’t seem to care or listen to what rank-and-file members want.
Spend an hour watching this , Hudson Institute , discussion , with US Steel staff and union exercises, as well as a native president.
You’ll get informed ー and moved.
One final possibility is Trump
Generally, business announcements are drab, lifeless jargon.  ,
Not this one.  ,
US Steel President David B Burritt gets it , best.
January 3, 2025– President Biden’s activity today is terrible and dishonest. He gave a political retribution to a union boss out of reach with his associates while harming our company’s potential, our employees, and our national security. He insulted Japan, a crucial alliance for both economic and regional security, and threatened the United States ‘ profitability. Dancers from the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing are taking to the streets. And Biden did it all by refusing to even ask to talk to us about the specifics.
Better is what our staff and societies deserve. We needed a leader who is knowledgeable about how to negotiate the best package for America and work tirelessly to make it happen. Make no mistake: this purchase is what guarantees a great potential for US Steel, our employees, our communities, and our nation. We intend to fight President Biden’s social problem.  ,
Hopefully, after January 20th, CEO Burritt won’t be able to insert” Trump” for” Biden” and re-issue the statement.  ,
Yet, both President-elect , Donald Trump , and Vice President-elect , JD Vance , opposed the deal before the vote.
US Steel workers, and regional union representatives, and additional autoworkers supported Trump anyway. Obviously, they thought that he understood them and only needed to get through the vote.
They stuck their heads up and kept their confidence.  ,
Mr. Trump must backward this pronouncement, or he will leave along with the Vice President and make an apology. If that’s even probable.
You simply get one chance in this region of America when people put their trust in you.
RELATED:
Grant Newsham is a former US minister and former US Marine agent. He is the author of the book” When China Attacks: A Warning To America“.
This article was originally published by JAPAN Forward. It is republished with permission.
Chinese football in crisis: Guangzhou out of professional leagues
Getty Images-
7 January 2025
Guangzhou FC, China’s most effective side, will certainly play appropriately next season because they are unable to pay off enough of their significant debt.
The Chinese Football Association has forbid the eight-time champions of China Super League ( CSL ) play in domestic football when the new campaign kicks off.
It is a stunning fall from grace that ends a luxurious lifestyle that saw them win two AFC Champions League titles in 2013 and 2015 in three decades.
They won the Club World Cup in that powerful time, agreed an university partnership with True Madrid, and disclosed plans for a 100, 000-capacity venue.
Guangzhou picture crisis in Chinese soccer
Guangzhou’s swift development began when China Evergrande, a company that developed real estate, purchased the team in 2010 for the Foreign second-tier.
The fresh ownership team renamed the Guangzhou Evergrande side and made significant investments both on and off the ball, in line with Xi Jinping’s plan to make China a sports powerhouse that may host and win the World Cup.
In 2012, Marcello Lippi, the country’s champion manager, won three CSL names, a Taiwanese FA Cup, and the AFC Champions League. He was appointed as Italy’s manager.
Luiz Felipe Scolari, who led Brazil to World Cup splendor in 2002, was even more powerful, winning seven medals in two-and-a-half times.
Past Colombian forward Jackson Martinez, former midfielder for Tottenham and Barcelona, and former international striker Alberto Gilardino for big transfer fees and extremely high salaries were among the foreign stars signing.
However, Guangzhou were not the only ones who spent so much.
As the CSL sought to contend with powerhouses like the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and Bundesliga, an abundance of foreign players relocated to China.
Brazil scorer Hulk joined Shanghai SIPG, who were managed by previous England director Sven-Goran Eriksson, for £46m.
Former Manchester City and United winger Carlos Tevez moved to Shanghai Shenhua for a alleged$ 40 million while former Chelsea playmaker Oscar followed for$ 60 million.
All of the players were paid incredibly high salaries, and Chelsea director Antonio Conte stated in 2016 that the money spent on people by Chinese leagues was a “danger for all teams in the world.”
Arsene Wenger, the manager of Arsenal, stated that” China appears to have the financial resources to transfer a total European league to China.”
Gareth Bale, who was once the most costly player in the world, was linked with a walk to Jiangsu Suning for £1m per week in 2019.
But issues immediately began to change. The Chinese Football Association, afraid of the spiralling investing, introduced a’ extravagance taxes’ that made big-money transfers excessively cheap.
Additionally, a salary cap was established, and partners were prohibited from renaming their own clubs, giving Guangzhou Evergrande the name Guangzhou FC.
By that point, Evergrande was already in financial trouble, and in 2021, they made default payments as a result of a wider Chinai real estate problems that was made worse by the effects of the Covid-19 epidemic.
Guangzhou went into issue in 2022 after the company declared bankruptcy. Their idealistic stadium renovation plans were abandoned, and players were sold, leading to fall later that year.
Due to their continued financial difficulties, Guangzhou was given the opportunity to compete in the forthcoming campaign after just missing out on advertising in the 2024 season.
Nonetheless, the team continues to be optimistic about having some form of existence.
We regret that we were unable to achieve it, so we offer our sincere condolences to enthusiasts and the supporters of the club from all walks of life,” Guangzhou said in a statement.
” We will not transform our original intention, and we will do our best to handle the aftermath and contribute to the growth of Guangdong and Guangzhou football.”
Related issues
-
-
6 June 2024
-
Singapore passes law removing mandatory minimum penalties for first-time driving offenders
REMOVING IMPORTANT MINIMUM Fines ARE A CONCERN.
Nominated Member of Parliament Razwana Begum and Progress Singapore Party ( PSP) Non-Constituency MP Hazel Poa, along with MPs Dennis Tan ( WP-Hougang ), Yip Hon Weng ( PAP-Yio Chu Kang ), and Joan Pereira ( PAP-Tanjong Pagar ), collectively raised questions from the electorate.
When the Bill was announced, Mr Yip noted how some of his people asked whether it was  , sending the wrong information, and if it meant that officials were “going sweet” on criminals.
Even if that is not the intention, the removal of mandatory minimum sentences may unintentionally be interpreted as mercy. He claimed that this could destroy public confidence and destroy years of efforts to promote safer traveling practices.
Mr Yip even asked if lighter words had “embolden difficult behaviour” and result to more repeat offenders.
Ms Pereira said the adjustments to the required minimum phrases were” too liberal, even for first-time violators”.  ,
” We have to bear in mind that in these circumstances, lives have been or could have been lost,” she said. The criminals did engage in dangerous or negligent driving behavior in order to cause the injuries. The sanctions must be serious enough to effectively serve as a valuable deterrent.
Ms Begum suggested that it could be “appropriate” for the adjustments to be accompanied by a public awareness campaign.
” We need to make sure that the people who are affected by these modifications are aware of this,” she continued.
In a time when there are more traffic fatalities and dangerous driving accidents, PSP’s Ms. Poa stated that the celebration was in favor of several different proposed amendments, but she could not support the removal of the requirement for mandatory minimum sentences and the disqualification period for first-time unsafe or thoughtless driving offenders.
In the end, both of PSP’s NCMPs, Ms Poa and Leong Mun Wai, recorded their dissention and voted against the proposed modifications.
In her statement, Ms Poa pointed to what she called an “apparent coverage U-turn” following modifications made in 2019 where MHA reviewed Road Traffic Act crimes.  ,
Race to find survivors after deadly Tibet earthquake
After a strong 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the area, rescue team are searching for survivors in Tibet.
It killed at least 95 citizens, and many more were injured, according to Chinese state media.
The earthquake that hit Tibet’s holy Shigatse city around 09: 00 local time ( 01: 00 GMT ) had a magnitude of 7.1 and a depth of 10 kilometres ( six miles ), according to data from the US Geological Survey, which also showed a series of aftershocks in the area.
Numbness were even felt in parts of India and Nepal that were close by.
Read more on this story here.
New Singapore communicable diseases agency to be set up in first half of 2025
WHAT MPs SAID
Concerns about the transition and how continuity would be maintained as the new agency consolidates crucial public health functions were raised by members of Parliament Yip Won Heng ( PAP-Yio Chu Kang ) and Wan Rizal ( PAP-Jalan Besar ).  ,
Meanwhile, MP James Lim ( WP-Sengkang ) suggested providing CDA with a broad mandate to address emergencies, including disaster management as well as the aftermath of a bioweapons outbreak.  ,
He further stated that the scope of CDA’s work may include addressing continued communicable diseases like dengue and influenza.  ,
MDMRAHAYU’S RESPONSE
Mdm Rahayu said that MOH has ensured a easy move since the new company was initially announced in March 2023 regarding the issue of ensuring consistency of operations.
This includes establishing an interval CDA as a pre-operations framework in end-2023, where vital functions, including disease surveillance, monitoring and investigations, is gradually transit and continue to operate properly.
She added that regular meetings with staff and unions have been held to share data and get feedback.  ,
Mdm Rahayu said CDA may provide structured learning options to provide soldiers with the necessary skills to successfully perform their jobs.
Mdm Rahayu argued that the new company’s goal is to concentrate on communicable diseases because of Assoc Prof. Lim’s advice to expand the scope of CDA’s mandate to include disaster management.  ,
” For federal man-made tragedies, MOH and other ministers already have the skills to respond to them. CDA will collaborate with these departments and organizations on the arising transferable issues,” she said.
Man admits to cheating ‘sugar babies’ as young as 13 for nude photos and videos
A person in Singapore plotted to defraud women and girls into paying them for explicit pictures and physical service before reneging on what he owed.
Hee Lic Yuan, who was a firm researcher in a bank at the time of his crimes from 2019 to 2021, exploited 31 patients using this method.
He may ask the patients to be his” sugar children” on the internet and offer to pay for obvious photos and videos. Additionally, he sought physical assistance from some of the subjects.
Hee, then 32, faces a full of 59 fees. On Tuesday ( Jan 7 ), he admitted guilt to 15 counts, with the rest of the charges being taken into account.
On February 5, he may go back to judge for punishment.
The trial pursued 15 counts, including sexual infiltration of minors, communicating with minors to obtain physical services, producing child abuse materials, sexual harassment, threatening to deliver romantic images of victims, and obtaining services improperly.
The jury heard particulars of these crimes, which involved 11 different patients aged between 13 and 20 years old.
Hee paid for naked pictures and physical companies with women between the ages of 16 and 20 before 2020. Additionally, he photographed him from his bedroom windows at work, in public transportation, and on the side of the road.
When Hee set out to scam subjects, he created several Instagram, TikTok and Telegram records, and used these to give information to women.
Even though he did not intend to give the victims, he would create as a rich man looking for a sugar child and offer prices for explicit photos or videos.
To keep track of the cash he owed, he promised to pay each survivor on a specific date each month and would post a score to the top of each victim’s Telegram conversation.
SEXUAL Attack
A 15-year-old woman who was identified in court records as V1 was one of Hee’s subjects.
On Mar 10, 2021, V1’s companion showed her a picture of an Instagram talk about a honey child design.
She sent a message to Hee’s Instagram profile as seen in the picture to show her involvement in being a honey child because V1 needed funds.
Hee contacted V1 on Telegram and claimed to give her a monthly salary for nude photos and videos of herself. V1 agreed to this.
He then quoted a price of S$ 200 to S$ 400 for each nude photo. V1 sent him about 10 nude images of herself and was promised S$ 3, 500 in repayment.
The next day, Hee offered V1 S$ 4, 000 for intercourse, and she agreed. He also informed her that because it was a” trial,” he would not be paying her for their first meeting.
V1 went to Hee’s house at night, and he sexually assaulted her while recording video of the works.
Over about the next week, V1 sent about 10 more obvious pictures and nine obvious videos of herself at Hee’s demand.
On Mar 19, 2021, Hee asked V1 to have a” threesome” with him and another man. He told her that if she rejected him, he would never give her.
The following morning, V1 called the police to report that she had been sexually assaulted.
Hee even sexually assaulted another woman V2, who was 15 or 16 years old at the time, in May 2019, after initiating a talk with her on Instagram.
13-year-old VICTIM WAS THE OLDEST VICTIM
A 13-year-old child was the youngest victim of Hee’s youngest attack, according to court records as V7.
Hee asked if she wanted to get his sugar child in a January 2021 Instagram information. V7 told him her time.
Hee asked V7 for skinny photographs in exchange for money. Additionally, he likewise sent her images of various women so she could duplicate their poses.
Hee had promised to pay her several thousand dollars for 20 explicit pictures of herself, and V7 sent them.
Hee said he would never give her and threatened to deliver her naked photos to her Instagram followers when V7 said she did not want to take any more photos.
Distressed and scared, V7 stopped replying to Hee. Two weeks later, he sent her another threatening message, but she still refused to send more photos of herself.
Hee replied to V7 that he had no idea whether to carry out his threat, and their conversation ended.
FOR MORE EXPLICIT IMAGES, REFER TO EXPLOITED VICTIM.
Hee’s threats to distribute intimate images worked on another victim, 16-year-old V11, whom he started talking to on Mar 13, 2021.
Hee removed her top during a video call with V11 during which time.
Hee later sent a screenshot that showed she was topless and threatened to distribute it if she did not comply with his requests when V11 informed him that she was not comfortable with the arrangement.
She carried out numerous explicit photos and videos of V11.
V11 said she did not want to continue and that she would instead offer to introduce him to her friends as his sugar babies. Hee said he would follow up with more requests.
While drunk, Hee responded threateningly for her not to “test my… patience” and also said” I promise on your life”. V11 made a police report on Mar 15, 2021.
CHILD ABUSE MATERIAL, CHEATING OFFENCES
When Hee contacted another young victim on Instagram and inquired if she wanted to be his sugar child, V9, she was 14 years old.
Between Feb 20, 2021 and Mar 27, 2021, V9 sent Hee nude photos and videos of herself.
Hee also made two video calls with V9, where he instructed her on what to do while she was naked. He secretly recorded the video calls, thereby producing child abuse material.
In respect of three victims , – 18-year-old V10, 19-year-old V8 and 20-year-old V6 , – Hee admitted to offences of obtaining services fraudulently.
Hee obtained explicit images from V10 and V6 for which he was supposed to give them S$ 3, 000 and S$ 1, 500 respectively, but he did not make good on the payment.
Hee promised V8 S$ 10, 000 for sexual acts that she performed on him, as well as payment for explicit photos, videos and a video call with her in 2021.
She promised to report Hee to the police when V8 became suspicious that she wouldn’t be able to pay her. He responded with a threat:” If I go down, you will go down too and there will be no case”.
Hee started deleting the messages and eventually his entire Telegram account as soon as V8 began taking screenshots of their conversation history. So she couldn’t locate him.
Missing Chinese actor found in Myanmar, Thai authorities say
A Chinese actor who was reported missing near a Thai border town has been found safe in Myanmar and is now with Thai authorities, according to Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Tuesday ( January 7 ).  ,
Wang Xing, also known as Xing Xing, has appeared in supporting roles in movies like Internet Man 3 and appeared in numerous Taiwanese TV plays.  ,
The 31-year-old professional flew to Bangkok on January 3rd after landing a position on a Thai shooting job, according to a social media post Jiajia’s partner shared on Sunday that went viral.  ,
Wang was met by a people claiming to be a part of the film crew when he arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport around 4am, according to Jia.  ,
He was finally driven to the nearby, 500km Thai border area Mae Sot, where he eventually lost touch with Jia at around 12pm.
His disappearance sparked a contentious discussion about Chinese immigrants being lured to Southeast Asian nations on the excuse of high-paying jobs before being forced into slave-like working problems in computer con centers run by legal organizations.
Wang was located in Myanmar on Monday, according to Thai tourism secretary Sorawong Thientong, and was then flown back to Thailand on Tuesday.  ,
Wang had previously been rumored to have entered the village of Myawaddy, which frequently serves as a staging area for computer con ingredients and is the site of fierce fighting between rebel causes and the ruling junta.  ,
” It is nice that he was found”, Sorawong said in remarks carried by Thai media outlets. ” The Thai authorities and tourism department are duty-bound to build trust among visitors”, he added.  ,
Thailand has been trying to revive its economy following the pandemic, but attempts have been hampered by perceived health issues.  ,
Ms. Paetongtarn stated that the Thai government was properly handling the issue in order to prevent any adverse effects on tourism after a regular cabinet meeting.  ,
Without providing additional information, Thatchai Peetaneelabut, inspector-general of the Royal Thai Police, said he had ordered a thorough research into the event because it appeared to be the work of human smugglers.  ,
Wang’s departure went popular on Chinese social media after his wife’s unique Weibo article garnered more than 586, 000 likes and 357, 000 reposts- and attracted the attention of many well-known Chinese actors.  ,
Foreign actors Gong Jun, Lay Zhang, and Qin Lan reshared Jia’s post on their official Weibo accounts and shared well-wishes for Wang’s protection.  ,
E-cigarettes, e-baraku now specifically prohibited for students
PUBLISHED: 7 Jan 2025 at 17: 20
The Ministry of Education proposed four amounts of punishment for students, including electronic cigarettes and digital baraku, as proposed by the government.
The new rules on student behavior under the Child Protection Act were approved at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, according to assistant government official Karom Ponpornklang.
He claimed that e-cigarettes and e-baraku were added to the list of things that were already considered cocaine and were included in the checklist.
The Ministry of Education set four amounts of consequence for students who breach the new regulations - , 1. alert, 2. supervision, 3. calculation of psychological points and 4. activities for behavior modification.
The minister, Pol Gen Permpoon Chidchob, claimed that the ministry had no authority to seize the items, but other legitimate events had to accept responsibility for preventing their spread, Mr. Karom continued.  ,
Although commonly available, e-cigarettes and baraku, or other water pipes used for smoking marijuana, are already prohibited in Thailand. E-baraku is a very new material. It is typically 11 centimeters long by 9 millimeters wide and allows the user to follow smoking a cigarette.
Johor-Singapore SEZ a ‘big plus’ for firms to tap both sides’ different strengths: PM Wong
Frequent CONFERENCES ON BILATERAL ISSUES
As leaders from both sides thrashed out a deal, which Mr. Anwar had described previously on Tuesday as a distinct and uncommon action between two nations working as a team, the JS-SEZ deal has been in development for a year.
Moving forward, Mr. Anwar stated that he and Mr. Wong have agreed to meet quarterly to evaluate progress being made in resolving diplomatic disputes that have remained unresolved. These include places like waters supply, airport management and maritime boundaries.
Mr Wong said in the wrap-up interview on Tuesday that the two sides have made” some development” on these complex issues but have “understandably” never travel to a decision, citing distinctions of opinions.
” So, both Prime Minister Anwar and I are fully committed to continuing the engagement and discussions, and hopefully with the nudging from the prime ministers, with the constant engagements we have, and continued dialogue, we can see some progress by the next leaders ‘ retreat across all three bilateral issues,” he said.
Mr. Wong noted that the leaders are also putting together schedule for the weekly meetings, with plenty of time left until the officials ‘ retreat in Singapore after this year.
” We are discussing a few websites where we might do thus, including perhaps at Johor-Singapore SEZ”, he said.
There will also be some of these that we will consider appropriate goals to gather around and to meet, and when we do therefore, we can use these occasions to review the conversations on the pending international issues and ensure that we keep making progress on that.
Mr. Wong claimed to have met Mr. Anwar on several occasions, including at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN ) and multilateral forums, and that they have both developed a” good friendship” based on mutual respect and understanding.
He said,” That sets the tone for the entire relationship- the relationship between the ministers and officials- and also for us to work up on bilateral problems.”
” I may say that we are on a really strong basis, starting with the management level. And many of the officials have been interacting with one another on many occasions, including next day and now at the leaders ‘ retreat.
Mr. Wong added that he had also suggested that both sides re-establish the history of holding” legal services game.”
” But, it’s not always about work, it’s not always about leaders coming together to discuss business or deal and to participate on hard issues”, he said.
” But freely as well, there is an option for us to get up, unwind, and get to know one another, and maybe more of these markets can continue to take place across the board.”