Latest news with #CulturalTies
Russia Today
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Russian speakers a risk compared to pro-Western Filipinos
Lithuania's defense minister has lashed out at Russian-speaking migrants, calling them a security threat while comparing them to 'pro-Western' Filipinos. The country, along with its Baltic neighbors, has for years sought to phase out the Russian language spoken by a significant part of the population. Dovile Sakaliene made the comments on Wednesday after meeting with Hans Cacdac, the Philippines Secretary of Migrant Workers, to discuss labor migration. The defense minister, however, used the opportunity to warn that an 'unprecedented number of Russian-speaking migrants from post-Soviet states raise national security concerns for Lithuania.' Sakaliene praised Filipino workers as 'English speaking, Catholic, pro-Western… famous for high skills, great work ethics, & willingness to learn the language of the host country.' About 5% of Lithuania's population, or roughly 141,000 people, identify as ethnic Russians, with around 190,000 people saying Russian is their native language. Meanwhile, over 60% of the total population is Russian-speaking, mostly due to the Soviet legacy. Lithuania's Migration Department last year reported over 227,000 foreign residents, over 80,000 of whom are Ukrainians, followed by approximately 60,000 Belarusians and 15,000 Russians. Only 774 Filipino citizens held residence permits in the country at the start of this year, though that figure has more than tripled since 2023. Lithuania has for years sought to sever cultural ties with Russia, with the efforts intensifying after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict. Last year, Education Minister Gintautas Jakstas proposed phasing out Russian-language secondary schooling, arguing that Lithuania should not use the languages of 'unfriendly countries' in its classrooms. The idea, however, has faced pushback, particularly from Vaiva Vezelyte-Pokladova, the head of the National Minorities Policy Analysis, who warned against 'marginalization of one nationality.' This spring, Lithuanian authorities issued a report listing Russia, Belarus and China, as top security threats. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova mocked the designation, quipping that the document 'forgot to mention holy water and wooden stakes' as potential threats. Moscow has repeatedly dismissed speculation that it is planning to attack NATO, stating that it has no interest in doing so.
The Independent
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
India's Modi arrives in Trinidad and Tobago to strengthen ties in first official visit
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday for a two-day trip expected to boost investments in energy, health, security and other sectors. It is Modi's first official visit to the diverse, twin-island Caribbean nation. More than 35% of its 1.4 million inhabitants are East Indian, descendants of indentured workers brought from India during the colonial era. Modi said on X prior to the trip that he was 'looking forward to deepening ties with a valued partner in the Caribbean, with whom we share very old cultural linkages.' Hours before Modi landed in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad's prime minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, closed schools and non-essential government offices as a security measure aimed at reducing traffic. Modi was scheduled to meet with officials on Thursday evening and address both Houses of Parliament on Friday, as well as sign several agreements. While many in Trinidad and Tobago's Hindu community were excited about Modi's visit, the nation's largest Muslim organization, the Anjuman Sunnat-ul-Jamaat Association, had its reservations. In a letter sent to a local newspaper, the association criticized Modi's government, saying it has 'emboldened religious intolerance and targeted the Muslim community' in India. 'We cannot ignore Mr. Modi's political legacy and its ramifications for Muslim communities globally,' the association said. About 18% of Trinidad and Tobago's population is Hindu, while 5% is Muslim. Modi is scheduled to travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina this weekend and meet with President Javier Milei.
Associated Press
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
India's Modi arrives in Trinidad and Tobago to strengthen ties in first official visit
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday for a two-day trip expected to boost investments in energy, health, security and other sectors. It is Modi's first official visit to the diverse, twin-island Caribbean nation. More than 35% of its 1.4 million inhabitants are East Indian, descendants of indentured workers brought from India during the colonial era. Modi said on X prior to the trip that he was 'looking forward to deepening ties with a valued partner in the Caribbean, with whom we share very old cultural linkages.' Hours before Modi landed in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad's prime minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, closed schools and non-essential government offices as a security measure aimed at reducing traffic. Modi was scheduled to meet with officials on Thursday evening and address both Houses of Parliament on Friday, as well as sign several agreements. While many in Trinidad and Tobago's Hindu community were excited about Modi's visit, the nation's largest Muslim organization, the Anjuman Sunnat-ul-Jamaat Association, had its reservations. In a letter sent to a local newspaper, the association criticized Modi's government, saying it has 'emboldened religious intolerance and targeted the Muslim community' in India. 'We cannot ignore Mr. Modi's political legacy and its ramifications for Muslim communities globally,' the association said. About 18% of Trinidad and Tobago's population is Hindu, while 5% is Muslim. Modi is scheduled to travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina this weekend and meet with President Javier Milei.
SBS Australia
26-05-2025
- SBS Australia
Filipino population in the NT surges past 8,000 as community pushes for direct flights to the Philippines
The Filipino population in the Northern Territory is now estimated at over 8,000, making it the largest overseas-born group in the region. Filipino migration to the NT spans historical pearl divers to modern skilled workers and students. Community leaders are lobbying for direct flights to the Philippines, citing cultural ties and proximity. SBS Filipino 26/05/2025 11:55 In an interview with SBS Filipino, Emcille Wills, President of the Filipino Australian Association of the Northern Territory (FAANT), explained that Filipino migration to the NT dates back to the late 1800s with the arrival of the Manila Men, followed by professional teachers in the 1970s, and more recently, skilled migrants and international students. The Territory's slower pace and accessible job opportunities really make it a magnet for Filipino migrants. And personally, for me, the weather is just like the Philippines. There's no traffic compared to other states in Australia, which gives me a better work-life balance and the chance to do a lot more. Emcille Wills, President of the Filipino Australian Association of the Northern Territory (FAANT) 📢 Where to Catch SBS Filipino
