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Bangkok Post
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Nuclear proliferation cannot be bombed away
In 1966, the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, France, and China not only were the only countries that possessed nuclear weapons; they also had enough wisdom to recognise the dangers posed by nuclear proliferation. Despite their many and deep political differences, they arrived at a consensus to halt the further dissemination of "nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices". Under the resulting 1970 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), non-nuclear states agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons and to accept International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards on all their nuclear activities. In return, the five nuclear-weapon states committed to negotiate "in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race … and to nuclear disarmament". With 191 signatories, the NPT is the most widely adopted international agreement after the United Nations Charter. The only countries not to adhere to it were India, Pakistan, and Israel. Each went on to develop nuclear weapons. North Korea, which initially joined the treaty, later withdrew to build its own nuclear arsenal. The five original nuclear-weapon states did not keep their end of the bargain regarding disarmament. On the contrary, they have been using AI and other technologies to modernise their arsenals. The world's nuclear warheads total more than 12,000 and have become the preeminent sign of a country's power and prestige. Just listen to Russia's leaders. Throughout their war in Ukraine, they have brandished their nuclear arsenal as a badge of invincibility. They know that the risk of a nuclear holocaust will deter all other powers from challenging them directly. Similarly, because North Korea has armed itself with nuclear weapons, the US has taken a softer approach in dealing with it, relying on diplomacy and economic incentives. By contrast, in Libya, Moammar Gadhafi agreed to abandon his nascent nuclear programme and ended up dead, following a Nato aerial campaign against his regime. Among the lessons that have emerged in recent decades are that nuclear-weapons states have no intention of fully disarming. Worse, there is now only one nuclear arms-control treaty between Russia and the US (New Start), and it is due to expire next February. The most powerful deterrent for any state is possession of nuclear weapons or membership in an alliance that offers a nuclear umbrella (like Nato). Around 30 states either have nuclear weapons or enjoy such protection. The rest of the world, meanwhile, must hope that the nuclear powers remain on their best behaviour. The situation is especially fraught in the Middle East, a region plagued by wars, violence, instability, and a lack of comprehensive security arrangements. Add the fact that Israel is the only state in the region known to have nuclear weapons, and you have the makings for chronic insecurity. The wild card, of course, has been Iran, a country that has endured violence and tumult since the 1950s, when a US- and UK-organised coup ousted the country's first democratically elected government. In the 1980s, Iraq invaded Iran with the support of Western powers and neighbouring countries determined to crush its fledgling Islamist regime. Following eight years of brutal violence, with Iraq deploying chemical weapons extensively, the Islamic Republic came to the predictable conclusion that it needed to master nuclear-weapons technology. According to the IAEA, US, and other intelligence agencies, however, that programme essentially ended in 2003. For the last 20 years, the challenge has been to get Iran to come clean about its past undeclared activities. After a period of sanctions, US President Barack Obama decided to pursue diplomacy. The idea was to use economic incentives and various technical measures to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and pressure it to reveal its past undeclared nuclear activities. These were the main features of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (China, Russia, France, the UK, and the US), plus Germany and the European Union, signed in 2015. This framework was functioning as intended, with full compliance by Iran, until President Donald Trump abruptly withdrew the US from the agreement in 2018. Arguing that the JCPOA was only a stopgap measure, he insisted on a deal that would control not only Iran's nuclear programme but also its "disruptive" activities in the Middle East (such as its support for Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis in Yemen). As a result, Iran refused to implement some of the JCPOA's key inspection measures and started to enrich uranium to a level approaching weapons-grade. During Joe Biden's term as president, the US tried unsuccessfully to revive the JCPOA. When Mr Trump returned to the White House this year, he demanded that Iran "surrender" its right to enrichment altogether. Following a few rounds of desultory talks between the US and Iran, Israel and the US, lacking credible evidence of a nuclear-weapons programme, launched their illegal attack against Iranian nuclear and military targets. The ostensible aim was to destroy all of Iran's nuclear fuel-cycle facilities, though there have also been murmurings about triggering regime change in Iran -- a stark reminder of the rationale for the similarly illegal military interventions in Iraq and Libya. The root cause of nuclear proliferation is a state's sense of insecurity or aspiration to increase its power and influence. Iran's focus on nuclear capability stems from a yearning to prevent foreign interference, a sensitivity to the region's security imbalance, and a desire to be recognised as a regional power. Far from curtailing its nuclear ambitions, the use of force and humiliation is just as likely to strengthen its resolve. We saw this in Iraq after Israel destroyed its research reactor in 1981. The only solution to Middle East nuclear proliferation is to engage in dialogue based on mutual respect, meaningful security assurances (which can be achieved through stringent technical and inspection protocols), and economic incentives (be it the threat of sanctions or a promise to lift them). In other words, resolving the Iran nuclear question ultimately will require a return to a JCPOA-like agreement -- albeit one of unlimited duration, perhaps supplemented with an agreement on the scope of Iran's missile programme. Addressing the longstanding challenges to peace and security across the Middle East ultimately will also require a comprehensive agreement that deals with the Palestinian question, Israel's nuclear weapons, and economic and social development needs. A just peace and an inclusive security architecture are the best defences against nuclear proliferation. Since knowledge cannot be "obliterated", bombing your way to a deal will invariably prove counterproductive, threatening to bring our world one step closer to nuclear Armageddon. ©2025 Project Syndicate
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Meet Hawaiʻi award-winning student filmmakers who swept HIFF, ʻŌlelo YXC awards this year
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Filmmaking in Hawaii is big deal. With immense amounts of talent pouring out of our state, decided to catch up with 2025's biggest student filmmaker winners. Before his 18th birthday, Virgil Tan, award-winning local student filmmaker, had already been featured at international festivals, taken home the top prize at the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival's ʻŌpio Film Festival and earned a place at Chapman University's prestigious Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. HIFF Opio Fest: The Future of Film His short film New Start didn't just make waves. It won Best Short Film at HIFF's student showcase. 'I'm very grateful for my crew and my parents for helping me out throughout this journey,' Tan said. 'I got a bunch of positive feedback for my new film, New Start, so I'm pretty happy with that.' Tan's journey is striking. He was born in China, acted in a film with Jet Li before he could read and moved to Hawaiʻi when he was six. By high school, he was behind the camera, self-teaching through nightly movie marathons and online classes. 'I kind of like being behind the camera more than in front of the camera,' Tan said. 'Every shot means something to me.' His perspective is deeply personal as it's a way to communicate beyond language barriers. As a first-generation immigrant, he never felt fluent in Chinese or English; so, film became his language. 'It's my way of talking,' he said. 'It's like my language almost.' On the other end of Oʻahu, at Waipahu Elementary School, a different but equally powerful movement is underway. A group of young students — all in grades five and six — made a huge splash after winning the most awards of any school at the 2024 ʻŌlelo Youth Xchange Student Video Competition. Cendisse Alvarez, award-winning local student filmmaker from Waipahu Elementary School, wanted to make sure viewers didn't overlook the beauty around them.'I wanted to show people the importance of the monkey pod trees,' Alvarez said. 'They aren't just ordinary trees.' Her message was one of several that caught judges' attention. The students' videos tackled themes like healthy eating, environmental responsibility, disaster preparedness and kindness. All topics close to home and critical for Hawaiʻi's future. Timothy Ragasa, an award-winning local student filmmaker, focused on nutrition. 'Eating fruits and veggies is better because they provide vitamin C and many things that are healthy for your body,' Ragasa said. Ryzelle Valencia, also an award-winning local student filmmaker, took on pollution. 'I saw people shooting the community, such as littering or just not recycling,' Valencia said. 'And I think that the video could inspire others to start treating it better.' Brooklyn Hiyakumoto, an award-winning local student filmmaker, wanted to highlight how much more people could do if they simply helped. 'I wanted to inspire how much better we educate with helping,' Hiyakumoto said. For many of the Waipahu students, the project was their first experience behind a camera. But the impact of that first step was huge. Naomi Agno, an award-winning local student filmmaker, saw a problem and turned it into action. 'There was a lot of litter and trash around the school and this environment,' Agno said. 'So, I decided to make a video about cleaning the community and making this place a better area.' Nakki Maejan, award-winning local student filmmaker, brought a sense of continuity and dedication. 'I wanted to express my creativity,' Maejan said. 'And I wanted to take a step up and do the same topic that [my friends] did so that I could win for them.' These young storytellers have no illusions about the future. Some want to pursue film professionally. Others don't. But all of them saw the value in learning to tell their story. Check out more news from around Hawaii 'I don't plan on pursuing filmmaking,' said Donya Mae Hernandes, award-winning local student filmmaker. 'I do like it. And like Ryzelle said, I would do it as a hobby.' Valencia echoed that. 'Although it is fun, I'm pretty sure I don't want to do filmmaking in the future.' For others like Maejan, the spark has just begun. 'I choose to continue filmmaking,' she said. 'After finally winning an award this year, I want to show my other creativity.' Tan, on the other hand, is now preparing for college in California. His films are layered with meaning, shaped by identity, place and purpose, much like his Waipahu counterparts. 'I think through film, it's my way of talking,' Tan said. 'It fulfills my purpose. I feel like that is my purpose as being on this Earth.' Tan understands that filmmaking isn't always seen as a viable path, especially for Asian youth and first-gen students like himself. He's had to push through doubt, discipline, and cultural expectations. 'At the beginning, they kind of told me to not touch art,' Tan said of his parents, who were acrobats before immigrating to the U.S. 'But they saw that I had a passion for the arts. So, they had no choice but to support me.' He's drawn to films that explore inner conflict and emotion. Palm Tree, one of his early projects, explored psychological tension and personal struggle. His latest film, New Start, was inspired by the film Blue Valentine. Now, with college on the horizon, Tan's preparing to immerse himself fully in the art form. 'I'm definitely going to make a lot of films during college,' he said. 'That is the environment. Obviously, the environment there is creative. I will make films.' The students from Waipahu are also thinking about where they'll go next and whether they'll stay in Hawaiʻi or explore beyond. Big changes could be coming for Hawaii's film industry — and they aren't good 'Hawaiʻi involves many opportunities,' Alvarez said. 'But I think that other places does, too. I would like to also travel the world and show my creativity there.' Maejan wants to continue filmmaking elsewhere. 'I should go somewhere else if I want to continue,' she said. 'Because I want to continue adding up to my creativity and inspiring more people.' For Tan, the long hours of watching films, studying scripts and editing shots weren't just about skill-building. They were about finding a voice. 'Arts is a great way of not really directly fighting racism,' Tan said. 'But it is an indirect way of kind of passively fighting back.' From elementary school classrooms in Waipahu to red carpets at international festivals, Hawaiʻi's next generation of filmmakers is ready. Whether they choose to make films professionally or not, their voices already matter; and their advice for others is clear. 'Just push your limits and do it,' Alvarez said. 'You only live once.' 'Try new things and discover new things,' Ragasa said. 'Even if you are nervous… just do it,' Valencia said. 'Now it's like family.' Tan knows exactly what filmmaking has meant to him. 'I feel like film really fulfills my purpose,' he said. 'That is my purpose as being on this Earth.' So, whether you're visiting Hawaiʻi, living here, or just tuning in — listen. These young voices are telling stories worth hearing. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 You can watch the full interview with Tan and the Waipahu students in the video above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
News18
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Gyeongseong Creature's Woo Ji-Hyeon Ties The Knot With Trigger Fame's Lee Tae-Kyung In Secret Ceremony
South Korean actors Woo Ji-Hyeon and Lee Tae-Kyung married in a private ceremony in Seoul on April 26, 2025. They met on the 2021 short film Tomorrow's Lovers. South Korean actors Woo Ji-Hyeon and Lee Tae-Kyung are officially married! They tied the knot in a super private ceremony in Seoul on April 26, 2025, just surrounded by their closest friends and family, according to Xportsnews. The two lovebirds first crossed paths while working together on the 2021 short film Tomorrow's Lovers, where they played a couple. Looks like that on-screen chemistry wasn't just for the cameras, soon enough, their romance spilled over into real life. After keeping things low-key for a while, they've decided to make it official and take their relationship to the next level. Not much has been revealed about their wedding or their dating history, keeping things pretty private. The couple hasn't shared any official wedding photos on social media yet. Woo Ji-Hyeon, a Hanyang University alum with a degree in Theatre and Film, kicked off his acting career in 2014 with the South Korean film New Start. Over time, he earned a spot as a familiar face in the Korean entertainment scene, thanks to his standout roles in K-dramas like Kidnapping Day, The Deal, and Gyeongseong Creature, where he starred alongside Park Seo-Joon. Earlier this year, Woo Ji-Hyeon also appeared in the film Opposition Party, and if the rumors are true, he's got another Netflix project coming up soon. Lee Tae-Kyung made her acting debut in 2018 with In Your Theater and quickly caught the attention of audiences with her impressive performances. She's since starred in films like Hye-ok, Highway Family, Fictions, You and Me, and Don't Touch Dirty Money. Lee Tae-Kyung's most recent role in Disney+'s Trigger has catapulted her to stardom, making her one of the most sought-after faces in the South Korean entertainment industry right now. Location : Mumbai, India, India First Published: April 27, 2025, 14:35 IST
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Eversource hosting webinar on bill assistance programs
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Eversource is hosting a webinar on Thursday to educate eligible customers about assistance programs. The 'New Start' program can help income-eligible customers reduce their balance in 12 months. The Home Energy Assistance program is a free resource that helps income-eligible customers pay a portion of their winter heating bills. The webinar is from 1 pm to 2 pm. Customers can sign up to attend online. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Guardian
13-02-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Trump proposes nuclear deal with Russia and China to halve defense budgets
Donald Trump said that he wants to restart nuclear arms control talks with Russia and China and that eventually he hopes all three countries could agree to cut their massive defense budgets in half. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump lamented the hundreds of billions of dollars being invested in rebuilding the nation's nuclear deterrent and said he hopes to gain commitments from the US adversaries to cut their own spending. 'There's no reason for us to be building brand-new nuclear weapons. We already have so many,' Trump said. 'You could destroy the world 50 times over, 100 times over. And here we are building new nuclear weapons, and they're building nuclear weapons.' 'We're all spending a lot of money that we could be spending on other things that are actually, hopefully, much more productive,' Trump said. While the US and Russia have held massive stockpiles of weapons since the cold war, Trump predicted that China would catch up in their capability to exact nuclear devastation 'within five or six years'. He said that if the weapons were ever called to use, 'that's going to be probably oblivion'. Trump said he would look to engage in nuclear talks with the two countries once 'we straighten it all out' in the Middle East and Ukraine. 'One of the first meetings I want to have is with President Xi of China, President Putin of Russia. And I want to say: 'Let's cut our military budget in half.' And we can do that. And I think we'll be able to.' Trump in his first term tried and failed to bring China into nuclear arms reduction talks when the US and Russia were negotiating an extension of a pact known as New Start. Russia suspended its participation in the treaty during the Biden administration, as the US and Russia continued on massive programs to extend the lifespans of or replace their cold war-era nuclear arsenals. Sign up to Headlines US Get the most important US headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion Outlining his vision for a shake-up in the world order, Trump also said he would 'love' to have Russia back in the G7, from which it was suspended in 2014 after Moscow annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula. 'I think it was a mistake to throw him out,' Trump said, referring to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. In his first term, Trump also called for Russia to be readmitted, but he found little support among other western countries. Trump revealed Wednesday he expected to meet Putin separately for Ukraine peace talks, in a sudden thaw in relations. In their first confirmed contact since Trump's return to the White House, the US president said he had held a 'highly productive' conversation with his Russian counterpart, who ordered the bloody 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
