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Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Zelensky awards Ukraine's Order of Liberty to Polish President Duda
dpa Kiev Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded his country's Order of Liberty to outgoing Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda on Saturday during the latter's farewell visit to Kiev. The award honours Duda's 'significant personal merits' in strengthening Polish-Ukrainian cooperation and supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, a decree issued by the presidential administration in Kiev said. The meeting took place on Ukraine's Constitution Day. Duda's term of office ends on August 6, when he will be succeeded as Poland's president by populist Karol Nawrocki. Duda arrived in Kiev during the morning for an unannounced visit. Footage on his X account showed Duda being received by Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and then, together with Zelensky, laying wreaths at a memorial site for Ukrainian soldiers killed fighting the ongoing Russian invasion. Duda has repeatedly visited Ukraine to demonstrate his solidarity with the country. The Polish news agency PAP quoted Sybiha's message of thanks to Duda on his social media, noting that he and the Polish people had always 'shown genuine solidarity with Ukraine.' Since the start of the full-scale Russian attack on its neighbour in February 2022, Poland has been one of Ukraine's most active supporters. The Rzeszów-Jasionka airport in south-eastern Poland and the railway line leading to the shared border are important transport routes for European and US military goods for Ukraine.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Time capsule of 60 items sealed at Pink Dot 2025, to be opened in 2050
This is the third Pink Dot SG rally since Singapore repealed Section 377A. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR Time capsule of 60 items sealed at Pink Dot 2025, to be opened in 2050 SINGAPORE - Thousands adorned in pink gathered at Hong Lim Park on June 28 in celebration of love in all forms at the annual Pink Dot SG rally. Rainy weather did not dampen the spirit of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community and supporters who attended the 17th edition of the rally. Among the politicians spotted at the event included PAP MPs Alex Yeo and Ng Shi Xuan, as well as Workers' Party MPs He Ting Ru and Louis Chua. A time capsule of more than 60 items – from everyday objects to cherished heirlooms – was sealed at the event. The capsule was designed by local artist Nichole Ho. These items include a chest binder, passed on from one person going through their gender journey to another, and a phone pouch that had held the first phone used for the Oogachaga counselling hotline set up almost two decades ago for the queer community. Mr Bhaskaran, who provided only one name, and his partner Sam contributed their marriage certificate to the time capsule. The pair got married in 2025 in San Francisco. Their hope is that queer couples will one day be able to legally marry on home soil. Mr Bhaskaran also contributed a set of cutlery to the capsule, which symbolises his mother's journey to embracing Sam. She was once unsure of the couple, but now shows her acceptance, especially at the dinner table. The fork and spoon set is the only set of cutlery regularly used in the home by Sam, as the rest of the family eats with their hands. This is the third Pink Dot SG rally since Singapore repealed Section 377A, the law that criminalised gay sex. Ms Opera Tang, one of the speakers at the event, submitted the first headdress she made, which was worn during her debut drag performance at Pink Dot in 2021. Ms Tang spoke about how the headdress was styled together with her grandmother, who expressed her quiet support for her drag journey through craft. 'Ah Ma doesn't say things like 'queer' or 'drag'. But she says, 'jiak ba buay?' (Teochew for 'Have you eaten?'), which is how she says 'I love you', she said. The items were sealed into the time capsule, with the last being a picture of the crowd gathered at the Speakers' Corner. Thousands adorned in pink gathered at Hong Lim Park on June 28 in celebration of love in all forms at the annual Pink Dot SG rally. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR Those who want to read the stories behind each item inside the time capsule can do so at The capsule will be opened in 2050. The year symbolises the new generation of LGBTQ+ Singaporeans and represents hope for the future, said Pink Dot's organisers. Pink Dot spokesman Clement Tan said: 'This time capsule serves as a reminder of the love and resilience that has carried us this far. We want to send a message of hope to future Singaporeans: that all forms of love are valid and that our relationships should be celebrated equally.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
a day ago
- Politics
- CNA
Thousands show up in support of LGBTQ community at annual Pink Dot rally
SINGAPORE: Heavy rainfall on Saturday (Jun 28) afternoon halted just in time as the 17th edition of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) rally Pink Dot began. Thousands of supporters brought Hong Lim Park to life with bold outfits in different hues of pink. They lounged on picnic mats, reconnected with old friends and made new ones, while children ran around with balloons in hand and pet dogs trotted alongside their owners. This year's theme, "Different Stories, Same Love", aims to celebrate love in all its forms as the LGBTQ community comes together to share hopes for a more inclusive future. This is the third year of Pink Dot since Section 377A, a decades-old law criminalising gay sex, was repealed in November 2022. Two Members of Parliament (MPs) from the People's Action Party (PAP) were spotted visiting booths and engaging with committee members from Pink Dot. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the event, MP for Potong Pasir SMC Alex Yeo said he was 'very happy' to be at the rally to engage and listen to the concerns of the LGBTQ community. 'They are part of the Singaporean community, very important part of our community, our overall social compact in our community. And so therefore we are very happy to be here,' Mr Yeo said. MP for Sembawang GRC Ng Shi Xuan said Pink Dot has deepened understanding and created more awareness surrounding topics of inclusivity. 'Conversations will help us to understand each other better. And conversations means two-way right? You talk and you listen. So that's very important,' Mr Ng said. Workers' Party MPs for Sengkang GRC Louis Chua and He Ting Ru were also seen at the rally, but declined to speak to the media. STRONGER ACCEPTANCE, BUT STILL WAYS TO GO Members of the LGBTQ community told CNA they felt more accepted in recent years, with some saying they no longer shy away from attending the rally. Ms Ann, who attended Pink Dot for the fourth time, said she used to feel scared and would only walk outside of Hong Lim Park, but has gained the courage to show up in recent years. 'I know a lot of people who exist very separately from issues that are happening in the queer community,' she said. 'Showing up just helps people remember that there is a community here.' Mr Benjamin Lee, who has been with his male partner for 25 years, said he feels that Singaporeans are more accepting towards the gay community compared to more than two decades ago. 'We had to be more prudent 25 years ago, but we're more open now,' the 53-year-old said. Accompanied by her husband and five-year-old son, 35-year-old Ms Gladys said they attended the rally on Saturday to spend 'family time' together. 'I always believed in freedom to love and to show support towards friends and family. These are the lessons I want to teach my son.' However, others said that more acceptance of the LGBTQ community is needed. Ms Diana said Singapore is a lot more tolerant, which is a "good step forward". "(But) I think Singapore is still conservative. It still takes time for the older generation to get used to us," she said. Ms Diana added: "The inertia, the resistance, is a normal state of mind. But if you close yourself up from the onset, the only person who loses out is you." For Ms Cally Cheung and Ms Ching Sia, two women who are raising a daughter together, having her at Pink Dot with them gives them hope for a future where their family will be legally accepted. 'Someone recently asked me, 'What is the hope for the future?' She is the hope. Just looking at her and thinking about how we are raising her, she is the hope for us,' Ms Cheung said. 'It's a privilege to be able to raise a child and to be able to have a family. And we don't take that privilege lightly,' Ms Sia added. A big part of this year's rally is also aimed at sending a message to Singaporeans of the future, 'to let them know that we are thinking about them, that we are fighting for a future where they can feel more free and more equal and more included than our own community today', said Pink Dot spokesperson Clement Tan. This message was showcased in the form of a time capsule at Hong Lim Park, where almost 70 objects ranging from jewellery to clothing items were placed inside and sealed until 2050. The night ended with attendees holding up pink lights as they enjoyed a performance on stage. 'Pink Dot here exists today because we can prove that what was impossible is possible. In 25 years' time, who knows what may change," said Mr Tan.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Poland says arms race could lead to Putin's fall
Russian President Vladimir Putin is "waging a very expensive war" in Ukraine, said Poland's foreign minister. PHOTO: AFP WARSAW - Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said June 26 that a new arms race could lead to the fall of Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'regime', just like it toppled the Soviet Union. The Nato member's top diplomat spoke after the Western defence alliance agreed to massively ramp up defence spending, seen as vital to counter the threat from Russia. 'Putin should understand that he is on the path of (Soviet leader Leonid) Brezhnev. He himself once said that the Soviet Union collapsed because it spent too much on armament, and now he is doing exactly the same thing,' Mr Sikorski said, in an interview with AFP, the Polish news agency PAP and German agency DPA. 'He is waging a very expensive war... scared the whole West into reinforcing its defence spending,' Mr Sikorski said, adding: 'We are doing it because Putin is threatening us'. 'This means that from an economy the size of Texas, Putin will have to squeeze out even more defence funds. Hopefully with a similar result for the regime (to that of the Soviet Union), but faster.' Nato's 32 countries agreed to US President Donald Trump's headline target of 5 per cent of GDP on defence spending following two days of talks in The Hague. The compromise hatched by Nato sees countries promise to dedicate 3.5 per cent of GDP to core military spending by 2035, and a further 1.5 per cent to broader security-related areas such as infrastructure. Underpinning the leaders' discussions on defence was Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, with the summit's final statement referring to the 'long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security'. Mr Trump also signed off on a final declaration confirming an 'ironclad commitment' to Nato's collective defence pledge that an attack on one is an attack on all – a reassuring move for European countries worried about Russia. 'Trump understands' Fearing threats from neighbouring Russia, Poland has for several years rapidly modernised its military, with a string of arms contracts, mainly with the United States and South Korea. It has already earmarked 4.7 per cent of its GDP for military expenditure this year, and in 2026 it aims to raise it further. Mr Sikorski said 'Trump understands now that it is Russia that does not want an end to the war' in Ukraine, which began with Russia's invasion in February 2022. He said that at the Nato summit, 'I drew attention to the fact that this shows a lack of respect on the part of Vladimir Putin towards the peace initiatives of President Trump'. Poland's foreign affairs minister, Mr Radoslaw Sikorski, said US President Donald Trump understands that Russia does not want an end to its war in Ukraine. PHOTO: AFP Mr Sikorski also hailed Germany – Europe's biggest economy – for its efforts to boost its military. This week Germany revealed plans to reach the 3.5 per cent level for core spending six years early, in 2029, with the vast extra outlays necessary made possible after the country eased its rules on taking on debt. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to build Europe's 'strongest conventional army' to counter the growing threat from Moscow. Mr Sikorski said 'we are good allies and we need to build a kind of force that will not scare anybody but that will deter Putin'. 'And I would see the need to counter the Russian missile threat from the Kaliningrad exclave as an urgent Polish-German challenge,' he added. Poland shares a border with Russia's heavily militarised Kaliningrad exclave. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Poland's Sikorski says arms race could lead to Putin's fall
WARSAW: Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Thursday that a new arms race could lead to the fall of Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'regime', just like it toppled the Soviet Union. The NATO member's top diplomat spoke after the Western defence alliance agreed to massively ramp up defence spending, seen as vital to counter the threat from Russia. 'Putin should understand that he is on the path of (Soviet leader Leonid) Brezhnev. He himself once said that the Soviet Union collapsed because it spent too much on armament, and now he is doing exactly the same thing,' Sikorski said in an interview with AFP, the Polish news agency PAP and German agency DPA. 'He is waging a very expensive war and also provoked, scared the whole West into reinforcing its defence spending... We are doing it because Putin is threatening us,' he added. 'This means that from an economy the size of Texas, Putin will have to squeeze out even more defence funds. Hopefully with a similar result for the regime (to that of the Soviet Union), but faster.' NATO's 32 countries agreed to US President Donald Trump's headline target of five percent of GDP on defence spending following two days of talks in The Hague. The compromise hatched by NATO sees countries promise to dedicate 3.5 percent of GDP to core military spending by 2035, and a further 1.5 to broader security-related areas such as infrastructure. Underpinning the leaders' discussions on defence was Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, with the summit's final statement referring to the 'long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security'.
