Latest news with #WorldPeace
Irish Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Beijing Letter: China's war commemorations contrast with hesitant approach of Japan's
Beijing's Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in the southwestern district of Fengtai is far from the city's main tourist attractions. But the museum was the centre of attention this week when it reopened after an extended closure, with almost twice its former display space and a new exhibition called For National Liberation and World Peace. It tells the story of the 14-year struggle, which began in 1931 when Japanese troops invaded and occupied northeast China and ended with Japan's formal surrender in September 1945. The exhibition is part of a programme of events, documentaries and short-form dramas that will culminate in a military parade on Tiananmen Square on September 3rd, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of the war. READ MORE The exhibition uses thousands of artefacts and photographs, as well as video and virtual displays, to portray the war as a national effort that involved the entire Chinese people. But the role of the Chinese Communist Party is at the centre, as it is seen mobilising soldiers and civilians in a united front with the Nationalists, and guiding the war of resistance. The museum is next to Beijing's Marco Polo Bridge, where Japanese troops began their full-scale invasion of China on July 7th, 1937, with an attack on Chinese forces. China sees this battle not only as the start of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, but also of what it calls the World Anti-Fascist War, or the second World War. President Xi Jinping marked this week's anniversary with a visit to Yangquan in Shanxi province, the site of one of the war's big battles called the Hundred Regiments Campaign. The campaign was a huge sabotage operation led by the Communist Party's National Revolutionary Army against the Imperial Japanese Army and its Chinese collaborators, and it has long had a celebrated place in the party's wartime lore. 'The past should not be forgotten and should be a lesson for the future. Coming here is to receive spiritual baptism,' said Xi. The war between China and Japan cost 14 million lives between 1937 and 1945, and during its first few years neither the Soviet Union nor the western powers offered any assistance. China had a place at the Potsdam Conference at the end of the second World War, but Winston Churchill's dismissive view of this war as a sideshow in the Pacific theatre contributed to its neglect in later western accounts. Dedicated sections in museums like London's Imperial War Museum have increased western awareness of the Sino-Japanese war in recent years. Meanwhile, the Chinese have been engaged in a decades-long research effort that includes deep and intensive study of Japanese military and civilian decisions during the war and the world's leading institute devoted to the Tokyo War Crimes Trials. Memorialising the war is part of a broader narrative of national rejuvenation, and the party is explicit in its view of museums as 'patriotic education bases' as well as sites of memory. This is especially evident at the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, built around a mass grave where the skeletons of some of the hundreds of thousands of Chinese civilians slaughtered by the Japanese lie half-buried. When the museum first opened in 1985, its focus was almost exclusively on the tragedy and the suffering of the massacre. Recent additions to the memorial hall concentrate on the Chinese victory over Japan and its importance in the creation of a new China under communism after 1949. China's confident programme of commemorations this year contrasts with the hesitant approach of Japan's prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba. He will make no official statement backed by his cabinet to mark the anniversary, but has instead asked a panel of experts to study the circumstances that led Japan to go to war against much of the rest of the world. In his statement on the 50th anniversary of the end of the war in 1995, prime minister Tomiichi Murayama expressed 'deep remorse' and issued a 'heartfelt apology' for Japan's aggression. Junichiro Koizumi maintained a similar approach on the 60th anniversary in 2005 but Shinzo Abe changed the tone 10 years later. In his statement on the 70th anniversary, Abe used some of the same expressions of remorse as his predecessors, but he noted that more than 80 per cent of Japan's population was born after the war. 'We must not let our children, grandchildren and even further generations to come, who have nothing to do with that war, be predestined to apologise,' he said. Under pressure from conservative elements in his Liberal Democratic Party, Ishiba has decided to follow Abe's guidance by saying nothing.
Borneo Post
05-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Pasir Panjang beach clean-up promotes urgent environmental awareness, community sustainability
The participants gather for a group photo. KUCHING (July 5): Rain did not dampen the spirit of some 20 volunteers who took part in the recent beach clean-up at Pasir Panjang near Santubong here. Organised by the international non-governmental organisation (NGO) Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) Malaysia, in collaboration with the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), the programme was run in conjunction with the World Environment Day and World Oceans Day last month. 'These globally recognised events aim to bring attention to urgent environmental issues, namely ecosystem restoration and the protection of marine life, and also encourage local communities to take part in sustainable actions. 'The reason for this event is part of HWPL and IPYG's efforts to raise awareness of world nature and in this respect, it is also meant to open opportunities for people to take local action that aligns with the global sustainable goals. The beach clean-up continues on after the rain. 'The event at Pasir Panjang brought together a group of young volunteers who were committed to making a tangible difference for the environment. 'Although it was raining, they showed up and carried out the beach clean-up. 'Equipped with gloves and garbage bags, they collected plastic bottles, food wrappers, and other non-biodegradable waste that were strewn along the beach,' said HWPL Malaysia. Ning Bong, president of HWPL Malaysia, remarked: 'Some people may wonder what cleaning a beach has to do with peace. 'Actually, a clean place makes people feel calm, safe and happy. 'When we come together to take care of the environment, we're also building good habits of caring for our community. 'That's part of peace too.' Those interested in participating in future clean-up drives or collaborative projects can reach out via [email protected]. beach clean-up HWPL Malaysia Pasir Panjang santubong
Scoop
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
HWPL Urges End To Israel-Iran Violent Conflict In Official Statement
In June 2025, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) expressed deep concerns over the violent conflict between Israel and Iran, and condemned the grave threat it poses to international peace and security. In an official statement, HWPL urged the immediate cessation of hostilities and called for a peaceful resolution to the situation. The organization strongly denounced the violence, emphasizing that it has led to the loss of innocent civilian lives. Israel launched a large-scale airstrike targeting Iran's nuclear facilities—including Natanz—and other military installations on the 13th, marking an escalation in direct military confrontation between the two nations. Thousands of innocent civilians have been killed or injured, and the destruction of infrastructure in both countries has reached a level of 'social collapse,' posing a serious threat to international security. The global community is increasingly recognizing the gravity of the current situation and showing various responses. International organizations, including the United Nations, along with leaders of major countries, have expressed concerns over the prolonged violence and are calling for immediate restraint and a negotiated settlement. HWPL has reaffirmed, 'The people of Israel and Iran want peace, as the entire global community hopes for peace to be restored.' It then reinforced its appeal for both sides to lay down their arms and pursue a diplomatic solution through dialogue and negotiation, in accordance with international law. Continuing its efforts for global peace, it emphasized its commitment to working closely with international peace organizations, civil society, and national governments to sow and nurture the seeds of peace, ensuring that humanity does not repeat the tragedies of war. The statement concluded with a hopeful message that people around the world will support the efforts of both nations toward a peaceful future. About HWPL: Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) is an international peace organization contributing to the promotion of global peace through its special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and its partnership with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC). Based on the 'Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW),' HWPL conducts various activities aimed at ending war and establishing sustainable peace worldwide.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Solving property taxes isn't Quantum Physics. Ohio lawmakers must stop stalling
Listening to our Ohio legislators, one would think solving the property tax problem is like solving World Peace and world hunger at the same time. It's not that hard. It's ridiculously simple. So, Ohio representatives and senators, listen up. I'm about to make you all heroes, and at no charge. Freeze property taxes for homeowners at current levels. Period. The assessed property tax amount would not change until the property was sold, at which time the property tax would rise to a newly assessed amount to be calculated before the sale. More: Ohio homeowners want property tax relief. Other states may offer a solution There. How hard was that? This method is fair because it prevents homeowners from being taxed on unrealized gains, and new buyers will know what their property tax will be for the entire time they own the home. No more surprises every few years. Also, existing homeowners will not be forced to sell their homes due to unaffordable tax increases that, at present, can't be budgeted for, since future tax increases are always an unknown cost. More: No more property taxes? Ohio group pitches amendment to get rid of them So, Ohio legislators, stop acting as if this is some Quantum Physics problem and get it done. Steven Otto, Maineville This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Stop the increases and freeze Ohio property taxes now | Letter
New York Post
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Metta World Peace has solution to Knicks' coaching problem as J.R. Smith bemoans Tom Thibodeau's firing
Where J.R. Smith sees disaster, Metta World Peace sees opportunity. The two former Knicks had two very different reactions to hearing the stunning news that the team fired Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday Smith lamented the news, posting to his Instagram story saying, 'I don't know what the f–k going on … I don't get it … Back-to-back 50-win seasons, first time since when? Bro, it's so bad I [direct messaged] Stephen A. Smith just to ask him, 'How much is [Thibodeau] owed? What is going on?' C'mon man! Damn!' 5 J.R. Smith posted his initial thoughts to his Instagram story regarding Tom Thibodeau's firing. teamswish/Instagram Smith also captioned his video calling for Stephen A. Smith to have him on his ESPN show 'First Take.' Thibodeau just finished leading the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference final since 2000, but fell to the Pacers in six games — the second straight year to Indiana. The Knicks felt it was time for a new voice as they are 'singularly focused on winning a championship.' World Peace decided it was the perfect time to start his head coaching campaign. 5 Metta World Peace spent one season with the Knicks in 2013-14. Anthony J Causi 'Metta is the perfect choice for head coach of the [Knicks]. Since 1999 this was suppose to happen. I've never ran from the city,' World Peace posted to X. 'When all the top players left NYC because it was hard, I went to [St. John's]. I wanted to be drafted by the Knicks, I seemed to be the only one un-afraid of the city. I'm built to challenge the city. I'm the number one guy for the job.' World Peace carved out an excellent career for himself across 17 years in the NBA, though just one of his years was spent in New York with the Knicks. Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks' stunning firing of head coach Tom Thibodeau He won the NBA Finals in 2010 with the Lakers, was a four-time All-Defensive selection, a one-time All-NBA selection and an All-Star. As for Smith, he spent four of his 16 NBA seasons with the Knicks. He won two championships — one with the Cavaliers and one with the Lakers. 5 Former NBA player Metta World Peace Brian Zak/NY Post 5 J.R. Smith spent four solid seasons with the Knicks from 2011-2015. Paul J. Bereswill Smith averaged a career-high 18.1 points per game in 2012-13 with New York en route to being named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year. While Smith was dumbfounded by the move to fire Thibodeau, World Peace doubled down on his job application. 5 Tom Thibodeau coached the Knicks to a 226-174 record in his five seasons in New York. Getty Images 'I want every bit of the smoke in NYC. I'm 100% in and ready to HEAD COACH the great [New York Knicks],' World Peace wrote on X. 'Queens bred. Dominated my Highschool era. Three championship at the Rucker [Park] and never lost one at Rucker. 3 Championships at the real Gershwin [Park] when there was no security. 'Lots more on the NYC front. Had a Knick practice shirt and short on at the 1999 draft. NBA accolades speak for themselves. I basically locked up tons of hall of famers. Sorry. But light work. Metta is ready for the city. #thecityismine'
