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Chula’s fiery young activist wants to make a difference

May 14, 2017 01:00
By KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE SUNDAY NATION

 LOVE him or loathe him, it has to be admitted that 21-year-old student activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal is making more waves than most people his age.

Despite his youth and a controversial approach that some might describe as naive, Netiwit received the honour of being mentioned by the most powerful leader in the government.

Earlier this month, Netiwit was elected president of the student council at Chulalongkorn University and immediately announced the reversal of certain traditions at this most conservative of institutions.

The freshman at the university’s Faculty of Political Science met with some fierce criticism.

Among those critics was Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who also referred to the young activist as he addressed future education, expressing concern and dissatisfaction over Netiwit’s anti-establishment stance.

So has all this been all planned and organised? What’s his deal exactly? Netiwit told The Sunday Nation it was a mixture of accidental and intentional.

“I started receiving media attention in 2012 when I appeared on a news programme hosted by famous news anchor Sorrayuth Suthassanachinda,” the student activist recounted. “It was over the issue of student hairstyles. Then it [my suggestion] was accepted by the then education minister, resulting in the change in policy which allows student to wear longer hair today.”

Despite this success, Netiwit referred to his first appearance in one of the most popular news shows as an “accident”.

“I didn’t really know anything back then. I was just saying students should be able to have any hairstyles they like. Go mohawk or whatever. And I got media attention,” he said.

That early victory could have been a one-time thing, a mere flash in the pan. But the young activist, wise beyond his years, did not let the chance slip by.

“I saw immediately that my time had come. If I stopped pushing, then I’d just lose the opportunity. It would just be tongue-in-cheek,” Netiwit said. “I don’t like that. I like to take things seriously. So I went on pushing the agendas I believed mattered.”

Since then Netiwit has been widely perceived as an anti-establishment activist. He is known as an opponent of military conscription which has become notorious as each year a number of draftees are reported to have been abused, assaulted or even killed.

Netiwit also founded Education for Liberation of Siam, an activist group that harbours many progressive young people who are outspoken in their criticism of not only the Thai education, but also the political characteristics that weaken it.

What makes such a young person stand out from his peers and make such an impact seems to be the simple fact that he has the guts to “walk the talk”, even if sometimes it means he has to walk alone.

“We complain a lot. At school, we nag about this lousy system, incompetent teachers, nonsense rules, but then we don’t do anything about it,” Netiwit said.

“I’m not like that. I don’t put up with those things. I take action. I show them what I want and how bad I want it. I speak the forbidden truth, although sometimes I end up being hated for it.”

Despite his long-time activism around school and social issues, Netiwit said that he had only been drawn to politics three years ago when the 2014 coup was staged. Before that, he thought politics was for “idiots”, and wanted no part in it.

“I was never interested in politics. I didn’t even follow the news. But after the coup, I saw that the self-proclaimed liberals in this country had some weaknesses. They didn’t get together and take solid action. They didn’t do their job in protecting democracy. So, I want to make a change here,” he said.

Netiwit said the coup-installed regime had been strengthened as people lost faith in democracy and elections. “So, I want to be one model among many other people who try to take an active role in politics. I want to bring back hope and encourage people to participate in politics. This is what will save democracy in the long run.”

So when junta leader Prayut mentioned him recently in his lecture about education, Netiwit said it was a good call.

“I see myself as some symbol. I want to better the democratic movement in this country. So when Prayut showed that he recognised me, I hope it got the liberal force to think about making an impact and influence.”

He explained that he was part of no group, but a man of his own. Netiwit wants those self-proclaimed liberals to reconsider why he was where he was and what they were doing.

“The movement has to be about hundreds or thousands of people. It should not be one or two people standing out from the crowd. This only means that the movement is weak,” he said.

Netiwit stressed that his interests always lay in everything but politics –from education, environment, to religion. But now it has to be his priority because democracy is what this country needs the most, he said.

“We need to respect one another. And yet, we don’t even have that,” he said, adding that if this continues we can forget everything else.

“We cannot have hope in school or that the country will be better. So it’s just impossible to not get involved in politics because it involves us; it undermines our rights today. I can’t just sit around studying. I have to take action.”

 

Source : nationmultimedia.com

“Euphrates Wrath” forces advance north of Raqqa

Raqqa (SyriaNews.media) Continuous clashes are still taking places between Syrian Democratic Forces, backed by US-led international coalition, and the Islamic State group, after the terrorist group’s attack on the countryside of Raqqa.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the forces from the operation codenamed “Euphrates Wrath” continue their assault, where they managed to advance toward the city.

These clashes are coincided with shelling by the SDF and bombing by the International Coalition’ warplanes on the Islamic State-held areas, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added.

Noteworthy, SDP, backed by the US-led coalition warplanes, imposed their control on al-Tabqa city and the Euphrates dam.

 

Source : Iraqi News

Contaminated chicken removed from UAE stores

Amira Agarib

Filed on May 13, 2017 | Last updated on May 13, 2017 at 11.26 pm

Residents can also get a refund for the chicken they have bought already

UAE’s Union Cooperative confirmed that it has taken preventive measures and removed contaminated Sadia Chicken from all branches after receiving information from concerned authorities that it is not good for consumption.

Suhail Albastaki, Director of Happiness and Marketing called on consumers who bought the chicken to go to their nearest Union Cooperative branch to refund their money .

Source : Khaleej Times

A man has died at the Alexander Maconochie Centre prison in Canberra

MAY 14 2017 – 7:51AM

A 29-year-old man died in Canberra’s prison, the Alexander Maconochie Centre, on Saturday evening.

Police are not revealing any information about the death or the circumstances surrounding it, other than that it happened about 8pm.

The Alexander Maconochie Centre. Photo: Rohan Thomson

“ACT Policing Criminal Investigations is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death and a report will be prepared for the ACT Coroner,” they said in a statement.

Corrections Minister Shane Rattenbury said the man’s next of kin had been notified, but his identity would not be revealed at this stage.

“On behalf of the ACT government, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the individual. I understand this will be a difficult time for them and I ask that you respect their privacy,” he said.

“Any death in custody is a tragedy and of deepest concern.

“I am advised that ACT Corrective Services staff were notified by a detainee who was concerned about the health of the detainee. I am further advised that no disturbances were reported around the time of the incident.”

More to come

 

Source : The Canberra Times

Crown prince launches food baskets for martyrs’ families campaign

JEDDAH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif said the martyrs’ sacrifices will always be appreciated, and a source of pride, for this nation, and the families of those martyred to serve the religion and the nation will constantly be at the center of care and concern for the leaders of the country.
Martyrs are the reason enemies of the nation are deterred from infringing on the country’s security, and “whatever we provide to their families will not be enough to reward them, as they deserve much more for their sacrifices,” the prince said.
His remarks came at the launch of the campaign that sees food baskets distributed in Jeddah to the families of those martyred in 2017.
This is the 10th consecutive year that charity campaigns take place in all regions of the Kingdom.
At the launch of the campaign, Prince Mohammad was briefed in detail about it by Interior Ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary for Military Affairs and campaign’s general supervisor Maj. Gen. Ibrahim bin Mohammad, who said that 68 articulated lorries will be used to distribute assistance to the families of 278 martyrs, in the form of 20 baskets for every martyr, which brings the total to 5,560 food baskets.
The food baskets contain foodstuff consumed during the holy month of Ramadan, he said, adding that they will be distributed to those who are entitled to them through 38 points, which later will reach 428 distribution points, in various cities and rural areas of the Kingdom.
The convoy of vehicles transporting the foodstuff will travel 8,221 kilometers for the purpose, he said.
The crown prince was also shown a documentary about the campaign and the plans for the distribution of food baskets, as well as the efforts of volunteers involved in the campaign.
Prince Mohammad also examined the contents of a food basket, prayed to God to reward the martyrs, and said that full distribution should be made at the beginning of Ramadan.

Source : Arab News

Japan may become 4.5 C hotter if no anti-global warming steps taken

Children enjoy themselves in a water fountain at a park in Tokyo last summer. Photo: Reuters

Tokyo

Japan’s annual average temperature would be 4.5 C higher at the end of this century than the close of the last if the world fails to tackle global warming, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Temperatures in Tokyo, whose current annual mean temperature is 15.4 C, would roughly equal those of Yakushima today, a Pacific island in Kagoshima Prefecture in Japan’s southwest whose annual mean temperature is 19.4 C, according to the simulation, which foresees temperatures on the country’s Pacific side rising 4.3 C on average.

The simulation was based on a scenario compiled by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which projects the world’s annual mean temperature to rise 3.7 C over the same period if no steps are taken to cut greenhouse gas emissions and increase absorption of emitted gases.

The number of days during which the mercury would reach at least 35 C is expected to increase by 20 or more over a wide swath of the country, including Tokyo, while Amami-Oshima Island, an island in Okinawa Prefecture southwest of Yakushima, will see around 54 more days like that a year.

In Sapporo, the capital of Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido, the number of ice days during which highs would remain below zero is expected to decrease from the current 45 days a year to seven.

Japan is also expected to see more than 50 millimeters of heavy rainfall per hour more than twice as frequently as at present.

“We want people to be alert to the large risk of global warming that could damage agriculture, forestry and fishery industries and increase flood disasters,” said an official of the weather agency.

The international climate accord set in Paris in 2015 aims to hold the global average temperature rise to “well below” 2 C above preindustrial levels. To that end, the Japanese government has set a target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.

© KYODO

Source : Japan Today

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ABP graduates 142 students

14 May 2017 – 0:10

H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani at the Academic Bridge Program’s Graduation Ceremony at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) on Thursday.

The Peninsula

In the presence of H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Foundation (QF), dedicated faculty and staff, proud parents and around 142 excited graduates celebrated the Academic Bridge Program’s sixteenth Graduation Ceremony on Thursday at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC).
The Class of 2017 brings the total number of ABP graduates to over 2700. More than 80% of the graduating Class of 2017 are Qatari and the remaining 20% come from 17 different nationalities. The number of girls at the ABP this year is 75% and boys are 25%.
Around 66% of this year’s graduating class has been accepted to one of more of Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) partner universities. Some graduates will also enroll at Qatar University or one of the other colleges or universities in ?Qatar. Around 30% of the class have been or will be admitted to a university in the UK, Canada, or the US. Several others will also enroll at universities in the Gulf. Overall, more than 80% of the 2017 graduates will eventually gain admission to a university; this has been the pattern for the past several years.
After the procession of faculty and students into the theater at QNCC, the Qatari National anthem was played followed by a recitation of the Holy Quran by reciter Abdulbari Mohammad. Dr Bryan Lewallen, Director of the Academic Bridge Program welcomed Her Excellency and gave his comments on the Class of 2017. This was followed by a welcome speech on behalf of the Class of 2017 by Sara Al-Hemaidi the class salutatorian.
Khemara Chhorn, the ABP student with outstanding academic performance, who came to study at the ABP from a village in Cambodia started her “Reflections on the 2016-2017 School Year” by expressing how honoured she was to be addressing everyone “at this special occasion.”
“They say audiences like to be taken on a new journey, so now let me take you on mine,” Chhorn began and then narrated her remarkable story. “I grew up in a village, far away from the capital city of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, the only city that all universities are located in, so university is not the place where everyone can go, but it is my dream place. Since I was young, I have had a dream of working in the government system, so that I could have a voice in making decisions, to help other children and citizens in my country. Unfortunately, going to university was not in my parents’ plans, since university fees are so expensive compared to the amount of money that my parents earn per year as farmers.”
Chhorn’s hardwork and persistence earned her a full scholarship to study in the University of Cambodia in 2015. She continues “… it was a lucky moment for me when Reach Out To Asia travelled to Cambodia with a volunteer group. I had already volunteered to translate for my peers because not everyone could speak English. I started learning about Qatar and I began to appreciate its culture. As a result, ROTA decided to provide me with a full scholarship to study in an Education City university, if I could complete the university entrance requirements here.
After a year at the ABP, Chhorn succeeded in getting accepted to Georgetown University – School of Foreign Service in Qatar.
Chhorn concluded her reflections by thanking H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, for encouraging and providing her with a full sponsorship to study in Qatar, as well as her father, ABP faculty and staff, her high school principle and teacher in Cambodia and her first Qatari friend, Al Anoud, for helping her in this journey.
Mohammad Al-Otbey, who graduated from the ABP in 2008, and who now works in Occidental Qatar gave the keynote speech.
Dr Mark Newmark the Assistant Director of the Academic Affairs and Moza Al-Boainin the Assistant Director of the Student Services recognized students on special achievements, after which Dr. Bryan Lewallen gave out the graduation certificates. This year’s Valedictorian was Qatari student, Maryam Al-Badr, who was the first in the class academically.

 

Source : thepeninsulaqatar.com

China to balance deleveraging, stable liquidity: central bank

(Xinhua)    11:30, May 13, 2017

China will take steps to balance deleveraging the economy and ensuring market liquidityremains basically stable, the central bank said Friday.

China will enhance coordination in financial regulation to manage the timing and pace ofregulations to stabilize market expectations, according to a quarterly monetary policyreport released by the People’s Bank of China (PBOC).

Jitters were felt across the stock and bond markets in the past few weeks as Chinatightened financial regulation to control risks.

A more flexible approach will be taken to liquidity for reasonable credit growth whileguarding against over fast credit expansion and rising leverage ratios, the report said.

China’s banks issued a combined 1.1 trillion yuan (about 160 billion U.S. dollars) in newyuan loans in April, increasing by 542 billion yuan year on year, PBOC data showedFriday.

The PBOC mulls placing more financial market practices under macro prudentialassessment for strict control of liquidity risks and maturity mismatch risks.

Changes of the PBOC’s balance sheet are subject to more factors than many central banksof developed economies, the PBOC pointed out.

The shrinkage of the balance sheet in the first quarter is mainly influenced by seasonal andfiscal factors while the balance sheet in April turned into expansion, the PBOC added.

 

Source : Xinhua