Japanese leader says he hopes Osaka expo will help reunite a divided world

Japanese leader says he hopes Osaka expo will help reunite a divided world
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​ This overview image shows the "Grand Ring", made of wood, lit up at dusk on the eve of the opening of the 2025 Osaka Expo in Osaka on April 12, 2025. (JIJI PRESS photo via AFP)
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Updated 13 April 2025
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Japanese leader says he hopes Osaka expo will help reunite a divided world

Japanese leader says he hopes Osaka expo will help reunite a divided world
  • Expo 2025 Osaka officially opened Sunday, with the theme of life, world and the future
  • It is Osaka’s second world expo after the 1970 event that scored a huge success and attracted 64 million visitors — a record until Shanghai in 2010

OSAKA, Japan: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, speaking at Saturday’s opening ceremony for the Osaka expo, expressed his hope that the event will help restore global unity in a world plagued by conflicts and trade wars.
“The world, having overcome the coronavirus pandemic, is now threatened by an array of divisions,” Ishiba said. “At a time like this, it is extremely meaningful that people from around the world gather here and discuss the theme of life and experience cutting-edge technology, diverse ideas and culture.”
Expo 2025 Osaka officially opened Sunday, with the theme of life, world and the future, and Japan hopes to bring unity and portray a future society.




Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba takes to the podium to deliver a speech at the official opening ceremony of the 2025 Osaka Expo in the city of Osaka on April 12, 2025, a day before the event opens to the public for six months. (AFP)

But the event’s celebrations have been somewhat dampened by US President Donald Trump’s recent tariff threats, which add to global tension and uncertainty, with Russia’s war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East dragging on.
Citing the expo’s iconic lattice-like wooden “Grand Ring,” which symbolizes unity and encircles the venue, Ishiba said: “I sincerely hope the world will unite again through interactions among countries and visitors in and outside of this ring.”
The costly ring, the world’s largest wooden architectural structure, is 20 meters (65 feet) high and has a 2-kilometer (1.2-mile) circumference.

During the six-month event on the reclaimed island and industrial waste burial site of Yumeshima, which means dream island, in the Osaka Bay, the city is hosting some 180 countries, regions and organizations showcasing their futuristic exhibits inside of about 80 pavilions of unique designs.




Visitors queue for the gates to open at 9 a.m. on the first day of the 2025 Osaka Expo in the city of Osaka on April 13, 2025. (AFP)

It is Osaka’s second world expo after the 1970 event that scored a huge success and attracted 64 million visitors — a record until Shanghai in 2010.
This time, Japan has faced dwindling public interest, and support and was hit by soaring construction costs due to the weaker yen. The cost nearly doubled from the initial estimate to 235 billion yen ($1.64 billion), about 14 percent of which went to the ring, triggering criticisms from many Japanese over the government’s use of their tax money.
The cost increase also caused construction delays for some countries. Several pavilions, including those of Nepal and India, were not quite ready Saturday. Conflicts also affected preparations for Ukraine and the Palestinians. Russia did not participate.




Signage that reads "not for sale" is seen above the Ukraine pavilion on the first day of the six-month 2025 Osaka Expo in the city of Osaka on April 13, 2025. (AFP)

Ticket sales have been slow. So far, 9 million advance tickets had been sold, far short of the organizers’ target of 14 million. Organizers hope to have more than 28 million visitors at the event that lasts through Oct. 13.

Emperor Naruhito, in his address at Saturday’s opening ceremony, recalled visiting the earlier expo as a fascinating experience for a then 10-year-old prince.
“I vividly remember how excited I was coming across the latest technology, playing with a wireless phone and looking at the moon rock,” brought back by the US Apollo 12 lunar mission, said the emperor, now 65.
Naruhito said he hoped the second Osaka expo would be as successful and expressed hope that children will learn more about people, regions and the world and think about future society by interacting with next-generation technologies and efforts for sustainable future.


PM Carney tells Trump Canada is ‘not for sale’

PM Carney tells Trump Canada is ‘not for sale’
Updated 12 sec ago
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PM Carney tells Trump Canada is ‘not for sale’

PM Carney tells Trump Canada is ‘not for sale’
  • Carney, speaking in front of reporters alongside Trump at the White House, said Canada was ‘not for sale, won’t be ever’

WASHINGTON: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday told his US counterpart Donald Trump that Canada was not for sale and would not become the 51st state of the United States.
Carney, speaking in front of reporters alongside Trump at the White House, said Canada was “not for sale, won’t be ever.”


Ukraine’s Zelensky says Russian artillery fire has not subsided

Ukraine’s Zelensky says Russian artillery fire has not subsided
Updated 06 May 2025
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Ukraine’s Zelensky says Russian artillery fire has not subsided

Ukraine’s Zelensky says Russian artillery fire has not subsided
“Therefore, there is no trust in words coming from Moscow,” Zelensky said

KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that, according to his top commander, Russian artillery fire had not subsided despite the Kremlin’s proclamation of an Easter ceasefire.
“As of now, according to the Commander-in-Chief reports, Russian assault operations continue on several frontline sectors, and Russian artillery fire has not subsided,” Zelensky wrote on the social media platform X.
“Therefore, there is no trust in words coming from Moscow.”
He recalled that Russia had last month rejected a US-proposed full 30-day ceasefire and said that if Moscow agreed to “truly engage in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly — mirroring Russia’s actions.”
“If a complete ceasefire truly takes hold, Ukraine proposes extending it beyond the Easter day of April 20,” Zelensky wrote.

Kyiv calls on foreign troops not to take part in Russia’s May 9 parade

Kyiv calls on foreign troops not to take part in Russia’s May 9 parade
Updated 06 May 2025
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Kyiv calls on foreign troops not to take part in Russia’s May 9 parade

Kyiv calls on foreign troops not to take part in Russia’s May 9 parade
  • “The Russian army has committed and continues to commit atrocities in Ukraine,” Kyiv’s foreign ministry said
  • “These people are not liberators of Europe, they are occupiers and war criminals“

KYIV: Ukraine warned Tuesday against any foreign troop participation in Russia’s May 9 parade to mark 80 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany, saying it would be “unacceptable” and seen as helping Moscow “whitewash its war crimes.”
A handful of countries have in recent years sent their militaries to take part in Russia’s traditional May 9 parade — a showpiece event that has become the country’s most important public holiday under President Vladimir Putin’s quarter-century in power.
“The Russian army has committed and continues to commit atrocities in Ukraine on a scale that Europe has not seen since World War II,” Kyiv’s foreign ministry said.
“It is this army that will march on Red Square in Moscow on May 9. These people are not liberators of Europe, they are occupiers and war criminals.”
Kyiv said marching with Russian soldiers would be considered as “sharing responsibility” for Moscow’s actions during its three-year Ukraine invasion.
“To march side by side with them is to share responsibility for the blood of murdered Ukrainian children, civilians and military, not to honor the victory over Nazism.”
Ukraine was one of the most devastated countries during World War II, with Kyiv saying it “touched every Ukrainian family.”
The foreign ministry also said that six million Ukrainians fought in the Red Army — with five million Ukrainian civilians killed and three million Ukrainian troops.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin attributed the victory over Nazism in Europe as a feat primarily achieved by the Russian nation.
Central Asian troops have often taken part in the Moscow parade.
The Kremlin has this year not ruled out that North Korean soldiers could take part for the first time, after Pyongyang’s troops helped Moscow oust Ukrainian soldiers from Russia’s Kursk region.


UN chief: India, Pakistan must ‘step back from the brink’

An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel inspects a vehicle near the India-Pakistan Wagah border post.
An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel inspects a vehicle near the India-Pakistan Wagah border post.
Updated 06 May 2025
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UN chief: India, Pakistan must ‘step back from the brink’

An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel inspects a vehicle near the India-Pakistan Wagah border post.
  • Countries should exercise ‘maximum restraint’ amid soaring tensions, says Antonio Guterres
  • UN Security Council holds closed-door session to discuss dispute

NEW YORK CITY: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on India and Pakistan to exercise “maximum restraint” amid soaring tensions between the two countries.

It follows last month’s terror attack in the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir.

Both countries administer parts of the territory but claim it in full.

The attack on April 22 killed at least 26 civilians and injured many more.

Guterres, speaking outside the Security Council at UN Headquarters in New York City on Monday, warned that tensions between India and Pakistan “are at their highest in years.”

He added: “I deeply respect and am profoundly grateful to the government and people of both countries — and their significant contributions to the work of the UN, not least UN peacekeeping.

“And so it pains me to see relations reaching a boiling point.”

The Indian government today will carry out a nationwide civil defense drill to simulate an attack on its territory.

Pakistan on Saturday test-fired a ballistic missile with a range of 450 km.

Guterres called on the two countries to “step back from the brink,” and warned that a “military solution is no solution.”

He said: “I understand the raw feelings following the awful terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. 

“I once again strongly condemn that attack and extend my condolences to the families of the victims.

“Targeting civilians is unacceptable — and those responsible must be brought to justice through credible and lawful means.

“It is also essential — especially at this critical hour — to avoid a military confrontation that could easily spin out of control.

“Now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink.

The UN Security Council met on Monday in a closed-door session to discuss the tensions.

Guterres pledged to support “any initiative that promotes de-escalation, diplomacy and a renewed commitment to peace.”


Macron to host Syrian leader’s first European visit

Macron to host Syrian leader’s first European visit
Updated 06 May 2025
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Macron to host Syrian leader’s first European visit

Macron to host Syrian leader’s first European visit
  • French President Emmanuel Macron will welcome Syrian leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa to Paris on Wednesday for his first visit to Europe

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron will welcome Syrian leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa to Paris on Wednesday for his first visit to Europe, despite growing doubts about Syria’s ruling Islamist coalition and protests from France’s far right.
Since the fall of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar Assad in December following fourteen years of devastating war, the international community has been pressing the new authorities, who have roots in the Al-Qaeda jihadist network, to respect personal freedoms, protect minorities and include all components of society in the country’s transition.
Many countries say they will monitor the new authorities’ conduct before fully lifting Assad-era sanctions.
“This meeting is part of France’s historic commitment to the Syrian people who aspire to peace and democracy,” the Elysee Palace said on Tuesday.
Macron will “reiterate France’s support for the construction of a new Syria, a free, stable, sovereign Syria that respects all components of Syrian society,” the presidency said.
Macron will also emphasize “his demands on the Syrian government, primarily the stabilization of the region, including Lebanon, and the fight against terrorism,” it said.
President Sharaa is still subject to a UN travel ban. France most likely had to request an exemption from the United Nations, as was the case for his recent trips to Turkiye and Saudi Arabia, according to a source familiar with the matter.
France, a former colonial ruler of Syria, is eyeing an opportunity to increase its influence in the country after years of Russian presence.
In February, France organized a conference in Paris on the reconstruction of Syria, in the hope of steering the fragile transition. Syria has been devastated by years of civil war, with over 90 percent of the population living below the poverty line.
Macron had first invited Syria’s new leader to visit France in February.
In March, he repeated the invitation but made it conditional on the formation of an inclusive Syrian government representing “all components of civil society,” describing his initial negotiations with the interim leaders as “positive.”
Syria’s new Islamist authorities have vowed inclusive rule in the multi-confessional, multi-ethnic country.
But sectarian clashes in March in which more than 1,700 people were killed, mostly from Assad’s Alawite minority, sparked widespread condemnation.
More recent clashes involving fighters from the Druze community, as well as reports of abuses from NGOs, have also raised doubts about the interim government’s ability to control extremists in its ranks.
Adding to pressure on the new Syrian government, Israel has also launched hundreds of strikes on the country since Assad’s overthrow, including one near the presidential palace in Damascus on Friday.
Israel has said its forces stand ready to protect the Druze minority and said the strike near the presidential palace was intended to send a “clear message” to Syria’s new rulers.
But the interim government described the strike as a “dangerous escalation,” while the United Nations urged Israel to halt its attacks on Syria “at once.”
The French far right criticized the upcoming talks.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen accused Macron of hosting talks with “a jihadist” who has been involved with the Daesh group and Al-Qaeda, adding such a meeting would be “provocative and irresponsible.”
“Shock and dismay,” Le Pen said on X.
“Once again, Emmanuel Macron is damaging France’s image and discrediting its commitment, particularly among its allies, in the fight against Islamism.”
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who met with the Syrian leader on a visit to Damascus in January, defended the talks.
“The safety of French people is at stake in Syria,” Barrot told broadcaster RTL, adding it was important to fight terrorism and drug trafficking in the conflict-riven country as well as control migration.
Not engaging the leaders of Syria and Lebanon would amount to “rolling out the red carpet for Daesh,” he said, referring to the Daesh terrorists.
French companies are meanwhile eyeing a role in Syria’s reconstruction.
Last week, French logistics giant CMA CGM signed a 30-year contract to develop and operate the port of Latakia, at an event attended by Sharaa.