Oil prices rise on OPEC output cuts, as U.S. sanctions biteThe Saigon Times Daily An oil pumpjack is seen in Velma, Oklahoma U.S. April 7, 2016 – PHOTO: REUTERS SINGAPORE (REUTERS) - Oil prices rose on Tuesday amid OPEC-led supply cuts and U.S. sanctions against Iran and Venezuela, although analysts expect surging U.S. production and concerns over economic growth to keep markets in check. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures were at US$52.78 per barrel at 03:29 GMT, up 37 cents, or 0.7%, from their last close. The ongoing closure of parts of the Keystone pipeline that brings Canadian oil into the United States also helped prop up WTI, traders said. International Brent crude futures were up 50 cents, or 0.8%, at US$62.01 per barrel. Analysts said markets are tightening amid voluntary production cuts led by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and because of U.S. sanctions on Venezuela and Iran. But some said supply-side risks … [Read more...] about Oil prices rise on OPEC output cuts, as U.S. sanctions bite
Keith banks u s trust
U.S. envoy raises prospect of U.S. compromise in North Korea talks
U.S. envoy raises prospect of U.S. compromise in North Korea talksThe Saigon Times Daily U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he prepares to sign an Executive Order during a meeting with manufacturers in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 31, 2019 – PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - Washington is willing to discuss “many actions” to improve ties and entice Pyongyang to give up nuclear weapons, the U.S. special envoy for North Korea said on Thursday, but set out an extensive list of demands for the North, including a full disclosure of its weapons program. In a speech at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, envoy Stephen Biegun did not elaborate on what concessions the United States might make, but said the “corresponding measures” demanded by North Korea would be the subject of talks next week. Biegun will arrive in Seoul on Sunday for meetings with South Korean officials, before holding talks with North … [Read more...] about U.S. envoy raises prospect of U.S. compromise in North Korea talks
‘Serious consequences,’ U.S. warns, after Venezuela moves on Guaido
'Serious consequences,' U.S. warns, after Venezuela moves on GuaidoThe Saigon Times Daily Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido gestures as he attends a session of the Venezuela's National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela January 29, 2019 – PHOTO: REUTERS CARACAS (REUTERS) - Venezuela’s government struck back at self-declared interim president Juan Guaido on Tuesday, seeking a travel ban and freeze on his bank accounts that prompted a warning from Washington of “consequences” after imposing oil sanctions. The sweeping U.S. sanctions on oil firm PDVSA, announced on Monday, means the state-run company may not be able to fulfill contracts with North American buyers, the government of President Nicolas Maduro said. Aimed at driving Maduro from power, the sanctions were the strongest measures yet against the 56-year-old former union leader, who has overseen economic collapse and an exodus of millions of Venezuelans in … [Read more...] about ‘Serious consequences,’ U.S. warns, after Venezuela moves on Guaido
U.S. charges China’s Huawei with bank fraud, stealing trade secrets
U.S. charges China's Huawei with bank fraud, stealing trade secretsThe Saigon Times Daily The Huawei logo is pictured outside their research facility in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, December 6, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - The United States on Monday charged China’s Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, its chief financial officer and two affiliates with bank and wire fraud to violate sanctions against Iran in a case that has escalated tensions with Beijing. In a 13-count indictment filed in New York, the Justice Department said Huawei misled a global bank and U.S. authorities about its relationship with the subsidiaries, Skycom Tech and Huawei Device USA Inc, in order to conduct business in Iran. In a separate case, the Justice Department also accused two Huawei subsidiaries of 10 counts of stealing trade secrets, wire fraud and obstructing justice for allegedly stealing robotic technology from carrier T-Mobile US Inc to test smartphones’ durability. Those … [Read more...] about U.S. charges China’s Huawei with bank fraud, stealing trade secrets
U.S. can’t be trusted, Iran’s Rouhani tells North Korea
U.S. can't be trusted, Iran's Rouhani tells North KoreaThe Saigon Times Daily Iranian President Hassan Rouhani delivers a statement after a two day visit in Bern, Switzerland, July 3, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS SEOUL/BEIRUT (REUTERS) - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told North Korea's foreign minister that the United States cannot be trusted, Tehran's state media said, as the United States seeks a deal to rein in the North's nuclear and missile programs. Iran dismissed a last-minute offer from Washington for talks this week, saying it could not negotiate after the Trump administration reneged on a 2015 deal to lift sanctions in return for curbs on Iran's own nuclear program. North Korea's top diplomat, Ri Yong Ho, visited Iran as the United States reintroduced sanctions against the Islamic Republic. "The U.S. administration performance in these years has led the country to be considered untrustworthy and unreliable around the world which does not meet any of its … [Read more...] about U.S. can’t be trusted, Iran’s Rouhani tells North Korea
Trump says firms doing business in Iran to be barred from U.S. as sanctions hit
Trump says firms doing business in Iran to be barred from U.S. as sanctions hitThe Saigon Times Daily U.S. President Donald Trump holds a Make America Great Again rally in Olentangy Orange High School in Lewis Center, OH, U.S., August 4, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS BEIRUT/LONDON (REUTERS) - Companies doing business with Iran will be barred from the United States, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, as new U.S. sanctions took effect despite pleas from Washington’s allies. Iran dismissed a last-minute offer from the Trump administration for talks, saying it could not negotiate while Washington had reneged on a 2015 deal to lift sanctions in return for curbs on Iran’s nuclear program. Trump decided this year to pull out of the agreement, ignoring pleas from the other world powers that had co-sponsored the deal, including Washington’s main European allies Britain, France and Germany, as well as Russia and China. European countries, hoping to persuade Tehran … [Read more...] about Trump says firms doing business in Iran to be barred from U.S. as sanctions hit
U.S. prosecutors tell jury ex-Trump campaign chief Manafort hid wealth
U.S. prosecutors tell jury ex-Trump campaign chief Manafort hid wealthThe Saigon Times Daily Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort is shown in a court room sketch, as he sits in federal court on the opening day of his trial on bank and tax fraud charges stemming from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, in Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. July 31, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS ALEXANDRIA (REUTERS) - U.S. prosecutors on Tuesday portrayed President Donald Trump’s onetime campaign chairman Paul Manafort as someone who hid his wealth from political work in Ukraine, as the first trial began arising from an investigation of Russia’s interference in the 2016 U.S. election. Manafort felt tax and banking laws did not apply to him, a prosecutor said in the government’s opening statement, telling the Virginia federal court jury he opened more than 30 bank accounts in three foreign countries to … [Read more...] about U.S. prosecutors tell jury ex-Trump campaign chief Manafort hid wealth
U.S. Treasury chief Mnuchin slams report that Trump wants to exit WTO
U.S. Treasury chief Mnuchin slams report that Trump wants to exit WTOThe Saigon Times Daily U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin in Washington, U.S., May 21, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Friday a report by the Axios news website, that cited sources as saying President Donald Trump wanted the United States to withdraw from the World Trade Organization, was wrong. “There’s no breaking news here... it’s not right,” Mnuchin told Fox Business Network, calling the report “fake news.” Axios reported earlier on Friday, citing people who were involved in discussions with the president, that Trump frequently told advisers he wanted the United States to quit the WTO, a move with potentially disastrous implications for global commerce. “This is an exaggeration,” Mnuchin said. “The president has been clear, with us and with others, he has concerns about the WTO, he … [Read more...] about U.S. Treasury chief Mnuchin slams report that Trump wants to exit WTO
Talks end with China warning trade benefits at risk if U.S. imposes tariffs
Talks end with China warning trade benefits at risk if U.S. imposes tariffs U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross (C,L), chats with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, center, during a group photograph session after their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China Sunday, Jun 3, 2018 - PHOTO: REUTERS BEIJING (REUTERS) - China warned the United States on Sunday that any agreements reached on trade and business between the two countries will be void if Washington implements tariffs and other trade measures, as the two ended their latest round of talks in Beijing. A short statement, carried by the official Xinhua news agency, made no mention of any specific new agreements after U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross met Chinese Vice Premier Liu He. It referred instead to a consensus they reached last month in Washington, when China agreed to significantly increase its purchases of U.S. goods and services. "To implement the consensus reached in Washington, the two sides have … [Read more...] about Talks end with China warning trade benefits at risk if U.S. imposes tariffs
VN looks to deepen ties with U.S.
VN looks to deepen ties with U.S.Tu Hoang By Tu Hoang - The Saigon Times Daily HANOI - Leaders of Vietnam reiterated the nation’s strong willingness to strengthen comprehensive partnership with the United States at their separate talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Hanoi last Friday. The meetings took place during Kerry’s second visit to Vietnam in his capacity as U.S. Secretary of State to attend an event entitled “Advancing Prosperity: Twenty Years of U.S.-Vietnam Development Cooperation.” The event highlighted the key achievements the two nations have made since the normalization of the diplomatic relations in 1995 and outline the agenda for future cooperation. Speaking at his meeting with Kerry, Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong emphasized the need for the two countries to maintain regular high-level exchanges and contacts for further mutual understanding and stronger bilateral comprehensive partnership. Trong shared the … [Read more...] about VN looks to deepen ties with U.S.