The Lao general addressing the event. Photo: vov.vn Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, Senior Lieutenant General Vilay Lakhamphong, Deputy Defense Minister and Director of the General Department of Politics of the Lao People’s Army, expressed his thanks for the Vietnamese Party, State and Ministry of National Defense. According to him, the construction of this school is essential to develop the LPA into a politically-strong military, and enhance its capacity in training political officials, thus helping the LPA fulfill the mission assigned by the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, Lao State and people. Investment for the first phase of the project is over USD 6 million (VND 137 billion). Source: VNA … [Read more...] about Vietnam helps LPA build political theory school
Politics
Vietnam helps Lao army build political theory school
Vietnam started the construction of a political theory school for the Lao People’s Army (LPA) in Xaysettha district of Vientiane, on January 19. Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, Vilay Lakhamphong, Deputy Defence Minister and Director of the General Department of Politics of the Lao People’s Army, expressed his thank for the Vietnamese Party, State and Defence Ministry. According to him, the construction of this school is essential to develop the LPA into a politically-strong army, and enhance its capacity in training political officials, thus helping the LPA fulfill the mission assigned by the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, Lao State and people. Investment for the first phase of the project is over USD6 million (VND137 billion) … [Read more...] about Vietnam helps Lao army build political theory school
U.S. government shuts down amid polarised political fights
After the immigration reform and budget talks fell apart, the Senate on Friday failed to pass a stopgap spending bill that would fund the government through February 16. The bill was already approved by the House of Representatives on January 18. The move forces the government to shut down as from January 20 as current spending measures expired on Friday midnight. The shutdown begins on the first anniversary of Donald Trump's inauguration as president, a political blow to the Republican president. In September last year, the Trump administration terminated the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which prevents the deportation of young immigrants, known as “Dreamers” brought to the United States as children. At the same time, Trump was asking Congress to come up with a legislative replacement until March 5. White House and congressional lawmakers have begun immigration reform and two-year budget deal talks since December last year. However, little progress … [Read more...] about U.S. government shuts down amid polarised political fights
APPF-26 plenary session discusses political, security matters
NDO/VNA – Political and security issues were tabled during the first plenary session of the 26th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-26) in Hanoi on January 19, where delegates from the member states shared views and proposed measures and initiatives to foster a greater role for the APPF in these spheres. * Women parliamentarians discuss measures to promote gender equalityThe meeting takes place at a time when the world is witnessing rapid, complex, and unpredictable changes, which can impact peace and stability in many regions, said Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tong Thi Phong in her opening remarks.For this reason, the first plenary session should focus its discussions on the role of parliamentary diplomacy in addressing challenges to peace, security and prosperity in the region and across the globe, and on combating international terrorism and trans-boundary crime, said NA Vice Chairwoman Phong, who is also chair of the … [Read more...] about APPF-26 plenary session discusses political, security matters
Political Education and Information work for the whole military in 2018 deployed
Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Trong Nghia speaking at the event At the conference, delegates reviewed the political and ideological education for the whole military units last year. Of note is the fact that the units embraced higher levels’ resolutions and instructions as well as comprehensively implemented the emulation drives such as the movements of “Learning and following President Ho Chi Minh’s moral examples” and “Promoting the movement of learning and following President Ho Chi Minh's thought, morals and style, deserving to be Uncle Ho's soldiers.” Additionally, the information dissemination for troops effectively strengthened the fight against the “Peaceful evolution” strategy of hostile forces, and wrongful viewpoints on the ideological front while accelerating defense external affairs. The participants, however, also pointed out shortcomings of the political education and information work at the event. Addressing the … [Read more...] about Political Education and Information work for the whole military in 2018 deployed
Malaysia says it won’t let politics derail Singapore train projects
Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak (2nd L), his wife Rosmah Mansor (L), his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong (2nd R)and Lee (R) attend the official opening of Marina One and DUO at the two mixed development projects developed by M+S Pte Ltd, a joint venture between Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited and Khazanah Nasional Berhad in Singapore on January 15, 2018. Najib is in Singapore to attend the 8th Singapore-Malaysia leaders retreat. Photo by AFP/Roslan Rahman Singapore and Malaysia vowed on Tuesday to push ahead with two ambitious rail projects linking the two countries as Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak played down political uncertainty ahead of a general election to be held this year. Najib and his Singapore counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong, were on hand as the two countries signed an agreement to build a Rapid Transit System across Singapore's northern edge, with a goal of completion by 2024. Thousands of Malaysians travel back and forth to tiny but rich … [Read more...] about Malaysia says it won’t let politics derail Singapore train projects
Vietnamese consumers more optimistic about politics in 2018: Financial Times
Vietnam's strong economic perfomance in 2017, combined with a sweeping anti-corruption movement, has led to an upbeat consumer outlook, according to a Financial Times survey. The organization's Asean Political Sentiment Index tracked the six-month political outlook of 5,000 respondents across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The index in Vietnam improved slightly to 60, the highest since mid-2016. A reading of 50 indicates no change in sentiment, while a score of over 50 signals an improvement. Strong economic results throughout 2017 have helped stem criticism of the government’s management of the economy, while a high-profile anti-corruption drive remains “popular”, the Financial Times said on Monday. Vietnam’s economy expanded 6.8 percent in 2017, the strongest growth recorded in a decade. The country also posted its strongest export growth in the past five years, with revenue expanding by 21 percent against 2016 to $213.7 billion, … [Read more...] about Vietnamese consumers more optimistic about politics in 2018: Financial Times
Former Thai PM Yingluck waits for political asylum approval in UK
Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. (Photo: @zenjournalist Twitter/VNA)Bangkok (VNA) – Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra isstill waiting for political asylum status to be granted by the UK, a sourcefrom Pheu Thai Party said on January 7.The source confirmed that Yingluck had filed the request for political asylumin the UK after the Supreme Court released its verdict in November 2017 affirmingher guilty in the rice-pledging scheme-related case.If her application is approved, she would be granted a passport or traveldocument valid from that date on.ThanakitWorathanachakul, a senior prosecutor at the Office of the Attorney-General,said Yingluck may have applied for political asylum in the UK. His statementwas made following a series of photos which appeared on the Thai media showingthat the former PM was in Westfield Shopping Centre in London.The Thai police contacted with UK authorities via Interpol to define whereYingluck is residing.Yingluck was … [Read more...] about Former Thai PM Yingluck waits for political asylum approval in UK
Merkel, Schulz vow ‘new politics’ for Germany in bid to form government
The week of meetings between Merkel's conservative alliance and the Social Democrats (SPD) will examine whether the two sides have enough common ground to begin formal coalition negotiations towards a new government by March or April.Merkel voiced optimism about going forward with the SPD as she went into the talks at the centre-left party's headquarters, saying "I think that it can be done"."We will work very swiftly and very intensively," the veteran leader added.Speaking on behalf of Merkel's CDU, her Bavarian allies CSU as well as the SPD after the first day of talks, the centre-left SPD's Lars Klingbeil said: "The three party leaders made it clear in their opening statements that given the election results, we can't just go on as before.""The global political situation, the situation in Europe, the composition of the German Bundestag, all that show that we find ourselves in a new era. And this new era needs new politics," he said, adding that "a new political style" was also … [Read more...] about Merkel, Schulz vow ‘new politics’ for Germany in bid to form government
Merkel, Schulz vow ‘new politics’ for Germany in bid to form govt
Chancellor Angela Merkel and Social Democrat chief Martin Schulz on Sunday vowed a new style of politics for Germany, as they opened talks on renewing their coalition to shake Europe's biggest economy out of political paralysis after September's inconclusive elections. The week of meetings between Merkel's conservative alliance and the Social Democrats (SPD) will examine whether the two sides have enough common ground to begin formal coalition negotiations towards a new government by March or April. Merkel voiced optimism about going forward with the SPD as she went into the talks at the center-left party's headquarters, saying "I think that it can be done". "We will work very swiftly and very intensively," the veteran leader added. Speaking on behalf of Merkel's CDU, her Bavarian allies CSU as well as the SPD after the first day of talks, the center-left SPD's Lars Klingbeil said: "The three party leaders made it clear in their opening statements that given the election results, we … [Read more...] about Merkel, Schulz vow ‘new politics’ for Germany in bid to form govt