SAN FRANCISCO – Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg is helping form a group to lobby for US political reform in areas such as education and immigration policy, according to US media reports spreading online on Tuesday. The San Francisco Chronicle, Politico, and the Wall Street Journal were among outlets reporting that the 28-year-old co-founder of the world's leading social network was helping unite technology industry in a political action group. News reports cited unnamed sources and Facebook would not comment. The group, which had yet to be named, reportedly set a goal of raising about $50 million, with significant contributions already provided by Zuckerberg and other technology industry executives. Silicon Valley's long crusade to break open doors to America for foreigners with key technology skills hinges on a political battle in Washington over broader immigration reform. For more than a decade, the tech sector has been struggling to get more visas and green cards for … [Read more...] about Facebook chief Zuckerberg tackling politics: report
Politics
A politically neutral army is impossible
by Le Chi – Vong Duc Throughout human history and to this day no national army has been an independent social force, neither is it a branch of power. In all nations, the army is closely associated to the ruling political force. During peace or war, the function of the army is to defend the homeland - to defend the people and the social regime, the country's territorial integrity and unity. In order to fulfill that function, the army is put under the leadership of the ruling force with an objective to protect and defend the state and the ruling administration.For Viet Nam, the Communist Party of Viet Nam is not only the group who gave birth to the nation, but also the organisation that has trained and educated the army. The Party is also the source of revolutionary military policies that unite all the armed forces. The Party Politburo was the leader and co-ordinator of various fronts, including military, political and diplomatic work during the war for national salvation. It gave … [Read more...] about A politically neutral army is impossible
Communist Party delegation attends political workshop in Mexico
MEXICO CITY (VNS)— A delegation from the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) attended an international workshop called "Political Parties and a New Society" in Mexico City from March 14-16.Addressing the event, Deputy Head of the CPV Central Committee's Commission for External Relations Tran Dac Loi presented general lessons on Viet Nam's socialist-oriented national development. The Vietnamese head delegate stressed the country's awareness of the great challenges faced when building socialism in current conditions. On the sidelines of the workshop, the delegation had talks with a number of political parties in Mexico, Latin American countries and other nations.The 17th international workshop drew more than 1,000 delegates from 109 organisations in 38 countries. While in Mexico , the Vietnamese delegation paid tribute to the President Ho Chi Minh Statue in Mexico City, as well as visiting some historical and cultural relics. — VNS … [Read more...] about Communist Party delegation attends political workshop in Mexico
Nation to exert political will to reach growth targets
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has called for strong political will and feasible measures to achieve growth targets set for each sector this year.Addressing the monthly cabinet meeting in Ha Noi on Saturday, he emphasized the concerted effort needed to achieve the targeted 6.7 per cent growth set for this year.He mentioned targets for key sectors including agriculture, 3.05 per cent , with farm produce exports of US$33 billion), industry, 7.91 per cent, mining, manufacturing and engineering, electricity and construction, up 10.5 per cent; services, 7.19 per cent, with tourism revenues up more than 30 per cent, welcoming over 13 million foreigners.The PM also called for capital disbursement and equitisation of State-owned firms to be speeded up.He asked cabinet members to propose ways to remove business obstacles and oversee how State groups and corporations were complying with policies and directives issued by the Party Central Committee, National Assembly and Government.The Ministry … [Read more...] about Nation to exert political will to reach growth targets
‘Political, not military’ solutions needed in Mideast: Hagel
WASHINGTON – The problems that plague the Middle East, including Iran's nuclear ambitions and Syria's civil war, require "political, not military" solutions, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has said. The Pentagon chief on Thursday highlighted President Barack Obama's cautious stance on resorting to armed force in the volatile Mideast region. He said that regional challenges including "the nuclear challenge and dangerous instability in Syria, or the continuing threat of al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups" must be addressed through "coalitions of common interests," including Israel and other allies in the region. "A common thread woven into the Middle East fabric is that the most enduring and effective solutions to the challenges facing the region are political, not military," Hagel told an audience at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. "America's role in the Middle East is to continue to help influence and shape the course of events – using diplomatic, … [Read more...] about ‘Political, not military’ solutions needed in Mideast: Hagel
Second political consultation with Sri Lanka held
HA NOI (VNS)— Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Phuong Nga held the second political consultation with Kurunatilaka Amunugama, Secretary of Sri Lanka's Ministry of External Affairs, on Saturday. During the event, the two sides exchanged views on a series of international and regional issues of common concern while discussing measures to boost bilateral relations in politics, economics, trade, investment, agriculture, justice, culture and education. They agreed to speed up the implementation of signed cooperation agreements and continue creating favourable conditions for the two countries' enterprises to promote trade and investment. The two sides also agreed to continue close cooperation at international and regional forums such as the United Nations, Colombo Plan and the Asia Co-operation Dialogue Forum (ACD).At a meeting on the same day between the Viet Nam Union of Frendship Organisations (VUFO) and a delegation from the Sri Lanka's Ministry of Culture and the Arts and … [Read more...] about Second political consultation with Sri Lanka held
Senior Thai diplomat co-chairs political consultative meeting
HA NOI — Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow was in Viet Nam to co-chair the second political consultation meeting between the two foreign ministries. The Thai diplomat last Friday paid a courtesy visit to Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, who said he was pleased with the fine development in the two countries' bilateral co-operation in various fields, including politics-diplomacy, defence-security and trade-investment. Sihasak Phuangketkeow spoke highly of the effective implementation of bilateral co-operation mechanisms, including the meeting of the Viet Nam-Thailand Joint Committee on Trade Co-operation in Ha Noi in July and the Viet Nam-Thailand Joint Working Group on Political and Security Co-operation meeting in Hua Hin earlier this month. Exchanging views on international and regional issues, the two sides pledged to promote ASEAN's six-point principle on the East Sea and co-ordinate in accelerating discussions with … [Read more...] about Senior Thai diplomat co-chairs political consultative meeting
VN, US discuss politics, security, defence
HA NOI — Bilateral, regional and global issues were on agenda at the fifth annual Viet Nam-US Political, Security and Defence Dialogue in Ha Noi yesterday. The event was co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Le Luong Minh and US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro. The two sides affirmed their shared interest in elevating their partnership as discussed during the fourth dialogue in Washington in June last year and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the bilateral relationship. They agreed to promote the exchange of high-ranking delegations and boost bilateral co-operation in priority fields, such as trade, investment and economics, science and technology, education and training, and coping with climate change and rising sea levels. They addressed measures to strengthen co-operation in multiple areas, including non-proliferation, counterterrorism, law enforcement and information sharing, maritime security, humanitarian … [Read more...] about VN, US discuss politics, security, defence
Vietnamese political academy bolsters ties with Lao counterpart
Rua made the comment on June 1 while receiving an NAPPA delegation led by director Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune. He said the delegation's working visit is valued highly and contributedto raising the special relationship between the two countries to ahigher level. Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune affirmed that thetwo academies will tighten their co-operative activities in implementingtheir entrusted political tasks. He also informed Rua about the achievements made by the academy during the recent time.-VNA … [Read more...] about Vietnamese political academy bolsters ties with Lao counterpart
Myanmar to free all political prisoners by year end: president
LONDON – Myanmar President Thein Sein said on Monday that all political prisoners would be freed by the end of the year and that a ceasefire with ethnic groups was possible within weeks. The leader's comments, made during his first visit to London, appear to be latest stage in reforms that Thein Sein has made since he took office in 2011. "I guarantee to you that by the end of this year there will be no prisoners of conscience in Myanmar," Thein Sein told an audience at the Chatham House think-tank in London. He was also optimistic about ending decades of conflict that have raged between the government and more than a dozen ethnic groups since the country formerly known as Burma won independence from Britain in 1948. "Very possibly over the coming weeks we will have a nationwide ceasefire and the guns will go silent everywhere in Myanmar for the very first time in over 60 years," he said. "Difficult talks will follow and hard compromises will need to be made. But it must be … [Read more...] about Myanmar to free all political prisoners by year end: president