U.S. blocks North Korean air traffic revival ahead of Trump-Kim summit - sourcesThe Saigon Times Daily People carry flags in front of statues of North Korea founder Kim Il Sung (L) and late leader Kim Jong Il during a military parade marking the 70th anniversary of North Korea's foundation in Pyongyang, North Korea, September 9, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS MONTREAL/SEOUL (REUTERS) - The United States has blocked efforts by a U.N. agency to improve civil aviation in North Korea at a time when Pyongyang is trying to reopen part of its airspace to foreign flights, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The U.S. move is part of a negotiating tactic to maintain sanctions pressure on North Korea, one of the sources said, ahead of a second summit between President Donald Trump and leader Kim Jong Un in Vietnam in late February. Washington is seeking concrete commitments from Pyongyang at the summit to abandon its nuclear and missile programmes. The United … [Read more...] about U.S. blocks North Korean air traffic revival ahead of Trump-Kim summit
U s aid to foreign countries
U.S. raises pressure on Maduro via sanctions, aid airlift
U.S. raises pressure on Maduro via sanctions, aid airlift The Saigon Times Daily An opposition supporter holds a sign that reads "Out" as she gathers to rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government at the Colombian-Venezuelan border over the Simon Bolivar international bridge, on the outskirts of Cucuta, Colombia February 15, 2019 – PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON/MUNICH (REUTERS) - The United States ratcheted up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday by sanctioning some of his top security officials and the head of the state oil company, and unveiling plans to airlift over 200 tons of aid to the Colombian border. The U.S. Treasury said it sanctioned PDVSA chief Manuel Quevedo, three top intelligence officials and Rafael Bastardo, who U.S. officials say is the head of a national police unit responsible for dozens of extrajudicial killings carried out in nighttime raids on Maduro’s behalf. Separately, the U.S. State Department said on … [Read more...] about U.S. raises pressure on Maduro via sanctions, aid airlift
U.S.-Canada trade talks grind on, but ‘final’ issues unresolved
U.S.-Canada trade talks grind on, but 'final' issues unresolvedThe Saigon Times Daily A commercial truck exits the highway for the Bridge to Canada, in Detroit, Michigan U.S. August 30, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - U.S. and Canadian negotiators pushed ahead in grinding talks to rescue the North American Free Trade Agreement on Thursday, but a few stubborn issues stood in the way of a deal, including dairy, protection for media companies, and how to solve future trade disputes. A U.S. source familiar with the discussions in Washington said it was still unclear whether the two sides could bridge their gaps or whether U.S. President Donald Trump will opt for a Mexico-only bilateral trade deal. “We’re down to three issues: Chapter 19, the cultural issues and dairy. We’ve created leverage and driven Canada to the table,” the source said. “Part of our problem is that Canada has been backsliding on its commitments (on dairy). Trump … [Read more...] about U.S.-Canada trade talks grind on, but ‘final’ issues unresolved
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. touts EU trade truce, attention now turns to China
U.S. touts EU trade truce, attention now turns to ChinaThe Saigon Times Daily A container truck moves past containers at the Yangshan Deep Water Port in Shanghai, China April 24, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - The United States signaled on Thursday it is set to push ahead on trade talks with Canada and Mexico after agreeing to suspend hostilities over tariffs with Europe in a fragile deal that may clear the way for renewed pressure on China. A surprise deal struck on Wednesday will see Washington suspend the imposition of any new tariffs on the European Union, including a proposed 25% levy on auto imports, and hold talks over tariffs on imports of European steel and aluminum. The deal boosted share markets initially, and U.S. industrial shares were stronger on Thursday as fears of a trade war with Europe ebbed. Both sides claimed victory in the deal, reached by Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Washington. In return for the … [Read more...] about U.S. touts EU trade truce, attention now turns to China
U.S. quits U.N. human rights body, citing bias vs Israel, alarming critics
U.S. quits U.N. human rights body, citing bias vs Israel, alarming criticsThe Saigon Times Daily U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley delivers remarks to the press together with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, announcing the U.S.'s withdrawal from the U.N's Human Rights Council at the Department of State in Washington, U.S., June 19, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON/UNITED NATIONS (REUTERS) - The United States withdrew from a “hypocritical and self-serving” United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday over what it called chronic bias against Israel and a lack of reform, a move activists warned would make advancing human rights globally even more difficult. Standing with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the State Department, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley slammed Russia, China, Cuba and Egypt for thwarting U.S. efforts to reform the council. She also criticized countries which shared U.S. values and encouraged … [Read more...] about U.S. quits U.N. human rights body, citing bias vs Israel, alarming critics
N.Korean, U.S. officials meet to narrow differences on eve of Trump-Kim summit
N.Korean, U.S. officials meet to narrow differences on eve of Trump-Kim summit People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on the upcoming summit between the U.S. and North Korea, in Seoul, South Korea, June 11, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS SINGAPORE (REUTERS) - U.S. and North Korean officials were in talks in Singapore on Monday, June 11 in a late bid to narrow differences before their leaders hold an unprecedented summit meeting aimed at finding ways to end a nuclear stand-off on the Korean peninsula. North Korea's Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in the tropical city-state on Sunday for the historic meeting, which will be the first time leaders of the two countries have come face-to-face. Key gaps remain over what denuclearization would entail for two countries that have been enemies since the 1950-1953 Korean War, and the officials were trying to push the agenda forward before the leaders meet on Tuesday. Commenting for the first time on the agenda, … [Read more...] about N.Korean, U.S. officials meet to narrow differences on eve of Trump-Kim summit
U.S. lawmakers press Facebook over Chinese data sharing
U.S. lawmakers press Facebook over Chinese data sharing Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg listens while testifying before a joint Senate Judiciary and Commerce Committees hearing regarding the company’s use and protection of user data, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., April 10, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON/SAN FRANCISCO (REUTERS) - Facebook Inc faced criticism on Wednesday from Republican and Democratic U.S. lawmakers who demanded that the social media company be more forthcoming about data it has shared with four Chinese firms. The bipartisan criticism reflected rising frustration in Congress about how Facebook protects the privacy of the more than two billion people who use its services worldwide. The leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee accused Facebook Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg of failing to disclose the company's agreements with the Chinese firms when he appeared before them in April and testified about … [Read more...] about U.S. lawmakers press Facebook over Chinese data sharing
‘Significant’ consequences if China takes key port in Djibouti: U.S. general
WASHINGTON -- The top U.S. general for Africa told lawmakers on Tuesday that the military could face “significant” consequences should China take a key port in Djibouti, as Beijing becomes increasingly muscular in Africa in an effort to expand its influence. Last month, Djibouti ended its contract with Dubai’s DP World, one of the world’s biggest port operators, to run the Doraleh Container Terminal, citing failure to resolve a dispute that began in 2012. DP World called the move an illegal seizure of the terminal and said it had begun new arbitration proceedings before the London Court of International Arbitration. During a U.S. congressional hearing on Tuesday, which was dominated by concerns about China’s role in Africa, lawmakers said they had seen reports that Djibouti seized control of the port to give it to China as a gift. China has already built a military base in Djibouti, just miles from a critical U.S. military base. “If this was an … [Read more...] about ‘Significant’ consequences if China takes key port in Djibouti: U.S. general
U.S. moves toward expelling 200,000 Salvadorans
Some 200,000 Salvadoran immigrants allowed to live and work in the United States since 2001 will lose their right to remain in the country in 2019, officials said on Monday, marking the Trump administration's latest move to tighten immigration enforcement. The United States will end the Salvadorans' temporary protected status (TPS) on Sept. 9, 2019, giving them 18 months to leave or seek lawful residency, and for El Salvador to prepare for their return, administration officials said. The status was granted in the wake of two devastating 2001 earthquakes in El Salvador that left hundreds of thousands in the country homeless. The decision to end TPS for Salvadorans is part of the administration's broader push to tighten immigration laws and expel those living in the United States illegally. The move was heavily criticized by immigrant advocates who said it ignored violence in El Salvador and gave the Salvadorans few options but to leave the United States or remain illegally. The Trump … [Read more...] about U.S. moves toward expelling 200,000 Salvadorans