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 aid to foreign countries
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
US visits to Cuba plunge following Trump measures
A steep drop in U.S. travelers to Cuba after a tightening of travel restrictions by President Donald Trump helped drive a 7 percent slide in foreign visitors to the Caribbean island in the first three months of 2018, Cuban official data showed on Tuesday. The U.S. restrictions and warning on travel to the island were to blame for the lower number of U.S. arrivals from the same period a year ago, the Cuban Tourism Ministry's commercial director, Michel Bernal, told a news conference in Havana. Another issue affecting Cuba's tourism sector is unjustified worries about the devastation wrought by Hurricane Irma last September, he said, given that the country had long since fixed its tourist installations. "The total of U.S. clients is only 56.6 percent of what it was in 2017," Bernal said. The state-run Cuban News Agency published the percentage decline in overall foreign visits separately, citing tourism authorities. The number of Americans traveling to Cuba surged after former U.S. … [Read more...] about US visits to Cuba plunge following Trump measures
South Korea commits $20 mln to landmine clearance in Vietnam
By Dat Nguyen  April 10, 2018 | 04:50 pm GMT+7 A mortar dropped by the U.S. during the Vietnam War remains unexploded in central Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Xavier Bourgois The project is one of the largest of its kind aimed at dealing with unexploded ordnance. South Korea will provide $20 million in aid to support the removal of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Vietnam under a project launched on Monday. The Korea-Vietnam Mine Action Project aims to identify contaminated areas and remove landmines and UXOs in the central provinces of Binh Dinh and Quang Binh. Official data showed 40 percent of the land in Binh Dinh is contaminated with explosives left from wartime and nearly 28 percent of Quang Binh's area is affected. Money will also be spent on supporting victims and raising people’s awareness of the risks of mines, officials said at the meeting in Quang Binh. The Korea-Vietnam Mine Action Project, a collaboration between the Korea … [Read more...] about South Korea commits $20 mln to landmine clearance in Vietnam
President Moon Jae-in wants to lift RoK-VN partnership to next level
The Republic of Korea's President Moon Jae-in and his spouse (Source: Embassy of the Republic of Korea) Hanoi (VNA) – President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea (RoK) has said he intends to further deepen friendship and trust with the Vietnamese leadership to lift the strategic cooperative partnership between the RoK and Vietnam to a new height during his upcoming State visit to Vietnam. The President revealed his intention in a written interview granted to Vietnam News Agency before he, together with his spouse, is making a State visit to Vietnam from March 22-24 at the invitation of President Tran Dai Quang. The interview dealt with a wide range of issues, including the relations of the two countries and measures to bolster it and matters relating to peace on the Korean peninsula. The following is the full text of the interview: - Mr. President, what is the significance of your state visit to Vietnam this time? RoK President Moon Jae-in: I am very pleased … [Read more...] about President Moon Jae-in wants to lift RoK-VN partnership to next level
Kien Giang to develop sustainable industrial sector
Kien Giang Province is drawing up plans to improve its industrial sector. – Photo thanhnien.vn Kien Giang Province plans to improve the industrial sector by 2030 by making it more sustainable, efficient and environmentally friendly. The province said it would try to integrate more into the country’s industrial production network, as well as focus more on production and export of cement, textiles, garments and leather. Kien Giang also wants to attract more foreign investors and provide financial aid to hi-tech businesses that could contribute to industrial reform. In addition to improving infrastructure, the province will develop its industrial clusters and zones, and small craft villages, as well as conduct research on more environmentally friendly technologies. Smaller regions within the province will focus more on their strengths. For example, Long Xuyen Quadrilateral region will focus on mineral harvesting, construction materials, and agricultural product exports; Tay … [Read more...] about Kien Giang to develop sustainable industrial sector
‘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
Vietnam Airlines concerned about losses from first direct flights to US
Lack of passengers is likely to be one of the biggest challenges facing Vietnam Airlines if it opens direct flights to the U.S., according to the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV). Up to 90 percent of passengers flying between Vietnam and the United States are tourists and Vietnamese students, said the CAAV, explaining that they are not a stable source of passengers for the airline. The number of Vietnamese students in the U.S. increased for the 16th year in a row to more than 22,400 in the 2016-2017 academic year, a 5 percent increase from the previous year, new data shows. Vietnam remained the sixth leading economy of origin for all international students in the U.S, according to the annual Open Doors report by the U.S.-based Institute of International Education, which focuses on international student exchange and aid, foreign affairs and international peace and security. Another reason non-stop flights to the U.S may be unprofitable is that students and tourists … [Read more...] about Vietnam Airlines concerned about losses from first direct flights to US
Philippines to protest to China over apparent airbase on manmade island in the East Sea
The Philippines will make a diplomatic protest to China, which the Southeast Asian nation's defense minister described as having reneged on a promise not to militarize artificial islands in the busy East Sea waterway (known internationally as the South China Sea). The United States has criticized China's build-up of military facilities on the artificial islands and is concerned they could be used to restrict free movement along the key trade route. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana's comment followed a Dec. 30 broadcast of aerial footage by the official China Central Television (CCTV) showing Fiery Cross Reef, which appeared to have been transformed into an airbase. "The Chinese government said some time ago that they were not going to militarize those reclaimed islands," Lorenzana told reporters, adding that the protest would be made through the foreign ministry. "If it is true and we can prove that they have been putting soldiers and even weapons systems, that will be a … [Read more...] about Philippines to protest to China over apparent airbase on manmade island in the East Sea
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