The United States branded strategic rivals China and Russia "forces of instability" on Friday, grouping them with Iran and North Korea as countries whose rights abuses amount to a global threat. The charge was made by acting secretary of state John Sullivan as he launched Washington's annual global human rights report, which this year is focused on destabilizing abuses by state actors. Human rights groups were quick to criticize the report, noting that it had been stripped of much of the reporting on women's and reproductive rights that it had contained in recent years. Instead, President Donald Trump's administration has refocused the report on government-led crackdowns on a narrower range of human rights recognized under U.S. and international law. And Sullivan, in a preface to the report, underlined the importance of rights reporting for US interests and security. "Some governments are unable to maintain security and meet the basic needs of their people, while others are simply … [Read more...] about US brands China and Russia ‘forces of instability’
Forces of change
Wind Of Change In The Air
Wind Of Change In The Air Reported by Tu Giang Nguyen Dinh Cung, vice director of the Central Institute for Economic ManagementVietnam’s policymakers have designed an economic restructuring plan aimed to tackle the current problems of the economy. In the following interview, Nguyen Dinh Cung, vice director of the Central Institute for Economic Management, who is the lead author of the blueprint, elaborated on his work. Q: What are the main goals of the economic restructuring? A: The main target is to redistribute resources in the entire economy to vie for an economic structure which achieves higher growth and is more competitive as well as more sustainable. In such a view, we have redefined the role of the State, the market and the corporate sector plus other stakeholders. It should be made clear that the State will only build institutions and policies so as to help the market work more efficiently, which will pave the way for economic restructuring. The State won’t … [Read more...] about Wind Of Change In The Air
Parliamentary elections: winds of change in Iran? Current Affairs
Tuesday, March 01, 2016 - 16:42:12 (VOVworld) – Preliminary results of the February 26 parliamentary elections in Iran were leaning in favor of reformist and moderate forces in both the parliament and the Assembly of Experts. Analysts are sensing winds of change in Iran. With 90% of the votes counted, radical and moderate candidates were winning all 30 seats in the Tehran constituency. Reformists have been increasing their presence in parliament since 2004 and this election could reshape Iran’s future. Future directions The election is being considered a vote of confidence for the reformist government of President Hassan Rouhani and a measure of Iranians’ satisfaction with the recent nuclear deal, social changes and the changing balance of power in Iran. It will also affect the future direction of Iran’s external relations, particularly with the US, the West, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. With decades-long economic and diplomatic sanctions on Iran lifted, … [Read more...] about Parliamentary elections: winds of change in Iran? Current Affairs
China looking to use force to change status quo in East Sea: Abe
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has expressed concern over China's possible use of force in the disputed East Sea. While Mr Abe said Japan will work with ASEAN to ensure that the rule of law be respected in settling territorial disputes, he also argued that such tensions highlight the need for Japan to expand the role of its Self Defense Force. China's military buildup is topmost on Mr Abe's mind when it comes to securing Japan. Speaking in Parliament about his plans to expand the role of the country's Self-Defense Force, Mr Abe highlighted that China has increased its military budget by almost four times in the last 10 years. Its budget for this year is US$132 billion. That's more than two-and-a-half times Japan's US$49 billion budget. Mr Abe is concerned this would increase the possibility of China using force in the disputed East Sea - something he warned China against. "China is looking to change the status quo in the East Sea through the use of force. We will … [Read more...] about China looking to use force to change status quo in East Sea: Abe
Discriminated, insulted, but Vietnam transsexuals see signs of change
For long living in limbo, the LGBT community is actively trying to influence parliament into discussing same-sex marriage at a session this week "I decided to live with my own gender identity and wanted everyone to recognize me as a woman. But many people are afraid or stay away from us when knowing that our biological gender is different to the appearance," the 28-year-old Ho Chi Minh City-based transsexual says. RELATED CONTENT Legislator says Vietnam should recognize same-sex marriagesVietnam's Next Top Model sends mixed messages to transsexualsVietnam sexual minorities await house session with bated breath She washed dishes at eateries for little money. "They would insult me when I applied for a job," she says. She says she was often told: "Pe de (pejorative for gays and transsexuals) like you are all thieves or something like that! How can you change brides' clothes when you are half of this and half of that?" After years of saving she managed to open a small … [Read more...] about Discriminated, insulted, but Vietnam transsexuals see signs of change