Back to English Comments News - December 24, 2018 | 08:00 am GMT+7 It has been riveting year for Vietnam, with some tragic losses, major corruption trials, euphoric football victories and ignition of new hopes.Parliament makes historic presidential appointmentOn October 23, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was sworn in as the President of Vietnam, following the demise of President Tran Dai Quang, who died in office of illness a month earlier.Trong was unanimously nominated for the position by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam earlier that month. No other candidates were proposed for the job.With his ascension, Trong became the first Vietnamese leader to be the head of state and the Party since founding President Ho Chi Minh. While there would not be any major shift in Vietnam’s policies, Trong holding two offices would allow him to better cut through bureaucratic red tape and bolster his stance on fighting corruption, political experts … [Read more...] about 10 defining moments for Vietnam in 2018 – VnExpress International
Latest bill passed in parliament
Clashes injure 8 in strike-hit Greece
Violent clashes between youths and riot police in central Athens on Tuesday injured at least eight people as a nationwide strike against new austerity measures shut down the country. At least four protesters and four police officers were injured in clashes in front of the parliamentary building, where up to 500 people tossed rocks and petrol bombs at security forces and torched dustbins and tents of some sit-in protesters. Riot police responded with tear gas. The violence marred a string of walk-outs and marches staged in Athens and other cities across Greece against the latest austerity measures, including cutbacks on salaries and wages, tax increases and a 50-billion-euro (71.4-billion-U.S.-dollar) privatization package. Lawmakers are embarking on their second day of debate on austerity measures that must be passed in votes on Wednesday and Thursday if Greece is to receive another batch of bailout funds to see it beyond the middle of next month. If the votes don't pass, Greece could … [Read more...] about Clashes injure 8 in strike-hit Greece
Greek assembly passes in-principle austerity bill as Athens turns into battlefield
The Greek parliament approved on Wednesday evening a fresh austerity draft bill promoted by the government as essential to avert default, as violent protests gripped the heart of Athens, turning the city into a battlefield. A total of 154 members of the ruling PASOK party in the 300-member parliament voted for the draft bill, while 141 opposition lawmakers voted against. Five lawmakers were absent for Wednesday's vote. A second and final vote on particularly controversial articles is due on Thursday, when the ruling party's narrow parliament majority would be further contested. At least two "rebel" PASOK party lawmakers have so far threatened to vote against the bill. "There is no next day without the approval of the bill that paves the way to the negotiation of a viable solution to the Greek debt,"said Greek Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos. He made the statement addressing the parliament on Wednesday noon during a debate, pointing to a critical EU … [Read more...] about Greek assembly passes in-principle austerity bill as Athens turns into battlefield
Putin party lawmaker drafts bill on foreign-asset freeze
A member of Russia’s ruling party proposed a law that would allow the seizure of foreign states’ assets in the country after the U.S. and its allies targeted President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle including a childhood friend with asset freezes and travel bans. The draft seeks to benefit citizens or companies that had property outside Russia seized under an “unlawful” judgment from a foreign court, according to the State Duma’s website. The government would use budget funds to compensate the victim, and the courts would have the right to go after foreign states’ assets in Russia, including property under diplomatic immunity, according to the proposal. The EU and U.S. have targeted individuals, companies and the finance, energy and defense industries to punish Russia for the annexation of Crimea in March, while accusing Putin of supporting a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine. Italy froze about 28 million euros ($36 million) of properties … [Read more...] about Putin party lawmaker drafts bill on foreign-asset freeze
Denmark to vote on tough migrant law as Nordic refugee welcome wanes
The Danish parliament is set to pass measures on Tuesday to deter refugees from seeking asylum, including confiscating valuables to pay for their stay, despite protests from international human rights organizations. The measures, which also include delaying family reunification to three years, are the latest sign that the Nordic welcome for refugees is waning as large numbers flee war in Africa and Middle East in what is becoming Europe's biggest migrant crisis in decades. The "jewellery bill" is the latest attempt by Denmark's seven-month-old minority center-right government to curb immigration to a country that took in a record 20,000 refugees last year. Under the bill, refugees could keep possessions amounting to 10,000 Danish crowns ($1,450), raised from 3,000 crowns after criticism from human rights organizations. Valuables of special emotional value such as wedding rings will be exempt. The Liberals government has just 34 out of 179 seats in parliament and depends on support of … [Read more...] about Denmark to vote on tough migrant law as Nordic refugee welcome wanes