BEIJING: Beijing on Thursday (Oct 25) dismissed a New York Times report that alleged Chinese intelligence eavesdropped on Donald Trump's cellphone calls as "fake news" and joked the US president should switch to a Chinese phone. The New York Times cited anonymous officials who said China and Russia had listened in to President Donald Trump's frequent calls with friends and allies made over his iPhone. (Photo: AFP/NICHOLAS KAMM) The newspaper cited anonymous officials who said China and Russia had listened in to Trump's frequent phone calls with friends and allies made over his iPhone, using the information gleaned to shape interactions with the US. When asked about the report at a regular news briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said "certain people in the US are sparing no efforts to win the best screenplay award at the Oscars". Hua offered three recommendations to the US daily and the Trump administration. "First The New York Times should know if … [Read more...] about China blasts Trump phone hack report as ‘fake news’
News brief
World News in Brief: October 18
* Austria and Singapore Wednesday signed an agreement to boost the exchange of ideas and know-how in the fields of digitalization and information and communications technology, local media reported. * Russian president Vladimir Putin on October 17 signed the Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Strategic Cooperation between Russia and Egypt with visiting Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in the Black Sea coastal city Sochi. * President Donald Trump said on October 17 the United States has asked Turkey for any audio or video evidence it may have related to the disappearance of US-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi but was not sure whether any such evidence exists. * British Prime Minister Theresa May assured EU leaders in Brussels on October 17 that she can still reach a Brexit deal, avoiding a showdown over stalled talks as Brussels stepped up planning for a failure of negotiations. * China is ready to work with Belgium to strength cooperation and exchanges at all … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: October 18
PM shares good news on EVFTA with overseas Vietnamese in Belgium
At the last activity of his busy working day yesterday, PM Phuc said that his day was a great joy as he was warmly welcomed by the local leaders, in which they expressed their respect to the Vietnamese community in Belgium. Another good news is that the European Commission yesterday submitted for approval a free trade agreement with Vietnam – the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) – to the European Council, the first comprehensive open market deal between the EU and a developing Asian country. According to the PM, the agreement will positively boost Vietnam’s development. At the Vietnam EU-Belgium Business Forum early yesterday afternoon, the investment trend towards Vietnam was also boosted thanks to the EVFTA, he added. The PM also expressed his pleasure at the fact that most of the overseas students here are following their study in new sectors and high technologies. While giving a brief over the national socio-economic situation, PM Phuc also praised the … [Read more...] about PM shares good news on EVFTA with overseas Vietnamese in Belgium
BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF 17/10
Hanoi Gift Show 2018 to draw more than 250 exhibitors Local airlines increase aircraft fleet Data from the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) show that the number of aircraft registered in Vietnam amounted to 175 as of September, up 14% year-on-year. Cat Lai customs work with 58 shipping firms over waste imports Customs officials at HCMC's Cat Lai Port have worked with representatives of 58 shipping companies that have transported over 3,000 containers of scrap to the port to determine their responsibilities and brief them of the Prime Minister’s Directive 27 on solutions to enhance control over imported waste, Thanh Nien newspaper reported, citing Pham Thi Leo, deputy head of Saigon Port Area 1 Customs Office. Leo said the customs agency was cooperating with these shipping companies in line with the 2014 Customs Law and 2005 Maritime Law. Shipping companies were asked to carry ineligible scrap imports out of Vietnam. They must assume responsibility for the waste … [Read more...] about BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF 17/10
World News in Brief: October 16
* The first day of the peace talks between the Myanmar government, the army and the 10 nationwide ceasefire accord (NCA)-signatory ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) worked on ways to attain basic principles in future 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference. * China and Pakistan agreed on October 15 to build closer ties and facilitate the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). * The 14th Beijing-Tokyo Forum wrapped up Monday (October 15) in Tokyo, with experts, former officials and private sector representatives from China and Japan discussing key issues affecting bilateral relations in order to enhance ties. * Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met in The Hague on October 15 with Dutch King Willem-Alexander, urging the two countries to enhance cooperation in various areas and defend multilateralism and free trade. * The Republic of Korea 's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that it has been closely consulting with the United States on cooperation projects with the Democratic … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: October 16