Most markets rose Monday ahead of US debt talks between President Joe Biden and congressional leaders, with both sides still apart but also confident a deal can be reached to avert a catastrophic default. Sentiment was also being supported by hopes the Federal Reserve will stand pat on interest rates at its next gathering, and Biden saying China-US relations should see a thaw "very shortly". After returning from the G7 summit in Japan, Biden will meet Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy at the White House, with a warning that the government could run out of cash as soon as June 1. But while there is a broad expectation that an agreement will be found, Biden insisted he would not give in to demands for spending cuts, saying they were "frankly unacceptable". "It's time for the other side to move from their extreme positions," he said. For his part, McCarthy said his position remained unchanged, tweeting: "Washington cannot continue to spend money we do not have at the … [Read more...] about Markets advance ahead of US debt talks
Cybersecurity
Vietnam, Japan sign new-generation ODA deals worth over $440mn
Vietnam and Japan on Sunday jointly inked three agreements, valued at 61 billion yen (US$442.5 million), to fund new-generation official development assistance (ODA) projects in Vietnam. Of the total, 50 billion yen ($362 million) will be poured into a new-generation ODA program on post-pandemic socio-economic recovery and development. The rest will finance a project improving the public transportation system in southern Binh Duong Province and another one enhancing the infrastructure system for agricultural development in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong. The signing of these ODA deals was witnessed by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio during the former’s trip to Japan for attending an expanded summit of Group of Seven (G7) nations, which took place from May 19 to 21. After the signing ceremony for the agreements, PM Chinh held talks with his Japanese counterpart. This is the first Vietnam-Japan high-level … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Japan sign new-generation ODA deals worth over $440mn
Vietjet inaugurates first direct route connecting Hanoi to Phuket
Vietjet Vice President Nguyen Duc Thinh welcomed passengers on the inauguration flight connecting Hanoi - Phuket (Source: Vietjetair.com) Hanoi (VNA) - The new-age carrier Vietjet has officially inaugurated the first direct route connecting Hanoi to the famous beach tourism paradise Phuket (Thailand), pampering people and tourists who are passionate about travel and discovery, connecting two of Asia's top favorite tourist destinations. The only direct Hanoi – Phuket route is operated one daily return flight from May 19, 2023. The flights take off from Hanoi at 11:30 and landing in Phuket at 14:40. The return flights depart Phuket at 15:45 and arrive in Hanoi at 18:35. It’s convenient flight time for passengers to arrange sightseeing schedules. Hanoi, the capital of thousands of years of civilization, is famous for its image of 36 streets, a city that blends modernity with ancient features. Additionally, Phuket is a must-visit destination in the country of golden pagodas, the … [Read more...] about Vietjet inaugurates first direct route connecting Hanoi to Phuket
Kaspersky appoints new managing director for Asia Pacific region
Adrian Hia, newly appointed managing director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky. — Photo courtesy of the company Kaspersky, a leading cybersecurity and digital privacy company, has appointed IT veteran Adrian Hia as its new managing director for Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Hia is set to lead Kaspersky’s drive to extend its market footprint, channel reach, and new business growth in key territories in the region, especially in the company’s fast-growing enterprise cybersecurity segment. His role also includes spearheading and managing the region’s sales, marketing, and channel go-to-market strategy and execution. “Adrian brings over two decades of experience in international companies and the local IT industry in APAC, where he successfully grew businesses, achieving outstanding results. We trust that his in-depth knowledge of both Asia-Pacific developed and emerging economies will help Kaspersky boost its business in the region, which is one of strategically important markets for … [Read more...] about Kaspersky appoints new managing director for Asia Pacific region
☀️ Morning digest May 23
Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a list of selected news summaries last night by the Vietnam News Agency. - Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong held talks with Chairman of the United Russia Party (URP) and Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia Dmitry Medvedev, who is on a working Vietnam visit from May 21-23 under a cooperation agreement between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the URP. It is his first Vietnam visit in the capacity as leader of the ruling URP. Read full story - Vietnam and Slovenia are eyeing major changes to the way they do business, to make a breakthrough in multi-faceted trade and investment cooperation, heard a Vietnam-Slovenia business forum in Ho Chi Minh City on May 22. Vo Van Hoan, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee said that Vietnam and Slovenia have enjoyed expanded ties since they set up their diplomatic relations in 1994. Read full story - People will continue benefiting from free COVID-19 vaccinations in … [Read more...] about ☀️ Morning digest May 23
Promoting digital skills and online safety with ASEAN initiative
“I am very touched. Many sighted people do not have the opportunity like us today. These are all useful and necessary knowledge in this 4.0 era. It is truly that no one will be left behind," said Do Van Dien, a 75-year-old man from the Blind Association of Dong Da District in Hanoi, Vietnam, who participated in the training on identifying and preventing fake news and online scams as part of the ASEAN Digital Literacy Programme (ASEAN DLP). Amid the pandemic crisis, viral online misinformation and disinformation were spreading unchecked, to the point that the World Economic Forum identified it as one of the biggest threats to society. The number of online fraud cases has skyrocketed from 139 million cases in 2019 to 293 million cases in 202. Recognizing this issue, the ASEAN Foundation, with the support from Google, has implemented the ASEAN DLP. The regional programme aims to combat misinformation and disinformation by providing digital literacy training for youth, teachers, … [Read more...] about Promoting digital skills and online safety with ASEAN initiative
☀️ Morning digest May 24
Hanoi, (VNA) - The following is a list of selected news summaries last night by the Vietnam News Agency. -Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung on May 23 told the National Assembly (NA) that the socio-economic recovery and development programme has created a new development space, new motivation and new capacity for industries, fields and localities, making an important contribution to the country's economic growth, recovery and development. Read full text Read full text Read full text -Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son on May 23 held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia Tanja Fajon, who is on an official visit to Vietnam from May 22-23. Read full text Read full text Read full text Read full text Read full text Read full text Read full text /. VNA … [Read more...] about ☀️ Morning digest May 24
US, Microsoft warn Chinese hackers attacking ‘critical’ infrastructure
US, Microsoft warn Chinese hackers attacking 'critical' infrastructure/ illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com Microsoft highlighted Guam, a US territory in the Pacific Ocean with a vital military outpost, as one of the targets, but said "malicious" activity had also been detected elsewhere in the United States. The stealthy attack -- carried out by a China-sponsored actor dubbed "Volt Typhoon" since mid-2021 -- enabled long-term espionage and was likely aimed at hampering the United States if there was conflict in the region, it said. "Microsoft assesses with moderate confidence that this Volt Typhoon campaign is pursuing development of capabilities that could disrupt critical communications infrastructure between the United States and Asia region during future crises," the statement said. "In this campaign, the affected organizations span the communications, manufacturing, utility, transportation, construction, maritime, government, information technology, and education … [Read more...] about US, Microsoft warn Chinese hackers attacking ‘critical’ infrastructure
Vietnam News Highlights for April 24, 2023
Below are the latest updates from Vietnam and Hanoi Vietnam defends world aerobic championship 2023 The Vietnamese team of five won the World Aerobic Cup 2023 championship in Tokyo, Japan, on April 23. Photo courtesy of MeloGym Vietnam retained its crown at the World Aerobic Cup 2023 in Japan on April 23 for the battle of the five teams. The Vietnamese gymnasts scored 19,844 points to win the tournament. France and host Japan were the runners-up with 19,167 and 18,544 points, respectively. In the battle of three teams, Vietnam won second place with 19,600 points, 285 points less than the champion France. Vietnam also won second place in the pairs competition and two third places in the single male and single female categories. After the 2023 World Aerobic Cup held in Japan's capital Tokyo from April 20-24, the Vietnamese gymnastics team will compete in the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia. Ship examination ex-official prosecuted for bribery and … [Read more...] about Vietnam News Highlights for April 24, 2023
China steps up response to US chip moves but economic reality limits how far
But they warned President Xi Jinping's ability to raise the stakes will be limited as he battles to re-energise the world's number two economy while it struggles to recover from years of zero-Covid-imposed inertia. China on Sunday banned the use of Micron's chips in critical infrastructure projects, which Beijing said posed "major network security risks" that could affect "national security". Washington expressed "serious concerns" over the ruling that came just as leaders of the world's seven richest nations (G7) signed a statement urging Beijing to end "economic coercion." The move marked a significant shift in China's response to U.S. measures that have targeted the country's technology sector, with Gary Ng, a senior economist at Natixis who specialises in the global chip trade, calling it "a landmark case." He emphasised it was China's first cybersecurity probe into a foreign company since tighter rules were announced in 2021, and a rare instance when the scope of such … [Read more...] about China steps up response to US chip moves but economic reality limits how far