Debating for democracy

"We will roll out a concrete set of proposals to increase pressure on Russia," the official said. U.S. President Joe Biden flies Saturday to join the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan at the summit in Bavaria. The club of wealthy democracies is at the heart of a fierce economic and diplomatic campaign to punish Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February and continues to wage battles across the pro-Western country's eastern region, as well as occupying swaths of the south. After attending the G7 summit from Sunday to Tuesday, Biden will fly to Madrid for a summit of the NATO military alliance next week. Ukraine and Russia will feature heavily in both diplomatic gatherings as allies ponder how to weather the secondary impact from sanctions against Russia on their own economies -- particularly in stoking high fuel prices. "How do we maximize pain on Putin's regime? How do we minimize spill-backs back to the rest of the world? And I think that's exactly … [Read more...] about G7 summit to announce measures increasing ‘pressure on Russia’: US official

The House voted 234-193 for the bill. No Democrats were opposed, while 14 Republicans backed the measure. It was supported by major law enforcement groups and its passage was a rare defeat for U.S. gun manufacturers and the National Rifle Association. House action followed a late Thursday Senate vote of 65-33 to pass the bill, with 15 Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, in favor. Biden will sign the bill on Saturday morning, the White House said. Gun control has long been a divisive issue in the United States with multiple attempts to place new controls on gun sales failing time after time until Friday. The bill does not go as far as Democrats, including Biden, had sought. It includes provisions that would help states keep guns out of the hands of those deemed to be a danger to themselves or others and close the so-called boyfriend loophole by blocking gun sales to those convicted of abusing unmarried intimate partners. However, it did not ban sales … [Read more...] about U.S. House passes gun-safety legislation as court expands gun rights

WTO needs reforms Minister Dien delivered a speech at the MC12, affirming his support for the multilateral trading system and Vietnam’s efforts to join hands with other WTO members to deal with difficulties and challenges facing the global economy. He emphasized the WTO role in international trade, adding that it is now time for the organization to undertake fundamental reforms in order to maintain and strengthen its core pillars and adapt promptly to profound changes and new requirements of the era. Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien leads a Vietnamese delegation to attend the MC12 in Geneva, Switzerland WTO members need to confront the root causes of these challenges and seek appropriate solutions to overcome them, Minister Dien said. The WTO should not limit itself to providing an effective negotiating platform, but should be viewed as a contributor to resolving global crises and ensuring a level playing field in the world trade. Vietnam is … [Read more...] about Vietnam attends 12th WTO Ministerial Conference, urges reforms

The Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, unveiled with fanfare by U.S. President Joe Biden and G7 allies from Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the European Union, aims to fill a huge gap left as communist China uses its economic clout to stretch diplomatic tentacles into the furthest reaches of the world. Biden said the target was for the United States to bring $200 billion to the table, with the rest of the G7 another $400 billion by 2027. Funding the kinds of projects that China currently dominates -- everything from roads to harbours in far-flung corners of the world -- is not "aid or charity," Biden said. Highlighting the geostrategic thinking behind the plan, Biden said such projects "deliver returns for everyone, including the American people and the people of all our nations." Around the world, the role of China's democratic rivals is "a chance for us to share our positive vision for the future" and for other countries to "see for themselves the … [Read more...] about G7 touts $600 bn global infrastructure plan to rival China

Đỗ Hùng Việt, Assistant to the Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs (centre) meets with Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG) Tatiana Valovaya (right) on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo GENEVA — As a candidate for the membership of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for 2023-25, Việt Nam will continue prioritising the commitments to promote gender equality and women empowerment, an official has said. Đỗ Hùng Việt, Assistant to the Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs, made the remarks while attending the annual debate on women’s rights at the HRC’s 50th regular session in Geneva on Monday. In his speech, Việt highlighted the important role of women, stressing the need to ensure their rights and development opportunities through specific and effective support policies. He also shared Việt Nam experience and efforts in this regard, noting Việt Nam is one of the countries with the longest maternity leaves in the world. Emphasising the country’s priority for gender … [Read more...] about Việt Nam keeps prioritising gender equality promotion: diplomat

Do Hung Viet (front, left), Assistant to the Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs, attends the 50th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council . (Photo: VNA) Geneva (VNA) – As a candidate for the membership of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for 2023 - 2025, Vietnam will continue prioritising the commitments to promote gender equality and women empowerment, an official has said. Do Hung Viet, Assistant to the Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs, made the remarks while attending the annual debate on women’s rights at the HRC’s 50th regular session in Geneva on June 27. In his speech, Viet highlighted the important role of women, stressing the need to ensuring their rights and development opportunities through specific and effective support policies. He also shared Vietnam’s experience and efforts in this regard, noting Vietnam is one of the countries with the longest maternity leaves in the world. Emphasising the country’s priority for gender equality … [Read more...] about Vietnam keeps prioritising gender equality promotion: official

Do Hung Viet, Assistant to the Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs, made the remarks while attending the annual debate on women’s rights at the HRC’s 50th regular session in Geneva on June 27. In his speech, Viet highlighted the important role of women, stressing the need to ensuring their rights and development opportunities through specific and effective support policies. He also shared Vietnam’s experience and efforts in this regard, noting Vietnam is one of the countries with the longest maternity leaves in the world. Emphasising the country’s priority for gender equality promotion and women empowerment, he added Vietnam is ready to cooperate with other countries in these common efforts. At the debate, participants underlined the necessity to build comprehensive and effective policies for ensuring gender equality and rights of women, who are in charge of a huge domestic workload but unpaid or underpaid, which has subsequently affected women’s full participation in … [Read more...] about Vietnam keeps prioritizing gender equality promotion: officials

CPP President and Prime Minister Hun Sen (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)’s Central Committee has sent a congratulatory message to the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) Central Committee on its 71st founding anniversary of the CPP (June 28, 1951-2022). In the message, the CPV and Vietnamese people congratulated the CPP and Cambodians on great achievements they recorded across spheres in the past time, and congratulated the CPP on its victory in the recent commune/ ward council elections. “We believe that with the tradition and achievements, the Cambodian people under the leadership of the CPP will continue to reap new, greater attainments in implementing the Party’s Platform for the 2018-2023 period and the Rectangular Strategy – Phase 4 of the Cambodian Government, successfully build a Cambodia of peace, independence, democracy and social progress,” the message read. The Vietnamese Party, State and people are very pleased at and proud of the … [Read more...] about Congratulations to Cambodian People’s Party on founding anniversary

Denmark is considered a dedicated and innovative partner not least due to the historic development cooperation between this country and Vietnam. A Danish delegation headed by the Danish Crown Couple, Prince Frederik and Princess Mary will visit Vietnam on November 1-2 to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of Danish-Vietnamese diplomatic relations and promote green solutions. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess and the accompanying Danish business delegation will meet with leaders of the Vietnamese State and Government, as well as local enterprises. Wind energy and energy efficiency will be the focus of their visit whose agenda includes debates on green transition and visits to local energy projects. On energy, Denmark and Danish businesses are supporting Vietnam’s green transition. Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary. Photo: EPA Denmark and Vietnam share a close bilateral relationship, which is guided by a Comprehensive Partnership … [Read more...] about Danish Crown Prince’s visit to Vietnam promotes green solutions

Yechury spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements under the leadership of the CPV, and its experience in building the organization and political system and ensuring social equality. He said the CPI-M is currently prioritizing enhancing democracy and promoting social equality and progress. Voicing his concern over the adverse impacts of COVID-19 and the rise of the far right and extremism, he said as countries are facing various challenges today, it is important for communist parties all over the world to unite and cooperate with each other. He expected the CPV and the CPI-M to further strengthen ties in the coming years through delegate exchanges and sharing of information and experience. Thuong, for his part, congratulated the CPI-M on the success of its 23rd national congress and Yechury on being re-elected as Secretary General. Affirming that the CPV treasures friendly relations with communist and left-wing parties globally, particularly the CPI-M, Thuong agreed to step up … [Read more...] about Vietnamese, Indian Communist Parties seek stronger ties