HONOLULU on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 11:40pm EST - Japan's readiness to join Asia-Pacific free trade talks gave momentum on Friday to global efforts to reinvigorate trade ties and boosted President Barack Obama's drive for U.S. leadership in the world's most economically dynamic region. The Obama administration is seeking to reset relations with Pacific nations and offer a counterweight to China's growing power at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' summit this weekend in Honolulu. "We obviously believe that the world's strategic and economic center of gravity will be the Asia-Pacific for the 21st century and it will be up to American statecraft over the next decade to lock in a substantially increased investment - diplomatic, economic, strategic and otherwise," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said after meeting APEC ministers. Obama arrives later on Friday at the annual gathering of APEC's 21 members, which account for more than half of the world's output, where he … [Read more...] about Free trade gets boost at APEC from Japan
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Dollar free market heats up again, despite close inspection
The dollar free market is bustling these days since the dollar price has been escalating, and the demand for dollar has also been increasing. Some months ago, people believed that the dollar free market was eliminated when the State Bank reinforced its inspection to gold shops and vowed to clear illegal dollar trading. However, the free market has heated up again. However, people have to be "smarter sellers and buyers" in order to escape State Bank inspectors' eyes. Tran, the owner of a gold shop at the Ben Thanh gold, silver and gemstone trade center in HCM City said that the demand for US dollars always increases towards the end of years. However, as central bank's inspectors always keep a close eye over gold shops, both sellers and buyers have to keep cautious when making dollar transactions. On the morning of October 19, Tran received a man, who came to ask for purchasing 1000 dollars. However, the saleswomen at her gold shop only counted money of the client, and Tran … [Read more...] about Dollar free market heats up again, despite close inspection
Libya to be declared free as Kadhafi controversy rages
Libya's new leaders will on Sunday declare liberation after the death of Moamer Kadhafi, paving the way for the formation of an interim government followed by the first free vote in 42 years. Libyans gather to greet National Transitional Council (NTC) fighters upon their arrival in Benghazi from Sirte. Libya's new leaders will on Sunday declare liberation after the death of Moamer Kadhafi, paving the way for the formation of an interim government followed by the first free vote in 42 years.Photo: AFP The long-awaited declaration was being overshadowed, however, by raging controversy over the circumstances of Kadhafi's killing after he was captured alive during the fall of his hometown Sirte on Thursday. National Transitional Council officials said the declaration would be made in the eastern city of Benghazi, cradle of the revolt, inspired by uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, that began … [Read more...] about Libya to be declared free as Kadhafi controversy rages
Sóc Trăng BOT tollbooth opens free after protest
Drivers collectively demonstrated from the early morning as they stopped their cars in front of the Soc Trang toll gate located on National Highway 1 but refused to pay the fee and pass through.The tollbooth was set up to collect fees for investors who invested more than VNĐ1.4 trillion (US$62.2 million) in a road project to expand the National Highway 1 section running across Thuận Hòa Commune and to build a bypass for Sóc Trăng City under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.The drivers argued that the booth’s location was “unreasonable” and that they had to pay tolls for the bypass that they did not use, between VNĐ25,000 and 140,000 each depending on the type of vehicle.The congestion worsened with long lines of cars and trucks stretching more than one kilometre, forcing authorities to order the booth to open for free at 8am.This was the first time the Sóc Trăng BOT station had to open free after a half year in operation. … [Read more...] about Sóc Trăng BOT tollbooth opens free after protest
Libya to be declared free as NATO mission set to end
Libya's new leadership will formally proclaim the country's liberation on Sunday after the death of Moamer Kadhafi, while NATO has tentatively decided to end its mission over the country on October 31. A Libyan man performs the Friday noon prayer outsoors in Tripoli's Martyrs Square, one day after the killing of former strongman Moamer Kadhafi.Photo: AFP But some observers suggested that the deposed dictator may have been summarily executed after his capture Thursday. Russia, the UN's human rights chief, Amnesty International and Kadhafi's widow all called for a probe. The United States said the National Transitional Council should provide a "transparent account" of Kadhafi's death. "The announcement of the liberation will be announced in Benghazi at 5:00 pm (1500 GMT) on Sunday, at the court of justice," said a senior NTC official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Benghazi, Libya's second city, is where rebels first rose up … [Read more...] about Libya to be declared free as NATO mission set to end