Biden, 80, has frequently expressed his intention to run for a second four-year term, and advisers expect him to make it official in the coming weeks. With Biden standing at his side in the White House East Room, Klain choked back tears in an emotional departure speech to dozens of staff members, many of whom consider themselves "Klainiacs." "As I did in 1988, 2008 and 2020, I look forward to being on your side when you run for president in 2024," Klain said. Biden is to complete a physical examination by February 16, his press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, told reporters earlier. The president appeared to be wiping away tears as he listened to Klain's speech. "I knew this day would come, to state the obvious, but it doesn’t make it any easier," Biden said. Klain is to be succeeded as chief of staff by Jeff Zients, who had handled the Biden administration's Covid pandemic response. … [Read more...] about Biden’s departing top aide Klain forecasts president to run again in 2024
North korean president kills uncle
Maritime economy to be boosted in North-central and Central coastal region
Dong said that the conference aims to launch the Government’s action program to implement the Politburo’s Resolution 26-NQ/TW on the orientations for socio-economic development and security - defense protection of the region to 2030 with a vision to 2045, and attract investment to the region. According to the official, the conference is also designed to call for the engagement of investors, domestic and foreign business associations and partners in major investment projects and programs in the region. Deputy Minister Dong underlined that the event has a significant importance to the development of the region which has a special strategic role in economy, politics, culture, society, environment, defense, security and foreign relations of the country, especially the national strategy on the sustainable maritime economic development. An investment promotion conference will be held in parallel with the event, aiming to mobilize resources for infrastructure development in the region … [Read more...] about Maritime economy to be boosted in North-central and Central coastal region
1968 Spring General Offensive and Uprising’s impacts on U.S.’s global strategy
Fighting boldly and bravely, the Vietnamese armed forces ground down the enemy’s strength, destroyed and damaged a lot of the enemy means of warfare, dealt a great blow to the U.S. troops on the battlefield in Vietnam, reduced the position and influence of the Saigon government and troops, and shocked Washington’s senior leaders. On March 30, 1968, General Westmoreland, Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Army in Vietnam arrived in Saigon to disseminate the U.S. government's policy of "De-Americanizing” the war. This policy replaced President Johnson's policy of "Americanizing" the war (Local war) which failed previously. On March 31, 1968, President Johnson announced that he would not run for presidency for the second term, as well as his decision to limit U.S. activities in Vietnam. He also ordered limitation of bombarding the North from the 20th parallel northwards (and completely stopping bombing the North since November 1, 1968) and sent negotiators to the two-party negotiation … [Read more...] about 1968 Spring General Offensive and Uprising’s impacts on U.S.’s global strategy
Top Chinese leader sends thank-you letter to Vietnamese Party chief
General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping (R) and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping has sent a letter to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong to thank him for cabling a message of condolences over the passing of comrade Jiang Zemin . The following is a translation of the letter: Thank-you letter To: Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, Dear Comrade General Secretary, On behalf of the Chinese Party, State and people, I sincerely would like to thank you for sending a message of condolences over the passing of comrade Jiang Zemin and to convey the thank-you from comrade Jiang Zemin’s family to you. Comrade Jiang Zemin … [Read more...] about Top Chinese leader sends thank-you letter to Vietnamese Party chief
Indonesia to spend nearly 32 billion USD on post-pandemic social protection
People shop for food at a market in Aceh - westernmost province of Indonesia. (Photo: AFP/VNA) Jakarta (VNA) – The Indonesian government plans to spend 476 trillion Rp (31.8 billion USD) on social assistance protection as the country is transitioning from the COVID-19 pandemic to the endemic disease phase. Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo said that his government will not abruptly revoke the massive spending on social programmes aimed at helping the people and businesses cope with the devastating economic impact of the pandemic over the last three years. Speaking at a recent meeting of the National Committee for COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery (PC-PEN), Joko Widodo said that after lifting restrictions at the end of 2022, Indonesia is in an interim phase in which it must maintain caution, especially in deciding on economic measures. In contrast to other nations that have recently experienced high inflation, according to the President, Indonesia has … [Read more...] about Indonesia to spend nearly 32 billion USD on post-pandemic social protection
Indonesia plans to ban copper exports in 2023
Worker inspects mineral ore processing at a copper mine operated by Freeport Indonesia in Mimika, Papua (Photo source: ANTARA) Jakarta – Indonesian president Joko Widodo said his government will soon consider halting the export of unprocessed copper ores to encourage domestic processing of raw materials in the country’s industrialisation push, following a similar policy on nickel and bauxite Speaking at Mandiri Investment Forum 2023, the president announced a ban on all bauxite exports starting in June 2023 under the downstream industry policy, following a similar move on nickel ore exports. After nickel ore exports were banned several years ago to force the opening of processing plants in Indonesia, the value of nickel export recorded a 30-fold increase from 1 billion USD to 30-33 billion USD in 2022. The policy was sued by the European Union (EU) to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Indonesia was announced to lose the lawsuit. By VNA … [Read more...] about Indonesia plans to ban copper exports in 2023
PM speaks of major tasks to raise labourers’ material, spiritual life
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh outlined main tasks to improve the material and spiritual life of labourers at a meeting on coordination between the Government and the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) in Hanoi on February 1. The ministries of planning and investment; industry and trade; foreign affairs; and labour, invalids and social affairs should coordinate with the VGCL in boosting production and business, expanding the market, creating more jobs for labourers, and improving their skills, the Government leader said. He asked the ministries of construction, natural resources and environment and finance to work together with the confederation in handling issues relating to housing for labourers. The VGCL should coordinate with the ministries of culture, sports and tourism; health; and education and training in building cultural, educational and health care establishments … [Read more...] about PM speaks of major tasks to raise labourers’ material, spiritual life
Prime Minister speaks of major tasks to raise laborers’ material, spiritual life
The ministries of planning and investment; industry and trade; foreign affairs; and labor, invalids and social affairs should coordinate with the VGCL in boosting production and business, expanding the market, creating more jobs for laborers, and improving their skills, the government leader said. He asked the ministries of construction, natural resources and environment and finance to work together with the confederation in handling issues relating to housing for laborers. The VGCL should coordinate with the ministries of culture, sports and tourism; health; and education and training in building cultural, educational and health care establishments in service of laborers, according to the Prime Minister. Specific coordination plans need to be sketched out within this month, he stressed, and mentioned tasks for ministries, agencies and localities regarding institutions for workers at industrial and processing zones, especially those on housing, incentives for fishermen, insurance … [Read more...] about Prime Minister speaks of major tasks to raise laborers’ material, spiritual life
Pakistan police detain 23 suspects after deadly mosque blast
Police in Pakistan have detained 23 people in connection to a blast at a mosque inside a police headquarters that killed 101 people, a senior official who asked not to be named said Wednesday. A policeman (R), who was injured in a mosque suicide blast inside a police headquarters, recovers in a hospital in Peshawar on February 1, 2023. Authorities are also probing the possibility that people inside the compound helped to coordinate the attack, the senior provincial police official told AFP on condition of anonymity. A suicide bomber slipped undetected into a highly sensitive compound in northwest Peshawar and detonated explosives among a row of worshippers in the compound's mosque on Monday, causing a wall to collapse and crush officers. "We have detained people from the police line (headquarters) to get to the bottom of how the explosive material made its way in and to see if any police officials were also involved in the attack," the senior official said. … [Read more...] about Pakistan police detain 23 suspects after deadly mosque blast
Vietnamese athletes to receive 1 mln USD for Paris Olympic gold
The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, scheduled for July 26 to August 11, 2024 (Photo: AFP/VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese athletes competing in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, scheduled for July 26 to August 11, 2024, will receive 1 million USD in bonus for each gold medal; 500,000 USD for silver and 200,000 for bronze. medal ists at Olympics 2024. Delegates at the signing ceremony (Photo: qdnd) Dang Ha Viet, General Director of the General Sports Administration of Vietnam under the Ministry of Sports and Tourism, affirmed the ISF’s support will create a “golden” chance for Vietnam to elevate its rankings in the regional, continental and world arenas. Ser Miang NG, Vice President of the International Olympic Committee, expressed his belief that Vietnamese athletes are able to obtain high achievements at Olympic 2024. The cooperation agreement is expected to contribute to bringing Vietnam ’s sports to new heights./. VNA … [Read more...] about Vietnamese athletes to receive 1 mln USD for Paris Olympic gold