Mike Pence is the loyal wingman, the ever-discreet figure who rises above the Washington fray. But as the Russia scandal encroaches ever further on Donald Trump's White House, the vice president is also walking a political tightrope. The 58-year-old former governor of Indiana is currently the man closest to the U.S. presidency -- either as Trump's immediate successor should his term end prematurely, or as his heir apparent in 2020 or 2024 elections, depending on how many terms Trump serves. As the troubles of his boss grow deeper by the day, ensnared in a widening investigation into his campaign ties to Russia, experts say the 48th US vice president remains compelled to stand by his man -- at least for now. "Pence is in a very difficult position," Joel Goldstein, an expert on the vice presidency at Saint Louis University School of Law, told AFP. "A vice president is expected to be loyal to the president, but President Trump imposes a heavy burden on his subordinates by … [Read more...] about VP Pence walks high wire over Trump scandals
Tightrope walking
Man under the influence of meth turns tightrope walker in Saigon
A young man allegedly watched the 2015 Hollywood movie The Walk and used meth before performing a tightrope walking stunt on electricity wires in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday. A young man allegedly watched the 2015 Hollywood movie The Walk and used meth before performing a tightrope walking stunt on electricity wires in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday. The 23-year-old, later identified as a resident of the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, shocked passers-by when they spotted him walking along an overhead electrical wire on Ha Huy Giap Street in District 12. Eyewitnesses said he would walk between the two power poles the wire was connected to, and at different points in his ‘performance’ sit down or give the poles a hug. After failing to persuade him to return to the ground, local residents called the local firefighting department. A ladder truck and a dozen firefighters were dispatched to the scene, eventually retrieving the alleged meth user on a mattress. The … [Read more...] about Man under the influence of meth turns tightrope walker in Saigon
New PM can talk the talk, can he walk the walk?
VietNamNet Bridge – Earlier this week, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who has been in his post for three months, asked his cabinet to be pioneers in practising thriftiness and cutting spending. He also said as a role model, he would not get a new official car. Although it was not something big, his announcement was welcomed by many. It was a small, tangible act after the leader introduced policies attempting to create an active and transparent Government. Asserting that businesses are “the driving force for national economic development,” and their rights will be protected, Phuc promised that the Government would exert more efforts to boost administrative reform and seek to abolish unsuitable regulations. His cabinet has worked on the revision and supplementation of business-related laws to remove barriers for businesses so they can operate more effectively. To address unsafe food, in late April, the Prime Minister chaired a national conference on food safety. … [Read more...] about New PM can talk the talk, can he walk the walk?
Public debt exceeds 62 percent of GDP, Vietnam walks tightrope
VietNamNet Bridge - The revenue of the state budget is not big enough to cover expenses, but Vietnam cannot continue borrowing big money. At a meeting with voters in Bac Giang province some days ago, chair of the Vietnam Fatherland Front’s Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan said Vietnam’s public debts have exceeded 62 percent of GDP, or just 3 percent below the safety line, while government’s debt accounts for over 50 percent. Phap Luat TP HCM quoted Nhan as saying that Vietnam’s public debt has increased because of global financial crisis. "The revenue of the state budget is not big enough to cover expenses. Therefore, we have to borrow money to pay old debts. However, we cannot borrow big money anymore," he said. "We need to mobilize internal strength for development," he said. The revenue of the state budget is not big enough to cover expenses, but Vietnam cannot continue borrowing big money. In fact, the warning about public debt was given by the … [Read more...] about Public debt exceeds 62 percent of GDP, Vietnam walks tightrope
Di Matteo wary of suspension tightrope
Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo has urged five of his players walking a suspension tightrope not to worry about the possibility of receiving bookings against Barcelona that would rule them out of the Champions League final. Should the Blues avoid defeat they will set up a final with either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich - who play on Wednesday evening - at the Allianz Arena on May 19. Branislav Ivanovic, David Luiz, Ashley Cole, Ramires and Raul Meireles are all one yellow card away from missing the showpiece should Chelsea advance, but Di Matteo is calling for focus from his charges. Di Matteo said in the Daily Star: "It is important for us to fully focus on going through and whatever happens, happens. "We had some of them (Cole, Ivanovic and Meireles) already on the bookings in the first leg as well, so we will just have to play without thinking about it. "We cannot speculate on the bookings, but I don't think it is going to be in the back of their minds." The Italian also … [Read more...] about Di Matteo wary of suspension tightrope