Dutch Leader Claims Victory Over ‘Wrong Kind of Populism’ in Election

Updated: Mar 15, 2017 1:47 AM ET

(THE HAGUE, Netherlands) — Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Wednesday claimed a dominating parliamentary election victory over anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders, who failed the year’s first litmus test for populism in Europe.

Provisional results with over half the votes counted suggested Rutte’s party won 32 seats in the 150-member legislature, 13 more than Wilders’ party, which took only third place with 19 seats. The surging CDA Christian Democrats claimed 20.

Following Britain’s vote to leave the European Union and Donald Trump’s election as U.S. president, “the Netherlands said, ‘Whoa!’ to the wrong kind of populism,” said Rutte, who is now poised for a third term as prime minister.

Tiếp tục đọc “Dutch Leader Claims Victory Over ‘Wrong Kind of Populism’ in Election”

Rodrigo Duterte impeachment papers filed in Philippine Congress

Opposition lawmaker formally calls for president to be removed from power, accusing him of high crimes

Rodrigo Duterte should be impeached over a host of offences, says an opposition MP.
Rodrigo Duterte should be impeached over a host of offences, says an opposition MP. Photograph: Erik de Castro/Reuters

An opposition lawmaker filed an impeachment complaint in the Philippine Congress on Thursday against President Rodrigo Duterte, calling for his removal for what he said were high crimes, betrayal of public trust and abuses of power. Tiếp tục đọc “Rodrigo Duterte impeachment papers filed in Philippine Congress”

Iraqis Threaten to Sue U.S. for War Crimes

Freebacon

9/11 bill removing sovereign immunity rights will open U.S. to flood of international lawsuits

Iraq Training Troubles

U.S. army soldiers, alongside their Iraqi counterparts, provide security at a marketplace in Baghdad’s Abu Ghraib suburb / AP

BY:
September 26, 2016 3:25 pm

An advocacy organization representing scores of Iraqis killed or wounded by U.S. forces has threatened to sue the American government for war crimes, according to a recent announcement that cites a new bill as opening a pathway for citizens to sue foreign governments over terror attacks.

The Iraqi National Project, a group that advocates on the behalf of Iraqi nationals, says that it is laying the groundwork to sue the United States for its war effort in the country. Tiếp tục đọc “Iraqis Threaten to Sue U.S. for War Crimes”

Iraq Will Use Sept 11 Bill To Sue US Government For 2003 Invasion, Demand Compensation

Tyler Durden's picture

As reported on Saturday, a September 11 widow was the first American to take advantage of the recently passed Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism (JASTA), aka the “Sept.11” bill courtesy of Congress which for the first time in Obama’s tenure overrode his veto, by suing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Stephanie Ross DeSimone alleged the kingdom provided material support to al-Qaeda and its leader, Osama bin Laden leading to the death of her husband, Navy Commander Patrick Dunn, who was killed at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2009, when Stephanie was two months pregnant at the time with the couple’s daughter. Her suit is also filed on behalf of the couple’s daughter. She sued for wrongful death and intentional infliction of emotional distress, and is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. Tiếp tục đọc “Iraq Will Use Sept 11 Bill To Sue US Government For 2003 Invasion, Demand Compensation”

World War II started in 1937 in Asia, not 1939 in Europe, says Oxford historian

Professor Rana Mitter tells Conversation With why the war began with Japan’s conflict with China, not when Germany invaded Poland in 1939, the date most history books use.

However, using recently-released documentation, Oxford University professor of history Rana Mitter argues that the real start of the global conflict was 1937 – when Japan attacked China in what has been called the Marco Polo Bridge incident, outside of Beijing.

Prof Mitter’s book, The Forgotten Ally, points out that the terrible eight-year-long conflict took a massive toll on China, with more than 14 million Chinese dead.

By comparison, military and civilian casualties for the US and United Kingdom combined totaled around 900,000. Tiếp tục đọc “World War II started in 1937 in Asia, not 1939 in Europe, says Oxford historian”

These angels bring warmth into the lives of Hanoi’s homeless elderly

Students and young professionals are among the volunteers stepping in to help the sick and homeless elderly, who otherwise die alone and uncared-for on the streets

The street is poorly lit and dirty, but it is this man’s only refuge and home on some nights.

Huddled against the wind chill, Mr Nguyen, who is wrapped up in three layers of clothes, grumbles about how his hands are sore, and his back painful from repairing bicycles. Without hesitation, Ms Chu reaches across and gently massages his knobby fingers.

Along with other volunteers of the Ấm Volunteering Club, the young woman has been providing free weekly health screenings and medical supplies for the homeless elderly. Tiếp tục đọc “These angels bring warmth into the lives of Hanoi’s homeless elderly”

Thailand charges activist who mocked PM’s song

Al Jazeera

Campaigner took to Facebook to rate military leader’s song on ‘returning happiness’ and could be jailed three years.

Prayuth Chan-ocha has written several emotion-filled ballads since seizing power that get a lot of radio play [Chaiwat Subprasom/Reuters]

A Thai activist who made fun of one of leader Prayuth Chan-ocha’s ballads on Facebook has been charged with cyber-crime for publishing material critical of the government.

Veera Somkwamkid was charged with “importing false computer data” for a post saying most Thais lacked confidence in the military government, which took power in a 2014 coup in the name of ending more than a decade of political unrest. Tiếp tục đọc “Thailand charges activist who mocked PM’s song”

Không khóc ở Mỹ Sơn

  • VHNA  INRASARA Thứ ba, 28 Tháng 2 2017 08:29

Nhà thơ Kiều Maiy ở Mỹ SơnNhà thơ Kiều Maiy ở Mỹ Sơn

 Tùy bút

1. Trưa 24-2, Kiều Maily khởi hành từ Sài Gòn đi theo đường Đak Nông, lên Ban Mê để vòng xuống Hội An. Chụp ảnh miễn phí cho người bạn thơ Trần Hiếu cùng vị hôn thê cho lễ thành hôn sắp tới. Miễn phí, để có cơ hội một lần trong đời làm được một chuyến “Mỹ Sơn đường về”. Cũng đáng!

Sáng hôm sau, xe từ từ lăn bánh trên con đường từ Hội An dẫn lên thánh địa. Tiếp tục đọc “Không khóc ở Mỹ Sơn”

China begins new work on disputed South China Sea island

A combination of satellite photos shows Chinese-controlled North Island, part of the Paracel group in the South China Sea, on Feb. 15 (top) and on March 6. Reuters

japan times

Reuters Mar 15, 2017

China has started fresh construction work in the disputed South China Sea, new satellite images show, a sign that Beijing is continuing to strengthen its military reach across the vital trade waterway.

Regional military attaches and experts believe the work shows China’s determination to build up its network of reefs and islets, even if it is seeking to avoid a fresh confrontation with the new administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Tiếp tục đọc “China begins new work on disputed South China Sea island”

Taiwan defence report warns of China invasion risk

China still sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be brought back into its fold, by force if necessary, even though the island has been self-governing since the two sides split after a civil war in 1949.

Beijing is deeply suspicious of president Tsai Ing-wen, whose Democratic Progressive Party is traditionally pro-independence. Tiếp tục đọc “Taiwan defence report warns of China invasion risk”

Philippine VP: Bullets can’t stop illegal drug use

Al Jazeera

Leni Robredo urges Filipinos to ‘defy incursions on their rights’ as she denounces president’s bloody anti-drug war.

More than 7,000 people have been killed since Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte began his 'war on drugs' [Romeo Ranoco/Reuters]
More than 7,000 people have been killed since Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte began his ‘war on drugs’ [Romeo Ranoco/Reuters]

The Philippine vice president has raised an alarm about the country’s bloody crackdown on illegal drug use, saying it can’t be solved “with bullets alone”, adding Filipinos should “defy brazen incursions on their rights”.

Vice President Leni Robredo’s comments, some of her sharpest critiques so far of Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, are likely to antagonise the brash-talking president. Tiếp tục đọc “Philippine VP: Bullets can’t stop illegal drug use”

Thái bình dưới trướng thiên triều?

DANH ĐỨC 20.05.2012, 17:27

TTCT – Pax Sinica – thái bình dưới trướng Trung Quốc – là một khái niệm từ mấy năm nay được những nhà nghiên cứu về các vấn đề của Đông Á sử dụng để chỉ sự bành trướng của Bắc Kinh hiện nay.

Thực tế đang ngày càng khẳng định những lý giải ấy.

Thái bình dưới trướng thiên triều?
Một ngư dân Philippines ngồi trên chiếc tàu đến từ Masinloc, vùng đất gần nhất cách khu vực bãi cạn Scarborough đang tranh chấp với Trung Quốc 128 hải lý – Ảnh: Reuters

Tiếp tục đọc “Thái bình dưới trướng thiên triều?”

It’s payback time, America

By Calvin Godfrey   March 13, 2017 | 02:18 pm GMT+7

It's payback time, America

Visitors learn about the Vietnam War at a museum in Ho Chi Minh City in a file photo taken in March 2015. Photo by Minh Le

A diplomatic kerfuffle in Phnom Penh reminds us that the U.S. owes Vietnam $25.7 billion.

Last week, for seemingly no reason whatsoever, an anonymous U.S. State Department official made the strongest argument to date for Donald Trump to make good on wartime reparations promised to Vietnam by his political idol, Richard Nixon.

During Trump’s skinny days, he flew to Houston to attend a birthday party for a bankrupt Texas governor that was attended by the ex-president. Years later, Nixon wrote Trump a letter, urging him to make a play for the White House — a document Trump cherishes even today.

One wonders what Trump might make of another Nixon correspondence, one he penned at the height of his powers, to Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Van Dong promising roughly $4.7 billion in wartime reconstruction aid without political conditions.

Tiếp tục đọc “It’s payback time, America”

UNICEF Vietnam Humanitarian Situation Report No. 15, 14 March 2017

Report

from UN Children’s Fund

Published on 14 Mar 2017

520,000 # of children affected out of 2,000,000 # of people affected

600,000 # hectares of damaged crops 1,750,000 # people with lost incomes 52 (18 most affected) # provinces affected out of

63 Government-One UN Joint Emergency Response Plan 2016 US$48.5 million

UNICEF funds received: US$4 million

Highlights

  • Viet Nam’s Deputy Foreign Minister, during his keynote speech at the 34th regular session of the Human Rights Council panel discussion on Climate Change and Child Rights on 2 March 2017 in Geneva, highlighted the country’s successful cooperation with UNICEF during the ongoing emergency response and on childcentred disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Viet Nam. The statement generated significant interest and discussion among participants, including representatives from ASEAN countries.
  • The emergency nutrition intervention is in its final phase of implementation. In bridging the gap between humanitarian assistance and subsequent development interventions, National Guidelines and a National Plan on Emergency Nutrition Preparedness and Response is being developed. A workshop was conducted on 7-8 March with national and provincial level partners to learn key lessons from the on-going emergency nutrition response and inform content of the guidelines and plan.
  • A child-centred DRR partnership framework between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and UNICEF is being finalized to solidify long-term cooperation on the issue in Viet Nam.

Da Nang’s coastline suffers serious erosion

TUOI TRE NEWS

Updated : 03/11/2017 09:37 GMT + 7

Authorities in the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang are scratching their heads to figure out an effective measure to curb the increasingly serious erosion along the local coastline.

On Thursday morning, secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Xuan Anh and vice-chairman of the city’s administration Tran Van Mien led a team of officials to inspect the situation.

The erosion occurs in a stretch of several kilometers along the shoreline from Man Thai Ward, Son Tra District to Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District.

Previously spanning about 100 meters wide, the beach running along Vo Nguyen Giap Street now measures only 40 meters in width due to the phenomenon. Tiếp tục đọc “Da Nang’s coastline suffers serious erosion”