Conversations on Vietnam Development
VietNamNet Bridge – Those who like savoring a cup of coffee in a nostalgic space full of items that date back decades should visit Nha Xuong and Bao Cap cafes in Hanoi or Ut Lanh and Cafe 81 in Saigon. Below is a list of old-style coffee shops in Vietnam.
 Cong Café in Hanoi, Haiphong, Danang, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City. Tiếp tục đọc “Old-style coffee shops across Vietnam” |
ILIGAN, Philippines: Senior Islamic leaders in Lanao del Norte say they are too fearful to criticise the actions or philosophies of Islamic State (IS), for fear of reprisals or community backlash as fighting rages around the city of Marawi.
Fighters have laid siege to the city for nearly four weeks, despite intense efforts by the Philippine military to liberate the approximate 10 per cent of Marawi still under militant control.
Grand Imam Idah Ali of the Lanao Islamic Center in Baloi, just a few kilometres from Marawi, refused to denounce the militant movement saying speaking out could upset stakeholders in the conflict.
“I cannot do anything about IS,” he said. “These people have a personal interest. I cannot say about this because if I talk about them, what will happen? Maybe they will be angry at me.
“If I say something, maybe the government will be angry with me, maybe the people of Marawi will be angry with me, maybe the majority of people in the Philippines will be angry with me.” Tiếp tục đọc “Islamic leaders around Marawi fearful of denouncing extreme militants”
KUALA LUMPUR: Nearly US$30 million of funds stolen from scandal-hit 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was allegedly used to buy jewellery for the prime minister’s wife, including a rare 22-carat pink diamond set in a necklace, according to the latest filings by the US Justice Department in a civil lawsuit.
The filings lodged at the US District Court in Los Angeles on Thursday (Jun 15) did not identify Prime Minister Najib Razak or his wife Rosmah Mansor by name, but said the jewellery purchases were for the wife of “Malaysian Official 1”. Tiếp tục đọc “Malaysia’s first lady linked to US$30m worth of jewellery bought with 1MDB funds”
Photography by Karim Mostafa
Global demand for coal has fallen for the second consecutive year, according to a BP study, helped by the US and China burning less of the dirtiest fossil fuel.
The UK was described as the “most extreme example” of the trend away from coal, which has resulted in use of the fuel returning to levels not seen since the start of the industrial revolution.
The 1.7% fall in worldwide consumption in 2016 marks a striking reversal of fortune for coal, which was the largest source of energy demand growth until four years ago, BP said.
Presenting the 66th edition of BP’s annual statistical review of energy, the oil company’s chief economist, Spencer Dale, said: “It feels to me like we’re seeing a decisive break with coal, relative to the past. I think the big story here is coal getting squeezed.”
In the US, coal has been crowded out in power generation by cheaper, cleaner gas from the fracking boom and even US coal executives believe Donald Trump’s promise to bring back jobs in the industry cannot succeed. Tiếp tục đọc “Global demand for coal falls in 2016 for second year in a row”
Thousands of children are languishing in “dangerous and harrowing” conditions in detention centres across south-east Asia, a report has revealed. Children, including babies, are being held in cells 24 hours a day, alongside dozens of unrelated adults, and are frequently separated from family members. Tiếp tục đọc “Child refugees held in ‘harrowing’ conditions across south-east Asia”
Japan has passed a controversial law targeting conspiracies to commit terrorism and other serious crimes, despite a warning by the UN that it could be used to crack down on civil liberties.
The ruling Liberal Democratic party and its junior coalition pushed the bill through the upper house of Japan’s parliament as thousands of people protested outside. Tiếp tục đọc “Japan passes ‘brutal’ counter-terror law despite fears over civil liberties”
An American college student who was imprisoned in North Korea and returned to his home state of Ohio in a coma suffered a “severe neurological injury”, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
Otto Warmbier is in stable condition at the University of Cincinnati medical center with his mother by his side, a hospital spokeswoman, Kelly Martin, said on Thursday. Doctors planned an update later Thursday. Tiếp tục đọc “Ex-North Korea detainee Otto Warmbier treated for ‘severe neurological injury’”
JALALABAD, Afghanistan: Islamic State militants, under pressure from Afghan and U.S. forces, have seized a new stronghold in Tora Bora, a mountainous area dotted with caves along Afghanistan’s border with Pakistan, officials said on Thursday.
The remote region in Nangarhar province was most famously used by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in late 2001, in a bid to hold out against the U.S. troops and Afghan allies who toppled the Taliban regime. Tiếp tục đọc “Islamic State say they have captured Afghanistan’s Tora Bora caves”
![China and Panama's foreign ministers signed a joint communique establishing ties in Beijing [AFP]](https://i0.wp.com/www.aljazeera.com/mritems/imagecache/mbdxxlarge/mritems/Images/2017/6/13/4cfbde2767a44907b45c57d3fe30d582_18.jpg "Panama cuts off ties with Taiwan, switches to China")
Panama has established diplomatic ties with China while breaking off with Taiwan, dealing a victory to Beijing which claims the self-governing island as its own territory.
Panama President Juan Carlos Varela announced the change in a televised address on Tuesday, saying it represents “the correct path for our country”. Tiếp tục đọc “Panama cuts off ties with Taiwan, switches to China”
Located on the east side of Phu Quoc Island, Sao beach is among best beaches in Vietnam with crystal clear water and year-round calm sea.
 Sao beach spans 7 km of white sand. Tiếp tục đọc “A summer holiday on Sao Beach, Phu Quoc island” |
In May 2015, the Chinese administration announced ‘Made in China 2025’, which aims to push up the development of the country’s industries in the next 10 years. Tiếp tục đọc “‘Made in China 2025’ strategy puts pressure on Vietnam”
The Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang attracts large numbers of visitors in summer, thanks to a series of beautiful islands, particularly the most famous one, the Phu Quoc.
 Most islands are very pristine, clean and thinly populated. They are ideal places for adventurous visitors. Tiếp tục đọc “Three days to discover Kien Giang beaches and islands” |
Tourists will have an opportunity to get a better view of colourful butterflies this summer in many forests in Vietnam, such as Cuc Phuong, Nam Cat Tien and other National Parks.
 Tam Dao National Park in the northern province of Vinh Phuc Tiếp tục đọc “Best places to enjoy watching butterflies in Vietnam” |
VietNamNet Bridge – If you are in Hanoi, you should not miss these two places, which are not far from Hanoi’s center.
Bao Son Paradise
Located on Lang-Hoa Lac expressway, Bao Son is an entertainment area with separate areas characterizing Hanoi features, a roomy space, ancient and modern combination, scenes recalling activities of Hanoi streets, etc.
On weekends and holidays, the ticket costs VND135,000/adult and VND120,000/child (normally, it is VND20,000 cheaper). The price includes following activities: park visiting, aquarium, animal garden, dolphin circus, etc.
Aquarium visiting service: the aquarium has four storeys with turtles, various kinds of fish, animal garden with reptiles: snakes, pythons, etc. and lions, leopards.
Moreover, tourists can see water puppet at 4 pm (plus VND20,000) and at 7 pm water music free. A garden of spirit, orchid, bird, butterflies, etc. entrance for free.
 Tiếp tục đọc “Two must-see places in Hanoi suburbs” |
CVD 