We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
US, Vietnam agree to deepen ties as China worries grow
US President Joe Biden hailed closer ties with Vietnam on Sunday as the two countries struck a deal to deepen cooperation, including on semiconductors, but said he was not aiming to contain China. The "comprehensive strategic partnership" with Hanoi is part of Washington's push to bolster its network of allies around Asia and the Pacific in the face of Beijing's rising influence. Biden accused Beijing of seeking to bend the international order to its will. "One of the things that is going on now is China is beginning to change some of the rules of the game, in terms of trade and other issues," Biden said. Sometimes to Beijing's chagrin, Washington has invested heavily in building alliances as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy, including the Quad security dialogue with India, Australia and Japan, and the AUKUS pact with Britain and Australia. Biden said he wanted establish clear ground rules for relations. "I don't want to contain China. I just want to make sure we have a relationship with China that is on the up and up, squared away, everybody knows what it's all about," he said. Biden flew in to Hanoi straight from a G20 summit that failed to agree to a phase-out of fossil fuels and highlighted deep divisions over the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The US president said he had met Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the G20 -- a meeting the White House had not announced -- and discussed "stability". Semiconductor deal Global supply chain shocks and fears about US reliance on China for strategic resources have further driven the push to boost ties with the likes of Vietnam. The new partnership includes an agreement on semiconductors, with the United States committing to help Vietnam develop its capabilities and expand production. There is also a section on rare earth minerals, which used in the manufacture of high-tech devices such as smartphones and electric car batteries. Vietnam has the world's second-largest deposits of rare earths after China and US officials say it has a key role to play as it looks to diversify and strengthen its supply chains. Biden moved last month to restrict US investment in Chinese technology in sensitive areas including semiconductors, quantum computing and artificial intelligence. "This can be the beginning of even a greater era of cooperation," Biden said as he met Nguyen Phu Trong, the head of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party and the country's paramount leader. "Vietnam and the United States are critical partners at what I would argue is a very critical time." The deal puts the United States on a par with China -- as well as Russia, India and South Korea -- at the top level of the Vietnamese hierarchy of diplomatic relations. Trong thanked Biden for his contribution to improving US-Vietnamese ties and said his country would work hard to implement the new agreement. Although it is careful to be seen as not taking sides between the United States and China, Vietnam shares US concerns about its neighbour's growing assertiveness in the contested South China Sea. However, The New York Times reported just ahead of Biden's visit that Vietnam was secretly arranging to buy arms from Russia in contravention of US sanctions. The report cited a Vietnamese finance ministry document that laid out plans to fund arms purchases from the Kremlin through a joint oil and gas project in Siberia. AFP has contacted the Vietnamese government for comment. US Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer told reporters that Washington acknowledged Vietnam's decades-long military relationship with Russia. But he said there was "increasing discomfort on the part of the Vietnamese with that relationship", and the new partnership would help Hanoi "diversify away from those partnerships" by allowing it to source from the United States and its allies. Human rights Biden said he had raised human rights in his meeting with Trong and pledged to "continue our candid dialogue in that regard". Vietnam has a dire rights record. Government critics face intimidation, harassment and imprisonment after unfair trials, and there are reports of police torture to extract confessions, Human Rights Watch says. While Biden has often criticised China's human rights record, he has largely stayed quiet on Vietnam and campaigners feared he may not raise the subject. On Monday Biden visit a Hanoi memorial to his friend John McCain, the former US senator shot down and held captive during the Vietnam War who in later years helped rebuild ties between the two countries. The post US, Vietnam agree to deepen ties as China worries grow appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US and Vietnam set to expand ties as China worries grow
US President Joe Biden arrives in Vietnam on Sunday set to deepen cooperation between the two nations, in the face of China's growing ambitions in the region. Biden -- who is flying from the G20 summit in New Delhi -- will meet the leader of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, on Sunday, and is expected to sign off on a "comprehensive strategic partnership", Hanoi's highest level of diplomatic ties. The underlying goal of the short visit will be much the same as during Biden's time at the G20 gathering -- to shore up support against China's increasing influence. For Vietnam, the upgrading of diplomatic ties is significant. It only has top-level ties with Russia, India, South Korea and China. Although it will be careful to be seen as not taking sides between the United States and China, Vietnam shares American concerns about its neighbor's growing assertiveness in the contested South China Sea. The United States and Vietnam -- a key manufacturing hub -- also have increasingly close trade ties, and Washington sees Hanoi as an important partner as it looks to source less from China after supply chain shocks rocked the global economy in recent years. In Hanoi on Sunday, there will be a welcome ceremony, speeches by the two leaders and a press conference by the US president -- who on Tuesday awarded the top US military honor to a helicopter pilot who rescued four soldiers during the Vietnam War. Biden will meet President Vo Van Thuong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh the following day. Ahead of the 80-year-old US president's arrival, Hanoi's central Hoan Kiem Lake area, packed with families out for a weekend stroll, was adorned with American and Vietnamese flags. Nearby in the city's old quarter, a souvenir shop sold T-shirts with Biden's face emblazoned across the front. "I think the US is a good friend to Vietnam," said the shop's 61-year-old owner Truong Thanh Duc. "With this visit of President Joe Biden, I think he will bring more business contracts and jobs to Vietnamese people." - Human rights - In Vietnam, Biden will be juggling strategic interests with the defense of human rights. The Southeast Asian country has a dire human rights record. Government critics face intimidation, harassment and imprisonment after unfair trials, and there are reports of police torture to extract confessions, Human Rights Watch says. While the president has often criticized China's human rights record, he has largely stayed quiet on Vietnam and campaigners are fearful he may not press the subject. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said prior to the trip that Biden would raise issues related "to freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and other basic human rights". His visit comes days after a US government commission on religious freedom harshly criticized Vietnam for "egregious, ongoing, and systematic violations". On Saturday, Nguyen Bac Truyen, a legal expert and religious freedom advocate who was sentenced in 2018 to 11 years in prison for subversion, said on Facebook he had been released and allowed to travel to Germany with his wife. Vietnam often releases political prisoners prior to US presidential visits. Biden's visit to Hanoi will mean he leaves early from the G20 summit, where leaders agreed on a joint declaration that papered over deep divisions on the war in Ukraine and tackling climate change, avoiding direct criticism of Moscow and any concrete pledge to phase out polluting fossil fuels. His Vietnam trip will also include a poignant visit to the memorial to his friend John McCain, the former US senator shot down and held captive during the Vietnam War who in later years helped rebuild ties between the two countries. burs-aph/sco © Agence France-Presse The post US and Vietnam set to expand ties as China worries grow appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Remolona: ‘Be careful not to hike too much’
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona underscored the need for careful consideration before making any decisions on tightening the monetary policy despite inflation easing for the sixth consecutive month and other non-monetary measures that the economic managers laid out. In a recent interview with reporters, Remolona acknowledged that the country is already close to its full capacity with the current state of the economy. His remarks imply that any additional interest rate hikes must be approached cautiously to avoid excessive tightening that could impede economic growth. "If we could hike, we have to be careful not to hike too much. Maybe just a little for now," Remolona said ahead of the upcoming Monetary Policy meeting on 17 August. The BSP Governor stressed the importance of data-driven decisions, stating that a pause in rate hikes is warranted if the economic data is inconclusive or contradictory. "We don't want to raise just because we feel like raising. We want to know why we are raising," Remolona said. Addressing concerns about the potential impact on the country's GDP growth target, which aims for 6 to 7 percent growth this year, the BSP Governor reiterated the importance of data consistency and accurate analysis. "Usually the pause is because we want to reassess, and if the data that come are not quite consistent with each other or we're kind of scratching our heads about what is really happening, the thing to do is to pause," he explained. "We don't want to raise just because we feel like raising. We want to know why we're raising," Remolona added. When asked about the influence of the recent Federal Reserve interest rate hike on the BSP's decision-making, Remolona pointed out that the Monetary Board has already considered the Federal Reserve's 25-basis-point increase in their data analysis. He further explained that the narrowing of the differential between the target country and the reverse repurchase transactions policy rate typically weakens the Philippine Peso. However, he noted that market participants are optimistic about the stable peso as the differential is not expected to narrow further in the next few meetings. When asked about the influence of the recent Federal Reserve rate hike, Governor Remolona reassured that the Monetary Board had already considered the data analysis. For context, the Federal Reserve raised its rates by 25 basis points, narrowing the differential between the target country and the Philippines' RRP policy rate. "Looking at the meetings, it doesn't look like the differential will narrow further. That's why the peso remains stable despite the hike of the Federal Open Market Committee," Remolona said. The post Remolona: ‘Be careful not to hike too much’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Heaven Peralejo embraces self-discovery in Bali
Heaven Peralejo got herself inked during her recent solo trip to Bali, Indonesia. The actress got three new meaningful tattoos as representations of new discoveries concerning her life. She gave further details in her Instagram post. “3 Tattoos, 3 Meanings - Found, Surrender, and Forward With my first solo trip to Bali, I discovered a newfound sense of independence and self-assurance. The word "found" serves as a constant reminder of this whole experience. In a country unknown to me, I learned to embrace my own company and appreciate the freedom of exploring on my own. Second, Bali taught me the power to “surrender”. Letting go of my need for perfection and careful planning, I allowed myself to immerse in the beauty of spontaneity. Each day, I learned to trust the magic of what lays ahead of me. Lastly, the word “forward” symbolizes my commitment to never dwell in the past. It embodies forgiveness and self-love, urging me to appreciate every moment and keep moving forward. It serves as a reminder to cherish life's experiences and keep exploring the wonders and beauty of the world we live in. These 3 tattoos represent the impact Bali has had on my journey of self-discovery. They remind me the importance of finding oneself, surrendering to life's flow, and to always move forward with love and forgiveness”, she wrote as a long explanation. The post Heaven Peralejo embraces self-discovery in Bali appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pandemic era over
The vicious coronavirus-2019 is considered defeated in the country after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. issued Proclamation 297 lifting the “state of public health emergency.” Malacañang on Saturday said the President issued the proclamation on Friday but it was made public through a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office only on Saturday. The proclamation states that “all prior orders, memoranda, and issuances that were effective only during the State of Public Health Emergency shall be deemed withdrawn, revoked or canceled and shall no longer be in effect.” The directive provides that all emergency use authorizations or EUA issued by the Food and Drug Administration on vaccines shall remain valid for one year from the date of the lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency “for the sole purpose of exhausting the remaining supply of vaccines.” Go pleads for health workers For his part, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said: “We respect the President’s decision to lift the state of public health emergency. We trust that it was arrived at after careful consideration of the present health issue and the need to finally open up the economy.” Go, nonetheless, said he was appealing to the government to release the remaining arrears due to healthcare workers, including Covid-19-related allowances and unpaid death benefits. The senator said the obligations should be fulfilled “with or without the state of public health Emergency.” Align with new normal Marcos’ order also enjoined all agencies to ensure that their policies, rules, and regulations shall take into consideration the lifting of the state of public health emergency and to amend existing or to promulgate new issuances, as may be appropriate. Former president Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation 922 declaring a State of Public Health Emergency all over the country in March 2020. Proclamation 922 also stated that the public health emergency would remain in force until lifted or withdrawn by the president. WHO sees downtrend The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization highlighted the decreasing trend in Covid-19 deaths last May. It also reported a decline in Covid-19-related hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions, as well as the high levels of population immunity to SARS-CoV-2. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus concurred with the advice of the committee that Covid-19 was now an established and ongoing health issue, which no longer constituted a public health emergency of international concern. The WHO likewise advised a transition to the long-term management of Covid-19. Stay vigilant For Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, the pronouncement is a “positive step forward,” and he agreed that the conditions no longer warrant the continuance of the public health emergency status. “It is crucial to recognize that while the state of public health emergency is lifted, we must remain vigilant and proactive in our approach to health and safety,” he said. Herbosa likewise stressed the importance of maintaining health awareness and adhering to health protocols to protect one from potential health risks. IATF to disband The Department of Health said the Inter-Agency Task Force would convene for a final meeting to formally conclude the public health emergency. Herbosa gave the IATF a pat on the back for its “exemplary performance” and “unwavering commitment,” and so too the medical front liners who demonstrated resilience and heroism throughout the challenging period. “Their dedication to safeguarding public health had been instrumental in reaching this critical milestone,” he said. “Let us embrace this positive development with gratitude and determination, knowing that by working together we shall prevail against any challenges that may lie ahead,” he added. Covid cases on Friday brought the total infection caseload to 4,171,063, with 234 new cases. Active cases, however, dropped to 5,278 from 5,431, the lowest since 29 April 2023, while seven new deaths and 380 new recoveries were logged. @tribunephl_Lade @tribunephl_eao The post Pandemic era over appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Solving China, Russia
Dear Editor Seeing the problem for what it truly is means half solving it. Both Russia and China have stubborn false views/beliefs and false historical narratives, coupled with avarice, in coveting what is not theirs. That’s the bottom line. Both nations need to see this. And that is the solution to the crises they have created, the peaceful way. Russia has harbored resentment against independent Ukraine since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and hallucinates that Ukraine is still part of “Mother Russia,” as opposed to the historic Act signed by Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Ukraine’s first president Leonid Kravchuk on 8 December 1991, recognizing Ukraine as an independent country. It was overwhelmingly approved by the people (90 percent) of Ukraine in a referendum even before the formal accord declaring their independence. China, for its part, in claiming almost all (90 percent) of the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea has only its own fabled “nine-dash line” to back up and defend its robbery or its continuing illegal occupation of the disputed sea. Studies and research by international experts and history professors disprove the “line.” Can we imagine if all nations created their own story and map artwork of the “nine-dash line” to invade neighboring territories? The situation in the West Philippine Sea between the Philippines and China is no different from the ongoing senseless, savage Russia-Ukraine war which Russia started and continues to inflame. It is a war better called the “Russia War.” May sanity prevail and humanity in humans triumph. Stop the bloodshed. China’s bullying is not limited to its bullying of our fishermen. It is depictive of its impudence and defiance of international law, more so its disrespect and contempt for our ethos and dignity as a people and nation. Imperious. BBM would do well to take every “goodwill” gesture of China to the Philippines with a grain of salt, if not view it as an act of ill will. Any help, aid, or “trade cooperation” China has offered and may offer in the future is and would be meaningless, and could be construed as fraught with bad intentions — unless they repent. China used to be a good friend to the Philippines, but not anymore. Dear officials of the land, beware of the present Chinese officials playing (subtle) the “forbidden fruit” game. Don’t bite the bug or the bait. Succumb not. What they are doing in the West Philippine Sea is unprecedented and indefensible. Open your eyes. Be very careful in dealing with them until they behave and cease their aggressions and juvenile sweeping claims to the contested body of water. Go ahead, dear senators, with your proposal to bring the WPS row to the United Nations for another just, intelligent decision/resolution of the brewing time bomb (for the world) on account of the incessant robber of foreign territories. It is a wise move. There are only two “ifs” — two crucial “ifs” — for China and the world to ponder upon. One is, if China won’t still budge and recognize another international ruling, this time by the United Nations no less, then all nations, not only the Philippines, should brace themselves for the undesirable. The other “if” is: If the Chinese leaders can’t and will not really accept the 2016 ruling of the arbitral tribunal rejecting its “nine-dash line” myth, before the action/decision of the United Nations, the only remaining wise thing left for them to do is to accept reason and justness. By doing so, they may engage our country and the rest of the claimant countries involved in the WPS row in a dialogue (serious, transparent, and sincere) to reach a compromise “win-win solution” for all — for the sake of peace and the saving of lives, and the preservation of our planet. Play fair and humane. That is even wiser. “God will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness.” — Psalm 9:8 (NLT) The post Solving China, Russia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
China lodges complaint over S. Korean president’s Taiwan remarks
China on Sunday said it had lodged a complaint with Seoul over South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's "erroneous" remarks about Taiwan, as a diplomatic spat simmers between the Asian neighbors. Beijing and Seoul have traded barbs over a Reuters interview with Yoon this month, in which he called tensions between China and Taiwan a "global issue" similar to North Korea and blamed recent heightened tensions on "attempts to change the status quo by force". China claims self-ruled, democratic Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to bring the island under its control one day, with Beijing insisting that its dealings with Taipei are purely internal matters. The Chinese foreign ministry said Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong had been ordered on Thursday to make a "solemn representation" to the South Korean ambassador over Yoon's comments. Sun told Ambassador Yoon's remarks were "totally unacceptable" and expressed "strong dissatisfaction," the ministry said. China's statement comes ahead of Yoon's state visit to key ally the United States, which Beijing has blamed for arming Taiwan and encouraging pro-independence politicians. The Taiwan question is a matter "belonging to the Chinese themselves and no force can be allowed to interfere," Sun said, urging Seoul to "adhere to the One-China Principle and be careful in words and actions relating to the Taiwan issue". China's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin had previously criticized Yoon's remarks, calling it a "universally known fact" that the Taiwan issue was not comparable to tensions on the Korean Peninsula. This prompted South Korea's foreign ministry on Thursday to berate China for its "serious diplomatic discourtesy". Tensions have escalated in the Taiwan Strait in recent years, with China launching military exercises earlier this month after Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen visited the United States. The post China lodges complaint over S. Korean president’s Taiwan remarks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SpaceX resets Starship test flight
SpaceX has rescheduled for Thursday the first test flight of Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, designed to send astronauts to the Moon, Mars and beyond after a technical glitch forced a halt to the countdown. A planned liftoff Monday of the gigantic rocket was called off less than 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled launch because of a pressurization issue in the first-stage booster, SpaceX said. The private space company continued with the countdown in what it called a "wet dress rehearsal," stopping the clock with 10 seconds to go, just before the massive engines on the booster were to have been ignited. SpaceX founder Elon Musk said a frozen pressure valve forced a scrub of the launch, which had been planned for 8:20 a.m. Central Time (1320 GMT) from Starbase, the SpaceX spaceport in Boca Chica, Texas. "Learned a lot today, now offloading propellant, retrying in a few days," Musk tweeted. Before announcing Thursday as the new target for liftoff, SpaceX had said the inaugural flight would be delayed for at least 48 hours to recycle the liquid methane and liquid oxygen that fuels the rocket. The new launch window opens Thursday at 8:28 a.m. Central Time (1328 GMT) and lasts 62 minutes, SpaceX said on Twitter. The US space agency NASA has picked the Starship spacecraft to ferry astronauts to the Moon in late 2025 — a mission known as Artemis III — for the first time since the Apollo program ended in 1972. Starship consists of a 164-foot (50-meter) tall spacecraft designed to carry crew and cargo that sits atop a 230-foot tall first-stage Super Heavy booster rocket. SpaceX conducted a successful test-firing of the 33 Raptor engines on the first-stage booster in February but the Starship spacecraft and the Super Heavy rocket have never flown together. The integrated test flight is intended to assess their performance in combination. Musk had warned ahead of the launch that a delay was likely. "It's a very risky flight," he said earlier. "It's the first launch of a very complicated, gigantic rocket. "There's a million ways this rocket could fail," Musk said. "We're going to be very careful and if we see anything that gives us concern, we'll postpone." The post SpaceX resets Starship test flight appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Numerous Individuals and Businesses Profit from Trump Media Stock
Former President Donald J. Trump’s social media company, Truth Social, had a successful first official trading session on the Nasdaq, with shares surging and approaching.....»»
Marcos tells Filipinos to serve others during Holy Week
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s message to Filipinos during Holy Week encourages tham to "serve others.".....»»
Trending tickers: Trump Media, Tesla, Bitcoin and DS Smith
Former US president Donald Trump’s media firm, Trump Media & Technology Group, had a successful stock market debut in New York, with shares soaring past.....»»
Phl at the crossroads
As we all take a break this Holy Week, some of us will pause and ponder on our own individual journeys and think about what lies ahead......»»
UAAP volleyball enters break amid wide-open semis race
It’s the calm before the storm as teams embark on a much-needed pause ahead of an expected all-out race to the UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournaments Final Four......»»
JG Summit FY23 profit: P19.6-B (up 216%)
JG Summit, the Gokongwei Family’s diversified conglomerate, teased its FY23 financial results headlined by a 216% increase in the company’s net income to P19.6 billion......»»
JG Summit core profit soars in 2023
Core earnings of conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc. soared in 2023 following a significant turnaround in its airline business, with Cebu Pacific returning to full-year profit for the first time since the pandemic......»»
Gela Atayde masaya sa kasalang Ria-Zanjoe: My heart is at peace
ISANG heartfelt message ang alay ng Kapamilya artist na si Gela Atayde para sa bagong kasal niyang kapatid na si Ria Atayde at sa asawa nitong si Zanjoe Marudo. Matatandaang nitong Sabado, March 23, kasabay ng kaarawan ni Ria ay ikinasal sila ni Zanjoe sa Quezon City na in-officiate ni Mayor Joy Belmonte. Sa latest.....»»
Niña Jose nag-sorry, maraming natutunan matapos mag-viral
MARAMING natutunan ang dating “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate at alkalde ng Bayambang, Pangasinan na si Niña Jose matapos siyang mag-trending sa social media kamakailan. “The power of social media is so scary, we have to be truly careful sa mga binibitiwan nating salita,” ito ang natutunan niya tungkol sa viral video na kumalat tungkol sa.....»»
Malixi all geared up for Augusta Amateur debut
Rianne Malixi is channeling her excitement into thorough preparation ahead of her highly anticipated debut in the prestigious Augusta National Women’s Amateur unfolding April 3 in Augusta, Georgia......»»
Women s Month: Deniece Cornejo urges Filipinas to fight sexual harassment, challenges
Model Deniece Cornejo had a message for her fellow Filipinas this International Women’s Month. .....»»
Mga momshies! Melai Cantiveros gives Women s Month inspiration
Kapamilya host Melai Cantiveros had a message for women this Women’s Month. .....»»