A Vietnamese man who livestreamed YouTube videos deemed critical of the government and leaders and his spouse lost their appeals trial on Wednesday for prison sentences they received for “abusing democratic freedoms.” In November 2022, a court in Dong Nai province sentenced Nguyen Thai Hung, 50, to a four-year term and his wife, Vu Thi Kim Hoang, 45, to two-and-a-half years for running the “Telling the Truth TV” YouTube channel. It had nearly 40,000 followers and earned allegedly “illegal profits” of more than 384 million dong, or U.S.$15,500, from advertisements. Dong…
Day: March 29, 2023
Satellite photos point to chemical plant’s role in North Korea’s nuclear program
A new report strongly suggests that a chemical plant in northern North Korea is the main supplier for the country’s nuclear program, citing satellite evidence that appears to show shipments of chemicals from the plant to the Yongbyon nuclear facility. Beyond Parallel, a project of the Washington-based Center for Strategic International Studies, or CSIS, said that the Manpo Unha Chemical Factory manufactures chemicals including nitric acid, necessary for the processes that produce Plutonium-239 from spent nuclear fuel rods – used in nuclear weapons production – and uranium hexaflouride – used…
Can America and China avoid another diplomatic crisis?
Travels abroad by Taiwan’s political leaders are always a diplomatic minefield. But especially prudent steps are required in the coming days, as the current president and a predecessor make unofficial visits to the two superpowers that may determine the island’s future. Listen to this story.Enjoy more audio and podcasts on iOS or Android. Your browser does not support the <audio> element. Taiwan’s sitting president, Tsai Ing-wen (pictured), is passing through the United States en route to and from Central America. She is expected to meet the speaker of America’s House…
China’s Lackluster Vaccination Drive: A Tale of Local Cadre Incentives
Advertisement By December 5, two days before the December 7 release of the “10-point plan” that ended China’s zero COVID policy, 76.6 percent of seniors over 80 years old had received at least one dose of vaccine, and 65.8 percent had received two shots. Only 40 percent of seniors over 80 had received the booster shot. In comparison, 95 percent of seniors over 75 years old in the United States had received at least one shot, and 91 percent had received two shots. In addition, 76.1 percent of seniors over…
Chairman Says Russia’s Gazprom Close to Maximum Gas Supply to China
Advertisement Russia’s Gazprom is increasing gas supplies to China and expects soon to reach the maximum planned level through a Siberian pipeline, its chairman said Wednesday, highlighting Beijing’s importance as his country’s top export market in the face of Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine. Gazprom is negotiating with China over a possible additional supply project across neighboring Mongolia, Viktor Zubkov said at a government-organized economic forum. He said the company is open to serving other Asian markets. Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government sees Moscow as a diplomatic partner…