CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta speaks outside the US District Court in Washington after a judge ordered his press credentials temporarily restored. (Photo: AFP/Mandel Ngan) Trump spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said "in response to the court, we will temporarily reinstate the reporter's hard pass." But she left open the possibility of seeking to remove Acosta's access later and said new rules would be imposed "to ensure fair and orderly press conferences." Trump said that "rules and regulations" were being drafted to govern such gatherings, where the president or his representatives often accuse journalists - Acosta in particular - of being overly hostile. "We have to practice decorum. We want total freedom of the press," Trump told reporters, adding later in an interview with Fox News: "If he misbehaves, we'll throw him out." In fact, Trump himself frequently speaks harshly to reporters, for example last week telling another CNN correspondent several times that her question was … [Read more...] about CNN reporter returns to White House after pass reinstated
S pass approval
Resolution on contributors to Hanoi’s development approved
According to the resolution passed at the Council’s seventh session, the city will draw up incentives aimed at high-performing university graduates and educators who make significant advances in student training, as well as top-class sports coaches, leading scientists and artists. Depending on the types of beneficiaries, the incentives include immediate recruitment without the need for further testing, financial support 20 times more than the basic salary after recruitment and extra support for those renting or buying housing, in line with Government and city policies. Those who have had two years of work experience would be given financial support to pursue postgraduate degrees, either domestically or overseas. The Hanoi People's Council began its seventh session on July 1, to discuss a number of issues, including a potential vote of confidence in 18 senior officials elected by the council. In the first six months of this year, production levels in the city have risen and … [Read more...] about Resolution on contributors to Hanoi’s development approved
Master plan approved for development of national-level Son Tra tourism area
The Vietnamese Prime Minister has recently approved Da Nang’s master plan for developing a national-level Son Tra tourism area towards 2025 with a vision to 2030. About 10km northeast of the inner city, the 1,056ha tourism area will be nestled on the Son Tra Peninsula in Son Tra District. The specific focus will be on developing the venue to meet the requirements for a national-level tourism site by 2025. By 2030, special attention will have been paid to developing this site into a luxury holiday and eco-tourism centre in the south central coastal region, as well as into an important destination on the national road and marine tourism routes. Also, importance will be attached to developing eco, luxury marine, cultural and spiritual, and sports and adventure sports tourism products in the area. Some support tourism products will include tours to explore the local culture and history, and to such local popular tourist attractions as the Marble Mountains, Hai Van Pass and … [Read more...] about Master plan approved for development of national-level Son Tra tourism area
PM passes new Vietnam-UK aviation pact
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved a new aviation transport pact already signed by officials of Vietnam and the United Kingdom to enhance air transport ties between the two countries as well as investment and cooperation relations. The Prime Minister signed Decision 480/QD-TTg endorsing the agreement on Tuesday, less than five months after officials of the two countries clinched it in London in December last year. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been told to prepare final procedures for the pact. The Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) said that the new agreement did not set the valid period but it would become invalid one year after either side had a written announcement for its decision to halt the pact. The highlights of the new agreement mark a significant increase in flight frequency between Vietnam and the UK. Transport officials of two countries have agreed to bring the number of weekly services between the two countries to 14 from only three … [Read more...] about PM passes new Vietnam-UK aviation pact
Giong Festival passes UNESCO’s first verification round
The dossier of the Vietnamese Giong Festival, sent to UNESCO in a bid to get the festival recognised as an intangible cultural heritage, has been preliminarily approved and forwarded to UNSECO's Intergovernmental Committee for further appraisal. This was announced by the Cultural Heritage Department of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on January 26. The result of the second assessment round will be known in June and the result of the final round will be announced at a meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritages in Kenya in November. The Giong Festival is held from the 6 th to the 12 th day of the fourth lunar month every year at Phu Dong (or Giong) Village in Gia Lam District, Hanoi, as well as in several other Hanoi locales, including Phu Ninh Village in Soc Son District and Xuan Dinh Village in Tu Liem District. The main festival day is on the 9th day of the month. The festival commemorates a legendary … [Read more...] about Giong Festival passes UNESCO’s first verification round