Acting opposition leader Kem Sokha was sentenced to five months in prison for refusing to appear in court for a case related to an alleged sex scandal. A leading Cambodian opposition politician was convicted Friday in a trial slammed by rights groups as long-ruling Prime Minister Hun Sen's latest effort to hobble rivals ahead of 2018 elections. "The (court) decided to convict Kem Sokha, age 63, to five months in jail," said judge Keo Mony. The politician has spent the past few months holed up in the headquarters of his Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) to avoid arrest, amid threats from Hun Sen that he could be jailed at any time. But he made a rare appearance Friday morning to speak to hundreds of supporters gathered outside the party's office. He condemned the one-day trial, which he boycotted, and accused the government of trying to "end my political career". "Using the court to violate my political and election rights is not only making the upcoming election illegitimate, … [Read more...] about Cambodian opposition leader convicted as political pressure rises
Politics
PM meets with Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference chief
Beijing (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Yu Zhengsheng in Beijing on September 12 a s part of his ongoing visit to China. The PM spoke highly of recent close coordination between t he Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) and the CPPCC, hoping that the two sides will continue working closely and upholding their role in promoting affiliation and exchange between the two countries and peoples, towards enhancing all-round cooperation in a more practical manner and solving existing problems in the bilateral ties. He congratulated China on its recent great achievements on socio-economic development and comprehensive reform the Party, Government and people of China have obtained, saying that the CPPCC made significant contribution to the successes. For his part, Yu Zhengsheng affirmed that the Chinese Party, Government and people consistently pursue the motto “friendly … [Read more...] about PM meets with Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference chief
Toronto film festival looks back at US politics
Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton’s "Loving" premiered at Cannes before coming to Toronto.— AFP/VNA Photo Viet Nam News TORONTO, Canada —The race for the Oscars intensifies this week at the Toronto film festival, where a spotlight will be shined on American politics, youth radicalisation, racism, feminism and alien arrivals. Nearly 400 feature and short films from 83 countries will be screened at the 41st Toronto International Film Festival, the largest such event in North America, which opens on Thursday and runs through September 18. The event is crucial for Oscar-conscious studios and distributors, attracting hundreds of filmmakers and actors to the red carpet in Canada’s largest city. In past years, films such as 12 Years a Slave, The King’s Speech and Slumdog Millionaire went on from winning the Toronto festival’s audience prize for best picture to take the top honor at the Oscars. Last year, audience favorite Spotlight beat all predictions … [Read more...] about Toronto film festival looks back at US politics
Vietnam-Thailand working group on politics, security convenes
Thanh Hoa (VNA) - The Vietnam-Thailand Joint Working Group on Political and Security Cooperation (JWG) convened its eighth meeting in the central province of Thanh Hoa on August 24. At the event, the two sides reviewed the implementation of the outcomes of the third joint cabinet meeting in August 2015 and the seventh JWG meeting, the 2014-2018 action programme on the Vietnam-Thailand strategic partnership, and the 2014-2016 Vietnam-Thailand Security Outlook. They focused their discussions on cooperation aspects that need to be intensified in the time ahead, including a high-level security dialogue mechanism between the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the Royal Thai Police and a defence policy dialogue mechanism at the deputy defence ministerial level, and the use of a hotline between the two naval forces to address sea-related issues without delay. Delegates also exchanged views on measures to effectively use a hotline on preventing illegal fishing between the Vietnamese … [Read more...] about Vietnam-Thailand working group on politics, security convenes
Thai Prime Minister pledges to follow political road map
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha pledges to follow the set political road map. (Source: AFP/VNA) Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on August 7 thanked the Thai people who participated in the referendum on the new draft of the country’s constitution and pledged that the government would follow the set political road map. Government spokesperson Lieutenant General Sansern Kaewkamnerd stated that the referendum was “very transparent and fair” and showed that “all Thai people want the country to move forwards.” Leaders of the Pheu Thai Party declared their recognition of the result of the referendum and said they would continue fighting for democracy in every circumstance. Earlier, talking with the press on August 5, PM Chan-o-cha confirmed a general election will be organised in 2017 as planned, regardless of whether the new constitution draft is accepted or not. According to the initial information … [Read more...] about Thai Prime Minister pledges to follow political road map