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OBSTRUCTION: Trump requested staff member erase camera footage

Posted byNguyen Ayi

The indictment adds additional charges of obstruction and intentional withholding of national defense information, resulting in a grand total of 40 criminal counts in the ongoing classified documents case.

Cố vấn đặc biệt của Hoa Kỳ Jack Smith đã bổ sung ba cáo buộc hình sự mới chống lại Trump, nâng tổng số cáo buộc lên 40. Ngoài ra, Carlos De Oliveira, một nhân viên bảo trì tại khu nghỉ dưỡng Mar-a-Lago của Trump, đã bị buộc tội âm mưu cản trở công lý vì bị cáo buộc hỗ trợ. Trump trong việc che giấu tài liệu. Theo các công tố viên Hoa Kỳ, Donald Trump đã chỉ thị cho các nhân viên tại khu nghỉ dưỡng ở Florida của ông xóa các video an ninh khi đang bị điều tra vì lưu giữ các tài liệu mật. Một nhân viên thứ hai, De Oliveira, được cho là đã thông báo với một đồng nghiệp rằng Trump muốn xóa các video an ninh sau khi chúng được Bộ Tư pháp trát đòi hầu tòa.

De Oliveira cũng bị buộc tội nói dối FBI trong một cuộc phỏng vấn tự nguyện, khai man rằng không liên quan đến việc di chuyển các hộp tài liệu mật tại Mar-a-Lago. Khi bị các đặc vụ thẩm vấn, De Oliveira phủ nhận mọi thông tin hoặc sự liên quan. Luật sư của De Oliveira vẫn chưa bình luận về các cáo buộc.

Những cáo buộc này được công khai ngay sau khi Trump thông báo rằng các luật sư của ông đã gặp các quan chức Bộ Tư pháp để điều tra nỗ lực lật ngược kết quả bầu cử năm 2020 của ông. Điều này cho thấy rằng các cáo buộc hình sự bổ sung chống lại Trump có thể sắp xảy ra.… Read more

EnvironmentNewsOpinion
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Vietnam’s Rare Earth Mining Expansion: Profits And Green-Washing?

Posted byNguyen Ayi

Opinion by Karen Cohen

Vietnam, known for its vast untapped rare earth resources, is ramping up its efforts to expand mining activities in this sector. The potential economic benefits are undeniable, with billions in profits expected for both energy companies and government-connected oligarchs. However, amidst these promises, questions arise concerning the environmental impact of rare earth mining and whether governments are truly prioritizing sustainability or merely engaging in green-washing.

Vietnam’s Rare Earth Potential:

Vietnam has joined the ranks of China, Russia, and Brazil as one of the world’s leading countries in terms of untapped rare earth resources. According to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2023, Vietnam boasts a staggering 22,000,000 metric tons of rare earth reserves. Furthermore, a plan signed by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha reveals Vietnam’s goal to mine two million metric tons of rare earths annually by 2030 (Tuoi Tre).

Environmental Concerns:

The negative environmental impact of rare earth mining is well-documented, and it is vital to discern whether governments truly prioritize sustainable practices in their pursuit of profits. China serves as a cautionary tale, with its rare earth industry causing severe damage to the ecological environment, including the destruction of vegetation, pollution of surface water, groundwater, and farmland, and even landslides and clogged rivers (China’s State Council).

The Danger of Toxic Waste:

Both the mining and processing of rare earths contribute to mountains of toxic waste, leading to significant environmental and health hazards. For every ton of rare earth produced, staggering amounts of waste are generated, including 13 kg of dust, 9,600-12,000 cubic meters of waste gas, 75 cubic meters of wastewater, and one ton of radioactive residue. Rare earth ores often contain radioactive thorium and uranium, resulting in particularly detrimental health effects. In total, the production … Read more

NewsOpinion
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Ho Chi Minh City’s Sidewalk Fees Threaten Its Vibrant Street Food Culture

Posted byNguyen Ayi

Opinion By Kate Cohen

The sidewalk fees, as proposed by the authorities, are nothing short of a ‘poor tax.’

Ho Chi Minh City, with its bustling streets and delicious street food, has long been regarded as a food lover’s paradise. Sidewalks filled with fragrant stalls serving affordable and tasty culinary delights have not only become an integral part of the city’s unique identity but also a lifeline for many locals during challenging economic times. However, the recently imposed sidewalk fees by the authorities threaten to dismantle this vibrant street food scene, adversely impacting both the city’s cultural heritage and struggling entrepreneurs.

The Unique Street Food Culture at Stake:

Street food is deeply rooted in the fabric of Ho Chi Minh City’s identity. The city’s sidewalks have served as a canvas for vendors to showcase their culinary talents, allowing locals and tourists alike to experience the true flavors of Vietnam. From Chao to Bánh Xèo, the street food scene offers a diverse range of affordable options, enabling people of all economic backgrounds to indulge in the city’s gastronomic delights.

Survival in Challenging Economic Times:

For many street vendors, the sidewalk stalls are not just a means of making a livelihood but a symbol of resilience amidst economic hardships. The sidewalk trade provides an entry point to entrepreneurship for those with limited resources, enabling them to earn a decent income and support their families. By charging exorbitant fees for the use of sidewalk space, the city officials are effectively squeezing the lifeblood out of these small businesses, pushing them towards closure.

The Poor Tax Dilemma:

The sidewalk fees, as proposed by the authorities, are nothing short of a ‘poor tax.’ This regressive measure disproportionately affects the vulnerable sections of society, punishing struggling entrepreneurs who relied on the sidewalks to survive. With fees … Read more

News
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Vietnam’s Trucks Have Under-Ride Guards, Why Not In America?

Posted byNguyen Ayi

Highway truck accidents have always been a cause for concern worldwide. Despite numerous technological advancements in automotive safety, the absence of under-ride guards on trucks remains a dangerous oversight according to reports from Frontline and ProPublica. By analyzing this striking disparity with countries like Vietnam, where regulations mandate under-ride guards, we are prompted to question the role of lobbyists and their impact on the safety of citizens.

The Risk of Under-ride Collisions

Under-ride collisions occur when a smaller vehicle, such as a car or motorcycle, becomes wedged beneath a larger truck in the event of a rear-end collision. In these scenarios, the car’s protective structure is rendered ineffective, leading to catastrophic injuries and fatalities.

Devastating Statistics

According to recent reports, under-ride accidents account for a staggering number of deaths and severe injuries each year in the United States. In another investigative piece from ProPublica, it is shown that for decades, the Department of Transportation and trucking industry have rejected safety devices meant to prevent these underride crashes.

Consider the case of AnnaLeah and Mary Karth, whose lives were cut short due to an under-ride collision. The absence of under-ride guards on the truck involved prevented them from surviving the incident. Unfortunately, this is just one of countless tragedies that could be avoided if proper safety measures were implemented.

Comparing Global Standards

Interestingly, countries like Vietnam have recognized the dangers posed by under-ride collisions. Vietnamese highway trucks have under-ride guards as a safety feature. This has significantly decreased the number of fatalities resulting from such accidents, reflecting a commitment to safeguarding citizens’ lives.

The Role of Lobbyists In The USA

Despite the evident success of under-ride guards in reducing fatalities and injuries in other countries, the United States has been slow to take action. This hesitancy can be … Read more

Expat VoicesNews
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The American Dream: A Vietnamese Person’s Nightmare

Posted byNguyen Ayi

Hanoi, Vietnam – For years, Nguyen Pham worked tirelessly to achieve the American dream. He scrimped and saved every penny he had, even selling his home in Vietnam to fund his journey to the “Land of the Free”. After many months of hard work and perseverance, he landed on American soil, eagerly anticipating a life filled with success, prosperity, and boundless opportunity.

An Unsustainable Life

Unfortunately for Nguyen, the reality of living in America was nothing like he had imagined. From the exorbitant cost of rent to the lack of affordable public transportation, lack of affordable rent, lack of affordable food, and lack of affordable healthcare, his dreams of a better life were quickly shattered. Life in America was not what he expected, and he soon realized that the American dream was a lie. Running a business in America had untold expenses from every level of government, compared to Vietnam when he started out of his house without issues.

To make matters worse, Nguyen discovered that sending his children to school in America came with its own set of problems. Instead of learning valuable knowledge and skills, they were exposed to active shooter drills, dumb Americans, and the constant threat of gun violence.

Don’t Move To America

“Why did I even bother chasing this so-called American dream?” Nguyen lamented. “My kids would have been better off studying in schools in Vietnam, where they would have never been subjected to the fear of being shot.” Nguyen also failed to research all of the economic data that shows which nations are in decline and which have a growing economic future.

Nguyen’s story serves as a cautionary tale for those who have been sold the false promise of the American dream. While the lure of opportunity and success may be enticing, the reality … Read more

EducationSatire
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ESL Advertisements And HR Promises Result In Exact Salaries And Perks

Posted byNguyen Ayi

By Nguyen Ayi

 

 

ESL jobs provide a lucrative offer in the form of an advertised salary which usually comes out to be the exact amount you will get paid. No pesky confusion between gross and net income here! And if the advertised salary wasn’t enough to get you excited, don’t worry! There are loads of other bonuses such as housing and relocation packages, sign-on perks, and early start bonuses. And the best part is, you can rest assured that you will definitely receive all of these perks.

Professional development is also a huge perk of these jobs. It provides a refresher course for teachers who have been doing the exact same thing for years and years. Plus, veteran teachers get to show around new hires, like a free mentor and consultant, while the overseas hire gets relocation benefits and housing. If you are a veteran middle-aged teacher, be sure to show around the twenty-something hire making the benefits you have never received.

But wait, there’s more! Nineteen-year-old HR executives, who are fresh out of college, are in charge of hiring and they definitely have your best interests at heart. They won’t be jealous of your five times higher salary at all because, in twenty years in the midst of their career, they’ll be making 20 times that amount. These executives are generous enough to offer top-notch advice like recommending you spend three weeks in a hotel in another country before rushing back for a start date, only to later delay it for several weeks.

If they play other HR games like making you train for free and see how much of a monkey dance you will do for Children’s Day, fear not, you are a respected educator. Finally, we can’t go on without mentioning the amazing benefits of … Read more

EducationNewsSatire
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New Visa Policy Creates Opportunity To Disparage Foreigners

Posted byNguyen Ayi

by Nguyen Ayi

In a recent visa policy article, the comment section was abuzz with an unlikely hero: Phuoc My. This self-proclaimed genius took pride in belittling English teachers as nothing more than backpackers, insinuating that they were all drug addicts and pedophiles. Mr. My’s comment section grandstanding was quite the sight to behold. It was as if he was a proud rooster, crowing the loudest in the yard.

Ironically, Phuoc My is a man of limited education and probably couldn’t spell the word ‘pedophile’ if he tried. Nonetheless, he took great delight in disrespecting educators who have dedicated their lives to teaching the English language. To him, it was a great way to uplift his spirits as he went about his underpaid job. It’s safe to say that Mr. My would have gladly pursued education himself, but unfortunately, trolling online comes easier.

It should be noted that Phuoc My is actually one of VNEXPRESS’s employees. His trolling habits of calling teachers “illegal workers” have become the talk of the newsroom and have been a great way to increase the number of comments on his visa policy article. Who knew that overt racism and painting foreigners as “the other” could be so lucrative?

The saddest outcome of this ridiculousness is that teaching is no longer a respected profession. The Phuoc My’s of this world have succeeded in tarnishing the reputation of dedicated educators who are doing everything in their power to make a difference in the world. Thanks to commenters like Mr. My, it is hardly surprising to see a decline in the number of foreigners willing to come to Vietnam as English teachers. Meanwhile, Vietnam will continue to lag behind its neighbors in English proficiency, further hindering the country’s development.

In conclusion, Phuoc My can continue wearing his troll … Read more