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Google has dismissed arguments that it is the world's biggest search engine because of illegal practices, saying to switch to another company takes "literally four taps". A lawyer for the company made the remarks in court in Tuesday in Washington DC, where it is facing trial over whether it is a monopoly. The case is a major test of the power of US regulators over the tech giants. Prosecutors said the case was about "the future of the internet". The trial is expected to last 10 weeks and will feature testimony from Google boss Sundar Pichai as well as executives from Apple. Judge Amit Mehta, who was appointed to his position on DC district court by former president Barack Obama, will decide the case - the biggest for the industry in 25 years. India tribunal upholds $160m fine on Google Google faces €25bn legal action in UK and the EU Why it is becoming easier to sue Big Tech in the UK The government's lawsuit focuses on billions of payments Google has made to Apple, Samsung, Mozilla and others to be pre-installed as the default online search engine. The US said Google typically pays more than $10bn a year for that privilege, securing its access to a steady gush of user data that helped maintain its hold on the market. FULL STORY

Six decades later, new details are still coming to light in one of the most scrutinised events in American history: the assassination of President John F Kennedy. Paul Landis, an 88-year-old former Secret Service agent who witnessed the president's death at close range, says in an upcoming memoir that he took a bullet from the car after Mr Kennedy was shot, and then left it on the former president's stretcher at the hospital. It might seem like a minute detail in a case that has been poured over since the 1960s, but to individuals who have spent decades looking at every shred of evidence, Mr Landis's account is a major and unexpected development. JFK assassination: Questions that won't go away Thousands of JFK assassination files released Conspiracies, over how many gunmen were involved, who was ultimately responsible, and how many bullets actually struck the president, have abounded in the decades since the assassination. The idea that the true facts of the case differ from the official version is modern America's original conspiracy theory, and according to some historians, the killing instigated the nation's decaying trust in its government. Depending on how one looks at it, Mr Landis's story either changes nothing or everything. FULL STORY

An official inquiry into the Roman Catholic Church in Switzerland has identified nearly 1,000 cases of sexual abuse since 1950. Many involved children and 56% of the victims were male, the report said. The vast majority of the accused were men. Researchers from the University of Zurich also found evidence of a "widespread cover up". "The cases we identified are without a doubt only the tip of the iceberg," said the study's leads. Monika Dommann and Marietta Meier compiled the report following a year-long investigation, which was commissioned by Church authorities. They were given access to Church archives and also held interviews with several people, including those affected by sexual abuse. However, they said "numerous" other documents had not yet been made available. The researchers also found evidence that records had been destroyed at two dioceses and that not all reported cases of sexual abuse were written down and consequently archived. Church of England abuse cases run to hundreds Pope meets victims of clerical sexual abuse "Given what we know from research on the dark figure of crime, we assume that only a small percentage of cases was ever reported in the first place," said Ms Dommann and Ms Meier. FULL STORY

Australia's highest court has rejected a bid by Qantas to overturn a ruling that it illegally outsourced 1,700 jobs during the pandemic. The court unanimously upheld that the carrier had unlawfully laid off staff at 10 airports in 2020. The ruling found that Qantas breached Australia's Fair Work Act, which protects employee rights. Qantas said the outsourcing was a necessary financial measure. The airline has faced public outrage in recent weeks, after reaping record profits despite a series of scandals related to its actions throughout the pandemic. Qantas has also been accused of supporting a government block on the expansion of Qatar Airways flights to and from Australia - a move which critics say would have made the market more competitive and driven down airfares. Last week, the airline's long-term boss Alan Joyce announced his departure from the airline two months earlier than scheduled amid the mounting controversies. The Transport Workers Union - one of the main bodies representing workers which brought the case - said the finding was proof that "the entire Qantas board must be replaced by new directors including a worker representative". FULL STORY

The US House of Representatives will open a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, its most senior Republican has said. Kevin McCarthy said the inquiry would focus on "allegations of abuse of power, obstruction and corruption" by Mr Biden. Republicans have been investigating the president since they took control of the House in January. The hearings have found no concrete evidence of misconduct by Mr Biden. They have, however, shed more light on business dealings by the president's son Hunter Biden - which Republicans say are questionable - and on Mr Biden's knowledge of his son's activities. In a brief statement at the US Capitol, Mr McCarthy said there were "serious and credible" allegations involving the president's conduct. "Taken together, these allegations paint a picture of a culture of corruption," he said. The White House was quick to condemn Mr McCarthy's decision. "House Republicans have been investigating the President for nine months, and they've turned up no evidence of wrongdoing," White House spokesperson Ian Sams wrote in a social media post. "Extreme politics at its worst." Hunter Biden: Who are the IRS tax whistleblowers? The struggles and scandals of Hunter Biden Hunter Biden is currently under federal investigation for possible tax crimes related to his foreign business interests. FULL STORY

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ASEAN NOW, formerly known as Thaivisa.com, has successfully cultivated a substantial and devoted following over the years through its forum website, social networks, and daily newsletters. It caters to the local expat community and individuals with an interest in Thailand, delivering up-to-date Thailand news, visa and immigration updates. ASEAN NOW has emerged as the primary resource for anyone seeking information about various aspects of Thailand. The partners who oversee ASEAN NOW have made the decision to pass the torch and are now extending an invitation to serious investors to submit bids for acquiring the media group. If you are genuinely interested in purchasing ASEAN NOW, kindly reach out to [email protected] for further details and discussions.

Used to enjoy the stiff cold wind in your face, the smell of the Autmn air, invigorating ! Great for a few weeks, but live in it again, nah, bones are too old now...5555 but do get fed up occasionally with the relentless heat and humidity in Thailand I. I guess wherever you go there will be an some issue as nowhere is perfect but how much of an issue is dependent on you and your attitude toward it. ????

The purpose of employee health insurance in Thailand is to look after employees’ well being under government mandated rules and regulations. At best, these provide standard coverage without taking into account the unique needs of each employee and are not effective long-term solutions. In this article, we will take a look at the pros and cons of corporate health insurance, what private health insurance plans have to offer, the importance of securing private international health insurance for your expatriate journey, and how an insurance broker like Pacific Prime Thailand can help. The Benefits of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans Generally speaking, the benefits of employee health insurance are evident when you require basic care at a hospital during employment. While the coverage amount may not be significant, it is practical and adequate as a countermeasure to protect employees from minor illnesses and conditions. Another great advantage of employer-sponsored health plans is their average waiver and wait times, which provide employees with coverage from the first day of their employment to their last, regardless of pre-existing conditions and pre-medical screenings. The Drawbacks of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans The drawbacks, in this case, are rather self explanatory. Coverage ends as soon as employment ends, and any costs incurred from illnesses or health conditions treated at hospitals shall be paid directly from your pocket. Another important drawback of employer-sponsored health plans is that their terms, benefits, and scope of coverage are decided between the employer and insurer, which does not account for the differences among the needs of employees at different stages in their careers. Moreover, employer-sponsored health plans are capped, which may more or less result in an employee having to pay out of their own pockets for substantial amounts that exceed the coverage limit as specified in their plan. Lastly, employers continuously work with insurers to limit their liabilities and save money. At any given moment in time, conditions may shift and certain types of coverage may be removed. The Benefits of Securing Private International Health Insurance Making the decision to relocate to a new country is a major life change. It also brings fresh difficulties, the most serious of which is access to quality medical care. When living abroad, many people tend to struggle to find affordable health insurance that suits their needs. In addition, depending on the visa type, Thai law may require expats to carry medical insurance. Obtaining insurance from a Thai company satisfies the first visa requirement. The second step is obtaining additional coverage from an international insurer. What’s more, while Thai insurance policies are generally inexpensive, they may not offer the same level of protection as more pricey private international policies. This necessitates that expats carefully consider alternatives to the Thai health insurance plans' coverage. As a result, it is important to shop around for a more personalized private international health insurance policy. By working with an insurance agent, you should be able to locate a medical coverage strategy that fits your needs and finances in no time. To provide an easier-to-understand overview, we’ve listed below a few of the most compelling reasons to invest in private international health insurance: Direct Billing Direct billing is one of the most important selling points for policyholders. This ensures that every medical fee is paid for and charged directly from an insurer's network, eliminating the hassle of paying from your own wallet or having to settle lengthy claims processes. Flexible Plans By dealing directly with an insurance broker, you’ll be able to customize every aspect of your coverage. This helps match the benefits with your specific needs and, most importantly, your budget. This outcompetes employer sponsored health insurance plans, which are limited in scope and coverage. Private Healthcare Access Access to the finest private hospitals and clinics in one's host country is one of the main benefits of having private international health insurance. In addition, private hospitals have excellent connections to insurer networks, provide care with international standards, have shorter wait times, and have staff members who speak English. Lifetime Renewability Securing health coverage as an older person can be a challenge. A lot of insurance companies are reluctant to insure those over the age of 60; however, by working with an insurance broker, you should be able to find plans with lifetime renewal as an option. Insurance Brokers: Why You Need Them In an agile business environment saturated with information, the last thing you want is to be confused by what your insurer has to offer or how you’ll be covered. Eliminating this confusion is the job of an insurance broker, providing you with a full and simplified understanding of all benefits and coverage terms. Secondly, when it comes to insurance, miscommunication and misunderstandings can lead to unhappiness and dissatisfaction. Another job of insurance brokers is to make sure that every client is happy and satisfied with their conditions and coverage terms. This is because an insurance broker’s success hinges upon the satisfaction and trust of expat clients, who trust brokers to act as their intermediaries in securing a comprehensive international health plan to fit their unique needs and budget. Pacific Prime: Health Insurance Simplified for You Pacific Prime is an award-winning intermediary that equips individuals moving abroad with the knowledge and self-assurance to make informed insurance decisions. Our insurance specialists offer first-rate assistance, individualized plans, and a fresh perspective on medical care to international clients. With offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore, Dubai, Bangkok, London, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Cebu, Dublin, Kuala Lumpur, and Jakarta, our experience and understanding of international health insurance enable us to provide the best advice and services to our expat clients. Here are a few ways we can guide you: Provide you with an understanding of every available insurance plan Providing unbiased guidance via phone call Assist you in selecting a plan to suit your unique needs Help you throughout your expatriate journey To get started, contact us or compare quotes today.

The American position depends not only on relations with Russia, China and the Brics countries, but on fixing its own economic and political problems. Is the dollar poised to lose its dominance of global economic and financial transactions? Many commentators apparently think so. Russia obviously hopes they are right, given that it has been shut out of the US banking system and suspended from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (Swift). China evidently wants to help the process along by encouraging countries to undertake transactions in yuan. And the Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has called for the Brics countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) to create a common currency as an alternative to the dollar. Russia’s shift away from the dollar, which got under way after its illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, was prompted by the fear – and then the fact – of US sanctions. More than a few commentators have since warned that other countries, witnessing US “weaponisation” of the dollar, will follow the Kremlin’s example. China’s yuan internationalisation campaign reflects not only tensions with the US but also a desire to project power internationally, with the drive for economic and financial self-sufficiency reflected in other aspects of Chinese policy as well. The dollar’s singular pre-eminence, in this view, is unlikely to survive a world dominated by two large economies at loggerheads, only one of which benefits from the dollar’s “exorbitant privilege”. Similarly, Lula’s common currency campaign reflects the view that the rising power and influence of the Brics can no longer be denied, and that they deserve a seat at the top monetary table, whether the US agrees or not. FULL ARTICLE

A distillery apologized to neighbors after a river of surplus wine rushed down a narrow, hilly street in a small town in Portugal. The alcoholic flash flood Sunday in São Lorenco de Bairro was captured on video and appeared as a torrent of red wine. No injuries were reported, but the wine may have entered a home's basement, according to the distiller and Portuguese news platform Jornal Diário de Aveiro. Firefighters diverted the flow from a nearby river and into fields, the publication reported. Destilaria Levira said in a statement that the release happened after two storage tanks burst. The cause was under investigation. The distillery apologized and said it would handle cleanup, repair and damage. Jornal Diário de Aveiro said more than 580,000 gallons of wine ended up in streets. The distillery said its bountiful storage was the result of governmental response to a wine surplus in Europe, caused by decreasing demand. Destilaria Levira described the oversupply as a crisis. In June, the European Commission, the day-to-day executive leadership of the European Union, acknowledged the oversupply and said it would support measures to convert excess wine to biofuel. FULL STORY

The Biden administration informed Congress on Monday that it has taken concrete steps to carry out a prisoner exchange with Iran, issuing a waiver that will give Tehran access to $6 billion in Iranian oil revenue that had been blocked by U.S. sanctions, according to a State Department document sent to Congress and obtained by NBC News. Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week issued a sweeping waiver to international banks allowing the transfer of $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds from South Korea to Qatar without the threat of U.S. sanctions, according to the State Department report notifying Congress of its decision. Iran will then be permitted to use the funds to buy food, medicine or other humanitarian items allowed under U.S. economic sanctions. In addition, the administration told lawmakers it would free five Iranian nationals under detention in the U.S. in exchange for five Americans held in Iran, according to the document. The move is the latest sign that the prisoner exchange is moving ahead. The text of Blinken’s waiver decision, which was first reported by The Associated Press, says that “the United States has committed to release five Iranian nationals currently detained in the United States and to permit the transfer of approximately $6 billion in Iranian funds held in restricted accounts in the ROK (Republic of Korea) to restricted accounts in Qatar, where the funds will be available only for humanitarian trade.” Adrienne Watson, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council, said in a statement Monday night that "no individuals have been or will be released into U.S. custody this week." FULL STORY

Nearly half the House Democratic Caucus is calling on President Biden to put executive muscle into measures to help immigrants and asylum-seekers get work papers. In a letter signed by 103 lawmakers, the Democrats laid out three legal avenues to allow asylum-seekers and certain undocumented immigrants to work legally, and for some undocumented immigrants to apply for permanent residency. The House members joined calls by some Democratic senators and an array of labor, religious and civil rights organizations that have been pressing for the administration to adopt a more proactive approach on work authorization. The lawmakers also underscored their support for expansion of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), but kept their specific policy suggestions to a set of targeted regulations. “We write to urge the administration to use all the tools available to provide stability to undocumented individuals and recently arrived asylum seekers, seeking to work lawfully, support their families, and contribute to the economy,” they wrote in the letter, first reported by Politico. “While this letter does not focus on Temporary Protected Status (TPS), many of these individuals come from countries that warrant a designation or redesignation of TPS, and we support those on-going efforts.” FULL STORY

A US citizen trapped in Turkey's third deepest cave for more than a week has been pulled to safety, rescuers say. More than 150 people were involved in efforts to save caver Mark Dickey after he developed stomach problems in the Morca Cave on 2 September. Organisers say it was one of the largest and most complicated underground rescues ever mounted. The lowest point of the Morca Cave, in a remote part of the south, reaches nearly 1.3km (0.8 miles) below ground. Mr Dickey was brought out of the cave at 00:37 local time (21:37 GMT), the Turkish Caving Federation announced on social media. Carl Heitmeyer of the New Jersey Initial Response Team, a group Mr Dickey leads, confirmed for BBC News that the caver had been rescued and he expressed his thanks to all those involved in the operation. Mr Dickey said he thought he would not survive the ordeal after his condition worsened. "The only feeling that I think I have is this curve of 'Will I live?' It literally went through my head, I was like 'This is a bell curve'. Like seriously, I'm insane that way," he told reporters. "It's like 'This isn't that serious, I'm not going to die', this is 'ok, like I've got some blood going on here but it's bacterial, it's an infection, whatever'. "Then I start throwing up blood and blood is coming out in more quantity that you're going to live with if it keeps happening… I kept throwing up blood. Then my consciousness started to get harder to hold on to and I reached a point where I said, 'I'm not going to live'," he added. FULL STORY

Donald Trump has asked the judge overseeing his federal election meddling case to step aside due to previous statements she made in court. He said in a legal filing some past comments create a perception of bias against the former president. The request for a recusal was filed to Judge Tanya Chutkan on Monday. She is overseeing the case being brought by special counsel Jack Smith, who accuses Mr Trump of a conspiracy to overturn his 2020 election loss. Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The former president said last month that he planned to petition Judge Chutkan for a recusal. The Monday filing does not expressly call the judge prejudiced against Mr Trump, but says certain statements she has made in her court "create a perception of prejudgment incompatible with our justice system". "Although Judge Chutkan may genuinely intend to give President Trump a fair trial - and may believe that she can do so - her public statements unavoidably taint these proceedings, regardless of outcome," it says. The petition highlights several comments, including one she made in October 2022 while sentencing a 6 January Capitol rioter. How big are Donald Trump's legal problems? "This was nothing less than an attempt to violently overthrow the government, the legally, lawfully, peacefully elected government, by individuals who were mad that their guy lost," she said. She later added: "It's blind loyalty to one person who, by the way, remains free to this day." FULL STORY

Luis Rubiales announced that he has resigned from his position as the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after receiving backlash for kissing a star player on the lips without her consent during the team’s World Cup ceremony. “Today, I notified the interim president at 930 pm, Mr. Pedro Rocha, that I have resigned as President of RFEF,” Rubiales said Sunday in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, also sharing that he resigned from his position as vice president of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). “I have also informed him that I have done the same with my position at UEFA, so that a replacement for my role as vice president can be sought,” Rubiales said. “After the suspension by FIFA, in addition to the rest of the proceedings against me, it is clear that I will not be able to return to my position.” Rubiales also said that the reason he stepped down from his position was in an effort to not risk RFEF and Spain’s bid to host the World Cup in 2030, adding that now he’ll spend time defending his name against “excessive persecution.” FULL STORY

Former President Trump told a crowd in South Dakota on Friday that the Supreme Court’s decision to remove federal abortion rights protections “probably cost” the Republican Party politically, but was still the right decision. “Last year, those justices bravely and incredibly ruled on something that everybody has wanted for decades, for 51 years,” Trump said Friday at the Monumental Leaders rally in Rapid City, S.D. “They ruled to end Roe v. Wade. That was a big thing.” “And it’s probably cost us politically because the other side got energized,” he added. “You know, they’re the radicals, not the pro-lifers. But now pro-lifers have a tremendous power to negotiate.” The high court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision in summer 2022 — which overturned Roe v. Wade — is generally unpopular. Nearly two-thirds of Americans disapproved of the decision in a June poll. Political experts theorized that the court’s decision energized Democrats to turn out for the 2022 midterms, as Democrats are more likely to support abortion rights. In the wake of the decision last year, about 40 percent of women said they were more likely to vote than before. Trump has made the point before, blaming 2022 midterm election losses on the abortion rights debate, but other Republicans have shot back. “The former president actually suggested that we lost elections in the midterms because we overturned Roe v. Wade?” former Vice President Mike Pence said. “I don’t believe that for a second.” FULL STORY

New polls showing President Biden tied or trailing several GOP presidential candidates and deep concerns among voters over his age are stoking Democratic angst about third-party candidates “stealing” a victory in November 2024. Democrats have long been worried that in a close race, a third-party candidate could be the difference between winning and defeat in hard-fought states such as Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin or even Florida. But the new polling is exacerbating unease that liberal candidate Cornel West or a centrist contender backed by No Labels could end up being spoilers for Biden. Groups on the left are among those expressing discontentment, arguing that the only candidates who will have a chance to actually win the White House are Biden and the eventual Republican nominee. “The 2024 presidential election is a binary choice between Joe Biden and the MAGA GOP nominee,” Rahna Epting, executive director of MoveOn, told The Hill on Thursday. She pointed her criticism squarely at No Labels, which has seen an influx of attacks from all corners of the party in recent weeks. “That’s why we are so alarmed that, despite this urgent and unique moment of peril for our democracy, No Labels remains determined to push forward with a reckless 2024 third party bid.” FULL STORY

Hard-line Republicans in the House are itching for fights over opening an impeachment inquiry into President Biden and extracting deep spending cuts even at the risk of a government shutdown. Their eagerness to fight isn’t just with Biden and Democrats, but also with Republicans in their conference worried about the political risks of an impeachment fight and a shutdown. Those dynamics pose yet another challenge for Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), whose job is to unify his conference. “I’m tired of all these Republicans hiding behind, ‘Oh, but they’ll say it’s a shutdown. And they’ll say that you’re defunding law enforcement with [the Department of Homeland Security].’ That is all bullshit,” said Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), a member of the House Freedom Caucus. “The truth is we’re using the power that we were given to force change because you don’t pay people not to do their job.” Allies of McCarthy are among those putting the pressure on him. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who has repeatedly offered support for McCarthy, said she will not vote to fund the government unless the House opens an impeachment inquiry into Biden. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), decidedly not a McCarthy ally, suggested he could force a vote on ousting the Speaker if he does not push forward on investigations of Biden and other officials. FULL STORY

Morocco faces a race against time to save those trapped under the rubble by Friday's earthquake, as emergency services battle to supply remote areas. Villagers continue to dig by hand and shovel to find survivors, as response teams struggle to bring in machinery. Those same tools may now be needed to prepare graves for some of the thousands killed in the quake. People "have nothing left," a villager told the BBC. "People are starving. Children want water. They need help." Friday's earthquake, the country's deadliest for more than 60 years, struck below a remote cluster of mountainous villages south of Marrakesh. The government reported that at least 2,122 people were killed and more than 2,421 injured, many critically. The 6.8-magnitude tremor collapsed homes, blocked roads and swayed buildings as far away as the country's northern coast. Marrakesh's old city, a Unesco World Heritage site, suffered damage. 'Everyone in this village is either dead or missing' Man narrowly avoids building collapse in Marrakesh Such a powerful earthquake is unusual for Morocco Morocco's King Mohammed VI declared three days of national mourning on Saturday, as the scale of the devastation became clearer. FULL STORY

Egypt has voiced anger after Ethiopia announced it had filled the reservoir at a highly controversial hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile river. Ethiopia has been in dispute with Egypt and Sudan over the megaproject since its launch in 2011. Egypt relies on the Nile for nearly all its water needs. Egypt's foreign ministry said Ethiopia was disregarding the interests of the downstream countries. Ethiopia says the $4.2bn (£3.4bn) dam will not cut their share of Nile water. "It is with great pleasure that I announce the successful completion of the fourth and final filling of the Renaissance Dam," Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on X, formerly Twitter. He admitted the project had faced "internal and external obstacles" but "we endured all that". The dam began generating electricity in February 2022. Ethiopia believes the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (Gerd) will double the country's electricity output, providing a vital development boost, as currently half the 127-million population lacks electricity. The plan is to generate more than 6,000 MW at the dam, which is about 30km (19 miles) from Ethiopia's border with Sudan. Egypt and Sudan argue that common rules for the operation of Gerd must be agreed, fearing that energy-hungry Ethiopia may exacerbate their existing water shortages. Negotiations over the project resumed last month, having been suspended in 2021. Sudan - currently mired in fighting between rival armies - did not immediately react to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's announcement on Sunday. FULL STORY

President Joe Biden has denied that the US is attempting to stem China's international influence, after signing a new strategic partnership with Vietnam. More than 50 years since the last American soldier left Vietnam, Mr Biden travelled to Hanoi to sign the agreement that will bring the former foes closer than ever before. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam is a major relationship upgrade for the US. It is the culmination of a relentless push by Washington over the last two years to strengthen ties with Vietnam, which it sees as key to counter China's influence in Asia. It is also no small feat. The partnership with Washington is the highest level of diplomatic ties extended by Vietnam, one of China's oldest and staunchest friends. Mr Biden told reporters in Hanoi that American actions were not about containing or isolating China, but about maintaining stability in accordance with international rules. "I want to see China to succeed economically, but I want to see them succeed by the rules," he said. Signs of improved ties had already irked Beijing, which called them more evidence of America's "cold-war mentality". But Hanoi has thought this through, says Le Hong Hien from Singapore's ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, adding that the agreement with the US is "symbolic rather than [one of] substance". The Vietnamese dream The title may be symbolic but closer ties could mean better business deals, and less reliance on China. Vietnam has a young and highly educated workforce. It has also fostered a spirit of entrepreneurship which makes it highly attractive to US investors - especially those who are looking to move their manufacturing bases out of China. Big names including Dell, Google, Microsoft and Apple have all shifted parts of their supply chains to Vietnam in recent years. The US also considers it a promising market for weapons and military equipment as Hanoi tries to wean off Moscow. Washington is also keen to help Vietnam become an integral part of the world's semiconductor supply chain and develop its electronics sector - areas which have become contentious as the US tries to restrict China's access to advanced tech. FULL STORY

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A key Russian general who Russian President Vladimir Putin promoted this week views the invasion of Ukraine as a mere "stepping stone" to further conflict with Europe. Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, sparking fears from many analysts that the Kremlin may have greater ambitions beyond taking control of its former Soviet neighbor. Russian commentators and lawmakers have often heightened those fears with their anti-North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) rhetoric throughout the war—routinely encouraging direct strikes on European and even American targets. This week, Putin promoted Lieutenant General Andrey Mordvichev to the rank of Colonel-General. The military leader had already been serving in the role of commanding the Central Military District and Russian Central Grouping of Forces in Ukraine. In a recent interview with Moscow's state-run Russia-1, a clip of which circulated widely on social media Saturday, Mordvichev said he believes Putin's war will last quite a long time and expand in the future. "I think there's still plenty of time to spend. It is pointless to talk about a specified period. If we are talking about Eastern Europe, which we will have to, of course then it will be longer," the general said. "Ukraine is only a stepping stone?" the interviewer then asked. "Yes, absolutely. It is only the beginning," Mordvichev responded, who went on to say that the war "will not stop here." full story