Vietnam is the second most corrupt nation in Southeast Asia after Indonesia. Government officials are often too wealthy in relation to their official salaries. Now, they will be required to list all the properties and luxury items they own to enable the authorities to determine whether they are were obtained unlawfully or not. The new anti-corruption drive stems from a recently signed agreement with Malaysia.
Bishop Peter Nguyen Van Nhon of Da Lat, 72, is coadjutor to Msgr. Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet, 58. Many suspect that the Holy See has bowed to pressure from the government which wants to remove the archbishop of Hanoi, "instigator of riots." In return there would be diplomatic relations, and Benedict XVI's visit to Vietnam. But the same Bishop. Kiet says: The Holy See has always supported me. The reasons are my health.
The writer, 32, was arrested in 2008. After a half-day trial, she was found guilty of "propaganda against the state". In the last three months, 14 dissidents convicted.
After 15 years the Peoples Committee’s nebulous answer arrives ordering the parish to submit to the investments and commercial development of the area. The Committee will evaluate if the local population needs “space for religious activity”.
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