INTERNATIONAL

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. government said it still had 2,053 children in its custody who were separated from their parents under President Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy, and set out its most detailed plans yet on how it would reunite families. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said late on Saturday it had a “well coordinated” process in place - in the face of criticism from lawyers for parents and children who have said they have seen little evidence of an organized system. A total of 522 children had already been reunited with parents, the agency added in a fact sheet published three days after Trump ended his policy of separating families on the U.S.-Mexico border, after images of youngsters in cages triggered outrage at home and abroad. “The United States government knows the location of all children in its custody and is working to reunite them with their families,” the DHS said. The new details came after more … [Read more...] about U.S. says still working to reunite 2,053 children with families

RIYADH -- Women in Saudi Arabia took to the roads early on Sunday, ushering in the end of the world’s last ban on female drivers, long seen as an emblem of women’s repression in the deeply conservative Muslim kingdom. “It’s a beautiful day,” said businesswoman Samah al-Qusaibi as she cruised the eastern city of Khobar just after midnight with police looking on. “Today we are here,” she said from the driver’s seat. “Yesterday we sat there,” she added, pointing to the back. The ban’s end, ordered last September by King Salman, is part of sweeping reforms pushed by his powerful young son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in a bid to transform the economy of the world’s top oil exporter and open up its cloistered society. “It is our right and finally we took it. It is only a matter of time for the society to accept it, generally,” said Samira al-Ghamdi, a 47-year-old psychologist from Jeddah, as she drove … [Read more...] about Saudi women take victory laps as driving ban ends

Editor’s note: Stephen Lysaght, British Charge d’Affaires in Vietnam, calls on the world to act to defend the use of chemical weapons in this piece sent to Tuoi Tre News, prior to the Special Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) on June 26-28. Politicians shake hands and smile. Cameras click. Papers are signed and stamped. The world’s press reports the signing of another international agreement. International summits, conventions and treaties may seem far removed from the lives of everyday people; photo opportunities rather than milestones. But these are how we agree the type of world we want to live in. They are the promises we keep to each other. Our commitments and their implementation underpin the international system and keep us safe. When agreements are broken, or allowed to fall into irrelevance, the consequences become very real for everyone. The Chemical Weapons Convention is one of these, but there are … [Read more...] about ​World must act to defend use of chemical weapons

June 21 - Intel Corp Chief Executive Brian Krzanich resigned on Thursday after a probe found a consensual relationship with an employee violated company policy. The head of the largest U.S. chipmaker is the latest in a line of powerful men in business and politics to lose their jobs or resign over relationships viewed as inappropriate, a phenomenon highlighted by the #MeToo movement. "An ongoing investigation by internal and external counsel has confirmed a violation of Intel's non-fraternization policy, which applies to all managers," Intel said in a statement. The board named Chief Financial Officer Robert Swan as interim CEO and said it has begun a search for a permanent CEO, including internal and external candidates. Intel declined to give any further information about the probe. Intel shares fell 1.8 percent. Krzanich, 58, an engineer and Intel veteran known at the company as "BK," was appointed CEO in May 2013. He led the company's shift to focus on making chips for data centers … [Read more...] about ​Intel CEO resigns after probe of relationship with employee

LONDON -- Prime Minister Theresa May won a crucial Brexit vote in parliament on Wednesday, keeping her divided government’s plans to end more than 40 years of British partnership with the European Union on track. After pro-EU Conservative lawmaker Dominic Grieve said he would support the government’s proposal for a “meaningful vote” in parliament on Britain’s exit, a potential rebellion that could have undermined May’s authority was averted. May adopted a high-risk strategy by facing off with rebels in her Conservative Party, and it paid off. The upper house of parliament later approved the bill, paving the way for it to become law after gaining formal “Royal Assent” from the Queen. May said in a statement that the bill’s passage was a crucial step in delivering Brexit, and more details of proposed future links with the EU would be published in the coming weeks. But the battle over the EU withdrawal bill, her Brexit blueprint, may … [Read more...] about May faces down pro-EU rebel lawmakers to win Brexit vote