Education

The HCM City Department of Education and Training has proposed to provide financial support to both public and private schools to lower tuition fees. illustrative image Private primary schools and public primary schools which have been granted financial autonomy will get the support. This move aims to create education equity between all kinds of educational facilities and students since primary education is mandatory. Not only will the plan help ease the burden on the students' families, but it will also have positive impacts on the development of the private sector and help deal with the overcrowding problems at public schools. It will encourage more investment in private schools. The funds will come from the city's budget. At some public schools in HCM City, students go to schools in both the morning and afternoon, half of the day is mandatory and another half is voluntary with parents and schools needing to reach an agreement over tuition fees. The … [Read more...] about HCM City to provide support to both public and private schools

* China and India should firmly follow the right path of mutual trust and cooperation between neighboring major countries, and not go astray with suspicion and distrust nor fall back on a road of negative retrogression, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday. Wang made the remarks in a telephone conversation with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, stressing that the two sides should maintain the strategic consensuses reached by their leaders. * As COVID-19 transmission rates seemingly decline across the European Region, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge expressed health concerns over "long-COVID" or "post-COVID" symptoms at a virtual press conference on Thursday. * Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the situation in Armenia in a telephone conversation with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday, the Kremlin said. * The Pentagon confirmed on Thursday that the US … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: February 26

Dr. Craig Emerson, director of the Australian APEC Study Centre Vietnam’s success in containing COVID-19 with minimal economic fallout compared to other nations has improved its already-strong reputation for competent governance. The government has been liberalising Vietnam’s economy for decades and is now reaping the benefits of rapid growth. Vietnam has stood to gain from the recent US-China trade conflict with many companies relocating at least some of their production facilities there. Vietnam is also rapidly adopting digital technologies to deploy automation, smart manufacturing, and big data analytics. Competent economic management, consistent reforms, swift digital uptake, and effective COVID-19 containment make Vietnam a very attractive destination for trade and investment in 2021 and beyond. Economically, Vietnam is becoming a manufacturing powerhouse, particularly for electronics and apparel. It is also becoming a focal point for regional value chains with … [Read more...] about Mutual merit in Australian investment

Buddhists pray online due to COVID-19 outbreak Blood shortage warned as donations postponed due to COVID-19 outbreaks The resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic in many cities and provinces in recent weeks has seriously affected the blood supply for medical treatment. Although many people and organisations responded to the call of blood donation by the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) on February 19, the amount of blood received per day was still only a few hundred units while the average need for treatment each day is from 1,200 to 1,500 units. There is usually a shortage of blood during the Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday as the holiday lasts long while blood has a short shelf life and many patients still need blood transfusions during Tết. This year, the pandemic's resurgence has made the shortage after Tết even worse. Before Tết, 30 entities requested to postpone or cancel blood donation plans which meant the NIHBT missed out on … [Read more...] about VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES FEB. 25

HCM CITY will reopen restaurants and other services from March 1. Other places such as gyms and theatres, bars, pubs remain closed until further notice. — Photo: baogiaothong.vn HCM CITY — The city authorities of HCM City have allowed the reopening of restaurants and other services starting from March 1. There have been no community transmitted COVID-19 cases in the city since February 11. Dương Anh Đức, deputy chairman of the city's People's Committee, said the city could reopen tourism activities, food and beverage businesses, wholesale markets, wet markets, museums and libraries. However, services such as bars, pubs, beer clubs, sports facilities and gyms will remain closed until further notice. Activities not included in these groups can reopen but must comply with COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control regulations. Ceremonies, religious and worship activities can be held with no more than 50 people at the same time. Attendees must follow COVID-19 … [Read more...] about Restaurants, other services in HCM City to reopen