Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and State Counselor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi(Source: VNA) The talks took place right after the welcome ceremony the same day. The Vietnamese PM expressed his support for Myanmar during the national reconciliation and construction. Aung San Suu Kyi congratulated Vietnam on obtaining important achievements over the past 30 years of renovation, especially in ensuring social welfare and sustainable development. Both sides shared the view that the upgrade of bilateral ties to comprehensive strategic partnership during Myanmar visit by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in August 2017 has opened up a new chapter in bilateral ties. Political, national defence-security, economic-trade-investment ties have been growing. Vietnam is now the ninth largest trade partner and the seventh foreign investor of Myanmar. They vowed to further boost political and diplomatic collaboration via facilitating all-level visits through the Party, Government, State, … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Myanmar look towards USD1 bln in two-way trade
Asian push to crack down on ‘fake news’ sparks alarm
Inflammatory stories masquerading as real news pose a particularly toxic threat in Asian countries with long-standing religious and ethnic divides, but promises by some regional leaders to tackle the problem carry equal menace. Borrowing from U.S. President Donald Trump's political playbook, government heads with an authoritarian streak are using the mantra of "fake news" to shield themselves from negative media coverage, and push legislation that critics say is aimed more at stifling dissent than punishing fabrication. The problem they profess to be addressing is a genuine one. Internet penetration is now so extensive - even in the poorest areas - that fake stories dressed up as fact can go viral on social media overnight and reach massive audiences with often dire consequences. In India last year, seven people were killed by a mob after a false story spread on WhatsApp that they were child-traffickers. A number of Asian leaders have tapped into the resulting public concern and … [Read more...] about Asian push to crack down on ‘fake news’ sparks alarm
Fire dancers hope to keep flame alive during Boracay closure
As night falls on the Philippine resort island of Boracay, beach-goers eat, drink and watch a troupe of fire dancers twirling flames and performing acrobatics. Among the dancers is Princess Taunan, who, like many other workers in the tourist business, will be out of a job next week when the holiday hotspot closes for up to six months. The closure is part of a major clean-up of the island President Rodrigo Duterte has described as a “cesspool” due to pollution. “It’s good. At least it will save the island and my daughter will benefit since it’s also for their future,” Taunan, 22, told Reuters. Boracay, due to be closed to all visitors from April 26, has joined other beach resorts across Southeast Asia facing growing pressure from a surge in visitors. The island, which generated over $1 billion last year and is home to more than 30,000 people whose livelihoods depend on tourism, can no longer cope with the strain of two million annual visitors, the … [Read more...] about Fire dancers hope to keep flame alive during Boracay closure
Economy lacks capital, even as treasury deposits remain high
VietNamNet Bridge - While the state treasury has plenty of money, the national economy still thirsts for capital. The government bond interest rate has dropped to a 10-year low, which is a worrying sign, according to deputy director of the State Bank’s Monetary Policy Department Nguyen Tu Anh, who spoke to Dau Tu. The major buyers of government bonds are commercial banks, which means that low government bond interest rates are putting pressure on banks. Banks generally like investing in short-term government bonds. However, government bond purchases at this time will take a loss. RELATED NEWS Banks seek foreign capital, but not foreign strategic shareholders FDI capital heading for technology sector Thanh Lich … [Read more...] about Economy lacks capital, even as treasury deposits remain high
Protecting farmers from climate affect a priority: UN
(VEN) - According to a new report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), between 2005 and 2015 natural disasters cost the agricultural sectors of developing economies US$96 billion in damaged or lost crop and livestock production. The report was presented at a conference held in Hanoi on March 15 and 16 to promote implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in the agricultural sectors of Asia and the Pacific. Climate change impact Half that damage – US$48 billion – occurred in Asia, says the report. Some 83 percent of all drought-related economic losses accounted for US$29 billion, according to the report, entitled “The impacts of disaster and crisis on agriculture and food security 2017”. Its authors warned that their findings did not encompass the full picture of damage to agriculture, as little is known about loss to fisheries, aquaculture and forestry. According to the FAO, while climate change and … [Read more...] about Protecting farmers from climate affect a priority: UN
Juanmi double blows hole in Atletico title hopes
Viet Nam News MADRID — A brace from late substitute Juanmi sealed a precious 3-0 win for Real Sociedad on Thursday to virtually end Atletico Madrid’s fading hopes of challenging for the Spanish league title. With a 12-point deficit to Barcelona, Atletico were already facing an uphill task to overhaul the runaway La Liga leaders. Now with only five games remaining, Diego Simeone’s men would be forgiven for focusing their remaining efforts on making sure they finish second ahead of Real Madrid -- now just three points adrift -- and their bid to win the Europa League. Atletico face Arsenal in the semi-finals of Europe’s second tier competition next week. Simeone warned on Tuesday his side would have to start improving if they were to stop star striker Antoine Griezmann from being lured to a rival club. Barcelona and England’s Premier League are, according to reports, his favoured destinations. And after this performance, the Argentine should have … [Read more...] about Juanmi double blows hole in Atletico title hopes
Quang Nam, Laos’ Sekong province to deal with irregular migration
Quang Nam (VNA) – Leaders of the central province of Quang Nam and the Lao neighbouring province of Sekong will meet in the second quarter of this year to discuss specific cases of irregular migrants and undocumented marriage along the shared border. The information was released during a meeting in Quang Nam on April 19 between a supervision team of the National Assembly’ Committee for External Affairs led by Nguyen Van Giau and Quang Nam authorities on the outcomes of the agreement between the governments of Vietnam and Laos on the settlement of irregular migration and undocumented marriage along the shared border, particularly the section between the two provinces. Quang Nam has the two border districts of Tay Giang and Nam Giang, as well as the Nam Giang - Dak-Ta-Tooc and Tay Giang - Ka Lum border gates. According to Director of the provincial Department of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Thanh Hong, eight irregular Lao migrants are living in Quang Nam, along with 15 … [Read more...] about Quang Nam, Laos’ Sekong province to deal with irregular migration
MoU signed for treatment of rare diseases
The health ministry’s Medical Services Administration and Shire Singapore today sign of a joint Memorandum of Understanding on improving diagnosis, treatment and management of rare diseases in Việt Nam. — VNS Photo Thanh Hải Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — The Medical Services Administration, under the Ministry of Health (MoH), and Shire Singapore Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today. Under the deal, the two parties will collaborate on improving the diagnosis, treatment and management of rare diseases in Việt Nam until 2023. “Việt Nam has a population of more than 90 million, but only few of the rare diseases have specific treatment. To improve their diagnosis and treatment, there is a need to work with an industry leader to create positive changes for patients in future. This will also facilitate the introduction of ‘orphan drugs’ provision policies in Việt Nam where there is a significant … [Read more...] about MoU signed for treatment of rare diseases
Vietnam Women’s Futsal team prepares for Asian Futsal Championship 2018
Yesterday, the Vietnam women’s futsal team traveled to China. The team will join in the 4 day training session before entering the friendly matches with Chinese women’s futsal on April 21 and 24. The team is scheduled after to travel to Thailand on April 26 to join in a friendly match with Thailand women’s futsal team on April 28, said Coach Truong Quoc Tuan. The upcoming Asian women’s futsal championship 2018 draws 15 teams and is scheduled to take place from May 2 to 15 in Thailand. The Vietnam women’s futsal team is in Group B, along with Malaysia, Taiwan (China) and Bangladesh. HUU THANH – Translated by T.Tran Tags: futsal team championship Asian futsal 2018 … [Read more...] about Vietnam Women’s Futsal team prepares for Asian Futsal Championship 2018
Chelsea keep Champions League hopes alive at Burnley
Viet Nam News LONDON — Chelsea manager Antonio Conte defended misfiring striker Alvaro Morata despite the Spaniard missing a host of chances in a 2-1 win at Burnley on Thursday. Victory kept Chelsea’s outside chances of chasing down Tottenham Hotspur for a place in next season’s Champions League alive as they closed to within five points their London rivals with four games remaining. Chelsea meet Southampton for the second time in eight days in a FA Cup semi-final on Sunday after Conte’s side came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at St. Mary’s on Saturday. And with the Cup representing Chelsea’s last chance at silverware this season, the Italian left Eden Hazard and Willian on the bench as Olivier Giroud and Morata started together up front for the first time. Morata has still only scored twice in 2018 after missing two one-on-ones with England World Cup hopeful Nick Pope. But Conte believes the Spaniard showed he and Giroud can work more often as a … [Read more...] about Chelsea keep Champions League hopes alive at Burnley