Politics

Vietnam welcomes recent progress in the security situation in Syria’s northwest, said Quy during a UN Security Council (UNSC) video conference on the humanitarian situation in the country on March 30. However, he voiced concerns over the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in many parts of Syria and the country’s ability to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Quy showed interest in the UN’s plans to further support the political progress in Syria at this time and appreciated aid provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other humanitarian partners to Syria to contain the spread of the disease. Besides, he also urged all concerned parties to ensure the transport of humanitarian goods across the region. Speaking at the conference, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock said 10 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Syria, including one death, adding this is "the tip of the iceberg" judging from other … [Read more...] about Vietnam calls for dialogue, solutions for Syria amid COVID-19

Hanoi (VNA) – The Government will take more drastic actions to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the next one month, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said while concluding the government's regular meeting for March on April 1. To that end, the entire political system, under the Party leadership, needs to stay united to implement countermeasures set by the Party and the State, the leader stressed. During the second quarter, the top priority will be ensuring social welfare, he said, asking concerned forces to pay more attention to the work. About the economic situation, the PM stressed it is a must to keep the national economy from collapsing, and to ensure the necessary growth rate and major economic balances. He suggested stepping up economic measures like fiscal stimulus through tax and fee reduction and extension, and public spending cut. The PM elaborated the targets of stabilising the macro economy, curbing inflation, stabilising the value of the Vietnam … [Read more...] about Vietnam aims to contain COVID-19 within one month

Concerning the economic situation, the PM stressed it is a must to keep the national economy from collapsing, and to ensure the necessary growth rate and major economic balances. He suggested stepping up economic measures like fiscal stimulus through tax and fee reduction and extension, and public spending cut. The PM elaborated the targets of stabilising the macro economy, curbing inflation, stabilising the value of the Vietnamese currency and the foreign exchange market, while working out a management scenario. The leader also ordered further cutting prices of essential goods, especially pork, and administrative fees amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, while guaranteeing domestic food supply. The Ministry of Industry and Trade was required to remove difficulties for 12 major projects, especially loss-making ones, and work harder to cut operational expenses to reduce product prices and expand the market. The efforts to contain the epidemic should not hinder the flow of goods as well as … [Read more...] about PM: Vietnam aims to contain COVID-19 within one month

The event is seen as an opportune occasion for ASEAN and Australian leaders to outline orientations to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two sides set up in 2014. In his speech, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull welcomed the participation of  the ASEAN leaders at this event, held for the first time in Australia under his initiative. … [Read more...] about PM Phuc attends ASEAN-Australia Special Summit

While much of the world shuts down, the ground-zero Chinese city of Wuhan has started to reawaken in recent days, giving the bereaved the first chance in months to bury their dead. – AFP … [Read more...] about Global virus deaths mount as US surpasses China’s official toll