After yesterday’s meeting of the Standing Committee of the Government, chaired by the Prime Minister, about the socio-economic status of Vietnam in the first 6 months, the Government Office released a formal dispatch on addressing shortages of drugs and medical equipment. Based on the reports of the Planning & Investment Ministry, the Finance Ministry, and opinions from other delegates, the Standing Committee of the Government has delivered a request for MoH to cooperate with the Finance Ministry and related ministries, state agencies to review all applicable regulations on drug and medical equipment purchase, social resource mobilization in this matter, public-private collaboration in the healthcare field. MoH then has to issue regulations, instructions within its power to immediately tackle the current shortages of drugs, medical equipment at various healthcare institutes before July 4 in order to satisfy the demands of the public regarding medical treatments. Along with … [Read more...] about Ministry asked to issue regulation to amend drugs, medical equipment shortage
Children health issues
Vietnam hopes to enhance parliamentary ties with UK: Top legislator
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (L) meets Speaker of the UK House of Lords John Mcfall Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam wishes to share experience with the United Kingdom (UK) in legislative affairs, especially in the building of the legal framework, policies and mechanisms to support the Government in realising international commitments, National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue told Speaker of the UK House of Lords John Mcfall during their talks in London on June 29 (local time). The two leaders discussed the situation of relations between the two countries and the two parliaments with the hope that Vietnam and the UK, especially the parliaments, will jointly set out new orientations and solutions to deepen bilateral cooperation in all fields. They stressed the need to enhance the comprehensive and substantive relations, both bilaterally and multilaterally, and agreed to maintain all-level delegation exchanges and contacts. Regarding trade and investment … [Read more...] about Vietnam hopes to enhance parliamentary ties with UK: Top legislator
Japan power plant shutdown raises fear of shortage in sweltering heat
TOKYO -- Japan's electricity grid creaked on Thursday under the strain of Tokyo's hottest June since records began, with the unexpected shutdown of a power plant raising fears that tens of millions of people could be deprived of power on another scorching day. Temperatures of around 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) were expected in some parts of greater Tokyo, home to 37 million people, on the sixth day of a heatwave that began after the earliest end to the capital's rainy season in decades. Maximum highs are not forecast to drop to 30C (86F) before Tuesday. With power producers scrambling to bring nearly 50-year-old turbines out of mothballs, the closure of a 600-megawatt (MW) plant in northern Japan that sends supplies to Tokyo came with reserve power capacity hovering around 3% - the level below which blackouts can occur. Operator Joban Kyodo Thermal Power Company cited unexplained technical issues for the closure but said that parts of the plant had been restarted as of 1 p.m., … [Read more...] about Japan power plant shutdown raises fear of shortage in sweltering heat
Additional 777 fresh Covid-19 infections reported on Wednesday
An additional 777 new Covid-19 infections were confirmed on Wednesday, raising the national tally to over 10.74 million, according to the Ministry of Health. Illustrative photo According to the ministry's report, most of the new patients are locally-transmitted cases confirmed in the country. As of Wednesday evening, the number of Covid-19 patients in Vietnam has increased to over 10.74 million. On June 29, an additional 9,387 more patients recovered from the disease, raising the number of recoveries in the country to over 9.67 million. On Wednesday evening, no deaths related to Covid-19 were recorded, total fatalities stood at 43,087. By June 28, the country had injected more than 231 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, including over 7.80 million given to children aged 5 to 11. … [Read more...] about Additional 777 fresh Covid-19 infections reported on Wednesday
R&B singer R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in prison in sex case
The sentence was imposed nine months after Kelly, 55, was convicted of racketeering and sex crimes, in a trial that amplified accusations that had dogged the singer of the Grammy-winning hit "I Believe I Can Fly" for two decades. U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly in Brooklyn federal court said the evidence reflected Kelly's "indifference to human suffering" and "sheer brutality" toward his victims. "This case is not about sex. It's about violence and cruelty and control," Donnelly told Kelly. "You left in your wake a trail of broken lives." Kelly, whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, is among the most prominent people convicted of sexual misbehavior during the #MeToo movement against such conduct by prominent men. He did not speak during Wednesday's hearing, but has repeatedly denied sexual abuse accusations. After the sentence was read, his lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, told reporters Kelly was "devastated" by the sentence but that he would appeal. "Thirty years in prison … [Read more...] about R&B singer R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in prison in sex case
Reopening increases foreign interest in transport upgrade
Roads, airports, and seaports are being looked at by overseas companies in terms of investment feasibility, Photo: Shutterstock On June 16, Hoang Gia Khanh, deputy general director of state-owned railway giant Vietnam Railways (VNR), received a delegation of Austrian businesses at its headquarters who introduced new products and technology solutions aiming to seek opportunities in the local industry. The commercial counsellor of the Austrian Embassy in Hanoi said that businesses expect to intensify cooperation with VNR, specifically those in funding and upgrading projects, as well as machinery upgrading and maintenance. He added that besides official development assistance, the Austrian government also has other financial tools that can help VNR access financial resources and technologies. According to Khanh, investment demand for the industry’s infrastructure development is huge and he highly appreciates the products and technology of groups like Plasser & Theurer and … [Read more...] about Reopening increases foreign interest in transport upgrade
Vietnam, UK to step up educational cooperation
Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son (R) presents a gift to British Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi on June 29. (Photo: VNA) London (VNA) – Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son and British Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi agreed to enhance the countries’ educational cooperation during a meeting in London on June 29. The two officials discussed many cooperation areas, including digital transformation in tertiary and general education, environmental education, English language training, examination, student exchange, and postgraduate training. Minister Son, who is accompanying National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in an official visit to the UK, said bilateral cooperation in education has been growing in width, and that Vietnam wishes to further develop it in depth. He expressed his hope that the UK Government and the British Council will further help Vietnam in English language training, enhance … [Read more...] about Vietnam, UK to step up educational cooperation
N.A. Chairman receives leaders of several Hungarian companies
At the meetings with a leader of Gedeon Richter Company – Hungary’s multinational company operating in the field of pharmaceutical manufacturing and biotechnology research and development (R&D), and representatives of Egis Company - a leading pharmaceutical company in the Central Eastern Europe, Hue appreciated the results of their activities in Vietnam, adding that pharmaceuticals is the country’s potential field of cooperation with many preferential policies. Leaders of Gedeon Richter and Egis showed their hope that Vietnam will speed up and simplify administrative procedures for drug registration so that many new products can be supplied to the Vietnamese market; issue a longer pharmaceutical distribution license; and find solutions to some problems related to drug registration. Noting their recommendations, the Vietnamese N.A. Chairman stated that not only the Ministry of Health but also other ministries and sectors are stepping up administrative procedure reform in order … [Read more...] about N.A. Chairman receives leaders of several Hungarian companies
UK pledges assistance to Vietnam’s climate change commitment
Speaker of the UK House of Lords John Mcfall said he supports efforts to ramp up all-round cooperation between the UK and Vietnam, including in climate change response, during his talks with the top Vietnamese legislator in London. NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue affirms that Vietnam attaches importance to strengthening cooperation with the UK during his talks with Speaker John Mcfall of the House of Lords in London on June 29. Meeting with visiting National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue of Vietnam on June 29, Mcfall praised Vietnam’s net zero emission commitment at the recent 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) and affirmed that the UK supports and assists Vietnam in meeting its commitment. National Assembly Chairman Hue thanked the group of seven, including the UK, for choosing Vietnam as the first three countries to support the implementation of COP26 commitments. He underscored the need to strike a balance between benefits and costs in implementing … [Read more...] about UK pledges assistance to Vietnam’s climate change commitment