Commodity prices fall

The office said that the major products Vietnam shipped to Laos included petrol, vegetables, fertilizers, clinker and cement, electric wires and cables, paper and paper products, ceramics, and garment products. Meanwhile, Vietnam mostly imported from Laos fertilizers, rubber, wood and furniture, ore and other minerals. In July alone, two-way trade hit USD 125 million, a surge of 54.1% year on year, including Vietnam’s export revenue of nearly USD 53.2 million, up 33.9%. This was the third consecutive month that Vietnam enjoyed an increase in exports to Laos, helping reduce the fall in the turnover to minus 1.6% from minus 6% in the first half of this year. In August, Vietnam expects continuous rise in exports to Laos thanks to the stable conditions of the Lao economy, the reduction in petrol prices in the world and the rising number of Vietnamese investors in Laos. Source: VNA … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Laos enjoy 24.2% rise in two-way trade in 7 months

Under a planned new regulation, the Health Ministry of Indonesia is looking to control the promotion and packaging of e-cigarettes, which have remained unregulated since their legalisation in 2018. The ministry is also seeking to increase the size of graphic health warnings on tobacco packaging from 40% to 90%, ban the advertising, sponsorship and promotion of tobacco products, and prohibit the sale of single cigarettes. The number of underage smokers continues to increase each year, especially since the legalisation of e-cigarettes, Imran Agus Nurali, the ministry’s director of health promotion and community empowerment, told a webinar on August 11. He stressed the need for stronger measures to reduce tobacco consumption to protect future generations from the impact of smoking. Banning the advertising, sponsorship and promotion of tobacco products is also crucial as according to the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, around 65% of Indonesia’s children are exposed to tobacco ads … [Read more...] about Indonesia plans to tighten rules to curb underage smoking

An electrical fire broke out just before 9 a.m. (0700 GMT) during Mass as 5,000 people gathered at the Coptic Abu Sifin church in the Imbaba neighbourhood, the sources said. The fire blocked an entrance to the church, causing a stampede, they said, adding that most of those killed were children. "People were gathering on the third and fourth floor, and we saw smoke coming from the second floor. People rushed to go down the stairs and stared falling on top of each other," said Yasir Munir, a worshipper at the church. "Then we heard a bang and sparks and fire coming out of the window," he said, saying he and his daughter were on the ground floor and able to escape. Electrical fires of this kind are not a rare occurrence in Egypt; in late 2020, a fire at a hospital treating Covid-19 patients killed at least seven people and injured several others. Giza, Egypt's second-largest city, lies just across the Nile from Cairo. "I offer my sincere condolences to the families of the … [Read more...] about At least 41 killed in Egyptian church fire, security sources say

Budget eateries offering each meal at a mere VND1,000 (US$0.04), VND5,000 ($21), or for free in Ho Chi Minh City are warming the hearts of low-income workers and disadvantaged people amid surging goods prices. Situated at 317 Trung My Tay 13 Street in District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, the eatery run by Tran Thi Dung and her husband serves offal porridge for disabled and elderly people and lottery ticket vendors. Tran Thi Dung recounted that three years ago, her husband was severely injured in a traffic accident so she took him to their hometown for care and treatment. When he was in good health again, they returned to the city to do business. The couple decided to open a low-cost eatery as a way to lend a helping hand to the underprivileged. “We charge no money to customers who are disabled and sell lottery tickets, but some still pay VND5,000 for their meal as they don’t want to be indebted to anyone. “Receiving their thanks for our acts makes me happy and indefatigable.” … [Read more...] about Low-cost meals for the underprivileged in Ho Chi Minh City