Vietnam has been recording over 571,000 new Covid-19 cases a week on average, which is only behind South Korea (713,000 cases), the U.S. (760,000 cases) and Japan (1.4 million cases), according to a World Health Organization report. But the report did not mention Vietnam among countries with top Covid deaths. The WHO said the high numbers of recorded cases in Vietnam were partly because of extra data provided by certain localities, which were recorded since February. Over the past week, the northern port city of Hai Phong added another 402,830 cases to its tally and the northern province of Thai Nguyen added another 152,485 cases, the Ministry of Health said. Vietnam records around 2,000 new Covid-19 cases a day on average over the past week, the ministry added. There has been a spike in the number of new Covid-19 cases as reported on Thursday, with 6,775 new cases, which is three times that of the average number of new cases recorded in the previous week, the ministry said. … [Read more...] about Vietnam has 4th highest number of weekly Covid cases worldwide: WHO
Consumer reports iphone 8 cases
Additional 2,367 more Covid-19 infections reported on Thursday
The Vietnamese Ministry of Health on Thursday reported an additional 2,367 Covid-19 infections, raising the country's total tally to over 11 million. Illustrative photo According to the ministry's report, the central province of Nghe An added 4,408 more cases to the national tally after verifying information, raising the national caseload to 11,360,348. On August 11, an additional 6,418 more patients recovered from the disease, raising the number of recoveries in the country to over 10.00 million. On Thursday evening, no deaths from Covid-19 were recorded, the country's total fatalities remained at 43,095, accounting for 0.4 per cent of total infections. By August 11, the country had injected more than 249 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines. Vietnam is targeting the completion of Covid-19 inoculation for children aged between 5 - 11 in August, as well as the administration of the third shot for those aged 12 - 17, as well as the third and fourth doses to … [Read more...] about Additional 2,367 more Covid-19 infections reported on Thursday
First-half industry and trade highlights
Ngo Khai Hoan, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Industry Agency Ngo Khai Hoan, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Industry Agency: Industrial production recovers strongly With the government’s decision to switch from “Zero COVID-19” to safe and flexible adaptation to the pandemic, industrial production has seen strong recovery and has been restored to pre-pandemic levels, especially the manufacturing and processing sector. The added value of the industrial sector increased by 8.48 percent in the first half of 2022 compared to a year ago. The index of industrial production (IIP) grew by 8.7 percent in the first half of the year, with the manufacturing and processing sector going up by 9.7 percent. Almost all localities saw IIP increases, with high rates recorded in the provinces of Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Quang Nam and Binh Phuoc. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tran Duy Dong, Director of the Domestic Market Department … [Read more...] about First-half industry and trade highlights
Fuel prices down but Vietnamese feel inflation pinch
"They said they have to raise prices because of fuel costs. Now gasoline prices have fallen, but their pho still costs me the same," said Hoa, who works for a garment company in District 6, HCMC. Vietnam gasoline prices on Thursday dropped 3.6-3.8% to the lowest since Feb. 11 as global rates kept falling. A liter of popular RON 95 gasoline now costs VND24,660 ($1.05), down VND940, while that of biofuel E5 RON 95 costs VND23,720, down VND900. Thursday’s was the fifth consecutive downward adjustment made to gasoline prices. Compared to this year’s peak on June 21, prices have fallen by 24.22-24.98%. Hoa finds it increasingly costlier to her favorite breakfast, pho , as their prices have been adjusted upward once or twice since May. A bowl of pho in Vietnam now costs VND35,000-45,000 on average, up VND10,000 from May. Pho eateries had blamed their price hike on rising fuel and input costs, but after four consecutive downward adjustments in gasoline prices the … [Read more...] about Fuel prices down but Vietnamese feel inflation pinch
A phased approach to smart cities
How optimistic can you be in evaluating the trends of building smarter cities during this turbulent time in the global economy? Governments around the world are tapping into an arsenal of policy interventions and financing measures to support the transformation of sectors, especially energy and industry, improving energy efficiency, and tackling environmental pollution. Many are adopting a stick-and-carrot approach, including green taxes on harmful environmental activities, tighter regulations, and new environmental standards and certifications for energy performance, emissions, and pollution. Subsidies and tax rebates are used to boost demand for green products and services like electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels, and renewable energy. Loans and grants are also provided to promote green investments in sustainable agriculture, renewable or low-carbon energy sources, energy-efficient buildings, transport, and public infrastructure. There is a robust and wide array of green … [Read more...] about A phased approach to smart cities
Cheaper, changing and crucial: the rise of solar power
Generating power from sunlight bouncing off the ground, working at night, even helping to grow strawberries: solar panel technology is evolving fast as costs plummet for a key segment of the world's energy transition. The International Energy Agency says solar will have to scale up significantly this decade to meet the Paris climate target of limiting temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The good news is that costs have fallen dramatically. In a report on solutions earlier this year, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said solar unit costs had dropped 85 percent between 2010 and 2019, while wind fell 55 percent. "There's some claim that it's the cheapest way humans have ever been able to make electricity at scale," said Gregory Nemet, a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a lead author on that report. Experts hope the high fossil fuel prices and fears over energy security caused by Russia's attack on Ukraine will … [Read more...] about Cheaper, changing and crucial: the rise of solar power
Vietnam’s star rises in global supply chains
Great opportunities Vietnam has climbed up the value chain over the years, becoming a key electronics manufacturing hub, attracting stable foreign direct investment with its sound macro fundamentals, preferential tax incentives and an abundance of relatively cheap and productive labor. Electronics, a major driving force of Vietnam’s export growth Vietnamese enterprises are increasingly integrating into the global production chain, as confirmed by international organizations, including the World Bank and the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) in their reports. For decades an apparel and footwear exporter with a low value added, Vietnam has gradually become an important production center in the technology industry, according to HSBC. Ngo Dang Khoa, HSBC Vietnam’s Country Head of Markets and Securities, said Vietnam has become a production center of electronics and cell phone components, helping it lure an increasing number of foreign … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s star rises in global supply chains
Police arrest gang carrying out largest-ever deforestation in Da Lat
Le Thi Minh is identified as the leader of the gang. (Photo: SGGP) The Da Lat City Police, on the morning of August 11, informed that after coordinating with the departments of the Lam Dong Provincial Police, the investigative agency prosecuted the accused and detained Le Thi Minh, 60, and Duong Kim Ha, 40, living in Ward 12 in Da Lat City, for three months and prosecuted the accused Bui Thi Huyen, 38, living in Ward 12, but released her on bail because she was taking care of her baby. These subjects are related to the deforestation case that occurred in lots A and B, Plot 15, Sub-zone 144B in Ward 8 in Da Lat City. Duong Kim Ha at the scene of the deforestation. (Photo: SGGP) In addition, the investigative agency has been consolidating the file after identifying four other subjects, including Bui Van Gia, 37, Quach Van Khuyen, 42, Le Van Ha, 47, and Nguyen Van Hung, 49, living in Ward 12. They are the subjects who directly destroyed the pine forests at the above location. … [Read more...] about Police arrest gang carrying out largest-ever deforestation in Da Lat
FBI sought nuclear documents in search of Trump’s home
It was not clear if such documents were recovered at the former president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, the Post said. Reuters could not immediately confirm the report. The U.S. Justice Department asked a judge on Thursday to make public the warrant that authorized the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago, after Trump, a Republican, portrayed it as political retribution. The request means the public could soon learn more about what investigators were looking for during the unprecedented search of a former president's home. The move was part of an investigation into whether Trump illegally removed records from the White House as he left office in January 2021, some of which the Justice Department believes are classified. Attorney General Merrick Garland, the country's top law enforcement officer and an appointee of Democratic President Joe Biden, told a news conference that he had personally approved the search. The Justice Department also seeks to make public a redacted receipt of the … [Read more...] about FBI sought nuclear documents in search of Trump’s home
Vietnamese Embassy in Spain ready to ensure legitimate rights of Vietnamese citizens
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Foreign Ministry has instructed the Vietnamese Embassy in Spain to continue monitor the case of two Vietnamese citizens accused of violating law in Spain and coordinate with relevant agencies during the investigation and legal proceedings of the case, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang . At the ministry’s regular press briefing on August 11, the spokesperson said the court in Spain had returned passports to the two Vietnamese citizens on August 8 after they were represented by local lawyers, and the pair had left Spain, citing official information from the Vietnamese Embassy in Spain. Hang added that the two had reportedly arrived in Vietnam, according to local media. The Vietnamese Embassy in Spain is ready to take measures to ensure the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens, the spokesperson affirmed./. VNA … [Read more...] about Vietnamese Embassy in Spain ready to ensure legitimate rights of Vietnamese citizens