Elders quorum presidency meeting agenda

With ammunition, rifles and bullet-proof vests on display, business is brisk at a Los Angeles area gun show -- so much so you'd never know a mass shooting unfolded nearby just days ago. Thousands of people turned out this weekend in the city of Ontario in California to view dozens of stands at the trade fair called the Crossroads of the West Gun Show. Women pushing baby strollers looked at small pistols while strapping young men examined military-style semi-automatic riles that can handle several calibers of ammo. The vibe is cheerful. Kids under 12 get in free. Most people did not want to address the elephant in the room, though, even as the state mourns. Kids look at magazines in a firearms and accessories shop at the Crossroads of the West Gun Show at the Convention Center in Ontario, California, on January 28, 2023. Photo: AFP A mass shooting at a dance hall in Monterey Park, a 30-minute drive away, left 11 dead on September 21. Two days later, another … [Read more...] about At California gun fair, few speak of recent massacres

Foreign investors poured nearly US$1.7 billion into Vietnam as of January 20. In the first month of 2023, newly-registered capital is estimated to have increased 3.1 times over the same period last year, showing that foreign investors still maintain confidence in Vietnam's investment environment. Hanoi ranks among the top localities in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2022. Photo: Thang Long Industrial Park The Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment reported that there were 801 newly-registered projects totaling $1.2 billion and 89 projects increasing capital with a combined amount of $306.3 million. In addition, 204 transactions of share purchases by foreign investors were worth $174 million, representing a year-on-year decline of 60.7%. Meanwhile, the disbursement of foreign investments dropped by 16.3% to $1.35 billion. The agency attributed the decrease in registered and disbursed FDI to the national holiday (the … [Read more...] about Foreign investors remain confident about Vietnam’s business environment

The event was attended by President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics Nguyen Xuan Thang, Head of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education Nguyen Trong Nghia, and Deputy Chief of the General Department of Political Affairs (GDP) Lieutenant General Trinh Van Quyet. The program had three parts, recalling the construction and development of the Communist Party of Vietnam. It has passed 93 springs, promoting its pioneering role and deserving the trust of the country and people. The event showed the determination of the whole Party, people and military in the cause of Party’s construction and reinforcement, contributing to promoting the Party’s leadership capability, among others. Translated by Minh Anh … [Read more...] about Art exchange held in celebration of the Party’s 93th anniversary

Themed “With all and for the good of all,” the event was one of the activities honoring Cuban national hero José Martí on the occasion of his 170th birth anniversary (January 28), with over 1,100 delegates from 87 countries globally taking part. This world forum of plural and multidisciplinary thought is convened by the José Martí Project for World Solidarity every three years, enabling hundreds of professors, social activists and intellectuals in general, from all latitudes of the planet, to reflect on the main contemporary problems. As the first guest to address the opening ceremony, Tuan underlined that together with the people across the globe, the Vietnamese people always aspire to live in a world of peace, democracy with the long-term goal of wealthy people, strong country and a democratic, fair and civilized society. In order to build a better world, the Vietnamese delegation suggested further strengthening the role of the legislature and lawmakers in fine-tuning laws; … [Read more...] about Vietnam attends fifth International Conference For World Balance

Dawn breaks over Da River lake.(Photo: VietnamPlus) Hanoi (VNA) - As vaccination coverage is expanding, the severity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is showing signs of dying out. As a result, Vietnam’s tourism needs to quickly work out harmonious measures for the coming period of recovery. A sad economic year for the tourism sector has come to an end after many tremors caused by successive outbreaks of COVID-19 . Vietnam’s green economy in 2021 failed to recover as seen through the statistics of the yearly review, yet many experts still believe that in 2022, accelerations will be created with attention and assistance from the government. Although the pandemic is still spreading with new variants, there are grounds for us to hope the constantly expanding vaccination coverage has helped weaken the severity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The clock is ticking towards the day when the world can contain and roll back the pandemic, opening up chances for socio-economic recovery. That is … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s tourism in 2022: measures for recovery, acceleration

Vietnam Poetry Day 2019 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnam Poetry Day will be held next month in Hanoi's Thang Long Imperial Citadel with new activities, according to organisers. It is the first time this annual cultural event will take place in the citadel, which is a UNESCO World Heritage of Vietnam, after 18 years being held at Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) and three years of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the theme of "Nhip dieu moi" (New Rhythm), the 21st edition carries the wish that after the country has overcome the pandemic, life returns with a "new rhythm, momentum and confidence" along with the recovery of the whole economy, culture and society to approach a "future full of hope for good things", said Nguyen Quang Thiều, President of the Vietnam Writers' Association (VWA). It is expected to open on the occasion of the new year's full moon celebration which falls on January 15 of the Lunar calendar or February 5, 2023, with more events to … [Read more...] about Poetry Day to take place next month at Thang Long Citadel

The Ministry of Finance's main office in downtown Ha Noi. — VNA/VNS Photo The Ministry of Finance (MoF) said tax support policies and land-use fee reductions for businesses should be continued throughout 2023 despite shortfalls in state budget collection. However, the ministry's proposal did not include a value-added tax (VAT) reduction of 2 per cent, which it said has been challenging and complicated to implement. In the MoF's latest proposal to the government, businesses, household businesses and individuals were to continue to enjoy a 30 per cent cut in land-use fees in 2023, on top of an extension on their tax duties. "The ministry supports the government's policy to give businesses more time to meet their financial duties and a 30 per cent reduction in land-use fees as parts of an effort to support businesses," said Ho Duc Phoc, Ministry of Finance. Phoc said key priorities for the central government this year include speeding up the disbursement of public investment … [Read more...] about Tax and land-use fee reductions should continue in 2023: MoF

Vietnam’s four biggest State-owned banks have an urgent need for capital increase in 2023 as their charter capital is too low, with some unable to ensure the regulated minimum capital adequacy ratio (CAR), according to industry insiders. A customer at a Vietcombank office in Hanoi. Though the four biggest State-owned banks, including Vietcombank, have been a key force in supporting the economy to overcome difficulties, their charter capital is too low. Photo thoibaonganhang.vn Currently, the big four, including BIDV, Vietcombank, Agribank and VietinBank, only hold more than 40 per cent of the credit market share of the country’s banking system, but over the years, especially in the past three years, the banks have been a key force in supporting the economy to overcome the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic uncertainties. State-owned banks always take the lead in implementing incentive policies of the National Assembly, the … [Read more...] about State-owned banks under capital increase pressure

A fishing village on Co To island. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – With beautiful and pristine beaches, unique “check-in” corners and hospitality of local residents, in recent years, Co To island in the northern province of Quang Ninh has become a top choice for travel lovers. Extremely important position in security-defence Almost all islands in Vietnam hold an extremely important position in defence and security; however, Co To has its own characteristics which are a rich floral ecosystem, beautiful natural landscapes and locals’ cultural identities. Co To is formerly known as Chang Son (Chang Mountain) or “Cau Dau” in some old books which means a place with many mountains gathering at the middle of the sea. The island district has an area of 46.2sq.km with about 50 islands, in which Big Co To and Small Co To are the two most famous islands with pristine beaches and landscapes. At present, Big Co To has primeval forests with an area of 10ha. Many streets on the … [Read more...] about Co To island a top choice of holidaymakers