Viet Nam News ROME — Italy could be forced to hold new elections after Giuseppe Conte gave up his bid to form a government following the collapse of talks with the president over including a eurosceptic economy minister in his cabinet. Conte, 53, a lawyer and political novice, picked for prime minister by the anti-establishment Five Star Movement and far-right League seeking to form a coalition, had to present a list of ministers that the head of state would agreed to before his government could seek approval by parliament. "I have given up my mandate to form the government of change," said Conte to reporters after leaving failed talks with President Sergio Mattarella. Conte’s decision to step aside leaves Italy in a political crisis nearly three months after March’s inconclusive general election. Following Conte’s exit, Mattarella has summoned Carlo Cottarelli, an economist formerly with the International Monetary Fund, for talks on Monday, with a … [Read more...] about Italy plunges into political crisis after govt talks collapse
Govt news
Govt backs higher environment tax on fuels
Govt backs higher environment tax on fuelsMinh Tam A rider has his bike refilled at a gas station. Consumers will have to spend more on fuels if the environment protection tax hike is approved - PHOTO: MINH TAM HCMC – The Government has approved a draft resolution prepared by the Ministry of Finance to increase the environment protection tax on fuels to the maximum rate and asked the ministry to send the draft to the National Assembly Standing Committee for approval so that it can take effect from July 1. According to the draft, the environmental protection tax on gasoline would surge from the current VND3,000 to the upper limit of VND4,000 per liter. The ministry is also looking to raise the tax to VND2,000 for a liter of diesel oil, heavy fuel oil and lubricants. The tax on other oil products will also rise proportionately, while the tax on jet fuel will be kept unchanged. Such a tax plan, which will most likely be approved by the law-making body, will help fetch … [Read more...] about Govt backs higher environment tax on fuels
Govt Inspectorate clarifying missing Thu Thiem zoning map
Govt Inspectorate clarifying missing Thu Thiem zoning map An artist’s impression of Thu Thiem new urban area in HCMC’s District 2 – PHOTO: TL HCMC – The Government Inspectorate has completed a draft conclusion of an inspection of land planning and use in HCMC, including a clarification of whether or not a zoning map of Thu Thiem new urban area is missing. The draft inspection conclusion has been sent to the HCMC government and relevant agencies for further explanation and clarification. A source told news website Dan Tri said that what Vo Viet Thanh, who served as HCMC chairman in 1996-2001, had shared with the media in the past few days is accurate based on evidence the Government Inspectorate had collected and included in the draft conclusion. Thanh told the local media that when presenting a Thu Thiem development proposal to the then Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet, Thanh used 13 maps. Thanh is still keeping all the files related to the Thu Thiem … [Read more...] about Govt Inspectorate clarifying missing Thu Thiem zoning map
More investors want to sell giant BOT projects to the govt
VietNamNet Bridge - More infrastructure developers want to transfer projects to the State because of a number of problems they face. Investors want to sell BOT projects to the government Cienco 4, Tuan Loc and Truong Loc, the initial investors of Thai Nguyen – Cho Moi BOT (build-operate-transfer) project, capitalized at VND2.713 trillion, has sent word intimating that they want to transfer the project, which is facing difficulties. More infrastructure developers want to transfer projects to the State because of a number of problems they face. Second, the investors suggested MOT buy the project at VND2.775 trillion. Prior to that, some other BOT project developers also intended to transfer the entire project to the state because of problems. US$1=VND22,000 RELATED NEWS A PPP law must address thorny BOT issues NA concerned about BOT expressway projects Thanh Mai … [Read more...] about More investors want to sell giant BOT projects to the govt
India withdraws controversial ‘fake news’ order after backlash
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reversed an order to punish journalists found guilty of reporting "fake news," after an outcry over a perceived government crackdown on the press. The media sanctions, issued late Monday, stated that the government would withdraw the official accreditation of any journalist responsible for repeated reporting of "fake news." India is the latest government to act against what it calls "fake news." Malaysia is passing a law allowing for up to six years in jail for publishing allegedly misleading information. The government said it needed to curb the spread of misinformation in the media. But Modi's office rescinded the directive just hours later amid allegations India's vibrant press was being muzzled. "PIB (Press Information Bureau) Press release titled 'Guidelines for Accreditation of Journalists amended to regulate Fake News' issued on 02 April 2018 stands withdrawn," the information and broadcasting ministry said in a statement Tuesday. … [Read more...] about India withdraws controversial ‘fake news’ order after backlash