The assault on the largely leveled city was led by troops from the Wagner Group of mercenaries, whose leader Yevgeny Prigozhin said earlier in the day that his troops had finally pushed the Ukrainians out of the last built-up area inside the city. Taking Bakhmut - which Russia refers to by its Soviet-era name of Artyomovsk - would represent Moscow's first big victory in the conflict in more than 10 months. "As a result of offensive actions by Wagner assault units, supported by artillery and aviation of the Southern Group of Forces, the liberation of Artyomovsk has been completed," the Russian defense ministry said in a one-line statement. Kyiv denied Prigozhin's claim earlier on Saturday but did not have an immediate response to the defense ministry's statement. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated troops on capturing the city and said those who had distinguished themselves would be given awards, domestic Russian news agencies reported. The claims came after a … [Read more...] about Russia says Ukrainian city of Bakhmut captured
Margarita city drag show
Manchester City win Premier League title as Arsenal lose
Manchester City were confirmed as Premier League champions for the fifth time in six seasons on Saturday without even having to kick a ball after second-placed Arsenal's challenge ended in defeat away at Nottingham Forest. Arsenal, who enjoyed an eight-point lead over City as recently as mid-March, needed at least a point to stay mathematically in the hunt, but went down 1-0. City, who host Chelsea on Sunday after which they will be presented with the trophy, have 85 points with three games to play, while Arsenal are on 81 with one game left. It is City's seventh Premier League title since they were bought by Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2008 and they are now just two wins away from completing a treble only previously achieve by Manchester United in 1999. City face Manchester United in the FA Cup final on June 3 and a week later take on Inter Milan in the Champions League final -- starting big favourites in both games. Manager Pep Guardiola has now won a … [Read more...] about Manchester City win Premier League title as Arsenal lose
3 hospitalized due to botulinum poisoning in Ho Chi Minh City
Three more people in Ho Chi Minh City have been hospitalized due to botulinum poisoning after two of them, who are siblings, ate cha lua (Vietnamese pork sausage) and the remaining man consumed fermented fish kept for a long time. Cho Ray Hospital and Gia Dinh People's Hospital are jointly treating the three cases, Dr. Le Quoc Hung, head of the tropical disease department at the former hospital, said on Saturday. The three patients live in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City. The two siblings, aged 18 and 26, ate bread with cha lua sold by a street vendor, while the remaining patient, a 45-year-old man, downed fermented fish on May 13. They developed the symptoms of digestive disorder, fatigue, headache, dizziness, and diarrhea the next day and became worse later with muscle weakness, dysphagia, and diplopia. The 18-year-old patient was the first to report the symptoms and was taken to the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases. The 45-year-old man was rushed … [Read more...] about 3 hospitalized due to botulinum poisoning in Ho Chi Minh City
HCM City to host international food expo next month
Visitors at the first HCMC FOODEX last year in HCM City. — Photo courtesy of the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of HCM City More than 200 local and foreign food and beverage (F&B) exhibitors will display and promote their products at Viet Nam’s leading F&B trade show to be held in HCM City next month. The second HCMC FOODEX 2023, taking place from June 28 to 30, will feature nearly 300 booths and is expected to attract more than 18,000 visitors. Products to be on display include raw and processed food products such as agricultural products, seafood, spices; machinery and equipment for food production, packaging and preservation, among others. A range of activities will be held to promote Vietnamese culinary culture and that of other countries during the three-day fair. Seminars will be held during the event to discuss new trends and technologies in the processed food industry, opportunities and challenges for food businesses to export to major markets, and … [Read more...] about HCM City to host international food expo next month
Da Nang developing into a “liveable city” in Asia
Among its efforts, Da Nang is improving the greenness of the city centre, with green spaces being branched out to improve the quality of urban living. Upon completion, these spaces will be handed over to local residents for management. This move will help Da Nang raise public awareness about the importance of green spaces for people’s wellbeing. There are good reasons for Da Nang being known as Vietnam’s most liveable city, including sound social welfare policies, uniform and modern infrastructure development, and favourable policies for both local and foreign investors. Asia . According to analysts, attracting more experts and businesses and promoting urban resilience are significant steps that would help Da Nang become a liveable city in the region. Under its Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050, it expects to achieve average annual economic growth of 9.5-10%. By 2030, its economic development will focus on three pillars: tourism, the … [Read more...] about Da Nang developing into a “liveable city” in Asia
Oil paintings showcase Ho Chi Minh City lifestyle
Artist Ngo Dong drew the scenes in the early morning in 2020 at Tao Dan Park, District 1. This is one among over 80 works by the artist displayed at the “Hien Thuc Da Chieu” (Multi-dimensional Reality) exhibition at the HCMC Museum of Fine Arts on May 20-30. The majority of the paintings are about life in the southern city where the artist has lived for more than 40 years. His painting “Nang Mai Trong Pho” (Early Sunlight On The Streets) was drawn in 2020. After realizing that his life has become more beautiful and tranquil 15 years ago, he switched from his initial style of surrealism to realism. “I threw all of my surrealist paintings away, except for those that were sold. I find myself best expressed through realism inspired by real lives,” he said. Ngo Dong drew this painting of the Cong Xa Paris (the Paris Commune) street, where the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon is located, in 2008. … [Read more...] about Oil paintings showcase Ho Chi Minh City lifestyle
Mass fish death on HCM City canal
There have been mass fish deaths in HCM City’s Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal following heavy rain. Fish die en masses on the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal in HCM City On the afternoon of May 22, lots of dead fish could be seen floating among the rubbish in the canal section running through District 3, Tan Binh, and Phu Nhuan. According to a local man, Nguyen Van Binh, the fish started to die after heavy rain on the afternoon of May 20. Environmental workers have continued to collect the dead fish from the canal over the past two days. “This situation usually occurs when it rains after a long-time heat wave," Binh said. "We see the problem at the beginning of the rainy season every year." It is said that the most serious case occurred in 2016 when over 70 tonnes of fish died in this canal after heavy rains. Local authorities had to use lots of chemicals to deal with the serious pollution caused by the dead fish then. After the pollution was curbed, … [Read more...] about Mass fish death on HCM City canal
HCM City bridges suffer dumping
Many bridges in HCM City have been largely encroached upon by businesses or become illegal dumping sites. The walls under Tham Luong Bridge in District 12 have been covered by soot as people have burned rubbish dumped at the foot of the bridge. Local residents claim the bridge is facing serious pollution as people throw lots of rubbish beneath it. Sometimes vendors would gather the rubbish and burn it, leaving the pillars and walls at the bridge covered in black soot. The same situation has occurred at Rach Lang 1 Bridged and Thi Nghe 2 Bridge in Binh Thanh District. Two big fires were recently caused by rubbish burning at the two bridges, threatening passers-by. Cho Cau Bridge in District 12 has become a trading place, despite bans. "More traders are gathering here, turning the area at the bridge's foot into a small market," a local man named Quoc Cuong said. "We're facing difficulties getting through this area due to … [Read more...] about HCM City bridges suffer dumping
Ecotourism park in HCM City offers free entrance
HCM City has put into operation a free-entry ecotourism park in Hoc Mon District, the first of its kind in the city. The six-hectare park located in Xuan Thoi Son Commune includes a square, a tourist service zone, a sightseeing area and supporting facilities. Work on the VND70-billion (USD2,978) project started in December last year and was completed on May 18. The park is expected to provide a public space for locals and help to boost local tourism growth. HCM City’s hot weather is an issue as the newly-planted trees at the park cannot provide sufficient shade. Therefore, visitors are advised to bring their own sun protection items. Many children are taken to the park by their parents. Le Trung Dung from Binh Hung Hoa Ward said that it is only 10 kilometres from his house to the park. So it is convenient for him to bring his children. The park is also home to an outdoor swimming pool, a sports zone, and parking areas. … [Read more...] about Ecotourism park in HCM City offers free entrance
Remittances to HCM City likely to hits 7 billion USD in 2023
Remittances to HCM City likely to hits 7 billion USD in 2023, Illustrative photo (Source: VNA) HCM City - Remittances to Ho Chi Minh City are expected to reach 7 billion USD in 2023, an annual increase of about 6-7 per cent. At a May 22 workshop on the city’s remittance attraction and promotion, deputy director of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)’s branch in the southern economic hub Nguyen Duc Lenh further said the remittances have increased continuously in the last five years, with the highest amount recorded in 2021, at more than 7.1 billion USD. The figure exceeded 2.1 billion USD in the first quarter this year, up over 19 per cent year-on-year. By VNA … [Read more...] about Remittances to HCM City likely to hits 7 billion USD in 2023