Navigate turbulent times

Will you choose beauty? The carnivorous Wavy Bubble Snail, perhaps, with its billowing skirts shimmering under UV light. Or will it be age? Like the venerable 500-year-old Methuselah oyster. Or will you be seduced by the leopard slug with its gymnastic mating ritual? The list of finalists for Mollusc of the Year has something for everyone. In a public vote ending Sunday, five species of soft-bodied invertebrates are vying to follow in the illustrious trail of previous winners, dubbed the "world's most beautiful snail" and "weirdest octopus". The grand prize? The triumphant species will have its genome decoded to better understand its evolution and potential benefits to humanity. The International Mollusc of the Year competition, which kicked off this month, is run by the LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, based in Germany. Organisers have whittled down the field from 85,000 mollusc species, thanks to nominations by researchers from around the world. By … [Read more...] about Their time to slime: who will be ‘Mollusc of the Year’?

Outside of the State Bank of Vietnam in downtown Ha Noi. — Photo SBV The State Bank of Viet Nam must step up efforts in the management of the country's banking sector and prepare for all possible scenarios for timely and effective interventions, according to the World Bank. Carolyn Turk, WB country director in Viet Nam, said the global economy will likely enter a period of turbulence while it's struggling with slow growth, decreased demand, high inflation and central banks around the world tightening credit. Turk's comment was made in the aftermath of an event in which three US banks: Silicon Valley Bank (US' 16th largest bank), Silvergate Bank and Signature Bank, one after another, collapsed in a week. She said the ramifications of such an event will likely follow within a short time and consequences be felt across the global financial market, which commands policymakers to pay attention and plan for necessary interventions. She said there are many similarities that can be … [Read more...] about Central bank must keep a close on the financial market: WB

The headquarters of the State Bank of Vietnam in downtown Hanoi. (Photo: SBV) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The State Bank of Vietnam must step up efforts in the management of the country's banking sector and prepare for all possible scenarios for timely and effective interventions, according to the World Bank (WB). Carolyn Turk, WB Country Director in Vietnam, said the global economy will likely enter a period of turbulence while it's struggling with slow growth, decreased demand, high inflation and central banks around the world tightening credit. Turk's comment was made in the aftermath of an event in which three US banks: Silicon Valley Bank (the US's 16th largest bank), Silvergate Bank and Signature Bank, one after another, collapsed in a week. She said the ramifications of such an event will likely follow within a short time and consequences be felt across the global financial market, which commands policymakers to pay attention and plan for necessary interventions. She … [Read more...] about Central bank must keep a close on financial market: WB

At the talks (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held talks with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn in Hanoi on March 21. Prak Sokhonn arrived in Vietnam earlier the same day to co-chair the 20th meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Commission on Economic, Cultural, and Scientific-Technological Cooperation from March 21-22. Son congratulated Cambodia on its outstanding achievements in internal and external affairs over the past years, including the successful organisation of commune/ward council elections for the fifth tenure in June 2022 and assumption of the Chairmanship of ASEAN and ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) last year. Lauding Vietnam for supporting Cambodia in its role as the ASEAN Chair 2022, the Cambodian Deputy PM vowed to constantly strengthen good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive, sustainable and long-term … [Read more...] about Vietnamese, Cambodian foreign ministers hold talks

The seminar on the Vietnam - UK relations in Hanoi on March 21 (Photo: tienphong.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – A seminar was held in Hanoi on March 21 to look back on achievements during the 50 years of the Vietnam - UK diplomatic relationship and the prospects of future bilateral ties. Opening the event, Phan Anh Son, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), said since the official establishment of the diplomatic relationship on September 11, 1973, bilateral ties have continuously been reinforced and developing. This is especially the case since the elevation of relations to a strategic partnership in September 2010, which has opened up many cooperation frameworks such as the strategic dialogue, the joint committee for economic and trade cooperation, and the working group on defence. Thanks to the effective implementation of the UK - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement ( UKVFTA ), bilateral economic links have been growing strongly. … [Read more...] about Seminar discusses 50 years of achievements, prospects of Vietnam – UK ties

Opening the event, Phan Anh Son, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), said since the official establishment of the diplomatic relationship on September 11, 1973, bilateral ties have continuously been reinforced and developing. This is especially the case since the elevation of relations to a strategic partnership in September 2010, which has opened up many cooperation frameworks such as the strategic dialogue, the joint committee for economic and trade cooperation, and the working group on defense. Thanks to the effective implementation of the U.K. - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), bilateral economic links have been growing strongly. Trade in goods and services reached about GBP 5.9 billion (USD 7.2 billion) in 2022, up 12.4% year on year. The U.K. is currently a leading educational partner of Vietnam with 74 transnational educational programs of 23 British universities. The two sides have also unceasingly … [Read more...] about Seminar discusses 50 years of achievements, prospects of Vietnam – U.K. ties

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau at their meeting in Hanoi on March 16. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam always treasures and wants to strengthen its multifaceted cooperation with Poland, a traditional friend and partner in Central Eastern Europe, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said while receiving Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau in Hanoi on March 16. The PM thanked the Government and people of Poland for their donation of nearly 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine and 8 tonnes of medical equipment to help Vietnam overcome the pandemic and boost economic recovery, stressed that the move reflected sincere affection and deep attachment between the people of the two countries. For his part, Rau said he is impressed with Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements and stated that Poland wants to fortify its collaboration with the nation, the most important partner of Poland in Southeast Asia. … [Read more...] about Vietnam wants to strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Poland: PM

The Prime Minister thanked the government and people of Poland for their donation of nearly 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine and 8 tons of medical equipment to help Vietnam overcome the pandemic and boost economic recovery, stressed that the move reflected sincere affection and deep attachment between the people of the two countries. For his part, Rau said he was impressed with Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements and stated that Poland wants to fortify its collaboration with the nation, the most important partner of Poland in Southeast Asia. Regarding the Vietnam - Poland relationship, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his pleasure to see its positive progress over the past time and suggested the two sides increase the exchange of delegations, especially high-level ones and between sectors and localities, to boost political trust and mutual understanding, forming a basis for their bilateral cooperation expansion across all fields. Poland has been … [Read more...] about Vietnam wants to strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Poland: Prime Minister

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai (R) receives Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam always treasures and wants to promote its traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Poland, one of its prioritised partners in Central Eastern Europe, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Duc Hai said while receiving Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau in Hanoi on March 17. Welcoming the Polish official’s visit, Hai affirmed that the Vietnamese NA always supports the comprehensive cooperation between the two governments. The two sides shared delight at the growing partnership between the two countries, with many delegations exchanged, including high-level ones. As the COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted delegation exchanges between the two countries in recent years, the two sides should promptly resume the exchange of delegations, especially at high level ones, to further beef up … [Read more...] about Vietnam wants to beef up comprehensive ties with Poland: NA Vice Chairman

Welcoming the Polish official’s visit, Hai affirmed that the Vietnamese N.A. always supports the comprehensive cooperation between the two governments. The two sides shared delight at the growing partnership between the two countries, with many delegations exchanged, including high-level ones. As the COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted delegation exchanges between the two countries in recent years, the two sides should promptly resume the exchange of delegations, especially at high level ones, to further beef up collaboration in potential sectors, Hai said. The N.A. Vice Chairman thanked the Government and parliament of Poland for donating 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine and 8 tons of medical equipment worth about USD 4 million to Vietnam in the hardest time to help the country overcome the pandemic. Hai also thanked the Government and people of Poland for receiving, assisting and providing temporary shelters and necessities for thousands of Vietnamese citizens fleeing from … [Read more...] about Vietnam wants to beef up comprehensive ties with Poland: N.A. Vice Chairman