Both the governing side and the political opposition must do their best and, at most, prevent being seen in the eyes and minds of US voters. At the end of their common race against the time, US President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from the Republican Party finally, and still just in time, reached the final agreement on a deal to raise the nation's debt ceiling, thus, according to Joe Biden, preventing "the worst possible crisis, a default, for the first time in the US's history," because it takes "the threat of a catastrophic default off the table." Their deal now would be sent to be passed by the House. Biden and McCarthy in Washington on March 17. Photo: AP This news was both new and nothing new. Since 1917, when the US Congress enacted the original debt ceiling legislation, the federal government and the House have crashed 102 times on the issue of increasing limits on the national debt, among them 72 times only since 1960. But … [Read more...] about Avoiding catastrophe, awaiting anxieties
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Chinese teen starves herself to death after crush chooses thinner girl
The girl, identified by the pseudonym Xiaoling, had been diagnosed with severe anorexia nervosa and passed away after more than 20 days in a deep coma, South China Morning Post reported Wednesday. She was trying to gain the attention and affection of a boy she had a crush on, who had reportedly fallen for a girl thinner than her. A girl drinking water. Illustration photo by Unsplash After going for 50 days from January to mid-March consuming nothing but water, Xiaoling fell into unconsciousness and was hospitalized. "She is as light as a quilt. We are not sure if she can regain consciousness," an unnamed doctor said in the video documenting Xiaoling’s treatment, which went viral on social media. The situation lasted for 20 days before her parents came to the heartbreaking decision to stop the treatment and let her go. Chinese netizens were left questioning the country’s rigorous beauty standards. … [Read more...] about Chinese teen starves herself to death after crush chooses thinner girl
Celebs favor crop tops this summer
Crop top is one of the trends loved by celebrities around the world in summer because of its design, which is suitable for hot weather and holidays. The 2018 Miss Vietnam Tran Tieu Vy is just one of many Vietnamese celebs who have embraced crop tops. When Vy went on vacation in early May, she wore an all-white outfit with a crop top, summer suit jacket and shorts. When Vy attended a concert of famous K-pop girlgroup Blackpink in Thailand on May 29, she wore a Y2K outfit with a super short skirt and a purple crop top. Also wearing a Y2K outfit, model Hoang Thuy posed with a darker look with a cropped T-shirt, cargo pants and chunky boots. Influencer Huyen Baby showed off a sexy fit in New York with a purple crop top, shorts and cardigan, all from Balmain. The 2019 Miss World Vietnam Luong Thuy Linh wore a typical summer fit with a baby blue open-waist dress. The 2021 Miss Grand … [Read more...] about Celebs favor crop tops this summer
People struggle to find jobs amid tanking economy
The government's Private Economic Development Research Board did a survey along with VnExpress on the situation of employees this year at the end of April, polling 8,343 people. It found 31% unemployed, and of them, 53% had worked in real estate, 44% in construction and 43% in hospitality. The highest unemployment rates were reported in Ho Chi Minh City, its neighboring provinces of Dong Nai and Binh Duong and the central city of Da Nang (all over 30%). As for reasons for joblessness, 15% suffer because of lack of foreign language skills and 12% because they lack qualifications. But the main reason is the unfavorable economic situation, which has hit businesses hard. More than 32% said they are jobless because their employer closed down temporarily or for good or went bankrupt, and 27% said they were laid off because their company had no orders and had to downsize. The survey was done in late April 2023 on various aspects like employment, underemployment, housing status, … [Read more...] about People struggle to find jobs amid tanking economy
New Quang Binh adventure tour
Quang Binh Province, famous for cave tours, is offering a new travel experience that allows tourists to slide down a 600-metre-long line amidst a hidden valley inside Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Quang Binh, home to UNESCO heritage site Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, is famous for its pristine caves and beautiful tourism sites. Along with famous places such as Thien Duong Cave, Chay River - Dark Cave, Nuoc Mooc Stream, Ngoc Bich Valley in Phong Nha-Ke Bang has become an emerging tourist destination. Ngoc Bich is located in Chay Lap Village, Phuc Trach commune, Bo Trach District. Covering 12 hectares, the valley is surrounded by high mountains, green jungle with Chay River flowing through, creating a beautiful natural landscape in the heart of Quang Binh. The most ideal time to visit Ngoc Bich Valley is in the summer. Due to its location right next to Dark Cave, the valley has a section of the Chay River flowing … [Read more...] about New Quang Binh adventure tour
Symposium urges youths to quit smoking
Illustrative image (Photo: AFP) Hanoi (VNA) - The Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU), the Health Ministry’s Fund for Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms and the Global Public Health Organisation Vital Strategies held a symposium in Hanoi on May 31 to discuss the harmful effects of e-cigarettes in schools. The event attracted the participation of over 600 students from the Hanoi University of Industry. They had a chance to join a mini-game to learn about the detrimental effects of e-cigarettes. Nguyen Tuan Lam, an expert in non-communicable disease prevention at the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s office in Vietnam cited data from the WHO as saying that there are currently about 20,000 flavorings in e-cigarettes, many of which are yet to be fully evaluated for health hazards. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong from the fund also warned that e-cigarettes could contain drugs that cause addiction, especially among young people. She said the … [Read more...] about Symposium urges youths to quit smoking
Deputy PM stresses need to encourage use of electric vehicles
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha stressed the need to incentivise the conversion of fossil fuel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles and other types of clean energy . In his conclusions made at a meeting discussing the application of preferential electricity prices at electric vehicle charging stations, Ha said that the transition to green economic development is an inevitable trend and a goal that Vietnam is pursuing. It will also create opportunities for Vietnam to become a pioneer in the region in terms of green growth and recovery, thus keeping pace with the new development trends of the world, he added. The Deputy PM asked the Ministry of Transport to collaborate with the Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment, Finance, Industry and Trade, Planning and Investment, Science and Technology, and Justice; and related agencies to study international experience, conduct a comprehensive analysis of various … [Read more...] about Deputy PM stresses need to encourage use of electric vehicles
Top Vietnam bank weighs share issue to raise at least $600 mln: sources
HANOI -- Vietnam's most valuable listed lender, Vietcombank, is tapping advisers for plans to raise at least $600 million in fresh equity capital to build firepower and better compete with its rivals, two sources familiar with the matter said. The majority state-owned bank, with a market capitalisation of nearly VND450 trillion ($19 billion), has been trying for years to raise its core capital, which is the lowest among Vietnam's state lenders. Pressure on Vietcombank has increased in recent weeks after private lender Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank) sold a $1.5 billion stake in March to Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. Vietcombank is now doubling down its efforts for an equity private placement, partly to meet the market challenge of its local rivals including VPBank, said the two sources, who declined to be named as the discussions were confidential. The move comes as Vietnam's banks face heat from a slowing economy and protracted turmoil … [Read more...] about Top Vietnam bank weighs share issue to raise at least $600 mln: sources
Ho Chi Minh City celebrates International Children’s Day
Activities and programs honoring the International Children's Day (June 1) are taking place across Ho Chi Minh City from Thursday through the weekend. Among the activities being held to celebrate the occasion are a book garden program at the zoo, a southern fruit festival at Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc City, and several theatrical performances. Fees waived for children at Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens In honor of the International Children's Day, the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in downtown Ho Chi Minh City allows children under 1.3 meters tall to enter and participate in activities free of charge. The zoo has also opened a book garden so that children can enjoy an outdoor reading space surrounded by over 1,000 children’s books. Free admission is offered to kids under 1.3 meters tall at the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ho Chi Minh City on the International Children's Day , June 1, 2023. Photo: Bach Nam / Tuoi Tre Students … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City celebrates International Children’s Day
Vietnam sees steep decline in hiring of foreigners, overseas Vietnamese
The Vietnamese job market saw a plunge in recruitment demand in January-April, with hiring of foreigners and overseas Vietnamese tumbling 39 percent compared to the pre-pandemic level due to the global economic downturn, according to a report recently issued by Navigos Group, one of the leading recruitment companies in Vietnam. In addition, there was a significant drop of 63 percent in demand for hiring seasonal workers and individuals on short-term contracts. Similarly, the demand for recruiting new graduates also experienced a substantial decrease of 49 percent. Following the prevailing market fluctuations and economic downturn, there was a noticeable decline in labor recruitment demand for various positions including foreigners, overseas Vietnamese, seasonal workers, short-term contracts, new graduates, and mid-level and senior professionals, according to the Navigos Group report. Overall downtrend Navigos Group conducted the analysis using job posting data from its … [Read more...] about Vietnam sees steep decline in hiring of foreigners, overseas Vietnamese