An electrical fire broke out just before 9 a.m. (0700 GMT) during Mass as 5,000 people gathered at the Coptic Abu Sifin church in the Imbaba neighbourhood, the sources said. The fire blocked an entrance to the church, causing a stampede, they said, adding that most of those killed were children. "People were gathering on the third and fourth floor, and we saw smoke coming from the second floor. People rushed to go down the stairs and stared falling on top of each other," said Yasir Munir, a worshipper at the church. "Then we heard a bang and sparks and fire coming out of the window," he said, saying he and his daughter were on the ground floor and able to escape. Electrical fires of this kind are not a rare occurrence in Egypt; in late 2020, a fire at a hospital treating Covid-19 patients killed at least seven people and injured several others. Giza, Egypt's second-largest city, lies just across the Nile from Cairo. "I offer my sincere condolences to the families of the … [Read more...] about At least 41 killed in Egyptian church fire, security sources say
Strengthens food security
Vietnam stock market remains attractive to foreign investors
Illustration. (Photo: doanhnghiephoinhap.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – Foreign investors net purchased 14.8 million stocks, worth some 80 billion VND (3,42 million USD) during the week from August 8 – 12, showing that the Vietnamese securities market remained attractive to them. The benchmark VN-Index on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HOSE) has risen for the fifth week straight on the back of oil, steel and electricity securities , after hitting a bottom of around 1,140 points in early July. It ended the week at 1,262.33 points, 9.59 points higher than the previous week, gradually approaching the next resistance zone of 1260–1285 points. On the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX), the HNX-Index picked up 3.52 points to settle at 303.42 points on August 12. UPCoM-Index also inched up 1.52 points to 92.84 points./. VNA … [Read more...] about Vietnam stock market remains attractive to foreign investors
Tropical depression Mulan triggers flash floods at Thai-Myanmar border towns
Heavy rains from Tropical depression Mulan caused flash floods on Saturday, with towns at the Thai-Myanmar border submerged after rising water levels breached an earthen dam in Myanmar's Shan State, local media reported. The flood water, which had mostly receded on Sunday, inundated more than 2,000 households in Mae Sai township in Thailand's northern Chiang Rai province as well as Myanmar's Tachilek border town, local media Thai PBS reported. A Thai official said an earthen dam located 37 kilometers north of the border was breached since Friday causing waters of the Sai river to rise rapidly and triggering the flood. "The dike along the river that used to keep water levels under control were breached and water overflowed into the streets and people's homes," Narongphol Kid-arn, the mayor of Mae Sai, said. "In some parts, the water was at waist and chest levels," he said. Thai PBS footage show relief personnel wading through flooded streets to distribute food to people … [Read more...] about Tropical depression Mulan triggers flash floods at Thai-Myanmar border towns
More barringtonia asiatica trees given by Truong Sa Island planted in HCMC
Mr. Nguyen Ho Hai and delegates plant barringtonia asiatica trees at Ben Duoc Memorial Temple. (Photo: SGGP) Attending the ceremony were Major General Dang Van Lam, Deputy Commander of Military Region 7; Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Nam, Member of the Standing Committee of the HCMC Party Committee, Commander of the HCMC Command; Colonel Le Ba Quan, Deputy Commander, Chief of Staff of Naval Region 2; Ms. To Thi Bich Chau, Member of the Standing Committee of the HCMC Party Committee, Secretary of the District Party Committee of District 1; Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Hien, Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Cu Chi District. Deputy Secretary of HCMC Party Committee Nguyen Ho Hai and delegates planted barringtonia asiatica trees at Cu Chi District Cultural Center, Ben Duoc Memorial Temple, and Memorial Temple of Saigon - Cho Lon - Gia Dinh Revolutionary Traditional Area in Cu Chi Tunnels Relic Site. According to Mr. Nguyen Ho Hai, over the past time, the Party, State, and Ministry of … [Read more...] about More barringtonia asiatica trees given by Truong Sa Island planted in HCMC
Vietnam to have national marine spatial plan by 2030
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Minh Ngan underpinned the importance of the national marine spatial master plan, saying its objectives are to properly delineate and zone off sea spaces for different sectors based on the incorporation of planning of sea-based industries; and to orient the use of sea spaces and address overlaps and conflicts in exploiting marine spaces. Drafting the master plan is a challenging and complex task, given that it has never been done before in Vietnam, Ngan noted, adding that utilizing existing data and information, it will zone off the marine spaces based on natural ecosystems to provide a connecting space for socio-economic development, enhance land-to-sea connectivity and protect national security-defence and international cooperation. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) has sent the draft plan to a number of Party Central Committee's commissions, ministries and authorities of 28 coastal cities and … [Read more...] about Vietnam to have national marine spatial plan by 2030
3-year-old boy found trapped inside neighbor’s freezer
Police in the northern province of Ha Nam said Sunday that a suspect has been summoned in the case, but provided no further information as they were still "verifying the incident." At around 11:15 p.m. Saturday, the National Children's Hospital in Hanoi received a young patient transferred from a Ha Nam hospital with respiratory failure, hypothermia and injuries in the head, face and neck. Doctors said the boy had suffered from physical injuries, hemorrhage and inflammation on the head, face, neck and tongue, making it difficult for him to eat. The boy's health has stabilized since. "The patient's family said he was found trapped inside a carton box kept in a freezer. At the time he was found, the boy was delirious," a doctor said. Ngo Minh Toan, chairman of the Nhan Chinh Commune People's Committee, said the incident happened Saturday afternoon in Thuong Vi Village. The suspect is someone who’d came to the area and rented a house in Nhan Chinh Commune to sell iced tea, he … [Read more...] about 3-year-old boy found trapped inside neighbor’s freezer
Northern Vietnamese provinces seek approval for construction of airports
Authorities in Lai Chau and Son La Provinces, northern Vietnam are seeking the prime minister's approval for the construction of airports there. In a document sent to PM Pham Minh Chinh, the Lai Chau People’s Committee mentioned its plan to build Lai Chau Airport, which is designed to cover 167 hectares and have the capacity of 500,000 passengers per year, in Tan Uyen Town during the 2022-30 period. The administration stressed that the project plays an important role in promoting the province's socio-economic development as well as contributes to ensuring national defense and security in border areas. The province has carried out necessary land use planning and site clearance to attract the interest of investors in the project. Some investors are mulling over implementing the project under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. PPP involves a contract between a public sector authority and a private party, in which the private party provides a public service or project … [Read more...] about Northern Vietnamese provinces seek approval for construction of airports
Shanghai to reopen all schools Sept. 1 as lockdown fears persist
China's financial hub Shanghai said on Sunday it would reopen all schools including kindergartens, primary and middle schools on Sept. 1 after months of COVID-19 closures. The city will require all teachers and students to take nucleic acid tests for the coronavirus every day before leaving campus, the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission said. It also called for teachers and students to carry out a 14-day "self health management" within the city ahead of the school reopening, the commission said in a statement. Shanghai shut all schools in mid-March before the city's two-month lockdown to combat its worst COVID outbreak in April and May. It allowed some students of high school and middle school to return to classrooms in June while most of the rest continued home study for the remainder of the semester. The announcement on schools reopening brings great relief to many residents but fears about COVID lockdowns continue to persist, as China vows to stick to its dynamic … [Read more...] about Shanghai to reopen all schools Sept. 1 as lockdown fears persist
Live-fire test for weapons on armored vehicles
PANO – The Ministry of National Defence on May 23rd tested ugraded weapons on armored vehicles, reviewed and approved them, at the K3 firing ground of Military Zone 9, with the presence of Senior Lieutenant General Truong Quang Khanh, Deputy Minister of National Defence. Senior Lieutenant General Truong Quang Khanh inspects an upgraded weapon on the armored vehicle With careful preparations, participating units fulfilled all set targets with full safety. General Khanh applauded the units and said that the above results would pave the way for producing weapons and military equipment in the coming time for training and combat readiness, contributing to promoting combined strength of the army. Earlier, the general had inspected the Can Tho city Military Command. At the working session, he asked the unit to strengthen troops’ political stance, effectively manage and use weapons and equipment. Translated by Pham Huy … [Read more...] about Live-fire test for weapons on armored vehicles
Viet Nam seeks foreign investment in medical devices production
Visitors at the 20th International Medical, Hospital & Pharmaceutical Exhibition that opened on Thursday in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo The Vietnamese medical devices market, which is growing annually at more than 18 per cent, relies heavily on imports, representing significant opportunities for foreign businesses, according to the HCM City Medical Equipment Association. The market is now worth US$1.5 billion, up from US$1.1 billion in 2017, Hua Phu Doan, deputy chairman of the association, said. Domestic medical devices manufacturers make mostly basic stuff and meet only 10 per cent of demand while the remaining 90 per cent is imported, he told a meeting held recently in HCM City. The number of foreign manufacturers in Viet Nam remains modest due to the lack of development of supporting industries and the absence of an industrial cluster in this sector, he said. Foreign investment in the production of medical devices is vital to reduce reliance on imports and facilitate … [Read more...] about Viet Nam seeks foreign investment in medical devices production