Which proved effective

Japan's government will drop its recommendation to wear masks indoors and downgrade its medical classification for Covid-19, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Friday. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida removes his face mask before his speech during a plenary session of the upper house of parliament in Tokyo on January 27, 2023. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) The changes, effective from early May, will classify the disease on the same level as the flu, down from its current status on par with tuberculosis and SARS. "As for masking, regardless of indoors and outdoors, the decision will be left up to individuals," Kishida told a televised government meeting. "We will take further steps towards 'life with corona' and make steady progress on returning to normality in homes, schools, workplaces, neighbourhoods and all facets of life." Masks are ubiquitous in public places and are commonly worn outdoors as well, despite the government having already said they … [Read more...] about Japan to drop mask guidance, relax Covid strategy

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), the scale of the Vietnamese retail market is USD 142 billion, which is expected to reach USD 350 billion in 2025, with contribution of 59% to total GDP. Last year, the total revenue from retail sales of goods and services rose 21%, exceeding the target of 8%. A survey by Vietnam Report showed that over 53.8% of total retail firms enjoyed similar and higher business results compared to the pre-pandemic level. Experts held that growth of retail sales is being supported by rise in income and the strong recovery of the tourism sector as well as relevant sectors such as transport and accommodations, as well as the effectiveness of inflation control measures. Particularly, from now to the lunar New Year (Tet) Festival, which falls in late January, consumers are predicted to loosen their wallet dramatically. At the same time, there are signs of vibrant retail activities as many foreign investors have announced their plans to … [Read more...] about Retail market forecast to bustle this year

The sector should continue to follow policies and guidelines adopted by the Party and the State, while closely coordinating with ministries, agencies and localities to fulfill socio-economic tasks, he said. Priorities should be given to maintaining the macro-economic stability, controlling inflation, spurring growth and ensuring major economic balances, the leader continued. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) to improve its analyzing and forecasting capacity, provide timely consultancy and flexibly respond to developments of the domestic and international situation. The central bank was also urged to intensify inspection and supervision, ensure transparency, promote digital transformation, raise service quality, and support innovations and small- and medium-sized enterprises. It needs to further consolidate monetary institutions, mechanisms and policies to create a concerted legal corridor, thus giving a push to the monetary and credit markets, … [Read more...] about Prime Minister urges banking sector to make more innovations

Illustrative image (Photo: Newstraitstimes) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - The Communications and Digital Ministry of Malaysia plans to announce the introduction and implementation of 5G by Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) with added features at the end of March. Minister Fahmi Fadzil said DNB is currently studying and evaluating the available options to ensure the coverage will not just reach 80% but will be expanded nationwide. Fahmi said the implementation of the 5G will enable companies and factories to achieve efficient and fast communication services in order to increase productivity and provide the public with efficient services. Meanwhile, referring to issues of personal security and online scams, the ministry aspires to turn the Personal Data Protection Department into a statutory department to carry out its functions more efficiently, said the minister. The agency under the ministry will become one of the most important departments to be strengthened to deal with … [Read more...] about Malaysia to implement 5G technology by end of March

The college of health sciences in Luang Prabang (Photo: VNA) Vientiane (VNA) – Laos has become the first country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to be accredited by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) for meeting criteria set by its Midwifery Education Certification Programme (MEAP). MEAP is based on international best practices serving the training and accreditation of the profession. Its goal is to evaluate pre-service midwifery education programmes against the ICM Global Standards. MEAP is also a benchmark for midwifery education programmes that seek to meet international standards, and Laos is the first country in ASEAN to obtain such accreditation. The accreditation decision was made in the second half of 2022 following a visit to the colleges of health sciences in Champasak, Luang Prabang, and Xiengkhouang provinces. The institutes have met 35 out of a total of 37 ICM standards, with only two partially fulfilled. Dr Bounfeng … [Read more...] about Laos first in ASEAN to receive ICM accreditation for midwifery training

This was a turning point in the national history, creating a new advantage for Vietnam’s struggle, contributing to the Spring 1975 General Offensive, which ultimately liberated the South and reunified the country. A fight on battlefield of diplomacy Since 1965, together with sending troops to invade the Southern region and conduct the destructive warfare in the Northern region, the U.S. conducted numerous diplomatic campaigns, with an aim to force Vietnam to negotiate unconditionally. Under this scenario, the Party affirmed the determination to fight against the invaders. During the 13th conference of the Party Central Committee in January 1967, the Party decided that the political and military warfare in the Southern region was a decisive factor for the victory in the diplomatic battlefield. After the Spring 1968 General Offensive and Uprising, the Paris Peace Conference was opened in Paris in May 1968, beginning a fierce fight on the diplomatic battlefield. The conference … [Read more...] about Paris Peace Accords – a victory of Vietnam’s diplomacy