Why is rule of law essential to democracy

The sweeping ruling by the court, with a 6-3 conservative majority, was set to alter American life, with nearly half the states considered certain or likely to ban abortion. Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas suggested the court's reasoning could also lead it to reconsider past rulings protecting the right to contraception, legalizing gay marriage nationwide, and invalidating state laws banning gay sex. As the day progressed, the number of demonstrators outside the Supreme Court increased substantially. The fenced-off area in front of the high court was filled largely with those demanding abortion rights. Crowds carried posters with slogans such as "Abort SCOTUS." One protester carried a placard that said "limit guns, not women" in reference to another Supreme Court decision this week expanding gun rights. Earlier in the afternoon, a supporter of Friday's ruling said: "The thing that 'my body, my choice' advocates don't get is that the aborted baby never had a choice." The … [Read more...] about Protesters at U.S. Supreme Court decry abortion ruling overturning Roe v. Wade

The sweeping ruling by the court, with a 6-3 conservative majority, was set to alter American life, with nearly half the states considered certain or likely to ban abortion. Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas suggested the court's reasoning could also lead it to reconsider past rulings protecting the right to contraception, legalizing gay marriage nationwide, and invalidating state laws banning gay sex. As the day progressed, the number of demonstrators outside the Supreme Court increased substantially. The fenced-off area in front of the high court was filled largely with those demanding abortion rights. Crowds carried posters with slogans such as "Abort SCOTUS." One protester carried a placard that said "limit guns, not women" in reference to another Supreme Court decision this week expanding gun rights. Earlier in the afternoon, a supporter of Friday's ruling said: "The thing that 'my body, my choice' advocates don't get is that the aborted baby never had a choice." The … [Read more...] about Protesters at US Supreme Court decry abortion ruling overturning Roe v. Wade

Vice President Võ Thị Ánh Xuân speaks at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Global Summit of Women in Bangkok, Thailand on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photos Ngọc Quang BANGKOK — Vice President Võ Thị Ánh Xuân on Thursday proposed four measures to help women make use of their potential and play their part in the economic recovery process post-COVID-19. Xuân was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Global Summit of Women in Bangkok, Thailand. The event gathered 600 representatives from 52 countries and territories, including Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha and other high-level government and business leaders. With the theme "Women creating opportunities in the new reality", the three-day conference focuses on empowering and promoting women in the socio-economic recovery process after the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking at the ceremony, the Vietnamese Vice President said women were among the most affected by the pandemic despite their important position and role in the … [Read more...] about Empowering women essential in post-COVID world: Vice President

Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang provided more information about a woman recently found guilty of tax evasion, and rejected rumours she was penalised for climate change activities. Speaking at the ministry’s regular press conference, Hang said the Hanoi People’s Court on June 17 held the first-instance trial and sentenced Nguy Thi Khanh to 24 months in prison for tax evasion under Article 200 of the Penal Code. The investigation and hearing was carried out in line with law, the trial was held publicly, and the defendant had all her rights guaranteed in accordance with law, the spokeswoman noted. “Vietnam adamantly fights against and strictly deals with law violations in accordance with legal regulations. All citizens are equal before the law,” she stressed, adding that Vietnam has carried out communications and education measures to gradually … [Read more...] about Climate activist prosecuted for tax evasion pleads guilty: spokeswoman

Illustrative photo Now more problems have arisen with rising gasoline and oil prices that have created bottlenecks in growth momentum along with high inflation. Need for solutions Recently the Ministry of Finance submitted a draft Resolution to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on reducing the environmental protection tax rate for gasoline and oil. It is proposed in the Resolution to reduce environmental protection tax from VND 2,000 per liter to floor level of VND 1,000 per liter, in order to curb rising inflation. However, the Ministry of Finance still keeps the same rate for Special Consumption Tax (SCT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) for gasoline. While these two taxes are on a relative value, when the tax base is larger, then more tax is collected and forms a large component of the current gasoline selling price. Previously, many experts had suggested that authorities must consider reducing these two taxes. During one session, a member of the National … [Read more...] about Flexible adjustment needed in growth economy

Ring road plan to transform market - Illustrative photo (Source: VNA) The government has asked the National Assembly (NA) to consider and decide on the policy for investing in the ring roads to be located in the country’s two biggest cities. Tran The Anh, sales director of Thang Loi Group, said that the land fund in inner cities is increasingly exhausted and prices are high, with investors turning to suburban real estate. “There is a thirst for houses for those living and working in Ho Chi Minh City in particular,” The Anh said. “The shifting trend of investors and individual financiers is also creating a new vitality for the real estate market in the suburbs.” One of the issues discussed by NA delegates and experts is how to exploit the land fund around the two ring roads, which will soar in value. Already in many places, the price of land in the area has increased dozens of times over. “Because the two routes will open up a vast land fund, the management of auctions of … [Read more...] about Ring road plan to transform market

A customer buys petrol at a petrol station of Vietnam National Petroleum Group (PLX) in Ha Noi. Deputy Minister of Finance Ta Anh Tuan speaks to local media about this issue. Since the beginning of the year, gasoline prices have fluctuated greatly. What measures has the MoF introduced to stabilise petrol prices? World petroleum prices have had complicated fluctuations from the beginning of 2022 until now, due to the recovery of large economies in the world along with impacts from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Covid-19 pandemic. The MoF, a price managing agency of the Government, is very worried about the impact of increased gasoline prices on controlling inflation in 2022. To stabilise gasoline prices and minimise the negative effects of the petrol price increases, the ministry has recommended that Government and the National Assembly Standing Committee reduce some kinds of tax imposed on gasoline products. The ministry has submitted proposals to the National Assembly … [Read more...] about MoF proposes further cut to environmental protection tax for petrol

Ngụy Thị Khanh, former head of NGO GreenID and known for advocating the reduction of coal-fired power in Vietnam, was handed a prison sentence for economic crimes, not her environmental activism, spokesperson for the foreign ministry Lê Thị Thu Hằng said on Thursday. Ngụy Thị Khanh, director of Vietnam’s Green Innovation and Development Centre (GreenID), has been arrested for tax fraud. — Photo courtesy of Hanoi Police During the regular press briefing held in Hanoi, Hằng said that on June 17, the People's Court of Hanoi opened a first-instance trial and had subsequently sentenced the 46-year-old Ngụy Thị Khanh to 24 months in prison for tax evasion under Article 200 of the Penal Code. She was arrested earlier in February by the Hanoi's police. The investigation and trial process were conducted in accordance with the provisions of law, Hằng said, adding that the trial was held in public and the defendant’s rights were fully guaranteed as prescribed by … [Read more...] about Environmentalist prosecuted for tax evasion, not her activism: Foreign ministry

Deputy Minister of Finance Ta Anh Tuan To control increases in petrol prices, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has proposed to reduce the environmental protection tax for petrol products to the floor level. The reduction will be from VND550-1,100 per litre, depending on the kind of petrol. Deputy Minister of Finance Ta Anh Tuan speaks to local media about this issue. Since the beginning of the year, gasoline prices have fluctuated greatly. What measures has the MoF introduced to stabilise petrol prices? World petroleum prices have had complicated fluctuations from the beginning of 2022 until now, due to the recovery of large economies in the world along with impacts from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and COVID-19 pandemic. The MoF, a price managing agency of the Government, is very worried about the impact of increased gasoline prices on controlling inflation in 2022. To stabilise gasoline prices and minimise the negative effects of the petrol price increases, the ministry … [Read more...] about MoF proposes further environmental tax cut for petrol

Your Excellency Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand, Madam Irene Natividad, President of the Global Summit of Women, Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to attend the Global Summit of Women (GSW) 2022 hosted in the beautiful and hospitable Thailand. First, on behalf of the Vietnamese delegation, I would like to extend my wishes of peace, prosperity and development to Excellency Prime Minister of Thailand, Madam President of the GSW, and all delegates. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate Thailand on the efforts and achievements in gender equality and women empowerment. They have been reflected in your regulations and enforcement and oversight mechanisms to protect women’s rights and interests. Such efforts have also been recognized through the U.N. Secretary-General’s appointment of a Thai Princess as a Goodwill Ambassador in Thailand for U.N. Women, in line with the determination and desire to “Say No to Violence against Women”. The percentage of Thai women … [Read more...] about Vietnamese Vice President’s statement at opening of Global Summit of Women