Illustrative photo (Photo: thestar.com.my) Hanoi (VNA) – Indonesia has issued a regulation that allows the export of marine sediment in the form of sea sand after banning for 20 years, according to Xinhua. It quoted local media as reporting on May 29 that the regulation about sea sand export is stipulated under the Government Regulation about Management of Marine Sedimentation Products, which states that sea sand can be used for domestic reclamation, infrastructure development for government businesses, infrastructure development by actors, and exports. The regulation was signed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo on May 15 and took effect immediately, replacing the previous regulation issued in 2003 that banned sea sand export s over concerns about illegal fishing. To obtain export permits for sea sand , exporters must submit a permit request and a proposal detailing their plans, partners, and the exact location or coordinate points of the water area they want to … [Read more...] about Indonesia resumes sea sand exports after banning for 20 years
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Indonesia promotes judicial reform
The Supreme Court in central Jakarta, Indonesia.(Courtesy of the Supreme Court) Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia ’s government has created a new team to formulate a plan to accelerate judicial reform efforts that the Supreme Court launched in the early 2000s, after the country’s top court was hit by a bribery case involving two of its justices, according to Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD. The team is tasked with reviewing the ongoing reforms and formulating new policies for speeding them up, without threatening the judiciary’s constitutionally guaranteed independence, he said in a statement released on May 27. The move follows President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo’s instruction on immediate judicial reform last September, when the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) opened a bribery investigation into Supreme Court Justice Sudrajad Dimyati. Comprising four working groups, the new team will not only focus on reforming the judiciary … [Read more...] about Indonesia promotes judicial reform
Alumni bridge Australia and Vietnam
Alumni are regarded ambassadors to strengthen Australia and Vietnam relations amid joint efforts to work together on a variety of educational and training projects. Vietnamese people who studied in Australia have contributed to Vietnam’s development and acted as ambassadors to foster bilateral relationship. Australian Trade and Tourism Minister, Senator the Hon Don Farrell praises the role of alumni in Australia-Vietnam relations. Photo: Embassy of Australia in Hanoi Australian Trade and Tourism Minister, Senator the Hon Don Farrell has praised the role of alumni’s contributions to Vietnam and Australia bilateral relations. Alumni help to add depth to Australia's economic diplomacy, building trade, investment, and business linkages, not only in Vietnam, but more broadly in the Southeast Asian region, Senator Don Farrell said during a visit to Vietnam last month. The senator made the remarks at the inauguration of the Australian Alumni Awards to honor the … [Read more...] about Alumni bridge Australia and Vietnam
How literature can benefit medical schools
There was this one comment I remember vividly: "It was such a pleasant surprise to learn that there were so many Covid-19 doctors who have a knack for writing." This reader articulated a sentiment I've held for a long time: many professionals in the medical field are adept writers and presenters. Thus, I am far from surprised, and indeed agree, with the fact that four of the 27 medical schools use national literature test results in their admissions processes. It is often overlooked, but the study of human nature is a common ground between the medical and literary fields. While medicine studies the human body in order to treat illnesses, literature describes and explains human behaviors in order to gain insight into the inner life. The medical field's goal is to prevent physical harm, but in many cases, the psyche and one's interpersonal relationships are often a source of that harm. And medicine, particularly psychiatry and psychology, plays a crucial role in providing people … [Read more...] about How literature can benefit medical schools
Da Nang international fireworks festival to activate bustling summer tourism season
The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF 2023) is expected to be a "symphony of lights". (Photo: Sun Group) Da Nang (VNA) - The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF 2023) is expected to be a "symphony of lights" activating a bustling summer tourism season in the central beach city of Da Nang . DIFF 2023 , themed “The Peace for Humanity", will take place on June 2 evening with the competition between Vietnam and Finland. Members of Joho Pyro Professional Fireworks from Finland (Photo: Sun Group) Joining the festival for the first time in 2019 and spectacularly clinching the championship title, the Finnish team has proven their creativity and astonishing display. Each performance by JoHo Pyro left the audience breathless. Vietnam's team has inspired performances over the years. (Photo: Sun Group) While Finland chooses to portray intense emotion and love in its display, the host team will tell a story of peace and friendship through … [Read more...] about Da Nang international fireworks festival to activate bustling summer tourism season
Vietnam’s Vingroup to premiere homemade animated series on YouTube
VinTaTa, an in-house animation studio owned by Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, has announced that its first-ever original animated series, “Monta trong dai ngan ha ky cuc” (Monta in the Bizarre Galaxy), would be aired on YouTube from this weekend. The first four episodes of the series, running five minutes each, will be aired at 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm, and 8:00 pm on Sunday. Subsequent episodes will be broadcast on the video-sharing site every Thursday and Sunday, at 8:00 pm and 6:00 pm, respectively, VinTaTa said in a statement. An audio-only version of the series’ original theme song “Hey Monta!” will be released on Saturday, with a follow-up music video (MV) being made available on YouTube the next day. A poster for Monta in the Bizarre Galaxy . Photo: VinTaTa “Monta in the Bizarre Galaxy” revolves around the titular character Monta – a Delacour’s langur – and his adventures across the universe with a ragtag group of unique friends. Considered one … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s Vingroup to premiere homemade animated series on YouTube
Australian PM savours Vietnamese foods, drinks locally brewed beer
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese talks about Vietnamese dishes at the lunch with young people. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had lunch at an eatery in Hanoi’s Old Quarter on June 3, where he tried the world-famous Vietnamese sandwich "banh mi", a favourite street food of many Vietnamese people and foreign tourists, and drank " bia hoi ", a locally brewed beer often used by Hanoians on hot summer days. "Banh mi" is ranked 7th among the best street foods in the world by TasteAtlas, a website dedicated to discovering fresh ingredients, traditional dishes, and authentic restaurants around the world. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is briefed on how to make a "banh mi". (Photo: VNA) CNN Travel has also included "banh mi" among its top 24 sandwiches in the world in 2023. According to the website, Banh mi can be easily found at street vendors and food carts everywhere. This is not only a popular … [Read more...] about Australian PM savours Vietnamese foods, drinks locally brewed beer
Viet Nam remains key market for Tag Heuer
A display of TAG Heurer at Saigon Centre. The company says Viet Nam remains their key market in the region. — Photo from Internet Swiss luxury watch brand TAG Heuer has recently announced that Viet Nam is one of their key markets in the Indochina region. Viet Nam is definitely the fastest growing developing market today so it is chance to invest in the market, said Cindy Lee, senior brand director exports of TAG Heuer. The company also affirmed that not only TAG Heurer but also other luxury brands now are focusing on the Vietnamese market. Among activities aimed at expanding the business in the country, the brand has recently celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Carrera. In a partnership between TAG Heuer and Swiss Master Time, five iconic Carrera heritage pieces from the 1950s to 1971 directly from TAG Heuer’s museum in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, were showcased at Saigon Centre alongside a Porsche Carrera 911, marking a partnership between TAG Heuer Vietnam and … [Read more...] about Viet Nam remains key market for Tag Heuer
VietHarvest to expand to HCM City
The signing ceremony between VietHarvest and partners in HCM City on Friday. — Photo Courtesy VietHarvest VietHarvest on Friday announced its national expansion to HCM City, a year after its Ha Noi launch. The announcement included agreements with Vietnam Airlines and IHG, who have both pledged to support the growth of VietHarvest through the provision of surplus food. Vietnam Airlines commits to supply excess food from its kitchens to the enterprise, ensuring that quality food is put to good use. In addition to Vietnam Airlines' commitment, IHG doubled-down on its own work with VietHarvest. IHG was one of the founding partners of VietHarvest in Ha Noi. The group inked a partnership with VietHarvest that sees this commitment expand into the southern metropolis of HCM City. VietHarvest - co-founded by long-time social enterprise advocate Jimmy Pham - works to collect quality surplus food from hotels, restaurants and other partners, and deliver it using refrigerated vehicles … [Read more...] about VietHarvest to expand to HCM City
Mastercard ramps up fraud protection for e-commerce merchants
The tie-up offers MPGS customers access to Vesta’s Payment Guarantee™ and Payment Protect solutions. — Photo courtesy of the company With merchants estimated to suffer more than US$48 billion in e-commerce fraud globally in 2023 – 22 per cent of that in Asia – Mastercard on June 2 announced the expansion of its partnership with Vesta, the global leader in payment fraud protection. Building on the two firms’ existing fraud detection collaboration, Mastercard will be integrating Vesta’s iron-clad Payment Guarantee™ and Payment Protect risk scoring solution into its Mastercard Payment Gateway Services (MGPS) platform. Starting in the second half of 2023, MPGS customers in the Asia Pacific region will be given optional access to both fraud-fighting solutions which would offer total protection for their eCommerce transactions and take their cost of fraud to zero. “To provide MPGS customers with the toughest, most impenetrable fraud protection available, Mastercard is committed to … [Read more...] about Mastercard ramps up fraud protection for e-commerce merchants