Latest news with #VNA
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
PM orders urgent action to prepare for storm season
Officers and soldiers assist residents in Hue City to harvest rice submerged by floods following Storm Wutip on June 13. -VNA/VNS/ANN HANOI: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued a new directive calling for urgent and comprehensive measures to strengthen disaster preparedness, response and recovery ahead of the 2025 rainy and storm season. The directive, signed on Thursday (June 19), comes amid concerns over fragmented regulations, weak infrastructure and increasingly erratic weather patterns caused by climate change. Ministries, provinces and agencies are instructed to ensure continuous monitoring, timely response and clear communication across all levels. Local leaders must maintain full operational capacity during the merging of administrative units and ensure uninterrupted leadership during disasters. Authorities are tasked with updating emergency response plans, addressing risks exposed during Typhoon Yagi in 2024 and improving infrastructure resilience, particularly dykes, dams, power and telecom systems, and urban drainage. The PM emphasised the "four on-the-spot" approach, i.e., on-the-spot command, on-the-spot manpower, on-the-spot supplies and on-the-spot logistics, to reduce damage, especially human casualties. Heads of provincial and municipal governments are held accountable for all disaster response operations in their jurisdictions. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will oversee weather monitoring and accelerate digital transformation in forecasting and early warning systems. It must also coordinate with other ministries to finalise flood management plans for key river basins and ensure safe reservoir operations. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will be responsible for hydropower safety and electricity supply, while the Ministry of Construction must tackle urban flooding, particularly in major cities. The Ministry of National Defence is finalising a decree to implement the Civil Defence Law and will lead efforts to mobilise resources during emergencies. The Ministries of Public Security; Education; and Finance are also directed to prepare safety measures for vulnerable communities, schools and ensure funding for disaster recovery. Meanwhile, national media outlets are tasked with raising public awareness and providing timely, accurate updates on disaster situations. The directive assigns Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to oversee the implementation of these measures, while the Government Office will monitor progress and report emerging issues directly to the PM. - Vietnam News/ANN
Barnama
3 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Vietnamese, Malaysian News Agencies Eye Opportunities To Strengthen Ties: Bernama CEO
KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (Bernama-VNA) -- The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and Bernama - the national news agency of Malaysia - can co-develop AI tools for multilingual news summarisation and voice generation in Bahasa Melayu and Vietnamese, according to Bernama CEO Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin. In an interview with VNA correspondents in Kuala Lumpur on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21), Nur-ul Afida suggested the two agencies initiate cross-training programmes, allowing editors and journalists from both sides to exchange expertise on AI utilisation, share articles through digital platforms, and exchange information. Both VNA and Bernama are members of the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA). bootstrap slideshow VNA joined the organisation in 1969 and is an active member currently serving on its Executive Board. Nur-ul Afida said VNA has been a consistent and reliable partner in OANA, contributing actively to the regional media landscape through content sharing, coordination, and policy discussions. Their coverage of ASEAN and Indochina issues adds valuable perspectives. "Bernama appreciates the collaboration with VNA," she emphasised. The CEO also proposed that the two agencies should share a content platform through a cloud-based news hub for fast and secure content exchange between OANA members. During Party General Secretary To Lam's official visit to Malaysia in November 2024, the two countries upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, which, Nur-ul Afida said, creates greater opportunities for both VNA and Bernama to play a more significant diplomatic communication role.
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Aurora considers giving $500,000 to VNA in support of newly-opened clinic
The city of Aurora is considering giving VNA Health Care $500,000 in support of its newly-opened clinic at the Bloomhaven campus on Aurora's near East Side. The current proposal, which is set to go before the Aurora City Council for final approval on Tuesday, would split the payment in half, distributing $250,000 this year and $250,000 next year. This year's amount is set to be paid from city interest earnings, and the funding source for next year's payment will be decided during the 2026 budget process, according to Aurora Chief Financial Officer Chris Minick. The funds are going to support the opening of VNA's new Primary Care Center at 323 Weston Ave., which offers primary care and pediatrics as well as urgent care, mental health care, outpatient physical therapy, podiatry, OB/GYN, vaccines, lab testing, nutrition counseling and more, with all services offered in both English and Spanish. The organization invested around $8 million in the clinic, and financial planning for the project included the $500,000 pledged by the city, according to a city staff report about the project included with a recent committee meeting agenda. Staff said in the report that the funds were pledged because of the 'nature and extent of the medical services provided by VNA to the Aurora population in general and specifically to the neighborhood surrounding the development.' Although the $500,000 was pledged by city administration last July and formally recognized through a letter signed by both former Mayor Richard Irvin and VNA CEO Linnea Windel, the agreement never went before the Aurora City Council for approval, nor was it included in the 2025 budget. VNA's agreement with Aurora was that, once the clinic was fully built-out and received a Certificate of Occupancy, the city would pay out the full $500,000, according to the signed letter. So, after the certificate was issued in April, VNA came to the city to ask for the funds. The proposal was then set to go through the process of getting Aurora City Council approval, which starts at one of the City Council's committees. But when Mayor John Laesch's incoming administration saw the item, which was planned to go before the Finance Committee on May 15, just two days after Laesch was inaugurated, they were confused about why it hadn't previously gone before City Council for approval, and they requested the item be held so more research could be done. That's what Aurora Chief of Staff Shannon Cameron told the Finance Committee on May 29, the first time the proposed $500,000 payment to VNA was publicly discussed by members of the Aurora City Council. An item like this one most likely should have gone before the Aurora City Council for approval when the agreement was made, she said at the time, and it seems like it was simply an oversight of the previous administration. In addition to the signed letter, there were also many emails from city officials pledging the funds to VNA, according to Cameron. 'While it is a bit of a legal gray area, whether we actually owe the funds, we are in support of the VNA and the work it does,' she said. 'We want to make good on this promise.' At various Aurora City Council committee meetings, Minick has said the funds were not included in the 2025 budget because of the timing of the agreement. The proposed payment was again held at the May 29 Finance Committee meeting after several aldermen questioned and discussed how this happened. Ald. Edward Bugg, 9th Ward, said it is a 'disservice to our citizens' when things come before the Aurora City Council for ratification after they've already happened. When this has happened in the past, departments were told this is 'not how we do business in the city of Aurora,' he said. Minick agreed with Bugg and said ratifications will be held 'to an absolute minimum' and be used only for emergencies. This is an early cautionary tale to the new administration, Cameron said, to make sure everything goes through the proper process. The item came back before the Finance Committee on June 12, this time with a proposed change by Minick: pay out half now and then half next year. VNA tentatively agreed to this change, according to the staff report. Ald. Ted Mesiacos, 3rd Ward, who chairs the Finance Committee, said Minick's proposal was 'very equitable.' Aldermen on the Finance Committee recommended for approval the amended proposal, with Bugg voting against. The Committee of the Whole, which sets the agenda of the upcoming Aurora City Council meeting, reviewed the proposal at its meeting Tuesday and decided to place the item on the 'unfinished business' portion of the June 24 Aurora City Council meeting agenda. That means the proposal will be discussed and voted on separately from other items, which is typically done if an item is particularly important or controversial.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Vietnam to enhance voice, role of developing nations as Brics partner country
HANOI: Vietnam which has become a Brics partner country, aimed to contribute actively to enhancing the voice and role of developing countries, while promoting international solidarity and inclusive multilateralism based on respect for international law, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang (pic). She said Vietnam has been making practical contributions to multilateral mechanisms, organisations and forums, thereby contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and around the world, according to Vietnam news agency (VNA). Vietnam's admission as Brics partner country reaffirms the country's consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations, a reliable partner, and a proactive and responsible member of the international community, she added. "With a population of almost 100 million and a dynamic economy deeply integrated into global value chains, Vietnam stands out as a relevant actor in Asia," Brazil's government, as the current chair of Brics said in a statement to announce Vietnam admission to the group on June 13. "The country shares with the Brics members and partners a commitment to a more inclusive and representative international order. Its efforts in favour of South-South cooperation and sustainable development reinforce its convergence with the interests of the group," the statement added. Brics is currently composed of 11 countries namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran. It serves as a political and diplomatic coordination forum for countries from the Global South and for coordination in the most diverse areas. Vietnam is the 10th Brics partner country, alongside Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan. - Bernama-VNA
The Star
13-06-2025
- Climate
- The Star
Storm Wutip triggers widespread flooding and landslides in central Vietnam
HANOI: Storm Wutip, has brought days of dangerous weather to central provinces in Vietnam, with torrential rains, powerful winds, widespread flooding and a high risk of landslides and flash floods, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. As of 4am on June 13, the storm's centre was located over the southern waters of China's Hainan Island, with maximum sustained winds at level 10 (89–102km/h) and gusts reaching level 13. The storm is expected to shift direction several times as it moves northward and then northeastward before weakening into a tropical depression over southern China by June 16. Authorities have raised a level 3 disaster risk alert for the northwest area of the northern East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) and the northern Gulf of Tonkin. Strong winds of level 6–8, gusting up to level 13, are forecast offshore from Quang Trị to Quang Nam provinces, with waves as high as six metres. The Gulf of Tonkin is also experiencing rough seas, prompting warnings to all vessels in affected areas due to the threat of thunderstorms, strong winds and high waves. Storm surges and high tides are expected to cause coastal flooding in localities from Hai Phong City to Nghe An Province, with water levels reaching up to 3.9m in some areas. Localised flooding is likely in low-lying coastal and river estuary regions during high tide hours on June 13 and 14. Central provinces from Quang Bình to Hue City recorded particularly heavy rainfall on June 13, ranging from 50mm to over 250mm. Heavy rains submerge thousands of hectares of newly sown summer-autumn rice fields in Quang Binh province. — VNA/VNS Some localities including Huế and Quảng Trị reported totals exceeding 600mm within 24 hours. Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Danang, Quang Ngai and Kon Tum also saw moderate to heavy rainfall, with some places experiencing more than 120mm. The downpours have raised the risk of flash floods and landslides across eight provinces and cities. The most vulnerable areas include mountainous districts in Ha Tĩnh, Quang Bih, Quang Tri, Hue, Danang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and Kon Tum. Authorities warn of sudden floods on small rivers and severe erosion on slopes. In Quang Tri province, over 2,000 households were evacuated as floods submerged large areas and disrupted transportation. Lao Bao town was among the worst-hit, with the Se Pon River overflowing into residential areas overnight. In Hai Lang district, more than 1,400 households were affected, while Dakrong district saw nearly 100 households relocated from high-risk areas. Widespread road flooding has cut off major transport routes, including National Highways 49C, 15D and several provincial roads, with water depths reaching up to four metres in some areas. Landslides also blocked sections of the western Ho Chí Minh Trail and caused serious damage in resettlement zones in Huong Hoa and Dakrong districts. In Kon Tum, storm-related damage included collapsed house walls, broken suspension bridges, road erosion and fallen trees. Several roads and access routes to rural communes were blocked by landslides and debris. Local authorities have mobilised machinery and personnel to clear roads and reinforce damaged areas. In Quang Binh's Minh Hoa District, two sisters went missing after being swept away by floodwaters while frog hunting at night. Search and rescue teams are continuing efforts under difficult weather conditions. The storm has also caused agricultural losses, with more than 18,000ha of rice fields, 1,000ha of vegetables and nearly 100ha of aquaculture areas submerged. Several irrigation structures, sports grounds and riverbanks have been damaged. Provincial authorities have activated emergency protocols, including 24/7 response teams and the 'four-on-the-spot' approach. Fishing boats have safely anchored and no casualties among crews have been reported. Weather forecasters warn that more rain is expected in the coming days in Kon Tum and central provinces, maintaining the risk of flooding and landslides. Residents in high-risk areas are advised to follow official guidance and prepare for further disruptions. — Vietnam News/ANN
