Global megatrends

An underage smoker at a park in Jakarta, Indonesia (Photo: AFP/VNA) Jakarta (VNA) – The Indonesia n Government is planning to tighten its relatively lax regulations on smoking in a bid to curb the increasing number of child smokers in the country. Under a planned new regulation, the Health Ministry of Indonesia is looking to control the promotion and packaging of e-cigarettes, which have remained unregulated since their legalisation in 2018. The ministry is also seeking to increase the size of graphic health warnings on tobacco packaging from 40% to 90%, ban the advertising, sponsorship and promotion of tobacco products, and prohibit the sale of single cigarettes. The number of underage smokers continues to increase each year, especially since the legalisation of e-cigarettes, Imran Agus Nurali, the ministry’s director of health promotion and community empowerment, told a webinar on August 11. He stressed the need for stronger measures to reduce tobacco consumption … [Read more...] about Indonesia plans to tighten rules to curb underage smoking

Phnom Penh (VNA) – Viettel Cambodia (Metfone) and Mineski Global on August 12 signed a cooperation agreement on organising e-Sport events in the neighbouring country. The signing of this cooperation agreement is the first and largest cooperation ever in Cambodia in terms of business but also promotes the development of eSports in Cambodia and gradually professionalising the eSports industry in Cambodia. ESport, which has become popular globally, has been a sports at the Southeast Asian Games recently. However, it is still new in Cambodia. Professional tournaments have gradually appeared and created a certain resonance, with a large number of existing players, accounting for more than 80 percent of GenZ. International Olympic Committee 2017 also acknowledged the presence of eSports and concluded that video games can be considered as sports activities when players are trained and prepared with as much intensity as traditional athletes. Meanwhile, Metfone has millions of … [Read more...] about Vietnamese firm reaches first partnership deal to develop eSports in Cambodia

VABA asks relevant authorities to study and adjust the domestic ceiling price bracket for airlines to promote the recovery of the industry. — Photo a family.vn The president of the Viet Nam Aviation Business Association (VABA) has proposed to adjust the ceiling fare for domestic airlines to promote the industry's recovery. At a national conference between the Prime Minister and businesses last week, VABA's chairman Pham Viet Dung said: "Viet Nam's aviation market is growing rapidly on the recovery trend but not evenly in all segments." The domestic market has fully recovered compared to before the pandemic. In contrast, the international market has recovered very slowly, said Dung, mentioning domestic passenger transport increased by 12 per cent compared to 2019, global freight increased, but household goods decreased. However, revenue was disproportionate due to increased fuel prices and some input prices, airlines still suffered losses, and liquidity did not improve much, … [Read more...] about VABA proposal raising domestic airfare ceiling

" Namaste Vietnam Festival 2022 ”, an cultural event hosted by the Indian Consulate General in HCM City, is launched on August 13. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – The Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City is hosting a cultural event called “Namaste Vietnam Festival 2022” in HCM City and the south-central province of Khanh Hoa from August 12 – 21. The event aims to boost cultural exchange and step up cooperation in trade, investment, education, information technology, tourism and healthcare between the two countries. Addressing the August 13 opening ceremony in HCM City, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Pranay Verma said the cultural festival was first scheduled for the beginning of this year on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (January 1, 1972 – 2022) but had to postpone due to COVID-19. India wants to promote three key elements during this festival: Trade, Connectivity and Culture, the diplomat said. It is also part … [Read more...] about Indian cultural festival underway in HCM City, Nha Trang

Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has conducted military drills around the island after U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei in early August. China has long claimed sovereignty over the island. Taiwan's government rejects China's claims and says the island's people should decide its future. The de facto U.S. embassy in Taipei said the delegation is being led by Senator Ed Markey, who is being accompanied by four House lawmakers on what it described as part of a larger visit to the Indo-Pacific region. Taiwan's presidential office said the group would meet Tsai on Monday morning. "Especially at a time when China is raising tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the region with military exercises, Markey leading a delegation to visit Taiwan once again demonstrates the United States Congress' firm support for Taiwan," it said in a statement. Markey chairs the Senate Foreign Relations East Asia, Pacific, and International Cybersecurity … [Read more...] about US lawmakers arrive in Taiwan as China tensions simmer

The world's third-largest economy grew 0.5% quarter-on-quarter due to stronger consumption and capital investment. While the country never imposed strict stay-at-home orders during the pandemic, the government in March lifted virus restrictions primarily targeting business opening hours. Inbound tourism remains limited to group tours, however, and the economy is facing headwinds — from the energy price crisis to fears of a global recession fueled by biting inflation. From April to June, private consumption grew 1.1% compared with the 0.3% registered in the January-March quarter, according to the data released by the Cabinet Office. Capital spending expanded 1.4%, compared with a 0.3% contraction in the previous quarter. "After the government lifted a quasi-state of emergency in late March, consumption of services showed a relatively strong rebound, while capital investment returned to growth after staying low for a while," BNP Paribas said in a note issued before the GDP data … [Read more...] about Japan’s GDP expands in Q2 after Covid curbs lifted