Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Health (MoH) is discussing polices to restrict the number of hours to sell alcohol. At a recent conference on the draft law on alcohol consequences prevention hosted by MoH, hours of alcohol sales was the main subject of discussion. Therein, three plans have been proposed. First, alcohol can only be sold from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 10pm every day, except at international terminals of airports and on tourism and entertainment streets. Second, alcohol can only be sold from 6am to 10pm every day, except at international terminals and on tourism and entertainment streets. Third, the hours of alcohol sales will be regulated by the government in necessary cases based on the demand of the draft law. MoH will choose the solution with majority votes. Nguyễn Huy Quang, head of the Legal Services Department under MoH, said the law aims to control the demand for alcohol, come up with solutions to reduce the consumption of … [Read more...] about Government proposes restricting hours of alcohol sale
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Electricity pole breaks, causes blackout for several hours
An electricity pole fell on a motorbike repair shop in District 9 in HCM City on Wednesday, causing a blackout that affected some 100 households. — Photo dantri.com.vnViet Nam News HCM CITY — Some 100 households in HCM City’s District 9 spent Wednesday night in the dark after an electricity pole snapped and fell at 6pm near Tăng Nhơn Phú B market. The pole fell on a motorbike repair shop and blocked an adjacent street. Fortunately, no casualty was reported. The incident caused a blackout that lasted for several hours in the two communes of Tăng Nhơn Phú A and Tăng Nhơn Phú B, Dân Trí online newspaper reported. Workers from the Thủ Thiêm Power Company reportedly tried to reinstall the pole. The electricity was back in all households by Thursday morning. According to eyewitness, the pole tilted and fell by itself, without any external factors at play. Further investigation is underway. — VNS … [Read more...] about Electricity pole breaks, causes blackout for several hours
Social News 5/4 (Hourly Updated)
Twenty-seven more communes and wards this year join family medical practice A health staff member takes blood for testing at An Hòa ward health station in Cần Thơ City’s Ninh Kiều District. Source http://soytecantho.vn The Department of Health in the Mekong Delta city of Cần Thơ this year plans to expand a model of family medical practice clinics to 27 more communes and wards. Family medical practice clinics aim to provide comprehensive and continuous health care services to each local individual and family in order to reduce overcrowding of patients at city or central-level hospitals. These clinics are located at health stations in communes and wards. Each commune or ward has one health station. Cần Thơ aims to equip more than 80 per cent of its 85 health stations with these clinics by 2020. According to Dr Bùi Thị Lệ Phi, the department’s head, the city now has 18 commune-based health stations with family … [Read more...] about Social News 5/4 (Hourly Updated)
US State Department concerned by Malaysia’s ‘fake news’ bill
The U.S. State Department expressed concern on Tuesday at the Malaysian parliament’s approval of a bill that would allow prison terms of up to six years for spreading “fake news” - an expression frequently used by U.S. President Donald Trump. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government secured a simple majority in parliament on Monday to pass the bill, which sets out fines of up to 500,000 ringgit ($123,000) and a maximum six years in jail. The United States is concerned about the bill’s “potential impact on freedom of expression in Malaysia, as well as its global reach, which could impact U.S. citizens and companies,” a State Department spokesperson said in a statement. The statement said the measure had moved “rapidly through Parliament without meaningful public consultation and debate,” and urged the Malaysian government to consult with the business community and civil society before taking further action on the bill. In … [Read more...] about US State Department concerned by Malaysia’s ‘fake news’ bill
India withdraws controversial ‘fake news’ order after backlash
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reversed an order to punish journalists found guilty of reporting "fake news," after an outcry over a perceived government crackdown on the press. The media sanctions, issued late Monday, stated that the government would withdraw the official accreditation of any journalist responsible for repeated reporting of "fake news." India is the latest government to act against what it calls "fake news." Malaysia is passing a law allowing for up to six years in jail for publishing allegedly misleading information. The government said it needed to curb the spread of misinformation in the media. But Modi's office rescinded the directive just hours later amid allegations India's vibrant press was being muzzled. "PIB (Press Information Bureau) Press release titled 'Guidelines for Accreditation of Journalists amended to regulate Fake News' issued on 02 April 2018 stands withdrawn," the information and broadcasting ministry said in a statement Tuesday. … [Read more...] about India withdraws controversial ‘fake news’ order after backlash