The driver of a suburban passenger train died and dozens were lightly injured after two trains crashed outside Barcelona on Monday evening, Catalan regional authorities said. Some 85 people were injured according to regional emergency services, who said 77 were released on the spot and eight were taken to hospital. The collision happened when a freight train derailed and crashed into a passenger train at the station in Sant Boi de Llobregat, around 14 km (8.7 miles) from Barcelona, at around 6 p.m. Spanish first responders attend to the scene, after a commuter train and a goods train collided, on the outskirts of Barcelona, Spain May 16, 2022. Photo: Reuters "The driver of the passenger train died as a result of the impact," the regional government said in a statement. Catalan regional vice president Jordi Puignero, who visited the site on Monday evening, told reporters an investigation would start immediately into the cause of the crash. "My deepest … [Read more...] about Train driver dies and dozens injured in crash near Barcelona
77 unauthorized immigrants found in ups truck near border
Working remotely for foreign employers opens up dynamic lifestyle
He first goes out for a five-kilometer jog, returns home to work for an hour or two and then has some spare time before resuming work in the afternoon. Though his days are productive, for the 30-year-old software engineer in HCMC, working remotely for U.S.-based software company Acumatica gives him much greater flexibility than a traditional office job. As more and more global companies look to developing economies for skilled English-proficient workers at relatively lower salaries, in Vietnam, many young people like Dang are embracing the opportunity to acquire a whole new working experience. "The only difficulty is the different time zones," Dang, who has been working for Acumatica for four years as a regional product engineer, says. Every day, after meeting online with the North American team at 5 a.m, Dang also meets his colleagues in Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines at 7 a.m. and in India and Sri Lanka at 5 p.m. Huynh Minh Dang during a business trip to … [Read more...] about Working remotely for foreign employers opens up dynamic lifestyle
In Vietnam, students rush to private classes as high school entrance, graduation exams near
As the high school entrance and graduation exams are starting in a few weeks, final-year students at middle and high schools are as busy as a bee at back-to-back extra classes. Some students leave their extra classes and return home at 9:30 pm every day. Like her fellow students, N., a ninth grader of Tang Nhon Phu B Middle School in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, is in crunch time. She has a very busy studying schedule. After school, she has to attend after-hours classes at a cultural fostering center and an English center. Additionally, she takes private lessons in literature and math. Her daily extra classes often end at 9:00 pm. She confessed that she felt under pressure but she had to try to get into a good high school. She encourages herself by thinking about relaxing after the exam. T., a student of Vinh Kim High School in Tien Giang Province, is also nervous about the upcoming national high school graduation examination. T. told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that … [Read more...] about In Vietnam, students rush to private classes as high school entrance, graduation exams near
First Vietnam-Cambodia border defense friendship exchange activities in Kratie province
The Vietnamese delegation was led by its Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang, while the Cambodian delegation was headed by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Samdech Pichey Sena Tea Banh. Accordingly, General Giang witnessed Samdech Pichey Sena Tea Banh conducting a sovereignty landmark saluting ceremony at Trapeang Sre Border Gate. After planting a tree of friendship, the two defense leaders visited Hun Sen 2 Thnou Primary School. Speaking at the event, General Giang expressed his delight at the school’s achievements in education and training work. Especially amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, the teachers and students overcame difficulties to continue their curriculum as scheduled. In addition, the Vietnamese defense minister hoped that in the coming time, the students will be nurtured and grow up through lessons about motherland love, and soon become ambassadors of Vietnam-Cambodia friendship. General Giang emphasized that, … [Read more...] about First Vietnam-Cambodia border defense friendship exchange activities in Kratie province
Indonesia tourist bus crash kills 14
At least 14 people were killed and more than a dozen others injured when a bus carrying domestic tourists crashed into an advertising sign in Indonesia's East Java province early on Monday, police said. A police officer inspects the scene of a bus crash in Surabaya, East Java on May 16, 2022. (The Jakarta Post/East Java Police) The bus -- which was carrying 31 passengers, the driver and a crew member -- hit the pole and then rolled over on a toll road connecting the town of Mojokerto to the country's second city, Surabaya. The victims were from Benowo, a village near Surabaya, and were returning home after a long weekend at popular holiday destination Dieng Plateau, about 400 kilometres away in Central Java, local official Ridwan Mubarun told Indonesian television station Metro TV. "Fourteen people have died and 19 others sustained minor and serious injuries," Mojokerto police chief Rofiq Ripto Himawan told reporters on Monday, adding that authorities … [Read more...] about Indonesia tourist bus crash kills 14
Four-month purchasing power rebound facilitates business recovery
A woman shops for fresh fruits at a Winmart store in Ha Noi. — VNA/VNS Photo Tran Viet Domestic purchasing power has rebounded after a strong decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. That rebound has facilitated businesses to step up production and seize new opportunities, experts have said. The nation's total revenue from retail trade and services surpassed VND1.77 quadrillion (US$76.2 billion) in the first four months of 2022, up 6.5 per cent year-on-year, the latest report from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) showed. In April alone, the revenue also saw a positive yearly rise of 12 per cent to over VND455 trillion, according to the report. These encouraging figures were attributable to abundant good supply and increasing purchasing power in the domestic market, the MoIT said, adding that goods retail sales saw a year-on-year hike of 7.6 per cent to over VND1.42 quadrillion in the four months. Of this, sales of food and foodstuff rose 13.2 per cent year-on-year … [Read more...] about Four-month purchasing power rebound facilitates business recovery
Vietnamese, Cambodian defense ministers hold talks
At the talks, the Vietnamese defense minister expressed his delight at meeting with Tea Banh, Cambodian Deputy PM, Defense Minister and co-chairing the first aforementioned exchange. General Giang emphasized the special significance of the first Vietnam-Cambodia Border Defense Friendship Exchange since the first time the two defense ministries hold a border defense friendship exchange at the defense minister level. More significantly, the exchange is held in this year which is selected to be the Vietnam - Cambodia and Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Year and marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (June 24, 1967 - 2022), and the 45th anniversary of Cambodian PM Hun Sen’s “Journey to the fall of the Pol Pot genocidal regime” (June 20, 1977 - 2022). The Vietnamese defense chief expressed his emotion when receiving sincere, warm and friendly welcome of the local people and the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense during the activities … [Read more...] about Vietnamese, Cambodian defense ministers hold talks
Vietnam – Laos trade ties growing sustainably
During the 2016-2020 period, the two-way trade saw stable expansion and reached the target of over 1 billion USD, but then suffered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters. The Asia-Pacific Market Department at the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) said that the bilateral trade exceeded 1 billion USD in 2020, down 11.5 percent year-on-year, of which Vietnam’s exports were worth 571.7 million USD, down 18.5 percent. However, the bilateral trade bounced back since early 2021, surging 33.3 percent to 1.37 billion USD for the year, with Vietnam’s export revenue reaching 594.7 million USD, a rise of 4 percent from 2020, and its import hitting 778.2 million USD, up 69.8 percent. The results are attributable to the political resolve by Vietnamese and Lao leaders and the drastic management of competent agencies to remove obstacles facing businesses of the two countries and create optimal conditions for them to quickly adapt to the new situation. In … [Read more...] about Vietnam – Laos trade ties growing sustainably
Việt Nam-Laos trade ties growing sustainably
Steel production at Việt-Đức Steel JSC's factory in Vĩnh Phúc Province. Việt Nam mainly ships iron and steel to Laos. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Trọng Lịch HÀ NỘI — Since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties in 1962, Việt Nam and Laos have promoted cooperation across numerous spheres, with their trade exchange posting substantial growth, benefiting both countries. During the 2016-20 period, the two-way trade saw stable expansion and reached the target of over US$1 billion, but then suffered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters. The Asia-Pacific Market Department at the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) said that the bilateral trade exceeded $1 billion in 2020, down 11.5 per cent year-on-year, of which Việt Nam’s exports were worth $571.7 million, down 18.5 per cent. However, the bilateral trade bounced back since early 2021, surging 33.3 per cent to $1.37 billion for the year, with Việt Nam’s export revenue reaching $594.7 … [Read more...] about Việt Nam-Laos trade ties growing sustainably
Viet Nam-Laos trade ties growing sustainably
Steel production at Viet-Duc Steel JSC's factory in Vinh Phuc Province. Viet Nam mainly ships iron and steel to Laos. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Trong Lich Since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties in 1962, Viet Nam and Laos have promoted cooperation across numerous spheres, with their trade exchange posting substantial growth, benefiting both countries. During the 2016-20 period, the two-way trade saw stable expansion and reached the target of over US$1 billion, but then suffered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters. The Asia-Pacific Market Department at the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) said that the bilateral trade exceeded $1 billion in 2020, down 11.5 per cent year-on-year, of which Viet Nam’s exports were worth $571.7 million, down 18.5 per cent. However, the bilateral trade bounced back since early 2021, surging 33.3 per cent to $1.37 billion for the year, with Viet Nam’s export revenue reaching $594.7 million, a rise … [Read more...] about Viet Nam-Laos trade ties growing sustainably