Inflammatory stories masquerading as real news pose a particularly toxic threat in Asian countries with long-standing religious and ethnic divides, but promises by some regional leaders to tackle the problem carry equal menace. Borrowing from U.S. President Donald Trump's political playbook, government heads with an authoritarian streak are using the mantra of "fake news" to shield themselves from negative media coverage, and push legislation that critics say is aimed more at stifling dissent than punishing fabrication. The problem they profess to be addressing is a genuine one. Internet penetration is now so extensive - even in the poorest areas - that fake stories dressed up as fact can go viral on social media overnight and reach massive audiences with often dire consequences. In India last year, seven people were killed by a mob after a false story spread on WhatsApp that they were child-traffickers. A number of Asian leaders have tapped into the resulting public concern and … [Read more...] about Asian push to crack down on ‘fake news’ sparks alarm
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Government News 5/4
Vietnam, Myanmar foster defence cooperation Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army Sen. Lt. Gen. Pham Ngoc Minh (R) presents a souvernir to Lt. Gen. Tin Maung Win, Chief of Staff of the Bureau of Air Defence of Myanmar Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army Sen. Lt. Gen. Pham Ngoc Minh had a meeting with Lt. Gen. Tin Maung Win, Chief of Staff of the Bureau of Air Defence of Myanmar, in Hanoi on April 5. Sen. Lt. Gen. Minh highlighted the sound friendship between Vietnam and Myanmar, noting that the ties between the two countries’ armed forces have been constantly strengthened over the past years. He affirmed that the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army always creates favourable conditions for relevant agencies of the two sides to foster their cooperation to serve defence-security protection of each country, contributing to strengthening mutual understanding and solidarity between the armies of both … [Read more...] about Government News 5/4
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)
Mine declines: Good news for sustainability
Statistics from the General Statistics Office of Viẹt Nam (GSO) showed that the mining industry has posted a record slump since 2011, with the growth rate dropping by 7.1 per cent in 2017 and 4 per cent in 2016. — VNA/VNS Photo Statistics from the General Statistics Office of Viẹt Nam (GSO) showed that the mining industry has posted a record slump since 2011, with the growth rate dropping by 7.1 per cent in 2017 and 4 per cent in 2016. This could be a small disappointment amid lots of bright spots in the country’s wider socio-economic picture last year. But this could also lead to an alarming conclusion – the mining industry will be unable to return to growth, and so the growth pattern must be transformed. Expert Vo Tri Thanh The GSO attributed the slump to the plummet in crude oil and coal exploitation. This consequence is directly related to Viet Nam’s past development strategy, when the mining industry still occupied an … [Read more...] about Mine declines: Good news for sustainability
Corporate News, Latest Business
GE Healthcare on a mission to innovate Vietnam’s healthcare 08:00 | 18/12/2017 On the occasion of signing a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam’s privately-run Vinmec Healthcare System, Terri Bresenham, president and CEO ... Making local healthcare ‘future-ready’ 08:00 | 18/12/2017 US’ GE Healthcare has joined forces with Vinmec Healthcare system under Vingroup to advance Vietnam’s healthcare standards. Van Mai reports. GE Healthcare becomes strategic partner of Vinmec 10:08 | 13/12/2017 GE Healthcare, the medical arm of General Electric, yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with Vinmec Healthcare System, fostering science ... GE to drive wave of solar investment in Vietnam 1 … [Read more...] about Corporate News, Latest Business