By Robert Bicknell OK, let’s get this out of the way right off the bat… I have been diagnosed with cancer. I also have to say, right from the top, that I am quite humbled by the number of people who have reached out and stepped up to help me, especially in the golf community. I am quite touched by your efforts and concern. Words cannot convey the depth of my gratitude and appreciation, and for once, I am speechless. In a nutshell, what I thought was a sore back brought on by a change in my golf swing, turned out to be a whole lot more than I, or many doctors thought and, believe me, there were a few who really blew it. It was the docs at Columbia Asia who figured it out and got my ass over to FV Cancer Hospital for the full diagnosis. To them, I owe a lot. I’ve got secondary malignant cancerous tumors on my spine, and we’re still looking for the primary source, but they suspect it’s the prostate. We will see. At this time I am getting radiation … [Read more...] about Don’t putt it off, get yourself checked
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Vietnam launches 2020 UPU letter-writing contest
The 2020 UPU letter-writing competition was launched on December 6 at a ceremony held in Thanh Cong Secondary School in Hanoi, marking the 33rd time that such a contest has been held in Vietnam. The UPU letter-writing competition launching ceremony at Thanh Cong School in Hanoi (Photo: MIC) The contest is open to all Vietnamese children under 15 who are supposed to write a letter about the world we currently live in. The letters must be handwritten, no more than 800 words long and have not been published in newspapers or books. The contestants can write their letters in any language but foreign-language letters must be accompanied by their translations into Vietnamese, which is the language used for judgement. The letters are to be sent to Thieu nien Tien phong (Young Pioneers) Newspaper at 5 Hoa Ma Street, Hanoi, no later than February 25 according to the postmark date. The organisers will award one first prize worth VND5 million (US$216), three second prizes, five third … [Read more...] about Vietnam launches 2020 UPU letter-writing contest
NA leader attends opening of Hoa Binh culture, tourism week
National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan at the event (Photo: VNA) Hoa Binh (VNA) – National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan attended the opening of the Culture and Tourism Week of the northern Hoa Binh province on December 6 evening. The opening ceremony was live broadcast nationwide on VTV2 channel. Speaking at the event, Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Bui Van Khanh said the week is an important cultural event to introduce the land, culture and people of Hoa Binh as well as popularise its tourism potential to visitors. Tourists at home and abroad will also have a chance to learn more about tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the province, enjoy local specialties and outstanding tourist products. Lying in the gateway of the northwest, Hoa Binh mountainous province is also a cradle of culture of ancient Vietnamese people with folk music and festivals of ethnic groups such … [Read more...] about NA leader attends opening of Hoa Binh culture, tourism week
Drug addiction drives youngsters to commit crimes
Drug addicts make shoes at Bau Bang Rehabilitation Centre in the central city of Da Nang (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Drug addiction among young people has remained high and is the main cause of crimes among them, with half of young addicts having committed crimes, according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA). Nguyen Trong Dam, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said that the ministry estimated that there are about 222,580 drug addicts nationwide, most of them under 35. Of that, 8 percent started using drugs when they were adolescents. The rate of those using synthetic drugs, such as methamphetamine, ecstasy, ketamine, amphetamine or cannabis was rising annually, by an increase of between six and eight percent a year on average. In big cities such as Dong Nai, Da Nang and Tra Vinh, about 80 percent of drug addicts were reported to use synthetic drugs. These drugs can cause symptoms such as physical and mental malfunctions, … [Read more...] about Drug addiction drives youngsters to commit crimes
Thailand to raise minimum wage next year
Workers gather for activities marking Labour Day near the Port Authority of Thailand in Bangkok on May 1 (Photo: bangkokpost) Bangkok (VNA) - The national wage committee of Thailand on December 6 agreed to increase the minimum daily wage from 308-330 baht (10.16-10.88 USD) to 313-336 baht (10.32-11.08 USD). Unskilled workers in most provinces will be entitled to 315-320 baht a day. The new wage is scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2020 after it is approved by the Thai cabinet. Pichit Deesui, Secretary-General of the National Congress of Thai Labour (NCTL), said the raise was for unskilled labour. The national wage committee would meet again on January 9, 2020 to discuss wages for skilled workers. Suthi Sukosol, permanent secretary for labour, said the committee made its decision after careful consideration of factors including employees' cost of living, employers' ability to pay, and local and global economic conditions. NCTL President Suchart Thailuan said … [Read more...] about Thailand to raise minimum wage next year