Lujan v defenders of wildlife case brief

Shanghai announced its first new COVID-19 cases outside quarantined areas in five days on Friday, triggering stricter curbs and mass testing in one district but plans to end a prolonged city-wide lockdown on June 1 appeared on track. The commercial hub of 25 million found three new cases in the same family in Qingpu district. All had taken three doses of vaccine and their infections were discovered during regular testing, authorities said. The three had not left their district town over the past 14 days but had visited at least four places, including a supermarket, all of which were sealed off and were being disinfected, authorities said. The area's more than 200,000 people had been re-tested and all results were negative. "Our district will follow the precise prevention and control measures, do a good job in epidemic prevention and control and achieve dynamic clearing as soon as possible," Zhang Yan, deputy head of Qingpu district, told an online news conference. Other … [Read more...] about Shanghai finds cases after five days of ‘zero COVID’ but end of lockdown on track

The defendants at the court. VNA/VNS Photo HÀ NỘI — Former Deputy Health Minister Trương Quốc Cường has been sentenced to four years in prison in the first-instance trial of the case relating to the trading of counterfeit medicine labelled 'Health 2000 Canada'. The verdict cited the official's lack of responsibility causing serious consequences; and abuse of positions and power while on duty, which took place in HCM City, some other localities, and at the Health Ministry’s Drug Administration (DAV). The Hà Nội People’s Court imposed the sentence on Cường on May 19. Two other defendants, Nguyễn Việt Hùng, former deputy director of the DAV; and Lê Đình Thanh, a former official of Hồ Chí Minh City Customs Department - were sentenced to three years and two years, respectively, on the same charge. Two former officials of the DAV – Phạm Hồng Châu and Nguyễn Thị Thu Thủy – were handed four years for abusing positions and power while on duty. Nine other defendants were given … [Read more...] about Former Deputy Health Minister gets four years in prison in fake medicine case

Former Deputy Health Minister Truong Quoc Cuong at court (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Former Deputy Health Minister Truong Quoc Cuong was given four years in jail in the first-instance trial of the case relating to the trading of counterfeit medicine labelled as Health 2000 Canada; lack of responsibilities causing serious consequences; and abuse of positions and power while on duty, which took place in HCM City, some other localities and at the Health Ministry’s Drug Administration (DAV). The Hanoi People’s Court imposed the sentence on Cuong on May 19 for the lack of responsibilities causing serious consequences. Two other defendants, Nguyen Viet Hung, former deputy director of the DAV; and Le Dinh Thanh, a former official of Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department - were sentenced to three years and two years respectively, on the same charge as Cuong. Two former officials of the DAV – Pham Hong Chau and Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy – got four years for abusing positions and … [Read more...] about Former Deputy Health Minister gets four years in jail in fake medicine case

An individual grey-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix cinerea), one of the world’s 25 Critically Endangered primates, is found living in a forest of Quang Nam Province. (Photo courtesy of Ai Tam) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Since the Government’s decision on action plan for the protection of the primate species in Vietnam was issued in 2017, a total of 684 endangered douc langurs , including 86 grey-shanked douc langurs (Pygathrix cinerea), one of the world’s 25 Critically Endangered primates , have been captured by rangers and authorities in 80 illegal hunting and wildlife trafficking cases. However, a report by the ENV, an NGO focused on wildlife protection, showed that only 30 per cent of total poaching violations in Vietnam were discovered, while 70 per cent were unknown, meaning that the number of the langurs hunted in the forest was unclear. Biologists, conservationists and experts shared the report at a conference on the conservation activities on endangered primates … [Read more...] about Urgent action needed on primate protection

The victory proved the effective and timely collaboration between the Vietnamese and Lao forces and forces in the Southern theater in the strategic offensive in 1972, contributing to failing the “Vietnamization” strategy of the U.S. and the “Nixon doctrine.” It also reaffirmed that defensive is the obvious operation in the liberation war and added more theoretical and practical values to the art of combat at the operational level of Vietnam in the resistance war against the U.S. invaders. As the operation went, the Central Military Commission of Vietnam and the Lao side informed the Command of the Plain of Jars – Muong Sui Campaign about the intention: Right after the end of the offensive operation in the area, our forces would shift to the defensive posture at the operational level, ready to break down any counter-offensive operations of the enemy. With good preparation, by May 20, 1972, the coalition forces had completed the firm and continuous operational defensive disposition, … [Read more...] about More lessons learnt from Xieng Khouang – Plain of Jars Victory in 1972

Easing weeks of punishing restrictions in the commercial hub would bring relief to China's battered economy, although there is growing concern that Beijing may yet take a similar course of action if it fails to get a nascent outbreak under control. Shanghai's deputy mayor, Wu Qing, said the city of 25 million aims to eliminate Covid outside of quarantined zones within the next week or so. After that, the city's lockdown will be "lifted in batches", with shops opened and traffic restictions eased, he said in the announcement which confirmed a Reuters story from Sunday. The vast majority of Shanghai's more than 2,000 new cases are in areas already under the tightest controls, while those found in the relatively freer communities are the ones most closely watched for clues as to where Shanghai's outbreak is heading. The number of such cases rose to four on May 12, up from two the previous day. Last week, some of Shanghai's residents were allowed outside their housing compounds … [Read more...] about Shanghai aims to defeat Covid over next week as Beijing hunkers down

Defending champions Vietnam beat Malaysia 1-0 at Viet Tri Stadium in northern Phu Tho Province on Thursday night to set up an exciting Southeast Asian (SEA) Games men’s football final against archrivals Thailand. The game needed two extra 15-minute halves after regulation time to decide who will play the finale against the Thais, who also defeated Indonesia 1-0 after 120 minutes in the other semifinal earlier the same day. The hosts came into the tie having not conceded a single goal in the group stage and put more pressure on Malaysia in the first half after the first 10 cagey minutes. Malaysia had a shot on target from close range after a corner was half cleared, but Vietnamese goalkeeper Nguyen Van Toan was able to smother the effort easily. Nguyen Tien Linh almost opened the scoring in the 27th minute as he ran down and faced Malaysian keeper Azri Ghani, but his shot drifted wide of the far post. Linh missed another chance in the 42nd minute as he was in a convenient … [Read more...] about Vietnam defeat Malaysia to set up men’s football final against Thailand at 31st SEA Games

In a report it sent to the Government Inspectorate on Wednesday, the city administration said it had appropriated VND1.3 trillion ($56.2 million). During the three months the city prosecuted 22 people in 12 bribery cases involving nearly VND6 trillion, it said. The city People’s Court heard 13 other cases in which 70 defendants and corruption to the tune of VND586 billion were involved. The report said statements related to corruption cases are "classified," which means the cases require a longer time to be processed. Besides, the progress of investigations is slow because the crimes had been committed years ago, making it difficult to collect documents and evidence, it added. … [Read more...] about HCMC falls way short of bribes seizure target

The Vietnam women’s football team have wrapped up their 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games campaign in style after grabbing a 1-0 victory against archrivals Thailand in the title match on Saturday night to successfully defend their gold medal at the region’s largest sporting event. The game at northern Quang Ninh Province’s Cam Pha Stadium, which was fully filled with 16,020 spectators, was Vietnam’s ninth consecutive SEA Games final and the sixth in a row for Thailand. After the hosts dominated in the first 15 minutes, Thailand started pushing forward. No goals were scored despite many chances created by both sides in the first half. Vietnamese (in red) and Thai players vie for a ball during their women's final at the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at Cam Pha Stadium in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, May 21, 2022. Photo: Tuoi Tre Vietnam opened the scoring 14 minutes after the restart despite pressure from Thailand. Duong Thi Van won the ball back in the … [Read more...] about Vietnam continue ruling SEA Games women’s football with third consecutive title

Vietnam won 24 gold medals on Sunday, including one in the much-anticipated men’s football competition, finishing their 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games run at the top of the medal table with 205 golds, breaking the previous gold medal record set by Indonesia in 1997. Thailand are second on the medal table with 92 golds, while Indonesia ranked third with 69, according the event’s official website. Vietnam’s men’s football team defended their gold medal with a 1-0 victory over Thailand on Sunday night. Indonesia claimed the men’s football bronze medal following a triumph over Malaysia in a penalty shootout. Muay and diving each won Vietnam five gold medals earlier the same day. Vietnam clinched three boxing golds on Sunday in three women’s weight classes. Also on Sunday, Vietnam’s aerobic gymnasts brought home two gold medals in pair and group events, while e-sports bagged another two. Tennis ace Ly Hoang Nam defended his gold medal after beating Trinh Linh Giang, … [Read more...] about Vietnam wraps up 31st SEA Games with a record 205 gold medals