Laos: COVID-19 infections on the rise

Laos reported 155 new COVID-19 infections and two more fatalities on August 29, lifting its national count and death toll to 14,816, and 14, respectively.
Laos: COVID-19 infections on the rise ảnh 1Illustrative image (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Vientiane (VNA) - Laos reported 155 new COVID-19 infections and two more fatalities on August 29, lifting its national count and death toll to 14,816, and 14, respectively.

According to the Lao Ministry of Health, more and more children and pregnant women are infected with the coronavirus in the country. In this context, the ministry will apply special care and treatment for these groups.

The Lao government has also required localities to strictly control border areas through serious patrols, and enhance medical screening in line with regulations to contain the spread of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, over 600 schools in Jakarta, Indonesia were re-opened on August 30 as coronavirus restrictions eased, despite concerns over the risk of clusters in classrooms caused by the highly transmissible Delta variant.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said 610 of 10,000 schools deemed safe had opened at 50 percent of the capacity.

Anies said 91 percent of students aged 12-18 and 85 percent of teachers in Jakarta have been fully vaccinated.

Nearly 70 percent of Jakarta's population have been given COVID-19 vaccines, he added.

Education Minister Nadiem Makarim last week called for school reopening to be accelerated to ensure the quality of learning and teaching.

Official data show that about 1 percent of Indonesian coronavirus deaths and 13 percent of infection cases have been minors./.

VNA

See more

At Pulau Seraya power station (Photo: Straitimes)

Singapore begins construction on hydrogen-fueled power plant

Singapore on October 23 began the construction of an 800 million USD power plant that has the capability to use hydrogen to generate electricity, as part of a push to utilise the fuel to reach Singapore’s net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050.

Delegates at the event (Photo: VNA)

125th anniversary of Permanent Court of Arbitration celebrated

The Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations and missions of the Philippines, Australia, Egypt, Guatemala, Hungary, Thailand, France, Eritrea and Austria, organised a ceremony on October 22 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), as part of the International Law Week at the UN General Assembly's Legal Committee (Sixth Committee).

CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Anuar Fariz Fadzil (Photo: focusmalaysia.my)

Malaysia continues placing emphasis on digitalisation

The Budget 2025 provides significant support to further accelerate Malaysia’s digitalisation, encourage adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and drive inclusive growth, further positioning Malaysia as a leading digital hub within the ASEAN region, according to CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) Anuar Fariz Fadzil.

Malaysia's economic reforms boost investment inflow (Photo: thestar.com.my)

Malaysia's economic reforms boost investment inflow

Malaysia has attracted substantial foreign investments, reaching 22.2 billion MYR (5.16 billion USD) in the third quarter of 2024, the highest level for the same period since 2012, according to UOB's Global Markets and Economics report.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN speaks at the debate (Photo: VNA)

Maintaining peace, stability a must for progress on human rights: Ambassador

Progress in human rights can only be achieved by maintaining peace and stability, respecting the rule of law at both the international and national levels, and ensuring respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, said Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN.

A visitor browses travel promotions at a travel fair in Nonthaburi province. (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Thailand plans enhanced support for domestic tourism

Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports is aiming to increase subsidy to local tourists in the upcoming stimulus scheme to 50% and would like to change the criteria for online travel agents, mandating them to register in Thailand to avoid losing income to foreign companies.

Oil field offshore Indonesia. (Photo: thejakartapost.com)

Indonesia begins major oil, gas exploration in Sulawesi

Indonesia's state-owned oil company Pertamina, along with foreign partners Sinopec from China and Kuwait’s Kufpec, has signed a contract to explore the Melati oil and gas block, located off the coast of Sulawesi. The block is estimated to contain trillions of cubic feet of gas reserves.