World witnesses hot news during past week
More stressful situations in Libya, earthquakes in the US and the lowest increase in Vietnam’s CPI for August were the hot news items of the past week.
NA Standing Committee first session
The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee’s first session took place on August 22-23.
Many important items were approved by an overwhelming majority, some with even 100 percent.
In only two days, the NA Standing Committee exchanged opinions on improving the quality and efficiency of NA operations, as well as supplements and amendments to draft laws on archives, complaints and denunciations, and measurements. It also drew up an agenda for the second session.
CPI in August - lowest monthly increase so far
Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) in August increased by 0.93 percent compared to the previous month, the lowest monthly increase since the beginning of this year.
However, the index was 23.02 percent over the same period in 2010, pushing the CPI in the past eight months up, on average, by 17.64 percent compared to the corresponding time last year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO) on August 24.
The GSO predicted the CPI would increase by only 0.9 percent in September and warned that cities, provinces and relevant ministries and branches should take strong measures to curb inflation and stabilise the prices of essential goods.
Diary of late war doctor Dang Thuy Tram to be translated into Russian
A contract was signed to translate and publish the late war doctor Dang Thuy Tram’s diary in Russia at the Vietnamese embassy in Moscow on August 24.
The diary's translation was initiated by leaders of the Thang Long Company to help Russian friends understand the struggles faced by the Vietnamese in the resistance war against the US imperialists.
The translation is expected to be completed by June 2012 and published in time to mark the anniversary of the war doctor’s death.
Celebrating General Giap’s 100th birthday
On August 24, the Party, State, National Assembly and Government leaders visited and presented gifts to General Vo Nguyen Giap to celebrate the occasion of his 100th birthday (August 25).
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong extended best wishes to General Giap, the Elder Brother of the Vietnam People’s Army and an outstanding student of President Ho Chi Minh, who is loved and admired by people nationwide as well as international friends.
State President Truong Tan Sang and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung presented flowers and wished General Giap good health and continued longevity. They also expressed their hopes that the General will remain devoted to the nation's revolutionary cause.
“Hot” atmosphere spreads in Libya
On August 25, Libyan rebels announced amnesty and a US$1.7 million reward for anyone within Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's "inner circle" who captures or kills him.
Col. Gaddafi's whereabouts are unknown, though say they think he is still in or around Tripoli.
On the same day, Libyan rebels announced they will transfer their headquarters from Benghazi to the capital Tripoli.
On August 26, the United Nations (UN) called on all sides in the Libyan conflict to take steps to ensure there are no acts of violence and revenge. The UN has also agreed to release US$1.5 billion in Libyan assets, which had been frozen under the sanctions, to help with immediate humanitarian needs.
Living conditions in Tripoli are becoming increasingly desperate, with most of the capital without water, electricity or proper sanitation.
Japan PM Naoto Kan announces resignation amid criticism
Japan's beleaguered Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced his resignation on August 26, clearing the way for the country's sixth leader in five years.
Mr Kan has been criticised for failing to show leadership after the devastating March 11 earthquake, tsunami and ensuing nuclear crisis.
The next day, five lawmakers in the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ): the current Ministers of Economy, Trade and Industry, Finance and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, as well as the former Foreign Minister and former Transport Minister, filed their candidacy papers for the ruling party's presidential election.
US shaken by earthquake
A strong earthquake in Virginia on the afternoon of August 23 shut down a nearby nuclear power plant and sent out seismic waves felt by millions all the way from Georgia to northern New England. Three aftershocks had also been reported by later in the evening.
No major injuries or extensive damage was reported after the 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck about 40 miles northwest of Richmond, Virginia.
The quake prompted the evacuation of office buildings and the precautionary closing of monuments in the nation's capital.