* India on February 15 withdrew the most favoured nation (MFN) status to Pakistan in the aftermath of Thursday (February 14)'s suicide attack on a convoy of paramilitary force in India-controlled Kashmir. * Pakistan on late Friday (February 15) rejected Indian allegations of its involvement in a suicide attack in the Indian-controlled Kashmir that left 40 soldiers killed, local media reported. * US President Donald Trump signed on February 15 a national emergency to expand the US-Mexico border wall and push for his signature campaign promise. * British Prime Minister Theresa May is to return to Brussels within days to meet European Union (EU) officials in a bid to rescue her Brexit deal, it emerged Friday. * Russia and India will discuss joint production of military equipment at the Aero India Show 2019 next week in Bangalore, said an official of Russian state conglomerate Rostec on February 15. * Nigeria's electoral body announced on February 16 that the country's presidential … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: February 16
HCM City hospital carries out first robotically assisted brain surgery
The first robotically assisted brain surgery took place on February 15 and was carried out by Doctor Chu Tan Si, Head of the hospital’s Neurology Department, and his colleagues with the support of Prof. Amin Kassam - Vice President of Aurora Health Care (USA). He is an expert in neurosurgery and also the person who came up with the idea of the robot system. The patient was a female Tay Ninh native born in 1952. She was hospitalised with a headache, difficulty speaking and weak right limbs. After clinical examination, she was diagnosed with a brain tumour in the parietal bone area, measuring 2cm and about 1.5-2cm from the cortex, which controls the movement function. Si said the patient’s tumour was a small, single-size tumour and it would be removed by normal surgery but would also leave neurological sequelae to patients. Therefore, after examining and evaluating the necessary functions, the doctors agreed that the patient is within the limits allowed to operate by robots … [Read more...] about HCM City hospital carries out first robotically assisted brain surgery
Vibrant Hanoi dragon boat race 2019
The race, held by Hanoi People’s Committee and the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines for the second time after the first edition in February last year, aims to promote the city's culture and history, as well as creating a highlight to attract tourists and forming a playground for those who are passionate about boat racing. The teams are both professional and amateur groups, as well as some from the relevant embassies, organisations and businesses. With a larger scale than 2018, this year's tournament attracted the participation of four international delegations, from Malaysia, Hong Kong (China), Singapore and Laos. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam presented flowers and souvenir flags to the participating teams before the start of the race. Chairman of Hanoi City People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung beat the drum to open the festival. At 9:30 am, the racers officially began the competition with two categories for professional and amateur teams. The standard dragon boat race … [Read more...] about Vibrant Hanoi dragon boat race 2019
Bac Giang and Son La locals joyfully celebrate culture-tourism weeks
The week-long events include a string of activities including a photo exhibition on Truc Lam Zen Buddhism, a display of UNESCO-recognised woodblocks from Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, a rural market, and the inauguration of Thuong pagoda. According to Nguyen Van Linh, Chairman of Bac Giang provincial People’s Committee, the province targets to attract more than VND40 trillion in investment to foster local tourism development. The provincial authorities have provided the most favourable conditions for investors in the locality, he reaffirmed, adding that a range of measures have been taken to increase connectivity in tourism, diversify tourist products and enhance human resource training for those working in the sector. Also this morning, locals and visitors flocked to Pa Uon bridge in Quynh Nhai district, Son La province, to attend the opening ceremony of the traditional boat racing festival. The race attracted more than 400 athletes from 10 communes in the district, as well as teams from … [Read more...] about Bac Giang and Son La locals joyfully celebrate culture-tourism weeks
Literature and poetry help to shorten all distances, says international conference in Hanoi
The opening saw the attendance of Vo Van Thuong, Politburo member, Secretary of Party Central Committee (PCC) and Head of the PCC's Commission for Communication and Education and nearly 200 poets, writers and translators from 46 countries and territories worldwide. Delegates exchanged opinions on how to boost the power of literature, cultural exchanges and languages in reflecting pressing issues of modern life, while uniting people in the community. Since the first conference on Vietnamese literature in 2002, more Vietnamese literary works have been translated and published in many foreign countries and territories, receiving enthusiastic appreciation from readers, many of which have won prizes at international book fairs. Furthermore, Vietnamese literary works have also been taught to students at major universities throughout the world. According to poet Huu Thinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association, in today’s flat world, Vietnamese literature has been changing … [Read more...] about Literature and poetry help to shorten all distances, says international conference in Hanoi