US Democrats battle over climate change plans in US$3.5 trillion bill
Negotiators of a US bill to invest up to US$3.5 trillion to expand social programs and attack climate change gave hints of progress on Monday, but some Democrats were resigned to the increasing likelihood that a proposal to reduce carbon emissions will be weakened or scrapped.
Cambodia shortens quarantine period to attract foreign visitors
NDO/VNA – The Cambodian government decided to shorten the quarantine period from October 18. However, the absence of regular commercial flights to Cambodia from the main tourist hubs and people traveling for business purposes is raising concerns about a lack of international visitors.
Indonesia to deploy six strategies to anticipate COVID-19 wave during year end
NDO/VNA - The Indonesian government is strengthening strategies to prevent the risk of a third wave of COVID-19 by the end of 2021 - when people's travel increases during the Christmas - New Year holiday.
Laos, Philippines see drop in COVID-19 infections
NDO/VNA - The Lao Ministry of Health said on October 17 that the country recorded 296 new infections of COVID-19 and two deaths in the past 24 hours.
World News in Brief:October 17
Russia reported 34,303 cases of new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, a record-high number since the start of the pandemic, data from the state coronavirus task force showed on Sunday. It also reported 997 deaths from the disease, five fewer than the daily record-high of 1,002 reported
Up to 17 US missionaries and family kidnapped in Haiti - media
As many as 17 American Christian missionaries and their families, including children, were kidnapped on Saturday by gang members in Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince, US media reported.
World News in Brief: October 16
NASA is set on Saturday to launch a first-of-its kind mission, dubbed Lucy, to study Jupiter's Trojan asteroids, two large clusters of space rocks that scientists believe are remnants of primordial material that formed the solar system's outer planets.
Global COVID-19 death toll tops 4.9 million as of October 16
NDO – The number of global COVID-19 cases reached nearly 240.8 million, including more than 4.9 million deaths, as of 6am on October 16 Vietnamese time, according to the statistics website worldometers.info.
ASEAN strengthens partnership, innovation for disaster management
NDO/VNA - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partners have reaffirmed commitments to raise the ASEAN people’s awareness about the importance of disaster risk reduction during the commemoration of ASEAN Day for Disaster Management (ADDM) 2021.
US to lift curbs from Nov. 8 for vaccinated foreign travelers - White House
The White House on Friday said it will lift COVID-19 travel restrictions for fully vaccinated foreign nationals effective Nov. 8, ending historic restrictions that barred much of the world from the United States.
EU, China agree to hold summit, Michel says after Xi call
European Council President Charles Michel said on Friday that the European Union and China would hold a summit soon, after a call with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Vietnam voices support for peace, reconciliation process in Colombia
NDO/VNA – The UN Security Council convened a session on October 14 to discuss the situation in Colombia and activities of the UN Verification Mission there.
