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Herald Malaysia
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Pope Leo XIV says he 'truly wishes' to visit Vietnam
In a significant diplomatic and pastoral moment, Pope Leo XIV met with Vietnamese Vice President Võ Th? Ánh Xuân on June 30 and openly expressed his strong personal desire to visit Vietnam 'in the near future.' Jul 01, 2025 Pope Leo XIV receives Võ Th? Ánh Xuân, the vice-president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, in the Vatican, on June 30. (Photo: Vatican Media) By Alex Hoang In a significant diplomatic and pastoral moment, Pope Leo XIV met with Vietnamese Vice President Võ Th? Ánh Xuân on June 30 and openly expressed his strong personal desire to visit Vietnam 'in the near future.'The statement, made during an official audience at the Apostolic Palace, has sparked hope and excitement among Vietnamese Catholics, many of whom have long yearned for such a possibility. This marks the clearest sign yet of a future papal visit to Vietnam — an idea once considered impossible. The pope's declaration was made during a 45-minute meeting, during which he warmly welcomed Xuân and her delegation. Pope Leo told the Vietnamese vice president that he 'truly wishes' to travel to Vietnam and meet with the faithful in person. In response, Xuân extended a formal invitation on behalf of the Vietnamese government, saying the country would be honored to welcome the pope 'in a spirit of friendship and mutual respect.' This is the first time a reigning pope has publicly expressed the desire to visit Vietnam during a high-level diplomatic meeting, signaling a potential turning point in Vatican–Vietnam relations and igniting a wave of hope across the country. A dream of millions For generations of Vietnamese Catholics, the hope of a papal visit has remained unfulfilled — until now, when that hope seems within reach. Across Vietnam, where Catholics make up about 7 percent of the population (roughly 6 million people), news of the pope's interest in visiting them has been met with joy and anticipation. 'Just ten years ago, the idea of a pope visiting Vietnam felt like nothing more than a distant dream. But today, it has never seemed more real. With God, nothing is impossible — thanks be to Him,' said John Tr?n Minh, a lay leader of a small rural sub-parish. Catholics on social media quickly shared the news, with many noting the emotional weight of the pope's choice of words. 'He doesn't just agree to come — he wants to. That means everything,' wrote one young Catholic from Ho Chi Minh City on Facebook. Many have compared the potential trip to Pope John Paul II's historic visits to Eastern Europe, which helped heal political divisions and empowered local churches during critical times of transition. Although Vietnam and the Holy See haven't established full diplomatic relations yet, their relationship has grown steadily over the past two decades. In 2009, a Joint Working Group was established to maintain the dialogue between the two parties. Then, in 2011, the Vatican appointed a non-resident representative to Vietnam—a small but significant step forward. More recently, in 2023, that position was upgraded to a resident papal representative based in Hanoi, a move that many observers viewed as a significant breakthrough. These efforts have helped build trust. During her visit to the Vatican, Xuân also met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States of the Vatican. She reaffirmed Vietnam's willingness to support the work of the Holy See's representative in Hanoi and to keep the dialogue moving forward. A visit that could make history If Pope Leo's visit to Vietnam happens, it would be the first time in history that the head of the Catholic Church has set foot in the country. For many Catholics in Vietnam, that would mean the world. It would be a powerful sign that the Church hasn't forgotten them and that the Holy Father truly wants to be close to his people, wherever they are. But beyond the symbolism, the visit could also have a real impact. It would offer encouragement to the local Church, especially in areas such as education, healthcare, and helping the poor. It opens new doors for cooperation between religious communities and public institutions. The pope's presence could also convey a positive message about religious harmony in a country with diverse faiths. In a bigger sense, the pope's interest in Vietnam fits with the Vatican's quiet but steady approach to diplomacy in Asia. Rather than relying on big speeches or political statements, the Holy See often builds bridges through relationships, presence, and personal gestures. That's what makes this moment so important — not just for Vietnam, but for the Church in the region. Looking ahead Vietnamese Catholics now wait in prayer and hope that Pope Leo's heartfelt desire will soon become reality. While the Vatican has not confirmed a timeline, both sides have pledged to continue diplomatic discussions through existing channels. As the universal Church embraces a new era of synodality, Pope Leo's outreach to Vietnam sends a clear and moving message: no community is too distant, and no people are forgotten. 'His Holiness wants to come. That alone is a grace,' said one nun in Hanoi. 'Now, together, we prepare our hearts to welcome him.'--
The Star
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Vietnam, Vatican seek to deepen bilateral ties
ROME: Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, on Monday (July 1), during her working visit to Italy, paid a courtesy call on Pope Leo XIV (pic) at the Vatican, highlighting the growing momentum in Vietnam–Vatican relations. Pope Leo welcomed the meeting and noted the positive progress in bilateral ties, including the recent upgrade to the status of the Resident Representative of the Holy See in Vietnam. He voiced support for further exchanges through the Vietnam – Holy See Joint Working Group, aiming to strengthen cooperation in line with the aspirations of Vietnamese Catholics and the interests of both sides. Vice President Xuan congratulated the Pope on his recent election and reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to fostering relations with the Holy See. She praised the guidance and messages delivered by successive Popes to the Catholic Church in Vietnam and called on Pope Leo to continue encouraging the Church's engagement in national development. The Vice President also conveyed invitations from Vietnam's leaders to the Pope and the Holy See's officials to visit the country. In response, Pope Leo expressed his appreciation for the invitations and affirmed his wish to visit the South-East Asian nation, aiming to demonstrate solidarity with the Vietnamese Catholic Church and community, and to further strengthen Vietnam–Vatican relations. The same day, Xuan held talks with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States. She proposed maintaining the effectiveness of the Joint Working Group mechanism and called for continued collaboration between the Holy See's Resident Representative and Vietnamese authorities in fulfilling pastoral missions. Vietnam will continue facilitating pastoral visits, she said. Archbishop Gallagher congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic achievements and welcomed recent positive developments in bilateral relations. He appreciated Vietnam's religious policies and affirmed the Vatican's willingness to boost ties and support future high-level exchanges. The two sides also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern. — Vietnam News/ANN
Qatar Tribune
17-06-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
Health ministry, UK health department joint working group discuss digital transformation of healthcare
DOHA: A recent meeting of the Joint Working Group between the Ministry of Public Health and the Department of Health and Social Care of the United Kingdom was held via video conferencing. The delegation from the Ministry of Public Health was led by Assistant Minister of Public Health for Health Affairs Dr Salih Ali Al Marri, while the British side was headed by Deputy Director of Bilateral Relations and Trade at the UK Department of Health and Social Care Fionn Craig. The meeting aimed to deepen cooperation between the two parties in areas such as antimicrobial resistance, artificial intelligence and data in healthcare, the resilience of medical supply chains, and patient safety and quality of care. It reviewed several important topics, most notably an overview of the State of Qatar's priorities regarding antimicrobial resistance, the national programme for combating antimicrobial resistance, pharmaceutical security and the strategy for securing antibiotics. It also included an overview of the UK's priorities on antimicrobial resistance, initiatives following the 2024 UN General Assembly Political Declaration on antimicrobial resistance, and establishing an independent scientific committee dedicated to evidence-based action on antimicrobial resistance. The meeting also discussed the digital transformation of healthcare, including the Qatar Health Information Exchange Platform, workforce development, collaboration with the private sector and outsourcing of digital health and artificial intelligence solutions. In addition, the meeting also addressed the integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare in the UK, the ethics and regulation of AI in healthcare, and the ten-year health plan to transition from paper-based to digital systems in the UK. Moreover, the meeting reviewed Qatar's approach to supply chain resilience strategies, the implementation of artificial intelligence in healthcare supply chain management, and an overview of the national framework for patient safety, including priority areas, national policies under development, and capacity building for patient safety and risk management. It also included an overview of the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB), the International Patient Safety Organizations Network, patient safety investigations, and principles and expertise in human factors in the UK.
Fibre2Fashion
09-06-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Indian govt urges e-commerce platforms to eliminate dark patterns
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued an advisory to all e-commerce platforms, urging them to take immediate steps to ensure their platforms do not engage in deceptive or unfair trade practices commonly referred to as dark patterns. The CCPA has advised e-commerce platforms to audit and eliminate dark patterns within three months, promoting fair practices and consumer trust. Violators face notices under the 2023 guidelines. A Joint Working Group will monitor compliance and raise consumer awareness. Thirteen types of dark patterns have been officially defined by the government. All platforms have been advised to conduct self-audits within three months from the date of the advisory to identify such practices and implement corrective measures. Based on the self-audit findings, platforms are also encouraged to provide self-declarations affirming that they do not engage in any dark patterns. These declarations are intended to promote a fair digital ecosystem and strengthen consumer trust in e-commerce platforms, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution said in a press release. The CCPA has also issued notices to certain platforms found to be in violation of the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023. The authority continues to closely monitor compliance with these guidelines and has observed several instances of dark patterns across e-commerce sites. Platforms are, therefore, advised to avoid using manipulative design interfaces that mislead consumers or influence their decision-making unfairly. To further this initiative, the Department of Consumer Affairs, government of India, has constituted a Joint Working Group (JWG) comprising representatives from relevant ministries, regulators, voluntary consumer organisations, and national law universities. The JWG has been tasked with identifying violations of dark patterns on e-commerce platforms and regularly sharing findings with the Department of Consumer Affairs. It will also recommend suitable awareness programmes to educate consumers about such practices. As part of its broader strategy to enhance consumer protection in the digital era, the government of India had issued the guidelines in 2023, identifying and defining 13 types of dark patterns: false urgency, basket sneaking, confirm shaming, forced action, subscription trap, interface interference, bait and switch, drip pricing, disguised advertisements, nagging, trick wording, SaaS billing, and rogue malwares. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Business Recorder
09-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan's IT sector surges with 24% export growth, $2.4bn trade surplus
Pakistan's Information Technology sector delivered a standout performance in FY2025, with exports of ICT services surging by 23.7% during July–March to $2.825 billion, according to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25. This growth added a much-needed boost to the country's external sector, as IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) recorded a $2.4 billion trade surplus – the highest among all service industries. Freelancers played a notable role in the sector's performance, contributing $400 million in foreign exchange earnings, underlining the increasing relevance of the digital gig economy in Pakistan. The momentum continued into March 2025, when ICT exports reached $342 million, up from $305 million in February, marking a 12.1% month-on-month increase and an 11.7% year-on-year growth from March 2024. To support and sustain this upward trend, the government is expanding digital infrastructure and promoting entrepreneurship. The Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) has initiated the rollout of 250 e-Rozgaar centers by FY2027, aiming to create 20,000 jobs and support freelance work and startup culture. Fifty centers are expected to be operational by the end of FY2025. Additionally, over 1,900 startups have been incubated under the National Incubation Centers (NICs), with 960 graduating successfully. These ventures have generated over 185,000 jobs, attracted Rs30.8 billion in investments, and reported combined revenues of Rs27.3 billion. Over 12,000 women entrepreneurs have been empowered through these initiatives, reflecting the sector's contribution to inclusive growth. On the telecom front, the sector generated Rs803 billion in revenues during July–March FY2025, while contributing Rs271 billion to the national treasury through taxes and duties. Total subscriptions reached 199.9 million, pushing teledensity to 81.3%. The sector's expansion is being supported by international collaboration, including a Joint Working Group (JWG) with China, focusing on ICT infrastructure, cybersecurity, innovation, and regulatory frameworks.
