CNA938 Rewind - Polish President Andrzej Duda in Singapore
CNA938 Rewind
Polish President Andrzej Duda is in Singapore for a state visit that wraps up tomorrow. It's his first visit here since taking office in 2015, and comes ahead of his second five-year term as president ending this August. Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak with Polish Ambassador to Singapore Tadeusz Chomicki.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Singapore shines spotlight on coastal communities with first Islanders' Day
The first Hari Orang Pulau is in celebration of the heritage of the indigenous people and early inhabitants from some of the surrounding islands. The government will set up an inter-agency group to work with the communities to support more initiatives. Muhammad Bahajjaj with more.
CNA
12 hours ago
- CNA
Vietnam admitted as BRICS 'partner country', Brazil says
SAO PAULO: Vietnam has been formally admitted as a "partner country" of the BRICS group of major emerging economies, Brazil's government said on Friday (Jun 13), as the bloc presses ahead with an expansion push. Vietnam is the tenth nation to receive this status, which allows invited countries to participate in BRICS summits and other discussion sessions. Vietnam had expressed earlier this year it was ready to discuss a partnership with BRICS, whose original members were Brazil, Russia, India and China. "The government of Brazil welcomes the decision of the Vietnamese government," said the South American country, which holds the bloc's presidency in 2025. "Vietnam stands out as a relevant actor in Asia. Its efforts in favor of South-South cooperation and sustainable development reinforce its convergence with the interests of the group," it added. Founded in 2009 and soon expanded to add South Africa, the group has recently also included Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, making it a growing diplomatic counterweight to traditional Western powers.
CNA
13 hours ago
- CNA
Vietnam parliament approves hiking tax on alcoholic drinks to 90% by 2031
HANOI: Vietnam's National Assembly on Saturday (Jun 14) approved a proposal to raise the special consumption tax on alcoholic beverages to 90 per cent by 2031 from the current 65 per cent, a move that will add to challenges facing the industry even though the top rate won't be as high as first flagged. Under the legislation, the tax rate on beer and strong liquor will rise to 70 per cent by 2027, a year later than initially proposed, before reaching 90 per cent in 2031. Vietnam currently imposes a 65 per cent tax on these products and the initial proposal last year had the tax rising to as high as 100 per cent. The finance ministry has said the aim of the higher taxes is to curb alcohol consumption. Vietnam is Southeast Asia's second-largest beer market, according to a report by consultancy KPMG in 2024. Vietnam's beer industry, led by Dutch brewer Heineken, Denmark's Carlsberg, and local brewers Sabeco and Habeco, has already faced challenges from stringent drink-driving laws introduced in 2019, which set a zero-alcohol limit for drivers. The country's Beer and Alcoholic Beverage Association chief has said industry revenue has declined for the past three years. In response to weakening demand and the initial proposal for the tax hike, Heineken last year suspended operations at one of its Vietnam breweries. On Saturday, the lawmakers also approved a new levy of 8 per cent on sugary drinks exceeding 5g/100ml of sugar that will take effect in 2027 and rise to 10 per cent in 2028.
