Vietnam's birth rates have fallen below replacement levels for the third consecutive year, with the fertility rate at 1.91 children per woman. Economic factors are driving smaller family sizes, leading to aging population concerns. The government plans to introduce laws and support measures to reverse the trend. The National Assembly will discuss the draft Population Law in 2025 to boost fertility rates.
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Discovered in December 2024, YR4 currently ranks 3 out of 10 on the Torino Scale. Nasa said it is deploying the James Webb Space Telescope to overserve the asteroid. The asteroid will be at its brightest in March 2025 when the first round of Nasa observations is scheduled. The follow-up will take place in May when YR4 moves away from the Sun. This will be the last opportunity to study it until it returns in 2028.
Amidst the escalating trade war with the US, China has appointed Li Chenggang as its new top international trade negotiator. This decision comes as both nations impose steep tariffs on each other's goods.
Kanye West reportedly misled an advertising agency to air an antisemitic ad during the Super Bowl, leading to the promotion of offensive merchandise on his website. Following the incident, USIM and other partners terminated their association with West, who faced criticism and further action from organisations and public figures.
Hamas released three more Israeli hostages, Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami, and Or Levy, to the Red Cross as part of their ongoing ceasefire agreement with Israel. This marks the fifth exchange since the ceasefire began, bringing the total number of hostages released to 21.
Beijing warned Germany on Friday to stop "hyping up" spying risks a day after prosecutors there charged three people suspected of supplying technological information to Chinese intelligence. Beijing said on Friday it hoped "Germany will stop hyping up so-called espionage risks from China and not set up obstacles to the healthy and stable development of China-Germany relations".
Australia's prime minister condemned heckling and booing Friday at two solemn Anzac Day commemorations as "low cowardice", warning that those responsible would "face the full force of the law". The disruption of Anzac Day is beyond contempt, and the people responsible must face the full force of the law," he told reporters in Canberra.
Voice of America has filed a lawsuit alleging that the Trump administration unlawfully shut down the news organisation. The lawsuit claims that this action deprived many regions of an important source of objective news, with the closure attributed to political bias allegations.
Elon Musk supports Greenland joining the US, aligning with efforts by Trump and his representatives, including Don Jr., who visited the island. Trump highlighted the potential benefits for Greenland, reflecting on his interest and suggesting Canada's inclusion as well after Trudeau's resignation.
Sriram Krishnan, an Indian-American tech veteran, has been appointed as the White House's senior policy advisor on AI. He will work alongside David Sacks to maintain US leadership in AI and shape national AI policy. Krishnan brings extensive experience from companies like Microsoft, Twitter, and Facebook, and recently departed Andreessen Horowitz.
Donald Trump Jr. has joined the board of GrabAGun, a digital firearms retailer. This announcement came as social media buzzed with the news of his ex-wife Vanessa Trump’s new relationship with Tiger Woods. Vanessa Trump and Woods both live in Florida but they have been staying together since Thanksgiving, reports said.