Read what is in the news today:

Politics

— The United Nations General Assembly approved Vietnam’s initiative with a resolution proclaiming December 27 as the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivered a message on the day.

Society

— A 60-year-old man repatriated from the U.S. was confirmed the latest case of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing Vietnam's patient tally to 1,441, with 1,303 recoveries and 35 virus-related deaths.

— A fire broke out at a house down Alley 173 on Khuong Viet Street in Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday morning, killing one woman.

— A baby boy’s body was found in the stage of decomposition next to the railway track section in Vang Danh Ward, Uong Bi City, northern Quang Ninh Province late on Sunday afternoon.

— Vietnam's northern and north-central regions are bracing for a severe cold spell from December 30 to January 2, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

— Tay Ninh Province, nearly 100km to the north-west of Ho Chi Minh City, has entirely sealed its borders with Cambodia after one new case of COVID-19, patient 1,440, illegally crossed the border to enter the province on Saturday, according to Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon) newspaper.

Business

— The Vietnamese economy expanded 2.91 percent in 2020, the lowest growth rate over the past decade, according to official data.

— The national brand of Vietnam has been valued at US$319 billion for this year by the UK’s leading independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy Brand Finance, a sharp increase of 29 percent in comparison to the previous year, thereby becoming the fastest-growing nation brand in the world.

— According to the notice of the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), electricity companies under EVN will stop buying rooftop solar power, handling requirements for connection, and signing new power purchase contracts after December 31. 

Sports

— Over 4,500 people from across Vietnam took part in the VnExpress Marathon Hue 2020 in the central province of Thua Thien – Hue’s Hue City on Sunday.

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