Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency.

– Party General Secretary and State President To Lam held phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 8.

Certain that Lam will gain fresh new achievements in his position, Putin expressed belief that Lam will lead the Party, State, and people of Vietnam to more success in the cause of Party building and national construction and development. Read full story

– National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man held a working session with the Standing Board of the Dong Nai provincial Party Committee on August 8 to discuss the local socio-economic performance and the progress of the Long Thanh International Airport project.

NA Chairman Man highlighted Dong Nai's strategic position in the southern key economic region, saying that it enjoys a robust transportation network interlaced with many national arteries. The province ranks fourth in economic size and fifth in population nationwide while boasting numerous tourist attractions and scenic spots. Read full story

– Vietnam wants to coordinate with Cambodia on a comprehensive assessment of the impacts of the Funan Techo Canal project on the region, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doan Khac Viet said at a regular press briefing in Hanoi on August 8.

At the event, Viet described the Mekong River as an invaluable asset and a connection point of the special solidarity and friendship among Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. He highlighted that Vietnam wishes countries along the river, including Cambodia, to work together to manage and develop the water resources effectively and sustainably for the benefit of the community and future generations and solidarity among the nations. Read full story

– The 45th meeting of the Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission took place in Hanoi on August 7 and 8, chaired by Tran Cam Tu, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the commission.

Examining the outcomes of the inspection of the Party Civil Affairs Committee of the provincial People's Committee of the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, the commission concluded that the provincial Party Committee’s Standing Board and the Party Civil Affairs Committee violated principles of democratic centralism and working regulations. They exhibited a lack of responsibility and lax leadership and direction, leading to serious violations of Party and State laws in land management and usage for certain investment projects within the province. These shortcomings also resulted in many Party organisations and members being disciplined, with several officials and Party members facing criminal charges related to the case of bribery and abuse of power at the Dai Ninh urban area project and in related localities and units. Read full story

– Deputy spokesperson of the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Doan Khac Viet spoke about citizen protection work in the Middle East, Myanmar and Bangladesh at a press briefing in Hanoi on August 8.

The deputy spokesperson said Vietnamese citizens in the Middle East remain safe and stable, adding that the ministry on August 5 issued an urgent warning to its citizens in the region, particularly in Lebanon, strongly encouraging them to relocate themselves and their assets to a third country or return to Vietnam. They are also urged to follow regulations and guidelines on security and safety measures issues by local authorities. Read full story

– The cremated ashes of Merle Ratner, a left-wing and anti-war US activist and a friend of Vietnam, left New York for Vietnam at a ceremony held by the Permanent Mission of Vietnam in New York, her relatives and friends on August 7.

At the event, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of the mission, affirmed that Vietnamese leaders and people always bear in their mind Ratner’s love for the country – her second homeland, and her devotion to the struggle for the nation’s independence, reunification, development and international integration. Read full story

– The Tram Chim National Park in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap will receive six red-crowned cranes from Thailand, said Director of the park Nguyen Van Lam.

The birds, including three male and three females, were separated from their parents for 30 days before being handed over to the park./. Read full story