A military parade held in Ho Chi Minh City concludes celebration of 50th anniversary since the fall of Saigon. Thousands of Vietnamese have waved red flags and sang patriotic songs as a grand military parade held in Ho Chi Minh City concluded Vietnam’s 50th anniversary celebrations of the end of war with the United States. Wednesday’s event commemorated the first act of the country’s reunification on April 30, 1975, when communist-run North Vietnam seized Saigon, the capital of the US-backed South, renamed Ho Chi Minh City shortly after the war in honour of the North’s founding leader. A lotus-shaped float carrying a portrait of Ho Chi Minh was near the front of the parade as fighter jets and helicopters carrying red flags flew overhead. Al Jazeera’s Tony Cheng, reporting from the city, said thousands of people stayed in the streets overnight to get the best vantage point for the parade, which was “a day of sombre reflection but also a day of celebration”. “I am proud of having contributed to liberating the south,” said 75-year-old veteran Tran Van Truong who had travelled – dressed in full military uniform – from the capital, Hanoi, to see the parade. “But what’s gone is gone, I have no hatred for those from the other side of the battle,” Truong told the AFP news agency. “We should join hands to celebrate the end of the war.” For the first time, more than 300 soldiers from China, Laos and Cambodia also took part in the spectacle. More than 300,000 Chinese soldiers were involved in the bloody conflict, according to state media, providing crucial anti-aircraft defence support and helping with logistics and supplies. “I think Hanoi is signalling to China that they recognise China’s historical contribution,” said Zach Abuza, a professor at the National War College in Washington who focuses on Southeast Asian politics. “It’s also another way for them to signal: ‘Don’t think our foreign policy is lurching towards the Americans.'” This year marks the 30-year anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the US. In 2023, Vietnam upgraded its relations with the US to that of a comprehensive strategic partner, the highest diplomatic status it gives to any country and the same level of relations as China and Russia. There are new signs of strain in the relationship with Washington, however, with President Donald Trump’s imposition of heavy tariffs and the cancellation of much foreign aid, which has affected war remediation efforts in Vietnam. Agent Orange contamination and unexploded ordnance in the countryside still threaten lives. The future of those projects is now at risk because of the Trump administration’s broad cuts to USAID. Follow Al Jazeera English:...

Veteran singer, Seyi Sodimu, whose 1997 song, ‘Love Me Jeje’, was recently remade by Tems and earned her a Grammy Award earlier this year, has shared the powerful lesson he took away from the experience. In an interview with Saturday Beats, Sodimu reflected on the importance of putting in one’s best work. He said, “The lesson I learnt from recording ‘Love Me Jeje’ is to always do your best. When I wrote that song, I put in 100 per cent. That is why over 20 years later, it won a Grammy. So, whatever you do, put in your best.” Speaking on the global rise of afrobeats, Sodimu expressed a deep sense of pride in how far the genre had come. “I feel so proud because when we were putting in the work over 20 years ago, we always knew this day would come. Back then, we did so much with so little. Seeing all these young artistes and what they are doing with afrobeats, I feel like a proud father. It’s like being a Jay Jay Okocha in this generation,” he said. The singer also revealed plans to document his legacy and give fans more insight into his journey. He stated, “I am working on a documentary on my life’s story, how we made ‘Love Me Jeje’, bringing out new artistes and possibly releasing ‘The Best of Seyi Sodimu’, a collection of my songs.”

The Kaduna State Government has announced that the 300-bed Specialist Hospital in Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area of the state, will soon be ready for commissioning. The Commissioner of Health, Hajiya Umma Ahmed disclosed this at a Ministerial Press Briefing at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna on Friday. PUNCH Online reports that the multi-million dollar project, initiated by former Vice President Namadi Sambo, has received $148 million in support from the Islamic Development Bank. Despite efforts by previous administrations, including those of the late Patrick Yakowa, Mukhtar Ramallan Yero, and Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai, the project remained incomplete. According to the Commissioner, the hospital with an oncology unit for research, diagnosis and treatment of cancers, is expected to provide comprehensive healthcare facilities to the population of Kaduna State and beyond. She also said it is expected to be commissioned soon, with all civil works completed and 85% of equipment installed. “The hospital will provide specialized care nationwide and has the potential of stemming medical tourism when completed. “The hospital will soon be commissioned because all civil works have already been fully completed while 85% of the equipment has been installed,” she said. She noted that Governor Uba Sani-led administration has made significant strides in revamping the health sector, including infrastructural development, facilities upgrades, and equipment provision for primary and secondary healthcare facilities. “The governor has revamped the entire health sector in Kaduna State, through infrastructural development, facilities upgrade, and equipping of primary as well as secondary health care facilities in the last 22 months,” she said. Other notable healthcare initiatives in Kaduna State, the commissioner said, include the upgrading of Primary Healthcare Centers, rehabilitation of secondary healthcare facilities, and improvement of health financing. According to her, the state is also rehabilitating and equipping 13 out of 33 general hospitals. “We are upgrading 255 PHCs to Level 2 for basic emergency obstetrics and neonatal care to prevent maternity and neo-natal mortality and morbidity ‘’Thirteen Secondary Health Care facilities out of the 33 General Hospitals are being rehabilitated and equipped. Contract has been awarded for the reconstruction, remodelling and equipping of additional health facilities at the Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital, Tudun Wada,’’ she added. The commissioner added that the state
has renovated and equipped the warehouse of “Kaduna State Health Supplies Management Agency to a Pharma-grade standard, which has 1,600 sqm with a storage capacity of 8,000 cubic metres of pharmaceutical products, with a well-equipped quality control laboratory.” She further said the state has procured and distributed over 975 stock-keeping units to public health facilities in the state, and distributed state-of-the-art equipment to 290 PHC centres to aid diagnostic and therapeutic services. The commissioner commended Sani for improving health financing in the state, saying that “the governor increased the enrolment rate for health insurance from 527,303 in 2023 to 639,432 in 2024, equivalent to a 21.3% increase.” ‘’Furthermore, the Governor approved the enrolment of 70,000 vulnerable populations into the Social Health insurance scheme under the Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority. ‘’In addition, he released N52,000,000 as 25% counterpart contribution for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund programme for the enrolment of additional 4,333 vulnerable persons,’’ she said. She added that the state has also allocated 15% of its financing to the health sector, as prescribed by the Abuja declaration. “Kaduna State Government has sustained the allocation of not less than 15% of the state financing to the health sector as prescribed by the Abuja declaration, a feat that is yet to be achieved at the federal level,” she said. The commissioner also highlighted the state’s achievements in healthcare, including 100% coverage of public health facilities in medicine distribution. “Kaduna State achieved 100% coverage of public health facilities in the distribution of medicines last year, a feat that was confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Health,” she said. In addition, she said the state has received several awards for excellence in supply chain management. “The Kaduna State Health Supplies Management Agency has received 10 prestigious awards, including the coveted award for Excellence In Supply Chain, which was presented by the International Supply Chain Education Alliance,” she said.