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Social
News 6/8
VND2.3 trillion to be invested in upgrading Tan Son Nhat airport
A VND2.3 trillion
(US$108 million) project is set to begin in November to expand T2
International Terminal of Tan Son Nhat International Airport in
Minister of
Transportation Dinh La Thang has approved the project of the Airports
Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), which is scheduled to be completed in three
years.
Accordingly, three
areas of the terminal will be expanded, raising the current 22,000 square metres
in use to 115,834 square metres. The improved terminal, which will include
120 check-in desks, 10 jet bridges and 19 gates, will be able to serve about
13 million passengers per year, increasing current capacity by three million.
According to ACV
Deputy General Director, Ho Minh Tien the expanded areas will enhance the
current architecture, especially the curved roof in the shape of a flying
bird wing.
The current
terminal was put into operation in September 2007, aiming to serve 8-10
million passengers per year. It served 9.2 million passengers in 2013 and
expected to serve 9.8 million by the end of this year.
Lao Cai
police arrest drug trafficker
Border guards and
customs police in northern mountainous
Tenh Lao Son, 27, a
resident of Long Phieng Commune in Son La Province, was caught in a hotel in
Nguyen Van Lam of
the provincial Customs Department said Son might be a member of a trafficking
ring transporting drugs between
Son was handed over
to the provincial police for further investigation.
Houses
remain isolated after typhoon flooding
Nearly 20
households in Phong Lai commune's Phieng Luong village remain isolated by
water nearly two weeks after typhoon Rammasun battered the northern
mountainous
Village head Sung
Long Tu said water levels started to rise from July 20, resulting in serious
flooding. Dozens of houses were flooded, while nearly 70ha of crops were
submerged.
Houses in low-lying
areas were flooded up to their roofs while houses on higher ground saw water
levels reach up 50cm.
The only passage
linking the village with others was flooded, forcing local residents to walk
through dangerous mountain passes, he said.
Vu Thi Sinh, a
local resident, said the flood waters had risen so fast they only time to
collect important items, while rice and food stored in the house were
completely submerged. After their crops flooded, their cattle had fled into
the forest.
Another resident
Lau Va Si said most local farmers had incurred debts to pay for their crops,
fertilizers and pesticides, promising to repay the money after the harvest.
However, most of
the crops had been destroyed, with many farmers now unable to repay their
debts, he said.
While the water has
receded slowly down by the mountainous terrain, it is expected to take
another week for the flooding to ease completely, said Lu.
Local authorities
have tried to provide local resident with basic necessities such as food and
water and move those in submerged houses to temporary accommodation in the
village's cultural house.
Chairman of Phong
Lai commune's People's Committee Nguyen Van Bai said local authorities would
also provide the residents with crops and invest in building in new roads.
Low-cost
housing lacks funding
A shortage of
capital is threatening the completion of social housing projects for students
in tertiary education, workers in industrial zones and low-income earners in
Ha Noi, the municipal Department of Construction has said.
At the conference
on Wednesday, the department said there were 34 social housing projects that
had been left unfinished and were lagging behind schedule due to capital
shortages.
Currently, six
projects overseeing the construction of dormitories for students have been
put on hold due to a lack of funds. Meanwhile, housing projects at the Ha Noi
National University of Education, the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of
Politics and Public Administration, the University of Forestry and the
Electric Power University were reportedly facing VND23 billion ($1.08
million) and VND111 billion ($5.2 million) in capital shortages.
Two dormitory
complexes in My Dinh and Phap Van-Tu Hiep also faced a shortage of VND78
billion ($3.6 million) and VND700 billion ($33 million), respectively.
These projects were
expected to provide accommodation for more than 39,860 students.
In relation to
housing projects for workers, two in the Dong Anh and Chuong My districts had
only been partially completed and put into use, reportedly lacking the funds
needed to complete the rest of the projects.
Three others in
Thach That Industrial Zone, Kim Chung New Residential Area and Nam Phu Xuyen
Industrial Zone are facing the same problems.
The projects were
initially expected to provide houses for 25,300 workers.
However, the
department said that most investors had committed to complete 23 housing
projects for low-income earners on time, but admitted some were encountering
problems with site clearance and legal procedures. The projects are expected
to provide 21,410 apartments for low-income earners in the area.
Vice chairman of the
city's People's Committee Nguyen Ngoc Tuan has invited government departments
to propose measures to allocate capital for on-going projects.
He has also asked
the construction department to work with the management board of the
industrial zones to provide accurate information on the housing demand of
workers.
Tuan also called on
investors to focus on completing the projects soon after receiving financial
support.
Investigation
launched into baby's death
Southern Binh Duong
Province's Health Department must submit a report about the recent death of a
foetus in
The order followed
claims by the mother's family that the death on July 29 was caused by
irresponsibility on the part of the hospital's obstetrics department.
Hospital director
Van Quang Tan said that Phan Thi Ha, 34, arrived at the hospital on Monday
showing signs that she would soon go into labour. Hospital staff decided to
perform a caesarean section the following day.
Ha's family said
that they asked for a caesarean section as soon as she was taken to the
hospital, but doctors refused.
The initial
diagnosis showed that the 3.7 kg baby died of heart failure.
Police
seize 5,000 unsafe helmets
Police seized over
5,000 substandard helmets during inspections of six major helmet stores in
the capital last month.
Out of 21 helmets
made by 11 manufacturers, 17 were found to be unsafe.
The manufacturers
of substandard products include Son Tung Technology Development and
Investment Ltd Co, A Chau Trade and Production Ltd Co, HCM City-based Tan Van
Phuoc Ltd Co and Ha Noi-based Long Huei Industry Ltd Co.
Police
seize 500 kilograms of rotting animal entrails
The Ha Noi traffic
police found a car that was transporting more than 500 kilograms of rotting
animal entrails on National Highway No5, Gia Lam District, yesterday evening.
The car driver, Vu
Duc Thien, 43, who is from the northern
Thien said that he
has transported animal innards for Ha four times.
The police are
investigating the case further.
Vietnamese businessman faces 150 years in prison in US
Two men, a
contractor (Vietnamese origin) and an inspection consultant, have been
charged with conspiring to steal US$3.6 million in taxpayer money from the
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
Vietnamese origin
Thanh Nguyen, 62, of King of Prussia and Robert Slamon, 54, of Shillington,
Berks County, are charged with theft, bribery, corruption and related
offenses.
Nguyen, the owner
of V-Tech Services Inc. (V-Tech) and Utility Line Clearance Inc. (ULC), has
received US$26 million in maintenance contracts from PennDOT since 2009.
The Pennsylvania
Attorney General says during that time Nguyen knowingly over-billed the
agency to the tune of at least US$3.6 million for herbicide spraying, litter
cleanup, graffiti removal and landscaping work that his crews never
completed.
Prosecutors say
Nguyen covered up the theft by laundering money through checks made out to
employees, who were instructed to cash those checks and deliver the money
back to Nguyen.
Prosecutors say
Slamon, in his role of PennDOT consultant inspector for Czop Specter Inc. in
They say on one
occasion Slamon was seen accepting a US$5,000 cash payment from Nguyen.
Both men were
arraigned on July 31 and released on US$50,000 bail each.
If convicted,
Nguyen faces a maximum of 150 years in prison and a fine of US$250,000 plus
restitution.
Slamon faces up to
95 years in behind bars and a possible US$150,000 fine.
A preliminary
hearing has been set for August 13.
HCM City
reports improvement in child nutrition, rise in obesity
The nutrition of
Speaking at a
conference on nutrition yesterday, she said that the city had carried out
many intervention nutrition programmes at schools, health facilities and
communities.
They included
school lunches, and nutrition clubs and health counselling for mothers with
babies, pregnant women, students, workers and obese and diabetic patients.
The city's
prevalence of underweight (4.1 per cent) and stunted children under five
years old (6.7 per cent) has declined over the last 25 years, and remained
the lowest rate in the country. Last year, in the country as a whole, the
rate was 15.3 per cent and 25.9 per cent, respectively, she said.
The city's
prevalence was the same as developed countries, she added.
In addition,
several severe clinical micronutrient deficiencies have been eradicated, such
as exophthalmia and goiters.
However, the city
is seeing an upward trend of obese and overweight children among children
under five years old, she said, adding that the rate had risen three times
over last 10 years, from 3.7 per cent in 2000 to 11.5 per cent last year.
Research showed
that the main cause was diets high in fat and protein, but low in vitamins
and micronutrients. A lack of exercise was also to blame.
For instance, a
research study of dietary characteristics of 331 obese children aged 6 to18
in
The average sodium
intake was also very high, 2 to 2.5 times compared to the RDA, and the
average fiber intake was less than 10 grammes each day.
Counselling on
obesity prevention was still needed in the community, the centre said.
Children need to
eat more vegetables, fruit, and milk and reduce sodium intake, and engage in
physical activities, the centre's nutritionists said.
Nutritionist Nguyen
Thanh Danh of the Nutrition Centre said that city authorities should create
walking paths in the city for children and adults, and other places where
physical activities can be enjoyed.
Danh said the
Ministry of Health should work with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and
Tourism to develop sports and physical activity programmes.
Quarry
ordered to suspend operations
Environmental
authorities in the central
Report on the order
has been submitted to the provincial Peoples's Committee.
Thanh Hoa-based
company Anh Tuan has reportedly used dynamite at the quarry, located dozens
of metres from the residential area, since 2004.
Blasts used to
crush stones have broken roof tiles and cracked walls. Sometimes stones flew
off and hit people, said Dien Giang village resident Le Thi Tam.
"Every time
before the dynamite explodes, the company sends their workers driving along
the village's roads to call us to get out of our houses and find a hiding
place. We have to run for our lives just like in wartime," Tam said.
Dien Giang
villagers have reported the blasts to the Dien Lu commune People's Committee
for almost a decade, but the committee did nothing.
Ba Thuoc commune's
Division of Environment and Natural Resources reported to the local People's
Committee that the company's quarry license was expired and told the company
to cease all operations at the quarry, said division head Nguyen Van Toan.
"Anh Tuan
company was found to have been illegally running the quarry after their
license expired in 2013," he said.
Company CEO Nguyen
Thi Oanh admitted that dynamite blasts damaged houses.
"We went to
check every house and provided approximately VND150 million (US$7,200) in
compensation," she said.
Kon Tum
steps up forest development efforts
Solutions on
removing difficulties for the Central Highland
Participants
reviewed the situation of forests and the conversion of natural forest land
area into rubber planting area in the locality under the Prime Minister’s
decision 750/QD-TTg dated June 3, 2009. The reshuffle of forestry businesses
and forestry management units in the region was also tabled for discussion.
Addressing the
working session, deputy head of the Steering Committee Tran Viet Hung said
the province should pay more attention to preventing forest fire as well as
drawing drastic measures to deal with illegal timber and forest products
exploitation and transport.
He also underlined
the necessity to enhance the role of forest rangers and local authorities in
implementing works relating to forest protection and management.
Kon Tum tops the
country in forest land area with 735,777 ha, accounting for nearly 80 percent
of its natural land acreage. Of the total, 589,430 ha are natural forests.
In recent years,
local authorities always heeds to the forest management and protection, with
the cases of forest destruction and fire dropping remarkably.
Personal
vehicles continue increasing in HCMC
The Traffic Safety
Committee in
Since the beginning
of the year until now, more than 14,533 cars and 137,003 motorcycles have
registered in police departments bringing the total number of vehicles to
563,044 cars and 6,113,656 motorcycles. Most of registered vehicles are
personal properties.
City authority has
approved an investment project of buses; under project, around 1,680 buses
will travel in the city; however, currently, buses are being manufactured.
Health
Ministry grants advertising verification via internet
The Ministry of
Health officially launched the service of nutrition supplements advertising
verification through internet on August 1 in
Four kinds of
nutrition supplements that the ministry has tested and verified their quality
will be allowed to be advertised. People and businesses can apply and finish
all formality procedures via the website: http://xacnhanquangcao.vfa.gov.vn
Around 20
percent of children under six month breastfed
Around 20 percent
of children under six month old in the country are breastfed.
The news was
released at the launching ceremony of a campaign in response to the World
Breastfeeding Week 2014 with the theme " Breast milk - Natural precious
gift" held by the Ministry of Health, the United Nations Children Fund
and the World Health Organization on August 1.
Addressing at the
ceremony, Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Viet Tien pointed out that breast
milk also contains antibodies and lymphocytes from the mother that help the
baby resist infections; accordingly, breast-fed children will have ability to
fight illness-causing germs.
Children consume
nutrients in breast milk easily as the proportion of nutrient in breast milk
is naturally low enough for consumption.
According to the
study conducted by the National Nutrition Center, the percentage of infants
below six month old totally breastfed in six first months is nearly 20
percent while the proportion of children suffering from stunted growth
because of malnutrition is up to 30 percent.
In addition, there
is an upward trend of children having formula and powdered milk instead of
breast milk before six month old.
Dairy manufacturers
and businesses spent more than US$35 million on advertising milk products for
children under five years old in 2013. Advertising on dairy products has
become one in five most popular ads in the country.
Police bust
phony phone scammers
Vo Van Manh, 24,
and Dinh Cong Tu Anh, of Ba Vi District have been accused of selling fake
iPhones to many customers over the internet. They would deliver real-looking
iPhone boxes that contained nothing but rocks, gravel and even candy.
One cheated
customer named Ngoc reported the operation to the police. Early in April, she
bought an iPhone 5 from the two men and agreed to meet at My Dinh Station for
the exchange. As soon as she opened the box, it was apparent she had been
cheated. The man who delivered the box, Dinh Cong Tu Anh, tried to get away
when he saw she was opening the box, but she followed him and reported the
incident to police. She had paid him VND1.8 million (USD85.7).
Once in custody, Tu
Anh said that in November he met a person named Nguyen Manh Tung. Tung asked
Anh to help him in his business by telling people they could get cheap
iPhones online. Tung would prepare the boxes and send them to Tu Anh, who
would deliver them.
After some
investigation by police, it was found that Nguyen Manh Tung's real name was
Vo Van Manh. Manh has since turned himself in and confessed to the crime.
Manh and Tu Anh
have cheated nine customers out of a combined VND60 million (USD2,857) with
their "stone and brick trick". The police are continuing their
investigation.
Instant
noodle prize-winner settles for half
The man in
On August 4,
representatives of Tribeco, the company that held the contest, said the local
Department of Industry and Trade had held a meeting between company officials
and the prize-winner. After the meeting, Tribeco agreed to pay An VND50
million and make VND7 million in compensation for travelling fees.
Tribeco's
department of legal affairs department was careful to make clear that they
considered the VND50 million payment as compensation and not as an
acknowledgement An had won the prize.
"The case
attracted a lot of attention and we wish to maintain the confidence of our
customers. Even though the card was invalid, we offered An VND50 million at
his request and another VND7 million for travel expenses," the
representative said.
An said that the
arrangement was reasonable. Before the agreement, An had plans to take the
company to court and had already retained an attorney.
After the story was
published and gained attention, the Ministry of Industry and Trade asked the
Department of Industry and Trade in
Professor
points out weaknesses in
Professor Ngo Bao
Chau recently brought attention to several weak points in
“The general
quality of universities nationwide may be the brightest point in the overview
of education in
According to him,
scientific research and assessment meetings show that the quality of
university-level research and teaching staff is substandard.
Worse still, the
methods being used in an attempt to recruit and improve staff at universities
in
“Low payment is the
biggest obstacle to the development of quality teaching staffs. It would also
discourage more research,” he emphasised.
In
He noted that, with
the current low pay, many lecturers find it difficult to sustain a
middle-class standard of living, which he says is necessary for a standard
education system, as it demonstrates how much value the country places on
education. Those who are able to carry out scientific research must be freed
up from daily tasks.
Currently, several
universities in
“While universities
elsewhere in the world prioritise teachers’ research capacity, the process in
He proposed that
the government work out a clear and comprehensive process of teacher
recruitment and improvement for all universities nationwide.
Any decisions by
the recruitment council should be made public, he said, adding that, while
lecturers should be able to compensate their incomes, lecturing should be
their main focus.
Stiffer
sentence proposed for rhino horn trafficker
The HCM City
People’s Procuracy has recently appealed against the verdict of two years
probation handed to a rhino horn trafficker, asking for a stiffer sentence.
About seven years
ago, Hoang Van Chung, 29, from
After he was caught
Chung fled, evading law enforcement for over three years. Local authorities
issued a warrant for his arrest, but they did not get him back into custody
until July 2010 when he turned himself in to
In March 2012, the
municipal People’s Court temporarily stopped his trial to allow treatment for
his mental problems. Recently, the court resumed and Chung was sentenced to
only two years probation, along with a fine of VND10 million (USD470.8).
The municipal
People’s Court explained that they believed Chung’s statement that he bought
the rhino horns for a fee of USD10,000 and that it was the first time he
committed such an offence, and so showed him leniency.
However, the
municipal People’s Procuracy claim that Chung’s actions were serious
violations of state regulations of the trading in precious wildlife and
breached the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora, of which
“It’s unacceptable
that Chung would be sentenced to just two years probation. It does not
reflect the seriousness of his crime and fails to create a deterrent,” the
agency stated.
US
University offers economics master programme in Vietnam
The Masters of
Financial Economics (MFE) programme offered by US Ohio University opened for
its second time in
The MFE is jointly
offered by
The MFE 1+1 is part
of a high quality co-operation programme between the two prestigious
universities in the field of education, especially economics and management,
in the
Speaking at the
ceremony, Prof., Dr Tran Tho Dat, Vice Rector of the NEU praised the initial
results of the first course in
The programme was
first launched in
The course is
completed in a two year time frame, divided into four semesters taught in
Prof Roberts
Sarikas from
Source: VNN/VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/ND
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Thứ Ba, 5 tháng 8, 2014
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