T?i th?m làng b??i xanh m??t.

AmedicalworkertakesasampleforadiphtheriatestinM??ngLátDistrict,thecentralprovinceofThanhHóa(chǎn).—VNA/VNSPhotoHoaMaiTHANHHóA—TheGeneralDepartmentofPreventiveMedicine(GDPM)undertheMinistryofHealthhasaskedtheThanhHóa(chǎn)ProvincialDepartmentofHealth(DoH)tostrengthendiphtheriapreventionandcontrol.InalettersenttotheDoHonSundayafternoon,theGDPMsaidthatM??ngLátTowninThanhHóa(chǎn)Provincehadreportedseveralcasesofdiphtheria.Toproactivelyfightthedisease,theGDPMrequestedtheDoHtodirectmedicalunitsintheprovincetostrengthenscreeningclosecontactsofthosewhoareillandmonitorandpromptlydetectsuspectedcasesinthecommunity.AccordingtotheMinistryofHealth(MoH)sinstructions,medicalunitswillcollectsamples,testtoidentifyinfectedcases,deploymedicalquarantinemeasurestohandleoutbreaks,andprovideprophylacticantibioticsforallclosecontacts.TheMoHrequiresrelevantunitstoensureemergencycare,examinationandtreatmentforpatients.Theymustestablishseparateareasforquarantine,minimisethenumberofdeaths,strictlyimplementcross-infectionpreventionandlimittransferringpatientstohigher-levelhospitalswhennotnecessary.TheDoHshoulddirectunitstoreviewpeoplewhohavenotbeenvaccinatedorhavenotbeenfullyvaccinatedagainstdiphtheriainallcommunesandwardsandorganisesupplementaryvaccinations,especiallyinareaswherediphtheriaisprevalentandvaccinationratesarelow.Medicalunitsandlocalitiesshouldstepupeducationaboutdiphtheriaandpreventivemeasurestolocalpeople,closelymonitorchildrenshealthandregularlycleanclassrooms.TheGDPMalsorequestedtheDoHtoreviewandensurelogisticsforvaccines,preventiveantibiotics,antitoxinserumandotherchemicalsandreportthesituationtotheprovincialpeoplescommitteetoarrangefundingforepidemicpreventionandcontrol.Medicalunitsneedtoholdtrainingcoursesforpreventiveandtreatmentstaffondiseasesurveillance,diagnosis,treatment,emergencycare,andpatientcare.Theymustalsofindinspectionteamsinareasatriskofdiseasespread.TheGDPMaskedtheNationalInstituteofHygieneandEpidemiologytomonitortheepidemicsituationcloselyandguideandsupportlocalitiesintheirwork.TheThanhHóa(chǎn)PeoplesCommitteeonSundayannouncedadiphtheriaepidemicinM??ngLátTown.ThefirstpatientinthetownwasdiscoveredlastMonday.TheprovincialCentreforDiseaseControl,sofarthreecaseshavebeendetected,includingapregnantwoman,a10-year-oldchildanda74-year-oldwoman,whoisarelativeofthepregnantwoman.AsofSundayafternoononAugust11,nonewcaseshadbeendetected.—VNSForensicexpertsofB?cLiêuProvincePoliceconductchemicalanalysistoassistintheinvestigationoflocalcriminalcases.—VNA/VNSPhotoTr?ngNguy?nB?CLIêU—TheB?cLiêuPolicehaveachievednumeroussuccesses,earningthetrustofauthoritiesandthepublic.Amongtheseaccomplishmentsisthevitalworkoftheforensicscienceteam,knownasthetraceseekers,whoplayakeyroleinsolvingcriminalcasesandsupportingcrimepreventionefforts,thusmaintainingsocialorderandsafetyintheprovince.Forensicscience,whichisessentialforensuringpublicsecurity,usesscientificandtechnicalmethodstoinvestigatecases,guideinvestigationsandreinforceevidenceinthefightagainstcrime.LieutenantColonelPhùng??ngMinh,deputyheadoftheForensicScienceDepartmentoftheB?cLiêuProvincePolice,highlightedthesignificantprogressintheprovincesforensicscienceefforts.Theexpertiseofforensicexaminersandtechnicianshasimprovedatalllevels,enhancingtheirabilitytomeettheneedsofjudicialauthoritiesandotheragenciesincombatingcrime.Coordinationbetweentheforensicscienceteamandpoliceunitshasalsobecomemoreeffective.Eachyear,theforensicteaminB?cLiêuhandleshundredsofcomplexcases,suchasmurder,robbery,assault,rapeanddrug-relatedcrimes.Theirmeticulousworkincollectingforensicandphysicalevidenceprovidesascientificbasisforassessingtheseincidents,determiningcriminalactivity,andswiftlysupportinginvestigations,prosecutionsandtrials.Withadeeppassionfortheirchosenprofession,forensicscienceofficersandsoldiersconstantlystrivetoovercomechallengesandexcelintheirduties.Theforcealwaysensurestheyareondutyandreadytorespond,especiallyduringholidays,T?tholidays,andpeakcrime-fightingperiods,topromptlymeetthedemandsofcrimesceneexaminationswhencasesoccur,particularlymajorcasesrequiringtheidentificationofhottracestotrackdowntheperpetrators.Oneexample,themurderandrobberycasethatoccurredaround6pmonJanuary18,2023,whereamansbodywasfoundbylocalresidentsneararoadintheGòCát-CáiCùngseadykeareain??ngH?iDistrict.Theforensicscienceteamquicklyarrivedatthescene,conductedexaminations,performedforensicautopsiesandcoordinatedwithotherunitstogatherrelevantevidence.LieutenantColonelNguy?nDuyLong,headoftheForensicScienceDepartmentoftheB?cLiêuProvincePolice,said:ForensicexaminersandtechniciansworkedwithcriminalinvestigatorstoextractCCTVfootage,quicklyidentifyingtheperpetratorandrecognisingspecificdetailsabouttheclothinganditemsthesuspectwascarrying.Thesecrucialpiecesofevidenceandidentificationdetailshelpedtheinvestigatorsquicklyidentifyandapprehendtheperpetratorwithinjust30hoursofthecrime.Fingerprintanalysishavebeenimprovedgreatlythankstonewinnovations.—VNA/VNSPhotoTr?ngNguy?nBenefitsfromnewtechnologiesTheforensicexaminationactivitiesoftheforensicscienceforcehavealsomadesignificantcontributions,notonlythroughthedevelopmentofmorespecialisedfieldsofforensicexaminationeachyear,butalsothroughthetangiblequalityandeffectivenessoftheseexaminations.Somefields,althoughnewlyimplemented,havealreadyprovensuccessfulandprovidedstrongsupportforinvestigations.Theseincludeforensicchemistry,drugcontentanalysis,digitalandelectronicforensicanalysis,amongothers.Moreover,traditionalforensicfieldssuchasdocumentexamination,fingerprintanalysisandtechnicalexaminationscontinuetoyieldpositiveresults,withnumerousinnovationsandimprovementsenhancingthequalityofforensicactivities.AccordingtoLieutenantColonelNguy?n??cPhong,deputyheadoftheCriminalPoliceDepartmentoftheB?cLiêuProvincePolice,thecoordinationininvestigatingandsolvingcasesclearlydemonstratesthatforensicexaminersarehighlyskilledandresponsibleprofessionalsdedicatedtotheirwork.Regardlessofthetime,whenreceivingrequestsforexamination,theexaminersquicklybegintheirworkwiththeprincipleofbeingcareful,meticulous,prompt,andefficienttoproduceaccurate,objectiveandlegallysoundexaminationconclusions,providinginvestigatorswithasolidfoundationforeffectivelycombatingcrime,ensuringcorrectprosecutionandprotectingthelegitimaterightsandinterestsofcitizens.TheB?cLiêuProvincePolicehavefocusedonstrengtheningandrefiningthefunctions,tasks,powers,organisationalstructureandstaffoftheforensicscienceforceatalllevelstoenhancethequalityandeffectivenessoftheirspecialisedwork.Thisincludestrainingandprovidingfurthereducationfordistrict-levelforensicscienceofficerstoensuretheproperhandlingof100percentofthecasesunderdistrictjurisdiction.Additionally,modernequipmentandsystematic,synchronisedtechnologicalsolutionshavebeeninvestedintosupportlong-termforensicwork,meetingthedemandsofmodernisingprofessionalactivitiesandeffectivelyservingthework.Thankstotheirachievements,theForensicScienceDepartmenthasbeenrecognisedasanOutstandingUnitfortenconsecutiveyears.ThecontributionsandeffortsoftheofficersandsoldiersoftheforensicscienceforceoftheB?cLiêuProvincePolicehavebeenhighlypraisedbyvariouslevelsandsectors.—VNS

Studentsregisterforpart-timejobsatajobfair.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofLabour,Invalids,andSocialAffairshasputforwardaproposaltoincreasethemaximumallowableworkinghoursforstudentsfrom20to24hoursperweek,updatingthepreviousdraftfromMarch.ThisproposalisincludedinthelatestdraftoftherevisedEmploymentLaw,currentlyunderreviewbytheMinistryofJustice.Itsuggeststhatstudentsaged15andabove,whoareenrolledinformaleducationprogrammes,shouldbepermittedtoworkupto24hoursweeklyduringtheirstudies,aslongastheycomplywithexistinglabourlaws.Inasignificantchange,thedraftalsointroducesamandatoryminimumwageforstudentworkers,movingawayfromthecurrentpracticewherewagesaredeterminedbymutualagreementbetweenemployerandemployee.Theproposedwagerateswouldalignwiththecurrentregionalminimums:VN?23,800perhourinRegion1,VN?21,200inRegion2,VN?18,600inRegion3,andVN?16,600inRegion4.Topreventpart-timeemploymentfrominterferingwiththeiracademicresponsibilities,studentswouldberequiredtoinformtheireducationalinstitutionsoftheiremployment.Theinstitutionswouldthenberesponsibleformonitoringandsupportingthestudentsduringtheirpart-timework.V?Tr?ngBình,directoroftheEmploymentDepartment,saidthatthisproposalwasdevelopedafterconsultingvariousagencies,includingtheMinistryofEducationandTrainingandthroughdiscussionswithstudentsattheVietnamNationalUniversity,HCMCity.Thegoalofthepolicyistosafeguardstudentsrightswhiletheyworkpart-time,ensuringtheyarenotexploitedandareprotectedunderthelawincaseofanyissues.Thereareconcernsthatallowingstudentstowork24hoursperweek,oraboutfourhoursperday,couldimpacttheirstudies,Bìnhacknowledged,addingthatthedraftingcommitteewillcontinuetogatherfeedbackandmakecarefuladjustmentstotheregulationsasneeded.UnderthecurrentLabourLaw,employeesinbusinessesarerestrictedtoworkingnomorethaneighthoursperdayand48hoursperweek.TheGovernmentalsoencouragesbusinessestoadopta40-hourworkingweek,withovertimelimitedto40hourspermonthand200hoursperyear.Thus,theproposedworkinghoursforstudentswouldbeapproximatelyhalfofwhatisallowedforregularworkers.AlthoughthereisnocomprehensivenationalstudyonstudentemploymentinVi?tNam,surveyssuggestthat70to80percentofstudentsworkpart-timetocovertheirlivingandstudyexpenses.Commonjobsincludeworkinginrestaurants,coffeeshops,packaging,ordistributingflyers,withanaverageoffourtofiveworkinghoursperday,equatingto28to35hoursperweek.WagestypicallyrangefromVN?17,000toVN?20,000perhour.StudentswhoworkastutorsinsubjectslikeEnglish,InformationTechnology,orNaturalSciencesoftenearnhigherwages,fromVN?100,000toVN?200,000perhour.TherevisedEmploymentLawisexpectedtobepresentedtotheNationalAssemblyforconsiderationduringitsend-of-year2024session.—VNSThePerseidmeteorshowerisoneofthebestshootingstardisplaysoftheyear.—Photovov.vnHàN?I—Sky-watchersinVi?tNamhaveachancetoseethePerseidmeteorshoweronthenightofAugust12andearlymorningofAugust13,accordingtoVietnamAstronomyandCosmologyAssociation(VACA).In2024,thePerseidmeteorshowerisactivebetweenJuly17andAugust24,withthenumberofmeteorsincreasingeverynightuntilitreachesapeakinmid-August,afterwhichitwilltailoff.Thisyear,thepeakfallsonthenightofAugust12andbeforedawnonAugust13.??ngV?Tu?nS?n,VACAPresident,saidthatpeopleinVi?tNamcanobservetheshoweraftermidnight,withthemostidealtimebeingafter2amonAugust13.ThePerseidsputonadazzlingdisplayeveryAugustasEarthplowsthroughastreamofdebrisleftbehindbycomet109P/Swift-Tuttle,whichswingsaroundtheSunevery133years.Ranginginsizefromsandgrainstoboulders,thecometfragmentsslamintoouratmosphereatspeedsofmorethanahundredthousandmilesanhour(161,000kilometresperhour),causingthemeteorstoburnupandbecomebright,fast-movingstreamersinthenightsky,accordingtoAmericanTVchannelNationalGeographic.Foryears,thePerseidmeteorshowerhaslongbeenananticipatedeventforVietnamesesky-watchers,asitisoneoftheyearstwobiggestskyshowsbesidesGeminids,S?nsaid.Duringthepeak,observerscanseeupto60-100meteorsperhourunderidealconditions,headded.Hesaidthatpeopleneedtolookupatthenortheasternskyatanangleof30-50degreesfromthegroundunderidealconditions.Iftheskyiscloudyorrainy,meteorswillnotbevisible.—VNSAPTVNsteamdisposesofalargebombweighingapproximately227kg,discoveredataquarryinTanH?pCommune,H??ngHóa(chǎn)District,Qu?ngTr?Province.—VNA/VNSPhotoH?C?uQU?NGTR?—Decadesaftertheendofthewar,thebattle-scarredQu?ngTr?Provinceisundergoingaremarkablerebirth.Effortstoclearunexplodedordnancehavereclaimedvasttractsofland,allowingfarmerstosafelycultivatetheircrops.Thewarleftadeadlylegacy.Millionsoftonnesofunexplodedordnances(UXOs)scatteredacrossthecountry.Qu?ngTr?borethebruntwithnearly84percentofitslandcontaminated.Thesedormantexplosivesareeverywhere–backyards,fields,evenunderhomes–earningthemthechillingnicknametheGrimReaper.Thehumantollisheartbreaking.About7,000people,includingmorethan3,000children,havefallenvictimtobombandammunitionaccidentsintheprovincesincetheendofthewar.H?V?nHiên,residinginC?nVillage,TanL?pCommune,H??ngHóa(chǎn)District,wassuchavictim.Whenhewasseven,hepickedupwhathethoughtwasatoyinhisgarden,onlytohaveitexplodeinhishands.Hewasluckyenoughtobealiveastheblastonlycosthimafinger,however,notallthevictimswereasfortunate.H?ABui,afellowvillager,recalledahorrificaccidenthewitnessed18yearsago.AmassiveexplosionrockedtheareaabouttwokilometresawaywhensomeindividualsattemptedtodismantleUXOstosalvagescrapmetal.WhenIreachedthescene,itwasanightmare,saidBui.Fivepeoplewerekilled,theirbodiesmangledbeyondrecognition.Everythingchangedin1996whenQu?ngTr?begantopartnerwithinternationalorganisations,notablyPeaceTreesVietnam(PTVN),inUXOclearanceefforts.InH??ngHóa(chǎn)alone,PTVNsteamshavedisposedofmorethan45,000explosivedevicessince2005,reclaimingnearly1,700haoflandforfarmers.BeyondremovingUXOs,theyhavealsofinanciallysupportedfarmersbyspendingmorethanUS$2.7milliononlivelihood-improvinginitiatives.LifewasaconstantstruggleforpeopleinH??ngHóa(chǎn)beforethelandwasclearedofUXOs,saidBui.Wetriedtofarm,butthefearofhiddenexplosivesmadeitalmostimpossibletomakealiving.Thelandiscomingalivethankstotheirefforts.FarmerslikeH?ABuicannowharvestcropswheretheyoncefearedtotread.Hisrecentpepperharvestbroughtinasmallbuthopefulincome.ThegreenshootsofrecoveryhaveemergedbutthespecteroftheGrimReaperstilllingersoverQu?ngTr?.ExpertsestimateitcouldtakecenturiestofullyclearUXOsintheprovince.Despitethedauntingchallenge,disposalteamsstaytheircourse.Tr?nV?nThành,ateamleader,saidthatthelandisstilllitteredwithUXOs,whichfarmerscouldstumbleuponwhileworkingintheirfields.PTVNsoperationshavehelpedreduceexplosionrisks,butthereisstillalongwaytogobeforeQu?ngTr?canbetransformedintoaUXO-freeland.UXOdisposalisnotsomethingyoucanlearnonthejob,saidThành.Everydiscoveryisanewchallengeaswehavetodecidehowtoproceed.Hesaidthatsometimeshisteamcouldnotmovethebombtheyfound,theyhadtoevacuatepeopleanddetonateitinplace,whichisincrediblydangerous.Onemistakecancostlives.Thatswhyprecisioniseverything,hesaid.Thereliefwefeelafterasuccessfuloperationisimmense,knowingwevemadethecommunitysafer.Recently,Qu?ngTr?governmenthasteamedupwiththeUK-basedMinesAdvisoryGrouptodoubleitseffortsonUXOdisposal.Thethree-yearinitiative,fundedbytheUSDepartmentofStateandotherdonors,aimstodisposeof42,000explosivedevicesandorganise350trainingsessionsforlocalpeople.—VNS

Thewildboarfarming,redwormproductionandorganicvegetablecultivationmodelunderthe??iNgàncleanvegetablebrandatHoaViênFarmisdevelopedinagreen,safeandenvironmentallyfriendlydirection.—PhotocourtesyoftheHàN?iPeoplesCommitteeHàN?I—Tokeeppacewiththeglobaltrendofgreenagriculturaldevelopmentandproducegoodsthatmeetconsumerdemand,HàN?isagriculturalsectorhasguidedfarmerstowardsfocusingongreen,safeandenvironmentallyfriendlyagriculturalproduction.Thisapproachhasgivenrisetomanygreenagriculturalmodels,whichnotonlyachievehigheconomicefficiencyandgreaterexports,butalsocontributetoreducingenvironmentalpollution.Ch??ngD??ngCommuneinTh??ngTínDistrictwasoncethoughttobesuitableonlyforwetriceandtraditionalcrops.Nowadays,thecommunehasfoundanewdirectionwiththeVietGAP-standardblacksummergrapecultivationmodel,whichbroughthighincometolocalfarmers.?àoDuyT?i,directorofDuyT?iCooperative,said:WithtechnicalsupportfromHàN?isagriculturalofficials,ourcooperativehasbeengrowingblacksummergrapesforthepasttwoyears.Toachieveproductivegrapevineyards,thesoilmustbecarefullyimprovedtosuittheblacksummergrapevarietyandthecultivationtechniquesmustbemet.WiththecurrentsellingpriceofVN?130,000(US$5.18)perkilo,theblacksummergrapemodelisprovingtobefivetosixtimesmoreeconomicallyeffectivethanrice.HoaViênFarm,locatedinYênBìnhandYênTrungcommunesofTh?chTh?tDistrict,ownedbyTr??ngKimHoa,hasimplementedamodelofwildboarfarming,redwormproductionandorganicvegetablecultivationunderthe??iNgàncleanvegetablebrand.Thefarmspansover60hectaresoflandsurroundingahill,whereHoasfamilyboldlylaunchedlarge-scalewildboarfarming.Theyuseorganicfertilisertobreedredwormsanduseprocessedmanuretofertilisecrops.Eachyear,thefarmsuppliesthemarketwithover10,000wildboarpigletsandcommercialproducts,andmorethan300tonnesofvegetables.The??iNgànbrandfromHoaViêniscurrentlyinhighdemand,supplyingover30storesinthecityandhasbeencertifiedasorganicaccordingtotheIFOAMNormforOrganicProduction,gainingmuchconsumerappreciation.BùiH??ngBích,Directorof?anHoàiCooperativein?anPh??ngDistrict,statedthattomakegreen,safe,andenvironmentallyfriendlyfarmproduce,thecooperativehasinrecentyearsfocusedontheapplicationofscienceandtechnology.Theyhaveinvestedin85greenhousesandnethouses,coveringanareaofabout20,000squaremetresandappliedadvancedirrigationsystemstosavewaterwhileregulatingtemperatureandlightduringthecultivationandcareprocesses,includingmassfloweringofPhalaenopsisorchids.Thankstoscientificandmethodicalinvestment,thecooperativenowsuppliesaroundonemillionPhalaenopsisseedlingsandcommercialorchidstothemarketeachyear,generatingannualrevenueofVN?5billion(US$199,000).V?Th?H??ng,directoroftheHàN?iAgriculturalExtensionCentre,HàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidthatfromthebeginningof2024tothepresent,thecentrehasimplementedeighteenagriculturalextensionmodels,includingtencropcultivationmodels,fourlivestockmodelsandfouraquaculturemodels.Thesemodelsmainlyfocusonthedevelopmentoforganic,VietGAP-compliantvegetables,flowersandfruits,withtheapplicationofhightechnology,climatechange-adaptedagriculturalproductionandenvironmentalprotection,inlinewithmarketdemand.Currently,inagriculturalproduction,manyindividuals,enterprises,andcooperativesarechoosinggreenproductionmethodstomeetconsumptiontrends.Additionally,agriculturalgreenoutputalsoreflectstheresponsibilityofbusinessestothecommunity,contributingtoenvironmentalandecosystemprotection.HàN?inowhas2,000hectaresoforganiccropsandovertenhectaresoforganicaquaculture.Toencouragefarmerstoadoptthisapproach,theHàN?iagriculturalsectorhassupportedthemthroughvariousprogrammes,integratingagriculturalpolicyfunds.Inreality,comparedtoconventionalproduction,organicproductionmodelshaveproventobemoreeconomicallyeffectivebecausethequality,competitivenessandvalueofagriculturalproductsarehigher.Toexpandgreenandsafeagriculturalproductionmodels,??ngTh?Vinh,directorofH?ngHàSafeVegetableandFruitCooperativeinPhúXuyênDistrict,suggestedthatfunctionalsectorsshouldannuallyallocatepriorityfundstosupportcooperativesingreenagriculturalproduction.Furthermore,cooperativesshouldbeguidedinregisteringprocesses,improvingpackagingandtracinglabels,contributingtothedevelopmentofbrandnamesforagriculturalproducts.Theestablishmentandimplementationofaspecialisedtradingplatformforsafeagriculturalproductsshouldalsobepromotedtoconnectproducers,cooperativesandconsumers.AccordingtoNguy?nTh?Tuy?tAnh,headoftheEconomicDepartmentofThanhTrìDistrict,todevelopgreen,safeandsustainableagriculture,thedistrictcontinuestosupportcooperativesandfarmersinsafeproductionprocesses,especiallyinpestcontroloncrops,diseasepreventioninlivestockandaimingtoproducesafe,cleanproductsaccordingtoVietGAPstandards.Thedistrictalsostrengthenscooperation,investmentpromotion,tradeandagriculturalmarketdevelopment,creatingfavourableconditionsforfarmers,enterprisesanddomesticandforeigninvestorstoproducequality,safeagriculturalproducts.Nguy?n?ìnhHoa,deputydirectoroftheHàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,notedthatfarmersneedtoshifttheirproductionmindsetfromhabitualpracticestoagricultureguidedbyexperts,scientists,andStatemanagementagencies.Greenagriculturehasbecomeaninevitabletrendinmodernagriculture,ofwhichHàN?isagriculturalsectorisfocusingonrestructuringproduction,enhancingthequality,valueandefficiencyofkeyanddistinctiveagriculturalproducts.ItispromotingtheOneCommuneOneProduct(OCOP)programmeanddigitaltransformationinagriculture;effectivelyimplementingmechanismsandpoliciestoboostproduction;strengtheningtheapplicationandtransferofscientificandtechnologicaladvancements;andshiftingfromaproductionmindsettoaneconomicmindset,aimingtowardsgreenvaluescreatedthroughgreentransformation,greenconsumptionandagreeneconomy.—VNSArailwaycrossinginNam??nh.TheVi?tNamRailwayAuthoritystatedthatthisprojectinvolvestheconstructionofoverpassesandunderpassesincombinationwiththelocalroadsystemsalongtherailwaylinestoeliminateunauthorisedcrossings.—Photobaogiaothong.vnHàN?I—TheVi?tNamRailwayAuthorityhasproposedallocatingmedium-termcapitalforthe2026-31periodtoconstructoverpassesandunderpasses,aimingtoeliminateunauthorisedrailcrossingsandreducerailwayaccidents.TheVi?tNamRailwayAuthoritystatedthatthisprojectinvolvestheconstructionofoverpassesandunderpassesincombinationwiththelocalroadsystemsalongtherailwaylinestoeliminateunauthorisedcrossingsinaccordancewithDecision358/2020ofthePrimeMinister,whichapprovedtheSchemeonEnsuringRailwayTrafficCorridorSafetyandEliminatingUnauthorisedRailCrossings(Scheme358).Accordingly,297overpassesand149underpasseswillbeconstructed.ThetotalinvestmentisestimatedatVN?1.8trillion(US$71.3million),sourcedfrommedium-termpublicinvestmentforthe2026-31period.Scheme358aimstoeliminateunauthorisedrailcrossingsby2025throughvariousmeasures,includingtheconstructionof297newoverpassesand149underpassesduringthe2021-25period.However,thefundingfortheseconstructionsandothersupportingstructuressuchasoverpasses,fencesandroadwayshasnotyetbeenallocatedaccordingtotheplannedschedule.AccordingtotheVi?tNamRailwayAuthority,thenationalrailwaynetworkcurrentlyhas4,772levelcrossingsbetweenroadsandrailways.Amongthese,1,510areauthorisedcrossings,including677mannedcrossings,ninecrossingswithautomaticwarningdevices,738crossingswithautomaticwarningdevicesandautomaticbarriers,and86crossingswithwarningsigns.Regardingunauthorisedcrossings,therearestill3,262locations,accountingfor68.3percentoftotallevelcrossings.Priorefforts,usingcentralandlocalfunds,haveeliminated838dangerousunauthorisedcrossingsfromDecember2020toJune2024,areductionof21.7percent.Inthefirstsixmonthsof2024alone,66dangerousunauthorisedcrossingswereeliminated.Thereremainfourblackspotsand1,010potentialaccident-pronelocationsonthecurrentrailwaylines,areductionofoneblackspotand77potentialaccident-pronelocationscomparedtoDecember31,2023.—VNS

AtrafficpoliceofficermeasuresamotoristsbloodalcohollevelinHàN?i.—VNA/VNSPhotoPh?mKiênHàN?I—TheMinistryofPublicSecurity(MPS)recentlyproposedadministrativefinereductionsfordriverswithpositivebloodalcoholconcentrationtests,whichhasbeenmetwithmixedreactionfromthepublic.Thedocumentiscurrentlyreceivingfeedbackonthechanges.SpeakingtotheVoiceofVietnam(VOV),VietnamAutomobileTransportationAssociationChairmanNguy?nV?nQuy?nsaidhesupportedtheproposal,explainingthattheviolationsatthelowestlevelofbloodalcoholconcentration(BAC)poseinsignificantrisks.ManycaseswithlowBAClevelsconsumedalcoholicdrinksthepreviousnightorquietawhilebeforetheydrive,buteveryonehasdifferentmetabolismrates,whichmeanstheirBACtestresultremainspositivethemorningafter,headded.Atsuchlowthresholds,thedrivershavelittleriskofbeingunabletocontroltheirvehicles,saidQuy?n.Inaddition,certaintypesoffoodanddrinksorendogenousalcoholconcentrationscanalsocauseapersonsBACleveltorise.Therefore,Quy?nbelievedthatadjustingpenaltiesforviolatorswithlowBAClevels,accordingtotheMPSproposal,isreasonable.Meanwhile,criminalpsychologistDr?oànV?nBáusaidthatwhentheregulationisenforcedtoraisepublicawarenessandhasachievedthisgoal,maintaininghighpenaltiesmightnolongerbeappropriate.ThisisnotonlyapplicabletoBAClevelsindrivingbutalsotoothertypesoftrafficviolations.Regardingconcernsaboutwhetherthereductionswillleadtolowerlawcomplianceamongdrivers,Báubelievedthatthepurposeofadministrativefinesistoletpeopleunderstandtheirmistakeandtoavoidcommittingviolationsinthefuture,nottocollectmoney.Inreality,therearecaseswherethevalueoftheviolatingvehiclesismuchcheaperthanthepenalty,thereforethedriverdecidestoabandontheir[confiscated]vehicle,hesaid.Eachpersonsalcoholtoleranceisdifferentfromanother.Somecangetdrunkandoutofcontroljustafteronedrink,butsomeothersarefineevenafterconsumingbottlesofliquor,hesaid,thereforethezero-tolerancepolicyisstrictlynecessarytoensuresafetyforall.Inregardtoendogenousethanolorthe‘a(chǎn)uto-brewerysyndromethatleadstopositiveBACleveltestsevenwithoutalcoholconsumption,BáusaidthatthelawsallownormalBAClevels.WhatshouldbedoneistodifferentiatebetweenendogenousBAClevelsandthoseofpeoplewhoconsumealcoholandimposefinesonthosewhododrinkanddrive,hesaid.TheMinistryofHealthhasbeenassignedtoestablishguidelinesfordeterminingbothBAClevelsfromdrinkingandendogenousalcoholconcentrations.—VNS

NonijuicemadebySKNoniTradingProductionCompanyLimitedinCàMauProvincesTr?nV?nTh?iDistricthasafour-starratingundertheOneCommune–OneProductprogramme.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhAnhCàMAU—CàMauProvinceistakingmeasurestoimprovethequalityofitsproductsrecognisedbythenationalOneCommune–OneProduct(OCOP)programmeandpromotetheirsalesthroughmoderndistributionchannels.TheC?uLong(Mekong)Deltaprovincehas29four-starand113three-starOCOPproducts.Ithasnonefive-star,thehighestlevel.Nguy?nV?nQuan,deputydirectorofitsprovincialDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidtheprovinceishelpingproducersupgradetheirratingstofour-andfive-starlevelsthisyear.Itexpectstohave22three-starandninefour-starproductsregisteringforupgrades,includingatleastonecommunity-basedtourismorecotourismproductortourismsite.ItalsotargetshavingatleasthalftheproducerssellingtheirOCOPproductsthroughmoderndistributionchannelssuchassupermarkets,conveniencestoresande-commerceplatforms.ThePeoplesCommitteehastaskedrelevantdepartmentsandagenciestosupportproducerseffortstosetupmodernproductionfacilities,improvepackagingandgetnecessarycertificationtoenableexports.Withitsdiversifiedandabundantagricultural,forestryandseafoodproduce,theprovincehasenormouspotentialsfordevelopingOCOPproducts.Ithasbeenimplementingtheprogrammeformorethanfiveyearsandhasfacilitatedthesettingupofco-operatives,co-operativegroupsandsmallandmedium-sizedenterprises.TanPhátL?iDriedShrimpCo-operativeinNg?cHi?nDistrictsTan?nTayCommunehassetupawebsitetoselldriedshrimp,fermentedfishandotherproducts,enablingconsumerseasieraccesstothem.BùiV?nCh??ng,itsdirector,saidtheco-operativesellstwotothreetonnesofproductsamonthandnearly90percentofthemonthewebsite.AfterOCOPproductsbegantobesoldonline,theirsaleshaveincreasedby20-30percent,accordingtoproducers.Ng?cHi?nistheprovincessouthernmostdistrictandamajorseafoodproducer.Ithas21three-starandonefour-starOCOPproducts,includingdriedshrimp,shrimpchips,saltedthree-stripedcrab,andfermentedfish.LêHoàiPh??ng,deputyheadofthedistrictBureauofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidthedistricthascollaboratedwithrelevantdepartmentsandagenciestoteachproducersonlinesalesskillsandhelpthemregisterforopeningbankpaymentaccountsandonlineshops.IthashelpednineproducersselltheirOCOPproductsone-commerceplatforms,hesaid.CàMauhas46OCOPproductsonprestigiousdistributionchannels,140onitse-commerceplatform(madeincamau.com)and57ontheVi?tNamPostCorporationse-commerceplatform(buudien.vn).VNSWhile these earthquakes are generally small and pose little immediate threat to human life.

caused by the process of water accumulation in the reservoir acting on the active fault system below.November was particularly active.

The experience of other countries shows that induced seismicity can last for decadesVi?tNamsnationalteamatthe2024InternationalOlympiadinInformatics.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Vi?tNamsnationalteamhasachievedaremarkableresultatthe2024InternationalOlympiadinInformatics(IOI),placingamongthetopfourcountriesandterritoriesintheoverallmedalstandings,followingtheUnitedStates,JapanandPoland.AccordingtoanannouncementfromtheMinistryofEducationandTrainingonFridaymorning,theVietnameseteamcomprisedfourstudents,allofwhomsecuredmedals,namelytwogoldmedals,onesilvermedalandonebronzemedal.AllfourmedalistsarestudentsfromtheHighSchoolforGiftedStudentsattheUniversityofNaturalSciencesunderVi?tNamNationalUniversityinHàN?i.Thegoldmedalswerewonby12thgraderPh?mC?ngMinhand11thgraderHoàngXuanBách.ThesilvermedalwasawardedtoNguy?nH?uTu?n,a10thgrader,whilethebronzemedalwentto12thgraderPh?mNg?cTrung.The36thIOIwasheldinAlexandria,EgyptfromSeptember1to6,andincluded353participantsfrom91countriesandterritories.Additionally,ninestudentsfromIsrael,IranandGermanycompetedonline.Accordingtothe2024IOICouncilregulations,thecompetitionwasheldontwoofficialexamdays.Duringeachday,participantsweretaskedwithsolvingthreeprogrammingproblemswithinafive-hourwindow.Resultswereassessedbyanautomatedonlinesystem,withscoresupdatedinreal-timethroughoutthecompetition.Thisyearsexamwasnotablychallenging,requiringstudentstoapplytheirknowledgecreativelyandflexibly.Asdigitaltechnologycontinuestoadvance,countriesareinvestingmoreheavilyintheirteams,leadingtoheightenedcompetitionattheprestigiousevent.Lastyear,theVietnameseIOIteamalsoperformedwell,rankingamongthetopninecountrieswithonegoldmedal,twosilvermedalsandonebronzemedal.—VNS