Around7,700haofthesummer-autumnricecropin??ngThápProvincehavebeenplaguedbywhiteflies,causingyoungplantstodieandreducingriceyields.VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nV?nTrí??NGTHáP—Some16,000haoutofthe100,000haofsummer-autumnricecropintheMekongDeltaprovinceof??ngTháphavebeendamagedbypestsanddiseases,resultingindecreasedoutput.Around7,700hahavebeenplaguedbywhiteflies,amoth-like,sap-suckinginsectthatstuntsorevenkillsplants.Thepesthasmostlyinfestedone-month-oldricecrops,especiallytheOM18and?àith?m8varieties.Nguy?nV?nMong,whogrowsOM18riceinCaoL?nhDistrictsM?Th?Commune,saidwhiteflieshavedamagedaroundonehectareofhisfields,killingyoungplantsmostlyintheirfloweringstage.Thepesthasbeenaroundfortwoyears,andcoulddevastate10-30percentofafield,andfarmershaveyettofindaneffectivesolution,hesaid.Nguy?nThanhHi?nofThanhBìnhDistrictsTanPhúCommunesaidwhiteflieshavedriedoutflowersonhistwo-hectarericefield,andoutputislikelytofallby500kilogrammesperhectaretosixtonnes.TheprovinceDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentsaidlargepopulationsofwhitefliesareduetoabnormallyhighmoistureandlackofsunshine.Itisalsobecausefarmersusepesticideswhenplantsareonly10-15daysold,whichistooearlyandkillsoffpestsnaturalpredators.Thenumberofwhitefliesisforecasttoincreaserapidlyinthenextfewweeksduringtherainyseason,thedepartmentwarned.Totackletheproblem,itinstructedfarmerstoadoptpreventivemeasuressuchasthethreereductions,threegains(3R3G)technique,trackingplanthealth,applyingsuitablewateringmethods,andusingorganicfertiliserstopreventwhitefliesfromspreading,saveproductioncostsandgrowsafeproduce.The3R3Gapproachpromotesareductionintheuseofseeds,fertilisersandinsecticidesandhelpsincreasefarmersincomes,lowerriskscausedbypesticidesandimprovetheenvironmentwithlesspollutionfromfarmchemicals.Thedepartmentalsourgedfarmerstokeepaneyeonothervarietiesthatarepronetowhiteflies,suchasJasmine85,VD20,OM4900,IR50404,andstickyrice,removegrassfromtheirfieldsandensureregularirrigation.Regularcareandinspectionsarealsoneededtopromptlypreventwhitefliesfromspreadinganddevisesuitablesolutions,itadded.—VNS

Inresponsetoahighriskofmeaslesoutbreak,HCMCityplanstogivesupplementarymeaslesvaccinationstomorethan500,000childrenagedoneandfiveyears.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—Facingahighriskofameaslesoutbreak,HCMCityshealthdepartmentplanstogivesupplementarymeaslesvaccinationtomorethan500,000childrenagedonetofiveyearsinthecity.ThedepartmenthasrecommendedthemunicipalPeoplesCommitteetoapprovetheplantoadministersupplementarymeaslesvaccinationstoallchildrenagedonetofiveyears,regardlessoftheirpriorvaccinationstatus.Ifapproved,thesupplementarymeaslesvaccinationwillbegininJulyandgiveprioritytoareasatahighriskofmeaslesoutbreak.TheestimatedbudgetforthisinitiativeexceedsVN?4.3billion(US$169million),allocatedfromthecityDepartmentofHealths2024healthcarefunding.Dr.Nguy?nV?nV?nhChau,deputydirectorofthecitysDepartmentofHealth,saidasofmid-June,thecityhadreportedthreemeaslesoutbreaksinBìnhTan,HócM?nandBìnhChánhdistricts.AcommunityimmunitysurveyconductedbythecitysCentreforDiseaseControlincollaborationwiththeOxfordUniversityClinicalResearchUnit(OUCRU),HospitalforTropicalDiseases,andChildrensHospitalNo1revealedthatonly86percentofchildrenagedninemonthstounderfiveyearsinthecityhavemeaslesantibodies.AccordingtotheWorldHealthOrganisation(WHO),maintaininga95percentvaccinationratefortwodosesofmeaslesvaccineinchildrenundertwoyearsoldiscrucialformeasleselimination.ByusingtheWHOsriskassessmenttool,itwasfoundthattheentirecityfacesahighriskofmeaslesoutbreaks.Inresponsetothisalarmingsituation,healthstationsthroughoutthecityhavefocusedintensivelyoncatch-upandsupplementarymeaslesvaccinationsforchildrenlackingcompleteimmunisation.Localhospitalscontinuetoprovidecatch-upvaccinationstopediatricpatientswhowerenotfullyvaccinatedagainstmeaslesbeforedischarge,aimingtobolsterprotectionagainstthespreadofmeasles.—VNSPresidentT?LamandmembersoftheAssociationofFormerVietnameseYouthVolunteersinHàN?ionMonday.—VNA/VNSPhotoNhanSángHàN?I—PresidentT?LamhashailedtheVi?tNamYouthVolunteerForceasashiningsymbolofrevolutionaryheroism,embodyingthefinestqualitiesoftheVietnamesenationandservingasaperpetualsourceofprideforVietnameseyouth.MeetinginHàN?ionMondaywith150representativesattendingthefifthNationalCongressoftheAssociationofFormerVietnameseYouthVolunteers,ontheoccasionofthe74thanniversaryoftheTraditionalDayoftheVi?tNamYouthVolunteerForce,PresidentLamrecalledthegloriousachievementsandsignificantcontributionsoftheforceduringthestrugglefornationalindependenceandsubsequentnationalconstruction.TheParty,State,andpeoplewillforeverrememberandbegratefulfortheimmensecontributionsoftheVi?tNamYouthVolunteerForce,heaffirmed,expressinghisdelightattheassociationsaccomplishmentsinthepastterm,includingthelaunchofmeaningfulcampaignsalignedwiththePartyandStatespoliciesandguidelines.Theassociationwasalsocommendedforitsclosecollaborationwithdepartmentsandagenciestoensurepolicybenefitsforformeryouthvolunteers,assistinthesearchandrepatriationofmartyrsremains,andpromotesocio-economicdevelopmentfollowingCOVID-19.Thepresidentcalledonministriesandagencies,especiallytheH?ChíMinhCommunistYouthUnion,tocontinuestudyingandcreativelyapplyingH?ChíMinhsideologyregardingtheGreatSchoolofYouthVolunteers,buildingastrongcontingentofofficialsandfosteringagenerationofVietnameseyoungpeoplewhoarepatriotic,resilientandproudofthenation.Thisgeneration,henoted,shouldhavepoliticalmettle,revolutionaryethics,competence,andcouragetoengageinglobalintegration,alongwithgreatdreamsandambitions.Theywerealsourgedtoactivelyandeffectivelyengageinnationalrenovation,constructionanddefencewhilepreservingandrenovatinghistoricallandmarksandsitesrelatedtotheforce.Ontheoccasion,theleaderpresentedaphotoofPresidentH?ChíMinhtakenwiththeyoungvolunteersanddonatedVN?200million(US$8,300)tohelptheassociationprepareattirefordelegatesattendingthecongress.PresidentoftheassociationV?Tr?ngKimnotedthattherehavebeenover650,000formeryouthvolunteersjoiningthepaststrugglefornationalindependenceandthecurrentnationaldevelopment.Theassociationhasdonated1,107housesandrepaired509others,presentedgiftsandotheritemslikesavingbooks,food,clothingandschoolsuppliesworthoverVN?269billion($10.6million).Additionally,thememberssupportedeachotherduringtheCOVID-19pandemicwithmorethanVN?2billion($79,000)andvariousitems.—VNS

TOKYO—JapaneserescueforceshavesavedtwoexhaustedVietnameseclimbersinMountBiei,locatedinJapansnorthernmostprefectureofHokkaido.JapanesepoliceandfirefighterssaidthattheyreceivedadistresssignalfromtwoVietnamesewomen,bothintheir30s,at6pmonJuly14(localtime).Thewomen,whowerestuckonthe2,052m-highMountBiei,saidthattheywereexhaustedandunabletokeepgoing.Earlier,thetwowomenwerehikingwithtwootherswhoalreadydescendedthemountainandcalledfirefightersforhelp.Theyreportedthatoneoftheircompanionshadinjuredherkneeandcouldnotmove.ThetwowomenspentthenightofJuly14inatentonthemountain.Therescueteamconfirmedtheirsafetybymidnight.However,duetodangerousterrainanddarkness,theycouldnotensuretheinjuredwomanssafetythroughgroundtransportation.OnthemorningofJuly15,therescueteamdeployedahelicoptertoevacuatethetwowomenfromthemountain.—VNSTr?n?ìnhTíninChau??cDistrictsBìnhGi?CommuneinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincegrowscacoatreesinhisorchard,whichusedtobeapepperorchard.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngNh?BàR?A-V?NGTàU—MorefarmersinBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincesChau??cDistricthaveswitchedtogrowingcacaobecauseofitshighdemandandstableincome.Thesouthernprovincehas625haofcacao,withChau??caccountingfornearly600haasithasweatherandsoilsuitableforgrowingthetree.Cacaoisidentifiedasthedistrictskeycropbutitsoutputnowmeetsonlyone-thirdofthedemandofprocessingestablishmentsandcompanies.Tr?n?ìnhTíninBìnhGi?Communeturned5,000sq.mofhis1.5haoldpepperorchardintogrowingcacaotreesonatrialbasislastyear.Afterseeingthetreesgrowwell,heswitchedcompletelytogrowingcacaoinhisorchardinthisrainyseason.Hechosetogrowcacaobecausehesawoneofhisrelativesgrowingthetreefor20yearsandithasstableyield,fewdiseases,andstablepricesandsales,hesaid.TheChau??cBureauofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentgavehim950cacaoseedlings,hesaid.Ascacaotreeshavebeenrootedinthedistrictforabout20years,thedistrictauthoritieshavebeenencouragingfarmerstoestablishco-operativestoenhancefarmingefficiency.TheChau??cCacaoCo-operativewasestablishedin2022,with11memberhouseholdswhogrewatotalof60hainthedistrictandPhúM?Town.Itsmembershiphasincreasedto86memberswithatotalgrowingareaof80ha.LêNg?cC?n,itsdirector,saidthedistrictscacaoproductsaresoughtbymanydomesticandforeigncompaniesforexport.Wehavemanyordersfromourpartnersbutthesupplydoesnotmeetthedemand.Wheneverfarmersharvestcacao,webuythewholecrop,andfarmersdonotworryaboutsalesandprices.Therefore,farmersfeelsecuretoexpandgrowingareas.Thedistrictscacaoisconsideredoneoftheworlds100bestcacao.Itscacaohasayieldof2.4-3tonnesofdryseedsperhectareayear.ThedistrictisencouragingfarmerstogrowcacaotoVietnamesegoodagriculturalpractices(VietGAP)ororganicstandards.Manycompanieshaveco-operatedwithco-operativesandfarmerstogrowcacao,harvestfreshfruitsandfermentcacaoseedsunderstrictprocessingprocessestosecurefoodsafety.??ChíKh?i,headofthebureau,saidthedistricthasimplementedmanyprogrammesandplanstodevelopcacaocultivation,includingaprogrammeofgivingfarmersfreeseedlingsandfertilisers.ItwillgrantVN?5billion(US$200,000)tolinkstakeholdersingrowingandsellingcacaothisyear.Themoneyisusedforbuyingseedlings,fertiliserandotherinputmaterials.Itaimstohave600haofcacaonextyearandisencouragingandassistingcompanies,co-operativesandfarmerstogrowcacaotoorganicstandardstomeetexportrequirements.Ithasprovidedtechniquesofgrowingthecroptofarmers.TheBàR?a-V?ngTàuTrade,ServicesandAgricultureCo-operativehasfivemembersandoperatesin27fields,includingsellingseedlingsandinputmaterials.Ithaslinkedwith76farmerstogrow116haofcacao,including5haoforganiccacao.Tr?nNh?Phong,whohasa2haorganiccacaoorchardandlinkswiththeco-operative,said:Myorchardharvestsabout17tonnesoffreshfruitsperhectareayear.Theco-operativebuysallthecrop,sofarmersfeelsecuretogrowthefruit.Underthedistrictscacaodevelopmentplan,theco-operativewillexpandcacaogrowingareas,whichhavegrownunderlinkageswithfarmersto200hathisyear.Somecacaogrowingcompaniesinthedistricthaveofferedtourismservicesintheirorchardsinwhichtouristscanexperiencegrowingandtendingcacaotreesandmakingcacaoproducts.—VNSTropicaldepressioncausesthunderstorms,strongwindsanddangerousweather.VNAVNSPhotoHàN?I–Localitieshavebeenurgedtoreadythemselvesforanyincomingstorms,checkingoutdrainagesystemsforobstructionsandclearingwaterchannelstoreducethepossibilityofurbanflooding.DeputyMinisterofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,Nguy?nHoàngHi?p,hasissuedawarningaboutthecomplexdevelopmentsofnaturaldisastersandcalledforproactivemeasuresfromministries,sectorsandlocalities.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(MARD)onMondayheldameetingtoaddresstheresponsetothetropicaldepressionandheavyrainfall,chairedbyDeputyMinisterHi?p.Tocopewiththeupcomingnaturaldisasters,especiallyheavyrainfall,Hi?purgedaffectedareastoreviewdrainage,mobilisefunctionalforcestocheckandremoveobstructionsandclearwaterchannelstoreduceurbanflooding.Localitiesaffectedbythelow-pressuresystemanditsremnantsmustbecautiousofflashfloodsandlandslidestominimisetheirimpactonpeopleslivesandproduction.Tropicaldepressionmayweaken,butcoastalareasshouldbeonalertforheavyrainandthunderstorms,saidHi?p.HealsorequestedtheDirectorateofWaterResourcestoreviewallirrigationreservoirsanddirectlocalitiestotimelydrainwaterincaseoffloodingsituations.Addressingfuturenaturaldisasterscenarios,Hi?phighlightedtheneedforministries,sectorsandlocalitiestocloselymonitorforecastsandwarningsfromtheNationalHydro-MeteorologicalForecastingCentreandtheactualsituationlocallytobeproactiveinresponse.FollowingtheseverelandslideinHàGiangProvinceonJuly13,functionalagenciesshouldresearchandincreaseadvisoriesagainstnighttimetravel,particularlyduringtherainyseason,thedeputyministersaid.Ifconditionssuchastraffic,embankments,andnaturaldisastersaredeemedunsafe,authoritiesshouldenforcebansonpeopleandvehiclesindangerousareas,especiallyatnight,headded.Furthermore,heurgedlocalitiestointensifyinspectionsandpreparecontingencyplanstoensurethesafetyofreservoirsanddownstreamareas,especiallysmallhydropowerplantsandvulnerableirrigationreservoirs.Healsorecommendedstationingforcestooperateandhandlesituationsastheyarise.TropicaldepressionweakeningbutcausingheavyrainHoàngPhúcLam,DeputyDirectoroftheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting,reportedthatthetropicaldepressionismovingwest-northwestataspeedofabout10kmperhour,withwindspeedsreachinglevelsix(39-49kmperhour)andgustsuptoleveleight.By7amonJuly16thetropicaldepressionisexpectedtomovewest-northwestatabout15kmperhourandgraduallyweakenintoalow-pressurearea.Duetothetropicaldepression,thenorthwestpartofthecentreoftheEastSeaandthesouthwestpartofthenorthoftheEastSea(includingtheHoàngSaArchipelago)andtheoffshoreareasfromQu?ngBìnhtoQu?ngNg?iprovinceswillexperienceheavyshowersandstrongthunderstorms,withwindsreachinglevelsixandgustsuptoleveleight,causingroughseas.TheoffshoreareasfromBình??nhtoCàMauprovinces,thesouthoftheEastSeaincludingtheTr??ngSa(Spratlys),willhavestrongwindsreachinglevelsixandgustsuptoleveleight-nine.TheGulfofTonkinwillhavestrongwindsatlevelfive,occasionallyreachinglevelsix,causingroughseas.UntilJuly17,duetotheinfluenceofthetropicaldepressionanditsremnants,theRedRiverDeltaandnortherncoastalareas,TayNguyên(CentralHighlands),andthesouthernregionwillreceiverainfallrangingfrom50-100mm,withisolatedplacesreceivingover200mm.ThenorthernandcentralCentralregionswillreceive70-150mmofrainfall,withisolatedplacesreceivingover250mm.Thereisariskofflashfloodsandlandslidesinthenorthernmountainousregion,thenorth-centralregion,andsouthernTayNguyên.Asof6amMonday,theBorderGuardCommandreportedthattheBorderGuardforcestrackedandguided40,146boatswith196,741peopletoavoidthetropicaldepression,including1,037boatswith6,187peopleoperatingintheseaareafromQu?ngTr?toQu?ngNg?iprovincesandtheHoàngSaarea.Th?aThiên-Hu?ProvincebannedanyactivityatseasincetheafternoonofSunday.AirportsaffectedbytropicaldepressionTheVi?tNamAirTrafficManagementCorporation(VATM)iscloselymonitoringtheweatherdevelopmentsduetothetropicaldepression,whichhavebeenimpactingseveralairportsandissuingwarningsduringflightoperations.Duetotheinfluenceofthetropicaldepression,manyairportsacrossthecountrywereaffectedbyheavyrainandstrongthunderstorms,limitingvisibility.AccordingtoareportfromVATM,ataround10-11pmonSunday,thetropicaldepressionenteredthemainlandintheareafromTh?aThiên-Hu?toQu?ngTr?provincesthenweakenedintoalow-pressurearea(belowlevelsix)overcentralLaos.Thetropicaldepressionaffectedsectors1,4,and5intheHCMCityFlightInformationRegion(FIR)andsectors3and4intheHàN?iFIR,withthunderstorms,rainandotherhazardousweatherphenomenasuchasmoderatetosevereturbulenceandaircrafticing.Notably,onSundayevening,Vinhand??ngH?iairportsexperiencedthunderstormsandstrongwindswhile??ngH?i,PhúBài,?àN?ng,andChuLaiairportsonMondayexperiencedheavyrainandstrongthunderstorms,withvisibilityrangingfrom2,000-4,000m.At?àN?ngAirport,thevisibilityoccasionallydroppedto1,500minheavyrainandstrongthunderstorms,withstronggusts.Topreventandminimisedamagecausedbythetropicaldepression,theVATMsAviationMeteorologicalCentrehasdirecteditssubordinateunitstocontinuouslymonitorthedevelopmentsandactivitiesofthetropicaldepression,analysingvariousmeteorologicaldatasuchassatelliteimages,weatherradar,andexchangingweatherinformationwithmeteorologicalagenciesinJapan,ChinasHongKong,thePhilippinesandSingapore.Thisinformationisusedtomakedecisionsonforecastcontentandwarningsaffectingaviationactivitiesandequipmentatairports,providingearlyplansforsafeflightoperationsandproactivemeasurestomitigatetheimpactsofthetropicaldepression.VNS

RickDeLuca,president,MSDAnimalHealth,isexcitedtowelcomenewcolleaguestoMSDAnimalHealth.RAHWAY,N.J.—MSDAnimalHealth,adivisionofMerckCo.,Inc.,inRahway,N.J.,USA,hasrecentlycompletedtheacquisitionofElancoAnimalHealthIncsaquabusiness.ThisstrategicmovebolstersMSDAnimalHealthspresenceintheaquacultureindustry,exemplifyingacomprehensivecommitmenttoenhancingfishhealth,welfareandsustainabilityacrossaquaculture,conservationandfisheries.Withthecompletionofthisacquisition,wearewellpositionedwithintheaquacultureindustrywitharobustandcomprehensiveportfolioacrosswarmwater,coldwater,vaccines,anti-parasitictreatments,watersupplementsandnutrition,saidRickDeLuca,president,MSDAnimalHealth.WeareexcitedtowelcomeournewcolleaguestoMSDAnimalHealthandwelookforwardtoworkingtogether,drivenbyourcommonpurposeoftheScienceofHealthierAnimals,hesaid.Followingthisacquisition,MSDAnimalHealthnowpossessesinnovativeproductslikeCLYNAV,agroundbreakingDNA-basedvaccinesafeguardingAtlanticsalmonfrompancreasdisease,andIMVIXA-ananti-parasitictreatmentforsealice,alongsidewatertreatmentproductsforwarmwaterproduction,synergisticallycomplementingMSDAnimalHealthsprevailingvaccineofferings.Theincreasingutilisationofmedications,vaccines,nutritionalsupplementsandproductsforaquaticspeciesismotivatedbytherisingglobaldemandforproteinandfoodsafety,ensuringtheprovisionofhigh-qualityfoodandsafeguardingpublichealth.MSDupholdsaunifiedmissionofleveragingcutting-edgesciencetosafeguardandenhancelivesworldwide.Withoveracenturyofpioneeringresearch,thecompanycontinuestodevelopandoffermedicines,vaccinesandpioneeringhealthsolutionsforsomeofthemostchallengingglobaldiseases.MSDAnimalHealth,theglobalanimalhealthentityofMSDunderMerckCo.,Inc.,Rahway,N.J.,USA,isdeeplycommittedtoTheScienceofHealthierAnimals.Offeringveterinarians,farmers,producers,petownersandgovernmentsanextensivearrayofveterinarypharmaceuticals,vaccines,healthmanagementsolutionsandservices,alongwithasuiteofconnectedtechnologiesencompassingidentification,traceabilityandmonitoringproducts,MSDAnimalHealthisdedicatedtoadvancingthehealth,well-beingandperformanceofanimalsandtheircaretakers.Thecompanyinvestsextensivelyincutting-edgeRDresourcesandmaintainsamodern,globalsupplychain.Presentinover50countries,MSDAnimalHealthsproductsareaccessibleinapproximately150marketsworldwide.??kN?ngdurianfarmersenjoybountifulharvestsandimprovedpricesthankstosustainablefarmingpracticesinitiatedbytheprovince.??KN?NG–??kN?ngProvincedurianfarmersenjoybountifulharvestsandimprovedpricesthankstothesustainablefarmingpracticesinitiatedbyBayerincollaborationwiththelocalagriculturalextensioncentre(PAEC)andthePlantProtectionDepartment(PPD).EstablishedinOctober2023,thispublic-privatepartnershipaimstodevelopandreplicateeffectiveandsustainabledurianfarmingmethodsacrosstheprovince.Inthe10monthssince,theircollaborativeeffortshaveyieldedimprovementsindurianfarming,includingasignificantdecreaseinpestanddiseaselevels,higherproductivityandfruitqualityandtheabilitytomeetexportstandards,ultimatelyresultinginfavourablemarketpricesforfarmers.Nguy?n?ìnhTr??ng,adurianfarmerin??kWerhamlet,expressedhisdelightatbeingoneofthefarmerstotakepartintheprojectandadoptsustainabledurianfarmingpractices.Tr??nghasgrown800duriantreesoverthepastsixyears,harvested100tonnesofthefruitthisyear,andsoldthematVN?73,000(US$2.87)perkilogramme.Itisquitedifficulttogrowduriantrees,especiallyinextremeweatherconditionsandseverefluctuationsintemperatures.However,thankstothesupportfromBayerandthe??kN?ngPAEC,Ihaveswitchedfromtraditionalmethodstosustainablecultivation,rangingfrompestanddiseasemanagementtoeffectivefloweringandfruitingandcontrolofcropprotectionresidues.Asaresult,thisyearscrophasahigheryieldandqualitythanpreviousyears,Tr??ngsaid.PhanVi?tC??ng,anotherdurianfarmerinthesamelocality,willalsoreapabumperharvestatagoodpricethisyear.Inhisthree-hectareorchard,hehas500MonthongorGoldenPillowduriantreesgrownusingsustainablefarmingpractices.Thisyear,thefarmisexpectedtoyieldover60tonnesofdurianandfetchapriceofVN?82,000perkilogramme.Iamextremelyhappywiththeoutcomethisseason.ThroughdiligentcareandsupportfromBayersexperts,mytreeshavethrived,exhibitingrobusthealthwithlush,verdantleaves.Iobservedaremarkable90percentdecreaseinpestsanddiseases,leadingtoasignificantproductivityincreaseof20percentto20tonnesperhectare.Thefruitshaveattainedsubstantialsizeanddisplayconsistentqualityforanimpressive80percentclassificationasGradeA,C??ngsaid.Thefindingsfromthetwodurianorchardsrevealthatonaverage,97percentoftreesexhibitedhealthygrowthduringtheharvestperiod.ThecooperativeprogrammebetweenBayerandthe??kN?ngPAECalsopromotessafe,responsiblecropprotectionproductusetoensureenvironmentalprotectionandcommunitywell-being.KgKrishnamurthy,countrycommercialleadatBayerVietnamscropsciencedivision,attributedtheachievementstoallthestakeholders,includingBayer,the??kN?ngPAECandthedurianfarmersthemselves.AtBayer,wearecommittedtosupportingfarmersbyprovidingsuitablesolutionstoaddressissuesintheirgardens.Wefocusoncropprotection,nutritionandirrigationsolutionstoenablefarmerstoadoptsustainableduriancareprocesses.Weaimtotransformfarmersintoexpertsinthedurianfieldsothattheycanenhanceproductivityandearnahighincome.Ng?Xuan??ng,deputydirectorofthe??kN?ngDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,said,inasimilarvein:Durianhasbecomeapromisingfruitfor??kN?ng,whichishometo11,700hectares.Overthepastfewyears,thedurianfarmingareahasincreasedsharplyinthelocality.Thedepartmentisrollingoutsustainablefarmingpracticestoformduriancultivationzonesandmeetexportrequirements.Thefocusisalsoonimprovingdurianqualitythroughsustainabledevelopmentmodels,??ngsaid.Movingforward,Bayer,??kN?ngPAECandPPDremaindedicatedtosupportingVietnamesedurianfarmersinadoptingsustainablefarmingpracticestoincreaseproductivityandenhanceexportqualityandsafety.Throughcontinuedcollaborationandtraining,theprogrammeaimstodrivetransformationacrossthedurianindustryin??kN?ng,fosteringsustainabledevelopmentandabrighterfutureforlocalfarmers.

ThesceneofthelandslidethatkilledonememberofafamilyoffourinLam??ngProvinceonMonday.—VNA/VNSPhotoL?M??NG—AlandslideinthecentralhighlandsprovinceofLam??ngearlyMondaymorningkilledonememberinafamilyoffour,whosehomewasburiedundertonnesofearthanddebris.Accordingtoinitialreports,theincidenttookplaceinthe?amR?ngDistrictataround4amtodaywhilethefamilyof??ngQuangLànhwasasleep.Heandhistwochildrenmanagedtoescape,whilehiswife,whosenameinitialsweregivenasN.T.T,wasdeadbythemassivevolumecrushedintothehome.Thesurroundingresidentsimmediatelyreportedtolocalauthoritiesandjoinedtherescueforce.DozensofofficersandvehiclesfromtheLam??ngEconomic-DefenceCorps(underMilitaryRegion7),whicharestationednearby,alsoarrivedatthescene.Asof9amthesameday,rescueeffortsandsiteclearancewerestillongoing.Accordingto?amR?ngDistrictPeoplesCommitteechairmanTr??ngH?u??ng,thefamilyspropertieshavebeenmovedtosafety.LocalauthoritieswillprovidethevictimsfamilywithVN?20million(US$790)assupportwhilealsoofferingassistanceforfuneralarrangements.Lam??nghasbeenwitnessingprolongedrainsduetoarecenttropicaldepression.Forecastssaytheprovinceisamongthe12localitiesatriskofflashfloodsandlandslidesinthenextsixhours.—VNS

AnownerofapigfarminghouseholdinKhánhHòaProvincesprayingdisinfectantinthebarn.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—DeputyPrimeMinisterTr?nL?uQuangonbehalfoftheGovernmenthasissuedanofficialdispatch,orderingministries,sectors,andlocalitiestostrictlyimplementmeasurestopreventandcontrolAfricanswinefeverasthediseasehasspreadwidelyacrossmanylocalities.Sincethebeginningofthisyear,thecountryhasreportedmorethan660outbreaksofAfricanswinefeverin44provincesandcities,resultinginthecullingofover42,400pigs.ProvincessuchasB?cK?n,L?ngS?n,Qu?ngNinh,HòaBình,S?nLa,Qu?ngNamandLongAnhavebeensignificantlyaffected.Thediseaseposesahighriskofwidespreadtransmission,potentiallyaffectingfoodsupplies,publichealth,theconsumerpriceindex,andtheenvironment.Inresponse,localauthoritiesweredirectedtoimprovesanitationanddisinfectioninhigh-risklivestockareas,promotebiosafetypracticesinanimalfarming,andcreatedisease-freezones.Theymustalsomaintainaccuraterecordsofpigpopulationsandvaccinationratesforthedisease,andallocatebudgetaryresourcesforpurchasingvaccinesandorganisingsynchronisedvaccinationcampaigns.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentwillleadeffortstocoordinatewithrelevantministries,sectors,andlocalitiestoallocateresourcesforimplementingthenationalplanforAfricanswinefeverpreventionandcontrolinthe2020-25period,includingdiseasesurveillance,timelywarningsissuance,andoverseeingoutbreakmanagementtopreventfurtherspread.TheMinistryofIndustryandTradewillcollaboratewithveterinaryauthoritiesandlawenforcementtostrengthencontrolsoverthetradeandtransportationofdiseasedpigsandporkproducts.Additionally,theMinistryofInformationandCommunicationswillintensifypublicawarenesseffortsondiseasepreventionmeasures,andtheMinistryofFinancewillallocatefundstosupportpreventionactivitiesaspercurrentregulations.TheMinistryofHomeAffairswillassistinrestructuringveterinarymanagementagenciesattheprovincialanddistrictlevelstobolsterdiseasepreventioncapabilities.Relevantministries,sectors,andtheNationalSteeringCommitteeforAfricanswinefeverpreventionandcontrolwillcoordinatecloselytoensureeffectiveimplementationofpreventionmeasures.—VNSHCMCity-C?n??oexpressboat.—VNA/VNSPhotoTi?nL?cHCMCITY—TheHCMCity-C?n??oexpressboatservicewillbetemporarilysuspendedfromJuly29duetoinefficientoperation,justovertwomonthssincelaunch.Theservicewaslaunchedinmid-May,2024,connectingthesouthernmetropoliswithConDaoislandoffBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvince.However,severalfactorshavehinderedpassengersfromchoosingtheservicesuchasthelongdistance,over20km,betweenthecityscentreandtheSàiGòn-Hi?pPh??cportintheoutlyingdistrictofNhàBè,wheretheboatdeparts;passengershavingtopayfeestoentertheport;andweatherconditions,amongothers,thecompanysaid.TheoperatorofferedafreeshuttlebusservicefromtheSeptember23ParkinHCMCitysDistrict1totheportforpassengersbookinginadvance.However,someproblemsoccurredanditdecidedtosuspendtheservicefromearlyJunebutlaterresumedtheoperation.Thehigh-speedboat,namedTh?ngLong,seats1,017passengers.TicketpricesrangedbetweenVN?615,000-1.1million(US$26-43)pertrip.Therewerethreetripsdepartingeachportweekly.TheboatdepartedfromSàiGòn-Hi?pPh??cPortforC?n??oat7:00am,andfromB?n??mWharfofC?n??oforHCMCityat1:00pm.—VNS

AwomanistestedfordiphtheriainNgh?AnProvince.—Photobaonghean.vnHàN?I—OnediphtheriadeathhasbeenrecordedinthecentralNgh?AnProvincepromptingfastactionsfromhealthauthoritiestoavoidanymorefatalitiesandtocontainanypossibleoutbreak.Thepatientwasan18-year-oldstudentinK?S?nDistrict,whodiedonJuly5.Atotalof119peoplewhohavecomeintocontactwithherhavebeenidentified.Amongthem,twohaveleftNgh?AnforworkinthenorthernB?cGiangProvince,oneotherhastestedpositivefordiphtheria.B?cGiangsCentreforDiseaseControl(CDC)anditsHi?pHòaDistrictHealthCentreidentified15otherpeoplewhohavebeenincontactwiththepositivecasefortesting.EightofthemhavetestednegativeforthevirusasofTuesdaymorning.Diphtheriaistransmittedthroughtherespiratorytract.SpeakingtoS?ckh?e??is?ng(HealthLife)newspaper,DrNguy?nV?nTh??ng,deputydirectorofNgh?AnDepartmentofHealthsaidthatuponreceivingthenewsfromNgh?AnFriendshipGeneralHospitalofapossiblediphtheriainfection,thedepartmentorderedimmediatesamplecollectionfortestingattheNationalInstituteofHygieneandEpidemiology.TheprovincialCDCwasalsoorderedtosendarapidresponseteamtoK?S?nDistricttoassistindiseaseinspectionandcontrolandidentifypeoplewhocameintoclosecontactwiththepatient.Th??ngsaid:Ngh?Anhealthsectorisworkingwithauthoritiesofotherlocalitiesinvolvedinthiscasetotakediseasepreventionandcontrolmeasures,monitoringthesituationandtakingsamples.Thosewhohavecomeintocontactwiththepositivecaseorshowedsymptomssuchassorethroat,coughorfeveraregivenprophylacticantibioticsandguidelinesforat-hometreatment.Announcementsarealsobeingbroadcastonthepublicspeakersystemtoboostpeoplesawarenessofdiphtheria.Wealsoprovidediphtheriavaccinesforthosewhoareeligiblebuthavenotreceivedtheirdoses.OnMonday,Ngh?Anhealthdepartmentalsoissuedanurgentdocumenttoincreasemonitoringforearlydetectionofdiphtheriacases,alongsideguidelinesforpromptisolationofinfectionsforeffectiveresponseandpreventionofwidespreadoutbreaks.Communicationatthegrassrootslevelalsoincreasesforproactiveactionsamonglocalpeople.Familiesarealsoencouragedtobringtheirchildrentohealthcentresfortimelyandcompletevaccination.Hygienepracticesarealsobeingpromotedinschool.ThosewhoarenotincludedintheExpandedProgrammeonImmunisationarerecommendedtogettheirvaccinefordiphtheriaaton-demandvaccinationpoints.Thegoalisthatallchildren,includingthosewhoarenotpermanentresidents,arefullyvaccinated.Thevaccinationrateshouldbeover95percentinallwards,communesandtowns,especiallyinremoteareaswherehealthcareaccessisstilllimited.Localauthoritiesmustensureproperhospitalisation,emergencycareandtreatmentforpotentialorpositivecasesofdiphtheriatopreventcross-infectioninmedicalfacilitiesandminimisethechancesoffatality.Medicalsuppliesandmedicineshavebeenreadiedincaseofanypossibleoutbreaks.Inadditiontodisinfectionanddistancingmeasuresinareaswhereinfectionshavebeendetected,authoritiesalsoadvocatepractisinghygieneandprovideinformationonthediseaseinmultiplelanguages,includingthoseofethnicminorities.Ngh?Anschallengeinpreventingdiphtheriaisthatmostofitspopulationislocatedinremoteareasandhaslimitedknowledgeofthedisease.Ngh?AnhealthdepartmentsdeputydirectorTh??ngrecommendedthatthosewhocomeintocontactwithapositivecaseorexperiencesymptomssuchassorethroat,cough,shortnessofbreathorfevermustimmediatelygotothelocalhealthstationforexaminationandtreatment,ratherthanself-medicatingathome.—VNSColonelNguy?nTu?nH?ng,DeputyDirectoroftheDepartmentofInvestigativeSecurity,MinistryofPublicSecurity,answersquestionsfromthepress..—PhotocourtesyofMinistryofPublicSecurityHàN?I—TheInvestigationSecurityAgencyundertheMinistryofPublicSecuritysaidonMondaythatithaslaunchedaninvestigationintothecaseofbiddingregulationviolations,andgivingandtakingbribesatC?ngMinhCompanyLimitedandinsomeprovincesandcentrally-runcities,whichcausedseriousconsequences.AccordingtotheinvestigationthatbeganonMay8,around50firmsunderthewingoftheC?ngMinhCompanywonover600treegrowingtenderpackagesasthecompanycolludedwithinvestorstoengageinthedevelopmentofthepackages.Theinvestigationisunderwaytoclarifytheresponsibilitiesofrelatedindividualsandorganisations,andidentifythedamagecausedbytheviolations.TheagencyaskedindividualsandorganisationstoprovidedocumentsandreportviolationslinkedtotheC?ngMinhCompanytoreceiveleniency.RegardingthePhúcS?nGroupcase,theagencysaid23defendantshavebeenprosecutedwhileoverVN?300billion(US$11.8millionUSD),$2million,500taelsofgold(ataelequals37.5gramsor1.2ounces),andover1,000landcertificatesofthoseinvolvedinthecorruptioncasehavebeenseizedsofar.Moredocumentsandevidencearebeingcollectedfortheexpansionoftheinvestigation,andrecoveryofthelostandmisappropriatedproperties.Theinvestigationagencyisprobingintoviolationsofregulationsonaccountingandbidding,givingandtakingbribes,andabusinginfluenceonpersonsholdingpositionsandpowertoseekillegalprofitsatthegroup.—VNS

DelegatesatthemeetingoftheGovernmentsCommitteeforEthnicMinorityAffairsinHàN?ionMonday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Manyimportantresultshavebeenrecordedinethnicminorityaffairs,especiallytheimplementationofrelatedprogrammesandpolicies,sofarthisyear,helpingwithsocio-economicdevelopmentanddefence-securitysafeguardinginethnicminorityandmountainousareas.ThiswasannouncedatanationalconferenceheldbytheGovernmentsCommitteeforEthnicMinorityAffairsinHàN?ionMondaytoreviewtheperformanceinthefirsthalfof2024andlaunchtasksfortheremainingmonths.DeputyMinister,ViceChairwomanofthecommitteeN?ngTh?HàreportedthatthecoordinationamongtheParty,State,Vi?tNamFatherlandFront,andentirepoliticalsystem,theattentionfromthewholesociety,andtheeffortsbyethnicminoritiesthemselveshavecreatedsignificantmomentumfortheimplementationofethnicpolicies.Apartfromimportantresultsinexecutingprogrammesandpolicies,informationdissemination,digitaltransformation,andlegaleducationamongethnicminoritypeoplehavebeenenhanced.Internationalcooperationinrelevantaffairshasbeenpromoted.Meanwhile,theapparatusandcontingentofcadresinvolvedintheworkhavealsobeenimproved.Notably,sheadded,progresshasbeenmadeinthedisbursementoffundsforthenationaltargetprogrammeonsocio-economicdevelopmentinethnicminorityandmountainousareas.HàcitedtheMinistryofFinanceasreportingthatpublicinvestmentdisbursementunderthisprogrammeapproximatedVN?4.36trillion(overUS$171million)bytheendofMay,equivalentto28percentofthisyearstarget.Theothertwonationaltargetprogrammesfor2021-25,onsustainablepovertyreductionandnew-stylecountrysidebuilding,havecontinuedtobecarriedoutstronglyinbeneficiaryareas,givingafacelifttotransportfacilitiesandschoolsinpoordistricts.Theyhavecontinuedprovidingassistanceinlivelihooddevelopmentandpovertyalleviation,boostingvocationaltrainingandsustainableemployment,andsupportingpoorandnear-poorfamiliestobuildhouses,accordingtotheofficial.Pointingoutsomefocaltasksfortheyearssecondhalf,H?uAL?nh,Minister-Chairmanofthecommittee,saiditisnecessarytokeepaclosewatchonthesituationofethnicminorityandmountainousareas;maketimelyreportonethnicaffairsandpolicies,especiallysecurityandenvironmentalhotspots,naturaldisastersanddiseases,totaketimelyactions;andcoordinatewithcompetentagenciesincommunicationstoraiseethnicminoritypeoplesawarenessofthePartysguidelinesandtheStatespoliciesandlaws,therebyhelpingstrengthenthepublicstrustandconsensus.Healsounderlinedtheimportanceofproperlydraftingethnicplansandpolicies;workingwithministries,sectors,andlocalitiestospeedupprogrammesandpolicies;conductingreviewsandamendmentstoensurethoseprogrammesandpoliciesareconsistentwiththesystemofethnicpolicies;andpressingonwiththesurveyofthe53ethnicminoritygroupssocio-economicsituationtoserveasabasisforbuildingethnicpoliciesfor2026-30andbeyond.—VNSHarvestingpomelosinthePhúDi?nCommuneofHàN?isNamT?LiêmDistrict.—PhotocourtesyoftheHàN?iAgriculturalPromotionCentreHàN?I—HàN?isagriculturalsectorhasforseveralyearsfocusedondevelopingpomelocultivationandisblessedwithaspecialvarietyofthefruit.Withitsinherentpotentialandadvantages,thecityisidentifiedasakeypomelogrowingregionofthecountry.Currently,themarketdemandforpomelocontinuestoincrease.However,theexportturnoverofpomelohasonlyaccountedforabout0.1percentofexportvalues,toaroundUS$1.1-1.2billionannually.V?Th?H??ng,directoroftheHàN?iAgriculturalPromotionCentreundertheHàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,said:HàN?icurrentlyhasnearly10,000haofpomelocultivationmainlyindistrictslikeCh??ngM?,PhúcTh?,?anPh??ng,Qu?cOaiandPhúXuyên.HàN?ihasabouttenvarietiesofpomelo,ofwhichtheDi?npomelo–aspecialvariety–occupiesnearly81percentofthetotalwhileothervarietiesarealsowidelycultivatedandbringhigheconomicefficiencyincludingQu?D??ngpomelo,Hi?pThu?nsweetpomelo,VanHàpomelo,PhúXuyênpomeloandSàiS?nsourpomelo.Inrecentyears,HàN?isagriculturalsectorhassupportedlocalitiesinbuildingpomeloproductionmodelsthatmeetVietGAPandorganicstandards,providinghigherproductivity,ensuringgreaterqualityandpotentialearningsofVN?400-500million($17,000-20,000)perhectareperyear.Farmersparticipatinginthesemodelsreceivetechnicalguidanceandgrowingsystemsbasedonrecordingtheircultivationactivities.ProducingpomelosunderVietGAPstandardsnotonlycreatessafeproductsforconsumersbutalsocontributestothehealthofproducersandisbeneficialfortheenvironmentandcanboostexports.Ch??ngM?Districthasfavourableconditionsforfruittreecultivationandhasencouragedresidentstoconvertlow-economic-valuelandtofruitcultivation,mainlypomelo.Thedistricthascollaboratedwithrelevantagenciestoorganisetrainingcoursesandtransferscientificandtechnicaladvancesingardenrenovation,pomelograftingandproductionfollowingVietGAPstandards.LêH?uDi?n,directorof??cH?u-L?uQuangCleanAgriculturalCo-operativeinTrungHòaCommuneofCh??ngM?District,said:Theco-operativehasnearlythreehectaresofpomelomeetingVietGAPstandards,withmuchhigherproductivitythanordinarypomeloandwhichiscompletelypurchasedbyenterprises.TheVietGAPpomeloissweeter,haslesspestdamage,hasagolden,shinyskin,fragrantflesh,juicysegmentsandalovelytaste.Meanwhile,intheSàiS?nCommuneofQu?cOaiDistrict,PhanNhanL?isfamilypreviouslyhad400Di?npomelotrees,butfaceddifficultiesinsellingtheharvestduetolowprices.AfterreceivinghelptoswitchtoVietGAPstandards,salesbecameeasierandthepricewasabout20percenthigherthantraditionalmethods.L?isaid:Togrowhigh-qualitypomelosthatmeetVietGAPstandards,growersneedtopayattentiontofertilisationtechniques,operatemainlyorganicallyandusecomposedmanuretoensuregoodfloweringandfruitingrates.Nguy?nNh?H?o,directorofQu?D??ngSafePomeloProductionCo-operativeinHoài??cDistrict,believedthatexpandingVietGAPproductionmodelsrequirescontinuoustechnicaltrainingandinfrastructureinvestmenttoapplymechanisationandhightechnologyinlarge-scaleproduction,buildbrandsandestablishgeographicalindicationsforlocalspecialties.Nguy?nM?nhPh??ng,deputydirectoroftheHàN?iDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,saidthattheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmenthasapprovedaplantodevelopkeyfruittreesby2025,withavisionto2030,choosingHàN?iasakeyareaforpomelodevelopment.HàN?iwillcontinuetoworkwithlocalitiestoselecthigh-qualitypomelovarietiessuitableforeachregionsclimateandsoilconditions,strictlyfollowsafeproductionprocesses,andensurequality,Ph??ngsaid.Thecitywillalsoexpandhigh-techagriculturalmodelsandlinkproductionwithmarketaccess,hesaid.Forfurtherdevelopment,HàN?iplanstosupportlocalitiesinimplementingprojectsinQuangMinhCommuneofMêLinhDistrict,Xuan?ìnhCommuneofPhúcTh?DistrictandSongPh??ngCommuneof?anPh??ngDistrict,overascaleof20ha.Thecityaimstomaintainabout70percentoftheareaformain-seasonpomelovarietiesand30percentforoff-seasonharvesting.Inadditiontotraditionalvarieties,theagriculturalsectorwillrefinelocalvarieties,developnewhigh-qualityvarietiesandencouragebusinessestoinvestinpomeloprocessingfordomesticconsumptionandexport.—VNS