‘It’s very exciting’: Scientists discover another layer in Earth’s core
AbatchoftobaccoproductsfromalocalstoreinKiênGiangProvinceseizedbythepoliceinSeptember2024.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—TheMinistryofHealthhasputforthaproposaltobannew-generationtobaccoproducts,includinge-cigarettesandheatedtobacco,inresponsetogrowingconcernsoverthehealthrisksassociatedwiththeseproducts.AconferenceorganisedbytheMinistryofHealthearlierthisweekhasshedlightontheserioushealthrisksassociatedwithe-cigarettesandheatedtobacco.Attheconference,DeputyMinisterTr?nV?nThu?nstressedthatallformsoftobacco,includingthesenew-generationproducts,poseasignificantthreattopublichealth.AccordingtotheMinistrysresearch,nearly1,224peoplewerehospitalisedin2023duetohealthcomplicationsdirectlylinkedtoe-cigarettesandheatedtobacco.Thesecomplicationsrangedfromacutelunginjuriestosevereconditionslikestrokes.Alarmingly,approximately5percentofthepatientsexperiencedlong-termhealthissuesfollowingtreatment.Healsounderlinedtheimmediatedangersposedbye-cigarettes,includingbatteryexplosionsandnicotinepoisoning.Long-termusecanleadtorespiratory,cardiovascularandoralhealthissues.Pregnantwomenareparticularlyvulnerable,ase-cigaretteusecanharmfoetaldevelopmentandincreasetheriskofconditionssuchassuddeninfantdeathsyndromeandhearingdefects.Heatedtobacco,ontheotherhand,emitssmokecontainingtoxinssimilartothosefoundintraditionalcigarettes,significantlyincreasingtheriskofrespiratory,cardiovascularandneurologicaldiseasesaswellascancer.Concernsextendbeyondpublichealthtoincludesocialorder,withtheMinistryofPublicSecuritywarningofrisingdrug-infusede-cigarettesonthemarket.LieutenantColonelNguy?nDuyTrungfromtheMinistrysCrimePreventionDepartmentreportedthatauthoritiesuncovered35casesofillegaltradeandpossessionofdrug-infusede-cigarettesinjustthefirsthalfof2024,highlightingatrendthatcomplicateslawenforcementandregulatoryefforts.Nguy?nNhoHuy,DeputyDirectorofthePhysicalEducationDepartmentattheMinistryofEducationandTraining,stressedthate-cigaretteusageamongstudentshasspikedsignificantly,from2.6percentin2019to8percentin2023.Schoolsfacedifficultiesinmonitoringstudentsuseoftheseproducts,especiallyoutsideschoolpremises.Totackletheseescalatingissues,theMinistryofHealthhasproposedaresolutionprohibitingtheimport,sale,distributionandadvertisementofallnew-generationtobaccoproducts.Drawingonsuccessfulanti-tobaccoinitiativesfromothercountries,theMinistrysplancoverspubliceducationcampaigns,stricterregulationsone-cigaretteaccessandheavierpenaltiesonviolators.—VNS
AlleyNo.39of?ìnhTh?nStreet,wherethebodywasfound.Phototienphong.vnHàN?I-AdecomposingbodyofayoungfemalewasfoundbyresidentsonOctober20inanapartmentinAlleyNo.39of?ìnhTh?nStreetinNamT?LiêmDistrict,HàN?i.Itissuspectedthatthevictimhadpassedawayseveraldaysearliergiventhatthebodywasalreadyinanadvancedstateofdecomposition.Upondiscovery,authoritiesquicklyarrivedatthescene,cordoningofftheareaandconductinganinvestigationtodeterminethecauseofdeath.Curiousonlookersgatheredaroundthescene,butthepoliceinstructedthecrowdtodisperse.Priortothediscovery,severalresidentsofthebuildinghadnoticedafoulsmell.Thevictim,ayoungwomanoriginallyfromNam??nhProvince,hadnotbeenseenforseveraldays.Thebuildingmanageropenedtheapartmentdoorandfoundthebody.AnofficialfromNamT?LiêmDistrictPolicestatedthatthecaseisbeinghandledandfurtherdetailswillbeprovidedastheinvestigationprogresses.-VNSICHAMrepresentativesdelivercharitablegiftsattheYênBáiProvincialFatherlandFrontCommittee.—PhotocourtesyofICHAMHàN?I—TheItalianChamberofCommerceinVi?tNam(ICHAM)anditsmembercompanieshaveorganisedacharitablemissiontosupportpeoplehardesthitbyTyphoonYagiinthenorthernprovincesofYênBái,HàGiang,andLàoCai.ThisinitiativewascarriedoutlastweekinresponsetothecallfromtheCentralCommitteeoftheVi?tNamFatherlandFronttohelpaffectedpeopledealwiththeaftermathofTyphoonYagi.KeyparticipantsinthemissionincludedFedericoVasoli,VicePresidentofICHAM,andTr?nThanhQuy?t,ExecutiveDirectorofICHAM,andotherbusinessrepresentatives.Theydelivered130waterpurifiers,tentelevisionsand400setsofschoolsuppliesto20schoolsand120familiesintheprovinces.TheyalsovisitedandprovidedgiftstofamiliesseverelyimpactedbythestormsandinjuredteachersandstudentswhohadlostparentstothefloodsinM??ngKh??ngandSapa.ICHAMhopesthatthecharitableendeavourwillinspireotherstojoinintherecoveryeffortsandcontributetorebuildingthelivesofthoseaffectedbyTyphoonYagi.—VNS
DelegatespressthebuttontoopentheVinmecSmartCityInternationalGeneralHospitalinNamT?LiêmDistrict,HàN?ionOctober21.—VNSPhotoThanhH?iHàN?I—ConglomerateVingroupofficiallyopenedtheVinmecSmartCityInternationalGeneralHospitalinNamT?LiêmDistrict,HàN?ionOctober21.WithatotalinvestmentofVN?1.5trillion,VinmecSmartCityistheeighthmedicalfacilityoftheVinmecHealthcareSysteminVi?tNam.Equippedasaworld-leadingmodernmedicalfacilityandwithateamofprestigiousexpertsanddoctors,thehospitalisexpectedtoopenupnewchoicesforhigh-qualitymedicalservicesforresidentsinthewestofHàN?i.Attheopeningceremony,DeputyMinisterofHealthTr?nV?nThu?nsaidthatimprovingthequalityofmedicalserviceswasoneofthehealthsectorstoptasks.InVi?tNam,thecombinationofpublicandprivatehealthcarenotonlycontributestoreducingtheloadonthepublichealthcaresystembutalsoopensupdiverseandhigh-qualityhealthcareoptionsforpeople.IbelievethatVinmecSmartCitywillinheritexperienceandtransferthemostadvancedtechnologytobecomeamodelofmodernhospital,keepingupwithcurrenthealthcaretrendsintheworld.Inparticular,thehospitalwouldcontributetoreducingtheoverloadonpublicandcentralhospitals,encouragingpatientstousemedicalexaminationandtreatmentservicesaccordingtointernationalstandardsrighthereinVi?tNam,saidThu?n.VinmecSmartCityisthefirsthospitalinVi?tNamtoapplytheSystemOneelectronicmedicalrecordmanagementsystem.—PhotocourtesyofthehospitalLocatedintheVinhomesSmartCityUrbanArea,thehospitalhasafloorspaceofnearly60,000squaremetres,acapacitytoserveatleast70,000visitsyearly,includingoperatingin14specialitiessuchasobstetricsandgynaecology,offeringsurgerywithendoscopicandminimallyinvasivemethodstotreatdigestivediseases,orthopaedictraumaandastrongapplicationof3Dtechnology.Astheeighthhospitalinthesystemtoofficiallycomeintooperation,VinmecSmartCityalsoinheritsmedicalachievementsandprofessionalmanagementmethodsaccordingtothehigheststandardsintheworld,toensuretreatmentqualityandpatientsafety.Inadditiontokeyspecialitiesservingthecommunity,VinmecSmartCityalsofocusitsactivitiesonprovidinghigh-techscreeninganddiagnosticservicesforearlycancerdetectionineffortstobecomealeadinghospitalintheregion.ThehospitalwillalsooperateaprivatehaematologyandcelltherapycentretohelpcancerpatientsaccessnewandeffectivetreatmentssuchasCAR-Torcelltherapyandimmunotherapy.VinmecSmartCityisthefirsthospitalinVi?tNamtoapplytheSystemOneelectronicmedicalrecordmanagementsystem.TheadvantageofSystemOneisthatitallowsdoctorsatdifferentmedicalfacilitiestosharedataforconsultationsandprovidethebesttreatmentregimenforpatients,alongwiththemostadvancedsecuritymeasures.Inaddition,thehospitalalsocombinesartificialintelligence(AI)technologytohelpdoctorsdetectpromptly,diagnoseaccuratelyanddesigneffectivetreatmentregimensforeachgroupofdiseases.VinmecSmartCitywillcombineartificialintelligence(AI)technologytohelpdoctorsdetectpromptly,diagnoseaccuratelyanddesigneffectivetreatmentregimensforeachgroupofdiseases.—PhotocourtesyofthehospitalVinmecSmartCityalsoisthefirsthospitalwithintheVinmecHealthcareSystemtosystematicallydeploytheHospitalOperationSimulationProgramme,incompliancewithinternationalstandards.ThesystemwasdevelopedbyexpertsfromVinmecandtheSimulationCentre-VinUniUniversitytoimprovetheskillsofhandlingclinicalsituationsforthemedicalteam,minimisetheriskoferrors,coordinatewithmultiplespecialitiesandcontinuouslyimprovetobringthemostperfecthealthcareservicestopatients.Speakingattheopeningceremony,DrHoàng??cVinh,ProfessionalDirectorofVinmecSmartCityHospitalsaid:VinmecSmartCitynotonlygathersthemostadvancedtechnologiesbutalsoinheritstheexperiencesandimprovementsfromtheachievementsofthesystemintermsofexpertiseandoperationinrecentyears.Thehospitalhasaclosecombinationofcare-trainingandresearchanddevelopment,aimingtobuildacompletelynewmodeloftheinternationalstandardhospital,catchingupwiththemostmodernhealthcaretrendsintheworld.Besidesthesystemofpublicmedicalexaminationandtreatmentfacilities,Vi?tNamhas384privatehospitals,accountingfor24percentofthetotalnumberofhospitals.However,thenumberofbedsinprivatehospitalsonlyaccountsfor5.8percent,accordingtotheMinistryofHealth.—VNSVietnameseAmbassadortoMalaysia?inhNg?cLinh(right)presentsaCertificateofMerittoTr?nThiChang(left),PresidentoftheMalaysia-Vi?tNamFriendshipAssociation,attheceremony.VNA/VNSPhotoKUALALUMPUR-TheMalaysia-Vi?tNamFriendshipAssociation(MVFA),incoordinationwiththeVietnameseEmbassyinMalaysia,heldaceremonyinKualaLumpuronOctober20tocelebratethe10thfoundinganniversaryofthewomensunionandthe8thanniversaryoftheVietnameselanguageclubinthisSoutheastAsiancountry.TheeventattractedtheattentionofthousandsofVietnamesewomenlivingandworkinginMalaysia,withahighlightbeingaforumonProtectingtherightsandlegalinterestsofVietnamesewomenandchildreninMalaysia.Inheropeningremarks,MVFAPresidentTr?nTh?Changnotedthatabout30%ofmorethan30,000overseasVietnamesepeopleinthecountryareVietnamesewomenmarriedtolocalpeople.Mostofthesewomenarehardworkingandsuccessful,contributingpositivelytolocalsociety.However,manyfaceunfortunatecircumstancesduetoalackoflegalknowledgeandlanguagebarriers.Whenexperiencingdomesticviolence,orbeingdeceived,thesewomenoftensufferinsilenceordonotknowhowtoprotecttheirlegalrights,thusMVFAinvitedlawyersandofficialsresponsiblefortheseissuesinMalaysiatoparticipateintheforumandaddresstheirquestions.Italsoofferedanopportunitytoraiseawarenessamongtheattendees,helpingthemfeelmoreconfidentandbetterintegrateintolocalsociety,Changadded.Otherissuesincludingdomesticviolence,labourexploitation,andsexualabuseintheworkplacewerealsotoucheduponattheforum.AccordingtoHirdawatiMohdIsa,thepolicechiefresponsibleforwomenandchildrensprotection,VietnamesewomenfacingsuchissuesshouldreporttothenearestpolicestationtoreceiveprotectionandsupportfromMalaysiaslegalauthorities.VietnameseAmbassador?inhNg?cLinhpraisedMVFAsinitiativeinorganisingtheevent,elaboratingthatithelpedstrengthenconfidenceandcohesionamongwomenmembersandtheVietnamesecommunityinMalaysia.ThediplomatsaidhehopesthatMVFAwillcontinuetopromoteitsroleinsocialactivities,fosteringconnectionsandbuildingasustainablecommunitywhilepromotinggenderequality.HealsoaffirmedthattheembassywillalwayssupportandaccompanyMVFAastheVietnamesecommunityabroadisanintegralpartofthenation.VNSHowtobuytrainticketsinVi?tNamonGoogleMaps.—VNSScreenshotHàN?I—TrainpassengerscannowbuytheirticketsononlinemapservicessuchasGoogleMaps,accordingtotheVi?tNamRailways(VNR).Theservicehasbeenlaunchedincelebrationofthe78thanniversaryofVi?tNamRailwaysTraditionalDay(October21,1946-2024).ThisallowstravellersfromanywheretosearchfortrainschedulesandpurchasetrainticketsfortheirtripsinVi?tNam.Theonlinemapservicesalsoofferinformationinvariouslanguagesforusersconvenience.PassengerscanpurchasetheirtrainticketswithinternationalpaymentcardsorviaGooglePay,ApplePayandSamsungPay.Trainticketservicesthroughonlinemapscanbeseenasthenextstepinthesuccessofourcollaborationforticketsaleswithlocale-walletsandapplications,whichaimstodiversifypointsofpurchaseandreachmorecustomers,saidaVNRrepresentative.—VNS
AChinesecrewmanreceivesfirstaidtreatmentbyVietnamesedoctorsaftersufferingastrokeonboardtheLiberian-flaggedAMISSTARvesseloffBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincescoast.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhS?nBàR?A-V?NGTàU—AChinesecrewmansufferingastrokeonboardaLiberian-flaggedAMISSTARvesselhasbeensuccessfullyrescuedinwateroffthesoutherncoastalprovinceofBàR?a-V?ngTàubyVietnameserescuers.IntheearlymorningoflastSunday(October20),theMaritimeSearchandRescueCoordinationCentreRegion3(MRCC3),locatedintheprovincesV?ngTàucity,receivedinformationthatacrewmanonthevessel,headingfromSingaporetoChina,hadsufferedaseriousstroke.Thevesselscaptaincontactedthecentretorequesttheurgentevacuationofthecrewman,ZhuMingyue,54,formedicaltreatment.Uponreceivingthisinformation,thecentreimmediatelygotintouchwiththeHCMCity-basedCoastalInformationStationtoconnectandguidetheAMISSTARvesseltomovetowatersnearV?ngTàucityforfurtherassistance.UndertheurgentdirectionoftheNationalCommitteeforDisasterIncidentResponseandSearchandRescue,theMinistryofTransport,andtheVi?tNamMaritimeAdministration,thecentresentaspecialisedsearch-and-rescueshipSAR413carryingrescuersanddoctorstothesceneandcollectedtheafflictedcrewmember.TheChinesecrewmanoffthecoastofBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvincewasbroughtashoreforfurthertreatmentbyVietnameserescuers.—VNA/VNSPhotoHu?nhS?nAtaround6pmonthesameday,therescueshipSAR413foundtheAMISSTARvessel,andthedoctorsgavefirstaidtreatmenttothecrewmemberonboard.Then,itsuccessfullybroughtthevictimashoreatitsportinV?ngTàucity,andsenthimtotheFranco-Vietnamese(FV)HospitalinHCMCityforfurthertreatment.ThecentrehasalsosavedaseamanfromthePhilippinesafterhewasseriouslyillonboardthePalau-flaggedSEAHERMESshipoffthecoastofBàR?a-V?ngTàuProvinceonOctober11.—VNSTrafficpolicemakeareportonaviolatingdriverinH?uGiangProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoNguy?nH?ngHàN?I—CardriverscouldbefinedVN?30-40million(US$1,200-1,600)andlose12pointsofftheirdrivinglicenceiftheydriveinthewrongdirectionorreverseonhighways,accordingtoanewproposalfromtheMinistryofPublicSecurity(MPS).Theproposalisunderadraftdecreeregulatingadministrativesanctionsforviolationsoftrafficorderandsafetyontheroads,whichisbeingreviewedbytheMinistryofJustice.ThedraftdecreeismeanttoguideprovisionsoftheLawonRoadTrafficOrderandSafetyandwilllikelytakeeffectfromthebeginningofnextyear.DuringapriordiscussiononthedraftdecreeinAugust,proposedfinesforthesameviolationwereVN?16-18million($640-720),withsixpointsdeductedfromthedriverslicence.AccordingtothelawanddraftdecreecompiledbytheMPS,eachdriverslicencestartswith12points.Alsointhenewdraftdecree,theMPShasproposedafineofVN?10-12million($400-480)forstoppingorparkingonthehighwayinanincorrectplace,notsignallingwithemergencylightsatleast150mbehindthevehiclewhenstoppingorparkingincaseoftechnicalproblemsorotherforcemajeure,ormakingaU-turnonthehighway.Inadditiontothefine,sixpointswillalsobedeductedfromthedriverslicence.ThefineproposedforthistypeofviolationisthesameasdiscussedinthedraftinAugust,butthedrivinglicencepointdeductionhasdoubled,fromthreetosixpoints.Otherfinesarealsosettobeincreasedundertheproposal.TheseincludefinesofVN?6-8million($240-320)fornotobeyingtrafficlightsignalsorinstructionsoftrafficcontrollersandgoingthewrongwayonaone-waystreetoraroadwithanoentrysign,upfromtheVN?4-6million($160-240)finesproposedinAugust.Thedrivinglicencedeductionfortheseviolationsisalsothreeorfourpointshigherthanthatunderthelastproposal.Similarly,thedrafthasalsosuggestedanincreaseinfinesformotorcyclistswhodonotcomplywithtrafficlights.IntheproposalfromAugust,theMPSplannedafineofVN?800,000-1million($30-40)forthistypeoftrafficviolation,butinthelatestdraft,thefineissetatVN?2-3million,withafourpointdrivinglicencededuction.Thenewdraftdecreealsorecommendsconfiscatingthevehiclesofmotorcyclistswhocommitviolationslikelettinggoofbothhandswhiledriving,usingtheirfeettocontrolthevehicle,sittingsidesaddletocontrolthevehicle,lyingontheseattocontrolthevehicle,changingthedriverwhilethevehicleisrunning,turningbackwardstocontrolthevehicleordrivingwhileblindfolded.Thesamepunishmentwillalsobeappliedfordrivingatwo-wheeledvehicleononewheel,orathree-wheeledvehicleontwowheels.Asidefromhavingthevehicleconfiscated,theseactionswillalsoresultinadeductionof12pointsfromthedriverslicence.—VNS
D??ngV?nS?n,chairmanoftheBoardofDirectorsofGi?ngT??ngAgriculturalServiceCooperative,owns10hectaresofJapanesericefields,harvestingover140tonnesofriceperyear.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?nS?KIêNGIANG—TheagriculturalbusinessisboominginKiênGiang,withthousandsoffarmersmakingbillionsof??nginannualincome,duetotheapplicationofnewtechnologiesinfarming.OneexemplaryfarmerisD??ngV?nS?n,wholivesinV?nhPhúCommune,locatedneartheborderwithCambodiaintheprovincesGiangThànhDistrict,andwhohadbeenprovidingagriculturalservicesforadecade.Admiredbylocalauthoritiesandfellowfarmersalike,S?nhasbeeninvolvedinricefarmingsincehisyouth,workingalongsidehisparents.Hecontinuedworkinginricecultivationafterstartinghisownfamily.Atfirst,heandhiswifehadonly1.5hectaresofland.Butaftermorethan20yearsofworkandsavingup,thefamilynowowns11hectaresofricefields.Before2010,thelandinV?nhPhúandGiangThànhwasaffectedbysalinityandacidity,resultinginpoorriceyieldsofaroundtwotonnesperhectare.However,since2011,theregionhastransformedduetoimprovedirrigation,additionalcanaldredgingandtheintroductionofmechanisedlandcultivation.Today,V?nhPhúproducestworicecropsperyear:winter-springandsummer-autumn.Winter-springcropstypicallyyielduptoninetonnesperhectare,whilesummer-autumncropsyieldbetweensixand6.5tonnesperhectare.Withnearly11hectaresofland,S?nsfamilyharvestsover150tonnesofriceannually,generatingaroundVN?1.2billion(US$48,000)inincomeandVN?400million($16,000)inprofitsafterexpenses.Asidefromricecultivation,S?nalsoownsploughingandtillingmachinestoprovideagriculturalservicesforlocalfarmers.In2020,heledtheformationoftheGi?ngT??ngAgriculturalServiceCooperativeandwaselectedaschairman.The45-membercooperativeprovidesservicessuchasploughing,tilling,irrigationandfertilisationforitsown217hectares,aswellasforaround150localfarmerswithover500hectares.Joiningthecooperativehasmadericeproductionmoreconvenient,savingcostswhileachievinghigheryieldsandincreasingprofits.Notonlymembers,butalsootherfarmersinthecommunehaveprospered,S?nsaidproudly.AnotherfarmerknownforhissharpbusinessacumenandcontributionstothecommunityisNguy?nV?nSu?t,61,fromV?nhPhú.Heownsover20hectaresofricefieldsandtwobargesthattransportcementandricebetweenprovincessuchasAnGiang,KiênGiang,C?nTh?andH?uGiang.Su?tsaidthatfrom1985to1990,hisfamilyownednearlytwohectaresofricefields.However,lowyieldsandpricesatthetimemadeitdifficultforfarmerstoprosper.Sothefamilyrentedouttheirfieldsandinvestedinbargestopurchasericefromfarmersandsellittoexportcompanies.Overtime,Su?taccumulatedenoughmoneytobuymoreland,andby2018,theyownedover20hectares.By2020,seeingstablericepricesandtheavailabilityoftechnologyforricefarming,theystoppedleasingthelandandresumeddirectcultivation.With20hectaresofricefields,Su?tsfamilyproducesaround310tonnesofriceannually,generatinganincomeofVN?2.3billion($92,000)andearningaroundVN?700million($28,000)inprofits.HistwobargesalsoprovideanadditionalincomeofaboutVN?400million($16,000)annually.Thankstomodernmachineryforfertilisingandsprayingpesticides,myfamilyisnowabletomanageover170fields,whichwasimpossibleinthepast.WithstablericepricesofuptoVN?8,000($0.32)perkilogrammeandtheGovernmentscontrolofagriculturalinputcosts,Ibelievericefarmerswillgrowwealthierintheyearstocome.Ruralareaswillalsodevelopfurther,Su?tnoted.Hisfamilysgrowingincomehasenabledthemtocontributetobuildingroadsandothersocialwelfareinitiativesinthecommunity.Nguy?nV?nSu?t(inyellowshirt),anexemplaryfarmerfromGiangThànhDistrict,owns20hectaresofricefields,harvestingtwiceayear.Healsoownstwobargesusedfortransportingriceandcement,generatinganincomeofapproximatelyVN?2.7billion(aroundUS$110,000)peryear.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?nS?TimelysupportpoliciesAccordingtotheKiênGiangFarmersAssociation,theprovincesmovementoffarmersstrivingforexcellentproductionandbusinessresultshasexpanded,becomingbetterandmoreeffective.Thismovementhashelpedimplementthenationalpoliciesforagriculturalandruraldevelopment.In2023,nearly78,000householdsintheprovincewererecognisedfortheirachievementsinproductionandbusiness.Morethan10,000ofthesewereawardedatprovincialanddistrictlevels,andover2,000householdsroseoutofpoverty.Bythefirstninemonthsof2024,over100,000householdshadregisteredtoberecognisedasexcellentfarmers.LamQu?cToàn,deputychairmanoftheKiênGiangFarmersAssociation,notedthatthemovementhasfosteredsolidarityandmutualassistanceamongfarmers,andhashelpedreducepoverty,contributingtoruralsocio-economicdevelopmentandthenewruralconstructioninitiative.Tohelpfarmerssucceed,theFarmersAssociationsatvariouslevelsregularlyorganisetrainingsessionstoteachaboutnewtechnologies,runagriculturaltrainingclassesandcoordinatewiththeSocialPolicyBanktoprovideloansforthousandsofhouseholds.TheyalsofacilitatetimelydisbursementoffundsfromtheFarmersSupportFundandtheNationalEmploymentSupportFund.Theassociationencouragesfarmerstocreategroupslikefarmersclubstoshareknowledgeandcollaborateinproduction.Theyalsoencouragefarmerstoformcooperatives,providingguidanceongrowthstrategies,productionscaleandsectorexpansion.Moreover,theassociationpromotesthedigitisationoffarmingpractices,helpsfarmersparticipateintradefairsandexhibitions,andconnectsthemwithenterprisestosupplyinputsandsecureoutputmarkets.Theseeffortsaimtosupportsustainableproductionandbusinessgrowth.Wearealsoworkingonsynchronisedsolutionstosupportthedigitaltransformationandtechnologytransferforcooperativemembers.Farmersareencouragedtoparticipateintradepromotions,connectwithbusinessesandaccessdeferredpaymentsforagriculturalinputs,helpingthemtosustainandgrowtheirbusinesses,Toànnoted.—VNS
DoctorsperformcorneatransplantsurgeryinHu?CentralHospital.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Vi?tNamhaswitnessedarisingnumberofcorneadonorssincethefirsttransplantofthiskindinVi?tNamnearlytwodecadesago,butwitha300,000strongwaitinglist,thecountryhasmuchworktodotoensuredonatedcorneasreachthosewhoneedthem.AccordingtoDrNguy?nTh?KimTi?n,chairwomanoftheVi?tNamTissueandOrganDonationAdvocacyAssociationandformerhealthminister,Vi?tNamstechnicalskillsintermsoforgantransplantarenowonparwiththeregionandtheworld.However,thewaitinglistfortransplantscontinuestoincrease,whilethenumberofregistereddonorsremainsmodest.Thesituationisparticularlycriticalforcorneatransplants,withsomepatientsalreadywaitingforfivetosixyearswithoutanydonorbeingfound.Overthepast15years,Vi?tNamrecordedabout45,000peoplesignedupascorneadonors.Ofthe3,000whohavereceivedcorneareplacementssince2007,morethanhalfwerehelpedbydomesticdonors.FromMay2024todate,thenumberoforgandonationsfrombrain-deadpatientsincreasedthree-fold,withtransplantsurgeriesrisingby10percent.However,Vi?tNamstillhasabout300,000visuallyimpairedpeopleinneedofcorneareplacements.Accordingtomedicalprofessionals,corneatransplantationiscurrentlytheonlyandmosteffectivemethodtohelprestorevisioninpatientswithcornealdamage,especiallyincaseswhereinternalmedicinetreatmentsyieldlittleresult.InadditiontothelimiteddonationsavailableinVi?tNam,challengesalsostemfromthecomplextransferandpreservationprocedurestoreceivecorneadonationsfromabroad.Therefore,authoritiesandfacilitiesreceivingcorneaforcollectionandtransplantshouldworkwithrelevantagenciestofacilitatethetransferofcorneadonationsfromabroad,andconductthesurgeryforpatientsassoonaspossible,saidTi?n.Overthepasteightmonths,theHàN?iEyeHospital2hasreceived57corneadonations,ofwhichtwowerefrompatientsinVi?tNam,whiletheremaindercamefromAmericaneyebanks.Thehospitalsuccessfullycarriedout42corneatransplantoperationsanddistributedtheremainingdonationstoothermedicalfacilities.DoctorsretrieveacorneaattheVi?tNamNationalEyeHospital.—VNA/VNSPhotoMinh??cDrHowardCajucom-UyYu,acouncilmemberoftheAssociationofEyeBanksofAsia,saidthatcorneadonationshavenonegativeaestheticeffectonthedeceased,asthisisonlyathin,translucentlayerontopoftheeyeball,butmultiplebarriersexistintermsofencouragingdonors.Theseincludelocaltraditions,customs,religions,beliefs,theemotionalstateofthedonorsfamily,ormisconceptionsregardingthelawrelatedtoorgandonationandtransplant.Sharingthesameperspective,DrNguy?nHoàngPhúc,deputydirectoroftheVi?tNamNationalCoordinatingCentreforHumanOrganTransplantation,saidthatthesefactorshavelimitedthenumberofdonatedcorneasnotonlyinVi?tNam,butalsoaroundtheworld.Therefore,itisnecessarytohavebetterawarenesscampaigns,arealisticlegalframeworkandtoincludeorganandtissuedonationasanevaluationcriteriaofthehealthcaresector,saidPhúc.—VNSH?uRiverswaterlevelisforecasttoincreaseduetoheavyrainfallovertheMekongRiverBasininNovember.—VNA/VNSPhotoC?ULONGDELTA—ManyareasintheC?uLong(Mekong)DeltaregionareathighriskoffloodingduetotidalsurgescombinedwithheavyrainfallinthefirsthalfofNovemberthisyear,accordingtotheVi?tNamNationalMekongCommittee.Duetothiscombination,inearlyNovember,manyareasinC?nTh?CityandtheprovincesofV?nhLong,CàMau,B?cLiêu,SócTr?ng,andH?uGiangwillbefacingahighriskofflooding.Localitiesintheregionarethereforebeingurgedtoproactivelyimplementmeasurestoprotectlow-lyingfieldsandareaswithoutfloodprotectiondikestomitigaterisksandprepareforpotentialbreachesandlandslidesinflood-proneregions.AccordingtotheNationalCentreforHydro-MeteorologicalForecasting,theMekongRiverCommissionandinternationalorganisationsforecast,totalrainfallovertheMekongRiverBasininthefirsthalfofNovemberisforecastedtobeapproximately3-5percenthigherthanthemulti-yearaverage.Currently,reservoirsonLanTh??ngRiverarestoringabout95percentoftheirtotalusefulcapacity,whilereservoirsinthelowerMekongBasinarealsoupto80percentoftheirusefulcapacityandareexpectedtocontinuegeneratingelectricity.ItisanticipatedthattheflowreachingKratie(Cambodia)willgraduallydecreaseastheregionentersthetransitionseason.Therefore,thetotalflowpassingthroughtheKratiestationinthefirsthalfofthismonthisforecastedtorangefrom16billioncu.mto19billioncu.m,whilethecurrentwaterstorageinTonleSapLakeis39.1billioncu.m,whichwillcontinuetocontributetothemainMekongRiverflow.TheVi?tNamNationalMekongCommitteepredictedthatthemaximumdailywaterlevelattheTanChaustationinTayNinhProvinceinearlythismonthwillfluctuatewiththetidesbetween2.4and2.8m,higherthanthemulti-yearaverage.TheaveragedailyflowthroughTanChaustationinthefirsthalfofthismonthisexpectedtorangefrom15,000cu.mpersecondto18,800cu.mpersecond,higherthanthemulti-yearaverage.Thetotalflowatthisstationduringthisperiodisprojectedtobebetween21.9billioncu.mand23.4billioncu.m,higherthanthemulti-yearaveragebutcomparabletothesameperiodin2023.AttheChau??cstationinAnGiangProvince,themaximumdailywaterlevelisexpectedtorangefrom2.2to2.5m,belowthefloodwarninglevel1.TheaveragedailyflowthroughChau??cstationduringthisperiodisforecastedtofluctuatebetween2,500cu.mpersecondand3,800cu.mpersecond.ThetotalflowthroughChau??cstationisprojectedtobebetween4.5billioncu.mand4.8billioncu.m,similartothemulti-yearaveragebutlowerthanin2023.Duetothecombinationoftidalsurges,localrainfallandupstreamflows,themaximumwaterlevelsattheTanChauandChau??cstationsareforecastedtoremainbelowwarninglevel1.However,incentralareaslikeC?nTh?CityandM?Thu?nDistrictofV?nhLongProvince,waterlevelsareexpectedtoreachwarninglevelsof2to3.Mostcoastalstationsareanticipatedtoreachfloodwarninglevel1orhigherduetotidalsurges.—VNS
Vaccinationagainsttetanusanddiphtheriaisthemosteffectivemethodofpreventingthediseases.—IllustrativePhotoyte.daklak.gov.vn??KL?K—Allsecond-gradestudentsinthe2024-25academicyearandseven-year-oldchildrennotattendingschoolinthe15districts,townsandcitiesintheCentralHighlandsprovinceof??kL?kwillreceiveadoseofthetetanus-diphtheriavaccinestartingthismonth.Anestimated27,188childrenareexpectedtobevaccinatedduringthecampaign.Thoseattendingschoolwillreceivetheirvaccinationson-site,whileunenrolledchildrenwillbeimmunisedatlocalhealthstations.Mobilevaccinationteamswillbedeployedtoremoteordifficult-to-reachareas.ThemovecameaftertheprovincialHealthDepartmentissuedaplantoimplementthetetanus-diphtheriavaccinationaspartoftheExpandedImmunisationProgrammeacrosstheprovince.Theinitiativeaimstoincreaseherdimmunityagainsttetanusanddiphtheriatoproactivelypreventoutbreaksandreducemortalityratesinhigh-riskareas.Tetanusanddiphtheriaarebothseriousinfectiousdiseases.Tetanusisanacuteinfectiousdiseasecausedbythetetanusbacillus,primarilytransmittedthroughdamagedskinandmucousmembranes.Childrenunderfiveandolderadultsareparticularlysusceptibletosevereillness,withmortalityratesrangingfrom30to50percent,andnewbornsfaceanextremelyhighriskofdeath.Diphtheria,ontheotherhand,isanacutebacterialinfectioncausedbythediphtheriabacterium.Whileitcommonlyaffectsyoungchildren,adultscanalsocontractthediseaseiftheylackimmunity.Diphtheriaprimarilyaffectsthenoseandthroatandspreadsmainlythroughrespiratorydropletsfromdirectcontactorindirectlythroughcontaminatedobjects,clothingorfood.Thediseasecanleadtoseriouscomplicationsandmaybefatalduetocardiovascularcollapse.Vaccinationagainsttetanusanddiphtheriaisthemosteffectivemethodofpreventingthediseases.—VNSTayNinhfirefightersassistedCambodiainputtingoutacasinofireonNovember3.—Photonld.com.vnT?YNINH—TayNinhProvincehashelpedCambodianrescueteamsinputtingoutafireatacasinoinTbongKhmumProvince,savingfourtrappedemployeesonNovember3,saidtheprovincialpoliceonNovember4.At8.30am,afirebrokeoutonthetopandseventhfloorofacasinoinPonhiaKretDistrict.TheCambodianfirefightingforcessentthreefiretruckstothescene,buttheywereunabletoextinguishtheblazeandsosoughtassistancefromtheborderingTayNinhProvince.TheTayNinhpoliceforcesent15officialsandthreefiretrucksovertheborderintoCambodia.Atthescene,threebedroomsonthefloorwereablaze,withthefirecoveringaround80m2.Smokeandtoxicfumeshadspreadtothefourth,fifthandsixthfloors.TheTayNinhfirefightingpolicerescuedfourinjuredpeople,whohadbeentrappedonthefifthandsixthfloors.Thefirewasputoutat1.30pm.TheCambodianauthorityexpressedtheirgratitudetotheTayNinhfirefightingforce.Accordingtotheinitialinvestigation,thecauseofthefirewasduetoanelectricalproblemwithinoneofthebedrooms.VNS
Indevelopingcountries,motorcyclesaremorethanpersonalformsoftransport–theyarealsotoolsforbusiness,productionandtransportofgoodsandservices.—VNA/VNSPhotoHoàngHi?uHàN?I—Withnearly74millionmotorcyclesfromatotalpopulationof100millionpeople,Vi?tNamneedstocontinueitseffortstostrengthenroadsafetyandreducethemortalityraterelatedtothistypeofvehicle.ThiswastheviewoftherepresentativeoftheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)toVi?tNam,AngelaPratt,ataninternationalworkshoponbestpracticesandchallengesinmotorcyclesafetyinHàN?ionMonday.Thetwo-dayworkshopwasorganisedbyVi?tNamsTransportDevelopmentandStrategyInstitute(TDSI),incollaborationwiththeWHOandrelatedstakeholders.ItisalsoseenasanimportantpieceofpreparationforthefourthGlobalMinisterialConferenceonRoadSafety,whichisscheduledtotakeplaceinMoroccoinlateFebruarynextyear.Theworldneedstocollaborateindevelopingsolutionstopreventtrafficaccidentrisksandshouldnotviewtheseasunavoidableincidents,shesaid.Withnineoutof10vehiclesontheroadbeingmotorcycles,Vi?tNamhasmadesignificantpolicyimprovementstoraiseawareness,upgradeinfrastructureandreducetrafficinjuries,resultinginadecreaseofmorethan40percentintraffic-relateddeathsfrom2010to2021.WHOhasbeenworkingwithVi?tNamandothercountriestoensuremotorcyclesafety,especiallyforchildrenwhogotoschoolontheirparentsmotorcycleonadailybasis,saidPratt.TheyalsohopetoincreasecooperationwithVietnameseagenciesinthefuturetohelpimplementtheLawonRoadTrafficOrderandSafetyandLawonRoad,whichwilltakeeffectonJanuary1,2025.Addressingtheevent,TDSIdirectorDrKhu?tVi?tHùngsaidthatensuringmotorcyclesafetyiscurrentlyapressingissueataglobalscale,notonlyinVi?tNamorIndia,wherethisistheprimarymodeoftransport.Indevelopingcountries,motorcyclesaremorethanpersonalvehicles-theyarealsotoolsforbusiness,productionandtransportofgoodsandservices.However,theconvenienceandpopularityofmotorcyclespresentsignificantchallengesintrafficsafety,whichgreatlyaffectpeopleslivesandtheeconomyinmanycountries.Motorcycleaccidentsaccountfortwo-thirdsofthetotalroadtrafficincidentsinVi?tNam,whichdemandsmorecomprehensiveanddeterminedsolutionstoprotectmotorcyclistsandminimisetheinjuriesandcasualtiesrelatedtothistypeofvehicle.Thecountryhasputforwardpoliciesandprogrammes,suchasmandatoryuseofhelmetswhiledriving,monitoringthebloodalcoholconcentrationofmotorcyclists,improvingroadinfrastructureandraisingpublicawarenessoftrafficsafety,whichhaveyieldedencouragingresults.Thetwo-dayinternationalworkshoponmotorcyclesafetystartsinHàN?ionMonday.—Photobaogiaothong.vnHowever,thereremainmultipleshortcomingsintrafficsafetyregulationswhichneedtobeaddressed,accordingtoTr?nH?uMinh,headoftheofficeoftheNationalTrafficSafetyCommittee.Oneofthekeyissuesisthegroupofadolescentsaged16-18,whoarelegallyallowedtodrivescootersofbelow50ccbutlacktrafficsafetyknowledgeandproperdrivingskills.Inadditiontostrengtheningtrainingandtestingfordrivinglicences,Minhaddedthatitisnecessarytotightenregulationsonthemandatoryuseofhelmetsforchildren,astherearenospecificstandardsforhelmetsforchildrenbelowsixandnopenaltyspecifiedforcaseswhenchildrenofthisagegrouparetravellingonamotorcyclewithoutahelmet.Meanwhile,despiteamotorcycleregistrationbeinginplace,theactualnumberofmotorcyclesincirculationislowerthanthenumberregistered.InHàN?iandHCMCity,75percentofthetotalregisteredmotorcyclesarenotinuseduetovariousreasons,suchasbeingmovedtoothercitiesandprovincesbeforebeingdisassembledandsoldforparts.Therefore,thecurrentregistrationfiguresdonotreflecttheactualnumberofmotorcyclesontheroads.Furthermore,althoughmotorcyclestandardshavebeenputforward,safetylevelsformotorcyclesinVi?tNamareconsideredrelativelylow.Thesevehiclesarealsonotyetsubjecttomandatorytechnicalsafetyinspections,whichhasledtosomeoldandunsafemotorcyclesstillincirculation.Shortcomingsinurbanplanningandtransportinfrastructurealsoledtoexcessiveuseofmotorcyclesfortripsthatcouldbemadeonfootorbybicycles.Therefore,thechallengesandsolutionstoensuremotorcyclesafetyshouldbeprioritisedinupcomingtrafficsafetyprogrammes,Minhsaid.—VNSTr??ngM?Lan,forrmerchairwomanofV?nTh?nhPhátGroup,atherappealstrialattheHCMCityPeoplesHighCourtonMonday.—VNA/VNSPhotoHCMCITY—TheHCMCityPeoplesHighCourtonMondaybegandeliberationsregardingpropertytycoonTr??ngM?Lansappealagainstherdeathpenaltyverdictrenderedatatrialearlierthisyearformassivefraud.ThecourtwillreviewtherequestoftheV?nTh?nhPhátchairwomanforareducedsentence,aswellastheappealsof47otherdefendants,duringathree-weeksessionattendedby100legalrepresentatives.Inherfive-pagehandwrittenappeal,Lansaidthedeathsentenceimposeduponherwasexcessivelysevereandharsh.Sheurgedthecourttoadoptamorelenientandhumaneapproach.Inpursuitofmypassionforbusinessandmyaspirationtocontributetosocietybydevelopingworld-classprojectsforVi?tNam,Ihavemadesignificantpersonalsacrifices,affectingbothmyhappinessandthatofmyfamily,statedherappeal.Lanexpressedthatshehasenduredconsiderabledistressduetothepressuresofnegativepublicperception.Eachnight,Ifindmyselftormented,questioningwhymyfamilyandIaresubjectedtothesecircumstances,shewrote.LanwassentencedtodeathinatrialinAprilforembezzlingUS$27billionfromSaigonCommercialBank(SCB),equivalentto6percentofVi?tNamsGDPin2023.Lanalsoreceivedalifesentenceinaseparatetriallastmonthforfraudulentappropriationofassetsthroughcounterfeitbondissuanceandillegalcross-bordermoneytransfers,amongothers.Recentdatafromauthoritiesshowedthatatleast42,000victims,whoboughtthefakebondsissuedbythebank,sufferedsignificantfinanciallosses,shockingthenationandincitingrareprotestsfromaffectedindividuals.ThecourtmandatedthatLancompensatetheentireamountofthefraud.Lanshusband,EricChu,andherniece,Tr??ngHu?Van,receivedsentencesofnineand17years,respectively,fortheirrolesinabettingheractions.??Th?Nhàn,theheadbankinginspectoroftheStateBankofVi?tNam,wasconvictedofacceptingbribestotaling$5.2millionfromLanandwassentencedtolifeimprisonment.Nguy?nCaoTríwasfoundguiltyofdefraudingLanoutofVN?1trillionandreceivedaneight-yearprisonsentence.Hehassincereturnedthefullamount.—VNS