Victims' relatives (Source: AFP) Hanoi (VNA) – The number of missing people from a sunk vessel on Lake Toba in Indonesia two days ago climbed to 192, according to the latest report issued by the National Search and Rescue Agency on June 20. The wooden vessel, overcrowded with passengers as well as dozens of motorbikes, didn't have a manifest and disaster officials have several times raised the number of people it was carrying as family members who rushed to the lake in northern Sumatra provided information. The boat was five times over its passenger capacity of 43 and equipped with only 45 life jackets, Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi and National Search and Rescue Agency chief Muhammad Syaugi told a news conference. To date, rescuers found at least four bodies and saved 18 others. About 400 rescue personnel, including military and police officers, were deployed in the search. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency predicted that the work may last at least one week. … [Read more...] about More missing people reported in Indonesian vessel sinking
Project on agricultural modernisation proves effective: PM
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (second from left) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc appreciated results of a project on agricultural modernisation at a conference to review the implementation of the project during 2013-2017 on June 20 in Hanoi. He affirmed that the project’s products are advanced and high-quality scientific and technological achievements in agriculture which can compete with alike products of other countries, thus helping save import costs, take initiative in production, processing and preservation, and increase the economic efficiency and export value of Vietnamese farm produce. The project has also contributed to generating more jobs, boosting poverty reduction, ensuring social welfare, reducing environmental pollution, and consolidating defence in production zones across the nation, especially in mountainous, border, and ethnic-inhabited areas, he stated. Its outcomes affirm the sound cooperation model between the Defence Ministry … [Read more...] about Project on agricultural modernisation proves effective: PM
Vietnamese cyclist en route to earning Olympic spot
Top Vietnamese female cyclist Nguyen Thi That (middle). (Photo: mediacdn.vn) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Top Vietnamese female cyclist Nguyen Thi That will likely earn a ticket to compete in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. The International Cycling Federation (UCI) has announced that That ranks 33rd in the world. It means she can play in Tokyo in 2020. Under the rules of the UCI, cyclists in the world’s top 100 are automatically qualified to compete in the Olympics. With her present form, That is expected to stay in the top 100 from now until the end of this year when the UCI will announce the official Olympian list. That won the one-day woman’s cycle race Dwars door de Westhoek in Belgium on June 3 which attracted over 150 cyclists from many nations around the world. The 25-year-old girl from the southern province of An Giang is training in UCI World Cycling Centre in Switzerland to prepare for the Asian … [Read more...] about Vietnamese cyclist en route to earning Olympic spot
Bac Lieu urged to tap wind power potential
National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (centre) and leaders of Bac Lieu province pose for a photo (Source: VNA) Bac Lieu (VNA) – Bac Lieu should pay attention to the development of wind power to become the first to capitalise on the clean source of energy in the southwestern region, advised National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. Meeting with local authorities on June 20 during her working trip to the province, the top legislator praised local development and acknowledged the Mekong Delta province’s difficulties such as weak socio-economic infrastructure and climate change impacts. She said a national highway is planned to reach Can Tho by 2021 and Bac Lieu after that, suggesting the province upgrade current roads to ensure traffic safety while waiting for the new route. Ngan recommended the local authorities closely follow the Party’s guidelines and Government’s policies and resolution on economic development, particularly the private … [Read more...] about Bac Lieu urged to tap wind power potential
Input materials play pivotal role in food safety
Input materials play pivotal role in food safetyBy Nhan Tam Food safety and hygiene supervision should be conducted synchronously from supermarkets to traditional markets - PHOTO: NHAN TAM DANANG – Many company representatives in the food sector have said input materials play a key part in food safety and hygiene management, according to speakers at a conference held on June 19 on a pilot program supplying safe food in Danang City in the first half of 2018. The participants shared a common viewpoint on the risks of the food industry as problems might arise at any time from the transporting stage through to the processing and distribution stages. Chau Quang Anh, director of An Thanh Ltd. Company, which processes ready-to-eat meals and makes deliveries from Hue to Quang Nam Province, noted that controlling chemicals in input materials is currently the main problem. It is challenging to determine whether the input materials are safe, and food processors must inspect them … [Read more...] about Input materials play pivotal role in food safety