A leaking fuel pipeline triggered a massive blaze in central Mexico Saturday, killing at least 20 people and injuring another 54, officials said. Omar Fayad, governor of Hidalgo state, said locals at the site of the leak were scrambling Omar Fayad, governor of Hidalgo state, said locals at the site of the leak were scrambling to steal some of the leaking oil when at least 20 of them were burned to death. "I've been told that 20 have been burned to death and another 54 burn victims being treated" in hospitals, Fayad told local FaroTV, with the blaze still raging. Scores of locals were collecting fuel in buckets and cans from spouting leaks, and making off with the stolen gasoline, local media showed. "What we know is that it was an illegal fuel theft site, and that authorities were aware of it" when it burned, Fayed added. Hours later, and after sundown, the first images of the tragedy were shown on television, with desperate people fleeing the scene, screaming for help. … [Read more...] about Fuel pipeline blaze in Mexico kills 20, injures dozens: officials
Vietnam needs privatization breakthrough in 2019: deputy PM
Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue said at Friday’s cabinet meeting that divestment doesn’t necessarily require a preservation of the state capital. Even when the market price of the capital is lower than its book value, the state can still divest, as the longer it holds the capital, the less benefit it will receive, Hue said. He also noted that weak state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that can be developed to privatize and divest should not be sold at an early stage as that could cause harm to the state. All violations in the privatization and divestment process will be strictly punished. Leaders and authorities who delay and slow down the privatization and divestment process will be held accountable, he added. The government plans to have only 150 complete SOEs by 2020, from 526 in 2017, and 1,369 in 2011. The speed of privatization and divestment has slowed recently years, the Deputy Prime Minister observed. The country privatized only 32 SOEs last year, but its target … [Read more...] about Vietnam needs privatization breakthrough in 2019: deputy PM
Japan offers most overseas jobs for Vietnamese workers
Last year marked the first time Japan became the most popular destination for Vietnamese migrant workers with over 68,700 people finding jobs there, beating Taiwan with nearly 60,400 people and South Korea with over 6,500, according to statistics released by the Department of Overseas Labor. The department's deputy director, Nguyen Gia Liem, said the Japanese market's rise in popularity was due to the implementation of a new law that allows migrant workers to stay for five years instead of three. Furthermore, Vietnam was the first country to sign with Japan a memorandum of cooperation on the latter's technical intern training program, which came into effect last June. In 2018, a total of 13 Vietnamese businesses were also licensed to directly bring Vietnamese citizens to Japan to work as caregivers. The long language and skill training required, however, limited the number of Vietnamese citizens taking this route last year. However, Liem asserted: "These establishments would help … [Read more...] about Japan offers most overseas jobs for Vietnamese workers
Instant coffee, instant results
VICOFA Chairman Luong Van Tu Why is the coffee exports’ value growth lower than quantity growth? Arabica and Robusta coffee prices have reached their lowest levels of the past 12 and five years, respectively. As a result, despite a quantity increase of over 20 percent, Vietnam’s coffee export value in the first 10 months of 2018 grew at the same pace as in the same period last year. However, Vietnam has increased exports of ground roasted and instant coffee according to its processed coffee export promotion policy. Processed coffee has high added value with prices of VND70-100 million per tonne compared to VND32-36 million per tonne in coffee beans. China is emerging as one of the biggest importers of Vietnamese coffee beans and instant coffee. Increasing coffee export volume and diversifying coffee exports and markets have helped Vietnam maintain stable coffee export value despite the sharp drop in prices. Vietnam is still exporting raw coffee and importing processed … [Read more...] about Instant coffee, instant results
Millions of VND donated to orphaned siblings
Dantri/DTiNews have transferred over VND20m (USD860) in donations to two orphans in Ha Tinh Province. The siblings' parents died in a traffic accident Tu Ba Trung died in a traffic accident on December 16 while his wife, Nguyen Thi Lien, suffered severe injuries and died a few days later, leaving behind two children, Tu Ba Thuan who is in 11th grade and a younger daughter, Tu Thi Ngoc Anh, in 5th grade. Since their relatives are poor, they can't support the children. Many people have called to encourage the children after learning about their situation. Two charity groups visited and supported the children. The group of teachers at Trung Kien Nursery School in Ha Tinh donated VND5m (USD215) and clothes to them. "We really felt for them. We want to help them and share some burdens with them. I hope they will overcome these difficulties to ease the worries of their ill grandmother," said Tuyet Nhung from Trung Kien Nursery School. As of now, the siblings have received a total … [Read more...] about Millions of VND donated to orphaned siblings