Friendship association extends condolence to Cambodia


The Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association (VCFA) has offered condolence to Cambodia over the tragedy which occurred on Koh Pich (diamond) island in Phnom Penh on the evening of Nov. 22.

In a message sent to the Office of Permanent Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Association Men Sam An, the VCFA conveyed the deepest sympathies to the victims’ families and the Cambodian Government and people, and expressed belief that the Cambodian Government and people will mobilise all resources available to overcome the aftermath of the tragedy.
On Nov. 25, representatives of Vietnamese agencies, businesses and people doing business in Cambodia donated US$2,770 which will be channelled to the Cambodia Red Cross.
A delegation from Ho Chi Minh City on Nov. 24 handed over medicines worth US$50,000 and US$100,000 in cash to the Phnom Penh authorities to help the city overcome the tragedy.
The death toll in the stampede was put at 347, including 221 women, by the Cambodian Social Affairs Ministry and the investigation committee on Nov. 25.
The President of the Overseas Vietnamese (OV) Association in Cambodia, Chau Van Chi, said that nine Vietnamese were killed and one remains missing in the stampede. Six out of nine injured Vietnamese have been discharged from hospital, Chi added.
Cambodia observed a national day of mourning on Nov. 25 and pagodas across the city prayed for the spirits of people who were killed in the stampede.
Cambodian PM Hun Sen and his wife burnt incense at a memorial service held at the site of the bridge stampede which drew the participation of more than 400 Cambodian monks and hundreds of representatives from Cambodian agencies and local people.


Vietnam-Russia research centre opens office in Moscow


The Vietnam-Russia Tropical Scientific-Technological Research Centre opened its representative office in Moscow on Nov. 25.

The office will help increase cooperation in scientific research between the two countries’ officials and scientists and promote achievements recorded by the centre in recent years, Russian Academician Dmitry Pavlov said at the opening ceremony.
The centre’s General Director, Major General and Academician Trinh Quoc Khanh said this is a new model of bilateral cooperation.
Its main tasks include processing scientific data, organizing training courses for Vietnamese scientists, solving issues related to the centre’s operation and transfer of Russian technology.

New bird flu outbreak in Nam Dinh


The Department of Animal Health, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has confirmed a bird flu outbreak in Nam Dinh Province.

The recent outbreak was found at a farm in Yen Hong village, Y Yen district on November 22. From November 16-18, more than 200 out of 1,500 ducks died at another farm in Yen My village, Y Yen district. No poultry has been vaccinated yet.

The local authorities have culled nearly 1,600 birds in Nam Dinh.

According to the Department of Animal Health, since the last bird flu outbreak in July, 2010, Nam Dinh is the first province which has reported a recurrence of the virus.

At present, the demand for poultry is high so the disease is likely to spread widely.


Goods train hits railway guard


A railway guard lost his right arm and three of his right toes after being hit by a goods train early this week in Deo Ca Tunnel in central Phu Yen Province's Dong Hoa District. The 48-year-old guard from Ninh Hoa District in central Khanh Hoa Province is a worker for Phu Khanh Railway Management Company.


Cold spell hits northern region


A three-day cold spell that swept over northern and north-central provinces yesterday is expected to cause drizzling rain in Ha Noi and the northern delta, say weather forecasters.

Temperatures are set to drop to between 18-22 degrees Celsius in the capital.

Temperatures in mountainous areas are likely to drop even further to between 5-7 degrees Celsius.


VNN/VOV/VNS