Three arrested for stealing gas in Binh Duong

Three people were arrested for illegally extracting gas from a local producer in southern Binh Duong Province's Thuan An Township yesterday, April 25.

Photo: VNN

The suspects admitted to police they were hired to work by a man living in HCM City. They allegedly received VND50,000-VND60,000 (US$2-$3) for extracting each 300 mini-gas cylinder.

Nguyen Van Hau, one of the suspects, allegedly admitted he had been stealing about 600-700 mini-cylinders full of gas daily for the last two months.

The case is thought to be the biggest of its kind in the province.

Nearly 500 explosions and fires in four months

As many as 462 fires and explosions occurred nationwide in the first four months of the year, leaving 19 dead and 44 injured.

The damages cost nearly VND314 billion.

The most serious incidents were reported in Binh Duong, Thai Binh and Tien Giang provinces.

Ministries, sectors and relevant agencies are urged to promote awareness campaigns to help people better understand the importance of abiding with regulations on preventing fires.

Son La hydro-electric power plant launches fifth turbine

Viet Nam's largest hydro-electric power plant in the northern mountainous province of Son La today launched a trial run of its fifth turbine with a capacity of 400 MW.

The Son La Hydro-electric power plant's fifth turbine is expected to be connected to the national grid in four days, and the final turbine will be operational by August, three years ahead of schedule.

Construction of the VND37 trillion (US$1.8 billion) power plant began in December 2005. When fully operational, the 2,400MW plant will be able to supply 10.2 billion kWh of electricity a year.

Government gives priority to clean water

The Vietnamese Government has given priority to the National Program on clean water and environmental hygiene in the 2012-2015 period.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Van Thang made the statement at a ceremony in Vinh Phuc province on April 26 to launch a National Week on Clean Water and Environmental Hygiene from April 29 to May 6.

Thang called on all organizations and individuals to actively get involved in the program to help materialize the Party’s resolution on developing rural areas in the process of industrialization.

Dr Nguyen Duy Luong, an official of the Vietnam Farmers Association, said environmental hygiene is of vital importance to both the daily life of people and the survival and development of each nation and region.

He said his organization has stepped up efforts to help change people’s behaviour towards the need to save water and protect the environment.

10 intellectual property records announced

Ten Vietnamese records in the intellectual property were announced at a ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on April 24.

Of the records, two were won by individuals, including female scientist Nguyen Thi Tram who transferred two rice hybridised varieties for a record value of US$535,000 in 2008, and artist Bui Van Ngo who registered authorized rights for 499 of his paintings under the form of graphic fine arts from 1984 to date.

Kien Giang, Binh Thuan and Dak Lak were first three localities in Vietnam receiving Geographical Indication (GI) certificates, which recognized a product dominating others of the same categories.

The southern province of Kien Giang secured GI status for making Phu Quoc fish sauce.

The central province of Binh Thuan received two GIs for dragon fruit from Phan Thiet and Binh Thuan, while the Central Highland province of Dak Lak received a GI for its coffee.

On this occasion, Lac Viet Information Technology Joint Stock Company won the title for its most used e-dictionary in Vietnam.

Phu Nhuan Service Joint Stock Company had most music products for karaoke registered.

Tan Hiep Phat Trade and Service Co. Ltd. has owned the largest number of brand names for its beverages. So far, it has registered 73 beverage products.

The Viet Map Application Co. Ltd. had the most popular software for providing detailed road maps.

Security guard jailed for life for killing striking worker

Ha Noi People's Court yesterday, April 25, sentenced Le Tuan Minh, 35, to life in prison for killing a striking female worker in the outlying Hanoian district of Chuong My.

The incident occurred last June when striking workers at Giai Duc Special Material Company in Phu Nghia Commune tried to prevent a lorry from passing through the firm's gate.

Minh, the firm's chief security guard, asked the workers to allow the lorry to pass. Minh then climbed into the cab of the lorry and pressed the vehicle's horn, but the workers persisted. He then drove the lorry into the company's compound, while the workers tried to bar his way, killing Nguyen Thi Lieu and injuring seven other female workers.

Minh's family paid Lieu's family VND15 million (US$700) and the other injured workers between VND300,000 to VND5 million.

Giai Duc Company reportedly also gave the victims hundreds of million of dong.

Marseille, Hanoi foster cultural, health ties

Hanoi has asked the French city of Marseille for help in the supply of advanced, modern medical equipment and human resources training.

Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, made the proposal when receiving a senior delegation from Marseille, led by Deputy Mayor Jacques Rocca in the capital on April 24.

Ngoc said that the Hanoi People’s Committee has approved a plan to develop its health sector to 2020 and orientation towards 2030.

Under the plan, the city will build 10 top quality hospitals by 2015, and it needs help from outside investors.

Both cities should also strengthen cultural cooperation on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of bilateral ties, she added.

Deputy Mayor Rocca agreed with Ngoc’s proposal to boost cultural exchanges and encourage businesses to invest in the city’s infrastructure, transport management and conservation projects in the Old Quarter, as these are Marseille’s strong points.

Hanoi has now established relations with over 100 capitals and cities around the world, including many French cities. There are 57 French investors in Hanoi, with a total registered capital of almost US$180 million.

VNN/VOV/VNS/Tuoi Tre