Viet Nam News By Paul Kennedy Criminal gangs from Việt Nam are running a vast network of illegal cannabis farms across the United Kingdom, with many trafficking unsuspecting children into Britain to carry out the dirty work. ECPAT UK, one of the UK’s leading children’s rights organisations, says there has been a huge rise in the number of farms in recent years, with many using youngsters from Việt Nam as ‘gardeners’ to work in dangerous conditions. In the past, cannabis was smuggled into the United Kingdom from mainland Europe but because the risks were too high, most is now cultivated in the UK. And officials say it is Vietnamese gangs who are controlling the supply. ECPAT’s work has uncovered horror stories of children trafficked from Việt Nam being beaten and threatened with death if they refuse to do as they are told. Many are also arrested during police raids, and end up in prison because they are too scared to tell officers … [Read more...] about The farms where no Vietnamese should ever work
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Hanoi wishes for Israel’s cooperation in hi-tech farming
Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Doan Toan (Photo: kinhtedothi.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – Hanoi wants Israeli firms who always pioneer in applying science and technology in agricultural production to cooperate with and support the city in hi-tech farming. The statement was made by Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Doan Toan at a November 7 conference co-held by the committee and the Israeli Embassy in Vietnam as part of activities to celebrate the 25th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties. Israel is a country that possesses a modern and creative agriculture sector that has made significant achievements, given the country’s harsh natural conditions such as lack of fresh water and high desertification. “Therefore, Hanoi wishes to receive Israel support in the field so that it can soon fulfill its goal of becoming an agricultural production and consumption centre in the region as well as a leading farm produce … [Read more...] about Hanoi wishes for Israel’s cooperation in hi-tech farming
Discovery of London cannabis farms raises child slavery fears
Experts raised the warning on Monday, after new figures emerged showing the scale of cultivation of the illegal drug. Police have found 314 illegal cannabis farms in the British capital since 2016, according to official data obtained by the London Evening Standard newspaper, the equivalent of one every two days. Experts say children are being trafficked from Vietnam and other countries to work in these farms, which are often located in residential properties, and that the scale of the problem has been vastly underestimated. “The high number of cannabis farms across London and trafficking of Vietnamese children to work in them is extremely worrying,” said Jakub Sobik, a spokesman for Anti-Slavery International. “Potentially thousands of children and young people are being trafficked from Vietnam and exploited by ruthless criminal gangs,” he said. Catherine Baker, policy officer at anti-child trafficking organization ECPAT U.K., said authorities often treated … [Read more...] about Discovery of London cannabis farms raises child slavery fears
Davao City exerts of beguiling charm
Walking curve: Part of a 700-metre suspension bridge at Hijo Resorts Davao. — VNS Photo Trần Văn Giáp Viet Nam News It is easy to “get lost” in the many attractions that the largest city in the Philippines offers, discovers Xuân Hương. I have to confess that despite being a fellow ASEAN member, my knowledge of the Philippines was relatively scant, and impressions limited. Of course, I knew the Philippines and Việt Nam shared recent experiences of devastation wrought by natural disasters. My curiosity was piqued therefore, when I got the opportunity to visit a city that I heard was naturally protected from disasters and which enjoyed stable weather all year round. Another confession I have to make is that despite doing some research before going on the familiarisation trip organised by the Philippines Department of Tourism and sponsored by Philippine Airlines, I was more than pleasantly surprised by Davao City. What … [Read more...] about Davao City exerts of beguiling charm
TH Group expects IPO in Singapore within next two years
The first phase of TH Group's milk processing complex in Russia broke ground in 2016 and was inaugurated one year later TH Group is planning to be listed on the stock exchange in the next two years. Group founder and chairwoman Thai Huong said that the IPO will be conducted in Singapore. Since late last year, TH Group has consulted several financial institutions to prepare its plans for the initial public offering (IPO) of its dairy business. TH Group set the revenue target of $1 billion from the dairy business before listing. The proceeds of the IPO will be used to develop their domestic market and expand business in Russia. On the note of listing on overseas stock exchanges, one year ago, Vietjet announced intentions to become the first Vietnamese company to list its shares on a foreign stock exchange. Currently, the carrier controls more than 40 per cent of the domestic air transport market and seeks more funds after spending billions of dollars to purchase aircraft. A number of … [Read more...] about TH Group expects IPO in Singapore within next two years
Asia markets boosted by Wall St surge, Iran fears lift oil
Most Asia markets rose on Monday (May 7) following a blistering lead from Wall Street as a soft jobs report soothed concerns about rising US interest rates, while oil prices extended a rally ahead of Donald Trump's decision on the Iran nuclear deal. Donald Trump has said he will decide by May 12 on whether or not to dump the Iran nuclear deal. (Photo: AFP/Yuri Gripas) All three main indexes in New York clocked up sizeable gains Friday after the closely watched non-farm payrolls report showed unemployment at an 18-year low - but fewer-than-expected jobs were created in April and average earnings missed estimates. The figures soothed anxieties that the Federal Reserve could lift borrowing costs four times this year owing to a pick-up in inflation and a strengthening economy. Those worries have acted as a weight on global markets in recent weeks. Hong Kong was 0.2 per cent higher and Shanghai surged 1.5 per cent, while Sydney was 0.4 per cent up. Wellington, Taipei, Jakarta and … [Read more...] about Asia markets boosted by Wall St surge, Iran fears lift oil
50 live crocodiles from Malaysia seized at London airport
British officials have seized an illegal shipment of 50 live crocodiles at London Heathrow Airport, the UK Border Force said on Friday (May 4). Saltwater crocodiles from Malaysia found at London Heathrow Airport had not been packed in accordance with international regulations, making the importation illegal. (Photo: AFP/Arno Burgi) The year-old juvenile saltwater crocodiles were found crammed into five boxes coming from Malaysia. The were bound for a farm in Cambridgeshire, eastern England, where they were to be bred for their meat. The animals had not been packed in accordance with international regulations, making the importation illegal. Each box only had room for four crocodiles but 10 had been packed into each one. "It is just not acceptable for reptiles to be transported in this way," said Grant Miller, head of the national Border Force Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) at Heathrow. "The crocodiles had started to fight each other during the … [Read more...] about 50 live crocodiles from Malaysia seized at London airport
Fast food and its invasion of Vietnam’s culinary paradise
For seven happy years, from 2003 to 2010, I lived on Tran Hung Dao Street, Hanoi. Right behind our elegant French villa, within a few blocks, there was a food paradise. The area to the south was full of wonderful eating places, from grand restaurants to sidewalk cafés. I loved the oceanic taste of stir fried squid, the freshness of rice-paper spring rolls, the strength of beef in black pepper sauce… But perhaps my biggest favorite was bun cha, which we used to purchase from a little restaurant on Le Van Huu Street, to eat at home on Sundays. Renowned chef Anthony Bourdain once wrote: “You don’t have to go looking for great food in Vietnam. Great food finds you. It’s everywhere. In restaurants, cafes, little storefronts, in the streets; carried in makeshift portable kitchens on yokes borne by women vendors.” I was not at all surprised that the little restaurant on Le Van Huu Street where we used to buy our Sunday bun cha was the place where … [Read more...] about Fast food and its invasion of Vietnam’s culinary paradise
Social News 28/3
Tay Ninh: Police bust drug trafficking ring Police in the southwestern province of Tay Ninh are teaming up with relevant forces to investigate the trafficking of 11kg of methamphetamine. On March 22, two Cambodians namely Buy Bunly, 51, and Lim So Thea, 34, both residing in Tbong Khmum province of Cambodia, were caught transporting 5kg of myth by motorbike in Thanh Tay commune, Tan Bien district, Tay Ninh province. The provincial drug crime investigation police also seized a gun and six bullets. On March 23 night, they arrested six people relating to a drug ring in ward 4, Tay Ninh city, comprising Phan Thi Mong Cam, Phung Ngoc Tan, Pham Hong Thai, Tran Quang Khanh, Nguyen Hoang Sang and Huynh Han Song, all residing in Tay Ninh city. These suspects confessed that they were waiting for the drugs. In the early morning of March 24, the police forces arrested eight other people involved, along with another 6kg of myth, more than 5 billion VND (220,000 … [Read more...] about Social News 28/3
Social News 15/1
Small-scale coffee farmer gets helping handLò Thị Phong from Chiềng Chung Commune in Mai Sơn District in the mountain province of Sơn La, has cultivated coffee for more than 10 years on 5,000 square metres of land, but she still finds life difficult.A decade seems long enough to improve farmining practices by trial-and-error, however, according to the middle-aged Thái woman, “even now, we still cannot keep proper financial accounts”.During discussions hosted by CARE International last week, stakeholders in the mountain coffee industry touched on deeper obstacles facing the industry.CARE has worked in Việt Nam since 1989, concentrating on supporting rights and sustainable development among vulnerable groups, particularly remote ethnic communities, poor women and girls and people vulnerable to climate change.Nguyễn Vĩnh Đức, deputy director of the Sơn La branch of the Minh Tiến Coffee Export Joint Stock … [Read more...] about Social News 15/1