Outstanding domestic news of the past week

1. The 21st session of the National Assembly Standing Committee

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan delivered the opening speech at the meeting. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA

On the morning of February 7, the 21st session of the National Assembly Standing Committee opened at the National Assembly House. In her opening speech, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said that taking place in one day, the 21st session of the National Assembly Standing Committee gave opinions on issues with different opinions on the draft Law on Denunciation (amended) and the draft Law on amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Physical Training and Sports.

The National Assembly Standing Committee considered and decided on the establishment of Tien Chau ward and Nam Viem ward in Phuc Yen town and the establishment of Phuc Yen city in Vinh Phuc province; considered and approved the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to a number of countries for the 2018-2021 term.

2. Press conference at the beginning of the spring of Mau Tuat 2018

Overview of the Press Conference on February 6, 2018 in Hanoi.

On the morning of February 6, in Hanoi, the Central Propaganda Department coordinated with the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Vietnam Journalists Association, and Vietnam Television to organize the Spring Press Conference of Mau Tuat 2018.

Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department Pham Van Linh emphasized that after many years, our country has had another year that has created excitement throughout society. 13/13 socio-economic development targets have been achieved, especially in GDP growth, the average living standard has increased to nearly 2,400 USD/person... Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department also affirmed that many of the country's achievements, thanks to the press informing society, have made the people happy.

Also at the meeting, the Central Propaganda Department affirmed that it does not want a bland press, does not want a meeting lacking information.

3. Disciplinary action to remove Mr. Le Phuoc Thanh from office

Former Secretary of the Quang Nam Provincial Party Committee Le Phuoc Thanh (term 2010-2015) was disciplined by being dismissed from office. Photo: VietNamNet.

On February 5, the Secretariat met under the chairmanship of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to consider the proposal of the Central Inspection Committee to discipline Mr. Le Phuoc Thanh, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee (term 2010-2015, Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Nam province term 2011-2016).

The Secretariat found that Mr. Le Phuoc Thanh's violations and shortcomings were very serious, negatively affecting the reputation of the Party organization and himself, and causing bad public opinion among cadres, Party members and the people.

Pursuant to the Politburo's Regulations on disciplinary action against violating Party members, the Secretariat decided to discipline Mr. Le Phuoc Thanh by removing him from the position of Provincial Party Secretary (term 2010-2015).

Mr. Phan Van Anh Vu (Vu "aluminum")

On the afternoon of February 7, the Ministry of Public Security's Electronic Information Portal released a notice from the Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Police Agency, regarding the investigation agency's investigation into the cases of "Intentionally revealing state secrets" and "Tax evasion", which occurred in Da Nang City and several localities by the accused Phan Van Anh Vu, also known as Vu "nhom", pursuant to Decision No. 06/QD-VKSTC-V1 dated January 6, 2018 of the Supreme People's Procuracy.

During the extended investigation of the case, on February 7, 2018, the Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Police Agency issued a Decision to prosecute the criminal case, a Decision to prosecute the accused, and a 4-month detention order against the accused Phan Van Anh Vu for the act of "Taking advantage of position and power while performing official duties", as prescribed in Article 356 of the 2015 Penal Code to investigate and clarify all violations of the law by Phan Van Anh Vu and related individuals and organizations in the purchase and sale of public houses and lands in Da Nang City and several other provinces and cities.

5.Da Nang disciplines 5 key officials and leaders

Da Nang disciplined and reprimanded 5 key officials.

On February 5, the Inspection Committee of the Da Nang City Party Committee announced disciplinary action against five key officials and leaders.

Accordingly, the Inspection Committee of the Da Nang City Party Committee has reviewed and disciplined Ms. Tran Thi Kim Oanh, Deputy Head of the City Party Committee's Internal Affairs Committee; Mr. Tran Huy Duc, Party Secretary, Chief Inspector of Da Nang City; Ms. Le Thi Thu Hanh, Party Secretary, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Da Nang City and Mr. Tran Van Chung, Party Cell Secretary, Head of the Economic Security Department, Da Nang City Police.

The City Party Committee's Inspection Committee has reviewed the shortcomings and violations of the four above-mentioned officials in their collective signing of a document containing denunciations and violations of Regulation No. 47-QD/TW dated November 1, 2011 of the Central Executive Committee on things that party members are not allowed to do; and using the seals of agencies and units not in accordance with current regulations.

Pursuant to the Politburo's regulations on disciplinary action against violating party members; considering the nature, level, harm, and cause of the violation, the City Party Committee's Inspection Committee decided to impose disciplinary action in the form of reprimand on all four officials.

6. Controversy over releasing swans into Hoan Kiem Lake

The flock of swans swimming on Hoan Kiem Lake for less than a day were taken to Thien Quang Lake.

On the afternoon of February 5, Hanoi Drainage One Member Co., Ltd. piloted the release of 12 white and black swans imported from Belgium into Hoan Kiem Lake. Many tourists and residents were delighted with the sight of the swans swimming and flapping their wings on the lake's surface. However, on the night of February 5, the swans were moved to Thien Quang Lake.

Releasing swans into Hoan Kiem Lake is a pilot project of Hanoi Drainage Company. Immediately after completing dredging and adding water to Hoan Kiem Lake, this unit will test releasing swans in a corner of the lake and surround it with nets to create a landscape and highlight for tourists and residents to visit and admire.

However, the pilot swan release in Hoan Kiem Lake was temporarily suspended due to many conflicting opinions.

At nearly 4:00 p.m. the same day, the male student's body was found.

The incident happened at noon on February 8 at Ghep River (Ghep Bridge section), Hai Chau Commune, Tinh Gia District, Thanh Hoa.

According to local people, at 12:30, Ms. Loan (a teacher at Hai Chau Secondary School) and her two children went to Ghep River to release carp on Tao Quan Day. Due to slipping, all three mother and children drowned.

Seeing someone struggling and calling for help, Hoang Duc Hai (in Hong Ky village, Hai Ninh commune, Tinh Gia district) jumped into the river and swam out to save them.After bringing Loan and her three children to shore, Hai became exhausted from the cold and gradually sank.

Hoang Duc Hai is a fourth-year student at a university in Hanoi. He was home for Tet holiday when the accident happened.