Forest fires supercharged by climate change are burning twice as much global tree cover as 20 years ago, according to a data Wednesday showing the equivalent of 16 football pitches are now lost every minute. The research showed in unprecedented detail how wildfires have progressed over the past two decades, with the blazes claiming an estimated three more million hectares each year -- an area the size of Belgium -- compared with 2001. The study showed that the majority of tree cover loss is occurring in the boreal forests that blanket much of Russia, Canada and Alaska, which are among the largest storers of carbon on Earth. Researchers from the University of Maryland used satellite imagery to map areas of tree cover lost, including that burned by what are known as stand-replacing forest fires. These are fires that kill all or most of the forest's canopy and which cause long-term changes to forest structure and soil chemistry. The data showed 2021 to be one of the worst years … [Read more...] about Climate change driving unprecedented forest fire loss
Air defence command
Naval Region 2 stands side by side with fishermen
The event was attended by Naval Region 2’s Second-in-Command Naval Captain Dinh Van Thang; Chief of the Department of Politics of the Naval Region 2 Command Naval Captain Do Hong Duyen; Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province Pham Thi Na, and representatives of the district. On this occasion, doctors and medical staff from Le Van Thinh Hospital (Thu Duc city, Ho Chi Minh City) also joined the program. During the program, the troops distributed 500 leaflets to fishermen to popularize information about maritime boundary delimitation agreements between Vietnam and neighboring countries; legal documents on safe, sustainable and lawful fishing and fishing in line with environmental protection; and illegal fishing; among others. In addition, the Naval Region 2 Command also presented 500 national flags, 50 gifts, 100 life jackets, and 30 medical bags to needy fishermen; and provided them with free health check-ups and … [Read more...] about Naval Region 2 stands side by side with fishermen
Military units hold Youth Union Congress
* Military Region 4 (MR4) held the tenth congress of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union for the 2022-2027 tenure in Vinh city, Nghe An province. According to a report delivered at the congress, over the past five years, under the leadership and directions of the Military Region 4 Command and the Department of Political Affairs, MR4 has carried out youth programs and movements in an effective and comprehensive manner, achieving all set targets, implementing the five-year action program (2017-2022), building a strong military region, and meeting the requirements of military-defense missions in the new situation, among others. In the next five years, MR4 will further promote youth union’s activities and youth movements to build a healthy and strong Youth Union organization, a comprehensively strong, “exemplary and typical” unit, and improve the efficiency of coordination activities with other agencies and units. At the congress, the participants elected 17 delegates to … [Read more...] about Military units hold Youth Union Congress
Why do workers opt for HD SAISON’s loan package?
HD SAISON has unveiled a preferential loan package of VND10 trillion (US$429.78 million) for workers at industrial parks across the country with the stated goal of protecting them from loan sharks. — Photo courtesy of the company HD SAISON, a subsidiary of HDBank, has earmarked a loan package of VND10 trillion (US$429.78 million) at half the market interest rate for workers at industrial parks across the country. Through this, it hopes to help the government stabilise the economy and ensure social security, and protect workers from loan sharks. Workers expressed happiness on hearing about the package. HD SAISON will lend from this package until the end of 2023 at an interest rate of 20 per cent a year compared to the normal rate of 40-50 per cent. Borrowers can roll over their loans for several years. For the sake of workers An HD SAISON spokesperson said the company was honoured to be chosen by the Government and the State Bank of Vietnam as one of two consumer finance … [Read more...] about Why do workers opt for HD SAISON’s loan package?
Vietnam keen on Israel’s experience in fields of strength
Pesident Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and former Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Barak (Photro: VNA) During a reception for former Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Barak in Hanoi on August 17, Phuc said as a partner with friendship and comprehensive partnership, including in national defence-security, Israel has become an important partner of Vietnam. Vietnam wishes to learn from Israel’s experience in choosing and training talents to build a strong country, he said. He suggested the two countries regularly maintain high-level visits and offer mutual support at international forums and organisations. With two-way trade of US$1.14 billion in the first half of this year, up 55 percent, the two countries need to further work on this field, he said. As Vietnam is performing the policy of building a sustainable digital society by 2025, with a vision to 2030, the country wants to learn from Israel’s experience in ensuring security and national sovereignty over cyberspace, he said. The host … [Read more...] about Vietnam keen on Israel’s experience in fields of strength
☕ Afternoon briefing on August 17
Hanoi, (VNA) – The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency on August 17. – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reaffirmed the importance of developing high-quality human resources for agriculture, while attending an innovation event and job fair of the Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA) in Hanoi on August 17. The Government leader and others visited an exhibition of scientific and technological models and products by the VNUA’s businesses and partners. Read full story – Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on August 17 asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) to review the operation of household businesses in the tourism sector affected by the COVID-19. The ministry should coordinate with core travel firms to form key routes connecting localities, the official said at a meeting of the State Steering Committee for Tourism in Hanoi which assessed the implementation of tourism recovery solutions. Read full … [Read more...] about ☕ Afternoon briefing on August 17