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Worsening outdoor air pollution and toxic lead poisoning have kept global deaths from environmental contamination at an estimated 9 million per year since 2015 – countering modest progress made in tackling pollution elsewhere, a team of scientists reported Tuesday. Air pollution from industry processes along with urbanization drove a 7% increase in pollution-related deaths from 2015 to 2019, according to the scientists’ analysis of data on global mortality and pollution levels. "We're sitting in the stew pot and slowly burning," said Richard Fuller, a study co-author and head of the global nonprofit Pure Earth. But unlike climate change, malaria, or HIV, "we haven't given (environmental pollution) much focus." An earlier version of the work published in 2017 also estimated the death toll from pollution at roughly 9 million per year — or about one of every six deaths worldwide — and the cost to the global economy at up to $4.6 trillion per year. That puts pollution on par with … [Read more...] about Pollution killing 9 million people a year, Africa hardest hit: study

"Even in the very tough environment we are seeing, our employees have maintained a high quality and reliable service for our customers and this is helping us deliver stellar performance year after year," said Jens Lottner, CEO of Techcombank. Last year, the bank continued to reduce costs while focusing on building deposits in its current accounts and savings accounts (CASA), which Lottner described as a "stable and cheap" source of funding. Techcombank’s CASA ratio, which reflects the percentage of the bank’s total deposits that are CASA, jumped from 46.1 percent in 2020 to 50.5 percent last year, on its way to the bank’s target of 55 percent by 2025. Techcombank’s net interest margin (NIM), a measure of the difference between the interest received by the bank and the amount paid out to lenders, also increased 69 basis points to 5.6 percent during the year. "Together, these improving metrics, along with our effective cost management, translated into an excellent profit before tax … [Read more...] about Techcombank eyes seat at top Southeast Asian banking table

In 2000, the canal that flows two kilometers through Districts 5 and 6 was filled up following heavy pollution and serious encroachment. By then, the canal spread only two kilometers wide with blackish and stinky water. To continue its drainage function, a concrete box culvert was installed. Fifteen years later, the city decided to recover the canal with a three-phase project that cost VND2 trillion ($86.2 million) to build a drainage system and relocate affected households. The project was to complete in 2020 but got delayed. In 2020, a section 200 meters long and 14-16 meters wide in District 6 was revived, with the two banks turned into a park. At a section meeting Lo Gom Canal in District 6, work has been deployed to establish a water pumping station. To revive the canal, more than 24,000 cubic meters of soil and rock has been dug up. Around one kilometer away, a section 100 meters long between Chu … [Read more...] about HCMC revives polluted canal with $86.2-million project

The temple commemorates soldiers who laid down their lives in the Dien Bien Phu battlefield. It covers 50,000 sq.m. and costs 105 billion VND (about 4.5 million USD), including 90 billion VND funded by Lien Viet Post Commercial Joint Stock Bank and the remainder from the local budget. Speaking at the ceremony, President Phuc said he felt grateful for great President Ho Chi Minh, General Vo Nguyen Giap, officers and soldiers, young volunteers, and people’s sacrifices for the victory in Dien Bien Phu. The martyrs' temple is a work of profound political and social meaning, reflecting the deep affection and gratitude of the Party, State and people throughout the country for the heroic martyrs in Dien Bien Phu, and meeting the needs and aspirations of people, war veterans, those with meritorious services to the revolution, and martyrs' relatives. The President said it will educate younger generations about the country’s revolutionary traditions and connect with other cultural and … [Read more...] about Temple dedicated to martyrs inaugurated in Dien Bien province