After being cleaned, bagged and tested, the skeletons will be reburied on consecrated ground. (AFP/Adrian DENNIS) They have already unearthed the first 1,200 skeletons from St James Gardens, a park next to the Euston terminal, which was a cemetery between 1788 and around 1853. It is one of Britain's largest ever digs, and one of more than 60 archaeological sites that have emerged during the construction of a new high-speed rail link from London to Birmingham. Since experts began work at Euston a few weeks ago, the site has been transformed into muddy, stepped trenches and excavations as deep as eight metres. Dozens of archaeologists in high-visibility orange suits and hard hats swarm one section of the plot under an 11,000 square-metre roof that protects them from the rain and prying eyes. Their work has exposed remarkably well-preserved graves, protected from water damage by the clay that characterises much of the ground in London. In one, the stone cover was removed to reveal an … [Read more...] about Skeletons unearthed in giant UK train line excavation
Giant city state park
Convenience retail giants expand networks slowly in Vietnam
VietNamNet Bridge - 7-Eleven, which has been prospering in Thailand, and GS25, which dominates the South Korean market, still have not fulfilled their plans to expand retail networks in Vietnam. Vietnam is a promising retail market Vu Thanh Tu, CEO of 7-Eleven in Vietnam, stated in June 2017, when the first 7-Eleven shop opened in HCM City that the chain would develop 1,000 shops in the next 10 years, while steamed sticky rice, summer rolls and lunches will be key food products of the chain. Vietnamese do not have the habit of taking away meals to have lunch on the pavement or in parks. Therefore, it would be better to serve lunch in a designated space with seats. In late 2017, GS Retail, which is running the GS25 convenience store chain in South Korea, came to Vietnam through cooperation with Sonkimland. RELATED NEWS Big Japanese retailers compete with smaller Vietnamese counterparts 7-Eleven recruiting in Vietnam Mai Lan … [Read more...] about Convenience retail giants expand networks slowly in Vietnam
National parks focus on eco-tourism development
Viet Nam News ĐÀ NẴNG — "Việt Nam’s nature reserves and national parks are aiming to boost eco-tourism to facilitate both conservation and economic growth, but their efforts have been hampered by a lack of planning, human resources and funds," said Lê Văn Lanh of the National Association for Nature Reserves in Việt Nam. Lanh, speaking at a conference in Đà Nẵng on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the central and central highlands regions last weekend, said just 61 out of the country’s 167 nature reserves had developed eco-tourism services in line with sustainable development goals. Slow planning and poor long-term strategies by State agencies and local administrations had left sites of rich biodiversity facing an uncertain future. He stressed that many tourism services in nature reserves were not actually eco-tourism. Often, tourism merely serves to make money through entrance … [Read more...] about National parks focus on eco-tourism development
Former South Korean president Park jailed 24 years for corruption
The ruling is seen as a blow to South Korean ousted leader Park Geun-Hye, who has been separately standing trial after being impeached in March and indicted on 18 charges including bribery, coercion and abuse of power (AFP Photo/JUNG YEON-JE) She was found guilty on charges of bribery, coercion and abuse of power, and ordered to pay a fine of 18 billion won (US$17 million). "The amount of bribery the accused received or demanded in collaboration with Choi amounts to more than 23 billion won," Judge Kim Se-Yoon said, referring to Park's secret confidante and long-time friend Choi Soon-sil. "I sentence the accused to 24 years in prison and 18 billion won in fines." Park, 66, had boycotted most of the trial in protest at being held in custody. She was not present in court for Friday's judgement which, in a rare move, was broadcast live on television. Prosecutors were seeking a 30-year sentence and a 118.5 billion won fine for Park, after indicting her on charges that included bribery, … [Read more...] about Former South Korean president Park jailed 24 years for corruption
South Korea’s Park jailed for 24 years for corruption
South Korea's disgraced former president Park Geun-hye was jailed for 24 years Friday for corruption, closing out a dramatic fall from grace for the country's first woman leader who became a figure of public fury and ridicule. A trial which lasted more than 10 months ended with Park being found guilty on multiple criminal charges, including bribery and abuse of power. Park's successor described the sentencing as a "heartbreaking event" for both the nation and the ex-leader herself. "The accused abused the power bestowed by the people - the true ruler of this country - to cause chaos in national administration," said Judge Kim Se-yoon. "Despite all these crimes the accused denied all the charges against her, displayed no remorse and showed an incomprehensible attitude by blaming Choi and other ... officials," he said, referring to Park's secret confidante and long-time friend Choi Soon-sil. Park, 66, was convicted of receiving or demanding more than $20 million from conglomerates, … [Read more...] about South Korea’s Park jailed for 24 years for corruption