Wild orchid plants are transplanted on a tree in the courtyard of Dak Lak Provincial Museum. (Photo: SGGP) The Vietnam Association for the Conservation of Wild Orchids, the Institute of Biotechnology and Environment under Tay Nguyen University, Orchid Lovers 47, Dak Lak Urban and Environment Joint Stock Company, and Dak Lak Orchid Association, in collaboration with Dak Lak Provincial Museum, organized the program ‘Bringing wild orchids back to nature’ on August 14. Accordingly, tens of thousands of wild orchids have been sent there by orchid lovers across the country to be grafted onto the trees in the courtyard of Dak Lak Provincial Museum and Bao Dai Summer Palace. Thousands of wild orchid plants are sent to Dak Lak Province by wild orchid lovers across the country. (Photo: SGGP) The courtyard of Dak Lak Provincial Museum and Bao Dai Summer Palace has an area of more than 6 hectares, considered a biodiversity area in the center of Buon Ma Thuot City with many rare … [Read more...] about Thousands of wild orchid plants brought back to nature
Summer escapes 8ft quick set pool
At least 41 killed in Egyptian church fire, security sources say
An electrical fire broke out just before 9 a.m. (0700 GMT) during Mass as 5,000 people gathered at the Coptic Abu Sifin church in the Imbaba neighbourhood, the sources said. The fire blocked an entrance to the church, causing a stampede, they said, adding that most of those killed were children. "People were gathering on the third and fourth floor, and we saw smoke coming from the second floor. People rushed to go down the stairs and stared falling on top of each other," said Yasir Munir, a worshipper at the church. "Then we heard a bang and sparks and fire coming out of the window," he said, saying he and his daughter were on the ground floor and able to escape. Electrical fires of this kind are not a rare occurrence in Egypt; in late 2020, a fire at a hospital treating Covid-19 patients killed at least seven people and injured several others. Giza, Egypt's second-largest city, lies just across the Nile from Cairo. "I offer my sincere condolences to the families of the … [Read more...] about At least 41 killed in Egyptian church fire, security sources say
SHB gets approval to raise capital
Clients at an SHB branch. The bank was given the nod on capital expansion. — Photo courtesy of SHB The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has given the Saigon Hanoi Commercial JS Bank (SHB) the go-ahead to raise its charter capital to VNĐ26,674 billion (US$1.1 billion). The rise is the first part of SHB's plan to reach VNĐ36,459 billion in capital in 2022 to position itself among the three private commercial banks with the largest charter capital. SHB said it had submitted the plan, passed by its shareholder general meeting, to SBV for approval. Under the plan, SHB was also set to pay a dividend yield of 15 per cent to its existing shareholders for the financial year 2021 and offer a total of 45.12 million new shares for VNĐ12,500 apiece to its employees and the shareholders. By late June, SHB had VNĐ522 trillion in total assets, VNĐ471 trillion in total deposits and VNĐ390 trillion in total credit. It made a six-month before-tax profit of VNĐ5.9 trillion, up 84 per cent … [Read more...] about SHB gets approval to raise capital
Live-fire test for weapons on armored vehicles
PANO – The Ministry of National Defence on May 23rd tested ugraded weapons on armored vehicles, reviewed and approved them, at the K3 firing ground of Military Zone 9, with the presence of Senior Lieutenant General Truong Quang Khanh, Deputy Minister of National Defence. Senior Lieutenant General Truong Quang Khanh inspects an upgraded weapon on the armored vehicle With careful preparations, participating units fulfilled all set targets with full safety. General Khanh applauded the units and said that the above results would pave the way for producing weapons and military equipment in the coming time for training and combat readiness, contributing to promoting combined strength of the army. Earlier, the general had inspected the Can Tho city Military Command. At the working session, he asked the unit to strengthen troops’ political stance, effectively manage and use weapons and equipment. Translated by Pham Huy … [Read more...] about Live-fire test for weapons on armored vehicles
HCMC key traffic infrastructure projects delayed for years over land clearance, fund issues
In 2016, Ho Chi Minh City drew up plans for a series of projects in the Tan Son Nhat International Airport area, an important traffic hub that connects with downtown areas of several districts like Tan Binh, Tan Phu and Go Vap. Among the projects were overpasses over the Truong Son Road, the Nguyen Thai Son-Nguyen Kiem intersection and expansion of the Hoang Minh Giam Road, which were all completed within three years and helped relieve traffic congestion in the area. But several other projects have suffered repeated delays, including a road to connect the major streets of Cong Hoa and Tran Quoc Hoan. This 4 km road with an investment of over VND4.8 trillion ($205.1 million), has been delayed by land clearance issues, mostly related to military land. About 15 km away, traffic at the Cat Lai Port area in Thu Duc City has also been a headache for years. Since 2016, HCMC has worked on the first phase of a My Thuy Intersection project, which includes overpasses, underground tunnels … [Read more...] about HCMC key traffic infrastructure projects delayed for years over land clearance, fund issues
Politburo to review US$59-billion North-South express railway in September
Construction priorities are for sections Hanoi – Vinh and Nha Trang – Ho Chi Minh City. The Politburo, the country’s supreme decision-making body, is set to discuss the investment plan for the North-South express railway project in September. The project is set to be completed by 2050. Photo: Lam Anh A feasibility study conducted by the Ministry of Transport (MoT) suggested constructing a new electrified 1,435mm double-track express railway on the North-South axis with a total length of 1,545 kilometers. The high-speed rail route will be operated by an electric multiple units (EMU) train with an average speed of 320 kilometers per hour. The MoT estimated the total investment capital to be around US$58.71 billion, in which $1.98 billion would be allocated for site clearance, $31.58 billion for construction cost, $15 billion for equipment and project management, and nearly $10 billion for contingency and other expenses. To ensure the effective … [Read more...] about Politburo to review US$59-billion North-South express railway in September