Last year, Qatar's finance minister Ali Sharif Al-Emadi said his country was determined to have everything ready for the 2022 World Cup well before fans started landing in the Gulf. The already-completed Khalifa International Stadium in Doha will host the World Athletics Championships next year AFP/KARIM JAAFAR "We don't want to be painting while people arrive in the country," he said, before going on to reveal Qatar is spending almost US$500 million (430 million euros) a week on infrastructure projects for football's biggest tournament. It is highly unlikely that any visitor to the World Cup is going to see rushed last-minute preparations. With four and a half years until the 2022 World Cup kicks off, Qatar is ahead of schedule when it comes to venues, related major projects and even paint. Of the eight stadiums it will build or renovate for 2022, one - Khalifa International - is already open and will host the World Athletics Championships next year. Two more, Al-Wakrah and … [Read more...] about Qatar ploughs ahead with World Cup plans despite crises
Tracks ahead schedule
Government to press ahead with high-speed railway project
If approved, the Hanoi-Vinh and Ho Chi Minh City-Nha Trang sections will be built first from 2022 and scheduled for completion by 2030. Vietnam currently has 3,134 kilometres of railway tracks, of which 2,531 kilometres run along the length of the country, however, all are narrow gauge tracks, putting constraints on train speed and transport capacity. After years of lacking proper investment, railway tracks and other facilities have deteriorated, making it less favourable than other modes of transport. The government argues that due to Vietnam’s specific geography with the two economic hubs of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City located on the two ends of the country, it is necessary to build a transport system connecting the two cities with other industrial and tourism centres situated throughout the country. A high-speed railway is also expected to help reduce road and air congestion on the north-south axis. The government has stated that the project will be studied carefully and built … [Read more...] about Government to press ahead with high-speed railway project
EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY (daily updated)
Exhibition "Space Minimization" Opening: Tue 19 Feb, 6 pm Exhibition: 19 Feb - 18 Mar 2013 L'Espace 24 Trang Tien, Hanoi You are invited to the exhibition "Space Minimization" of Vu Kim Thu who uses both Vietnamese paper - the "xuyen chi" paper and washi paper (a traditional Japanese paper) to create 3D maps. These small sculptures are the contrast of the peaceful scenery of the mountains, rivers in the countryside where she has recently participated in the camp with the dynamic of Hanoi with automobiles and unrest movement. Free entrance. New Year Gala Concert 21 and 22 Feb 2013, 8 pm Hanoi Opera House 1 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội Come to the New Year Gala Concert with conductor Tetsuji Honna, guitar soloist MURAJI Kaori and Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra. For more information, see below: PROGRAM G.Rossini Overture "La Gazza Ladra" G.Bizet L'arlesienne suite No.2 Joaquin Rodrigo "Concierto de aranjuez" for Guitar and Orchestra Interval M. Ravel Bolero Tickets Ticket prices: 200000, … [Read more...] about EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY (daily updated)
Son La power project on track
Son La power project on track (22-08-2005) Workers constructing a canal of Son La Hydroelectricity project. — VNA/VNS Photo Ngoc Ha SON LA — The Son La hydroelectric project is in a race against time to relocate families displaced by the project. Construction of the 2,400MW power plant is scheduled to begin in November. To make room for the plant, provincial authorities in Son La must resettle 2,208 households from the construction and reservoir site. However, by mid-August, only 211 had been relocated. Son La authorities hope that, by early September, all 433 households living in the area that will be flooded by the 140m depth of the reservoir will be removed to safer locations. Nam EtCommune in Quynh Nhai District has 171 households with more than 850 people, most of whom are members of the Thai ethnic minority. Though the number of households is modest, transporting them to resettlement areas is a major problem. The commune has several villages, and their only … [Read more...] about Son La power project on track
VN’s realization of MDGs well on track
VGP - Việt Nam is taking the lead in the Asia-Pacific region in realizing UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on schedule. It is also the first country in Southeast Asia to construct policies on fee payments for ecosystem-related services, said reports at the 66th session of the UN Economic-Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). At the session from May 17-19 in the Republic of Korea, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Đoàn Xuân Hưng, representing the Vietnamese delegation, highlighted the country's MDGs-related achievements, including green growth. He proposed the UN and the international community provide stronger assistance to countries in the region, helping them stabilize macro economy, foster growth, ensure social security and fulfill MDGs. Leaders of 62 delegations agreed that since mid-2009, the world's economy has been recovering, the Asia-Pacific's growth has been reached 4%, the highest rate seen among regions in the world. The realization of MDGs has … [Read more...] about VN’s realization of MDGs well on track