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
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CT Group wins at HR Asia Awards 2022
This score is 25 per cent higher than the average score of businesses competing across Asia in 2022 and far ahead of the average score for the Vietnamese nominations. To achieve this position – one that many businesses across the continent aim for – is not easy because the list of Asia's Best Places to Work is selected through an extremely rigorous evaluation process via the Total Engagement Assessment Model – a model based on the criteria of Core, Self, and Group that are applied to major human resource markets in Asia. Core (collective organisation for real engagement) assesses culture, discipline, management capacity, leadership, and agile initiatives. Self (heart, mind, and soul) assesses the level of cohesion, pride, and emotion at work. Finally, Group (think, feel, and do) measures the level of cooperation between members within the business. A representative of CT Group at the HRAA 2022 award ceremony Speaking at the honouring ceremony, deputy director of … [Read more...] about CT Group wins at HR Asia Awards 2022
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?
Thua Thien – Hue, ADB sign MoU for inclusive, sustainable economic development
At the signing ceremony (Photo: ADB) Hanoi (VNA) - The People's Committee of Thua Thien - Hue province and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Vietnam on August 17 signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) on promoting a strategic partnership for inclusive and sustainable economic development. This is a framework cooperation oriented-agreement, aiming to assist Thua Thien-Hue to achieve socio-economic development goals for the 2021-2025 period, thus addressing challenges facing of the local economy by digital technology, and speeding up digital economy and digital society. The MoU covers contents related to cooperation orientation principles; goals and areas of cooperation; establishment of foundation for strategic dialogue; development of joint action plans for projects; sharing knowledge, ideas and experience and engaging in dialogues with stakeholders. Under the MoU, the ADB will give periodic consultations to the local authorities within the framework of the … [Read more...] about Thua Thien – Hue, ADB sign MoU for inclusive, sustainable economic development
Bidding packages for My Thuan 2 bridge project to be completed at end of 2022
A working delegation of the Ministry of Transport checks the construction process of the My Thuan 2 bridge project and its road paths. Yesterday, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Duy Lam led a working delegation to check the construction process of the My Thuan 2 bridge project and its road paths. Through the survey, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Duy Lam appreciated the efforts of the contractors for well controlling the construction progress of the project after a tough time of Covid-19 pandemic outbreak and believed that the units would try the best to push up and complete the works according to the signed contract with the investor. As for the bidding package XL.01, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Duy Lam assigned the Transport Engineering Construction and Quality Management Bureau under the Ministry of Transport to coordinate with supervision consultant agencies and contractors to review subsidence monitoring data and provide appropriate recommendations. … [Read more...] about Bidding packages for My Thuan 2 bridge project to be completed at end of 2022
US, Taiwan to start formal trade talks under new initiative
Washington and Taipei unveiled the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade in June, just days after the Biden administration excluded the Chinese-claimed island from its Asia-focused economic plan designed to counter China's growing influence. The office of the U.S. Trade Representative said the two sides had "reached consensus on the negotiating mandate" and it was expected that the first round of talks will take place early this autumn. "We plan to pursue an ambitious schedule for achieving high-standard commitments and meaningful outcomes covering the eleven trade areas in the negotiating mandate that will help build a fairer, more prosperous and resilient 21st-century economy," Deputy United States Trade Representative Sarah Bianchi said in a statement. The negotiating mandate released along with the announcement said the United States and Taiwan have set a robust agenda for talks on issues like trade facilitation, good regulatory practices, and removing discriminatory … [Read more...] about US, Taiwan to start formal trade talks under new initiative