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
World record
Vietnam attends 10th Moscow Conference on Int’l Security
Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang delivered a pre-recorded speech at the second session of the conference. The MCIS-10 draws the participation of 700 delegates from 70 countries and six international organizations. During the event, there will be plenary sessions with topics on global security in a multipolar world, and regional issues amid global security: Asia-Pacific, Africa, Middle East, and Latin America. In his video address, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the significance of the conference in consolidating peace and stability in the region and boosting partnership and dialogues in a constructive manner. Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu also had an opening speech at the event. In his pre-recorded speech at the second plenary session of the conference, Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang spoke highly of the MCIS, saying that it is an important multilateral forum for participating countries to exchange points of view on … [Read more...] about Vietnam attends 10th Moscow Conference on Int’l Security
Health Ministry orders strengthening reporting of new COVID-19 cases
The move came after a series of fast-spreading sub-variants of Omicron (BA.4, BA.5, BA.2.75 and BA.2.12.1) were reported in the country. According to the ministry’s General Department of Preventive Medicine, the number of COVID-19 cases has been on the rise in both Vietnam and around the world. The country is currently recording an average of about 2,000 new cases each day. The number of new cases is believed to be on the rise again. Therefore, in order to actively prevent and control the COVID-19 pandemic, the department told leaders of health departments nationwide to regularly and promptly review and report new cases of COVID-19. The localities must comply with regulations on reporting new cases and fully declare new cases of COVID-19 within 24 hours as prescribed by the ministry so that the figures can be sent to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control and the Prime Minister. The localities should avoid reporting additional numbers of new … [Read more...] about Health Ministry orders strengthening reporting of new COVID-19 cases
☕ Afternoon briefing on August 17
Hanoi, (VNA) – The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency on August 17. – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reaffirmed the importance of developing high-quality human resources for agriculture, while attending an innovation event and job fair of the Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA) in Hanoi on August 17. The Government leader and others visited an exhibition of scientific and technological models and products by the VNUA’s businesses and partners. Read full story – Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on August 17 asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) to review the operation of household businesses in the tourism sector affected by the COVID-19. The ministry should coordinate with core travel firms to form key routes connecting localities, the official said at a meeting of the State Steering Committee for Tourism in Hanoi which assessed the implementation of tourism recovery solutions. Read full … [Read more...] about ☕ Afternoon briefing on August 17
