Tác giả: Đào Thu Hằng
I'm from Hanoi, Viet Nam.
I'm an author of Dot Chuoi Non (dotchuoinon.com/author/hangbelu/), a blog on Positive thinking, founded by Dr. Tran Dinh Hoanh, an attorney in Washington DC.
I'm a co-founder of Conversations on Vietnam Development - cvdvn.net, a virtual think tank. I am a co-founder of two companies in Viet Nam working on children education services. I advise companies on STEAM education, English language education for children and students in Vietnam.
I'm studying the Buddha's teaching and the teaching of Jesus. I practice mindful living including meditation.
I hold a PhD on Sustainable Energy Systems from University of Lisbon and Aalto University.
I graduated from Hanoi University of Technology on Environmental Engineering. I obtained a Master degree of the same major from Stanford University and Nanyang Technological University.
My English-language blog at: hangbelu.wordpress/.
I play table tennis as a hobby.
Standing with Palestine
Let’s resolve to make 2024 a year of building trust and hope in all that we can accomplish together.
United Nations Chief’s 2024 New Year’s Message
“2023 has been a year of enormous suffering, violence, and climate chaos. Humanity is in pain.
Our planet is in peril. 2023 is the hottest year on record.
People are getting crushed by growing poverty and hunger. Wars are growing in number and ferocity. And trust is in short supply.
But pointing fingers and pointing guns lead nowhere.
Humanity is strongest when we stand together.
2024 must be a year for rebuilding trust and restoring hope. We must come together across divides for shared solutions. For climate action.
For economic opportunity and a fairer global financial system that delivers for all.
Together, we must stand up against the discrimination and hatred that are poisoning relations between countries and communities. And we must make sure new technologies such as artificial intelligence are a force for good.
The United Nations will keep rallying the world for peace, sustainable development and human rights.
Let’s resolve to make 2024 a year of building trust and hope in all that we can accomplish together.
I wish you a happy and peaceful New Year.”
Tributes to Jacques Delors, ‘architect’ of the modern European Union
The former president of the European Commission, who played a crucial role in the construction of the European Union, died on Wednesday at age 98.
Le Monde with AFP Published on December 28, 2023, at 10:39 am (Paris)
A ‘builder’ of Europe
European Council President Charles Michel said Delors “led the transformation of the European Economic Community towards a true Union.”
“A great Frenchman and a great European, he went down in history as one of the builders of our Europe,” Michel posted on social media.
Current European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said Delors had “shaped entire generations of Europeans, including mine” and was “a visionary who made our Europe stronger.”
European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde highlighted Delors’s role for the single European market and “the path he laid out towards our single currency, the euro.” Europe, she said, “has lost a true statesman.”
‘Statesman with a French destiny’
French President Emmanuel Macron called his fellow countryman a “tireless creator of our Europe.” Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Macron said “his commitment, his ideals and his rectitude will always inspire us.” Delors was “a statesman with a French destiny,” Macron added.
Olivier Faure, head of the Parti Socialiste, of which Delors was a member, said, “A giant has left us.” Delors, who served as finance minister under President François Mitterrand, a Socialist, sought to “overcome tragedy by building a durable peace” after World War II ravaged Europe, Faure added.
‘Founding father’
“Modern Europe today loses its founding father,” said Enrico Letta, a former Italian prime minister who currently heads the Jacques Delors Institute created by the ex-Commission chief.
Writing on X, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani praised “a personality who showed, on the basis of Christian values, the path of strengthening Europe.”
‘What many thought impossible’
Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo also hailed the EU’s “founding father”, whose “project for a stronger and more secure union remains hugely relevant for the Europe of tomorrow.”
Partner service Learn French with Gymglish Thanks to a daily lesson, an original story and a personalized correction, in 15 minutes per day. Try for free
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that Delors “always believed in a united, open and prosperous” Europe. “He worked to make what many thought impossible a reality,” Sanchez wrote on X.
‘Visionary’
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hailed Delors as a “visionary” and an “architect of the EU as we know it.” Delors fought for European unity “like few others”, Scholz added in a message posted on X, urging Europeans to continue his work for the continent’s benefit.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described Delors as a “visionary statesman.” “Delors transformed Europe through tireless service to the idea of a Europe whole and free,” Blinken wrote on X.
Editorial Jacques Delors’ double legacy
Le Monde with AFP
The Highs And Lows Of Thailand’s Cannabis Rush | Undercover Asia
On 9 June 2022, the Thai government took off cannabis in its banned narcotics list. As it is no longer prohibited, the sale of this product is now legal for everyone, except for those under 20 or pregnant or breastfeeding. But three months later, 39 Thai youths reported to hospitals for cannabis intoxication.
As research show the disturbing impact of even one to two experiences of cannabis use on teen brains, and the long-term harm of chronic cannabis use even as a young adult, is the kingdom gambling with its future while cashing in on the Cannabis Green Rush?
Undercover Asia examines how and why the Thai government eased cannabis restrictions, and if its new rules on weed are adequate to ensure the safety of its new generation.
‘That Is Urging Genocide’: Voter Confronts Nikki Haley About Her Stance On Israel
‘Finish Them’: Nikki Haley Calls On US And Israel To Eliminate Hamas As Violence Continues
Risk, rewards and remittances in Vietnam’s Nghe An province
(Sen Nguyen is a Vietnamese journalist – the author of this article won the 2023 Global Media Competition on Labour Migration, hosted by the International Labour Organization - ILO. Her entry, titled “Risk, rewards and remittances in Vietnam’s Nghe An province” published in Al Jazeera, was chosen out of more than 400 entries from 85 countries. See ILO‘s announcement here)
39 Vietnamese people died being smuggled into the UK in 2019. Most were from Nghe An province.
By Sen Nguyen Published On 20 Jul 202320 Jul 2023
In late October 2019, ambulance crews in the United Kingdom were called to a scene of horror.
On a quiet road in a nondescript industrial park in Essex, the bodies of 39 people were found when the heavy steel doors of a refrigerated truck trailer were opened.
The victims had suffocated. Death came slowly as oxygen levels inside the airtight container depleted for the 28 men, eight women and three children as their attempt to be smuggled into the UK ended tragically.
The youngest were two 15-year-olds. All were from Vietnam and the majority were from one province – Nghe An.
“I’m sorry Dad and Mum,” 26-year-old Pham Thi Tra My tapped out in a final text message she composed for her parents.
“Mum, I love Dad and you so much. I’m dying because I can’t breathe … I am so sorry, Mum,” she wrote in a phone message that was widely reported on at the time.
The message was delivered long before her death was officially confirmed by police investigators in the UK.
https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.609.1_en.html#goog_1289999290Play Video
Video Duration 01 minutes 41 seconds01:41Vietnamese family fears their daughter may be among Essex victims
In 2021, seven people were jailed in the UK for a total of 92 years for their role in the deaths of the 39. This week, an eighth suspect, described as a “right-hand man” in the smuggling ring, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison by a UK court.
Tiếp tục đọc “Risk, rewards and remittances in Vietnam’s Nghe An province”
Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire in Christmas message
Pope Francis on Monday deplored the desperate humanitarian situation of Palestinians in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire and the freeing of hostages in his Christmas message.
Pope Francis expresses his closeness to victims of war, and urges the faithful to avoid consumerism at Christmas
to celebrate the birth of Jesus without waste, by sharing what we have with those in need.
vaticannews.va By Christopher Wells
“We are close to our brothers and sisters who are suffering from war,” Pope Francis said during his recitation of the Angelus on Sunday.
“We are thinking of Palestine, Israel, Ukraine. We are thinking, too, of all those who suffer from misery, from hunger, from slavery.”
On Christmas Eve – which this year falls on the Fourth Sunday of Advent – the Holy Father invited Christians to spend the day “in prayer, in the warmth of affection, and with sobriety.”
“Let us not confuse celebration with consumerism!” he pleaded. He urged the faithful to celebrate Christmas with simplicity, without waste, “and by sharing with those who lack necessities or companionship.”
Looking ahead to the celebration of the birth of Jesus, Pope Francis prayed that “the God who took a human heart for Himself might infuse humanity into human hearts.”
And, as usual, he asked the faithful not to forget to pray for him, before wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas.
Bethlehem Christmas 2023 : World Mourns, Prays For Gaza War And Suffering Of Children To End
South Africa’s state power company Eskom: how corruption and crime turned the lights off
South Africa’s state power company Eskom is battling a legacy of neglect, mismanagement and state capture as it struggles to bring an end to rolling blackouts that have severely damaged businesses and the economy
00:00 Intro
00:53 Eskom and load shedding
02:46 The township restaurant
04:01 Eskom’s priorities
05:07 The history of Eskom
07:07 The state capture years
08:50 Andre de Ruyter’s corruption battle
13:30 Inequality and crime
16:03 On patrol with a pirate security company
18:23 Government interference
19:47 The poisoning
21:49 How to fix the problem
27:30 Inside Shoprite
29:33 The environmental problem
31:16 An election is coming
Christmas Celebrations Muted in Bethlehem as War Rages in Gaza
Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, observed a muted Christmas celebration on Sunday amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Gaza’s Health Ministry said that more than 160 people were killed over the past 24 hours
Số vụ xâm hại trẻ em tăng hơn 41% năm 2023
>> 8.000 TRẺ EM BỊ XÂM HẠI TRONG 5 NĂM, 90% DO NGƯỜI THÂN QUEN – Tổng đài 111
Năm 2023, xảy ra hơn 1.800 vụ xâm hại trẻ em, tăng 41,88% so với cùng kỳ năm 2022. Đây là vấn đề được các đại biểu đề nghị cần có giải pháp khi thảo luận về Báo cáo của Chính phủ về công tác phòng chống tội phạm và vi phạm pháp luật.
Theo đại biểu, đã xảy ra nhiều vụ việc người thân, người có trách nhiệm nuôi dưỡng xâm hại thân thể, tính mạng, xâm hại tình dục trẻ em gây bức xúc dư luận. Mặc dù Quốc hội đã ban hành nghị quyết riêng về phòng chống xâm hại trẻ em từ năm 2020. Về tư pháp người chưa thành niên, Việt Nam hiện nay đang có 7 bộ luật. Song nhìn chung, công tác bảo vệ người chưa thành niên thời gian qua vẫn còn nhiều bất cập.
Theo Báo cáo thẩm tra của Ủy ban Tư pháp, tội phạm xâm hại trẻ em tăng so với cùng kỳ năm 2022, đã xảy ra 1.853 vụ tăng 41,88% .
Tình trạng người chưa thành niên vi phạm pháp luật bị xâm hại vẫn diễn biến phức tạp và có xu hướng gia tăng cũng đặt ra nhiều giải pháp mang tính đồng bộ trong thời gian tới.
In solidarity with Gaza, Bethlehem church in West Bank cancels Christmas celebrations, placing baby Jesus in the rubble
In Solidarity With Gaza, Nazareth Christians Scale Back Christmas Celebrations
In Nazareth, where Christians believe Jesus lived much of his life, Christmas celebrations have been scaled back in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Christian leaders say it is impossible to feel celebratory at this time, while business owners say trade has plummeted.
CVD 