PM orders probe into Dak Lak illegal logging

Last update 16:58 | 16/06/2017

VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked Dak Lak Province’s People’s Committee to investigate illegal logging in Ea Sup District.

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Timbers cut down by illegal loggers seized by Dak Lak Province’s forest protection division. — Photo nhandan.com.vn

The PM’s order has been prompted by several reports in local newspapers since early March about large-scale deforestation in the district. For example, the Nhan dan (People) newspaper reported that forest rangers had seized nearly 100 cubic metres of wood cut down by illegal loggers in a two-month period. Tiếp tục đọc “PM orders probe into Dak Lak illegal logging”

A glance at Tay Ninh, the capital of Caodaism

Last update 10:23 | 20/06/2017

 Founded in 1926 in Tay Ninh province, the Caodaism worships the Divine Eye, known as the eye of heaven and a symbol of its supreme being. It is now the third largest religion in Vietnam.

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The Tay Ninh Holy See, the centre of Caodaism in Vietnam, was completed in 1947, covering an area of more than one sq.km with twelve gates. Tiếp tục đọc “A glance at Tay Ninh, the capital of Caodaism”

CGIAR WLE Mekong resources

CGIAR: Consultative Group for International Agriculture Research

WLE: CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems

Greater Mekong: The Greater Mekong Region

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https://wle-mekong.cgiar.org/search/

WLE Greater Mekong resources include:

Resource Repository

A searchable repository of resource outputs including papers, posters, videos and presentations. Many from the 12 years (2002-2014) of CPWF. Access here.

State of Knowledge Papers

Highlighted separately, this series presents easy-to-read and comprehensive papers about subjects relevant to Mekong hydropower development. Access here

Maps

The Dams Map and Portal displays all known dams in our four focus river basins. Here you can also find access to our dams database. Access here.

 

United Nations: Refugee displacement at seven-decade high

This post was originally published on this site

June 19 (UPI) — The United Nations said 65.6 million people were displaced from their homes because of conflict and persecution by the end of 2016, which is an increase of about 300,000 from 2015.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on Monday released its annual Global Trends study. It found an average of 20 people were driven out from their homes every minute last year, the refugee agency said. Tiếp tục đọc “United Nations: Refugee displacement at seven-decade high”

The end of globalisation as we know it?

The period of hyperglobalisation that began in the early 1990s may be drawing to a close. Should deglobalisation come to pass, it could have far-reaching consequences for countries, corporations, and investors.

Loosely defined as the free flow of trade, capital, people, technology and ideas across national borders and regions, globalisation has long been associated with economic development, increased opportunity, and progress. Now, however, it is increasingly viewed as a threat. Indeed, anti-globalisation sentiment was a significant contributor to the two major ballot box surprises of 2016: the UK’s vote to leave the European Union, and the election of Donald Trump as President of the US. Tiếp tục đọc “The end of globalisation as we know it?”

Global power sector emissions to peak in 2026: Report

Last update 12:01 | 16/06/2017

Global emissions of greenhouse gases from the power sector are expected to peak in 2026, but will still be some way above levels needed to limit temperature rises in line with the Paris climate agreement, research showed on Thursday.

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FILE PHOTO: Steam and other emissions are seen coming from a power station in Wollongong, south of Sydney, Australia, November 17, 2009.

Overall, $10.2 trillion will be invested in new global power generation between 2017 and 2040, with renewable power sources such as wind and solar accounting for almost three quarters of that, a report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) said.

By 2040, global emissions are expected to be 4 percent below 2016’s levels, but an additional $5.3 trillion investment in renewable power would be needed by 2040 to keep rising global temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Tiếp tục đọc “Global power sector emissions to peak in 2026: Report”

Travel around Saigon on a weekend afternoon

Last update 13:00 | 13/04/2017

VietNamNet Bridge – Sitting on the corner of Turtle Lake and chatting with friends, eating snacks, taking a stroll in 30/4 park, and looking at the old church under the sunshine will add interest to your weekend in Saigon. 

HCM City is known for the busy pace of life, but behind those scenes are peaceful corners. At Notre Dame Cathedral, where cars surround the area, you can stand or sit at any corner to experience the atmosphere.

Opposite the church, more than 100 meters is the City’s Post Office, which attracts many foreign tourists visiting each day. Tiếp tục đọc “Travel around Saigon on a weekend afternoon”

Vegetable gardens green Truong Sa archipelago

Last update 15:45 | 16/06/2017

Braving harsh weather conditions, naval officers and soldiers in the island district of Truong Sa, the southern central province of Khanh Hoa, still plant vegetables so as to improve their meals.


A soldier on Thuyen Chai B Island waters a small vegetable garden Tiếp tục đọc “Vegetable gardens green Truong Sa archipelago”

Education Ministry wants to eliminate civil service policy for teachers

Last update 07:05 | 19/06/2017

VietNamNet Bridge – Under a plan drawn up by the Ministry of Education & Training (MOET), teachers will no longer be civil servants and will work under labor contracts.

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MOET Minister Phung Xuan Nha said in order to improve education quality, it is necessary to upgrade teaching staff. In order to attract and retain good teachers, it is necessary to offer attractive remuneration policy. Meanwhile, the lifetime recruitment policy does not encourage teachers to improve.

“It is the right time to give schools autonomy in recruiting teachers and assessing their staff, and the right time to apply the labor contract policy on a trial basis,” Nha said. Tiếp tục đọc “Education Ministry wants to eliminate civil service policy for teachers”

Developing small-scale hydropower is a big mistake: experts

Last update 07:50 | 19/06/2017
VietNamNet Bridge – As requested by the National Assembly, in 2013 the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) decided to remove 400 small-scale hydropower projects out of the hydropower development program. But many projects were then carried out in the mountainous provinces of Ha Giang and Cao Bang.

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In other countries, small-scale hydropower plants with capacity of several megawatts which serve a small number of households are located in areas far from the national grid. The don’t interfere with agricultural production.

Twenty years ago, Vietnam was thirsty for capital and power and called for investments in the power sector from different sources.

As requested by the National Assembly, in 2013 the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) decided to remove 400 small-scale hydropower projects out of the hydropower development program.

In the first years of the 21st century, thousands of hydropower projects were approved, designed and executed on thousands of rivers and streams.

Many projects were still on paper, but the supporting works were completed: the forests were felled to create roads to the sites and agricultural land was taken back to make room for the project.

As the people’s lives were upset, scientists and local authorities reported the problems to the National Assembly. The government in 2013 submitted to the National Assembly a list of small-scale hydropower projects to be removed from the hydropower development plan. Tiếp tục đọc “Developing small-scale hydropower is a big mistake: experts”

More renewable energy projects licensed

Last update 08:10 | 19/06/2017
VietNamNet Bridge – The number of renewable energy plants capitalized at VND1.2-1.4 trillion has been increasing rapidly.vietnam economy, business news, vn news, vietnamnet bridge, english news, Vietnam news, news Vietnam, vietnamnet news, vn news, Vietnam net news, Vietnam latest news, Vietnam breaking news, solar energy, Binh Thuan, EVN

The Binh Thuan provincial People’s Committee has accepted commitments from 20 investors to invest in the renewable energy sector in the province. This is a part of the province’s plan to become a large energy center of the country in the next few years.

These include a commitment to build three wind and power plants by Duc Long Gia Lai Group with total investment capital of VND13.8 trillion. The largest project is the 200 MW Plant to be located in Phan Thiet City, capitalized at VND6 trillion. Tiếp tục đọc “More renewable energy projects licensed”

PM halts airport golf complex

vietnamnews

Update: June, 19/2017 – 09:42

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has ordered the Ministry of National Defence to halt all construction work related to auxiliary infrastructure for a golf course in the vicinity of Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport, including a golf school, villas and luxury apartments. — Photo vnexpress.net

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has ordered the Ministry of National Defence to halt all construction work related to auxiliary infrastructure for a golf course in the vicinity of Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport, including a golf school, villas and luxury apartments. Tiếp tục đọc “PM halts airport golf complex”

Climate change forecast to shrink rice yield

vietnamnews

Update: June, 16/2017 – 09:00

Part of a protected forest in the southernmost province of Cà Mau risks being swept away as a result of drought, salt water intrusion and sea level rise. — VNA/VNS Photo An Hiếu

Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam risks a loss of 7.2 million tonnes of rice yield and 3.2 per cent of its agricultural land by the late 21st century as a result of climate change, according to a Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development forecast.

The forecast was delivered yesterday in Hà Nội at a conference on responsive activities to climate change in the agricultural sector in the context of implementing the Paris Climate Accord. Tiếp tục đọc “Climate change forecast to shrink rice yield”

Taking care of turtles in Cúc Phương

vietnamnews

Update: June, 18/2017 – 09:00

Shell dweller: An Indochinese box turtle. Photo courtesy of Nguyễn Thu Thủy
Viet Nam News Nestled in the dense greenery of Cúc Phương National Park, a team of volunteers and staff work tirelessly to look after around 1,000 rare and endangered turtles. Lê Hương & Hồng Vân report.

Taking trays containing freshly ground paste of vegetables and fruit, Lina V. Wedel and Simon Brauburger head for nearby enclosures to feed the turtles, one of the important tasks they perform every morning. Tiếp tục đọc “Taking care of turtles in Cúc Phương”

Paintings reveal tranquil side of Hà Nội

vietnamnews

Update: June, 18/2017 – 09:00

Bit of greenery: “Silvery Wandering Jew”, oil on canvas.
Viet Nam News Painter Phạm Bình Chương is among few contemporary artists painting the streets of Hà Nội in a realist style. His work evokes memories of the city as it was years ago. Lê Hương finds out what inspires him. Tiếp tục đọc “Paintings reveal tranquil side of Hà Nội”