Multiple earthquakes -- including a powerful and shallow 6.9-magnitude tremor -- have rocked the Indonesian holiday island of Lombok, killing at least five people and setting off fresh waves of panic. The already quake battered island of Lombok was hit by fresh tremors on August 19, 2018 A series of quakes were recorded by seismologists throughout Sunday, the first measuring 6.3 shortly before midday which triggered landslides and sent people fleeing for cover. It was followed nearly twelve hours later by a quake measuring 6.9 and at least five more significant aftershocks, according to the US Geological Survey. The picturesque island is already reeling from two devastating quakes on July 29 and August 5 that killed nearly 500 people and made hundreds of thousands homeless. Local disaster agency spokesman Agung Pramuja said five people were killed by the quake late Sunday evening, two in eastern Lombok and three on the neighbouring island of Sumbawa. "So far … [Read more...] about Multiple quakes rock Indonesia’s Lombok island, five dead
ASEAN economic integration achievements and VN’s participation
Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh. Photo: VGP The following is the translated version of his article: The year 2018 marks the 11th anniversary of Viet Nam’s accession to the World Trade Organization, 20th anniverarsary of Viet Nam’s participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), 23rd anniversary of Viet Nam’s official admission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and 51st founding anniversary of the bloc. ASEAN was established in Bangkok on August 8, 1967 with the aim of rallying political power in order to promote economic cooperation and development towards shared prosperity and ensure peace and stability in Southeast Asia. The five original members, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand agreed on the signing of the ASEAN Declaration. It was followed by the enlargement of ASEAN with Brunei joining the bloc on January 8, 1984, Viet Nam on July 28, 1995, Laos and Myanmar on July 23, 1997 … [Read more...] about ASEAN economic integration achievements and VN’s participation
Fourteen dead, missing after Bebinca triggers flash flooding, landslides
The committee said 10 people in the northern provinces of Son La, Hoa BInh, Yen Bai, Bac Giang, Phu Tho , Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa and the central province of Nghe An were killed by flash flooding and landslides while two were missing by flood in Son la and Thanh Hoa provinces. The National Center for Hydro Meteorological Forecasting said weather in the North was better on August 19 whereas the central was sunny. The water level in Nghe an and Thanh Hoa provinces ebbed yet flood in Thuong and Ca rivers continued to rise, weather forecasters warned Flash flooding and landslide- triggers by Bebinca destroyed 3 houses and inundated around 3,422 houses in Yen Bai, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Son La provinces. Additionally, 401 cattle and 17,168 poultry were killed in the flood. Some 1,115 hectares of fish farm were affected badly. While the North suffered flood, the Mekong delta province of Ca Mau experienced strong wind which killed two people. The committee asked flood-hit provinces to … [Read more...] about Fourteen dead, missing after Bebinca triggers flash flooding, landslides
ASIAD 2018: Vietnam at 13th place on first day
Vietnamese football players in their match with Japan at the ASIAD 2018 on August 19 (Photo: VNA) Jakarta (VNA) – As of 10 pm on August 19, Vietnam secured two bronze medals, ranked 13th in the medal tally of the 2018 Asian Games (ASIAD 2018), which officially kicked off the same day in Jakarta, Indonesia. Topping the tally were China (7 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze medals), Japan (3 gold, 6 silver, 5 bronze), and the Republic of Korea (2 gold, 3 silver, 5 bronze). The Philippines shared the 13th place with Vietnam, also with two bronze medals. Competing in 13 sports throughout the day, Vietnam won the first bronze medal in the men’s team poomsae with the performance of Thien Phung, Tien Khoa, and Thanh Trung. Shooters Le Thi Linh Chi and Tran Quoc Cuong brought another bronze medal for the Vietnamese team in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Event. In other sports, Vietnamese athletes had yet to enter the medal round. Fencer Nguyen Phuoc Den lost at the quarterfinal of the … [Read more...] about ASIAD 2018: Vietnam at 13th place on first day
Central bank approves project on green bank development
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has recently issued Decision No.1604/QD-NHNN on approving a project on green bank development. The project aims to raise the banks’ awareness and social responsibility for environment protection and climate change prevention, gear capital flows into eco-friendly projects, and promote green production, services and consumption, towards boosting green growth and sustainable development. Accordingly, all banks will strive to issue regulations on environment and social risk control by 2025. At least 10 -12 banks will have specialised units on environment and social risk control while 60 percent of the banks will access loans used for green projects. The SBV will issue guidelines on developing green banks and credit, provide them with incentives such as preferential loans from international organisations and development partners. The scheme suggests measures encouraging economic … [Read more...] about Central bank approves project on green bank development