Singapore's skies were clearer Friday and air quality improved as smog from Indonesian forest fires drifted away, easing fears that this weekend's Formula One race may be affected. Petronas Twin Towers are shrouded by haze in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, September 9, 2019. Picture taken on September 9, 2019. (Reuters/Lim Huey Teng) Raging blazes in Indonesia have been spewing toxic haze over neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia, with Jakarta deploying security forces and water-bombing aircraft to tackle them. The Indonesian fires are an annual problem during the dry season when farmers use illegal slash-and-burn techniques to clear land for agriculture, but this year's are the worst since 2015. Thick smog had been hanging over Singapore since last weekend, pushing air quality to unhealthy levels, obscuring the waterfront skyline and sparking fears that Sunday's showpiece F1 night race could be affected. But on Friday the skies were largely clear, with only a light haze over … [Read more...] about Forest fire haze clears over Singapore ahead of F1
Three women caught transporting, trading 26kg of heroin
While two were caught in the northern province of Nam Dinh, the third was detained in the northern highlands province of Dien Bien. They said Nguyen Thi Le Anh, 38, was the mastermind behind the ring and Thach Thi Van, 56, as well as Dang Thi Hoa, 58, were her accomplices. Investigations reveal that on Monday, Anh bought an unknown amount of drugs from Laos and instructed Van to deliver them to a customer in Nam Dinh. On Tuesday, Van collected 26.4 kilograms of heroin from Anh's house in Dien Bien and delivered them to Nam Dinh by bus and motorbike taxi. As she delivered the drugs to Hoa in Nam Dinh, police arrested them both. Around the same time, Anh was arrested in Dien Bien. An investigation is ongoing. Vietnam is a key trafficking hub for drugs from the Golden Triangle, an intersection of Laos, Thailand and Myanmar, which is the world's second largest drug producing area after the Golden Crescent in South Asia. Drug trafficking and consumption have persisted and worsened in … [Read more...] about Three women caught transporting, trading 26kg of heroin
Vietnam bond market continues growth
Vietnam’s local currency bond market grew 2.6 per cent to US$52.9 billion in the second quarter of this year, after a 0.7 per cent expansion in the first quarter. The domestic bond market of Viet Nam made US$52.9 billion in the second quarter of this year, marking a year-on-year increase of 2.6 per cent. - Photo Vietnamplus This information was part of the latest report of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Asia Bond Monitor. The report shows Viet Nam’s growth was mainly on the back of the 3.2 per cent expansion of the Government bond market to $48 billion due to issuance of Treasury bonds and central bank bills. “The growth in the Government bond market offset the 3.4 per cent contraction of the corporate bond market during the second quarter of 2019 to $5 billion,” the report said. According to the report, emerging East Asia’s local currency bond market expanded steadily in the second quarter of 2019 despite downside risks stemming from … [Read more...] about Vietnam bond market continues growth
Vietjet’s ancillary revenue ranks among the world’ top 12
Vietjet's aircraft. — VNS Photo Vietjet is recognised as the the world's 12th airline in terms of ancillary revenue to total air transport revenue ratio by the 2019 CarTrawler Ancillary Revenue YearBook, which comprises statistics from more than 100 airlines’ audited financial statements. Vietjet's audited business results in the first half of this year showed revenue of passenger transport stood at more than VNĐ18.98 trillion (US$815 million), an increase of 17 per cent year-on-year. During the period, its ancillary revenue of passenger transport topped VNĐ5.43 trillion, up 43 per cent year-on-year mainly thanks to the growth of international passenger transportation. The proportion of ancillary revenue in total air transport revenue was 27 per cent. According to the sustainable development model of low-cost carriers (LCCs), ancillary revenue is a decisive factor in the success of a carrier when its profit margin reaches over 90 per cent. In order to expand its … [Read more...] about Vietjet’s ancillary revenue ranks among the world’ top 12
The tangled matrix that is Mekong Delta’s first heritage tree
The 10-meter tree at the Gian Gua relic site in Nhon Nghia Ward, Phong Dien District, survived the wars. Its canopy spreads around 3,000 square meters. The banyan is part of the mulberry family. The roots of the tree drop from its trunk and branches. Ba Ho, 64, an employee at the relic, said: "The exact number of roots has not been determined but it is for sure more than 1,000. Because of its myriad roots, the tree absorbs enough water and nutrients to sustain itself." Four groups of people take turns to tend the tree and clean the area. The origin of the banyan remains a mystery even to people living here. Many say the tree was already large when they were children, including the relic staff. Many new roots continue to grow from the branches. Its main trunks are not gigantic like a typical old tree’s. The biggest only encompasses half an adult’s embrace. The twisting branches are intertwined, giving the place an air of mystery. Visitors have to walk … [Read more...] about The tangled matrix that is Mekong Delta’s first heritage tree