Ghana celebrates 400 years of slavery

Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand is hoping for a recovery in shrimp exports which are forecast to grow 20 percent in 2020 thanks to increased production. Somsak Paneetatyasai, President of the Thai Shrimp Association, said higher production efficiency and efforts to tackle shrimp diseases should lead to an output of 350,000-400,000 tonnes in 2020, up from 290,000 tonnes this year. Next year's shrimp exports are forecast to grow to 192,000 tonnes from 160,000 tonnes in 2019, which would be a 5-percent dip from 2018. Somsak said the value of exports is also likely to grow by 20 percent next year from 50-55 billion THB (1.65 – 1.82 billion USD) in 2019. The figure this year fell 11 percent from 2018 due to continued baht appreciation and shrimp diseases. The association reported that for the first 10 months, Thailand shipped 135,249 tonnes of shrimp abroad, with export value down 11.8 percent to 40.2 billion THB. Key export markets include the US, Japan, China, Australia and the … [Read more...] about Thailand expects 20-pct growth in shrimp exports for 2020

Nguyen Thi Oanh crossed the finish line and lay down on the ground, exhausted. Tiny Oanh stands tall for Viet Nam at SEA Games Minutes later, she took the national flag from her coach to celebrate her 3,000m steeplechase victory and burst into tears. Oanh didn't realise she had just become Việt Nam's top track-and-field athlete at the 30th Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines. Oanh secured a hat-trick of individual titles in the women’s 1,500m, 5,000m and 3,000m steeplechase, with a Games’ record in the last event. “I's so exciting to enjoy the feeling of winning. There is nothing that makes me happier than seeing the national flag flying at the victory ceremony,” said Oanh. Việt Nam came to the Games to defend their top position in athletics from the previous tournament two years ago in Malaysia. National champion Oanh, who won golds in the 1,500m and 5,000m in Kuala Lumpur, was the top medal hopes. She was asked to defend her crowns … [Read more...] about Tiny Oanh stands tall for Vietnam at SEA Games

Hanoi (VNA) – A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck near Davao city on the Philippines’ Mindanao island on December 15, killing a 6-year-old girl and injuring 14 others, according to latest reports. The quake was centred 61 km south-west of Davao, at a depth of 28.2km, the US Geological Survey said, revising down the magnitude from an earlier 6.9.  Roads and buildings, including the local government office, were damaged and power was out in the Magsaysay Town in Davao del Sur province, near the epicenter. No tsunami warning has been issued. The area was struck by four strong earthquakes in the past two months, causing the death of at least 20 people. According to presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, President Rodrigo Duterte was in Davao city when the quake struck, but he and his family members were unhurt./. VNA … [Read more...] about Strong earthquake shakes southern Philippines

After his rescue the sun bear received the medical treatments he needed and is fully recovered now, says Animals Asia, an organization that advocates against cruelty to animals. It runs a bear rescue center in Ninh Binh Province, two hours ride to the south of Hanoi. A rescued bear basks in the sun Story of sun bear rescued from traffickers in Vietnam Murphy weighs around 60 kilograms and in healthy condition. "He is also very friendly, playful and full of life,” said Sarah van Herpt, Animals Asia Bear Manager. The sun bear weighed just 3.6 kilograms when authorities rescued it from an illegal trade happening between Laos and Vietnam in 2015. Rescuers named the sun bear Murphy on August 30, 2015. Experts at Animals Asia take very attentive care of Murphy, ensuring that he was clean and ate well. Murphy was also taught gently to adapt to his surroundings. Shy at first, he adapted and learnt quickly. Murphy climbs trees, digs holes, and finds things for … [Read more...] about A rescued bear basks in the sun

“Dien Xuong Nam Bo” (Folk Singing Genre of the Southern Region) is organized by the Soul Music and Performing Arts Academy’s Soul Live Project, a long-term cultural program that aims to expand Vietnamese traditional music and theater.  “Dien xuong”- a folk singing genre which originated in Vietnam’s Southern region. Photo: baonghean.vn The project includes a series of performances, talk shows and seminars featuring the history of “dien xuong”, including folk songs, dances and plays of different styles created and performed by southern farmers in the 18th and 19th centuries. The project has received support from dozens of cultural researchers, music and theater critics, and veteran performers of the region. The project’s first workshop will include Gia Dinh-Saigon: Songs and Dances in the Past, a 60-minute documentary featuring folk singing and dancing of the South performed by people from Gia Dinh-Saigon (now … [Read more...] about Art project preserves folk singing in Southern region