Mama es – Talk Vietnam

ZURICH -- Earth had its quietest period in decades during 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced human activity and its impact on the planet’s crust, according to scientists working on a global study. An international group of seismologists from 33 countries measured a drop of up to 50% in so-called ambient noise generated by humans travelling and factories humming after lockdowns came into force around the world. The team, which included experts from the Swiss Seismological Service at ETH Zurich, a university, measured lower noise levels at 185 of the 268 seismic stations analysed around the world. A Kinemetrics EpiSensor Model FBA ES-T accelerometer is seen in the opened earth shaft of a seismic station of the Swiss Seismological Service (SED) at ETH Zurich in Switzerland January 14, 2021. Photo : Reuters Urban ambient noise fell by up to 50% at some measuring stations during the tightest lockdown weeks, as buses and train services were reduced, aircraft grounded and factories shuttered. This made it much quieter than Christmas, traditionally the quietest time of the year. “The weeks during lockdown were the quietest period we have on record,” said seismologist John Clinton, referring to data archives covering the last 20 years. “With human noise always increasing, it is highly likely that it was the quietest period for a very long time.” The seismic observatory Degenried (Schweizerische Erdbeben Warte) of the Swiss Seismological Service at ETH Zurich is seen during snowfall in Switzerland January 14, 2021. Photo : Reuters The experts, led by Thomas Lecocq from the Royal Observatory of Belgium, were able to track the “wave of quiet” around the world as lockdown came first in China, then Italy, before spreading across the rest of Europe and onto the Americas. Lower background noise during lockdowns also means small earthquakes that otherwise would not be observed have been detected in some places. …

Vietnam fulfils role as AIPA Chair: Top legislator Vietnam has well fulfilled its role as Chair of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in 2020 despite the serious impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and record floods and storms, thus contributing to increasing the country’s position and prestige in the region and the world, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said. Addressing a conference on December 23 to review Vietnam’s AIPA Chairmanship Year, Ngan stated that right from the beginning of this year when the COVID-19 shows signs of spreading out, Vietnam proactively made scenarios for the AIPA Chairmanship Year and consulted member states about organising activities in an online format. Accordingly, the 41st AIPA General Assembly was held online – the first time in the history of AIPA. With the leadership and regulation of Vietnam, the AIPA-41 was claimed a success, reflected through the full participation and support of member parliaments, observers and international parliamentary organisations. Christmas greetings extended to Catholic and Protestant followers nationwide Leaders of the Party, State, Government, National Assembly and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee visited and extended Christmas greetings to Catholic and Protestant dignitaries and followers across the country over the past week. The leaders expressed their belief that Catholic and Protestant dignitaries and followers would continue to further promote the patriotic traditions while actively contributing to the cause of building the great national unity bloc, as well as joining the local authorities in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. GDP growth estimated at 2.91% this year Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) this year is expected to rise by 2.91% compared to 2019, according to Director General of the General Statistics Office (GSO) Nguyen Thi Huong. Speaking at a press conference in Hanoi on December 27 to announce …

Planet Earth its quietest in decades as lockdowns reduce seismic noise

December 21-28: Vietnam fulfils role as AIPA Chair: Top legislator