Most turbulent time of year to fly

In the video, the miniature long-haired dachshund named Fifi is seen snuggled under blankets. British owner Helen Rosalie, who adopted the miniature long-haired dachshund in Hong Kong when the dog was one year old, she’s now four, said Fifi was "calm and collected" throughout the 11-hour flight, according to the South China Morning Post . While Fifi looked comfortable, many online observers were not. "It seems a bit sad that you’d prefer to spend tens of thousands on a dog and call it your daughter, when there are thousands of children in care homes that could become a real daughter," one person wrote. Another netizen said the video was "hard for me to see", because the money spent on Fifi’s travel could have fed starving children and saved lives. Many other followers were pleased to see airlines accommodating pets, while others commended Fifi for her exemplary behavior onboard: "My kids don’t behave this well," wrote one. However, the owner is quick to remind followers … [Read more...] about Hong Kong dog flies business class, sparking online row over pampering

An array of activities will be held in Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City from this month to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Vietnam. French Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Emmanuelle Pavillon-Grosser said that 2023 is a very special year that marks 50 years of diplomatic ties and 10 years of strategic partnership between Vietnam and France. This is also an opportunity for the two countries to look back on the significance of the France-Vietnam partnership, by organizing numerous events throughout the year in various fields. A variety of engaging events such as exhibitions, performances, concerts, fashion shows, cuisine festivals, and more will be launched by the French Embassy in Vietnam, the Consulate General of France in Ho Chi Minh City, the French Institute in Vietnam, and many French and Vietnamese partners across the Southeast Asian country. Hanoi In Hanoi, about 20 photography exhibitions and events will be rolled out. … [Read more...] about Series of events to celebrate 50 years of France-Vietnam diplomatic ties

Vietnam has recorded around 13,000 cases of dengue fever so far this year, about 2.3 times higher than the same period in 2022, according to the Ministry of Health. The rising numbers of cases have been recorded in mainly in central and southern localities, the General Department of Preventive Medicine reported. However, Hanoi has also not been spared. The capital’s Center for Disease Control (CDC) has recorded 172 dengue fever cases in 23 of 30 districts, a 20-fold increase from the same period last year. The health ministry said abnormal weather conditions have contributed to the rise in the number of cases. Normally dengue does not hit in such numbers until the rainy season. A surge in cases is expected soon as the country enters the rainy season, it added. On Monday, the ministry asked localities to ramp up environmental cleanup efforts to curb the spread of outbreaks. Medical facilities must ensure enough medicine and equipment to treat patients, it added. Vietnam … [Read more...] about Dengue fever hits before rains this year

Le Nguyen Xuan Vu, CEO of Xuan Nguyen Group JSC, unveiled that for more than four years now, the company has not been able to access bank loans to support production, expedite factory investments, or grow. “Our long-term plans faced a halt in 2018 due to capital access difficulties. Although we have completed 70 per cent of the work volume, several projects are still waiting for capital to procure equipment and allow us to start operation,” said Nguyen. Businesses in agricultural production are facing multiple hardships This does not only affect Xuan Nguyen, many other firms in the food sector need capital advances before each season to make prepayments and build up stock amidst soaring input prices. Nguyen Dinh Tung, chairman of Vina T&T Import Export Trading Service Co., Ltd. said, "Food companies like us all need advances to cover the cost of product purchases and help farmers expedite production." "Sadly, as of now, both input costs and output markets … [Read more...] about Still tough times for food businesses

Will you choose beauty? The carnivorous Wavy Bubble Snail, perhaps, with its billowing skirts shimmering under UV light. Or will it be age? Like the venerable 500-year-old Methuselah oyster. Or will you be seduced by the leopard slug with its gymnastic mating ritual? The list of finalists for Mollusc of the Year has something for everyone. In a public vote ending Sunday, five species of soft-bodied invertebrates are vying to follow in the illustrious trail of previous winners, dubbed the "world's most beautiful snail" and "weirdest octopus". The grand prize? The triumphant species will have its genome decoded to better understand its evolution and potential benefits to humanity. The International Mollusc of the Year competition, which kicked off this month, is run by the LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, based in Germany. Organisers have whittled down the field from 85,000 mollusc species, thanks to nominations by researchers from around the world. By … [Read more...] about Their time to slime: who will be ‘Mollusc of the Year’?

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that the "climate time bomb is ticking" as he urged rich nations on Monday to slash emissions sooner after a new assessment from scientists said there was little time to lose in tackling climate change. "The rate of temperature rise in the last half century is the highest in 2,000 years," he said. "Concentrations of carbon dioxide are at their highest in at least 2 million years. The climate time-bomb is ticking." In a recorded address, Guterres described the sixth "synthesis report" from the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as "a survival guide for humanity" and urged developed countries to commit to reaching net zero emissions by the earlier date of around 2040. The synthesis report summarized findings from three expert assessments published between 2021 and 2022 that looked at the physical science, impacts, and mitigation of climate change. The summary report is designed to provide clarity for policymakers … [Read more...] about ‘Climate time bomb ticking’, emissions must urgently be cut, UN chief says

According to Hoyer Transport Vietnam Co., Ltd., while en route from Kohsichang port (Thailand) to Lian Yun Gang port (China), Captain of Ship MV Wuzhou 8 (Chinese nationality) discovered that 18 out of 21 crew-members had signs of food poisoning and needed urgent medical care. The ship was about 110km southeast of Con Dao island district. Having receiving higher levels’ direction, VNH South promptly deployed forces, made all preparations, and sent helicopters EC-225 and Super Puma L2 carrying doctors and nurses to fly the foreign patients to Con Dao for treatment. All crew-members were determined to save the foreigners while ensuring absolute safety. Despite complicated weather conditions caused by the circulation of the fourth (Noru) storm, the crews of VNH South’s helicopters EC-225 and SuperPuma L2 flexibly and closely coordinated with relevant units to fly ill foreign sailors to Con Dao island district of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province in a timely and safe manner. At present, … [Read more...] about Helicopters fly ill foreign patients to Con Dao for treatment

The ambassador noted that although Belgium is a small country with a population of only more than 10 million, the European country is a partner with great cooperation potential for Vietnam. As the center of Europe, Belgium has acted as a gateway for Vietnam to the European Union (E.U.). According to him, Vietnam and Belgium are both members of the International Organization of the Francophonie (IOF), and share many similarities in culture, which are favorable conditions for them to bolster their friendship. He added that the two countries have regularly exchanged high-ranking delegations. Agriculture is one of the successful cooperation areas between the two countries, said the diplomat, noting that the two sides set up their strategic partnership in agriculture from 2018. Belgium is one of the two strongest countries in Europe in agriculture, making it a great partner for Vietnam to build and develop an agricultural economy, he said. In terms of economy, after the E.U. - Vietnam … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Belgium enjoy fruitful 50-year-ties: Ambassador

A bond batch worth VND3 trillion ($127.17 billion) belonging to Masan Group, the large conglomerate that includes WinMart and Techcombank as its subsidiaries, saw interest and principal payments paid on time in March 2023. The bond batch was issued in 2020 and advised by Techcom Securities (TCBS). TCBS are set to launch iBond Protect later this month with payment guarantees from Techcombank to ensure protection for investors. This is helpful timing as the market is in the beginning phase of recovery. TCBS will implement a private placement of shares with Techcombank for an amount greater than VND 10 trillion ($424 million) to raise capital in 2023. Currently, TCBS's capital adequacy ratio is at the top of the list and is well above the regulatory requirement of 220 per cent. In December 2022, TCBS signed an unsecured loan syndication contract worth $125 million, bringing the total mobilised value of their exposure to the international capital market to more than $300 million … [Read more...] about 500 bond codes issued by TCBS have been paid in full and on time

Nhon-Hanoi Station metro line on a trial run in late 2022. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Hanoi’s authorities have proposed delaying the operation of the elevated section of Nhon-Hanoi Station metro line, the second of its kind in Hanoi, to August 2023 instead of late 2022 as planned. The municipal People’s Committee plans to complete the Nhon depot in May this year and hand over the system and safety certificate in August the same year. The city’s authorities blamed the delay on limited capacity of contractors, investors and consultant units as well as improper cooperation of relevant agencies. Other reasons come from problems related to regulations, standards, unit prices, railway materials and equipment. The city’s authorities also proposed extending the operation time of the whole metro line until 2027, thus increasing the construction costs by about 1.9 trillion VND (80.5 million USD to over 34.8 trillion VND (1.4 billion USD). The metro line’s expenditure was … [Read more...] about Hanoi’s second metro line delayed one more time