About 80 countries have signalled that they are willing to scale up their commitment to cut carbon emissions under the Paris agreement to combat climate change, the UN climate envoy said on Tuesday (May 28). Young activists have held protests worldwide to demand action on climate change. (AFP/Martin BERNETTI) Under the landmark deal, countries agreed to announce by 2020 new efforts to strengthen their national plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a bid to limit global temperature rise. UN climate envoy Luis Alfonso de Alba told journalists that "80 is the number of countries (from) which we have already received a signal that they are willing" to enhance their plans. "But it doesn't mean that they are willing to do that to the scale we need," he added. The United Nations is pushing for stronger action on climate change in the face of new scientific data showing that current efforts fall well short of the goal of containing global warming. "We need to step up ambition … [Read more...] about UN envoy says 80 countries ready to step up on climate
Who signed the paris agreement
The world owes Vietnam gratitude for helping Cambodia end genocide
The Hanoitimes - For disinterested support in a decade, Vietnam should be judged by the way it did, a general said. Vietnam lost dozens of thousands of lives in the war against the Pol Pot-led Khmer Rouge, the perpetrator of the Cambodian genocide in 1970s-80s, said Vietnamese Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, adding the world owes Vietnam gratitude for that sacrifice. A killing field in Cambodia. Photo: The Independent Vietnam was forced to involve in the war after Pol Pot’s troops attacked the Vietnamese southwest border and killed thousands of civilians since mid-1975, said Vinh, who is a deputy minister of defense. Though sending troops to Cambodia only for defensive, Vietnam had faced international pressure, critics, and embargoes amid the after-war economic devastation. Echoing Vinh, General Pham Van Tra, who led Vietnamese forces into Cambodia in 1978, said that the counter-offensive along the southwestern border and the … [Read more...] about The world owes Vietnam gratitude for helping Cambodia end genocide
Experts on the fence over first made-in-Vietnam cars
VinFast, a unit of Vingroup JSC (VIC.HM), Vietnam’s largest business conglomerate, officially showcased its first two vehicles: the LUX A2.0 sedan and the LUX SA2.0 SUV at the Paris Motor Show on Tuesday. The new carmaker impressed everyone by doing this just one year after kicking off production in northern Hai Phong City. It received much praise for completing design and development of its models, as well as putting together a production line at an astonishing pace. Supporters pointed to the company’s ‘daring’ strategy of gaining a head start by taking a shortcut, by signing agreements with a strong list of global partners. The company uses Siemens’ plant construction expertise; BMW’s intellectual property; Pininfarina’s design; and Bosch for hardware, software and service solutions. Experts say that VinFast's car falls into the mid-luxury segment. Automobile expert Le Anh believes the sedan can sell for VND1.4 billion ($60,869) and the … [Read more...] about Experts on the fence over first made-in-Vietnam cars
Vietnam among most affected by heat-related mortality, study says
Countries have signed the Paris agreement on climate change to limit the rise in global temperatures to well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, and ideally to 1.5C. An increase of 3C or 4C could raise mortality rates by between 1 and 9 percent, according to a study published in the journal Climatic Change. "Currently, we are on a trajectory to reach over 3 degrees Celsius of warming, and if this trend continues there would be serious consequences for health in many parts of the world," said co-author Antonio Gasparrini in a statement. Southeast Asian nations like the Philippines and Vietnam would be most affected by heat-related mortality, along with those in Southern Europe and South America, according to the report. A drop in cold-related deaths elsewhere would not be enough to offset overall increase, said researchers led by scientists from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine who looked at 23 countries for the survey. A … [Read more...] about Vietnam among most affected by heat-related mortality, study says
Exhibition on Paris Peace Accords opens in HCM City
The exhibition attracts numerous visitors On display are 120 documents, objects, and photos relating to the Paris Peace Accords, which were signed 45 years ago. The exhibition focuses on categories of the negotiation, the signing and implementation of the accords, as well as the fight to protect it for peace and reunification. Also at the event, the Center for National Archives II under the Department of State Records and Archives will present to the public more than 600 pages of documents exchanged between the Republic of Vietnam and the United States. Many of these pages were classified as confidential or top confidential. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Director of the museum Chau Phuoc Hiep said the exhibition not only provides information on the Paris Peace Talks, but also highlights the importance of peace and friendship between Vietnam and international people who support peace in the country. On January 27, 1973, the Paris Peace Accords – an agreement to … [Read more...] about Exhibition on Paris Peace Accords opens in HCM City