Forest whitakers

Addressing the event, Nguyen Hoai Bao, member of the HAWA executive board, emphasised that despite export activities facing numerous difficulties caused by the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, the Vietnamese wood industry raked in over US$13 billion last year. Most notably, exports to the US market enjoyed a surge of 34% to over US$7 billion compared to 2019, meaning the US has become the leading export market of the domestic wood and handicraft sector. Despite these positives, Bao explained that the US is one of the markets that has set the strictest standards in terms of origin traceability and legality of wood products, thereby forcing local businesses to regularly update the legal system and related regulations as a means of avoiding trade risks and to fully tap into the fastidious market. Julie Hundersmarck, a specialist at the US Forest Service International Programs, emphasised that despite facing fierce competition from a variety of regions, US … [Read more...] about Bright prospects ahead for wood and handicraft exports to US

Archaeologists recently unearthed the skeletons of three Catholic nuns who were murdered by Soviet soldiers at the end of World War II . Their discovery concludes a months-long search for the bones of seven nuns who were killed during the former Soviet Union's brutal occupation of the war-torn country. Russia's Red Army invaded Poland in 1944, as Nazi Germany withdrew their soldiers. During that time, Soviet forces sought to seize control by suppressing Polish militia and religious figures, imprisoning, deporting and killing Polish soldiers, clergy and civilians. Records from 1945 documented Soviet soldiers slaughtering seven nuns in the order of St. Catherine of Alexandria, representatives of the Polish Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) told Live Science in an email. To find out where these murdered nuns were buried, archaeologists first excavated a site in Gdańsk in July 2020, where they found the remains of Sister Charytyna (Jadwiga Fahl), according to a statement … [Read more...] about Skeletons of WWII-era nuns murdered by Soviets unearthed in Poland

According to data released by the United States International Trade Commission, during the opening 11 months of last year, the US’ imports for wooden furniture endured a decline of 0.6% to US$16.8 billion compared to the same period from 2019. Vietnam remained as the largest supplier of wooden furniture to the United States throughout the reviewed period, with the export turnover reaching US$6.26 billion, a rise of 30.9% on-year. The proportion of imports from the country accounts for 37.2% of the total import value, up 9% compared to last year’s corresponding period. Most notably, Vietnam is the largest market for bedroom furniture for the US, making up 49.7% of the US’ total import value, followed by Malaysia, China, and Indonesia. Nguyen Liem, chairman of Lam Viet Joint Stock Company, attributed this increase in US demand for wooden furniture to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as it has forced many Americans to remain indoors and focus on activities … [Read more...] about Local wood industry to capitalise on export opportunities to US

Timaru handcyclist Jono Nelson is setting out to achieve a personal best when he tackles one of the toughest one day cycle challenges in New Zealand. Nelson says he will attempt the 192 kilometre K2 route through the Coromandel whether the event goes ahead or not because of Alert Level changes. The event, scheduled for March 13, is one of the toughest one day cycle challenges and also one of the most scenic and varied as it circumnavigates the Coromandel. “I’m the fittest I’ve been in my whole life, It’s going to be a big mental challenge, it’s the furtherest I’ve ever cycled.” READ MORE: Handcyclist Jono Nelson sets personal best in Auckland Marathon win Timaru handcyclist continues push for Tokyo Paralympics Cyclists race for 192km over a route that takes them through subtropical forest, Pacific coastlines, rural farmland and the pohutukawa coastline of the Hauraki Gulf. However, it could be cancelled due to Covid-19, Nelson said. “We find out on Friday if it … [Read more...] about Timaru handcyclist aiming for personal best in 192km one day cycle challenge

Colorado officials committed to cleaner air and reducing reliance on fossil fuels have reached a turning point on whether to tolerate the hulking oil refinery north of Denver that ranks among the state’s major polluters and regularly malfunctions . They must approve or deny Suncor Energy’s applications to renew its operating permits, which serve as contracts governing the emission levels of toxic pollutants that can cause cancer and serious heart, lung and other health problems. This is oversight power Colorado air pollution regulators have declined to use over nearly a decade of letting Suncor run the refinery under the equivalent of an expired driver’s license — a perk granted to companies if they submit timely renewal applications. Suncor’s outdated permits, which records show were issued in 2006 and 2012, allow emissions of 866,100 tons a year of heat-trapping gases and toxics including sulfur dioxide, benzene and hydrogen cyanide . During malfunctions, pollution … [Read more...] about Suncor refinery north of Denver faces state review of outdated permits, plans $300 million push to be “better not bigger”

The opening scenes of "Jole Dobe Na" — Bengali for "Those Who Do Not Drown" —  are apocalyptic. The camera moves slowly, visually documenting parts of an abandoned building, its doors and walls stripped of paint, until it reaches a large window that overlooks the courtyard. A man's voice says, "What if I told you, all this never happened. We are fine and we will be fine. [That] The whole catastrophe was a dream after all? They promised, science could do everything, cure the sick, bring Lazarus back to life…" Having lived most of the last year under COVID-induced lockdowns, these words seem to reflect our inability to grasp the "new normal" consisting of social distancing and isolation, and our collective vulnerability as humans. But "Jole" is not about the pandemic. Its actors managed to finish filming the movie shortly before the lockdown began and COVID-19 did not really influence the movie's storyline. But in the current global context, the story raises a couple of important … [Read more...] about Pondering love and loss amid COVID at the Berlinale