Southeast asia

Also known as the scaly anteater, the shy, primarily nocturnal animals have been heavily poached for years in biodiverse Southeast Asia and are being increasingly targeted in Africa. In a new report, watchdog TRAFFIC estimated about 895,000 pangolins had been smuggled between 2000 and 2019 in Southeast Asia. It also noted that over 96,000 kilograms (210,000 pounds) of the creatures' scales were seized in Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam between 2017 and 2019 alone. "Not a day goes by without a wildlife seizure taking place in Southeast Asia, and all too often in volumes that are jaw dropping," said Kanitha Krishnasamy, director for TRAFFIC in the region. - Rampant trade - In 2016 the pangolin was given the highest level of protection by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), meaning all trade in the creatures is banned. Prior to that, trade was allowed under strict conditions. But protection groups say the illicit business is still rampant and TRAFFIC … [Read more...] about Nearly 900,000 pangolins trafficked in Southeast Asia: watchdog

Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia and the European Union (EU) have agreed to complete the negotiations on the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU CEPA) by the end of 2020. The agreement was reached by Indonesian Deputy Trade Minister Jerry Sambuaga and European Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan at their meeting on February 19. Sambuaga said Indonesia suggested accelerating the negotiations on the deal and its proposal had been accepted by the EU. This showed the important trade role of the Southeast Asian country, he added. With this commitment, Indonesia is expected to make more inroads into the European market, he said./. … [Read more...] about Indonesia, EU strive to complete negotiations on economic deal in 2020

Ha Minh Duc, deputy director of the International Cooperation Department at the labor ministry, told online news site Infonet on Wednesday that while English skills are an obstacle, the bigger problem for Vietnamese guest workers is their lack of discipline. … [Read more...] about Dog-eating, drunken Vietnamese workers fail to impress overseas employers: official

In addition, the ministry suggested establishing a network developing one commune-one product model in the bloc, holding an international symposium on science and technology in disaster prevention and another on reducing disaster risks for vulnerable groups. … [Read more...] about VN Agriculture Ministry proposes initiatives for ASEAN Chairmanship Year

Ancient war trap shows great campaign by Tran army in 13th century Archaeologists have recently unearthed wooden stakes that are thought to have been planted in a river in the coastal city of Hai Phong to repel Yuan-Mongol invaders' boats and secure the Bach Dang River victory in 1288 for Dai Viet (then Vietnam). … [Read more...] about Hai Phong discovers 13 more stakes linked to naval battles in 13th century