Asiapacific region

Shoppers have been flocking back to high streets and other retail destinations in some parts of the country more than others as lockdown rules were eased in England and Wales. Across the UK, footfall climbed by 155.2% compared to the previous week though - partly blamed on wintry weather - the numbers were still 15.9% below pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to data from Springboard. Diane Wehrle, insights director at the firm, said: "The first day of retail reopening was an amazingly positive result and one which finally offers retailers some positive news. "The strong uplift highlights that consumer demand is higher than even forecasted and shows that bricks and mortar still holds a key position within the retail sector." Retailers are desperate to see a recovery in trade after the sector shed 67,000 jobs last year and lockdowns cost £27bn in lost sales, according to industry estimates. Advertisement Scenes of shoppers queuing outside stores … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Which regions saw footfall return closest to pre-pandemic levels as lockdowns eased?

The command is entrusted with managing and defending the southwestern waters from Ganh Hao estuary (in Bac Lieu province) to Ha Tien (Kien Giang province). Covering the area of 150,000 sq.km, these waters border the waters of Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia. It has a nearly 450 km of coastline, numerous estuaries, and 153 large and small islands, of which 46 are inhabited. Besides advantages in task performance, the command has also faced many challenges. In fact, in these designated waters, there remains 16,000 sq.km of overlapping waters between Vietnam and Cambodia, 650 sq.km of overlapping waters among Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia, and some 2,800 sq.km of overlapping waters between Vietnam and Malaysia. The sovereignty over these overlapping waters has not been clearly defined, so it is difficult to manage. Therefore, to maintain peace and stability in the waters, the Naval Region 5 Command has strengthened its ties with the naval forces of regional countries, including the … [Read more...] about Naval Region 5 boosts joint patrols for peace, stability in southwestern waters

Sandy weather forecast for northern regions Sandy and dusty weather caused by a cold front is forecast for northern regions across China until Friday, the National Meteorological Center said on Monday. From Monday to Tuesday, the Xinjiang Uygur, Ningxia Hui and Inner Mongolia autonomous regions and Hebei and Gansu provinces will experience sandy and dusty weather. From Wednesday to Friday, strong winds will carry it to more areas in North and Northeast China. From Wednesday through Thursday, heavy rain will hit western parts of China, the center said. The China Meteorological Administration's Tianqi.com website said that from the start of the year to Saturday, the country had seen six rounds of sandy and dusty weather. More than 20 provinces and regions have been affected, including ones as far south as Anhui and Zhejiang provinces. Even Shanghai and Hangzhou, Zhejiang's provincial capital, which both lie along the Yangtze River and have more water resources than many parts … [Read more...] about Sandy weather forecast for northern regions

Academy based in Hainan province aims to help lift people out of poverty China plans to help countries in the Lancang-Mekong region tap their banana-growing potential, the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences said. Academy vice-president Xie Jianghui said the banana industry has played a bigger role in recent years in countries along the river, which is known as the Lancang in China and the Mekong outside its borders, and China has begun seeking cooperation in the area and helping to lift local people out of poverty through related businesses. China is the world's second-biggest producer and consumer of bananas and was estimated to have produced 9.9 million metric tons last year and to have imported 3 million tons from countries including the Philippines and Ecuador, Xie, also chief scientist of the National Banana Industry Technology Systems, said. Countries in the Lancang-Mekong area such as Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar have advantages in growing bananas such as … [Read more...] about China boosts banana growing in Lancang-Mekong region

Kindly Share This Story: …call for civility, sustainability By Gabriel Ewepu AS activities of kidnappers, bandits, ritualists, armed robbers, cultists, unknown gunmen and insurgents continue to be a thorn in the flesh of Nigerians, Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, Tuesday, threw their weight behind the establishment of regional security outfits to provide cover for defenseless Nigerians suffering the brunt. However, they cautioned  governors not to use regional security corps to oppress perceived enemies and gag voice of citizens that will lead to abuse operations, but should allow them operate within the scope of the Act establishing them for professionalism and effective service to the people. Meanwhile, the CSOs also called for sustainability of the organisation in terms of good pay package, welfare, training, deployment of modern equipment and technology, synergy with federal government security organisations, and exhibition of patriotism … [Read more...] about Insecurity: CSOs back regional security outfits