Powering the Mekong with rice husks

As the search for alternate sources of fuel continues in earnest, Vietnamese scientists have found great potential for a source of power in the scourge of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta rivers – water hyacinths and rice husks. Hoang Vu and Van Dat report.


Big rod of power: Nguyen Van Vu explains the working of a rice-husk-firewood machine. — VNS Photos Le Hoang Vu

Flour mill owner Le Minh Truong was struggling with the dramatic increase in coal prices.

The Can Tho City entrepreneur was beginning to wonder if his business would survive when word reached him about scientists in his own neighbourhood producing a new kind of fuel – cui trau (rice husk firewood). Read more...

(21-09-2008)

Copyright by Viet Nam News, Vietnam News Agency

website : http://vietnamnews.vnanet.vn

It takes just one village to save species

CHONGZUO, China: Long ago, in the poverty-stricken hills of southern China, a village banished its children to the forest to feed on wild fruits and leaves. Years later, when food stores improved, the children's parents returned to the woods to reclaim their young.

A newborn white-headed langur with its mother at the Chongzuo Ecology Park in China. The langurs, which are born yellow, are thriving here. (Peking University Chongzuo Biodiversity Research Institute )

To their surprise, their offspring had adapted to forest life remarkably well; the children's white headdresses had dissolved into fur, tails grew from their spines and they refused to come home. Read more...

Catastrophic fall in numbers reveals bird populations in crisis throughout the world

The birds of the world are in serious trouble, and common species are in now decline all over the globe, a comprehensive new review suggests today. Read more...




The State of the World's Birds report can be found at www.birdlife.org/sowb

By Michael McCarthy
Monday, 22 September 2008

Women to rule Rwanda parliament

Women voters in Rwanda

Rwanda already holds the world record for highest proportion of female MPs

Rwanda will be the first country where women will outnumber men in parliament, preliminary election results show. Read more...

website : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7620816.stm

Profitable waste

An environmental project in the Mekong Delta is set to make things a little easier for farmers – and the environment.

Nguyen Van Vu, who is in charge of Hoa An Center’s electricity,
displays the husk firewood produced by the pressing machine.

Rice husks and water hyacinths have long been considered waste material in the Mekong Delta. Read more...

Hospitality training course opens registration

The Lao National TourismAdministration (LNTA) and the government of Luxembourg on Friday made available application forms to the public for participation in a training of trainers course in hospitality and tourism. The government of Luxembourg has funded the recently launched LAO/020 project, which seeks to assist the Lao hospitality and tourism industry through the LNTA by strengthening human resources to support the burgeoning Lao tourism industry. Read more...

Formation professionnelle à Podor

FORMATION PROFESSIONNELLE A PODOR : Vers une insertion des élèves sortants

Les Centres et établissements de formation professionnelle viennent de franchir un nouveau palier avec la deuxième phase du Plan indicatif de coopération (PIC 2). L’insertion après la formation des élèves sortants de leurs établissements est désormais au cœur des préoccupations. Lire la suite...

Amadou Diagne NIANG - Le Soleil du mardi 19 août 2008

LUXEMBOURG-SENEGAL

LUXEMBOURG-SENEGAL : 650 millions Fcfa à des collectivités locales du nord

Le Luxembourg, par le biais de son programme Lux Développement, est venu en aide aux régions de Saint-Louis, Louga et Matam. Une enveloppe de 650 millions de Fcfa a été dégagée. Lire la suite...

Amadou Diagne NIANG

SENEGAL-LUXEMBOURG-FORMATION

Les entreprises invitées à accompagner la réforme de l'enseignement technique

Saint-Louis, 18 août (APS) – Un cadre rappelle aux entreprises sénégalaises leur intérêt à accompagner la réforme en cours dans le domaine de l'enseignement technique et de la formation professionnelle. Lire la suite...

Amad Mouslim DIBA - Agence de Presse Sénégalaise (APS) - 18-08-2008 18:18 GMT