Thành phố tại Anh ngập trong rác do nhân viên vệ sinh đình công | Cụm tin | VTV24

Key Concepts

• Hong Kong Apartment Fire: Rescue efforts for pets, casualties, and trapped individuals.
• Birmingham Waste Crisis: Sanitation workers' strike, impact on public health, financial pressures on the council, and temporary worker challenges.
• Influenza Outbreak in China: Dominant strain (AH3N2), high incidence in children, school closures, and vaccination recommendations.
• European Parliament Social Media Resolution: Proposed minimum age for social media use, parental consent, debate on digital skills vs. protection, and content moderation.

Hong Kong Apartment Fire: Rescue Efforts Extend to Pets

The fire in a Hong Kong apartment building has resulted in 55 fatalities, with 62 individuals still trapped inside. Alongside the urgent search for survivors, rescue operations for pets within the building are underway. Animal welfare and veterinary staff, equipped with carriers, have negotiated with police to access the fire-affected area. As of this afternoon, approximately a dozen cats and eight dogs have been rescued. A 20-person animal rescue team has been working since noon, hoping to save more animals as the fire is brought under control.

Birmingham's Escalating Waste Crisis Amidst Sanitation Strike

Birmingham, the UK's second-largest city, is grappling with a severe waste crisis due to a sanitation workers' strike lasting nearly a year. This has led to widespread garbage accumulation on streets, raising public health concerns. The strike, which began earlier in the year and escalated to an indefinite work stoppage in March, stems from proposed pay cuts and restructuring within the city's waste management department. The consequences are visible across Birmingham, with uncollected waste piling up in residential areas and reports of increased rodent and pest infestations. One resident noted, "I see a lot of vermin appearing, like rats or things that almost never appeared in England before, but now they do."

In September 2023, the Birmingham City Council announced a suspension of all non-essential public spending due to unprecedented financial pressures. As part of cost-cutting measures, the council revealed plans to eliminate senior positions in waste management from 2024, which would result in an annual income reduction of approximately £8,000 for some workers, equivalent to over 20%. This move was met with strong opposition from trade unions, ultimately leading to the strike. A union representative stated, "We are not asking for more money. The only thing we want is for these workers not to be cut."

Faced with the worsening waste accumulation, Birmingham City Council has been forced to hire temporary staff to assist with waste collection. However, these temporary workers have also faced obstacles, with striking workers blocking their access, further exacerbating the pollution. The Birmingham City Council has declared a major incident and is calling for swift solutions to end the strike and restore environmental sanitation services to safeguard public health.

China's Influenza Outbreak: AH3N2 Strain Dominates, Children Heavily Affected

Influenza in China is entering a phase of rapid spread, with the AH3N2 strain accounting for the majority of cases. Notably, the incidence rate of influenza is significantly higher in children aged 5 to 14 compared to other age groups. To curb the spread of the epidemic, many educational institutions in cities such as Nanjing, Yangzhou, and Nantong in Jiangsu Province have had to close schools. Chinese health experts recommend early influenza vaccination, as the vaccine remains effective even during the peak of the flu season. Individuals with flu-like symptoms or those who have recovered from a previous flu infection can still receive the vaccine.

European Parliament Proposes Minimum Age for Social Media Use

The European Parliament yesterday passed a landmark resolution proposing a default minimum age of 16 for individuals using social media platforms. While receiving widespread attention, this resolution is not legally binding and does not impose mandatory obligations on member states. In France, the proposal has immediately sparked mixed reactions from both young people and parents. The resolution passed by the European Parliament stipulates that children under 13 will be banned from accessing online platforms, while those aged 13 to 16 will only be permitted access with parental consent.

In Paris, France, news of the European Union potentially tightening or even banning children's access to social media immediately became a hot topic. For young people, the directly affected demographic, they acknowledge the risks to mental health but argue that a complete ban would deprive them of opportunities to develop essential digital skills. One young person commented, "This has both positive and negative aspects. The positive is preventing harmful ideologies. But conversely, accessing social media helps young people learn independently, discover what they should and shouldn't do, and thus learn to use this tool most effectively."

Meanwhile, from a parental perspective, many believe that the primary responsibility for protecting children lies with the family, not with extreme bans. One parent stated, "I think a ban is a bit harsh. We need to manage content and limit usage time. If we cut it off completely, it means we will push 18-year-olds into a complex digital world without any preparation, equipping, or guidance from parents." Many also point out that the core issue lies not with the platforms themselves but with controlling harmful content such as hate speech or violence. Another individual remarked, "I do not support a total ban because this is also an educational channel. My daughter found her love for literature thanks to social media, so not everything is negative. However, what needs to be absolutely banned is hate speech."

The European Parliament believes that unifying the stance on a minimum age is a crucial step in enhancing the protection of minors from harmful content and risks to personal data. However, practical implementation across Europe remains a challenge, requiring a balance between child protection and the right to access information.