Forum helps perfect laws on human rights

VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Justice held a forum for policy dialogue on perfecting laws on human rights in Hanoi on May 23.

Preferential loans for agricultural production target wrong subjects

VietNamNet Bridge – The government has been urged to stop providing preferential loans to enterprises to help them collect rice from farmers, because the program does not help agricultural production.

14 fishermen detained by China return home

VietNamNet Bridge – After six days of detention, fourteen Vietnamese fishermen who were held illegally by Chinese authorities while fishing in Vietnam’s territorial waters have returned to Vietnam.

Rare bison found dead in Binh Phuoc

VietNamNet Bridge – Authorities in southern Binh Phuoc Province's Dong Phu District yesterday confirmed a gaur found dead on Sunday in a local forest was categorised as type 1B, considered a rare type.

Wrong scan result cause death for two newborn babies

VietNamNet Bridge – Three scans showed that the fetus had innate defects; doctors advised the mother to abort. However, the baby did not have any malformation.

French pianist to wow Hanoi fans

VietNamNet Bridge – Local classical music lovers will enjoy a piano solo performed by world-known musician Roger Muraro at Hanoi Opera House on June 19.

Cafe captures historic flavour

VietNamNet Bridge – The Ancient Time Cafe in downtown Da Nang has become a popular destination for tourists since it opened last year.

EU's Barroso reiterates strong desire to keep Greece in eurozone

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Wednesday reiterated the Commission's strong willingness to keep Greece in the euro area while urging the country to maintain its commitment to structural reforms.

Public parking fees set to rise

VietNamNet Bridge – Parking in public places in HCM City will increase by VND1,000-2,000 for motorbikes and by 40-50 per cent for automobiles depending on location if a proposal by the city Department of Finance is approved.

Deputy PM urges nation to counter smoking

VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan called for public involvement in tobacco harm prevention at a meeting to celebrate World No Tobacco Day today, May 24.

US Secretary of Defense to visit Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge - Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is scheduled to visit Vietnam next week, as part of his trip to three Asian countries.

Parasailing show in Da nang

VietNamNet Bridge – Famous parasailers from France, the US, Poland and Japan, joined a performance on the afternoon of May 23, on the beach of Da nang.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 24/5

Art auction to support cleft palate surgery for children; Indian professor's book presented to Vietnamese public; Top Taiwanese chefs delight hotel guests; Students pay musical tribute to Uncle Ho

Bus that fell into river might have got punctured

VietNamNet Bridge – According to investigation by the authorities of Dak Lak province, the bus that fell into Serepok River, causing the death of 36 people on May 17, was punctured.

NA Deputy Hoang Yen: “I don’t regret”

VietNamNet Bridge – On May 23, the National Assembly held a private meeting to consider the proposal on removing NA deputy status of Ms. Dang Thi Hoang Yen.

Police arrest group with fake money

VietNamNet Bridge – Hai Ba Trung District Police announced yesterday, May 23, they arrested four people allegedly trying to transport VND500 million (US$24,000) of counterfeit dong in northern Hai Duong City on Tuesday.

Businesses want self-determination on wages

Businesses have voiced their opposition against the deep intervention of the state to their wage policies.

Exhibition of 'Young sculptors’ in Hanoi

VietNamNet Bridge - The ‘Young Sculptors 2012’ exhibition has opened at the Exhibition House, 16 Ngo Quyen Street, Hanoi.

SPORTS IN BRIEF 24/5

Vietnamese teams lose to China; Off-road racing heads to Viet Nam; K+ to broadcast Euro 2012 live; Athletes prepare for junior games; AVC publishes championships draw

Support for businesses ‘to be distributed fairly'

Minister of Finance Vuong Dinh Hue assured the public on Tuesday that the Government's VND29 trillion (US$1.38 billion) business support package would make it into the hands of the people who needed it most via a transparent process.

New drainage system to be installed in HN

VietNamNet Bridge – Ha Noi will install new underground drainage systems in 44 streets in seven inner-city districts from now till the end of next year, said Pham Van Cuong, director of the Ha Noi Drainage Project Management Board.

Phillip Phillips crowned "American Idol"

Indie artist Phillip Phillips won "American Idol" on Wednesday, becoming the fifth male singer in a row to take the title and a guaranteed recording contract.

2-year-old boy causes motorbike accident

VietNamNet Bridge – While the mother was picking up a milk can on the road, her 2-year-old sun suddenly turned the throttle grip of her motorbike. The vehicle ran straight onto National Highway 1A.

Egypt's presidential polling ends for the first day

Egypt closed its polling stations on Wednesday evening for the first day of the two-day presidential election with great turnout.

NA discusses changes to labour law

VietNamNet Bridge – The National Assembly discussed a range of concerns related to labour issues during a session that was broadcast live on television yesterday morning, May 23.