Giant black widow discovered in central Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – Scientists have found a big spider in Ky Anh district of Ha Tinh Province. They said that this is a black widow.

Blue-ear pig disease likely to spread across the north

VietNamNet Bridge – The Animal Health Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has warned of complicated developments of the blue-ear epidemic in pigs in northern provinces.

ECB keeps interest rates unchanged, sees growing economic risks

The European Central Bank (ECB) on Wednesday left its benchmark interest rates unchanged and pointed to growing economic risks amid mounting concerns over the lingering eurozone crisis.

Miss Vietnam winner prepares for penny-pinching prize

The winner of the Miss Vietnam pageant which will be held in August in the central city Danang will receive a smaller cash prize due to economic downturn.

BOT more favored than PPP by foreign investors for infrastructure projects

The delay in implementing the pilot program on developing infrastructure projects under the mode of private public partnership (PPP) has made it fail to obtain the initial expectations.

SPORTS IN BRIEF 7/6

Nhat wins fencing gold at Asian champs; Viet Nam strike gold at regional shooting event; Lan wins silver at Asian Youth Champs in Kazakhstan

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 7/6

Man gets five years in jail for slandering VN; TLC's premiere of documentary of 200lb tumor man; Illegal drug traffickers caught at border; With daughter trapped in China, man goes to police

Famous Ca Tru singer to treat Hanoi audience

Pho Thi Kim Duc, famous for singing “Ca tru” (ceremonial songs) and the only remaining “Ca tru” singer from the well-known Kham Thien Ca tru group in the past, will perform at the French Cultural Centre on June 13 in Hanoi.

Caricatures to capture EURO 2012

The approaching EURO 2012, one of the most prestigious football tournaments of the year, is causing excitement amongst local caricature painters who will take part in the EURO Diary through Paintings contest.

Mother and daughter strip naked, fail to save family land

Despite Lai and her daughter stripping naked in the public to retain their land, it has been decided that their compensation will remain unchanged at VND1.25 billion (USD59,421), one official said.          

Landmark 72 vertical run attracts 500 runners

After the success of the first vertical race in Vietnam in the city last year, this year’s competition will take place at Landmark 72 in Hanoi in late September under arrangement of Hong Kong’s Sporting Republic.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 7/6

Document, pictures to enhance archives; Charity event highlights Indonesian culture; Arabesque Dance Group wins in South Korea; Short play set to be staged in capital

Financial monitoring mechanism puts SOEs’ directors’ necks in the noose

The Ministry of Finance has submitted to the Prime Minister--the financial monitoring mechanism applied for state owned enterprises (SOEs) which aims to improve the SOE management efficiency.

Resettlement stirs residents

VietNamNet Bridge – The Ha Noi People's Committee affirmed that priorities would be placed on speeding up the infrastructure system construction in relocation areas to tackle the shortage of apartments to resettle residents.

Migration from Mekong Delta to rise on climate change

The migration from the Mekong Delta to other areas will increase in the future as the Mekong Delta is one of the three areas most vulnerable to the global climate change, an expert told a seminar ending in Can Tho City on Tuesday.

Urban development lacks planning, says minister

Asynchronous urban development is common across the country, with zoning plans only available for some urban areas when they have already been developed, said Minister of Construction Trinh Dinh Dung at an online meeting on Tuesday.

Land law revision proposed to protect farmers

Chairman Nguyen Van Giau of the National Assembly (NA) Economic Committee on Tuesday proposed the NA amend the Land Law soon in a bid to protect the interests of farmers given the rapid industrialization.

National squad to play China friendly

VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam football team left for China this morning for a friendly match with the host in Wuhan City tomorrow, June 8.

Now's the time for a travel deal

The summer tourism promotions to stimulate demand by air carriers and tourism companies have begun with attractive discounts on offer.

Co-op rules to tighten

Preferential treatment for co-operatives as stipulated under the existing Co-operative Law appears to have been incorrectly made use of by private business.

SBV paves way for more use of plastic money

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) will complete all related legal frameworks for the use of plastic money-credit and debit cards, as well as other forms of electronic payment in 2012.

FBI probes White House officials' leaking information about cyberattacks against Iran

The Federal Bureau of Intelligence has opened an investigation into possible White House officials' leaks of classified information to the New York Times about U.S. cyberattacks against Iran, CNN reported on Wednesday.

Vietnam, Armenia hope for enhanced multifaceted cooperation

VietNamNet Bridge – President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan will pay an official visit to Vietnam from June 8-9 at the invitation of Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang.

First Vietnamese chef joins prestigious cooking contest

VietNamNet Bridge – Chef Do Chi Cong from a Ha Noi restaurant will be the first-ever Vietnamese chef to compete at the prestigious cooking contest Bocuse d'Or Asia in Shanghai this month.

Nadal reaches French Open semis

Defending champion Rafael Nadal beat fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday to reach the French Open semifinals without dropping a single set.