BMW recalls some 9,200 cars over cooling pump defect

BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) AG will recall some 9,200 cars worldwide due to possible cooling pump defect, the Munich-based German luxury car maker announced on Monday.

Cancer center to help curb rising disease cases

China's first national cancer center will be inaugurated within the year to enhance the country's capacity for prevention, early screening and treatment of the disease, said a senior health official.

Bank doors open more widely, but businesses cannot go in

VietNamNet Bridge – Banks have “relaxed their severity,” loosening the conditions for lending capital, but businesses have no more assets to mortgage for the loans.

"The Hunger Games" expands box office lead to 4th weekend

"The Hunger Games" managed to expand its box office lead in North America to fourth weekend, beating out a pair of new films with a considerable lead.

Football TV right comes to an end

VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam Professional Football (VPF) JS Company and AVG have unexpectedly reached an agreement on the telecast rights of professional football leagues in Vietnam.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 17/4

We're ready for T+3, say brokers; Policies help boost shares; VN shrimp regain Japan reputation; Seafood firms call for better access to capital; Travel firms urge tax extension, lower rates; Investors despair over continuing financial fraud   

Banks to help enterprises refinance debt

The State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) has asked commercial banks to reschedule enterprises' loans that they have not been able to pay back on time because of negative economic conditions.

Vietnam to build a tsunami warning system

Vietnam plans to install a Tsunami Warning System that will cover the coastal areas, more populated islands, and 13 cities and provinces nationwide, which are most at risk of being hit by a tsunami and high tidal waves.

NA Chairman: Vietnam hopes to boost ties with Bulgaria

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam attaches great importance to developing the traditional relationship and multifaceted cooperation with Bulgaria, says National Assembly (NA) Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.

SOEs could not be used as macroeconomic regulatory instrument

State owned enterprises (SOEs) have always been defined as the motive force in the national economy and the instrument for the government to implement its macro economic policies.

Vietnamese fans fainted at music festival

VietNamNet Bridge – A nine-hour music festival - Soundfest, in HCM City on April 14, which had the appearance of the Korean band Big Bang, made many fans exhausted and faint.

Hue man gives back expensive laptop to foreign visitor

VietNamNet Bridge – Tran Duy Chien, a local man in Huong Thuy town, Thua Thien-Hue province, has returned a laptop worth $3,500 to its owner, a foreign visitor.

Australian NGO donates de-mining equipment

VietNamNet Bridge – The Peace Trees Viet Nam (PTVN) non-government organisation received de-mining equipment from Australian donors in Dong Ha city, Quang Tri Province this morning.

Illegal export of minerals rampant

VietNamNet Bridge – Illegal mineral exploitation is rampant in the border provinces, according to the Government.

Foreign securities investors call for help

VietNamNet Bridge – Realizing the attractive investment opportunities in the Vietnamese stock market, a lot of foreign investors are burning to make disbursement. However, many of them can do nothing except seeing the opportunities missing.

Hue Festival wrapped up by a music party

VietNamNet Bridge - The festival concluded on April 15 by an impressive performance by Vietnamese and international artists.

Passenger trains stop for bomb detection

VietNamNet Bridge – Two passenger trains had to stop halfway for nearly three hours because a bomb was detected under the pile of a bridge in Thanh Hoa province.

China issues alert on "chromium-contaminated" capsules

China's drug watchdog issued an emergency notice late Sunday night to suspend the selling and consumption of a list of capsules with reported excessive chromium contamination.

Calligrapher preserves art in Hoi An

VietNamNet Bridge – Calligrapher Do Minh Nhan is preserving Viet Nam's ancestral penmanship in the historic port town of Hoi An.

Floating in the land of love with the “Red Pillows”

VietNamNet Bridge – An installation art called “Red Pillows” was displayed at the Dien Tho Palace in the Hue royal citadel for five nights of the Hue Festival, creating a peaceful and sweet place for visitors.

Five Buddhist monks go to Truong Sa Islands

VietNamNet Bridge – Five Buddhist monks who volunteered to practice Buddhism at pagodas in the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands left Khanh Hoa province to Truong Sa on April 12.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 16/4

Signed rice export deals reach 3.6 million tons; Vietnam Super Model contest announces jury member; Chol-chnam-Thmay festival held in HCM City; Hanoi to host exhibition of rivers in SEA 

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 16/4

Banks finally begin to trim interest rates; US new technical barrier hinders local honey exports; VN is world’s biggest woodchip exporter in 2011; $3.7 billion spent on animal feed imports; FPT to be Apple’s official distributor in Vietnam

Iran's nuclear issue: hopes emerging, bumpy road ahead

The long-awaited talks over Tehran 's controversial nuclear program concluded in Istanbul of Turkey on Saturday between Iran and six world powers, with both sides describing the talks as positive and constructive.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 16/4

Malaysian gets 2 years in jail for fake cards; VNA gives books to Truong Sa island commune; Project to upgrade northern waterway transport; Cabby fleecing Interpol guests jailed for 5 years