At least 70,000 newly-born babies HIV positive in Nigeria: official

The Nigerian government on Thursday said about 70,000 newly born babies in the West African country are HIV positive.

Trang An tourism to be introduced on CNN

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will consider promoting the Trang An eco-tourism complex in the northern province of Ninh Binh on the well-known global TV network CNN in the coming time.

Great supporter of Vietnam passes away

Raymond Aubrac, one of the leading figures of the French resistance during the Second World War and a long-time friend of Vietnam, passed away in Paris on April 10 aged 97.

Vietnam, Cuba issue joint statement

Vietnam and Cuba issued a joint statement at the end of Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s official visit to Cuba from April 8-12.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 14/4

Vietinbank sells off loads of shares; Tourism revenue hit nearly US$2 billion in Q1; Firm announces plans to delist in capital; Bank offers free services to help firms; Vietnam Airlines aims to expand fleet; Vietnam Airlines aims to expand fleet

Beat the summer heat with a rustic retreat to scenic Cao Bang

VietNamNet Bridge – To escape Ha Noi's summer heat, I imagine that many people are like me and think about the thick green forest and high mountains of Cao Bang Province, 300km north of the capital.

China's GDP growth slows to 8.1 pct

China's economy expanded 8.1 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2012, slowing from 8.9 percent in the fourth quarter of last year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Friday.

DPRK's failed satellite launch draws int'l concerns, condemnation

The failed satellite launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea early Friday has prompted international concerns, with Washington and Seoul condemning the act as a violation of UN resolutions and a threat to regional stability.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 13/4

Switzerland casts plaques of Ha Long Bay in bronze; Applicants invited to take part in Miss Sport Viet Nam; By smoking on catwalk, model raises debate; France remains important partner of Hue Festival; The Cold Room at  Zero Station

Minimum wage to be raised to $50.45 from May

VietNamNet Bridge – The Government has issued a decree to raise the common minimum wage rate from the current VND830,000 to VND1.05 million (US$50.45) per month, an increase of 25 percent, from May 1, 2012.

High-tech products to account for 45pct of GDP by 2020

VietNamNet Bridge – Science and technology have significantly contributed to promoting the restructuring and growth of the national economy and the rising value of high-tech products will account for 45 percent of GDP by 2020.

TRAVEL IN BRIEF 13/4

 French cruise ship visits Viet Nam; Cheap holiday tours snapped up; Country seeks to attract Russians; Tourism Day fest promotes local trips

Athletes to vie for final London berths

VietNamNet Bridge – With only a few weeks remaining before the London Olympic organisers announce the final list of participants, Vietnamese athletes are hastening to pick up the last tickets.

Vietnamese businessman needs permission to buy US town

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) said it has not received any applications for making outward investments from the Vietnamese businessman Pham Dinh Nguyen, who won the bid to buy the US smallest town Bufford.

VN simplifies administrative procedures during first quarter

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's ministries and sectors simplified more than 2,800 administrative procedures in the first quarter,

Vietnamese Jazz queen performs with American artists

VietNamNet Bridge - Tuyet Loan, 62, who is called "Vietnam's Jazz Queen," had an impromptus show with American band--Mary McBride, in HCM City on April 11.

Drum festival features Vietnamese spirit

VietNamNet Bridge – A drum festival titled “Sound of Vietnamese Spirit” took place at Nghinh Luong Dinh, on the bank of Huong River, Hue City on the evening of April 10.

FIFA rankings: Vietnam rises to 97th, top in Southeast Asia

VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam national men’s football team leaps up three grades to claim the 97th position in the latest FIFA rankings for April, released on April 10.

Vietnamese fisherman catches rare fish

VietNamNet Bridge – A fisherman in Nghe An province, central Vietnam, has caught an ocean sunfish, which rarely appears in the sea of Vietnam.

Phu Quoc Island’s Vice Party Secretary dismissed

VietNamNet Bridge – As his wife practiced usury--Mr. Nguyen Van Quoc, Deputy Party Secretary of the island district of Phu Quoc, in Kien Giang province, has been dismissed.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 13/4

Aussie Embassy reveals new aid; Drowsy driver gets 12 years for deadly accident; Vietnamese entrepreneurs receive Lao Friendship Medal

Bianfishco clinically dead, but cannot declare bankruptcy yet

The petition by the farmers, who are the creditors of Bianfishco, to the Can Tho City People’s Court, for conducting bankruptcy proceedings for Bianfishco, has been refused by the court.

IMF chief calls for seizing "Washington moment", tackling challenges

Policymakers in different countries should seize the moment to strengthen cooperation, bolster global financial firewall and address key economic challenges, Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF),

Jobless insurance claims up, employment down

VietNamNet Bridge – The increasing number of enterprises filing for bankruptcy in HCM City in the first quarter of the year has resulted in a surge in unemployment insurance claims.

G8 calls for immediate observer mission to Syria

Foreign ministers from the Group of Eight (G8) called for an immediate observer mission to Syria, the group said in a statement on Thursday.