U.S. stocks tumble over European concerns

U.S. stocks tumbled on Monday, with major indexes suffering biggest losses in two weeks, as worries on European debt problems once again weighed on the market.

A conversation with Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (Part I)

VietNamNet would like to introduce the talks of Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh at the Council for Foreign Relations (CFR), a leading think tank and publisher in the US.

How many rice exporters should Vietnam have?

The Vietnam Food Association (VFA) has proposed the Ministry of Industry and Trade to stop licensing more rice exporters. However, experts believe that it will be unfair if the enterprises which can meet the requirements cannot join the market.

Francois Hollande wins SP primaries for 2012 Presidential contest

Francois Hollande, former First Secretary of the French left Socialist Party (SP), won the run-off primary election on Sunday to represent the biggest opposition for the French presidential race next year.

HCM City pays $22m to jobless despite labour shortages

VietNamNet Bridge – The HCM City Social Insurance Agency will pay VND460 billion (US$21.9 million) in unemployment benefits to more than 100,000 laid-off workers this year, its deputy director has said.

Australian prisons in danger of HIV epidemic: experts

Prisoners and health experts on Saturday told national broadcasting network ABC News that they are concerned of a looming HIV epidemic in Australia's prisons.

Today’s mistake to harm the future

Dong Nai 6 and 6A hydro-power projects are located completely in Cat Tien National Park and they are not Vietnam's significant works. Why do the investor and local authorities try to implement them at any cost.

Israel's High Court backs prisoner-swap deal

Israel's High Court of Justice on Monday night denied four petitions against a deal that would set free Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for 1,027 Palestinian and Arab prisoners.

Traffic jams in Hanoi

VietNamNet Bridge - Gridlocks in Hanoi through VietNamNet's lens.

Hillary Clinton not to run for president

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reiterated on Monday that she would not run for president again, but would turn to a life of writing and teaching after retirement.

Iran produces 70 kg high-grade enriched uranium

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said Monday that Iran has so far produced nearly 70 kg of 20 percent enriched uranium, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.

Asian champ survives on glory

VietNamNet Bridge – Pham Van Mach may have won his first world bodybuilding championship a full 10 years ago but he insists he is still at his peak. In fact, the diminutive 35-year-old says, his best years could well last until he turns 40.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 18/10

MARD proposes more import of frozen meat; Big hotel chains snub Tourism Awards; Software industry back on track; Card transactions worth VND29 tril. In Jan-Sep; New Chevrolet Spark launched in Vietnam; Cashew exports exceed US$1 billion

Banks propose interest rate cuts on loans to businesses

It is imperative that banks cut their lending interest rates to support businesses, was the message from a meeting held in HCM City between the Viet Nam Banking Association and its members in the southern region on Friday.

Annual Miss Cow held in Moc Chau plateau

VietNamNet Bridge – More than 100 dairy cows gathered in the finale of a beauty contest for cows on October 15, at the Moc Chau forest farm in Son La province.

Impressive designs of Dep Fashion Show 2011

VietNamNet Bridge – The most awaited fashion event of the year – the Dep Fashion Show – was organized in HCM City on October 15. Below are impressive designs at the show.

Binh Thuan authorities license man to search 4,000-ton-gold treasure

VietNamNet Bridge – Binh Thuan province has permitted Mr. Tran Van Tiep, 96, to search for “treasure” on Tau Mountain for 270 days.

Big hotel chains snub Tourism Awards

Famous hotel brands such as Sheraton, Sofitel and Hilton snubbed the Vietnam Tourism Awards 2010 which announced its winners this week.

Auto market gloomy amid information about ownership registration tax increase

The automobile market remains lackluster despite the information that the ownership registration tax would increase by 10-20 percent.

U.S. race car driver Dan Wheldon dies in 15-car crash

American race car driver Briton Dan Wheldon died in a 15-car crash accident at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, according to media report.

Higher interbank rates hurt small banks

In early October, the State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) made adjustments on basic interest rates with the aim of improving the effectiveness of monetary policies and regulations of interest rates.

Illegal gold mining rampant

VietNamNet Bridge – Authorised agencies from the Central Highland Kon Tum Province's Dak Glei District have not yet succeeded in curbing the illegal gold mining.

Vietnamese model enters top 15 of Miss Asia Pacific

VietNamNet Bridge – The final night of Miss Asia Pacific 2011 took place on October 15 in South Korea. Vietnamese contestant Truong Tung Lan entered the top 15 contestants.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 17/10

Industrial workers to get better facilities; Outstanding women honoured for contributions; Storms threaten flimsy cottages on riverbanks, seaside

First IT competition for disabled students pulls in S Koreans

VietNamNet Bridge – An information technology competition for disabled students, a first of its kind in Viet Nam, drew about 140 Vietnamese and South Korean students on Saturday.