4S phone fever hits China

Thirty-year-old Chen Liang acquired his iPhone 4S in a relatively straightforward way without visiting the gray market. He typed "Looking for an iPhone 4S through weibo" on the Chinese equivalent of Twitter at 9 am on Oct 17

Death toll from earthquake in Turkey's Van province rises to 279

The death toll in quake-struck Van province in eastern Turkey has increased to 279 and around 1,300 people were injured, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said on Monday.

200 prisoners escape after Turkish earthquake

A total of 200 prisoners escaped from a prison in Turkey's southeastern province of Van after a 7.2- magnitude earthquake jolted the area on Sunday, Turkish news channel NTV reported.

Support vital for people with HIV

VietNamNet Bridge – Trinh Thi Le Tram, director of the Ha Noi-based Centre for the Law, Healthcare and HIV/AIDS policies, says she still remembers the case of a kindergarten teacher who was sacked from her teaching post

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 25/10

Market for foreign agricultural products remain strong; Cement production to meet demand in 2012; Brandnew Mekong Delta logistics port unveiled; Philippines to probe Vietnamese paper industry; Business Confidence Index increases in Q3    

Slow inflation fails to lift shares

The stock market declined again with the VN-Index on the HCM Stock Exchange dropping 0.83 percent over the course of last week to end Friday at 411.03 points, while the HNX-Index trod water to finish the week at 69.13 points.

Too optimistic?

At group discussions on Vietnam’s social and economic situation on October 21, National Assembly deputies expressed worries about difficulties in life, scattered investment and unrealistic social-economic targets for the next five years.

Three beauty queens perform Italian fashion

VietNamNet Bridge – Miss Vietnam 2006, 2008 and 2010--Mai Phuong Thuy, Thuy Dung and Ngoc Han transformed themselves in Italian and Vietnamese fashion collections at a fashion show in Hanoi on October 22.

Government plans to spend $2.8 billion on wage reform

VietNamNet Bridge – Minister of Finance Vuong Dinh Hue told the National Assembly last week that the government planed to pay VND59.3 trillion (over $2.8 billion) for wage reform as of May 2012.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 24/10

Vietnamese books on show in Paris; Lao people respond to voting for Ha Long bay;  VNSO conquered US music lovers at its debut; Vietnam cities host Open Academy 2011; “Vietnam Today” exhibition opens in Paris  

Legendary kungfu artist passes away

VietNamNet Bridge – Great martial art instructor Ha Chau, who is called Ummo – Alien, died at the age of 88, leaving many legends.

US agency helps develop Chu Lai airport

The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has signed a grant agreement worth $538,000   with the Middle Airports Corporation (MAC) to develop the Chu Lai International Airport.

217 dead in eastern Turkey earthquake: interior minister

At least 217 were killed and more than 1,000 people injured after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Turkey's Van province Sunday, Turkish Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin said Monday.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 24/10

 Private sector lifts game in disaster mitigation; Fugitive rats on accomplice in earlier theft; HCM Order bestowed on Buddhist dignitary

HCM City Phu Dong Games open

VietNamNet Bridge – Nearly 1,000 children representing HCM City’s students participated in the opening ceremony of the HCM City Phu Dong Games on the evening of October 22.

Argentine president Cristina Fernandez wins re-election

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez on Sunday won re-election after a solid victory with about 55 percent of the vote, the country's national television and private exit polls said.

Three artists’ experiment of “Timeless”

VietNamNet Bridge – “Timeless” is the name of a photo exhibition of the Plus Three group, which consists of three painters from the northern port city of Hai Phong: Bui Duy Khanh, Vu Ngoc Vinh and Mai Duy Minh.

EVN tastes bitterness when making investment in non-core business fields

The Electricity of Vietnam’s plan on investing in telecommunication and securities has failed. Meanwhile, the investments in the banking and real estate sectors have not brought profits as the stock and real estate market remain gloomy.

Toyota Classics Concert brings Northeast German Orchestra to Vietnam

The most expected annual classic concert will be held at the HCM City Opera House on November 3, with the participation of the Northeast German Philharmonic Orchestra, which has performed at the most famous theatres in the world. 

Police finish initial probe into polymer banknote printing case

VietNamNet Bridge – According to the report on corruption fighting in 2011 sent to National Assembly deputies on October 21, police have finalized initial investigation of the polymer banknote printing case.

Meat supplies ensured for new year

VietNamNet Bridge – Supplies of meat are ensured from now until the end of the Lunar New Year Festival in January if there are no epidemics or severe climate changes.

World police music gala in Hanoi

VietNamNet Bridge – Four police bands from Vietnam, Japan, the USA and South Korea made an impressive performance around Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake in the morning of October 23.

EU leaders agree on position for G20 summit

European Union leaders on Sunday agreed on the bloc's position for the upcoming G20 summit, calling on all G20 members to reform the international monetary system, strengthen financial regulation and tackle the excessive volatility

Hanoi: Public servants may start working at 9am

VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Transport has finalized the draft regulation on changing working time to avoid traffic jams in Hanoi. Accordingly, public servants will start working later.

HCM City to inspect medical retailers

VietNamNet Bridge – The HCM City Department of Health is setting up 25 inspection teams to appraise the working of both private and foreign medical clinics, drug and cosmetics stores, and cosmetic surgery clinics.