Naval nationalism

Beyond strategic and operational imperatives, the growth of regional navies, and their more conspicuous use in asserting national interests, reflects the increased influence of nationalism in defence policy and posture.

Production narrowed, employment down by 40 percent

VietNamNet Bridge – The labor demand dropped dramatically in the third quarter of 2011 which has been explained by the fact that enterprises, due to the big difficulties, have to scale down the production.

Nearly 44m workers to get training by 2020

VietNamNet Bridge - Nearly 44 million people, or 70 per cent of Viet Nam's 63-million strong workforce, will receive training by 2020 in accordance with a new Government initiative aimed at human resource development.

20 rescued after trapped in cable car overnight in Germany

Twenty tourists trapped in a cable car some 80 meters above the ground for more than 18 hours in Bavaria, southern Germany were safely rescued Saturday by helicopter, local authorities said.

Brain, physical training lowers risk for dementia, Alzheimer: Swedish researchers

Keeping up both mental and physical and social activities even after retirement can lower the risk for dementia and Alzheimer, the Swedish Daily reported on Saturday.

Viet Kieu piano prodigy to tinkle the ivories in HCMC

A solo recital by Gabriel Tran Phuong Nam, a 21-year-old pianist from the National Superior Conservatory of Paris for Music and Dance (CNSMD), will be held at 8pm tonight at the Sofitel Sai Gon Plaza in HCM City's District 1.

Farmers in remote commune learn English

Of late, more and more foreign tourists have been visiting Long My Commune in Mang Thit District in Vinh Long, and locals are constantly facing problems in communicating with them. 

London assays riots cost, promises safe 2012 Olympics

London vowed to take tough measures to punish rioters and maintain peace while starting to assess losses Thursday after the worst rioting and looting in decades hit English cities.

“Secret” of Le Quang Liem – world’s top young chess player

Being the champion of the Aeroflot chess competition for two consecutive years, ranking the 27th in the world, international grand master Le Quang Liem is believed to earn VND3 billion ($150,000) a year.

Connection charge increases won’t be able to rescue fixed line services

The Ministry of Information and Communication has decided to adjust charges of calls that connect mobile phones and fixed line phones, in an effort to stop the decline of fixed line service subscribers. But, it is not sure if the decision can help.

Home appliance retailers queuing up for… getting bankrupted?

VietNamNet Bridge – Unsalability and big stocks have forced many home appliance retailers give up the business which was once considered lucrative. Analysts believe that the market would witness the leave of many more brands in the time to come.

4 killed, 30 injured in train derail in Poland: report

Four people were killed and 30 injured after a train derailed in central Poland on Friday, local media reported.

“Fashion” for the dead

VietNamNet Bridge – Paper-made dresses, high-heels, smart shirts, Iphone… flood the Hanoi’s old quarter before Ram thang bay (the 15th day of the 7th month of lunar calendar or August 15), the day for wondering souls.

SMEs are fighting for survival

There are radical changes in current business landscape compared to several months ago with scarce capital and growing stockpiles firms’ largest burdens at present, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry general secretary says. 

Southern artists gather for HCMC dance festival

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese dancers from more than 20 dance schools, theatres and independent dance teams from Southern provinces will perform at the third HCMC dance festival on August 19-22.

State-owned firm faces a lot of complaints for polluting environment

Both lawyers and environmental experts say that Sonadezi must be seriously punished because it is a State-owned company specializing in treating waste but it discharged untreated waste water to the environment.

Hue: Royal tomb to be restored

VietNamNet Bridge – The tomb of King Minh Mang or Ta Tung Tu relic, which belongs to the Hue ancient capital relic, is under restoration at the cost of over VND7 billion ($350,000).

HTV to broadcast Barclays English Premier League free

VietNamNet Bridge – The Hanoi Television Station (HTV) will air the Barclays English Premier League for free in the second consecutive year.

Obama urges Congress to approve job creation proposals

U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday called for Congress to act on his proposals to stimulate the economy and create jobs, emphasizing putting the American people first.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 14/8

Korea-VN joint venture to build three ships; Import goods forced to sell at reduced rates; Ministry won't cut petrol price despite cheaper oil; SBV appointed Techcombank for WB-funded project; Firms call for better policies to develop husbandry   

Motorbike assembling workshop for the dead

Paper-made expensive motorbikes for the dead are assembled at Song Ho village in Thuan Thanh district, Hanoi’s neighboring province of Bac Ninh.

Judges mull over literature, art prizes

VietNamNet Bridge - More than 700 submissions for State prizes and titles in literature and the arts field have been submitted to the State Level Council, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Khanh Hai said.

New regulations on examining imports put difficulties for businesses

The Circular No 13 on examining the imports with vegetation origins has been described as “doing more harm than good,” because it has been putting big difficulties for import companies, while it fails to prevent low quality imports.

Vietnam Air sells tickets for Tet flights

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam Airlines on Wednesday started to sell air tickets for its flights during the coming Lunar New Year, or Tet, a time when demand for air travel within the country always surges.