Domestic rice prices too high, exporters incur losses

VietNamNet Bridge – A lot of rice exporters complain that they are incurring big losses because the domestic rice prices have been increasing more sharply than the export prices.

U.S. House passes last-ditch debt ceiling plan

The U.S. House of Representatives Monday passed a last-ditch bipartisan debt ceiling plan to avert a looming debt default crisis.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 2/8

Hiring to decline as production slows; ‘Irresponsible’ newspaper ex-chief faces charges; Poachers attack central forest rangers; Motorbike-taxi driver alleges assault by cop

City changes tune on solid waste imports

VietNamNet Bridge - The HCM City People's Committee has revoked its approval of a plan to import 10,000 tonnes of solid waste meant for testing waste management facilities belonging to a private firm.

Dangerous foreign toys flood VN

VietNamNet Bridge –Due to varied designs, imported toys have been attracting plenty of Vietnamese customers despite concerns regarding their quality and safety.

Top Lao leader set to visit next week

VietNamNet Bridge – Lao Party General Secretary and State President Choummaly Sayasone will pay an official visit to Viet Nam from August 8-10.

HCM City championship warm-up for SEA Games

VietNamNet Bridge – The 18th HCM City Open Athletics Championships is scheduled to kick off at the Thong Nhat Stadium today, Aug 2.

Health officials to carry out more hygiene inspections

VietNamNet Bridge – The increasing frequency of food poisoning incidents at industrial zones in HCM City over the last several months has prompted immediate preventative inspections at small food processing facilities.

SMEs at risk of bankruptcy due to economic meltdown

VietNamNet Bridge - “The profit margin in the first half of the year was measly 5 percent, while the inflation in the first half soared to nearly 14 percent. I suffer heavy losses,” says director of a Ho Chi Minh City-based textile enterprise. 

Prime Minister nominates four Deputy PMs, 22 ministers

VietNamNet Bridge – This morning, August 2, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung nominated four Deputy Prime Ministers and 22 ministers to the National Assembly (NA) for approval.

Believing in telepaths, falling in miserableness

VietNamNet Bridge – Many families got exhausted, faced lawsuits, etc. because they had blind confidence in telepaths.

Japan to test rice crops for radioactive cesium

Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced Monday that at least 14 prefectural governments in north and east Japan will conduct tests to determine whether locally grown rice has been contaminated

Power development strategy break and electricity shortage inevitable

To develop power, Vietnam needs to have huge capital, while it is seriously lacking capital. Meanwhile, current low electricity prices cannot attract foreign investors. Therefore, failing to fulfill the development strategy proves to be unavoidable.

Pollution hits fishermen's livelihood

VietNamNet Bridge – Until recently, life was not too difficult for residents of Suoi Cam Hamlet.

Top four teams to clash at PV Cup

VietNamNet Bridge – Four top men's and women's volleyball teams are set to compete at the Four-Star Volleyball tournament-PV Cup in central Quang Binh Province over the weekend.

Vietnamese defence delegation visits Cambodia

VietNamNet Bridge – A Vietnamese defence ministry delegation led by Deputy Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh paid a working visit to the Ku Len War Invalids Centre 317 in Siem Reap province of Cambodia from July 30-31.

Death toll in train collision in eastern India rises to 3

The death toll in the train collision Sunday evening in the eastern Indian state West Bengal has risen to three while 50 others were injured, said railway officials on Monday.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 2/8

Hanoi museum to display thousand-year-old jades; Hanoi store puts live models in window; HCMC opens free 3D cinema for children; Macbeth Opera to be performed in Vietnam; Exhibition spotlights agriculture and nature in mountainous regions    

Federation seeks to develop stars

VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam Tennis Federation (VTF) has a five-year programme to develop the sport in the near future.

NASA's Juno to start five-year journey to Jupiter

Solar-powered spacecraft Juno will be launched for a five-year journey to Jupiter for research, according to NASA reports on Sunday. Its trip to Jupiter, set to begin on August 5 when the launch window opens at 11:34 am (1534 GMT)

SPORTS IN BRIEF 2/8

Viet Nam ranked second at world taekwondo event;  Da Nang defend U-17 football crown; Lam nominated as football federation referee chief

MOET considers resuming “direct entry” mechanism

The Ministry of Education and Training may allow universities to enroll excellent students under the “direct entry” mechanism, i.e national excellent students can enroll in universities without having to take the university entrance exams.

More numerals for mobile subscriber numbers means more troubles

VietNamNet Bridge – Mobile network operators have got 200 million mobile phone subscribers already, but they still want to extend the numerals of subscriber numbers.

Phu Quoc Island may have a casino

VietNamNet Bridge – The southern province of Kien Giang plans to allocate 130 hectares to a resort with casino on Phu Quoc Island. However, investors must have at least $4 billion of capital.

25 people found dead on immigration boat to Italy

A number of 25 persons were found dead on an immigration boat carrying some 300 people from North Africa to Italy, according to local media report on Monday.