Banks start to look offshore

VietNamNet Bridge - Scores of local banks are considering hiking foreign partner stake to raise charter capital.

Las Vegas firm invests in Vietnam luxury resort

VietNamNet Bridge - Asian Coast Development Ltd., currently developing Vietnam’s first large-scale integrated resort, has entered an agreement to receive a US$95 million investment from Las Vegas-based Pinnacle Entertainment.

Google starts adding flight schedules in search results

Google on Friday started integrating flight schedules and airline routes into its search results.

Hidden attractions and a way of life

VietNamNet Bridge - Pristine streets and houses built centuries ago by the Japanese, special lanterns and tailors offering to make silk suits overnight – Hoi An’s attractions are well known.

Celebrations storm up for Champions League's winner Barcelona

The celebrations began in Barcelona almost as soon as the referee blew the final whistle to confirm FC Barcelona as European Champions following their 3-1 win in the final of the Champions League against Manchester United

Vietnam participates in 24th ASEAN-US Dialogue

Pham Quang Vinh, assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, led a Vietnamese delegation at the 24th ASEAN-US Dialogue held in Wahshington DC on May 25 and 26.

Vietnamese fighters to compete in Indonesia

The Vietnam national karate team will compete in the third Indonesia Open Karate Championships in Jakarta from May 30 – June 2.

Vietnam's economy gets thumbs up from EU report

VietNamNet Bridge - Delegation of the European Union to Viet Nam yesterday launched the Green Book 2011 which contains an analysis of Viet Nam's trade and economic performance in 2010 and the first quarter of 2011.

Egypt permanently opens Rafah border crossing with Gaza

The Egyptian authorities permanently opened the Rafah border crossing with the sieged Gaza Strip on Saturday, allowing the free passage of travellers for the first time in four years.

Authorities clamp down on smoking

VietNamNet Bridge - Relevant ministries, sectors and authorities have been called upon to increase education regarding the negative affects of smoking and second-hand smoke, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan said.

Students’ inventions: How “burning” a passion can be!

VietNamNet Bridge - From a great idea, a strong passion, and a small sum of money, many groups of students in University of Technical Education HCMC have created many remarkable inventions. 

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 29/5

Commercial banks buy gold above market price; HSBC Vietnam to have new CEO; No time for backward steps Macro; Gemadept to plant rubber trees in Cambodia; Italian investors look for dolce vita in Vietnam  

Egyptian court fines Mubarak, two ex-ministers 90 mln dollars

An Egyptian court on Saturday decided to fine former President Hosni Mubarak and two ministers of his regime a total of 540 million Egyptian pounds for damaging the economy with cutting off the mobile and internet services

G8 commits to supporting Arabs, 40 bln USD for Tunisia, Egypt

French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced a 40-billion-U.S.-dollar aid package for Egypt and Tunisia at the end of the G8 summit on Friday as the club of economic powers joined a race against time to shore up the gains of the Arab changes.

State companies to declare assets, debts

State-owned groups and companies will have to declare their debts and assets, including gold, deposits, cheques, credit certificates, at funds and banks, from July this year if a new draft circular by the Ministry of Finance is approved.

FIFA probe to include president Blatter

Soccer's world governing body FIFA said on Friday that the organization's Ethics Committee extended a probe to include their own president Joseph Blatter.

Seven killed in suicide attack in northern Afghanistan

Seven people including two senior police officers and three German soldiers were killed and nine others including provincial governor were injured as a suicide bomber targeted governor's office in northern Afghan province of Takhar's capital

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 29/5

Corruption signs found in losses of Vietnam's major shipbuilder; Concerted effort required for road safety: PM; WHO award for Dr. Ly Ngoc Kinh; Crime gang leader arrested in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta       

Businesses don’t think of issuing corporate bonds

The majority of enterprises would contact commercial banks when they need capital to develop investment projects.

Thailand's acting PM to campaign in opposition's stronghold

Acting Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, also ruling Democrat Party leader, is scheduled to launch its political campaign in the Northeast, a major stronghold of the opposition Pheu Thai Party and the anti-government red- shirts,

Kids exposed to classical music

Phu Yen to host ASEAN music festival in June; Vietnam to attend Circuba 2011; US poet introduces Nguyen Trai poem collection; Pupils share their vision of the UK; Kids exposed to classical music

U.S. delegation leaves DPRK with released citizen

A U.S. state department delegation left here Saturday after a five-day visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Work halted on Van Phong port construction

VietNamNet Bridge - Construction of the Van Phong International Port in the southern central province of Khanh Hoa has been suspended for one year with no indication of a resumption date.

High-school students say farewell to school age

VietNamNet Bridge – Writing autograph books, releasing paper-made aircrafts with their wishes, tears… are the scenes at the school-year closing ceremony of the 12th graders in Hanoi.

Joplin tornado death toll rises to 132

The authorities of Joplin city in the U.S. state of Missouri on Friday updated the death toll to 132 from the deadliest single tornado that battered the city in the evening of May 22.