Phone importers accused of trade fraud

VietNamNet Bridge - Local customs departments have accused some domestic cell phone companies of fraud amidst new import regulations.

Italy brushes off Gaddafi's oil cooperation bar

The government of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on Thursday halted all cooperation with Italian energy giant ENI over Italy's role in the NATO-led mission in Libya, but the move triggered an impassive reaction from Rome.

Experts look at ways to boost higher education

More than 160 domestic and foreign leaders, managers, lecturers and postgraduates at a conference yesterday discussed ways to improve the quality of training, research and management in universities and colleges.

Bonus shower at V-League 2011

VietNamNet Bridge – Players of the SHB Da Nang FC received nearly VND2 billion ($100,000) for the 3-1 win against Song Lam Nghe An FC.

New REDD project is taking root

VietNamNet Bridge - A local carbon forest investor is stirring Vietnam’s carbon credit market.

VN bestseller now in Esperanto

VietNamNet Bridge – The Esperanto version of Dang Thuy Tram's Diary – the 2005 Vietnamese best-seller has been presented to the public in Ha Noi yesterday, July 14.

Steelmakers scale back production as consumption falls

VietNamNet Bridge - The domestic steel industry is cutting back on production in a big way as it faces unsold stockpiles and struggles to increase exports because it is not competitive enough.

Bernanke says "uncertain" about economic developments, backtracking from QE3

U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Thursday that the central bank was uncertain about the near-term developments in the U.S. economy, and the Fed was not ready to adopt another round

Ministry urges consolidation in mobile service sector

VietNamNet Bridge - Viet Nam only needed three to four telecommunications businesses to meet domestic needs and avoid waste, said Minister of Information and Communications Le Doan Hop at a ministry review meeting this month.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 15/7

  Nail scatterer gets 18 months in jail; Taxi runs into coverless sewer hole, driver safe; Highland region's growth sound

Mobile service providers seeking new sources of incomes

VietNamNet Bridge – Unable to compete with rivals by lowering charges any further, mobile service providers have launched new services to increase the income.

Truck driver injured in east China bridge cave-in

A bridge partially collapsed early Friday in Hangzhou City leaving a truck driver injured, police and witnesses said.

Door to petroleum companies not open to foreign investors

Vietnam does not intend to sell stakes in petroleum distribution companies to foreign investors, affirming that this does not come contrary to its WTO commitments.

ASEAN regional forum to take up East Sea disputes

ASEAN will take up the rising tension in the resource-rich East Sea when the group sits with leaders of other countries to discuss regional security issues, said Surin Pitsuwan, ASEAN secretary-general.

Minh set to face Bao in US Open quarter-finals

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's top badminton player Nguyen Tien Minh secured his berth in the quarter-final round of the US Open Grand Prix Gold after defeating Kashyap Parupalli yesterday, July 14, in California.

IMF urges U.S. to raise debt limit, enhance fiscal sustainability

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Thursday urged the United States to raise the debt ceiling and improve its fiscal sustainability over the long run, the latest such warning from the global lender.

VN prepare to become Asian giant

VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF) has set a goal of developing the country into one of the top 10 football countries in Asia by 2020, as outlined in its football strategy for the 2011-20 period.

Trang victorious at National Women's Open Tourney

Cyclists continued the fifth stage of the National Women's Open Cycling Tournament – An Giang Television Cup – yesterday, veteran Phan Thi Thuy Trang from the An Giang Plant Protection team, crossing the finish line in first place.

Workshop explores business of arts

VietNamNet Bridge – Various opinions about cinema, performing arts, fine arts, photography and exhibitions in Viet Nam were discussed by cultural experts at a workshop held in Ha Noi yesterday, July 14.

South Sudan's flag raised symbolizing membership as 193rd UN member state

Surrounded by masses of UN personnel and media in the blazing sun, South Sudan's flag was raised here on Thursday marking the admission of world's newest country as the 193rd member of the United Nations.

Tram Chim National Park – a green island of red-headed cranes

If you visit Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap during the time of day when the highest tides occur, normally from August to November, you can take a motorboat ride through forests rich with plants and flowers and green cajeput trees.

Overcrowded kindergartens a worry for People's Council

VietNamNet Bridge – The capital city's overloaded kindergarten system was the focus of concern from delegates during a question-and-answer session at Ha Noi People's Council yesterday, July 14.

Difficulties in accessing bank loans discourage labor export companies

As banks have tightened their lending in a strategy to fight inflation, export laborers cannot borrow money to cover the expenses for exit procedures. A lot of companies have given back the operation license and shifted to other business.

National Assembly to meet next week

VietNamNet Bridge –The 42nd meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee closed in the capital city yesterday morning, July 14. It was also the last activity of the 12th National Assembly.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 15/7

Viet Nam condemns India bomb blasts; Special relations with Laos to be preserved; Russia prioritizes relations with Vietnam, says Medvedev