The Philippines on July 24 protested the Chinese Central Military Commission’s decision to form a “garrison command” in Hoang Sa archipelago, as well as the recent deployment of Chinese fishing boats to Truong Sa archipelago.

VietNamNet Bridge – The Korean Cultural Centre will hold a contest to select a Vietnamese representative for the second International K-Pop Singing Competition in October.

A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island on Wednesday, sending terrified residents fleeing from homes and buildings.

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's two taekwondo competitors will leave for France for intensive training ahead of the London Olympics which start on Friday.

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam still strives to export 7 million tons of rice in 2012. However, this proves to be not an easy mission, especially when enterprises meet big challenges in both the domestic and foreign markets.

Spain's soaring costs of borrowing on the market did not reflect accurately its economic status and potential, the German and Spanish finance ministers said late Tuesday.

VietNamNet Bridge – The Government needs more support from non-government social organisations in protecting street children and providing them with education and healthcare services, officials said at a workshop on Monday.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Trang An Tourism Complex in the northern province of Ninh Binh has great historical and geological value, experts declared at an international workshop held here yesterday, July 24.

President Truong Tan Sang will pay an official visit to Russia from July 26-30 at the invitation of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met Lao Minister of Science and Technology Boviengkham Vongdara yesterday, July 24, to discuss bilateral co-operation in the science sector.

The country's leading internet security firm BKAV said it will invest VND334 billion (US$16 million) in building an IT complex at the Hoa Lac hi-tech park, 30km north-west of Ha Noi's city centre.

Moody's Investors Service on Tuesday cut the outlook for the credit rating of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) to negative from stable, warning that the rescue fund would lose its Aaa rating.

An agreement has been signed to ensure that the Paralympic Games will be held in the same city as the Olympic Games through until 2020.

The fact that one business borrows money from many different banks has been cited as the main reason behind the difficulties in reckoning bad debts.

Symphonies for piano by world-famous composer Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninov will be performed by Guigla Katsarava with the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra at Hanoi Opera House at 8 p.m. on August 17 and 18.

VietNamNet Bridge – Provinces and cities in the northern region have taken measures to avoid potential floods and landslides caused by Storm Vincente, which is forecast to hit the border area of Cao Bang and Lang Son provinces at 4pm today.

Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) in July declined for the second consecutive month, falling 0.29 percent, recording the lowest level in the month since 2004, General Statistics Office (GSO) reported on July 24.

A number of US senators have voiced their strong support for full and strict implementation of an ASEAN-China declaration on East Sea issues and called on all parties concerned to settle disputes peacefully and lawfully.

A Chinese map published in 1904 reveals that the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelagos did not belong to China.

US Senator John McCain has emphasized that China’s sovereign claims in the East Sea have no basis in international law.