Vietnam Breaking News

Ukraine crisis: Nato meeting to step up pressure on Russia

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Ukraine crisis: Nato meeting to step up pressure on Russia Nato foreign ministers are due to discuss ways to help Ukraine and reassure allies in Eastern Europe, at a meeting in Brussels. <div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 310px' id='attachment_1467415'><a href="http://bit.ly/1gjM0WE"><img alt="Russia has said the troops deployed along its border with Ukraine are taking part in military exercises." class="attachment-medium" height="168" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1gWXVzm" width="300"/> </a> Russia has said the troops deployed along its border with Ukraine are taking part in military exercises. </div> It is the first time ministers from the 28 member states have convened since Russia’s takeover of Crimea caused a diplomatic crisis. Nato has bolstered annual air drills being held over Baltic countries later. On Monday, Russia ordered a partial withdrawal of its troops from the border with Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin told German Chancellor Angela Merkel he had ordered the move, according to the German government. Thousands of Russian soldiers are still said to be deployed along the eastern border of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian energy firm Gazprom is increasing the price it charges Ukraine for gas from Tuesday. Gazprom’s chief executive Alexei Miller said last month that Kiev had failed to pay its bills, believed to be more than $1.5bn (£900m). Tensions between Russia and the West rose after the overthrow of pro-Kremlin Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in February, following months of street protests. Russia’s subsequent decision to annex Crimea triggered a crisis in relations. The US and EU have imposed sanctions on members of President Putin’s inner circle and other officials. Russia has retaliated with its own sanctions on US politicians. Rattled nerves Nato foreign ministers are expected to discuss the formal suspension of co-operation with Moscow at the Brussels meeting. <a href="http://bit.ly/1gjLYOs"><img alt="1467414-20140401135925-inter1-2" class="attachment-medium" height="168" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1gWXVzq" width="300"/> </a> <div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 310px' id='attachment_1467417'><a href="http://bit.ly/1gjLYOu"><img alt="Ukrainian forces have been leaving Crimea after Russia's military takeover of the peninsula.Ukrainian forces have been leaving Crimea after Russia's military takeover of the peninsula." class="attachment-medium" height="168" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1gWXVzs" width="300"/> </a> Ukrainian forces have been leaving Crimea after Russia's military takeover of the peninsula.Ukrainian forces have been leaving Crimea after Russia's military takeover of the peninsula. </div> In a statement, the alliance said ministers would speak to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsia about ways to support Ukraine with its defence reforms. They are also expected to look at options including situating permanent military bases in the Baltic states to reassure members in Eastern Europe. Russia’s actions in Ukraine have rattled nerves in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which were part of the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Nato jets will take part in air patrols in the region later in a routine exercise that analysts say has taken on added significance due to the crisis. Several Nato countries, including the UK, US and France, have offered additional warplanes. ‘Crude violation’ Earlier, Ukraine condemned a visit to Crimea by Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and a delegation of government ministers. A foreign ministry spokesman in Kiev said the highest-level trip to the Black Sea peninsula by officials from Moscow since its annexation by Russia was a “crude violation” of international rules. Crimeans voted to leave Ukraine for Russia on 16 March, in a referendum condemned as illegal by the UN General Assembly. Mr Medvedev announced that he would make Crimea a special economic zone, with tax breaks and reduced bureaucracy to attract investors. He also vowed to quickly boost salaries and pensions, and to improve education, healthcare and local infrastructure. Source: BBC Ukraine crisis: Nato meeting to step up pressure on Russia Related image(s) <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1gWXVzm" width="200"/> </div>

Ukraine crisis: Nato meeting to step up pressure on Russia

Ukraine crisis: Nato meeting to step up pressure on Russia Nato foreign ministers are due to discuss ways to help Ukraine and reassure allie...

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Re-export of 75 imported cars from overseas

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Re-export of 75 imported cars from overseas <a href="http://bit.ly/1gWXTHV">According to the HCM</a> city Customs Department, 75 imported cars as assets from overseas Vietnamese have been administratively fined and forced to be re-export. <a href="http://bit.ly/1gjLY0S"><img alt="1467406-images1001867-images1000421-v1" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="147" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1gWXViT" width="300"/> </a> The above cases were reported with administrative violation record by customs departments of port gate – HCM city <a href="http://bit.ly/1gjLYxX">Custom Department</a> due to lack of import requirement under current regulations. The HCM city <a href="http://bit.ly/1gkZUwd">Customs Department</a> has issued a 15-million fine for each case and forced the re-export of all violating cars. As of now, all 75 have been re-exported. Also as stated by the HCM city Customs Department, 80 cars of these kinds are still at port gates with the majority resides at VICT port – HCM city. Those imported cars have their recipients reside at provinces outside of HCM city. Minh Anh Re-export of 75 imported cars from overseas Related image(s) <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1gWXViT" width="200"/> </div>

Re-export of 75 imported cars from overseas

Re-export of 75 imported cars from overseas According to the HCM city Customs Department, 75 imported cars as assets from overseas Vietname...

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Winner of English language Olympiad for 5th graders gets 1,800 points

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Winner of English language Olympiad for 5th graders gets 1,800 points <a href="http://bit.ly/1mu8GIQ">Nguyen Thuy Linh</a>, a pupil of class 5A, Phu Luong Primary School (Hai Duong city), was the highest scoring contestant with 1,800 points. <a href="http://bit.ly/1gWUiK0">The Department of Education and Training</a> has announced the results of the provincial online English language Olympiad for fifth and ninth graders of the 2013-2014 school year. Nguyen Thuy Linh, a pupil of class 5A, <a href="http://bit.ly/1mu8GIS">Phu Luong Primary School</a> (Hai Duong city), was the highest scoring contestant with 1,800 points. The pupils with second highest scores were <a href="http://bit.ly/1gWUkS1">Nguyen Huu Viet Cuong</a>, a pupil of class 5C, Sao Do II Primary School (<a href="http://bit.ly/1mu8GIY">Chi Linh</a>), with 1,760 points and Pham Thi Nguyet Linh, a pupil of class 5C, <a href="http://bit.ly/1gWUiK2">Binh Minh Primary School</a> (Hai Duong city), with 1,700 points. Topping the ninth grade category was Pham The Trien, a pupil of class 9B, <a href="http://bit.ly/1mu8GJ3">Binh Minh Junior High School</a> (Hai Duong city), with 1,760 points, followed by Vu Thuy Linh, a pupil of class 9A, <a href="http://bit.ly/1gWUkS5">Vu Huu Junior High School</a> (<a href="http://bit.ly/1gZzujq">Binh Giang</a>), with 1,700 points. There was one examinee getting zero point in the age group. The contest was held on the morning of March 22 in Hai Duong city with the participation of 94 fifth graders from nine districts, provincial town, and city throughout the province (<a href="http://bit.ly/1gWUj0i">three districts of Nam Sach, Ninh Giang, and Thanh Ha had no participant</a>) and 27 ninth graders from Hai Duong city and the districts of Binh Giang, Nam Sach, and <a href="http://bit.ly/1mu8Ek9">Kim Thanh</a>. The result will be the basis for the Department of Education and Training to select fifth and ninth grade teams to take part in the national contest on April 26. VIET HOA Winner of English language Olympiad for 5th graders gets 1,800 points Related image(s) <img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200"/> </div>

Winner of English language Olympiad for 5th graders gets 1,800 points

Winner of English language Olympiad for 5th graders gets 1,800 points Nguyen Thuy Linh , a pupil of class 5A, Phu Luong Primary School (Hai ...

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Euro Auto to deliver BMW 5-Series to Pullman Da Nang

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Euro Auto to deliver BMW 5-Series to Pullman Da Nang Recently, Euro Auto has officially handed over the brand new BMW 520i with special equipment to its partner – <a href="http://bit.ly/1gWUiJS">Pullman Da Nang</a> resort. <div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 310px' id='attachment_1467404'><a href="http://bit.ly/1mu8DwP"><img alt="Through this handover, Euro Auto has completed their BMW 5-Series delivery to all luxury hotels and resorts of Pullman in their network stretching throughout the country." class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="147" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1gWUhWr" width="300"/> </a> Through this handover, Euro Auto has completed their BMW 5-Series delivery to all luxury hotels and resorts of Pullman in their network stretching throughout the country. </div> The new BMW 520i is equipped with the best, highest-class interior equipment designed exclusively for Pullman Da Nang customers. It has set a new standard for resort quality in the central region of Vietnam. <div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 310px' id='attachment_1467402'><a href="http://bit.ly/1mu8DwS"><img alt="2 iPad for rear seats" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="199" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1gWUiJW" width="300"/> </a> 2 iPad for rear seats </div> Since the introduction of BMW 5 Series at the 2013 Vietnam Automobile Exhibition by BMW Euro Auto, the car has continuously been chosen by 5-star hotel and resort for their business which proved its dominant position as a product reserved for VIPs. BMW 520i is equipped with a 4 cylinder engine with TwinPower Turbo helping it operate optimally at a low fuel consumption rate. In addition, 5-star interior equipment and features are also available: Auto Start/Stop system, internet wifi connection, Audio connecting port supporting music listening through USB, luxury ambient lights, ECO PRO driving mode. <div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 310px' id='attachment_1467403'><a href="http://bit.ly/1mu8Gsm"><img alt="Pullman Da Nang resort" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="199" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1gWUiJY" width="300"/> </a> Pullman Da Nang resort </div> Since 2010, BMW Euro Auto has been continuously chosen as the partner of top resorts, hotels and companies in Vietnam, including: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, The Nam Hai, Marrriott Hanoi, Sheraton Hanoi, Sheraton Sai Gon, Sheraton Nha Trang, Moevenpick Hanoi, Sofitel Hanoi, Equatorial, Hilton and Michelia Nha Trang. Euro Auto to deliver BMW 5-Series to Pullman Da Nang Related image(s) <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1gWUhWr" width="200"/> </div>

Euro Auto to deliver BMW 5-Series to Pullman Da Nang

Euro Auto to deliver BMW 5-Series to Pullman Da Nang Recently, Euro Auto has officially handed over the brand new BMW 520i with special equi...

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Pluvia System Harnesses the Energy of Rainwater

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Pluvia System Harnesses the Energy of Rainwater Three students have created a microturbine able to harness the rainwater runoff from roofs to generate electricity. <a href="http://bit.ly/1mu8Dga"><img alt="1467398-2014-04-01-15-05-33tdkhiem" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="224" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1gWUhFX" width="300"/> </a> <a href="http://bit.ly/1mu8Dge">The Pluvia</a> system, as it is called, features a microturbine measuring about 2 inches wide by 10 inches high designed to be placed in half-inch pipe. As the turbine is spun by the flowing water from rooftop gutters, it generates enough energy to charge 12-volt batteries that can be used to power small household devices. As an added benefit, the water flowing through the turbine is also sent through a charcoal filter and into a storage tank, purifying the water to a level “<a href="http://bit.ly/1gWUiti">equal to or cleaner than the water in the network supply system of Mexico City</a>.” The team is currently working on ways to increase the energy output of the system. Pluvia System Harnesses the Energy of Rainwater Related image(s) <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1gWUhFX" width="200"/> </div>

Pluvia System Harnesses the Energy of Rainwater

Pluvia System Harnesses the Energy of Rainwater Three students have created a microturbine able to harness the rainwater runoff from roofs t...

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Quality scandals erode Vietnam consumer trust in supermarkets

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Quality scandals erode Vietnam consumer trust in supermarkets While many Vietnamese urban citizens have switched from shopping at traditional markets to supermarkets, the latter are gradually losing customer trust with several scandals regarding the quality of the goods sold at these more modern venues. <div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 310px' id='attachment_1467391'><a href="http://bit.ly/1huM6PK"><img alt="Small vendors at markets across Ho Chi Minh City have lamented that their businesses are suffering more and more as consumers are moving from the traditional shopping channel to the air-conditioned one." class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="177" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1iUTGmC" width="300"/> </a> Small vendors at markets across Ho Chi Minh City have lamented that their businesses are suffering more and more as consumers are moving from the traditional shopping channel to the air-conditioned one. </div> “This is a matter of trust,” the vendors said at a festive event held for traders to celebrate the Lunar New Year in late January. “Consumers have faith in the supermarkets, where reputable and trustworthy distributors sell their goods,” they explained. Many consumers also say they prefer to shop at supermarkets, believing that these places are honest about the quality and origin of their merchandise. For their part, the supermarkets always claim they have transparent policies to assure consumers of the quality of their goods. All of this contributes to a gradual transition in which more market-goers are going to supermarkets, even though prices are often higher. However, supermarkets have been hurt by recent scandals in which they had to refund their customers after selling poor quality products and items of dubious origin. The questionable quality of goods sold at supermarkets has been in the headlines over the last year, making shoppers wonder who they can trust. Undermined trust In one of the latest cases, many Chinese dried food products were found at supermarkets in the southern city with labels claiming they were of Vietnamese origin. Dried edible mushrooms are for sale at supermarkets in the city at much higher prices than at small markets. They bear Vietnamese labels, but the information on the labels only indicates that the products are packaged, rather than manufactured, by Vietnamese facilities. Employees at one such facility confessed to Tuoi Tre reporters that these are Chinese products sourced from <a href="http://bit.ly/1huM9ek">Binh Tay</a> market in the city’s District 6, and that they are only packaged in Vietnam. Once packaged with misleading Vietnamese labels, the Chinese products fetch much more money, some traders revealed. In mid-March this year, a consumer reported to Tuoi Tre that the pork she had bought at a Big C supermarket branch in Go Vap District was infected with cysticerci, commonly known as pork measles. The customer complained to the supermarket chain, which eventually admitted to the infection and gave her a refund. <a href="http://bit.ly/1iUTGmH">In April</a> 2013, Big C was also involved in a product origin scandal. One of its Hanoi outlets was found selling grapes that they claimed were grown in the central province of <a href="http://bit.ly/1jP56HI">Ninh Thuan</a>, while their labels bore Chinese flags. Who to blame? When confronted with these scandals, supermarket representatives all protested that they are victims of dishonest distributors. But they cannot dodge their responsibility to customers because they should have checked carefully before closing contracts with the suppliers, as well as examined the products before putting them on their shelves. The relevant regulatory authorities should also be to blame for the issue, as they seemingly neglect checks on the quality and origin of products sold in supermarkets. The market watchdog has conducted regular raids of markets, but no inspections have ever been done of the products at supermarkets. Quality scandals erode Vietnam consumer trust in supermarkets Related image(s) <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1iUTGmC" width="200"/> </div>

Quality scandals erode Vietnam consumer trust in supermarkets

Quality scandals erode Vietnam consumer trust in supermarkets While many Vietnamese urban citizens have switched from shopping at traditiona...

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Climate change increases conflicts, floods and famine

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Climate change increases conflicts, floods and famine Climate change is to rise carbon emissions, will increase the risk of conflicts, famine, floods and waves of mass migration in this century, the <a href="http://bit.ly/1dMJU6S">Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</a> (IPCC) of the United Nations (UN) said on March 31. <div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 310px' id='attachment_1467389'><a href="http://bit.ly/1hdRSRd"><img alt="According to the UN, climate change is one of the causes that increases flooding situation. Photo illustration: Reuters" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="224" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1dMJRYN" width="300"/> </a> According to the UN, climate change is one of the causes that increases flooding situation. Photo illustration: Reuters </div> IPCC predicted global temperature will rise about 0.3 to 4.8 degrees Celsius in this century and prediction of sea level will increase between 26 to 82 cm by 2100, AFP cited IPCC’s report that released on March 31. If don’t control carbon emissions climate change will cause damage to human property and ecological systems, temperature increases, leading to the above result, IPCC warned. IPCC was established in 1988. It is responsible for conducting scientific research on the assessment of climate change in order to provide information to other nations. However, so far the world’s countries have not reached consensus on climate change policies, according to AFP. Specifically, developed countries and developing countries don’t agree on cutting carbon emissions. The developing countries blamed the developed countries caused climate change and on the contrary. IPCC called on the government to strengthen policies on climate change. Climate change increases conflicts, floods and famine Related image(s) <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1dMJRYN" width="200"/> </div>

Climate change increases conflicts, floods and famine

Climate change increases conflicts, floods and famine Climate change is to rise carbon emissions, will increase the risk of conflicts, famin...

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