BORMES-LES-MIMOSAS: Local residents joined firefighters in southern France on Wednesday (Jul 26) to battle blazes that have forced over 10,000 people to flee and left chunks of coastal forest a blackened mess. People evacuated due to wild fires watch smoke rising from raging fires in Bormes-les-Mimosas as over 10,000 people, including thousands of holidaymakers, were evacuated from campsites and homes in southern France. (Andrea PALASCIANO/AFP) In some places, locals used spades, rakes and even tree branches in a desperate bid to beat back the flames until the firefighters arrived. Forest fires were also raging in parts of central Portugal, where several villages were evacuated and roads closed down. In France, emergency workers, who have been fighting the blazes for three days, were also battling infernos … [Read more...]

PARIS: High-kicking dancers are enthralling full houses again at the Moulin Rouge and art lovers are swarming the Louvre as Paris enjoys a tourism revival after plummeting numbers brought on by terror attacks. The Eiffel Tower is one of the world's most visited sites AFP/PHILIPPE LOPEZ Tourists are increasingly refusing to give in to fear of being caught up in a jihadist attack such as the November 2015 bloodbath in the French capital and flocking in droves once more. In a rebound that began at the end of 2016, Paris saw a record 2.6 million foreign arrivals in the first four months of this year - a 19 per cent increase over the same period in 2016. Top Moulin Rouge official Jean-Victor Clerico shakes his head as he looks back at the "black year" of 2016, when the cavernous hall was only three-quarters full … [Read more...]

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has asked authorities to take more drastic measures to rectify the late disbursement of investment capital for public projects, given that less than one-fourth of the funds has been disbursed. Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has asked authorities to take more drastic measures to rectify the late disbursement of investment capital for public projects, given that less than one-fourth of the funds has been disbursed. - VNA/VNS Photo The PM said the heads of agencies and localities will have to take responsibility for such delays. Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tiến Dũng conveyed the PM’s directive at a meeting on Tuesday between the PM Working Group and leaders of 13 ministries and provinces reporting slow disbursement of public … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Secretary General of the Association of North East Asia Regional Governments (NEAR) Hong Jong-kyoung has invited Ho Chi Minh City to become an associate member of the NEAR, while being received by Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem, on July 26. Associate members enjoy all the rights that full members do, bar the right to vote and the responsibility to pay annual membership fees, he said. He expressed his hope that by participating in the NEAR, Ho Chi Minh City will have greater opportunities to promote its potential to Northeast Asian localities and intensify its international cooperation through NEAR forums and activities, especially in trade and tourism promotion programmes. Liem stressed that Ho Chi Minh City values international organisations and associations, considering them as an effective channel for international cooperation. He pledged to assign the relevant offices to study this invitation and reply to the … [Read more...]

NDO – On July 27, a delegation formed of the Party, State, Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) leaders laid a floral wreath and offered incense to commemorate fallen soldiers at the Monument to Heroic Martyrs in Bac Son street, Hanoi. The delegation included Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong; former Party General Secretaries Le Kha Phieu and Nong Duc Manh; former President Tran Duc Luong; Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc; Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan; former NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung; President of the VFF Central Committee; among others. They expressed their gratitude to the wounded and fallen soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for national liberation, independence, freedom and the happiness of the people. Afterwards, the leaders paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum to commemorate his merits to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation. On the same day, a delegation of the Ministry … [Read more...]

Domestic ATM card holders of 41 National Payment Corporation of Việt Nam (NAPAS) member banks can pay by card at Việt Nam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex)’s petrol stations nationwide from August 1. Non-cash payment service at Petrolimex petrol station is expected to create advantages for not only businesses and banks but also customers who enjoy conveniences. - Photo Hoàng Hùng The card payment service is connected via PG Bank’s Point-of-sale (POS) system at Petrolimex petrol stations. The move was announced after Petrolimex inked a co-operation agreement with NAPAS and PGBank in Hà Nội yesterday. Chairman of Petrolimex Bùi Ngọc Bảo said that the co-operation with NAPAS would raise its service quality at petrol stations nationwide and strengthen … [Read more...]

Binh, who is also head of the Government Steering Committee for the National Program on Crime Prevention and Control (Steering Committee 138/CP), made the request while addressing a conference reviewing the fight against crimes and human trafficking in the first half of this year in Hanoi on July 26. Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh speaking at the conference  He said the crime situation is forecast to develop complicatedly in the remaining months of year, asking the Steering Committee to effectively materialise relevant resolutions issued by the Party, National Assembly and Government. The official urged competent agencies to conduct more crime sweeps in order to ensure social order and safety, as well as security for the country’s political, diplomatic and cultural events, especially the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and related meetings, he said. At the same time, efforts should be channeled … [Read more...]

The national steering committee against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit (Steering Committee 389) has reported that 12,000 smuggling and trade fraud cases were penalised over the first six months of 2017, an increase of 1,000 cases compared to the same period of 2016. A Hà Nội market management official checks goods that were seized as part of a smuggling case in June.-Photo vov.vn The figures indicate that smuggling and trade fraud in Hà Nội has become more complicated and the fight against the crime remains very difficult, the committee’s officials said. Illegal goods were transported by organised smuggling rings with networks extending from border areas to downtown of Hà Nội. Smuggled commodities regularly included tobacco, wine, fruit, agricultural products, … [Read more...]

Despite numerous ups and downs of the economy, and despite drastic changes to the socio-economic landscape in HCMC, there is a special market that has maintained its special traits for decades. The market is home to some 500 stores selling various kinds of fabric materials with amazing colors and designs Soai Kinh Lam in the city’s District 5 is known far and wide for its long-established role as a crucial distribution hub of fabrics, not only for the city but the entire southern region. And it is also recommended as a venue for tourists who want to take sightseeing tours to gain an insight into the bustling business in the city in general and the Cholon area in particular. In HCMC, there are markets specializing in a particular type of commodities. For example, Kim Bien Market is widely famous for providing … [Read more...]

NDO – Generations of Vietnamese will never forget the service of wounded soldiers and martyrs who have made huge contributions to the fatherland and the flame of patriotism has been handed down from ancestors to younger generations to burn steadily and brightly. These messages were delivered on a live television programme which was held synchronously, on July 27 in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Thai Nguyen province and Quang Tri province to mark the 70th anniversary of Wounded and Fallen Soldiers Day (July 27, 1947-2017). The event in Hanoi was attended by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong; Politburo member and Head of Party Central Committee’s (PCC) Commission for Communication and Education, Vo Van Thuong and Politburo member and Hanoi municipal Party Committee, Hoang Trung Hai, plus other Party, State and Government high-ranking officials. After observing a minute’s silence, the delegates offered incense to commemorate heroes and war martyrs at the … [Read more...]

NDO – The Vietnamese Government welcomes Czech enterprises and will strive to create favourable conditions for them to conduct business in Vietnam, particularly in the fields of the Czech Republic’s strengths and Vietnam’s needs, such as energy, the environment, infrastructure and crystal glassware. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh made the statement while hosting a reception for the newly appointed Czech Ambassador to Vietnam, Vitezslav Grepl, in Hanoi on July 26. He expressed his delight at the positively growing traditional friendly relations and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and the Czech Republic over the past few years, notably the State visit made to Vietnam by Czech President Milos Zeman last June. Minh recommended that the two countries strengthen the exchange of delegations across all-levels, effectively implement the political consultation mechanism between the two Foreign Ministries, and support each other … [Read more...]

SAN FRANCISCO: Facebook on Wednesday (Jul 26) reported a surge in profits in the past quarter, fuelled by strong growth in money-making ads to its more than two billion users. The Facebook logo is displayed on the company's website.Photo AFP Net profit in the second quarter leapt 71 per cent from a year ago to US$3.9 billion while revenue climbed 45 per cent to US$9.3 billion. In after-hours trade, Facebook shares rose some 3.4 per cent to US$171.30 on the stronger-than-expected results. "We had a good second quarter and first half of the year," said Facebook co-founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. "Our community is now two billion people and we're focusing on bringing the world closer together." The number of people using Facebook at least once a month was 2.01 billion at the end of June, an … [Read more...]

NEW YORK: Wall Street stocks surged to fresh records at the close on Wednesday (Jul 26) following another round of strong earnings reports, led by Boeing which vaulted nearly 10 per cent after it raised its profit forecast. JBG Smith CEO W. Matthew Kelly (right) is applauded as he rings the New York Stock Exchange opening bell to celebrate the closing of the spin-off/merger transaction between JBG and Vornado/Charles E. Smith. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 97.58 points (0.45 per cent) to 21,711.01. The broad-based S&P 500 added 0.70 points (0.03 per cent) to 2,477.83, edging to its second straight record, after two records last week. The tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 10.57 points (0.16 per cent) to 6,422.75, the third consecutive all-time high, after the index set … [Read more...]

PARIS: Mario Balotelli scored for Nice in a 1-1 draw at home to Ajax while Celtic laboured to a 0-0 stalemate against Rosenborg in the first leg of Wednesday's (Jul 26) Champions League third qualifying round. Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir's Eljero Elia (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first leg of the third qualifying round football match for the UEFA Champions League competition against Belgian team Club Brugge KSV. (JASPER JACOBS/BELGA/AFP) Italy striker Balotelli tapped home a cross from Jean Seri to fire Nice ahead on 32 minutes at the Allianz Riviera, but Donny van de Beek levelled for Ajax just after the break following a poor punch from Yoan Cardinale. In Glasgow, Celtic struggled to break down Norwegian opponents Rosenberg without the injured Moussa Dembele and Lee Griffiths, who was … [Read more...]

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Jul 26) unveiled a US$10 billion US investment by Apple supplier Foxconn to build a plant in Wisconsin. US President Donald Trump (left) and Terry Gou (centre), Chairman of Foxconn, an electronics supplier, during an announcement that the company will open a manufacturing facility in Wisconsin. (SAUL LOEB/AFP) The businessman-turned-president made the announcement side by side with the Taiwanese tech giant's CEO Terry Gou, as he tried to show his "America First" economic rhetoric is making a difference. Trump said the plant - which will make LCD panels - will create at least 3,000 jobs in the midwestern state, and was quick to stress he played a role in making the deal happen. "If I didn't get elected, he would not be spending US$10 billion," Trump said, … [Read more...]

AHMEDABAD, India: The bodies of 25 people, including 17 members of a single family, were pulled from the mud on Wednesday (Jul 26) as the death toll from major flooding in India climbed towards 120, an official said. Residents wade through floodwaters near the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India. (AFP/SAM PANTHAKY) Authorities found the bodies in two villages in hard-hit Banaskantha district, Gujarat, as floodwaters receded, said assistant superintendent of police Aksharaj Makwana. "In all 25 bodies were fished out from two villages on the bank of Banas river," he told AFP. Local police said earlier 17 of the dead found in Kharia village were from one family. A senior Gujarati government official, Pankaj Kumar, said 2655 stranded villagers had been rescued from Banaskantha district, with at least … [Read more...]

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan presents gifts to policy beneficiary family (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan visited and presented gifts to policy beneficiary families in Ho Chi Minh City’s outlying district of Cu Chi on July 26 on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27). On behalf of Party and State leaders, the NA Chairwoman expressed profound gratitude to war invalids, martyrs and revolution contributors for sacrifices and services during the cause of national liberation, construction and defence. In the afternoon of the same day, Chairwoman Ngan together with leaders of the Party, State and Ho Chi Minh City laid wreaths and offered incense at the Martyrs’ Cemetery in Cu Chi district and Ben Duoc Memorial Temple. At the temple, the top … [Read more...]

Tay Ninh on July 26 held a ceremony to commemorate and rebury 266 sets of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who laid down their lives in battlefields in Cambodia (Source: vov.vn)   Hanoi (VNA) – The southwestern province of Tay Ninh on July 26 held a ceremony to commemorate and rebury 266 sets of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who laid down their lives in battlefields in Cambodia. The martyrs were searched and repatriated from Cambodia by K70 search team of the Military Zone 7 and K71 search team of the Tay Ninh Military Command during the dry season in 2017. According to Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Ngoc, Tay Ninh has coordinated with Cambodian localities and relevant forces to bring home thousands of remains sets of Vietnamese martyrs. Most of them are now resting at the Hill 82 Cemetery in Tan Bien district. … [Read more...]

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (6th, left) and delegates to the meeting (Source: VNA)   Hanoi (VNA) – Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh shared heavy losses suffered by Vietnamese Heroic Mothers and women who have rendered great services to the nation at a meeting in Hanoi on July 26. The event was held by the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) Central Committee on the threshold of the 70th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27).  Over the past 70 years, the Party and State have issued and improved policies providing preferential treatment for revolution contributors, Thinh said, adding that agencies and localities have also paid due attention to raising living conditions of families of martyrs, war invalids and revolution contributors.  Having applauded efforts made by the VWU and its chapters to honour and care for … [Read more...]

Beijing (VNA) – The achievements in agricultural cooperation between China and ASEAN will be showcased at the 14th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), which will be held from Sept. 12–15 in Nanning city, the capital city of China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The organizers said on July 25 that the expo’s area will be expanded to introduce projects designed to boost trade and investment, modern agriculture and logistics supply chain besides introducing the two side’s agricultural cooperative relations. Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Qian Keming has recently announced that China will increase imports from and continue its cooperation with ASEAN countries in customs, quality supervision and quarantine to open up more opportunities for ASEAN members’ key products such as tropical fruits, aquatic products, natural rubber and palm oil to penetrate into the Chinese … [Read more...]