Society

New Zealand authorities extended a state of emergency in quake-hit Christchurch Wednesday after the most damaging aftershock since a powerful weekend quake.

The Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment was urged to keep a close eye on unqualified projects in order to boost disbursement.

Vietnam is confident it will get the go-ahead to host several major sporting events over the next 10 years. The biggest will be the 18th Asian Games.

Millions of European commuters struggled to work Tuesday as workers in France and Britain staged strikes over pension reform and planned job cuts.

Construction will begin on a pilot urban railway, running from Nhon to Hanoi Railway Station, on September 22.

A fair on international books in 2010 will be held in Hanoi under the theme “Celebrating 1,000 years of Thang Long – Hanoi” from sept 17-21.

Vietnam is Germany’s most important Asian partner in the forestry sector, the German government will support Vietnam to develop it forests sustainably.

Fourteen Vietnamese stowaways have been recently caught trying to sneak into the UK on a lorry.

Many seafood businesses have voiced their concerns about difficulties they face in the implementation of news regulations on seafood.

Vietnam and Finland should conduct research and sign a co-operation agreement in the labour sector soon, said Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan.

Trai Thien Air Cargo Joint Stock Co. is completing procedures to bring its first freighter to Vietnam this month.

Australian PM Julia Gillard  retained power by a tiny, one-seat majority after winning the backing of two key independent MPs following inconclusive polls.

Nearly 150 boxers from across the country are testing their skills at the 6th National Men’s Boxing Championships.

As street karaoke has grown in popularity in one part of Hanoi, residents in the local area have started to complain about the noise.

Vietnam ranks third in terms of tourism rebound in the first six months of 2010, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

The EU executive commission is not providing sufficient support to the European space industry.

Construction on a 2 billion USD entertainment complex is scheduled to commence in Ben Luc commune, the Mekong Delta province of Long An in January, 2011.

A train carrying more than 400 passengers from Hanoi to Lao Cai derailed, killing two Vietnamese passengers.

Businesses should work out measures to reduce input prices, solve the shortages of skilled labour and production materials as well as boost exports in the remaining months of the year.