VIETNAM TODAY

Pregnancy screening to detect signs of AO

Prenatal diagnosis measures for Agent Orange should receive more investment to minimise the number of babies born with deformities, experts said at a conference to tackle the issue in dioxin-contaminated hotspots.

Angry Pakistani Shiites refuse to bury dead

Shiite families refusing to bury their dead after bombings in Quetta city vowed to continue their protest until the army takes over security.

Conference helps strengthen social support in Vietnam

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs has discussed improving Vietnam’s social support system at a consultative conference in Quang Nam province on January 11.

Made-in Vietnam robots shine at Las Vegas show

The two Vietnamese robots mRobo and DiscoRobo have captured visitors’ attention at the world’s largest consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, US.

US to speed up transfer of security to Afghans, Obama says

US President Barack Obama said that NATO will speed up the transfer of responsibility for security to Afghan forces this spring.

Huong Pagoda Festival promises greatness

People living in the Red River Delta are preparing to celebrate the Huong Pagoda festival 2013, which a local official has promised will be the biggest ever.

Gadgets get pupils into hot water

Many students, especially those from big cities, are taking advantage of modern gadgets to cheat in exams.

Taking advantage of FTAs

Vietnam should capitalise on the signing of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to promote exports, says Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

Best of CES: Which items made the biggest splash in Vegas?

Yahoo! News reporters have selected some of the most popular items being on show at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show.

Ca Mau households illegally keep wild animals

Thousands of rare animals have been discovered being illegally kept captive in more than 300 households in southern Ca Mau Province.

Patients forced to sleep on floors during bitter weather

Hundreds of patients and their relatives at major hospitals in Hanoi have had to sleep on the floor despite the bitterly cold weather.

Education encouraged via charitable funding

Individuals, organisations and enterprises contributed over VND700 billion to encourage increased studying in 2012.

Workshop discusses dioxin-related congenital defects

How to deal with congenital defects in dioxin-contaminated areas was proposed at a workshop in Hanoi on January 11.

Czechs vote to replace eurosceptic president Klaus

Austerity-weary Czechs vote in the country's first-ever direct presidential election, with numerous woes bedevilling the nation as it turns the page on a decade under staunch eurosceptic Vaclav Klaus.

SBV to take drastic measures against bad debts this year

The State Bank of Vietnam said that strong measures will be continued to tackle bad debts in 2013 while deposit rate cap may be removed given the improved liquidity in banks.

Vietnam’s fisheries hardest hit by climate change

Climate change is estimated to have already cost Vietnam 5% of its GDP, and the impacts could be more serious in the coming years, a new report claims.

Iran, world powers set nuclear talks date

World powers will meet Iranian top representatives to discuss the Islamic state's disputed nuclear programme in Istanbul at the end of January, a Russian official said.

Acute shortage of special schools for handicapped in Vietnam

HCMC has 15 special schools for the hearing-impaired, where 2,000 students are already enrolled.

New rules to govern landlords

A Hanoi's People's Committee decision that goes into effect next week aims to minimise conflicts in high-rise buildings. But while experts laud the move, residents are unsure that it will be effective.