VIETNAM TODAY

The Australian Olympic Committee called for an independent investigation into allegations that a weightlifter demanded cash to compete at a qualifying event.

Egypt braced for further political turmoil after its top court paved the way for the ruling military to assume parliament's powers.

Brazilian guitar virtuoso Fabricio Mattos will lead his group called Worldwide Guitar Connections in a programme of original compositions.

Pawnshops in Hanoi have reaped big profits from the misfortune of unlucky gamblers during the European Championships.

State-owned enterprises find it hard to provide restructuring plans because their auxiliary businesses are often more profitable than core operations.

Many provinces and cities have drawn up plans to improve the quality of local English teachers after discovering that most achieved very low scores on international English tests.

Training centres for university entrance exams have been losing ground to online courses.

The Transport Minister admitted that he was behind the promotion of Duong Chi Dung as head of the Maritime Administration.

Argentina demanded that Britain start talks over the Falkland Islands in a UN speech on the 30th anniversary of the end of their war over the disputed territory.

Construction of the first two rapid-transit bus routes will begin in Hanoi next month to improve transport infrastructure and reduce traffic congestion.

The online forum, called "Speak English like natives", was held on Dantri and DTiNews, and provided guidance to English learners who were interested in perfecting their speaking and listening skills.

Changes in religious life have contributed to introducing Vietnam to international communities as a country of renovation, peace, stability and development, said delegates at a seminar.

Local banks have been competing to attract customers by raising deposit interest rates for terms of 12-months and more.

Trade turnover between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) was US$18.5 billion in 2011, and is likely to reach over US$20 billion by the end of this year.

A double by Fernando Torres inspired defending champions Spain to a 4-0 thrashing of Ireland in their Euro 2012 Group C match and ended Irish hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

To assist troubled enterprises, the Hanoi Tax Department said it will cut USD245 million of taxes for small and medium enterprises.

The Minister of Industry and Trade answered NA deputies' questions on the monopolies of electricity and petroleum.

A government report has confirmed that Vietnam National Shipping Lines’ (Vinalines) debts are much greater than its charter capital.

At least 48 people were killed in clashes in Yemen's southern province of Abyan where Al-Qaeda and the army are battling for control, state media said.