VIETNAM TODAY

Google launched an online payment platform for digital newspapers and magazines on Wednesday.

Armand Colin Publishing House published a 188-page historical novel in February on the Dien Bien Phu victory.

The Ministry of Transport addressed weaknesses in transportation projects at a conference in Hanoi.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung has ordered a halt on investment in technologies that release high levels of emissions.

Ton Nu Thi Ninh, who is an experienced diplomat, said the education renovation process should be started with reforms in education levels.

According to the Asian Green City Index 2011 released on February 14, Hanoi is listed in the group of “under average” cities for the green.

The strongest solar flare in four years disrupted radio communications in southern China, according to the China Meteorological Administration.

The US economic recovery is now on a firmer footing, according to the Federal Reserve.

There are nearly 150 motorbike repair shops ready to serve on a road of just 4.5 km.

Young Vietnamese tennis player Nguyen Hoang Thien has moved up seven places from 241st to 234th in the world ranking this month.

Iran is sending two warships into the eastern Mediterranean, Israel's foreign minister said Wednesday.

Bahraini security forces attacked demonstrators camped out in a square in central Manama square overnight Wednesday, several witnesses told AFP.

Most of the Vietnamese food eaten in California is from the country's southern region.

Five firework teams from the UK, S.Korea, Italy, China and Vietnam will compete in the fourth Danang International Fireworks Competition to be held April 29-30.

Hanoi will invest around VND4.6 trillion (USD220 million) to cut its poverty rate to less than 2 per cent by late 2015 from a current 9.6 percent.

Fourteen people were injured in clashes in the city of Benghazi, a Libyan newspaper said on Wednesday, as the country braced for a "Day of Anger".

Vietnam will build more software parks in the next 10 years to nurture the development of information and communication technology industry.

According to the Asian Green City Index 2011 released on February 14, Hanoi is listed in the group of “under average” cities for the green.

Labour shortages after the Lunar New Year holiday remain a serious problem that Vietnamese businesses have faced for many years.