Việt Nam News

Water pollution can reduce economic growth by a third: World Bank

Heavily polluted water is reducing economic growth by up to a third in some countries, a World Bank report said on Tuesday, calling for action to address human and environmental harm.

Australia to join US in Gulf maritime security mission

Australia will join the US-led mission to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened tensions with Iran, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Wednesday.

Macron, Putin see chance on Ukraine but clash on Syria

French President Emmanuel Macron and Russia's Vladimir Putin on Monday agreed changes in Ukraine had bolstered the chances of peace in its east but clashed on Syria, as the Russian leader made a rare bilateral visit to a key EU power.

US tests medium-range cruise missile after exiting INF treaty

The US Defense Department on Monday announced the test of a medium-range ground-launched cruise missile, just weeks after tearing up the Cold War-era pact with Russia eliminating that class of nuclear-capable weapons.

Google, Facebook, Amazon decry French digital tax as 'discriminatory'

American tech giants Amazon, Facebook and Google joined forces on Monday to decry the French digital tax as retroactive and discriminatory.

63 killed, 182 wounded in Kabul wedding blast: official

At least 63 people were killed and 182 wounded in an explosion targeting a wedding in the Afghan capital, authorities said Sunday.

Judges rule migrant children must get soap and bedding, reject US govt appeal

Detained migrant children must be given soap, dry clothes and clean bedding, US federal judges ruled on Thursday, dismissing an appeal by the Trump administration.

Trump touts 'fantastic and big' trade deal with post-Brexit Britain

President Donald Trump has again signaled his desire for close trading ties with Britain once it leaves the European Union, saying a "fantastic" deal was in the works.

Norway blocks 30 mn-euro deforestation subsidy to Brazil

Norway said it would halt Amazon protection subsidies worth 30 million euros (US$33 million) to Brazil, which it accused of turning its back on the fight against deforestation.

North Korea fires two 'unidentified projectiles': Seoul

North Korea fired two "unidentified projectiles" into the sea today, the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said – the latest in a series of such launches by Pyongyang.

Syria safe zone agreement with Turkey will come in 'stages': Pentagon

An agreement between the United States and Turkey to establish a safe zone in northwest Syria will be implemented gradually, with some operations beginning soon, a Pentagon spokesman said Wednesday.

Apology over NZealand mosque accused's 'hateful' letter

Officials in New Zeaand apologised Thursday after the alleged Christchurch mosque gunman was allowed to send a letter from prison espousing "hateful" views that a supporter then shared online.

Disgraced Cardinal Pell appeal verdict due next week

Judges will rule next week on Australian Cardinal George Pell's appeal against multiple child sex abuse charges, court officials announced Thursday.

S. Korea's Moon offers conditional olive branch to Japan

South Korean President Moon Jae-in struck a conciliatory tone towards Japan on Thursday, offering to "join hands" if Tokyo chooses dialogue as relations between the two dip to fresh lows.

Japan braces for powerful storm at peak holiday period

Japan was bracing Wednesday for a severe tropical storm expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds during the peak holiday period, with dozens of flights and bullet train services cancelled.

Hong Kong airport protesters retreat after chaos

Flights were departing Hong Kong airport largely on schedule on Wednesday morning, a day after protesters caused chaos with a disruptive sit-in that paralysed the busy transport hub.

S. Korea begins process to remove Japan's trusted trade partner status

South Korea's trade ministry on Wednesday started the process to drop Japan from its list of trusted trading partners, in a tit-for-tat move amid the growing trade row between the two Asian neighbours.

Facebook listened to users' conversations: report

Facebook has paid hundreds of contractors to listen to and transcribe snippets of users' conversations, US media reported on Tuesday, amid heightened scrutiny of the social network's data collection practices.