Hai vợ chồng thường xuyên tình tứ chốn đông người, ảnh trên Ego:
Man
| Hành trang của "chiến sĩ" Hoàng Mập. Đoàn làm phim phải đặt may riêng một bộ quân phục ngoại cỡ vì không có bộ đồ may sẵn nào vừa với vóc người của chàng diễn viên hài này. |
| Chuẩn bị vượt hàng rào dây kẽm gai nguy hiểm. |
| Trong khi cả đoàn phim và các thí sinh đang căng thẳng theo dõi Hoàng Mập vượt chướng ngại vật thì anh vẫn cười tươi rất thoải mái. |
| Quay cảnh thí sinh trườn trên mặt đất, quay phim phải trèo lên cây cao... |
| Và có lúc lội hẳn xuống mương nước để ghi hình. |
| Kiểm kê đạn mã tử, lựu đạn diễn tập, lựu đạn khói được hỗ trợ cho mượn để thực hiện chương trình. |
| Đạo diễn Xuân Phước (áo xanh) cùng các khách mời tham dự chương trình. |
| Gác súng nghỉ giải lao. |
| Các chiến sĩ tranh thủ chụp ảnh lưu niệm 13 ngày "nếm mật nằm gai" trong quân ngũ cùng nhau. |
| Nhưng khi nghe hiệu lệnh, tất cả đều nhanh chóng tập hợp đội ngũ chỉnh tề. |
ietnam’s diabetic numbers growing unnoticed: project
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| The number of diabetes patients in Vietnam is increasing at one of the highest rates in the world with around 65 percent of people with diabetes unaware they are affected, health experts said Thursday. |
The number of diabetics increases 8-10 percent every year, Vietnam Medical Association and the Construction Informatics and Consultancy Joint Stock Company said in their national communication joint-project on how to fight and prevent diabetes. Pham Song, chairman of the association, said 4 percent of urban residents in Vietnam have the disease with 2.5 percent in rural areas, accounting for 4.5 million patients across the country. The project aims to raise around US$5 million from individuals and businesses to establish consultancy channels and stronger connections between doctors and patients. The funds will also be used for public education specifically targeting the most vulnerable such as overweight children and people who don’t do physical exercise. Reported by Nam Son |
Venezuela wins sixth Miss Universe crown
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The svelte Venezuelan model defeated favourites from Australia and Dominican Republic to became the 58th winner of the crown in a show broadcast live around the world from the Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in the Bahamas. The first runner-up was Miss Dominican Republic, Ada Aimee de la Cruz, while Miss Kosovo, Gona Dragusha, was second runner-up. Fernandez received the crown from fellow Venezuelan Dayana Mendoza, who won the 2008 Miss Universe contest held in Vietnam's resort city of Nha Trang. Overcome with excitement as the two Venezuelan beauties embraced, Mendoza initially fumbled and dropped the jewel-studded crown before placing it on Fernandez' head. It was the first time that a contestant from the same country won the title for a second year running. Oil producer Venezuela is famous for its beauty queens and has accumulated more international beauty pageant titles than any other country. The South American nation had produced five previous Miss Universe winners in 1979, 1981, 1986, 1996 and 2008 and has also won the Miss World contest five times. Only the United States has won more Miss Universe titles with 7. Fernandez was selected out of five finalists chosen from a total field of 83 contestants. The other five finalists came from Dominican Republic, Kosovo, Australia and Puerto Rico. In the deciding questions that preceded the announcement of the winner, Fernandez was asked by a judge what obstacles faced women seeking to become leaders of business corporations. "We've already reached the same level as men," she replied confidently, speaking through an interpreter. Before her, 21-year-old Australian model Rachael Finch, who had been widely favoured to win the crown, defended the swimsuit parade of the pageant, which has sometimes been criticized by critics of beauty contests. "I think our bodies are a beautiful part of a women and we should definitely show them to the world," Finch said. Government officials in the Bahamas, a scattered group of islands and keys southeast of the United States, were hoping that hosting the 2009 Miss Universe pageant would provide a much needed short-term boost to the islands' economy and tourism industry. Bahamas, like other Caribbean states, has been badly hit by the global economic recession which has reduced visitor arrivals and investment. Bahamas' unemployment rate has nearly doubled in the last year to just over 14 percent in May. The annual Miss Universe pageant -- which tries to present itself as something more meaningful than a swimwear parade -- was first held in Long Beach, California, in 1952. The event was taken over in 1996 by U.S. real estate mogul Donald Trump. Source: Reuters | |||||||
Donors’ meeting to boost investment in Dak Lak province
The Central Highlands province of Dak Lak was chosen by the World Bank to host the WB-chaired informal mid-year Consultative Group meeting, which will review the efficiency of ODA use in Vietnam, on June 8 and 9.
The Central Highlands province, known as Vietnam’s “coffee capital,” will seize the opportunity to introduce its economic potential and boost investment promotion to local and foreign investors, according to the provincial People’s Committee.
The local government has asked Dak Lak Department of Planning and Investment to pick several locations for donors and business representatives to visit on the sidelines of the meeting in an effort to attract investment in the province.
According to the Department of Planning and Investment’s Foreign Trade Office, meeting delegates will join a field trip to inspect seven ODA-funded projects.
They include a coffee and cocoa beans processing project in Tan An-Buon Ma Thuot Industrial Complex developed by Vietnam-Netherlands Coffee Company, a drainage and environmental sanitation project developed by Dak Lak Urban and Environment Management Limited Company, and a health and education center developed by Dak Lak Health Department.
The remaining projects are Dak Man Export Coffee Processing Joint Venture, a water management and bio-diversity preservation project for Cu Yang Sin National Park, a vocational training project and a transport project for rural areas.
The local government said they hoped the Consultative Group meeting will help attract more investors to the Central Highlands province.
The province currently has 25 ODA-funded projects, of which 13 are managed by the provincial People’s Committee, totaling VND1.4 trillion.
The ODA-funded education projects mainly come from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Currently, the bank is financing three projects in Dak Lak province.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also granted non-refundable aids to the Central Highlands.
According to the Dak Lak Clean Water and Environmental Hygiene Center, JICA granted VND170 billion for a water supply project.
The World Bank-chaired Consultative Group is made up of representatives of the Vietnamese government and the foreign governments and international bodies that provide ODA to the country. The group usually holds its official meeting each December.
The informal two-day meeting will be held at the Swiss-Belhotel Darkruco Hotel in Buon Ma Thuot City in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak on June 8 and 9, the ministry said.
Representatives from the Vietnamese government and some 50 international donors will discuss Vietnam’s economic policies, including poverty reduction strategies and the efficiency of ODA use in Vietnam.
Vietnamese and foreign non-governmental organizations and representatives from the Vietnam Business Forum will attend the meeting as observers.
Viettel launches mobile package for foreign tourists
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From May 15, 2009, Viettel Telecom officially launches the pre-paid mobile package for foreign tourists when traveling in Vietnam. The package, named Tourist Sim, is offered with flexible usage time, attractive price and many other effective search services. Using Viettel’s Tourist Sim, customers are provided accurate, quick and free information on hotels, taxi numbers, exchange rate, weather forecast and sightseeing places by 5055 automatic server. Tourist Sim is also attractive for its price and usage duration. Regarding the price, the Tourist Sim is offered at US$5 or $10. Regarding call rate, International Direct Dial rate is at VND3,240/minute and Internation SMS is at VND2,160/message. Depending on the customer’s duration of stay and need for communication, he/she can re-charge his/her Sim at unchanged rate. Moreover, customers are provided GPRS for free. A free service center, 18008168, is also set up in both English and Chinese. This Sim will be widely distributed at airports, tourism places, hotels, resorts... Tourist Sim is a mobile pre-paid package specially designed for foreign tourists to Vietnam. It is a greeting from Viettel and Vietnam to international tourists. Viettel hopes to be the tourist’s friend as a communication bridge between tourist and their family, friends. |
Set for Tet
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Thanh Nien Daily: Are you looking forward to the Tet (Lunar New Year)? What do you intend to do during the upcoming holidays? Ho Ngoc Ha: In my heart of hearts, I am scared of witnessing my family members and close friends getting older as the New Year comes. Like many other artists, I am usually busy with many shows during the year-end and New Year holidays. People often say Tet is a “big sponsor” for artists. But this year, I want to take a rest and refresh myself. I have worked very hard every day of the year and need some time to look back, review what I have done over the past year, and set out targets for the year ahead. I have also planned a tour abroad for my family. Have your expectations for Tet changed over the years? Yes. When I was a small girl, I always longed for Tet so that I could take a break from school, wear new clothes and wander around the crowded streets and entertainment spots with my friends. I still remember how excited my elder brother and I were, waiting for my father to give us new clothes. He worked as a tailor and would have to work right up until the Lunar New Year eve before starting to make clothes for his children. Since I came to Ho Chi Minh City to start my fashion career five years ago, I’ve only wanted to get away from all the noisy places during the Tet holidays. I just wanted to stay at home on my sofa, feeling relaxed wearing only the most casual dress, noshing on food and watching performance shows and festivals on TV. My first Tet in Saigon was memorable. Working as a model at the time, I decided to remain in the city where I could earn more at the large Tet shows. After a busy day of bustling activities, I came back to my rented room and cried like I had never done before. I felt the greatest loneliness ever, experiencing Tet without my loved ones around me. Do you have any regrets about the past year? I had promised to have a live show last year but the plan broke down. However, I will make it up to my fans this June with the first live show of my singing career. In 2007 you were reported to have paid the most taxes of any Vietnamese artist. Do you think you’ll top the list this year as well? I have no idea about that. I have just set up a private company and have a lot of things to care about. I think the top position will go to someone else this year. (Laughs). Besides my singing career, I’ve always wanted to become a successful businesswoman and a millionaire. I don’t want to talk too much about my future plan but I have aspirations of doing big things and doing them to the best of my ability. You’ve won a number of prestigious awards over the past two years, both for your style and singing ability. What do you owe to such impressive achievements and do you think your stunning appearance contributes heavily to your success? I think success not only depends on one’s talent and appearance but also on one’s behavior and courage. I have convinced my audiences that my songs are worth listening to; my performances are worth watching; and my attitude is worthy of respect. My soul is soft, tender and thoughtful enough to be an artist while my mind is firm enough not to be upset by any rumors. These days, you and music composer Duc Tri have appeared very close in public. Many fans are guessing that despite your past ups and downs, the two of you are now rekindling your romantic relationship. I am sorry to affirm that we will never resume our romantic relationship. But I am very happy to say that our present relationship is even more wonderful than the time when we were lovers. Our careers have taken off and we really want to focus on what we can do to cooperate with and help each other. So that means you’re still single? Well, I am still looking around for the right man. It’s no easy job for a man to have a relationship with a famous and independent woman, and especially a singing addict. Reported by Bao Tran | |||||||
Missing Malaysians jailed for HCMC casino racket
| A Ho Chi Minh City court Wednesday sentenced 24 defendants, including three Malaysians who are still on the run, for organizing and participating in illegal gambling. |
Lim Leong Seng, Goh Ming Huat, and Chan Chee Sing, all from Malaysia, received five, four, and three years respectively for organizing gambling, the court ruled Wednesday. The Malaysian trio fled Vietnam after charges were laid last year and they were placed under house arrest. The Vietnamese police have been working with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) but have not been able to locate them. Vietnamese Le Anh Tuan was jailed for three years, Vietnamese Le Thi Hong Nhung two and a half years, and Vietnamese-American Hua Quan Timmy six months and 22 days, also for organizing gambling, the court said. The other 18 Vietnamese defendants, found guilty of illegal gambling, received sentences ranging from one-year suspensions to two and a half years in jail. All 24 defendants were fined between VND10 million-50 million (US$572-2,860) each. According to the indictment, the six people charged with organizing gambling had connived to lure Vietnamese citizens to casinos at three luxury hotels in HCMC between April 2006 and May 2007. Vietnamese law prohibits Vietnamese citizens from gambling but allows hotels rated four-stars and above to operate casinos for people holding foreign passports. The police shut down the operation in May 2007 after raiding three clubs: De Palace Club at the Saigon Food Center in District 1, the Victoria Club at the Duxton Saigon Hotel in District 1, and the OV Club at the Equatorial Hotel in District 5. All of the clubs were run by Malaysian businessman Yap Kim San, who still hasn’t been charged. The court Wednesday also called for continued investigations into Yap’s role in the case. Reported by Le Nga |
Market drifts down over earnings worries
| The Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange moved lower Tuesday over growing concern about negative corporate earnings this year. |
VN-Index lost 5.05 points, or 1.62 percent, to close at a 10-day low of 307.13. Of its 175 members, 26 gained and 113 declined. Trading remained quiet, with only 7.7 million shares being traded. “The outlook on corporate earnings is very gloomy, given the current economic situation,” Huynh Anh Tuan, chief executive officer of the Ho Chi Minh City-based SJC Securities, said. “Companies have started to release 2008 earnings and many of them have made losses or missed their profit targets. For those who managed to make some profit, it was because of the gains they made in the first half of 2008. “In addition, people also lost a lot of their confidence in the market after HSBC said the Vietnamese market is no longer investable for overseas investors. “Besides, almost half of January has passed but we are still not yet clear how and when the government is going to implement its US$6 billion stimulus package to boost the economy. So, the market has no momentum.” Dau Tu Chung Khoan (Securities investment) newspaper quoted Kim Long Securities Company Deputy General Director Pham Vinh Thanh as saying, “Companies with a strong cash flow and those not involved in finance are a good choice this year.” He added that petroleum, transport, technology and financial stocks would be his top picks when the market shows signs of recovery, without explaining his choices. How they fared Vinpearl (VPL) lost VND2,500, or 4.17 percent, to close at VND57,500. VFG Investment Joint Stock Company became a major shareholder in the resort operator after buying 5,045,000 shares, or a 5.05 percent stake last month, according to a report on the exchange’s website. Saigon Securities Inc. (SSI), the country’s leading brokerage, slipped VND1,100, or 3.63 percent, to VND29,200. ANZ Bank failed to buy around 1.4 million shares amid a “gloomy market and its low liquidity,” the exchange said on its website. ANZ now holds 18.35 percent in the Hanoi- based brokerage. Thu Duc Trading and Import Export Joint Stock Company (TMC) remained unchanged at VND21,500. The firm said on the exchange’s website that retail investor La Tang Duc bought 242,060 shares, or 6.05 percent, to become a major shareholder. Saigon Fishing Net Joint-Stock Company (SFN), a silk thread and fishing net producer, gained VND400, or 4.2 percent, its most in two weeks, to finish at VND9,900. The HCMC-based company will start buying back 100,000 shares from January 20, according to a stock exchange announcement. “The buyback volume is not huge, but given the daily trading volume of the shares, which is about several thousand a day, this buyback plan could move the stock,” Hoang Thach Lan, chief analyst at HCMC-based SME Securities Company, said. Reported by Hoang Uy |
Speaking for the nation
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Twenty years ago, a 28-year-old graduate of the then Institute of International Relations was excited about heading to New York City as part of the country’s entourage to the United Nations. At the time, Bui Le Dung was the youngest member of the delegation. “That was a very difficult period for us,” Dung recalled in a recent conversation with Thanh Nien. “We were still under the embargo of the United States, and at that time, the American public and its media weren’t leaning towards us.” Now, as the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the 48- year-old is virtually the spokesperson for the country, a very familiar face for both international and domestic reporters, doing a job where, he joked, he “would get fired if one word went wrong.” Dung says his official brief is to explain and clarify issues relating to Vietnam that the public and other countries are interested in. In a country where there is no tradition of having spokespersons at every government office at all levels, the job is even tougher and doesn’t begin or end with appearing twice every month in front of the media. “For that five to ten minutes, we have to prepare for weeks and must be able to update information until the last minute,” Dung says. “And by the last minute, I mean from the moment I leave the office to the moment I enter the briefing room.” Dung says he never stops learning something new, and sticks to a longstanding habit of noting down everything he feels necessary. When the former Foreign Affairs Minister Nguyen Co Thach once requested the staff to find a sentence in a speech by the Cambodian King Sihanouk, no one was able to find it except Dung, who happened to have written the sentence down in one of his notebooks. “For me, this job isn’t much different from a soldier entering a battle,” he says. “There have been many times when I’ve had to face provoking questions and the only way you can do it is by staying calm.” And that holds true even when he is frustrated that the facts have been twisted. Speaking for the nation, according to Dung, is really the art of balancing both calmness and frankness, meaning one has to phrase things in a way that addresses the reporters’ questions but also “directs” the news issues. “You have to be flexible in all situations. That’s the trick. Your gestures must reflect what you want to say and that takes a lot of practice.” Dung says he tries to pack his answers with diverse information, though for some issues considered “sensitive,” he must stay very focused and accurate with every single word. Sometimes, this is criticized by reporters as providing “same-same” answers. “I know the White House spokesperson often make jokes during briefings to make things less stressful. I do it as well, but not often. Our culture is different and that doesn’t allow me to go beyond the limit.” Dung says he tries his best not to avoid a single question. “The worst thing you can do in a press briefing is not answer questions.” At home? “The spokesperson is my wife. “She understands my job. Sometimes, I have to wake up at midnight to answer phone calls from reporters but I don’t mind. For reporters, information is like their food. I want to help them provide accurate and fair stories.” Reported by Xuan Danh | |||||||
Media, telcos, it to be strengthened next year, minister says
| All enterprises related to telecommunication, information technology and the national media will be improved and overhauled in 2009, Minister of Information and Communication Le Doan Hop said Sunday. |
Media training programs will be stepped up, newspapers and television stations will be reviewed and the process for rewarding and penalizing violations in the media would be streamlined in 2009, Hop told leaders of media agencies in Ho Chi Minh City. He said the Ministry would only set the ceiling prices of telcos’ services while enterprises would be able to design their own business plans. Earlier in the meeting, he discussed the advantages and difficulties in 2009 for the information and communication sector in the context of the world economy. Reported by Minh Duc |
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