(VOVworld)-Late last week, the Afghan capital of Kabul and its three neighboring provinces Paktia, Logar and Nangarhar were shaken by a series of Taliban attacks, which killed and injured dozens of people. They were the worst attacks against Kabul in a decade of US military presence in Afghanistan. Though the government managed to get control the situation a day later, the attacks demonstrated the strength of the Taliban forces, which are threatening security in Afghanistan.

(VOVWorld) -The campaign to follow President HCM’s moral example has accelerated nationwide in association with party building work.

(VOVworld) The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has just lowered major interest rate caps, including deposit rates by 1%. The central bank has also decided to open up equity, real estate and consumer loans to pump capital into the economy and boost business operations. Such moves are considered reasonable steps as inflation moderates.

(VOVworld)- Tension between Sudan and South Sudan has increased causing concerns that without a quick solution to their current disputes, the two neighboring countries will be plunged into a new war.

(VOVworld) President Truong Tan Sang and a delegation of central agency leaders have recently made a fact-finding tour of Mekong delta’s sea dyke system. Sang said sea dyke development is a follow-up task to building a protective dyke system that can resist climate change and ensure food security and economic growth in Vietnam’s coastal areas. VOV reporter Thu Hoa has more.

(VOVworld)- Japan, South Korea and the US have over the past few days strongly reacted to North Korea’s decision to launch an earth observation satellite- the Kwangmyongsong 3 despite assurance that the satellite launch is for peaceful purposes and only commemorates the 100th birth anniversary of the late President Kim Il Sung. As the launch time is nearing, the world’s political heat intensifies.

(VOVWorld) - Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is now on an official visit to Cuba and Brazil in an effort to strengthen ties with traditional partners and integrate Vietnam into the world.

(VOVworld) Vietnam’s economy in the first quarter of this year has stabilized and shows promising signs, according to a government assessment. But, inflation control and macro-economic stabilization will continue to be top priorities given the potential risks. VOV’s Thu Hoa reports:

(VOVworld)- Iran and the P5+1 Group, which comprises permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany will hold a new round of talks in the middle of this month to seek a way to resolve the nuclear crisis in Tehran. Under pressure from both sides, the talks are expected to ease the current deadlock.

(VOVworld) The West African country of Mali has seen growing uncertainty since a military coup 2 weeks ago. Diplomatic messages from the UN and other countries have been arriving and some sanctions have been imposed. But order and security have not yet been restored and the situation remains muddled. There is concern that the country will be divided and become a new terrorist enclave. VOV foreign desk editor Hong Van looks at Mali on the verge of becoming West Africa’s newest hotspot.