Valtteri Bottas (right) and Lewis Hamilton celebrate a Mercedes one-two in Melbourne. (Photo: AFP/PETER PARKS) Perhaps it shouldn't have been a surprise to see Mercedes romp away to a one-two victory, but the absence of Ferrari from the podium was a real shock. And so we are left with some obvious questions: Where did all of Ferrari's preseason promise go? Will it come back on a different type of track? And, ultimately, will anyone be able to challenge Mercedes? There is a weight of evidence (outlined below) that suggests Ferrari will recover, but even if it doesn't, the emergence of a more aggressive Valtteri Bottas this year has the potential to keep things interesting. Again, it's too early to draw conclusions, but if Bottas can continue to drive on the level we saw in Australia, he will be a genuine threat to Lewis Hamilton's title defence. So let's start with the race winner and how he managed to put a five-time world champion in the shade on Sunday. THE REAL VALTTERI BOTTAS … [Read more...] about Formula One: How Valtteri Bottas rediscovered himself and why Ferrari need to do the same
Winters tale
Stunning orchids in full bloom in Điện Biên Province
Viet Nam News By An Dũng & Hoàng Nam It’s March and the orchid trees of the northern province of Điện Biên are in bloom. Hoa ban (orchid) flowers, the flowers of the northwest region, are in full bloom across mountainsides and along paths leading to villages in Điện Biên Đông, Mường Chà, Tuần Giáo and Tủa Chùa. The flower season is also the time for the Ban Flowers Festival 2019 (March 13-18, 2019) across the province. The festival also coincides with the anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory in 1954, which ended French power in Indochina. Orchid decorates mountains and forests.— VNA/VNS Photo Xuân Tư Tourism trademark Lường Thị Đại, a researcher on the Thái ehtnic group’s culture, said the orchid tree has long been associated with Thái people. “Each flower season, the whole … [Read more...] about Stunning orchids in full bloom in Điện Biên Province
‘Game of Thrones’ back at Emmys for duel with ‘Handmaid’s Tale’
Record-breaking fantasy epic "Game of Thrones" is back in the competition and once again looking to slay its rivals. But winter could come early for HBO's blood-spattered smash hit if it fails to snare the coveted best drama series prize, with last year's winner "The Handmaid's Tale" hotly tipped to defend its crown. Both shows have already picked up some Emmys hardware: "Game of Thrones" won seven statuettes in technical categories at last weekend's Creative Arts Emmys, while "The Handmaid's Tale" scooped up three. And both are likely to add to that haul at Monday's glittering gala in downtown Los Angeles, but the race for the top prize still seems to be a crapshoot, with dark horse pick "The Americans" also in the hunt. Can "Handmaid" -- Hulu's bleak take on a totalitarian America where women are oppressed, based on Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel -- again win over voters, especially in the #MeToo era? Will "The Americans" -- the gripping FX thriller about Soviet sleeper agents in the … [Read more...] about ‘Game of Thrones’ back at Emmys for duel with ‘Handmaid’s Tale’
Social News 7/8
Legal framework for child care on the internet Vietnam, with 64 million Internet users (67% of its population), is among Asian countries having the biggest number of Internet users. A majority of these users are children and teenagers, who are exposed to both benefits and dangers. In addition to close attention from parents and schools, a legal framework is needed to protect children from the risks of the cyber world. While browsing the Internet, children may encounter unexpected information and people. Their personal information can be hacked. More seriously, children can become victims of swindles, exploitation, harassment, and sex abuse. Online game and smartphone addictions can harm children’s mental and physical health. Parents should teach children how to find and use information on the Internet. Dang Hoa Nam, Director of the Department for Children of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, said, “Parents play a very important role. They should be … [Read more...] about Social News 7/8
Tam Dao: Heavenly weekend retreat near Hanoi
A view of the resort in the valley (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Tam Dao, a small mountainous town in the northern province of Vinh Phuc, just 70km from Hanoi, has made it an attractive destination for visitors on weekends and holidays thanks to its cool weather throughout the year like Da Lat and Sa Pa. Domestic and foreign visitors head to Tam Dao, at 1,000m high, mostly on weekends, solo or in groups, on sunny or chilly days. Although the town is small, there are plenty of options for tourists rushing here to escape the usual busy city life. Young newlyweds can choose spots to take wedding photos, since Tam Dao offers an ancient stone church, silver waterfalls, jungles, pagodas, sunsets and poetic overcast vistas. Visitors can stay at small mansions, looking down the valley from their perch at one of the resorts. Others can savour coffee at Windy Inn, famous for its restless wind blowing all day and night. The ancient stone … [Read more...] about Tam Dao: Heavenly weekend retreat near Hanoi
Tam Đảo: Heavenly weekend retreat near Hà Nội
Foggy: A view of the resort in the valley. — VNS Photo Thái Hà Viet Nam News Tam Đảo is a small mountainous town in Vĩnh Phúc Province. At 1,000m high, Tam Đảo has cool weather throughout the year like Đà Lạt and Sa Pa. In addition, its location just 70km from Hà Nội has made it an attractive destination for visitors on weekends and holidays. Relic: The ancient stone church. — File Photo Domestic and foreign visitors head to Tam Đảo mostly on weekends, solo or in groups, on sunny or chilly days. Although the town is small, there are plenty of options for tourists rushing here to escape the usual busy city life. Windswept: The Windy Inn. — VNS Photo Thái Hà Young newlyweds can choose spots to take wedding photos, since Tam Đảo offers an ancient stone church, silver waterfalls, jungles, pagodas, sunsets … [Read more...] about Tam Đảo: Heavenly weekend retreat near Hà Nội
Michael Jackson life to be turned into musical
Viet Nam News NEW YORK — The life of Michael Jackson will be coming to Broadway in a musical incorporating the King of Pop’s tunes penned by a leading US playwright. Producers of the musical announced the project on Tuesday without revealing a title and said they aimed for a premiere in 2020. The musical, which is being co-produced by the late King of Pop’s estate, will be written by Lynn Nottage, a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Nottage, a professor in the theatre department of Columbia University, most recently won acclaim for Sweat, a play about a blue-collar town in Pennsylvania that sees an eruption of ethnic tensions with immigrants as industrial jobs vanish. The play, for which Nottage travelled to Pennsylvania to do first-hand research, premiered in 2015 and was later seen as a prescient look at the people who voted in President Donald Trump. The Jackson musical will incorporate his music and feature choreography by Christopher Wheeldon, a … [Read more...] about Michael Jackson life to be turned into musical
Pinky cosmos flowers woo visitors to mountainous province
A group of youngsters in Luc Yen district of the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai has recently pilot growing cosmos flowers, with a hope to bring more visitors to the locality. The one-hectare cosmos flowers in Khai Trung commune, Luc Yen district of Yen Bai province are showing their fragile beauty under the sun. Crowds of visitors are flocking to the field to capture the beauty of cosmos flower, with entrance ticket fee of about 1.3 USD each. Hoang Thi Mai, a tourist from Hà Giang province told reporters: "The beauty of the cosmos flowers caught my eye when passing by. They are really stunning." Cosmos flowers are normally in full swing since mid winter to the end of January. But thanks to advanced methods applied by local growers, the flowers can bloom all year round, making them a new tourism product for Luc Yen district. Explaining on the opening of the cosmos field, Dinh Van An, the flower field's owner said, after visiting many flower fields to learn … [Read more...] about Pinky cosmos flowers woo visitors to mountainous province
Hollywood glitters as ‘Star Wars’ stages ‘Solo’ premiere
Lucasfilm brought the biggest party in the galaxy to Hollywood on Thursday as rapt devotees gathered under the Millennium Falcon for the world premiere of the latest "Star Wars" spin-off. Chewbacca attends the premiere "Solo: A Star Wars Story" at the El Capitan Theatre on May 10, 2018 in Hollywood, California AFP/KEVIN WINTER Los Angeles - Lucasfilm brought the biggest party in the galaxy to Hollywood on Thursday as rapt devotees gathered under the Millennium Falcon for the world premiere of the latest "Star Wars" spin-off. "Solo: A Star Wars Story," which gets its US release on May 25, tells the coming-of-age tale of smuggler Han Solo before he was the galaxy's most adored scoundrel. The glittering array of stars in Hollywood Boulevard included cast members Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton and Paul Bettany. "One of my favorite movies growing up was 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.' I think this movie has a little bit of the … [Read more...] about Hollywood glitters as ‘Star Wars’ stages ‘Solo’ premiere