Prince, the innovative pop superstar whose songwriting and eccentric stage presence electrified fans around the world with hits including "Purple Rain" and "When Doves Cry," died on Thursday in Minnesota. He was 57. His influential, genre-defying music blended jazz, funk, R&B, disco and rock, winning seven Grammy Awards and an Oscar. Prince was found unresponsive in an elevator at his Paisley Park Studios compound, which included his home, in the Minneapolis suburb of Chanhassen, according to the Carver County Sheriff's Office. In a transcript of a 911 call made from the complex and released by the sheriff's office, an unidentified male initially reported that someone was dead at the home, later identifying that victim as Prince. The sheriff's office said it was investigating the circumstances. The local medical examiner's office said in a tweet that an autopsy had been scheduled for Friday. Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger hailed his fellow singer and musician as … [Read more...] about ‘Purple Rain’ superstar Prince, 57, dies at U.S. studio complex
Dies r us
Mobile network operators: provide data services or die
VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese mobile network operators have been living on the traditional services, while the big telecom groups in the world have shifted to data services. According to Viet, in the first quarter of 2013, SMS and MMS messaging service of China Mobile just made up 7.4 percent of the total turnover, which was lower than the 8.3 percent in the first quarter of 2012. Meanwhile, China Mobile’s turnover from data services increased from 28.5 percent in the first quarter of 2012 to 33.5 percent in the first quarter of 2013. The wireless connection output also increased from 11 percent to 16.6 percent. In the first three months of 2013, the turnover from voice and SMS services dropped by reminbi3.3 billion in comparison with the same period of the last year. Also according to Viet, in the third quarter of 2013, the US AT&T’s turnover from data service was $5.5 billion, increasing by $200 million over the second quarter of the same year, while the … [Read more...] about Mobile network operators: provide data services or die
US television channel praises Vietnamese pop star
VietNamNet Bridge - Singer My Tam is named in the list of 11 "Global Pop Sensations You've Never Heard Of" on ABC News. Do Bao, My Tam win Dedication Awards 2008 Pop singer My Tam to bear Olympic torch Blue Wave Music Awards 2009 announced ABC News wrote the following about My Tam: "After nine years in the business, Vietnamese pop singer My Tam has remained one of the most recognizable voices in the Southeast Asian country, releasing seven successful albums since her debut. As she toured each night, more than 20,000 people would pour in to see her. Early on in her career, My Tam signed multi-million dollar deals to serve as a spokesperson for companies like Pepsi and Honda. She even has her own fragrance." Other artists in this list include: Japanese rock band X-Japan, Ayumi Hamasaki (Japan), Wonder Girls (South Korea), Charice Pempengco (Philippines) - the first Asian artist in history to land in the top 10 of Billboard's album chart, Vince Harder (New Zealand), Chilean pop group … [Read more...] about US television channel praises Vietnamese pop star
Gov’t chief receives US Defense Secretary
In the context of the increasingly fine bilateral relations after 15 years of diplomatic establishment, the visit of Mr. Robert Gates would serve to boost the bilateral linkages, said PM Dũng. The Government chief asserted that the Vietnamese Government would do its utmost to link hands with the US to build the friendly partnership and comprehensive cooperation on the basis of fairness, mutual respect and benefits. While hailing the close military ties between the two countries, PM Dũng recommended the two sides spur concerned cooperation activities such as foreign languages training for Vietnamese soldiers, army medical corps, emergency relief, prevention of natural disasters and epidemics, and clearance of Agent Orange. Việt Nam pledges to spare no effort to find the remains of US troops who died here, said the host leader. Defense Secretary Robert Gates conveyed condolence messages of US President Barack Obama for the huge losses caused by severe floods in Central Việt Nam. Mr. … [Read more...] about Gov’t chief receives US Defense Secretary
Vietnam, US inch closer in diplomatic waltz
When China launched a blitz last year designed to seize territory in disputed waters, Tuong Lai and 60 Vietnamese Communist Party members signed an open letter urging the country's leadership to, among other things, “escape” from their dependence on China. At his apartment in Phu My Hung -- a posh urban area in Saigon – Tuong Lai insisted that Vietnam has no choice but to ramp up its alliance with the US to deter China. “Never has the US needed Vietnam like it does now; we both need each other,” he said. When China towed a giant oil rig into Vietnamese waters in May 2014, intellectuals like Tuong Lai, who had survived the Vietnam War, became increasingly enthusiastic about the Obama administration's vague promise of a coming “strategic pivot” to Asia. This same camp has pushed hard against any effort to bring Vietnam further inside China's political and economic orbit. “When the US started bombing Vietnam, Vietnam had to go to China to … [Read more...] about Vietnam, US inch closer in diplomatic waltz