PM: Restructuring improves State businesses efficiency; Textiles and garments enjoy $6.5 billion surplus; KPC, Petrolimex renew gasoil term deal for 2012; Distributor claims Meiji products in VN are safe

NASA's Dawn spacecraft successfully maneuvered into its closest orbit around the giant asteroid Vesta on Monday, beginning a new phase of science observations, the U.S. space agency announced.

VietNamNet Bridge – Foreign models in Vietnam are living and working very quietly because they are afraid of having scandals.

Top European Union (EU) leaders explained Tuesday to the Parliament about latest summit results, reiterating importance of growth in maintaining stability within EU.

VietNamNet Bridge – The Hanoi Opera House celebrated its 100th birthday on December 9. The theatre was recognized as a national relic the same day.

VietNamNet Bridge – These days it’s common to hear about violence in school and find videos on the internet of students fighting each other.

Business start-up procedures are set to be streamlined thanks to a circular on online registration being drafted by the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

The U.S. federal government reported a budget deficit of 137.3 billion dollars in November, the U.S. Treasury Department announced on Monday.

The environmental crime investigation police in the central province of Ha Tinh Sunday rescued 106 pangolins, an endangered scaly animal, from illegal traders.

Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam will promote the investment in the two new markets of Myanmar and the Czech Republic, said Chairman Tran Bac Ha on the bank’s road show to promote its initial public offering on Sunday.

People are believed to be rushing to purchase cars prior to January 1, 2012, to avoid the new tax and fee policies.

Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov announced Monday he would contest the presidential elections next March.

VietNamNet Bridge – Rumors is spreading in Luc Ngan District of Bac Giang Province about miraculous effects of dried litchi leaves since many traders flocked to the district to purchase dried litchi leaves.

VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam Register (VR) is set to order motorbike manufacturers and assemblers to review their entire production process following several incidents in which vehicles burst into flames on the road.

VietNamNet Bridge – Nguyen Thi Anh Dao would often rush to her daughter’s school in peak-hour traffic to pick her up on time. This left her tired, stressed out and frustrated.

VietNamNet Bridge –Song Tranh 2 hydro-power plant is built on the weak layer of the earth’s crust. If strong earthquakes occur, they will cause danger for both the plant and people in the downstream area.

VietNamNet Bridge – Khmer pagodas scattered in different localities of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta need to be preserved to enhance the tourism industry in the area, according to cultural experts.

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini insisted the Old Lady's 1-1 draw against Roma on Monday was not a slip-up for them, as "everybody struggles in Rome."

VietNamNet Bridge – A US$155 million hospital waste water treatment project was kicked off yesterday, Dec 12, by the Ministry of Health and financed by the World Bank in Ha Noi.

Big push for Mekong Delta region; Man on Porsche ignores cops, humiliates reporter; Firework displays on for Lunar New Year; Fire burns down plastic company in Bac Ninh