The first US troops deployed to assist the Iraqi army in combating a growing Sunni militant insurgency have arrived and begun work, the Pentagon has said.

 Both sides in the Ukraine conflict have cast doubt on a newly called ceasefire, following the downing of a military helicopter on Tuesday.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Well-known HCM City-based designer Thuan Viet will showcase his new ao dai collection called “The Lyon roses" in Lyon, France.

Senior officials of Japan and Vietnam met in Hanoi on Tuesday morning, three weeks after Japan announced that it would cancel ODA disbursement for railway projects in Vietnam that were believed to be involved in corruption.

 VietNamNet Bridge - Deputy Minister of Health Mr. Nguyen Viet Tien says that the demand for surrogacy in Vietnam is fairly low, so the ministry will select only a few reliable hospitals to provide medical services for surrogacy.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The first special economic zone of HCM City will be built in the districts of Binh Chanh, 7, 3, Nha Be and Can Gio, to focus on developing a sea-borne economy.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Hanoi Department of Information and Communications has recently discovered a private IT company spying on 14,140 mobile phone subscribers, using the Ptracker software.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The tourism sector will restrict the development of small-scale hotels and encourage the development of three- to five-star hotels in an effort to improve the quality of accommodations,

 VietNamNet Bridge – The real estate market, it appears, has been given a new lease of life. Market liquidity has improved significantly, with reduced inventory and increased sales.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Eleven laws and two resolutions were adopted and 16 draft laws and one resolution debated during the month-long, seventh session of the 13th National Assembly that ended yesterday, June 24.

While police admit that Tran Nhat Duat Street in Hoan Kiem District has dozens of shops making illegal car and motorbike registration plates, they also claim there is little they can do about it.

 VN karate artists win two silvers, two bronzes in Indonesia; Vietnam, Algeria push sport partnership; Vinh Phuc win junior shooting championships; Viet Nam finish second at SEA swimming championships

A debate has been raised in response to the recent release of the UNDP’s report on the energy situation in Vietnam. The report says the government spends $1.2-4.5 billion a year for fuel subsidies.

American expert Professor Michael Castengera will provide professional tips to TV hosts and emcees at a three-day workshop to be held by the Saigon International Film School from Thursday.

National Assembly’s seventh session concludes; Some 80,000 articles criticise China’s illegal oil rig placement; World Bank’s support, assistance to poverty fight praised; Vietnam, South Africa seek to boost defence ties

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Industry and Trade has asked Vietsovpetro and PetroVietnam to prepare themselves for a possible hacker attack as it is said that international hackers plan to attack the companies’ networks on June 20.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The 2014 V-League resumed last weekend, with six 19th-round matches producing a record number of goals. Here are the five most notable events in this round of play.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam National Assembly has issued a communiqué, clarifying Vietnam’s just stance and rebuking China’s provocations in the East Sea.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Trang An Tourism Complex in northern Ninh Binh Province has been declared a World Culture and Nature Heritage site by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organsiation (UNESCO).

General Emmanuel Bautista, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and his wife are paying an official visit to Vietnam from June 23-26 at the invitation of Senior Lieutenant General Deputy Defence Minister Do Ba Ty.