VIETNAM TODAY

Amid signs of strong investor demand, Facebook boosted the share price estimate for its stock market debut.

The VINASAT 2 satellite roared off the launch pad aboard an Ariane 5 rocket at 22.13 GMT on May 15 from Kourou (South America).

A new report revealed maladministration and possible corruption in several projects funded by government bonds.

Prosecutors accused ex-Rupert Murdoch aide Rebekah Brooks and five others of obstructing justice in the first criminal charges to emerge from the News of the World hacking scandal.

Director Nguyen Hoang Diep will present a short film entitled Hai, Tu, Sau (Two, Four and Six) at the Cannes film festival.

HCM municipal authorities have requested repairs to all petroleum stations built prior to 2007 in order meet required national standards.

Representatives from 27 member countries of EU approved the signing of a PCA with Vietnam at the EU Foreign Ministers Meeting.

More than 70 sandy statues were created by hundreds of Vietnamese and foreign visitors on My Khe beach, in a sandy statue making competition.

Health officials on May 14 dismissed the idea that a transmissible disease was responsible for 21 deaths and over 200 cases of a mysterious skin condition.

Luxury houses and apartments are being leased for much less now that the real estate market is in a slump.

Four South Korean activists have been detained in China on suspicion of spying after they interviewed North Korean refugees living in hiding there.

With hope of expanding tiger population, MoNRE submitted a draft National Tiger Conservation Programme to the Prime Minister at the end of April.

Universities complain that some unreasonable regulations have prevented many people to enter the training courses for doctorates.

Socialist Francois Hollande was to be sworn in as France's president before naming a prime minister and dashing to Germany to battle with Berlin over how to tackle Europe's debt crisis.

More than 100 domestic and foreign businesses will attend an international exhibition on energy efficiency and environment to be held in Hanoi on May 23-26.

Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with the President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda during the fifth Trilateral Summit Meeting.

Vietnam has won the bid to host the Southeast Asian Women’s Football Championships 2012, which is scheduled to take place from Sept. 13-22.

Euro chief Jean-Claude Juncker hit out at speculation over a Greek exit from the eurozone, saying currency partners affirmed their "unshakeable desire" to keep Athens in the club.

Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike agreed with Israel to end their fast in return for improved conditions, officials on both sides said.