VIETNAM TODAY

European cinema will shine out from local theatres to entertain movie buffs starting today in what will be the largest number screenings to date.

At sunrise in some parts of China and by sunset in the western United States, a partial solar eclipse is set to slink across the Earth on May 20 and 21.

The fifth meeting of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) completed its agenda after nine days of sitting in Hanoi.

The UN Development Programme released the Asia-Pacific Human Development Report 2012, entitled “A planet to share – Sustaining human progress in a changing climate” in Hanoi.

Hanoi’s vice chairman, Vu Hong Khanh, has asked the city’s department of construction to look into the illegal leasing of a state-owned houses.

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.