VIETNAM TODAY

Experts from the eurozone, the ECB and the IMF resume talks with Greece on a second lifeline accorded to debt-ravaged Athens.

President Medvedev ordered an investigation into allegations of fraud in Russia's parliamentary election, one day after tens of thousands of protesters demanded it be annulled and rerun.

Seven people were rescued when three boats overturned in the central province of Phu Yen, where continual heavy rainfall flooded many low-lying areas.

A strong cold spell caused the temperature to drop to a record low of 1oC in the northern city of Sapa on December 11, according to local meteorological stations.

The first phase of the Ho Tram Strip project, to build a top-notch beach resort in Vung Tau, has been completed and is expected to open in February 2013.

A marathon UN climate conference approved a roadmap towards an accord that for the first time will bring all major greenhouse-gas emitters under a single legal roof.

A major 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck Mexico with officials reporting two deaths, as the quake was strongly felt in the capital Mexico City and southern Guerrero state.

The first two biding packages of a World Bank-funded project to develop transport in the northern delta started in the northern province of Bac Ninh on December 10.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese NA left London for Hanoi on Dec. 10, concluding a three-day official visit to the UK.

International fast food chains are penetrating Vietnam, opening branches nationwide and dominating the market.

A Liberian rights campaigner, the country's president and a Yemeni activist received the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo Saturday for their work for peace and women's rights.

From next year, vocational schools and higher education institutions can decide their own levels of enrollment, said a circular recently issued by the Ministry of Education and Training.

New regulations have been issued with an aim to keep a tighter control over the imports-exports and goods circulation, but caused big losses to businesses.

Vietnam shares responsibility with the international community in implementing measures and initiatives to deal with global climate change.

Leaders of Vietnamese and UK parliaments met in London with a view to elevate co-operative ties between the two legislative bodies.

Global credit rating firm Standard & Poor’s has downgraded the credit rating of Vietcombank, Techcombank, and BIDV.

Vietnam Airlines launched its first direct flight to the UK's London Gatwick Airport, on December 9.

Russia braced for the first nationwide protest against Vladimir Putin's 12-year rule amid signs of swelling anger over a poll won by his party.

The Tay Ho Weekend Market has been a popular place for locals to hang around, meeting friends and, especially, shopping for good, safe food for their family every Saturday morning.