Briefs of some of leading news stories published on Tuesday (December 9) in Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper:

Politics:

-- On behalf of the Party and the State, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday awarded a badge marking 55 years of membership in the Communist Party of Vietnam to former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai in Ho Chi Minh City.

-- In a recent meeting with the Party Committee in the central province of Thanh Hoa, State President Truong Tan Sang reminded the provincial authorities to effectively implement major projects in the locality.

Society:

-- Thirty-one percent of the female students who took part in a survey by ActionAid Vietnam said that they have suffered sexual harassment in public places such as on buses, at bus stations, and in parks.

-- Typhoon Hagupit has weakened in the last two days, with wind speeds of 100kph instead of the forecast 300-400kph.

-- The ANTV television channel under the management of the Vietnamese police has been fined VND15 million (US$721) for airing incorrect information.

-- Drug detoxification centers have received over 1,200 addicts for treatment in the past few days after over a year of suspended operations.

-- Dong Nai traffic police have fined the road building 319 Corporation, Song Phan Branch for failing to ensure traffic safety during construction.

-- Severe land erosion in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang has threatened the lives of 200 local households in Tan Chau Town.

Business:

-- Ho Chi Minh City authorities have set up a target to expand GDP by 9.5-10 percent next year.

-- Vietnam will increase the collection of tax debts in the near future to temporarily cover the budget deficit due to a decrease in fuel export prices.

Sports:

-- Players from the Vietnamese national football team returned to Hanoi yesterday to prepare for the return leg of the semifinal with Malaysia in the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup on Thursday. Vietnam beat Malaysia 2-1 in Kuala Lumpur in the first leg on Sunday.