Briefs of some of leading news stories published Tuesday (December 18) in Tuoi Tre Newspaper that will be carried today on Tuoitrenews.vn:

Politics:

-- Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc instructed relevant authorities to inspect allegations of bribery involving recruitment in state-owned agencies. It is alleged that an official has to pay VND100 million (US$4,800) to be recruited.

Society:

-- Traffic policemen in Kon Tum province arrested a bus carrying six 150kg bags containing illegal firecrackers made in China.

-- There were 98 mass strikes in Ho Chi Minh City in 2012, down 87 similar cases over the previous year.

-- Thua Thien Hue Police Department has sacked sub-lieutenant Phan Vu Hoang Linh, 31, for using drugs.

-- Inspection team of the Ministry of Health yesterday began their inquiries with director and managers of the Central Odonto – Stomatology Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for their conduct of illegal surgeries and embezzlement.

-- The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has announced that Vietnam is to import around 2.5 million tons of fertilizers worth US$960 million in 2013.

-- Authorities of Long An province has set up an inspection team to check the land management and usage of companies IMG Phuoc Dong and Thang Long.

-- The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Health Preventive has announced to launch an overall program to trap mice in the city from now till January next year to prevent the spread of epidemic.

Lifestyle:

-- Ho Chi Minh City Television (HTV) in coordination with air defence unit of Vietnam army will set up a TV bridge to feature the victory of Vietnam over the air strikes of the US forces in Christmas season of 1972. The TV program will be aired at 20:30 on Dec.18 on channels HTV9, HTV1, and HTVC Thuan Viet.

Education:

-- International Conference on Physics opened yesterday in the central Quy Nhon city, Vietnam with the participation of 80 scientists from 15 nations and territories in the world.

Sports:

-- Hundreds of Vietnamese elite footballers have been left unemployed after many clubs got disbanded due to the shortage of sponsorship and investment during the time of economic slowdown.