Outstanding domestic and international events on February 12

DOMESTIC

On February 12, the 9th extraordinary session of the 15th National Assembly opened at Dien Hong Hall, Hanoi. Speaking at the opening of the session, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man said that this extraordinary session is of great significance, urgently considering and deciding on many urgent issues to serve the revolution of restructuring and streamlining the apparatus, meeting the very high requirements of the country in the new era... At this session, the National Assembly will consider and pass 4 draft laws: Law on Organization of the Government (amended); Law on Organization of Local Government (amended); Law on Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Organization of the National Assembly; Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents (amended) and 5 draft resolutions to implement the restructuring of the apparatus of the National Assembly and the Government for the 15th National Assembly term.In the picture:General Secretary To Lam and other leaders, former leaders of the Party and State and delegates performed the flag salute ceremony at the opening ceremony.Photo: Doan Tan - VNA

On February 12, the Standing Committee of the Hanoi Party Committee held a conference to announce decisions on the establishment and termination of Party organizations. Head of the Hanoi Party Committee's Organization Committee Vu Duc Bao announced decisions on the termination of the activities of 8 Party delegations, 3 Party Executive Committees of the city, and 2 Party committees under the City Party Committee. Along with that was the decision to establish the City Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee on the basis of merging the City Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee and assigning Standing Committee member Nguyen Doan Toan as the Head of the Committee.In the picture:Central and city leaders with Party committees and Party organizations of Hanoi City.Photo: Van Diep - VNA

In the 2025 military enlistment, Dak Lak province has over 500 young people volunteering to join the army. The military enlistment day is approaching, and young people of all ethnic groups in the province are ready to fulfill their sacred duty of building and defending the Fatherland.In the picture:Young man Y Dam San Nie (left), Duk village, Ea Tam ward, Buon Ma Thuot city, Dak Lak province shares his honor, pride and desire to contribute and train in the military environment.Photo: VNA

Gia Lai provincial authorities are investigating the case of Mr. Ro Mah Giu (born in 2003, residing in Ia O commune, Ia Grai district) suspected of being scammed and sold to Cambodia for ransom. According to information from the family, after being discharged from the army and returning to help his family with farming, in mid-2024, Mr. Ro Mah Giu announced that he had found a job introduced by an old friend in the same unit in Hanoi. Not long after, he lost contact. On the 29th of Tet, Mr. Giu called to inform that he was in Cambodia and needed 150 million VND to ransom himself. Currently, the family is very confused and worried.In the picture:Photo of Mr. Ro Mah Giu, residing in Bi village, Ia O commune, Ia Grai district, Gia Lai province and his family's rescue report.Photo: Hoai Nam - VNA

At around 8am on February 12, a fire suddenly broke out at the CTM building at 139 Cau Giay (Cau Giay, Hanoi). Upon receiving the information, the authorities immediately directed the firefighting and deployed search and rescue teams. Nearly 30 people in the building were guided to safety by the authorities. According to initial information, the victims are all stable in both health and spirit.In the picture:Authorities urgently approached the scene to put out the fire and rescue victims.Photo: VNA

On February 12, in Lao Cai city (Lao Cai), the Thuong Xuan Temple Festival of At Ty 2025 opened. This is a cultural, religious and spiritual event held annually by Lao Cai city on the 15th day of the first lunar month to commemorate the National Duke, Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan - a national hero in the history of fighting against foreign invaders; at the same time, praying for national peace, people's safety, bountiful harvests and a prosperous and happy life.In the picture:The procession, along with delegates and a large number of tourists, participated in the incense offering ceremony at the Upper Temple.Photo: Huong Thu - VNA

INTERNATIONAL

A total of 61 countries adopted a joint statement on the need for “open, inclusive and ethical” artificial intelligence (AI) at the AI ​​summit in Paris, France on February 11. However, the United States and the United Kingdom did not sign the final statement of the summit, citing national interests and regulatory concerns. The joint statement stressed that issues related to AI and energy were being addressed “for the first time” in a multilateral context. The signatories stressed the importance of increased coordination in AI governance, stating that “sustainable” AI for society and the world must be a top priority.In the picture:Delegates pose for a photo at the Paris AI Summit in Paris, France.Photo: THX/TTXVN

On February 12, Japan, through its Embassy in the United States, officially requested Washington to exempt it from the 25% tariff on aluminum and steel imports from the country. Speaking before the Japanese Parliament, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced that Tokyo will lobby and take all necessary measures to be exempted from the new tariffs recently announced by the Trump administration, while closely monitoring the impact of this policy on the Japanese economy.In the picture:Steel coils at a factory in Tokyo, Japan.Photo: Kyodo/VNA

Japanese authorities said on February 11 that the country's authorities had found the cabin of a truck that had been "swallowed" by a giant sinkhole at an intersection in Yashio, Saitama Prefecture, in a nearby sewer. Drone images showed a body inside the truck's cabin, but rescuers have not been able to reach the cabin because the 5-meter diameter pipe is blocked by continuous water flow and high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide gas.In the picture:Death sinkhole at an intersection in Yashio, Saitama Prefecture, Japan.Photo: Kyodo/VNA

South Korea is facing widespread heavy snowfall and ice, causing numerous collisions and major traffic disruptions. On the morning of February 12, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety of South Korea activated the Central Disaster and Safety Response Level 1 and raised the snowfall crisis alert from “concern” to “caution”.In the picture:Cars covered in snow in Gangwon, South Korea.Photo: Yonhap/VNA