Outstanding domestic and international events on December 13

DOMESTIC

On the afternoon of December 13, at the Presidential Palace, President Luong Cuong received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic and People's Republic of Algeria Sofiane Chaib who came to say goodbye and end his term of office in Vietnam.In the picture:President Luong Cuong received Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Algeria Sofiane Chaib to say goodbye.Photo: Lam Khanh - VNA

On December 13, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and the National Assembly Delegation of An Giang province met with voters after the 8th session of the 15th National Assembly, to report on the results of the session, some outstanding socio-economic results in 2024 of the country, the operation situation of the unit at the session; continue to listen to the thoughts and aspirations, collect opinions and recommendations of voters.In the picture:Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan with voters of Thoai Son district, An Giang province.Photo: Cong Mao-VNA

On December 13, in Hanoi, the Party Committee of the Central Agencies Bloc held an expanded Executive Committee Conference to summarize Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW, dated October 25, 2017 of the 12th Party Central Committee "Some issues on continuing to innovate and reorganize the apparatus of the political system to be streamlined and operate effectively and efficiently".In the picture:Conference scene.Photo: Diep Truong - VNA

Towards the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army (December 22, 1944 - December 22, 2024), the 35th anniversary of the National Defense Day (December 22, 1989 - December 22, 2024), the Vietnam Military History Museum organizes the exhibition "Heroic Army - Strong National Defense", introducing nearly 300 images, documents, and artifacts summarizing the process of building, fighting, and growing of the Vietnam People's Army, and achievements in 35 years of implementing the National Defense Day.In the picture:Delegates visit the defense technology exhibition area.Photo: Hoang Hieu - VNA

Since August 2024, Kien Giang province has made many positive changes in its fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, contributing to the removal of the European Commission's (EC) "Yellow Card" warning. Kien Giang province continues to make efforts in organizing the implementation of policies and laws, propaganda, advocacy, strengthening measures to manage, control and monitor fishing vessels, strictly handling violations... in order to effectively implement the EC's 4 groups of recommendations and the Central Government's direction on combating IUU.In the picture:Officers and soldiers of the Fortress Border Control Station of the Ha Tien International Border Gate Border Guard Station (Kien Giang) distribute anti-IUU propaganda materials to captains and crew members of fishing boats.Photo: Le Huy Hai – VNA

On December 13, the functional forces of the Coast Guard Region 3 Command escorted the fishing vessel TG 92267 TS, which was transporting about 30,000 liters of DO oil without invoices or legal documents of the goods, to the port of Squadron 301 in Vung Tau City (Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province) for further investigation and handling according to regulations. Specifically, at 9:45 a.m. on December 11, in the waters of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, the functional forces of the Coast Guard Region 3 Command coordinated with Squadron 3 of the Anti-smuggling Investigation Department (General Department of Customs) to detect suspicious signs and conduct an inspection of the fishing vessel TG 92267 TS.In the picture:Authorities check goods on board.Photo: VNA

INTERNATIONAL

On December 12, the E3 group (including the UK, France and Germany) proposed the possibility of re-imposing sanctions on Iran to prevent the country from developing its nuclear program. In a letter to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the E3 reaffirmed their commitment to a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. The letter stated that all three countries emphasized their determination to use all available diplomatic tools to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.In the photo:Overview of the UN Security Council meeting in New York, USA.Photo: Kyodo/VNA

EU member states on December 12 adopted a decision to recognize Bulgaria and Romania as full members of the Schengen free travel area from January 2025. “This is a historic moment when Bulgaria and Romania are finally welcomed,” said Interior Minister Sandor Pinter of Hungary, which holds the rotating EU presidency. Both countries have been EU members since 2007 and partially integrated into the Schengen free travel area in March, opening up air and sea travel without border checks.In the picture:A sign directing travelers to the Schengen area at Henri Coanda International Airport, near Bucharest, Romania, March 31, 2024.Photo: THX/TTXVN

The White House announced on December 12 that US President Joe Biden has commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 people under house arrest after serving prison sentences during the COVID-19 pandemic, and pardoned 39 non-violent criminals who did not involve the use of force or causing bodily harm to others. This is the largest single-day commutation and pardon in modern US history.In the picture:US President Joe Biden speaks at the White House.Photo: THX/TTXVN

Indian chess prodigy Dommaraju Gukesh became the youngest world chess champion on December 12 after defeating Chinese player Ding Liren in the final match of the series in Singapore. At the age of 18, Gukesh broke the previous record of "legend" Garry Kasparov, who won the title at the age of 22. The victory is not only a milestone in Gukesh's career but also a source of great pride for Indian chess.In the picture:Indian chess player Dommaraju Gukesh competes at the World Chess Championship in Singapore.Photo: THX/TTXVN