Outstanding domestic and international events on December 18

DOMESTIC

On December 18, in Hanoi, General Secretary To Lam attended the solemn session of the 9th National Congress of the Vietnam Youth Union, term 2024 - 2029. Speaking at the Congress, General Secretary To Lam affirmed that in all revolutionary stages, our Party has always paid special attention to and focused on youth work, issued many resolutions and directives to care for and educate youth, and prepared a solid foundation for youth to be ready to accept the mission of mastering the country. On behalf of the Party and State leaders, General Secretary To Lam commended the achievements of the youth of the whole country and the Vietnam Youth Union in the recent past... In the afternoon of the same day, General Secretary To Lam, Secretary of the Central Military Commission, met and encouraged delegates of the young generation in the Army, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army (December 22, 1944 - December 22, 2024), 35 years of National Defense Day (December 22, 1989 - December 22, 2024).In the picture:General Secretary To Lam with delegates attending the solemn session of the 9th Congress of the Vietnam Youth Union.Photo: Thong Nhat – VNA

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army and the 35th anniversary of the National Defense Day, on December 18, President Luong Cuong and the Central working delegation visited and worked with the 12th Army Corps stationed in Ninh Binh province. At the meeting, the President expressed his pleasure to visit the officers and soldiers of the 12th Army Corps at a time when the entire Party, people and army are carrying out practical activities to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army and the 35th anniversary of the National Defense Day. On behalf of the Party and State leaders, the President acknowledged, highly appreciated and commended the outstanding results and achievements that the officers and soldiers of the 12th Army Corps have achieved in solidarity and efforts to overcome difficulties in the past time.In the picture:President Luong Cuong inspected combat readiness at Brigade 241, Army Corps 12.Photo: Lam Khanh – VNA

On December 18, in Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the conference to review the work of 2024 and deploy key tasks of the culture, sports and tourism sector in 2025. Acknowledging and praising the efforts and attempts and congratulating the important results that the entire sector has achieved in 2024... The Prime Minister hopes and believes that the Culture, Sports and Tourism sector will further promote its traditions and achievements; continue to promote the pioneering spirit of opening up, making breakthroughs, creating development space, contributing to creating a solid foundation with the country to enter the era of national prosperity. On the afternoon of December 18, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited and congratulated officers, lecturers, and students of the Military Technical Academy on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army (December 22, 1944 - December 22, 2024) and the 35th anniversary of National Defense Day (December 22, 1989 - December 22, 2024).In the picture:Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited research and innovation products of the Military Technical Academy on the afternoon of December 18.Photo: Duong Giang-VNA

On December 18, in Hanoi, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man met with Ambassadors and Heads of Vietnamese diplomatic missions abroad before departing for his new post. In the afternoon of the same day, in Hai Phong City, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man attended the Conference to announce the National Assembly's Resolution on the organization of urban government in Hai Phong City and the Resolution of the National Assembly Standing Committee on the arrangement of district- and commune-level administrative units in Hai Phong City for the 2023-2025 period.In the picture:National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man met with Ambassadors and Heads of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad.Photo: Doan Tan – VNA

On December 18, in Hanoi, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) in collaboration with the Vietnam Journalists Association organized the 2024 National Journalism Awards on Gender Equality to summarize and honor outstanding press works, and at the same time recognize the positive contributions of groups and individuals in communication activities promoting gender equality in recent times.In the picture:Authors and groups of authors receiving A prize.Photo: Phuong Hoa – VNA

At around 2:00 p.m. on December 18, a fire broke out on the second floor of the Van Luc Electronics Company's factory in Cai Lan Industrial Park, Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City (Quang Ninh). Upon receiving the news, the Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Police Department of the provincial police mobilized forces and vehicles to the scene.In the picture:Fire scene.Photo: VNA

Dong Hoi City Police (Quang Binh) in coordination with the Department of Cyber ​​Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention and other departments (Quang Binh Provincial Police) have successfully fought a case of fraud and appropriation of property on the Internet in the form of buying and selling cheap phones. The police agency has issued a decision to initiate a criminal case, prosecute 7 defendants and issue an arrest warrant to temporarily detain 6 subjects for fraud and appropriation of property.In the picture:Many broken iPhone boxes were prepared to be sent to customers and many related documents and objects were seized.Photo: VNA

INTERNATIONAL

Leading Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Congress on December 17 unveiled a temporary bill to keep federal agencies funded through March 14, 2025, averting a partial government shutdown. The measure would maintain the federal budget at its current level of about $6.2 trillion, funding programs ranging from the military, air traffic controllers and federal oversight agencies.In the picture:The US Capitol building in Washington, DC.Photo: THX/TTXVN

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said on December 18 that the country will ensure that it has a plan to cooperate with the incoming US administration under President-elect Donald Trump in case nuclear talks with North Korea are likely to resume. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said South Korea will prepare plans and roadmaps before the new US administration takes office, which will help South Korea prepare for the possibility of talks between the US and North Korea.In the picture:South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae Yul speaks to reporters in Seoul.Photo: Yonhap/VNA

December 8 marked a historic turning point in Syria when the regime of President Bashar al-Assad collapsed after more than 13 years of conflict. The lightning attack by the armed coalition led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) completely changed the situation. However, the future of Syria still faces numerous major challenges in politics, economy and humanitarian crisis. On December 17, Mr. Murhaf Abu Qasra - military leader of HTS - announced that the group would disband its armed unit and merge into the national army.In the picture:Members of armed groups in Syria after taking control of the capital Damascus, December 8, 2024.Photo: THX/TTXVN