Outstanding domestic and international events on February 18

DOMESTIC

Continuing the program of the 9th extraordinary session of the 15th National Assembly, on the morning of February 18, the National Assembly held a plenary session in the hall to vote to pass the Law on Organization of the Government (amended). In the afternoon, the National Assembly voted to elect the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly and members of the National Assembly Standing Committee; approved the Prime Minister's proposal on the appointment of Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and other members of the Government for the 2021-2026 term.In the picture:Party and State leaders congratulated the Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly, members of the National Assembly Standing Committee, Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers on their new assignments.Photo: Phuong Hoa - VNA

On February 18, the Ho Chi Minh City Labor Federation organized a program for city leaders to meet with outstanding workers and union members on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the Party's founding (February 3, 1930 - February 3, 2025). This is an opportunity for city leaders to listen to practical contributions from workers and laborers on innovating activities, improving the quality of care for workers' lives, and promoting the economic, cultural and social development of the City.In the picture:Mr. Phan Van Anh, Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, and Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Loc, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, along with exemplary party members, workers and union officials at the program.Photo: Thanh Vu - VNA

On the morning of February 18, Mr. Truong Tan Loc, Chairman of the Board of Members of Tan Cang - Cai Mep International Port (Ba Ria - Vung Tau) said that the unit had just successfully received the first ship named ONE EAGLE with a capacity of 14,000 TEUs on the EC3 service route - one of the four main service routes of the Premier Alliance.In the picture:Delegates attended the ceremony to welcome the first train named ONE EAGLE.Photo: VNA

On February 18, at Tan Vu Port Branch - Hai Phong Port Joint Stock Company, Vietnam National Shipping Lines (VIMC) cooperated with the Gulf of Tonkin - Guangxi Port Group to connect Zhonggu Shipping Line to launch the Gulf of Tonkin - Hai Phong - Kolkata service route. The event was attended by senior leaders from Guangxi Province - China and Hai Phong City, along with representatives of Vietnamese and Chinese enterprises.In the picture:Delegates performed the opening ceremony of the service route Gulf of Tonkin Port - Hai Phong Port - Kolkata Port.Photo: Hoang Ngoc - VNA

On the morning of February 18, at the national relic of Van Hien Temple in Ha Mo Commune, Dan Phuong District (Hanoi), the ceremony to release the book series "Co Kim Truyen Luc" took place to commemorate the 923rd anniversary of the birth of the famous person To Hien Thanh (January 22, 1102 - January 22, 2025). The book series consists of 4 volumes: Nguyen, Hanh, Loi, Trinh, composed in the year Dinh Mui (1907); the Chinese woodblock print of the book series is still preserved.In the picture:Launching and presenting ceremony of the book "Ancient and modern traditions".Photo: Hoang Hieu - VNA

On February 18, the Command of Coast Guard Region 4 announced that the unit's functional forces had just discovered and detained a ship illegally transporting about 30,000 liters of Diesel Oil (DO) in the Southwest sea. At the time of inspection, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Sang confessed that the fishing boat CM 92519 TS was transporting about 30,000 liters of DO oil without documents proving the legal origin of the goods. The functional forces of the Command of Coast Guard Region 4 drew up a record of temporary detention and sealing of the goods; escorted the vehicle to the port of Squadron 421/Flotilla 42 in Nam Can town, Nam Can district, Ca Mau province for further investigation and handling in accordance with the provisions of law.In the picture:The functional forces of the Coast Guard Region 4 Command sealed the violating goods on fishing vessel CM 92519 TS.Photo: VNA

INTERNATIONAL

On February 17, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) met to discuss the situation in Ukraine, amid new developments in the conflict in the country. Speaking at the meeting, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Peacebuilding, Mr. Miroslav Jenča, reaffirmed that any peace agreement in Ukraine must respect the country's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.In the picture:Overview of the UN Security Council meeting in New York, USA.Photo: IRNA/VNA

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on February 17 that a new department within the Defense Ministry would be tasked with assisting Palestinians in “voluntarily” leaving the Gaza Strip. Katz’s office said the plan would allow any Gaza resident who wishes to migrate to a third country to receive assistance, including special departure arrangements by sea, air and land, among other means.In the picture:Palestinian refugees return home in the northern Gaza Strip on January 27, 2025.Photo: THX/TTXVN

A serious accident occurred at Toronto Pearson International Airport (Canada) on February 17, when a Delta Air Lines plane flipped over and caught fire during landing, injuring 19 people. Delta Flight 4819 departed from St. Paul International Airport (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) with a total of 80 people, including 76 passengers and 4 crew members. After the accident, all passengers and crew members were evacuated. Flight operations at Pearson Airport were restored after about 3 hours of interruption.In the picture:The scene of the plane crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada, February 17, 2025.Photo: THX/TTXVN

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on February 17 that the death toll from flooding caused by severe weather in the Midwestern state over the weekend had risen to 11. According to authorities, as of the morning of February 17, more than 14,000 people were still without electricity and more than 17,000 people were without running water.In the picture:Flooding in Frankfort, Kentucky (USA) on February 17, 2025.Photo: THX/TTXVN