Outstanding domestic and international events on January 2

DOMESTIC

On January 2, in the joyful atmosphere of the first day of the new year, at the Presidential Palace, President Luong Cuong presented the decision to confer the title of Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on officials and civil servants of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who were conferred the title of Ambassador in 2024. Attending the ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son; Head of the Office of the President Le Khanh Hai; representatives of leaders of units of the Office of the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.In the picture:President Luong Cuong with leaders and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs awarded the title of Ambassador.Photo: Lam Khanh - VNA

On January 2, in Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Head of the Government's Steering Committee on summarizing the implementation of Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW dated October 25, 2017 of the 6th Central Conference of the 12th tenure on "Some issues on continuing to innovate and reorganize the apparatus of the political system to be streamlined and operate effectively and efficiently" chaired the 7th meeting of the Steering Committee.In the picture:Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the 7th meeting of the Steering Committee for Streamlining the Government Apparatus.Photo: Duong Giang-VNA

On January 2, in Hanoi, the Ministry of National Defense held a ceremony to hand over the President's decision and the Minister of National Defense's decision to 8 officers to perform tasks at the United Nations peacekeeping missions in the Central African Republic and South Sudan. Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, Head of the Inter-sectoral Working Group, Head of the Ministry of National Defense's Steering Committee on participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations, chaired and delivered a speech assigning tasks to the officers.In the picture:Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, presented the President's decision to the officers.Photo: Trong Duc – VNA

On January 2, the Hanoi Stock Exchange (State Securities Commission, Ministry of Finance) held a gong-beating ceremony to open securities trading in early 2025. At the gong-beating ceremony, Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang assigned 6 key tasks to be carried out this year for the securities industry. Entering a new era, an era of strong national development, in 2025, it is necessary to accelerate, break through, unlock resources, and make the most of the country's potential, with the requirement that the economy has breakthrough and sustainable development steps.In the picture:Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang beats the gong to open stock trading in early 2025.Photo: Pham Hau-VNA

On January 2, the first working day after the 2025 New Year holiday, the number of vehicles passing through the intersection increased, but there was no chaos. Notably, after the traffic police force increased the handling of violations according to the provisions of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety and Decree 168/2024/ND-CP of the Government (effective from January 1, 2025), people's compliance with road traffic laws has improved.In the picture:People obey traffic light signals on Khuat Duy Tien - Nguyen Trai street.Photo: Pham Kien – VNA

At noon on January 2, ship 991 of Squadron 418, Brigade 189 successfully rescued the Petrolimex 11 ship that had an accident in the waters of Khanh Hoa, towing it safely to anchor in Vinh Tan commune (Tuy Phong district, Binh Thuan province). The Petrolimex 11 ship has a capacity of over 40,000 tons, carrying goods for Vitaco Company from a Malaysian seaport to Hon Gai port, Quang Ninh province. When reaching the sea area about 20 nautical miles from Cam Ranh city, Khanh Hoa province, the ship's steering system failed and sent a signal for help.In the picture:Ship 991 tows Petrolimex 11.Photo: VNA

On January 2, Ho Chi Minh City Police said that the Criminal Police Department (PC02) had just broken up a case of stealing property from couples and people exercising in parks, seizing many pieces of evidence. This group consisted of 7-10 subjects, who knew each other before, so they discussed, agreed, and assigned tasks to steal property. The subjects took advantage of the loopholes and lack of vigilance of the victims (usually male and female couples) while they were sitting talking, exercising, taking pictures... in the park to steal cell phones and then quickly escaped.In the picture:Subjects at the investigation agency of the Criminal Police Department (PC02), Ho Chi Minh City Police.Photo: VNA

INTERNATIONAL

South Korean TV channel YTN reported on January 2 that the country's police SWAT team was dispatched to the headquarters of the ruling People's Power Party (PPP) in Seoul after receiving a bomb threat. The relevant authorities are currently verifying the incident. Meanwhile, functional forces have been mobilized to ensure security at the PPP headquarters.In the photo (document):Headquarters of the National Power Party in Seoul, South Korea.Photo: Yonhap/VNA

A bloody shooting took place in the town of Cetinje in the southwestern region of Montenegro on the afternoon of January 1 local time, leaving at least 10 people dead, including two children, and four seriously injured. According to Montenegro's Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic, the suspect was identified as Aco Martinovic, 45, who had been detained for illegal possession of weapons and was known for his erratic behavior.In the picture:Police and security personnel were deployed at the scene of a shooting in the town of Cetinje in southwestern Montenegro.Photo: REUTERS/TTXVN

Indian authorities have begun the task of removing hundreds of tonnes of hazardous waste left behind more than 40 years after the world’s worst industrial disaster in the city of Bhopal. On the night of January 1, a convoy of about 10 trucks began transporting 337 tonnes of hazardous waste, sealed inside containers. Police escorted the convoy to a disposal site 225 kilometres away in the town of Pithampur.In the picture:Trucks transport hazardous waste left over from the Bhopal gas disaster in Bhopal, India.Photo: ANI/VNA