Outstanding domestic and international events on December 21

DOMESTIC

On December 21, in Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Head of the Steering Committee for the implementation of Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15 dated June 26, 2024 of the National Assembly on the organization of urban government and piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Da Nang City, chaired the first meeting of the Steering Committee.In the picture:Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the first meeting of the Steering Committee for piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Da Nang City.Photo: Duong Giang-VNA

On December 21, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Home Affairs held a national online conference to review the work in 2024 and deploy tasks in 2025 of the Home Affairs sector. Politburo member, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, leaders of many ministries, central agencies and People's Committees of provinces and cities attended.In the picture:Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh attended and directed the conference.Photo: Van Diep - VNA

On December 21, in Hanoi, Inspection Delegation No. 1477 of the Secretariat led by Comrade Le Minh Hung, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Organization Commission, worked with the Party Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to approve the Report on the results of the inspection of the implementation of Conclusion No. 21-KL/TW dated October 25, 2021 of the Party Central Committee.In the picture:Working scene.Photo: An Dang – VNA

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has just signed decisions recognizing 3 districts that have met new rural standards. Specifically: in Decision No. 1611/QD-TTg, Mo Cay Nam district, Ben Tre province was recognized as meeting new rural standards in 2023. In Decision No. 1612/QD-TTg, Chau Thanh district, Soc Trang province was recognized as meeting new rural standards in 2023. In Decision No. 1613/QD-TTg, Con Dao district, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province was recognized as meeting new rural standards in 2024.In the picture:Traders select and purchase fresh coconuts in Cho Thom area, Mo Cay Nam district, Ben Tre province.Photo: Huynh Phuc Hau - VNA

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 the National Defense Day (December 22, 1989 - December 22, 2024), on December 21, the Army Youth Union organized the "Refueling Tradition" Run with a distance of 3,500m (2 laps around Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi). The race was attended by nearly 1,000 athletes who are soldiers, workers, defense officials from agencies, units, cadres, union members, and youth of Hanoi city.In the picture:Athletes finished the 3,500m distance taking souvenir photos.Photo: An Dang – VNA

On December 21, in Thuan Hung commune (My Tu district), Military Hospital 120 (Military Region 9) coordinated with the People's Committee of My Tu district, Soc Trang province to organize medical examinations, provide free medicine and give gifts to poor and near-poor households of Khmer ethnic people in the area.In the picture:Representatives of the leadership of Military Hospital 120 (Military Region 9) presented 250 gifts to poor households in difficult circumstances.Photo: Tuan Phi - VNA

On December 21, the Quy Nhon Port Border Guard Station confirmed that this morning, the Station had just received 14 people who had to abandon ship due to a flooded boat accident in Binh Dinh waters. Currently, the authorities are completing the procedures according to regulations. Previously, at 10 p.m. on December 20, the Quy Nhon Maritime Port Authority received a notice of an incident from the captain of the Hoa Lu 2 ship (Vietnamese nationality) carrying Clinker on a journey from Quang Ninh to Vung Tau, with 12 crew members and 2 passengers on board. When the ship was approaching a location near Con Trau island (Binh Dinh), there was an incident of water entering the cargo hold. The ship tilted about 10 degrees. At 10:30 p.m., the captain of the Hoa Lu 2 ship announced that he had abandoned the ship.In the picture:Binh Dinh Provincial Border Guard received and handed over 14 victims.Photo: VNA

INTERNATIONAL

The US House of Representatives on the evening of December 20 (local time) passed a revised bill to avoid a partial government shutdown. The bill was passed with an overwhelming vote of 366-34. The main changes compared to the previous bill that was submitted but could not be passed include: funding the government until March 14, 2025, approving $100 billion in disaster relief and $10 billion in economic aid for farmers.In the picture:The US Capitol building in Washington, DC.Photo: THX/TTXVN

The head of South Korea's Defense Intelligence Agency, Major General Moon Sang Ho, was arrested on November 20 for allegedly playing a key role in the imposition of martial law on the night of December 3. The South Korean interagency investigation team said Moon Sang Ho is suspected of dispatching troops from his command to the National Election Commission headquarters in Gwacheon on the night of December 3, right after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. He is also suspected of discussing the action plan for implementing martial law with Noh Sang Won, the former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, and two other subordinates in Gyeonggi Province, two days before martial law was declared.In the picture:South Korean soldiers withdraw from the National Assembly Building in Seoul, after martial law was lifted.Photo: YONHAP/VNA

German authorities said the death toll from a car crash into a crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, on the evening of December 20 has risen to at least two people and 68 people were injured, 15 of whom are in critical condition. Police immediately sealed off the scene and arrested the suspect, identified as a 50-year-old man of Saudi Arabian origin. According to authorities, the suspect is Taleb A. - a doctor who has lived and worked in Germany since 2006 and currently resides in Bernburg, about 50 km south of Magdeburg. The cause of the incident is under investigation.In the picture:Emergency workers work at the scene of a car that crashed into a crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.Photo: AP/VNA