Outstanding domestic and international events on February 24

DOMESTIC

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Vietnamese Doctors' Day (February 27, 1955 - February 27, 2025), on the morning of February 24, in Hanoi, General Secretary To Lam visited and worked with the Ministry of Health on the results of medical work in the past time and the direction and tasks for the coming time. In his speech, General Secretary To Lam emphasized that after 70 years of construction, labor, dedication and growth, the Vietnamese health sector has made great strides in both quantity and quality, meeting the increasingly high demand for medical care and treatment for the people.In the picture:General Secretary To Lam congratulated the health sector on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Vietnamese Doctors' Day (February 27, 1955 - February 27, 2025).Photo: Thong Nhat - VNA

On the morning of February 24, in Hanoi, President Luong Cuong, Head of the Central Steering Committee for Judicial Reform, chaired the first meeting of 2025 to evaluate the results of judicial reform in the past time; key tasks for 2025, the 2025 Work Program and the Steering Committee's Working Regulations; and at the same time, gave opinions on a number of contents related to reviewing and evaluating laws related to the death penalty and execution of death sentences. In the afternoon, President Luong Cuong, Head of Inspection Team No. 1907, chaired the Conference to announce the Politburo and Secretariat's inspection decisions in 2025 for Party Committees of Central Party agencies.In the picture:President Luong Cuong chaired the first meeting of 2025 of the Central Steering Committee for Judicial Reform.Photo: Lam Khanh - VNA

On the morning of February 24, at the Government headquarters, Politburo member, Secretary of the Government Party Committee, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a conference to announce the Government Party Committee's decision on the establishment of 15 Party Committees of ministries and agencies under the Government Party Committee. In the afternoon, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited and congratulated the staff, doctors, nurses, and medical staff of Bach Mai Hospital and Military Hospital 103 (Military Medical Academy), on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Vietnam Doctors' Day (February 27, 1955 - February 27, 2025).In the picture:Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presented the Decision to Party Committees under the Government Party Committee.Photo: Duong Giang - VNA

On February 24, the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee held a meeting with outstanding artists, reporters, and editors on the occasion of the beginning of the year of At Ty 2025. Attending the program were Politburo member, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen, leaders of departments, branches, and nearly 300 artists, leaders of press agencies, reporters, and editors.In the picture:Ho Chi Minh City leaders with outstanding artists, reporters and editors at the meeting.Photo: Thu Huong - VNA

On the afternoon of February 24, in Hanoi, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, member of the Party Central Committee, member of the Central Military Commission, 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 the ceremony to hand over the President's Decision and the Head of the Ministry of National Defense's Decision to 5 officers to perform duties at the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission and the European Union Training Mission in the Central African Republic.In the picture:Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, presented the decision to the officers.Photo: Trong Duc - VNA

On February 24, Dong Nai Provincial Police announced that the unit had just established a special project to dismantle a money transfer, gambling, money laundering, and cyber fraud ring operating across the country with a transaction amount of over VND2,000 billion. Previously, Dong Nai Provincial Police coordinated with Hanoi and Da Nang City Police to arrest 18 subjects, searched their residences and workplaces, and seized many computers, phones, and technological devices. Currently, Dong Nai Provincial Police Investigation Agency is continuing to expand the investigation.In the picture:The subjects were arrested at Dong Nai Provincial Police.Photo: VNA

INTERNATIONAL

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed on February 23 that Washington will not send troops to Ukraine. Speaking to Fox News, Mr. Hegseth emphasized: "We have been very clear about this. The US military will not be present on Ukrainian territory. But the economic partnership is important." The head of the Pentagon also noted that "on the European continent, Europe should take the lead in ensuring security."In the photo:US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at a press conference in Brussels, Belgium.Photo: THX/TTXVN

On February 23, Hamas announced that it would suspend negotiations with Israel until Tel Aviv fulfills its commitment to release 602 Palestinian prisoners under the agreement. Mr. Basem Naim, a member of Hamas' political committee, said: "Any negotiations... on the next steps are conditional on the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners agreed in exchange for the four bodies and six Israeli prisoners released on February 22."In the picture:Hamas forces hand over Israeli hostages at al-Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip on February 22, 2025.Photo: THX/TTXVN

On February 23, Chairman of Egypt's Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Osama Rabie said that maritime traffic through the Suez Canal is showing signs of improvement, as many shipping lines have decided to return to using the shortest shipping route between Asia and Europe, amid positive security developments in the Red Sea. Speaking at the 14th Annual International Maritime Transport and Logistics Conference (MARLOG) held from February 23 to 25 in Alexandria, Mr. Rabie said that since the beginning of February, 47 ships have continued to use the Suez Canal instead of taking the longer sea route around the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa.In the photo:A ship moves through the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt.Photo: THX/TTXVN

On February 23, the Turkish state broadcaster (TRT) reported that heavy snowfall and blizzards have severely disrupted daily life in 18 provinces of Türkiye, blocking 2,173 roads. In eastern Turkey, many localities recorded up to 40 cm of snowfall, completely isolating hundreds of residential areas and villages. Rescue teams are working to clear the roads, but in some places, rescue work has been suspended due to the high risk of avalanches.In the picture:Heavy snowfall in Istanbul, Türkiye on February 19, 2025.Photo: THX/TTXVN