Outstanding domestic and international events on December 25

DOMESTIC

On the afternoon of December 25, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man co-chaired a national online conference to disseminate and implement laws and resolutions passed at the 8th Session of the 15th National Assembly. In his opening speech, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that perfecting development institutions is one of three strategic breakthroughs, which is especially important. The Government and the National Assembly have devoted a lot of time and resources to this work, but along with development, this work still requires focused investment in implementation, including the building, promulgation and application of laws.In the picture:Conference to disseminate and implement laws and resolutions passed at the 8th session of the 15th National Assembly.Photo: Duong Giang-VNA

On December 25, in Can Tho, the Ministry of Health and the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union jointly organized the 22nd Conference on Science and Technology for Youth in the Health Sector. The event took place over 3 days, gathering nearly 700 delegates from 42 units including leading universities, research institutes and hospitals in the health sciences sector nationwide.In the picture:Awarding the "For the Young Generation" medal to 33 individuals with outstanding contributions to the career of training, fostering and educating the young generation of Vietnam.Photo: Anh Tuyet - VNA

On December 25, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court continued the first-instance trial of defendant Vu Hoang Oanh (67 years old, from Hai Phong) and 34 accomplices in a drug trafficking ring from the Golden Triangle area to Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong for consumption. The investigation agency determined that the ring of Vu Hoang Oanh and 34 accomplices had carried out 129 drug shipments with a scale of 1.6 tons, mainly from the Golden Triangle area across the border to Vietnam. However, at the first-instance trial, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Procuracy only prosecuted the subjects related to 626 kg of drugs with sufficient evidence and appropriate statements. Oanh and her accomplices were prosecuted for the crimes of "illegal drug trafficking", "illegal drug transportation" and "illegal drug possession".In the picture:Defendant Vu Hoang Oanh in court.Photo: Hong Giang - VNA

To ensure that people enjoy the Spring Festival and celebrate Tet, Tuyen Quang province focuses on implementing a plan to monitor and check market price developments and implement many solutions to ensure the supply of goods, balance supply and demand, and stabilize the market at the end of 2024 and the Lunar New Year 2025.In the picture:Stores of Sang Nhung Green Agricultural Products Cooperative have added many items to serve shopping needs during Lunar New Year.Photo: Hoang Hai - VNA

On the morning of December 25, the An Giang Provincial Border Guard Command announced that it had just coordinated with functional forces to discover a case of illegal transportation of 12 kg of gold from Cambodia to Vietnam. Previously, on December 17, Vinh Nguon Border Guard Station (An Giang Provincial Border Guard) presided over and coordinated with Chau Doc City Police (An Giang) to organize and patrol to control smuggling on the border. The functional forces discovered and arrested Nguyen HN (43 years old), confiscating 12 pieces of yellow metal (suspected to be gold). Currently, Vinh Nguon Border Guard Station has handed over Nguyen HN and the evidence to the Investigation Police Agency, Chau Doc City Police for further investigation according to their authority.In the picture:Subject Nguyen HN (middle) with evidence.Photo: VNA

According to the leader of the People's Committee of Cao Xanh Ward, Ha Long City (Quang Ninh), on December 25, a fire broke out in a car garage. Fortunately, the fire did not cause any casualties. Specifically, at around 10:15 a.m. on December 25, at the car and car accessories and interior trading facility located at Group 52G, Area 4A, Cao Xanh Ward, people discovered a fire. Immediately after that, people shouted, took measures to extinguish the fire on the spot and notified the authorities. Because there were flammable materials in the car garage, the fire broke out, creating a column of black smoke rising high. It took the fire brigade more than 40 minutes to control and extinguish the fire.In the picture:Fire scene.Photo: VNA

INTERNATIONAL

On December 24, President Joe Biden signed 50 bills, including making the bald eagle an official national symbol and denying members of Congress the right to retire if they commit crimes. President Biden created the first-ever federal anti-bullying standards to address violence and deaths at higher education institutions. He also signed a bill that would hold treatment centers and juvenile facilities accountable.In the picture:US President Joe Biden speaks at the White House.Photo: THX/TTXVN

Iran reacted strongly on December 24 after Israel admitted for the first time that it was behind the killing of a Hamas leader in Iran. Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Amir Saeid Iravani, sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General, strongly criticizing Israel for what Tehran described as a "public statement" regarding the killing of Ismail Haniyeh - one of the leaders of the Islamic Hamas movement - in Iran in July. In the letter, Ambassador Iravani stated that this was a condemnable act.In the picture:Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani speaks during a UN Security Council meeting in New York, US.Photo: IRNA/VNA

The Holy Year 2025 has officially begun in the Italian capital Rome, amid tight security measures to ensure the safety of millions of pilgrims and tourists expected to attend this special religious and cultural event. The Holy Year 2025 began with Pope Francis opening the giant bronze door called the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.In the picture:In his homily at the Christmas Eve Mass on December 24, Pope Francis emphasized: "The Holy Year is a time for Catholics to renew their hearts and hopes. Let us work together towards a better world, a place without injustice and suffering."Photo: AA/VNA

The Japan Meteorological Agency released a preliminary report on December 25 showing that Japan's average temperature in 2024 is expected to hit a new record high. According to the report, the average temperature in Japan from the beginning of the year through November was 1.64°C higher than the annual average for the 30-year period up to 2020. This is the second consecutive year that Japan's temperature has been high.In the photo (document):People move around under the hot sun in Nagoya, Japan.Photo: Kyodo/VNA