Outstanding domestic and international events on January 3

DOMESTIC

On January 3, in Can Tho City, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development held a conference to deploy the expansion of the pilot model of high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation (under the Project "Sustainable development of one million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030") in 12 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta.In the picture:Conference scene.Photo: Thu Hien - VNA

On January 3, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee held the inauguration ceremony of the new Ton Duc Thang Museum, officially opening the Museum to the public. Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai said that with modern architecture and new display forms and contents, the Ton Duc Thang Museum is a concrete and clear demonstration of the determination to carry out industrialization, modernization and international integration.In the picture:Delegates performed the inauguration ceremony of the project.Photo: Thu Huong - VNA

On January 3, the Association of Patriotic Buddhist Monks and Nuns of Vinh Long province held its 4th Congress for the 2024-2029 term. The Congress unanimously elected 31 members to join the Executive Committee of the 4th Provincial Association of Patriotic Buddhist Monks and Nuns of Vinh Long province for the 2024-2029 term. Venerable Son Ngoc Huynh was re-elected as Chairman of the Association of Patriotic Buddhist Monks and Nuns of Vinh Long province for the new term.In the picture:Congress scene.Photo: Le Thuy Hang – VNA

On the afternoon of January 3, the Vietnamese men's football team arrived in Bangkok (Thailand) to prepare for the second leg final match against the defending champion Thailand at the Southeast Asian Football Championship (ASEAN Cup 2024) taking place on the evening of January 5. Welcoming the team at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, Minister Counselor of the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand Bui Thi Hue warmly congratulated the Golden Star Warriors for their 2-1 victory in the first leg match the previous evening at Viet Tri Stadium, delighting fans both at home and abroad. Minister Counselor Bui Thi Hue wished the team under the leadership of Coach Kim Sang-sik to bring the highest achievements for the country.In the picture:Representative of Vietnam Airlines branch in Thailand presented flowers to support the Vietnamese football team.Photo: VNA

At around 10:00 a.m. on January 3, an oil tanker exploded on the Boi River in Lien Minh Village, Xich Tho Commune, Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province. At the time of the incident, 5 people were cleaning and maintaining the tanker when it suddenly exploded and caught fire. The workers managed to escape, but 3 people were burned and received first aid at the Xich Tho Commune Medical Station. By 10:30 a.m. the same day, the fire was under control. There are currently no specific statistics on property damage. Authorities are investigating and clarifying the incident.In the picture:Scene of the oil tanker explosion in Lien Minh village, Xich Tho commune, Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province.Photo: VNA

On the morning of January 3, information from the An Giang Provincial Border Guard Command said that the unit had just coordinated with other forces to detect a case of illegal transportation of more than 22kg of various drugs from Cambodia to Vietnam. Previously, on December 26, 2024, a working group including Long Binh Border Guard Station (An Giang Provincial Border Guard), Drug and Crime Prevention and Control Task Force (An Giang Provincial Border Guard), Group 3 - Drug and Crime Prevention and Control Department (Border Guard Command), An Giang Provincial Police organized a patrol and ambush at the Cham ferry area (in Khanh Binh commune, An Phu district, An Giang province), discovered and arrested Trinh Van Thong driving a motorbike illegally entering Vietnam from Cambodia, seizing more than 20kg of Methamphetamine and 2kg of Ketamine.In the picture:Subject Trinh Van Thong (middle) with evidence seized by authorities.Photo: VNA

INTERNATIONAL

The European Union (EU) on January 2 affirmed that gas supplies to its members remain stable. The statement came a day after Russian natural gas exports via a pipeline running through Ukraine to Europe were halted on New Year's Day 2025, due to the expiry of a transit agreement.In the picture:A gas storage facility in Zsana, Hungary.Photo: THX/TTXVN

South Korea's Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) said it had temporarily suspended an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk-yeol on January 3, following an hours-long standoff between investigators and security personnel at the presidential office. More than 1,000 protesters in support of Yoon gathered near his residence on the morning of January 3. About 2,700 police officers were deployed to maintain order.In the picture:Investigators and police officers enter the residence of President Yoon Suk Yeol to execute an arrest warrant, in Seoul, South Korea, January 3, 2025.Photo: THX/TTXVN

On January 2, a small plane crashed onto the roof of a commercial building in Fullerton, California (USA), killing two people and injuring 18 others. The cause of the accident has not been determined. According to local authorities, the accident occurred 40 km southeast of downtown Los Angeles, causing a large fire and forcing the evacuation of surrounding businesses.In the picture:The scene of the plane crash in Fullerton, California, USA, January 2, 2025.Photo: KTLA/VNA

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said on January 3 that heavy snow will fall in the northern and eastern parts of the country, especially in mountainous areas along the coast, through January 4. The JMA urged people to prepare for the risk of traffic disruptions, as well as snow accumulation on power lines and tree branches, as well as the risk of avalanches.In the picture:Heavy snowfall in Obanazawa, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.Photo: Kyodo/VNA