The hottest world events on the last day of 2017.

(Baonghean.vn) - Plane crashes in Sydney before New Year's Eve; South Korea detains a ship suspected of transporting oil to North Korea; 14 tons of fireworks illuminate New Year's Eve;... These are some of the prominent international news stories of the past 24 hours.

1. President Putin congratulates world leaders on the New Year.

Photo: RIA Novosti.

On December 30, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent New Year's greetings to world leaders, heads of foreign governments, and a host of leaders of international organizations.

In his congratulatory messages, the Russian leader expressed hope for establishing dialogue with the United States, declared his readiness to continue joint work with Germany, noted the importance of cooperation with China, and promised continued assistance to Syria.

In a message to US President Donald Trump, the Russian President emphasized the importance of Russia-US dialogue, because cooperation between Moscow and Washington facilitates strategic stability in the world.

According to the Russian leader, the foundation for developing relations between Russia and the United States must be based on principles of fairness and mutual respect. This will allow for the building of substantive and lasting cooperation.

In his congratulatory message to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the Russian President assured that Moscow would continue to support Damascus in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as in continuing the political reconciliation process. The Russian leader expressed hope that the new year would bring further fundamental positive changes in Syria.

2. Plane crashes in Sydney before New Year's Eve.

Rescue vessels and frogmen have arrived at the scene to recover victims and debris. (Screenshot)

A DHC-2 Beaver aircraft belonging to the Australian airline Sydney Seaplanes crashed on New Year's Eve, December 31st. Australian broadcaster ABC, citing police sources, reported that the cause of the accident is currently unknown.

Local news agencies reported that the four passengers who died were British nationals, including an 11-year-old child. According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), the plane crash occurred at 3:15 p.m. (10:15 a.m. Vietnam time) near Jerusalem Bay, north of Sydney. Reuters reported that authorities have recovered six bodies along with wreckage from the aircraft.

3. South Korea seizes a ship suspected of transporting oil to North Korea.

The Lighthouse Winmore was seized in late November on suspicion of transferring oil to a North Korean vessel (Photo: AP).

South Korean authorities have seized a Panamanian-flagged vessel suspected of transporting oil products to North Korea, in violation of international sanctions.

The KOTI vessel is being held at Pyeongtaek-Dangjin port, located on the west coast of Incheon city in South Korea.

According to Yonhap news agency, the ship can carry 5,100 tons of oil and its crew is largely composed of Chinese and Myanmar nationals. South Korean intelligence and customs authorities are conducting a joint investigation into the vessel.

In late November, South Korean authorities also detained the Lighthouse Winmore, a vessel flying the Hong Kong (China) flag, suspected of transporting 600 tons of oil for the Sam Jong 2 (flying the North Korean flag).

4. Light up New Year's Eve with 14 tons of fireworks.

Mr. Rusty Johnson. Photo: Herald Sun

Fireworks expert Rusty Johnson, who is in charge of Melbourne's New Year's Eve fireworks display, had previously pledged to fire 14 tonnes of fireworks into the city's sky over the course of 10 minutes.

Mr. Johnson also revealed that his team had worked hard to create the most spectacular fireworks display ever. According to the Herald Sun, 68 of the world's most renowned fireworks experts set up fireworks displays on the rooftops of 22 Melbourne skyscrapers throughout the past week.

Despite being tired, every member of Johnson's team was excited about the performance on the night of December 31st.

5. Suicide bombing in Afghanistan leaves dozens dead or injured.

Afghan security forces at the scene of an attack in Kabul on December 28. Photo: THX/VNA

Afghan officials said that on December 31, at least 12 people were killed and 14 injured in a suicide attack.

Sources confirm the incident occurred when the attacker detonated an explosive device he was carrying while people were attending the funeral of a former local official. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing in Afghanistan.

This incident occurred just days after at least 41 people were killed and more than 80 injured in a suicide attack orchestrated by IS on a Shi'ite cultural center in the capital Kabul.

6. North Korea "shows off" missiles capable of striking the heart of America.

North Korea conducted numerous missile tests throughout 2017. Photo: CNN.

According to CNN on December 30, North Korea's state-run KCNA news agency released a report titled "No Force Can Defeat Independence and Justice," which reviewed North Korea's nuclear achievements in 2017.

In the report, North Korea asserted that it would continue developing nuclear weapons in 2018 and that "there should be no expectation of any change in Pyongyang's policy."

"North Korea will continue to enhance its defensive and preemptive strike capabilities with nuclear power as its core if the United States and its 'vassal' forces continue to pursue the nuclear threat," the report states.

7. Serious traffic accident in Kenya kills 30 people.

The scene of the accident. Photo: capitalfm.

On December 31, at least 30 people were killed and dozens injured in a horrific traffic accident in western Kenya.

The accident occurred in the early morning of December 31 (local time) when a bus collided with a trailer on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway.

Police said the bus was carrying passengers from the town of Busia to Nairobi, while the trailer was en route to the town of Eldoret in northwestern Kenya.

At the scene of the accident, 28 bodies were found from the severely damaged and crumpled bus, while two more bodies were pulled from a trailer.

8. Violent anti-government protests erupt in Iran.

Students participate in a protest in the capital Tehran. Photo: AFP.

Protests against the Iranian government turned violent on December 30, when demonstrators stormed the capital Tehran, clashing with police and attacking several government buildings, while two people were reportedly shot dead in a town, Reuters reported.

The protests, now in their third day, stem from dissatisfaction with Iran's economic hardship and corruption, considered the most serious unrest in the country since 2009. This also presents a major political challenge to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

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