Hot world events on the last day of 2017

(Baonghean.vn) - Plane crash in Sydney before New Year's Eve; South Korea detained a ship suspected of transporting oil to North Korea; New Year's Eve lit up with 14 tons of fireworks;... are the international news highlights of the past 24 hours.

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

Photo: RIA Novosti.

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

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

In his message to US President Donald Trump, the Russian President highlighted the importance of Russia-US dialogue, because cooperation between Moscow and Washington creates conditions for strategic stability in the world.

According to the Russian leader, the basis for the development of relations between Russia and the United States should be the principles of fairness and mutual respect. This will allow to move towards building a substantial and long-term cooperation.

In his congratulatory message to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the Russian President assured that Moscow will continue to support Damascus in protecting the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as continuing the political reconciliation process. The Russian leader hopes that in the new year, fundamental changes for the better will continue in Syria.

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

Rescue ships and divers were present at the scene to recover victims and debris. Screenshot.

A DHC-2 Beaver aircraft operated by Sydney Seaplanes crashed on New Year's Eve, December 31. The cause of the crash is unknown, according to Australian broadcaster ABC.

Local news agencies said four of the 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. According to Reuters, authorities have recovered six bodies and debris from the plane.

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

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

South Korean authorities have seized a Panama-flagged ship suspected of transporting petroleum products to North Korea in violation of international sanctions.

The KOTI ship was detained at Pyeongtaek-Dangjin port, located on the west coast of the South Korean city of Incheon.

According to Yonhap news agency, this ship can carry 5,100 tons of oil and the crew is mostly Chinese and Myanmar. South Korean intelligence and customs are conducting a joint investigation into this ship.

In late November, South Korean authorities also detained the Lighthouse Winmore, a Hong Kong (China)-flagged ship suspected of transporting 600 tons of oil to the Sam Jong 2 (flagged by North Korea).

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

Mr. Rusty Johnson. Photo: Herald Sun

Fireworks expert Rusty Johnson, who is responsible for Melbourne's New Year's Eve fireworks display, had previously pledged to launch 14 tonnes of fireworks over the city over the course of 10 minutes.

Mr Johnson also revealed that his team had been working hard to create the most spectacular fireworks display ever. According to the Herald Sun, 68 of the world's most renowned pyrotechnicians had set up firework displays on the roofs of 22 Melbourne skyscrapers over the past week.

Despite their fatigue, every member of Mr. Johnson's team was excited about the performance on the night of December 31.

5. Suicide bombing in Afghanistan, dozens of casualties

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

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

Sources confirmed the incident occurred when the attacker detonated his explosives while people were attending the funeral of a former local official. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing in Afghanistan.

The incident came just days after at least 41 people were killed and more than 80 injured in an IS-inspired suicide attack on a Shi'ite cultural center in the capital Kabul.

6. North Korea "shows off" missiles that can attack the heart of America

North Korea conducted continuous missile test launches in 2017. Photo: CNN.

According to CNN on December 30, the North Korean central news agency KCNA published a report titled "No force can defeat independence and justice" reviewing North Korea's nuclear achievements in 2017.

In the report, North Korea affirmed that it will continue to develop nuclear weapons in 2018 and "do not hope for any change in Pyongyang's policy".

“North Korea will continue to strengthen its defense and preemptive strike capabilities with nuclear forces as the core as long as the US and its 'vassal' forces continue to pursue nuclear threats,” the report said.

7. Serious traffic accident in Kenya kills 30 people

Accident scene. Photo: capitalfm.

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

The accident occurred at dawn on 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 tractor was on its way to the town of Eldoret in northwestern Kenya.

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

8. Violent anti-government protests erupt in Iran

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

Anti-government protests in Iran turned violent on December 30, as protesters poured into the capital Tehran, clashed with police and attacked several government buildings, while two people were reportedly shot dead in one town, Reuters reported.

The protests, which have lasted for the third day, stem from dissatisfaction with economic hardship and corruption in Iran, and are considered the most serious unrest in the country since 2009. This is also a huge political challenge for Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

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