'Hot' news of the world on the first day of the new year 2018

(Baonghean.vn)- World leaders send New Year greetings; Fire in Liverpool parking lot (UK) burns hundreds of cars; Bulgaria officially begins EU presidency; Plane crash in Costa Rica kills 12 people;... are the international news highlights on the first day of 2018.

1. World leaders send New Year greetings

Russian President Putin. Photo: Sputnik.

2018 is coming with grand parties and brilliant fireworks. On this occasion, leaders of many countries around the world have given New Year messages, wishing peace, cooperation and prosperity to their people.

In his New Year's message on December 31, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hope that the New Year will bring better things to the lives of every Russian citizen and family.

“Dear friends! The New Year 2018 is coming. We are together on the threshold of a wonderful new year. Unity, friendship, unconditional love to all Russians for the achievements we have achieved through our hard work. I sincerely wish everyone success, health, peace and prosperity to Great Russia”.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump impressed with his "quick, neat, and fast" wishes written on Twitter.

"I wish all of my friends, supporters, enemies, haters, and even the dishonest Fake News Media, a very Happy and Safe New Year. 2018 is going to be a great year for America," Trump wrote once again in a very... Trumpian style.

2. Fire at Liverpool parking lot (UK) burned hundreds of cars

A fire in Liverpool. Photo: Liverpool Echo.

On the night of December 31 (local time), a major fire broke out at a parking lot in Liverpool, Northern England, burning hundreds of cars and forcing residents in nearby buildings to evacuate.

Police and firefighters rushed to the scene and have been battling the blaze for the past six hours. Police said all cars in the 1,600-capacity Kings Dock multi-storey car park were completely destroyed, and advised owners to contact their insurance companies immediately.

According to initial assessment, the fire originated from an unidentified vehicle that "spontaneously" caught fire and spread to the remaining vehicles.

The fire also forced the cancellation of an international horse show scheduled to take place at the Liverpool Echo Arena near the car park. The show's organizers said all horses and participants were safe./.

3. Bulgaria officially begins its EU Presidency

EU and Bulgarian flags. Photo: Balcaniacaucaso.

Starting from 1 January 2018, Bulgaria officially assumes the rotating 6-month presidency of the European Union (EU). With four identified priorities, Bulgaria aims to help the EU become more united, secure, stable and stronger.

The four priorities Bulgaria has identified during its term focus on promoting economic growth and social cohesion, enhancing security and stability in a united and strong Europe, a European perspective in relation to the Western Balkans, and developing the digital economy to increase competitiveness, create a digital single market, and encourage business and social innovation.

4. Mr. Kim Jong-un warned that the nuclear button is always on his desk.

North Korea celebrates New Year 2018 with fireworks. Photo: Reuters

Dailymail quoted Kim Jong-un's New Year's speech as saying that the US would not be able to launch an attack on North Korea because Pyongyang had developed a weapons system that could put the entire US within range.

“This is a fact, not a threat. The entire US mainland is within the range of North Korean missiles and the nuclear button is always on my desk,” Kim Jong-un declared.

In his speech, the North Korean leader also expressed his desire to improve relations with South Korea and said that Pyongyang's participation in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea would be a good opportunity for the two Koreas. He hoped that the two sides could meet soon to discuss this matter.

“The Winter Olympics will soon be held in South Korea and it will become a good opportunity to showcase the relationship between the two Koreas and we sincerely hope that this move will bring good results,” Mr. Kim said.

5. Plane crash in Costa Rica kills 12 people

Accident scene. Photo: THX

All 12 people, including 10 American tourists, were killed when the small private Cessna 208 Caravan plane they were on crashed into the mountains near the coastal town of Punta Islita, on the Guanacaste Peninsula in northwestern Costa Rica.

The single-engine plane, operated by Costa Rican airline Nature Air, crashed shortly after takeoff on December 31. There were 10 American tourists and two Costa Rican crew members on board. All of the victims suffered burns, local officials said.

6. Boat capsizes in Indonesia on New Year's Day, killing 21 people

An Indonesian boat capsize. Photo: Critic Brain.

A speedboat capsized off the coast of Borneo island in central Indonesia, leaving eight people dead and 13 others missing on the first day of 2018.

A speedboat carrying 48 people, including children, capsized off the coast of Borneo island in central Indonesia on January 1, killing at least eight people and leaving 13 others missing, a spokesman for Indonesia's national search and rescue agency said. The remaining people on the boat were rescued safely.

According to initial information, the boat capsized while en route from Tanjung Selor to Tarakan, Borneo island.

The cause of the boat capsize is still unknown and Indonesian rescue forces are urgently searching for the remaining missing people./.

Peace

(Synthetic)