Vietnamese National Assembly convenes second session
The second session of the 13th National Assembly (NA), activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Trail at Sea, and the death of Libya's Col Muammar Gaddafi topped the events of the past week.
The second session of the 13th NA opens in Hanoi
The year-end session of the 13th National Assembly opened in Hanoi on October 20, focusing on reviewing national socio-economic development in 2011 and setting targets for 2012.
It is also expected to pass five bills and a resolution on the 13th NA’s law and ordinance building program, as well as give opinions on 13 other bills.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, NA chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung underlined the country's major achievements and pointed out challenges facing the economy.
Ho Chi Minh Sea Trail anniversary celebrated nationwide
A variety of activities were held in provinces and cities across the country to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Trail at Sea.
The opening of the strategic marine route demonstrated the strategic vision and clear-sighted leadership of the Vietnam Communist Party and President Ho Chi Minh. It also symbolizes the Vietnamese people’s aspirations for national independence and unification.
During its 14 years of existence, hundreds of thousands of goods and weapons were transported to the Southern front line. 1,374 cadres and soldiers serving on unnumbered ships had to fight not only the enemy, but also the adverse weather conditions. 104 soldiers aboard the unnumbered ships sacrificed their lives and 11 ships were destroyed to keep the route a top secret.
The sea trail has become a legend of Vietnamese military art and a milestone in the nation’s history.
Hanoi hosts ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth
The seventh ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth opened in Hanoi on October 20 under the theme of developing young human resources – investment for the future.
At the meeting, part of the ASEAN Community’s overall socio-cultural plan for the next five years, ASEAN Youth Ministers focused on issues related to cooperation among young people and worked on measures to promote the role of the youth in establishing an ASEAN Community by 2015.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung emphasized that the Vietnamese government attaches great importance to developing young human resources and consider them a major force in all areas.
Floods in central region cause severe damage
At least seven people were reported dead or missing while thousands of houses were submerged during heavy rains and flooding that hit the central provinces on October 16-17.
The floodwaters also swept away or collapsed more than 23,500 houses along the section of National Highway No1 running through Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue provinces.
Rescue teams were sent immediately to bring relief aid to the flood victims.
Libya's Colonel Muammar Gaddafi was reportedly shot in the head during an exchange of fire between Gaddafi loyalists and National Transitional Council (NTC) fighters.
Acting Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril confirmed that Col. Gaddafi had been taken alive, but died before reaching the hospital.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the event was a significant step in the Libyan people's eight month fight to free themselves from the tyranny and violence that was imposed on their capital over 40 years.
However, Secretary General Ban-Ki moon emphasized that the road ahead for the Libyan people will be very difficult and challenging.
Although there are growing concerns about Libya’s post-Gaddafi future, many nations around the world expressed their hope that the situation will soon stabilize and the Libyan people will once again be able to live in peace.
“Occupy Wall Street” protest spreads worldwide
The "Occupy Wall Street (OWS)" protests that first emerged on September 17 have become global actions as of October 15, spreading to cities in more than 80 countries around the world.
In Sydney, Australia, the protest against corporate greed and economic inequality in the Martin Place business district has been going for a week, with a small group of protestors sleeping out in the square, despite the seizure of their camping equipment, and they have set up solar panels to charge their mobile phones.
At the site of the original OWS demonstration in New York City, a group of Muslims held Friday prayers as a show of support for the anti-corporate movement.
Greece general strike begins over spending cuts
A general strike is under way in Greece, grounding flights, halting most public services and shutting down offices and shops.
The 48-hour strike comes as parliament prepares to vote on the latest round of austerity measures, including more tax hikes, pay cuts and job losses.
