
China ship disaster death toll jumps, company says sorry
The death toll from a Chinese cruise ship which capsized during a storm in the Yangtze River jumped to 331 on Saturday...
Japan, Philippines step up security cooperation
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visiting Philippine President Benigno Aquio have agreed to start negotiations on an accord for the transfer of military equipment and technology, aiming to strengthen security ties.
Timor-Leste appreciates Vietnam’s support for ASEAN membership bid
Vice Minister for Commerce, Industry and Environment Constancio Pinto said on June 4 that he appreciated the support from the Vietnamese Government for Timor-Leste’s candidacy for membership in ASEAN.
Myanmar to host regional summits
Myanmar will host the 7th Summit of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) in Nay Pyi Taw late this month.
ASEAN to enhance policy on fair regional competition
ASEAN will organise the 5th ASEAN Competition Conference (ACC) between June 4 and 5 in Ho Chi Minh City themed “Advancing Competition Policy and Law Post-2015: Progress, Opportunities and Challenges"
Chinese ferry with 458 aboard sinks in storm, 20 rescued
A passenger ship carrying 458 people, many elderly Chinese tourists, sank in the Yangtze River in a storm late on Monday and only about 20 had been rescued so far, state media said,
14th Shangri-La Dialogue: dialogue to build trust, transparency
The 14th Shangri-La Dialogue ended in Singapore on May 31 with a message that dialogue is needed to build trust and transparency.
U.S. defense chief says China's island-building erodes security (full text avaliable)
Carter, speaking to top defense officials from across the Asia-Pacific, acknowledged that several countries had created outposts in the region's disputed islands
White paper outlines China's "active defense" strategy
China issued its first white paper on military strategy on Tuesday, stressing "active defense" and pledging closer international security co-operation.
UN, Myanmar vow to tackle illegal immigration
The United Nations (UN) and Myanmar have vowed joint efforts to tackle illegal “boat people” issue both nationally and regionally.
Iraq Shi'ite militia take lead in campaign to reverse Islamic State gains
Iraq's Shi'ite paramilitaries said on May 26 they had taken charge of the campaign to drive Islamic State from the western province of Anbar...
Thai Interior Minister signs residency permit for foreigners
Minister of Interior Gen Anupong Paojinda has approved the pending residency requests from foreigners, creating confidence towards foreigners who are seeking legal employments and investments in Thailand.
Malaysia, Japan agree to lift ties to strategic partnership
Malaysia and Japan agreed to raise their bilateral ties to strategic partnership following talks between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his visiting Malaysian counterpart, Najib Razak, in Tokyo on May 25.
Iraq regains ground from IS; mass deaths reported in Palmyra
Iraqi forces recaptured territory from advancing Islamic State militants near the recently-fallen city of Ramadi on May 24...
US, Cuba make progress on restoring ties but no deal yet
Cuba and the United States reported making progress toward restoring diplomatic relations following two days of talks and pledged on May 22 to continue informal negotiations in the coming weeks.