World

Malaysia, US hold political-military consultation

The US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, Tom Kelly is in Malaysia for consultations on a wide range of political-military issues, including peacekeeping, security cooperation and defence trade.
The US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Political-MilitaryAffairs, Tom Kelly is in Malaysia for consultations on a wide range ofpolitical-military issues, including peacekeeping, security cooperationand defence trade.

A statement issued by the US embassy inKuala Lumpur said during the December 10-14 trip, Kelly will meet withsenior policymakers and defence officials to discuss regional defenceand security cooperation issues.

On December 13, the diplomatis scheduled to attend a ceremony at the Malaysian Peacekeeping Centre,where advanced specialised training for military and civilian personnelfrom across Southeast Asia to serve in international peacekeepingmissions is provided.

The statement described Malaysia as “astrong US partner” on efforts to meet the growing global demand forpeacekeeping personnel for UN and regional organisations’ peaceoperations through efforts such as the Global Peace OperationsInitiative (GPOI).

It said Malaysia was the first of the 66 GPOI partner nations to reach this unique milestone.

GPOI is a US Department of State’s security cooperation programmewhich has helped train and equip more than 225,000 peacekeepingpersonnel worldwide.-VNA
Follow VietnamPlus

See more

Delegates at the event (Photo: kpl.gov.la)

Laos aims for sustainable infrastructure development

Laos' Enabling Environment Roadmap for Infrastructure Asset Management (IAM EE) outlines strategies for the effective management of public infrastructure, including roads, schools, and hospitals, with a focus on resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Strong earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia (Photo: scienceexchange.caltech.edu)

Strong earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake occurred at 5:15 pm, with its epicenter located 93 km northeast of Indonesia's Maluku Barat Daya district and a hypocenter at a depth of 157 km beneath the seabed. No tsunami warning has been issued.

Rescue forces are racing against time to search for victims of the earthquake that hit Myanmar on March 28, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Myanmar earthquake: Devastation’s full extend is not clear

Myanmar's state media quoted military government leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as saying the earthquake death toll had reached 2,065, with more than 3,900 injured and some 270 missing. Aid agencies forecast these numbers will rise significantly due to information blackouts in remote areas.

File - Passengers pass through the automatic immigration checkpoint (auto gate) at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia, January 3, 2024. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia operates auto gates at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport

According to Johanes Fanny Satria Cahya Aprianto, head of the airport's immigration office, immigration services are fully prepared for the surge in passengers. Currently the office has deployed 531 personnel to ensure smooth and efficient immigration processing at the airport.

Rescuers on March 30 search for missing people after the earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

WHO seeks urgent funding for Myanmar after devastating earthquake

In its flash appeal for funds, the WHO said the high numbers of casualties and trauma injuries are at high risk of infection due to limited surgical capacity in the country, while the underlying conditions in Myanmar meant the quake is likely to intensify the risk of diseases.

Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Belgian monarchs’ state visit to open new chapter in bilateral cooperation

As a major player in the region and one of the most dynamic economies in Asia, Vietnam is an indispensable partner for Belgium. The meetings with the various Vietnamese authorities will therefore offer an excellent opportunity to further deepen and enrich this diverse partnership, according the Belgian Federal Public Service of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Sokha. (Photo: khmertimeskh.com)

Cambodia strengthens cross-border crime control

In 2024, Cambodia cracked down 197 cases relating to human trafficking and sexual exploitation, an increase of over 20% compared to the previous year. The authorities identified 523 victims and arrested 273 suspects and sent them to court, including 30 foreigners.