Philippines steps up school safety measures amid rising risk of school shootings

Schools are required to develop, review or update response plans for possible attacks and share the approved plans with local authorities, the Philippine National Police, and parent-teacher associations.

Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippine Department of Education has requested schools nationwide to conduct a safety drill on August 25 to enhance their ability to respond to attacks, amid growing concerns over a series of recent school shootings, media in the Philippines reported on August 21.

Schools are required to develop, review or update response plans for possible attacks and share the approved plans with local authorities, the Philippine National Police, and parent-teacher associations.

Since the beginning of this year, the Philippines has witnessed a series of school shootings that have left several students dead and injured. The situation has increased public pressure on the government to strengthen measures to ensure school safety.

Just three days earlier, a shooting at an educational facility in Zamboanga city in the southern Philippines left one student dead and another injured. The gunman committed suicide shortly afterward./.

VNA

See more

Cambodia wants stronger economic ties with Malaysia

Cambodia wants stronger economic ties with Malaysia

The figure neared 1.08 billion USD in 2025, an increase of nearly 25% compared to 865 million USD in 2024, thereby surpassing the 1 billion USD mark, as previously committed by both sides. During the January - July period, bilateral trade rose by 58.27% to around 947 million USD.

A performance showcasing traditional costumes from ASEAN member states at the anniversary ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN, South Africa seek to turn dialogue into concrete action

South Africa has already made positive progress by beginning to export agricultural products to Vietnam. Looking ahead, it hopes to rapidly expand cooperation with Vietnam as well as other ASEAN countries across a range of technological fields.

Wildfires spread across Pekanbaru, Riau Province, Indonesia. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Indonesia intensifies cloud seeding as wildfires worsen

Indonesia is expanding the use of cloud seeding, a technique that disperses substances such as silver iodide, salt and other particles into clouds to trigger rainfall. The method is rarely used worldwide as a direct response to wildfires.

As El Niño strengthens, the risks of heatwaves, drought and reduced rainfall increase. (Illustrative image: VNA)

Malaysia warns of over 90% chance of “super El Niño” in late 2026

MetMalaysia director-general Hisham Anip said the forecast was based on a significant upward trend in the Relative Oceanic Niño Index (RONI) since the middle of the year, coupled with recent weekly observations showing sea surface temperatures more than 1.8 degrees Celsius above the climatological average.

Cambodia, EU boost cooperation on sustainable agriculture

Cambodia, EU boost cooperation on sustainable agriculture

Together with the EU and partners, Cambodia is raising food safety standards, sustainability and market competitiveness for key crops such as cashew and pepper, opening up new opportunities for farmers at home and abroad, siad Cambodian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina.

Australia, Thailand agree to crack down on transnational crime

Australia, Thailand agree to crack down on transnational crime

The governments of Australia and Thailand have pledged to step up efforts to crack down on scam centres and cross-border criminal networks following talks between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his visiting Thai counterpart Anutin Charnvirakul in Canberra on August 19.

Green spaces and high-rise buildings viewed from Skyville-Dawson, Singapore. (Photo: VNA)

Singapore, China seal nuclear technology cooperation deal

The key areas for the partnerships covered under the MOU include safety and technical assessments of nuclear reactor technologies; manpower training and scientific visits; public education, communications, and engagement; nuclear safety, safeguards, and security; and nuclear technology applications.

WB plans over 3 bln USD in financing for Philippines

Thailand seeks stronger trade, energy ties with Russia

Thailand-Russia trade currently stands at around 1.7 billion USD a year, below the two countries’ potential. Bangkok is working with Russian businesses to find ways to boost transactions and address financial obstacles amid international sanctions.

Mobile attacks in Thailand surge 127% in Q1: Kaspersky survey

Mobile attacks in Thailand surge 127% in Q1: Kaspersky survey

Smartphones are often not protected to the same level as personal computers despite becoming gateways to users’ financial, social and professional lives, and the challenge is to ensure that mobile security develops at the same pace as the region’s increasing reliance on smartphones.