World

Philippines, US troops hold live fire exercise

Around 3,000 Filipino soldiers and 2,500 from the US showcased their rapid response capabilities during a Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise (CALFEX) held in the Philippines’ Tarlac province on May 15.
Around 3,000 Filipino soldiers and 2,500 from the US showcased theirrapid response capabilities during a Combined Arms Live-FireExercise (CALFEX) held in the Philippines’ Tarlac province on May 15.

The exercise involved troops from the Philippines’ ArmyInfantry Battalion, Marine Battalion Landing Team, Combined JointSpecial Operations Task Force, Artillery Company and the Air ForceSupport Units. They were joined by the US Marine Corps Air Naval GunfireLiaison Detachment.

The exercise also included a helicopter raid and ground forces manoeuvres.

The host’s army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Noel J. Detoyatosaid the field training exercise was based on simulated realisticscenarios.

CALFEX is part of the annual joint military exercisesbetween the Philippines and the US named “Balikatan”, which started onMay 5.-VNA
Follow VietnamPlus

See more

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam (C) holds phone talks with General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping on January 15. (Photo: VNA)

Chinese media spotlights top Vietnamese, Chinese leaders’ phone talks

Immediately after the phone talks between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping on January 15, Chinese media simultaneously reported on this important event.

Ash column erupts from Mount Ibu in north Maluku, Indonesia, on May 13, 2024. (File Photo: AFP/VNA)

Indonesia: Mount Ibu erupts, spewing 4km-high ash cloud

Mount Ibu, located on Halmahera island in eastern Indonesia, erupted on January 15 morning, sending a 4-kilometer-high ash column into the sky, forcing authorities to raise the alert to the highest level for surrounding areas.

La Niña to bring cooler weather to Thailand (Photo: nationthailand.com)

La Niña to bring cooler weather to Thailand

Thailand is experiencing cooler weather that is expected to last until mid-February, influenced by the La Niña phenomenon. This year’s summer is also anticipated to be less intensely hot compared to previous years.

Thailand exported 1.82 million tonnes of fruits worth 134.95 billion THB in 2024. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Thailand to tighten control over export fruits

The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry of Thailand is set to improve quality control on all export fruits after Chinese customs checkpoints were ordered to strictly check Basic Yellow 2 lab test results on durians.

Cargo vessels move near a port in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: Reuters)

Thailand posts record investment last year

Thailand posted record investment figures for 2024, with applications exceeding 1.13 trillion THB (32.5 billion USD), the highest in the past decade, according to the country’s Board of Investment (BOI).

Malaysian Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin. (Photo: Benama/VNA)

Malaysia introduces activities for ASEAN Chairmanship 2025

The ASEAN Chairmanship 2025 will extend beyond high-level meetings, encompassing a range of activities and programmes, aimed at engaging communities at the grassroots level across Malaysia, said Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin.