Iraqi government forces fought Islamic State militants near Falluja on May 23 and bombarded central districts at the outset of an offensive to retake the longtime jihadist stronghold on the western approaches to the capital Baghdad.

Bombs killed nearly 150 people and wounded at least 200 in Jableh and Tartous on Syria's Mediterranean coast on May 23 in the government-controlled territory that hosts Russian military bases, monitors and state media said.

The ASEAN-China Week kicked off on May 23 in the Chinese capital of Beijing as part of activities to celebrate the 25th anniversary of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations.

The National Legislative Assembly of Thailand (NLA) has recently approved an updated version of the Nuclear Energy Act. 

 Myanmar’s ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) said the country’s Government will hold a peace conference with armed ethnic groups in late July.

Thailand and China’s navies began a joint military exercise codenamed Blue Strike 2016 in Thailand on May 21. 

(VOV.VN) - President Barack Obama will leave the White House in several months, concluding his 8-year term.

US President Barack Obama began his first visit to Vietnam on May 23, a trip aimed at sealing a partnership with America's former enemy and part of his strategic "rebalance" toward Asia to counter China's growing strength in the region.

US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Myanmar’s Nay Pyi Taw on May 22, beginning his brief visit to the ASEAN country. 

Thailand and Russian agreed to barter farm products for helicopters during Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s recent visit to the European country, said Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai.