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.

 The Malaysian police arrested 14 suspected Islamic State (IS) militants during a series of raids in several states from May 17-20.

The East Sea situation was the highlight of a debate recently held by Poland’s Centre for International Relations (CSM). 

A number of the US newspapers have recently published articles highlighting the warming relationship between the US and Vietnam on the threshold of the US President’s visit to Vietnam.

US President Barack Obama on May 22 departed for a week-long tour of Asia as part of his efforts to boost economic and security cooperation with the region.

The EgyptAir jet which crashed in the Mediterranean on May 19 sent a series of warnings indicating that smoke had been detected on board, shortly before it disappeared off radar screens, French investigators said on May 21.

A new message purporting to come from the spokesman of Islamic State calls on followers to launch attacks on the United States and Europe during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which begins in early June.

A fleet of battleships from the US Navy has arrived in the Philippines as part of its periodical visit to the Southeast Asian country, Philippine media said on May 21. 

A celebration was held in New York on May 20 to observe the International Day of Vesak, which falls on the full moon of the fourth lunar month or May 21 this year, dedicated to Lord Buddha.

US President Barack Obama will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington next month to discuss security and other issues and the Indian leader will be granted the rare honor of addressing both houses of Congress.

Russia has proposed to the US-led coalition that they stage joint air strikes on Syrian rebels, including militant Islamist group Nusra Front, who are not observing a ceasefire, but the United States responded coolly on May 20.

Iraqi security forces opened fire on protesters who stormed into Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone on May 20 and entered the cabinet building, drawing calls for revolt from a powerful Shi'ite Muslim cleric.

Egypt said on May 20 its navy had found human remains, wreckage and the personal belongings of passengers floating in the Mediterranean, the first confirmation that an EgyptAir jet with 66 people on board had plunged into the sea.

The ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit to mark the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia dialogue partnership issued a Sochi Declaration, affirming their commitment to moving towards a strategic partnership for mutual benefit. 

The ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit marking the 20 th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia dialogue partnership took place in Sochi, Russia from May 19-20. 

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plays a central role in dealing with regional issues, according to Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo have held talks on cooperation in defence, cultural exchange and archival cooperation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted a ceremony on May 19 to receive ASEAN leaders participating in the ASEAN-Russia summit in Sochi. 

The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is working with the National Association of Indonesian Consultants on several Indonesian consultation projects. 

An Islamic State militant was killed after detonating explosives strapped to their body when Turkish police raided a militant cell in a house in the southeastern city of Gaziantep on May 19, the Dogan news agency reported.

An international conference due in Paris to help relaunch peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis will go ahead on June 3, allowing the United States to attend, France's foreign minister said on May 19.