The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) says it has resumed plutonium production by reprocessing spent fuel rods and has no plans to stop nuclear tests as long as perceived US threats remain, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported on August 17.- 

Emergency crews safely rescue 512 passenger and crew from a ferry that caught fire off the coast of Puerto Rico.

Indonesian authorities announced on August 17 that dozens of foreign fishing vessels captured fishing illegally in the country’s waters were sunk.

Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi on August 17 began a five-day official visit to China. 

Two workers were killed and three others injured by an ammonia leak at Petronas Chemicals, a chemical plant in Sabah state, eastern Malaysia, on August 16.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned on August 16 of an unprecedented "humanitarian catastrophe" in Syria's Aleppo and urged Russia and the United States to quickly reach a deal on a ceasefire in the city and elsewhere in the country.

VOV.VN - Russia had a row with Ukraine last week, after Moscow had accused Kiev of attempting attacks on Crimea to trigger a new conflict in the region.

The United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on August 16 it has received 15 detainees from Guantanamo Bay for humanitarian reasons.

Russia used Iran on August 16 for the first time as a base from which to launch air strikes against Syrian militants, widening its air campaign in Syria and deepening its involvement in the Middle East.

Myanmar President’s Office Spokesperson U Zaw Htay on August 15 said the government decided to allow armed groups who have yet to sign the National Ceasefire Accord (NCA), to participate in the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference slated for August 31.