As of 12:30 PM today, volcanic smog (VOG) has been observed over Taal Lake, persisting in the region. Continuous upwelling at the Taal Main Crater Lake is generating steam plumes reaching 2,400 meters high, drifting west-northwest. A total of 4,569 tonnes/day of volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission was measured today, September 21, 2023. VOG contains acidic volcanic gases like SO2 and may irritate the eyes, throat, and respiratory tract, particularly for those with health […]
ASEAN IN FOCUS
ASEAN in Focus – Sept. 20, 2023
Indonesia hosts first-ever ASEAN military drills
BATAM, Indonesia, Sept 19, 2023 (AFP) – Militaries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations began their first-ever joint exercises on Tuesday in Indonesia, with a Myanmar representative present despite the bloc’s ban on its junta leaders. ASEAN countries have participated in multinational defence drills before, but these are the first featuring just the bloc, which is battling perceptions of irrelevance on major regional issues such as the turmoil in Myanmar and disputes in the […]
Embracing extraordinary times! ASEAN in Focus – Sept. 19, 2023
Several ASEAN air force chiefs skip Myanmar meeting
YANGON, Myanmar, Sept 14, 2023 (AFP) – Air force chiefs from several countries around Southeast Asia did not attend a conference in Myanmar this week after the ASEAN regional bloc accused the ruling junta of targeting civilians in its post-coup crackdown. The snub came after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) accused the junta last week of ignoring a peace plan agreed with the bloc to end violence sparked by the military regime’s coup. […]
Embracing extraordinary times! ASEAN in Focus – Sept. 14, 2023
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Embracing extraordinary times! ASEAN IN FOCUS – Sept. 13, 2023
Embracing extraordinary times! ASEAN in Focus – September 12, 2023
Embracing extraordinary times! ASEAN in Focus – Sept. 11, 2023
Pres. Biden hails closer ties with Vietnam, but says not aiming to contain China
HANOI, Sept 11, 2023 (AFP) US President Joe Biden hailed closer ties with Vietnam on Sunday as the two countries struck a deal to deepen cooperation, including on semiconductors, but said he was not aiming to contain China. The “comprehensive strategic partnership” with Hanoi is part of Washington’s push to bolster its network of allies around Asia and the Pacific in the face of Beijing’s rising influence. Biden accused Beijing of seeking to bend the […]
US and Vietnam set to expand ties as China worries grow
HANOI, Sept 10, 2023 (AFP) – US President Joe Biden arrives in Vietnam on Sunday to deepen cooperation between the two nations, in the face of China’s ambitions in the region. Biden — who is flying from the G20 summit in New Delhi — will meet the leader of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, on Sunday to sign off on a “comprehensive strategic partnership”, Hanoi’s highest level of diplomatic ties. The underlying goal […]