At a bombing scene in Jolo island, the Philippinies (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – A suicide bomber was killed after detonating a bomboutside a military camp on Jolo island, the southern Philippines on September8.
No other casualties were reported.
According to a military statement, the attacker was “foreign looking”, dressedin a traditional Muslim woman’s abaya gown, and appeared to be a woman.However, authorities had not confirmed the attacker’s gender.
Suicide attacks were once very rare in the country, but since July 2018 therehave been four, including the latest explosion on Jolo island.
Local authorities said the Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility forall three previous attacks; however, no group has yet bore responsibility forthe latest, which came a day after a bombing injured eight at a market on theisland of Mindanao.
Separatist groups in the south have waged decades-long insurgencies that havekilled thousands. The largest Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic LiberationFront (MILF), began to lay down its weapons on September 7, but other extremefactions like Abu Sayyaf continue to stage deadly attacks.-VNA
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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has proposed a dialogue between his administration and the country's Islamist extremist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) to end conflicts.
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Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
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The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
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The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
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Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
At a bombing scene in Jolo island, the Philippinies (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
