Capital city of Vietnam, a political and cultural hub
Scottish Labour has seen its leader move to a Westminster role, with a potential leadership vacancy in Holyrood as the party eyes a new figure to steer through a tough period after the worst Holyrood result in history. The shift aligns with broader English devolution debates and UK-wide party dynamics.
A Vietnamese cargo vessel carrying 62 people has sunk near Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands. Rescue teams from Vietnam and China have recovered 44 people, with 18 still missing. The incident highlights ongoing tensions over South China Sea claims as search and rescue operations persist.
VinSpace has signed a contract with SpaceX to send its first satellites into orbit on a Transporter rideshare mission in 2027. The Hanoi-based company, part of Vietnam’s Vingroup, plans to develop and operate its satellites to test technology and support future commercial space services. The agreement aligns with Vietnam’s push to become a mid-level space power by 2030.
South Korea’s president has proposed resuming high‑level talks with North Korea to turn the armistice into a peace treaty. He calls for dialogue among directly involved parties to curb Pyongyang’s nuclear capabilities, while pledging to ease tensions and pursue peaceful coexistence. North Korea remains unreconciled, continuing weapons tests and strengthening frontline defences.
Vietnam is confronting a major wildlife trafficking problem after authorities reveal a 221-piece ivory haul weighing 1,193 kilograms at Quy Nhơn port. Investigations trace the shipment to the Republic of the Congo, with police launching a criminal probe into protected-animal violations. The case comes amid wider concerns about demand for ivory and wildlife products in Southeast Asia.
The drills Ulchi Freedom Shield are being halted ahead of planned meetings with North Korea, following President Trump’s order to scale back the exercise amid regional tensions.
South Korea has said the U.S. Marine Corps notified Seoul in June that it cannot deploy forces for the biennial Ssangyong amphibious exercise because U.S. forces are tied up by operations in the Middle East. Seoul and Washington are consulting on when to resume training. The move follows U.S. cuts to other joint drills and recent North Korean missile launches.
Myanmar’s president Min Aung Hlaing has visited Malaysia for two days while Kuala Lumpur is proceeding with a programme to repatriate up to 5,000 Myanmar nationals. Malaysia says roughly 10,000 people have returned this year and that repatriations are voluntary; the UN and rights groups have warned they cannot verify voluntariness and say returnees, including possible Rohingya, face grave risks in a country at war.
The Seoul court has ruled that North Korea must pay 44.6 billion won in damages over the destruction of the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong, a move the South regards as a symbolic judgment in a long-running diplomatic standoff.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has arrived in Washington for a state visit and a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss extending a trade truce, AI safety and the fate of Americans detained in China. Preparatory talks have produced limited deliverables; officials are expecting targeted, incremental agreements rather than a broad breakthrough.
Large floods persist in northern Vietnam as rain stops, with authorities evacuating hundreds and warning of continued flooding along rivers and low-lying areas. Damage includes thousands of hectares of crops, homes submerged, and multiple fatalities. Forecasters warn heavy rain will resume in southern regions in coming days.
Vietnamese police have identified a man as the alleged leader of a cat theft and slaughter network. The operation, involving 12 others, led to the seizure of about 50 cats, traps, and gear; authorities say the ring stole up to 2,700 cats and resold them for meat. In June, authorities rescued over 400 cats in another raid, with some owners reuniting with pets.