The opposition, expressed through prayer vigils, carefully worded banners and coordinated public displays, marks a rare instance of visible public dissent in Vietnam, where demonstrations are uncommon and authorities maintain strict controls on political activism.

The redevelopment program is part of a 100-year master plan for Hanoi approved last month. Under the initiative, authorities have accelerated the demolition of homes in areas designated for new bridges, transportation links, parks and residential developments.

A key component of the plan centers on an 11,000-hectare stretch along the Red River, an area roughly comparable in size to Paris. City authorities intend to transform the district into a network of residential complexes, public green spaces and modern infrastructure, requiring the relocation of approximately 250,000 residents.

Residents affected by the project say uncertainty surrounding displacement has fueled anxiety. Hoa, whose two-story home falls within the planned redevelopment zone, said many families fear losing properties that represent their primary financial assets.

In recent weeks, hundreds of residents have participated in prayer gatherings at Buddhist temples across the Red River area. Organizers have largely remained anonymous, while details of the events have circulated through social media platforms.

The riverfront district encompasses longstanding communities characterized by traditional markets, gardens, family burial grounds and a mix of architectural styles ranging from French-era villas to densely built urban housing.

Some residents have also displayed banners urging authorities to preserve existing neighborhoods. Duc, a local resident, said he and neighbors deliberately chose moderate language in an effort to avoid direct confrontation with officials. He said authorities later requested that one such banner be removed.

Analysts say the public expressions reflect growing dissatisfaction over land acquisition and relocation policies. Tuong Vu, a Vietnam specialist at the University of Oregon, said residents have openly voiced concerns about losing homes and land as redevelopment advances.

Authorities have pledged compensation for displaced households and announced plans to construct up to 85,000 housing units on the outskirts of Hanoi. City officials have stated that replacement housing will provide living standards equal to or better than existing conditions.

However, some residents previously displaced under urban renewal projects have complained that compensation payments did not reflect market values. Others have questioned how long replacement housing will take to complete and how affected families will manage temporary accommodation costs.

The Red River project is being undertaken through a public-private partnership involving a consortium of three developers and carries an estimated value of $30 billion. Critics of the redevelopment effort argue that private companies stand to benefit from the construction of high-end residential projects on land currently occupied by established communities.

Land disputes remain a sensitive issue in Vietnam. In 2020, a confrontation linked to land expropriation for an airport project near Hanoi escalated into violence, resulting in the deaths of three police officers and one villager. Two protesters were later sentenced to death and more than two dozen others received prison terms.

Since that incident, public demonstrations over land-related grievances have become less frequent, according to analysts, making the recent expressions of opposition in Hanoi notable as authorities pursue one of the city’s most ambitious redevelopment programs.

The shooting, which occurred on Monday at San Jose National High School in Leyte province, is among the deadliest school attacks in recent Philippine history and has prompted heightened scrutiny of youth violence, firearm access and online content.

National police spokesman Allen Rae Co said preliminary findings indicated the attack had been premeditated. Investigators found that the two suspects, aged 15 and 14, had remained together in a school restroom for more than an hour before the shooting began.

“All indications point to the fact that it was planned,” Co told reporters during a briefing.

Authorities said the suspects are in custody. The attack left three students dead and 15 others hospitalized with gunshot wounds. One victim remained in critical condition on Tuesday, according to local police.

“His condition is under strict observation, but we were told he is fighting for his life,” Tacloban police spokeswoman Evalyn Diaz said.

Police said investigators are examining claims that the suspects had experienced bullying at school, while also reviewing evidence suggesting exposure to violent online material may have contributed to the attack.

Diaz said witness accounts and early investigative findings appeared consistent with reports that bullying had been a motivating factor. However, Co said authorities had also identified indications that online communities or digital content may have influenced one of the suspects.

“Based on our initial investigation, the 14-year-old was heavily influenced by online content,” Co said, adding that investigators were examining the possible role of an unidentified online group.

Authorities disclosed that the younger suspect allegedly used a Glock 9mm pistol belonging to his aunt, a police officer who has since been suspended and taken into custody pending investigation. Police said the teenager had previously visited a firing range and possessed basic familiarity with handling firearms.

Regional police director Jason Capoy said the second weapon, a .38-caliber revolver, was registered to a security agency where the grandfather of the older suspect had previously worked.

Witnesses told investigators that the gunmen moved through a school corridor and fired through classroom windows as students sought shelter. Police said the attackers appeared to have coordinated their movements during the assault.

Capoy also said investigators discovered that the younger suspect frequently played GoreBox, a violent first-person shooter video game. Shortly after police disclosed that information, the Philippines’ cybercrime authorities announced a temporary ban on the game while an investigation is conducted.

The shooting has sent shockwaves through Tacloban, where local authorities canceled classes citywide. Philippine Education Secretary Sonny Angara visited injured students and teachers on Tuesday and said many remained deeply traumatized by the events.

“When it was the principal’s turn to share, she collapsed,” Angara told reporters. “That’s what we call trauma, which is very real.”

Teachers interviewed by police described the two suspects as ordinary students with no known record of serious disciplinary problems, according to investigators.

School shootings remain uncommon in the Philippines, where strict gun regulations and cultural factors have historically limited such incidents. Earlier this month, however, seven students were wounded in a separate knife attack at a school in Cavite province, raising concerns about campus security and youth violence.

The storm was located about 375 km (230 miles) northeast of Aparri in Cagayan province before midday on Tuesday, packing sustained winds of up to 175 kph (110 mph), according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Mekkhala was moving northwest at around 10 kph (6 mph) and was not forecast to make landfall in the Philippines. However, forecasters warned that its extensive rain bands and strong winds could affect eastern coastal areas of Cagayan and the island province of Batanes, raising the risk of localized flooding, landslides and hazardous marine conditions.

Authorities hoisted the lowest level of the country’s five-tier tropical cyclone wind warning system across northeastern coastal areas, while maritime restrictions were imposed to prevent small vessels and fishing boats from venturing into rough seas.

Disaster-response agencies and local government units were placed on heightened alert in communities considered vulnerable to flooding and slope failures. Emergency personnel were instructed to monitor weather developments closely and prepare for possible evacuations if conditions deteriorate.

Forecast models indicated that the typhoon would pass closest to Batanes on Wednesday at a distance of about 275 km (170 miles) offshore before continuing northward along Taiwan’s eastern coastline. The storm is then expected to track toward Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu later in the week.

Although the cyclone is projected to remain over open waters, weather officials cautioned that strong winds, heavy rainfall and large waves could still affect northern Philippine provinces as the system moves through the western Pacific.

The Philippines is among the world’s most disaster-prone nations, facing an average of about 20 tropical cyclones annually. The archipelago is also situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it highly vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanic activity and other natural hazards.

Guterres, widely known by his nom de guerre “Lu Olo,” died at Prince Court Medical Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he had been receiving intensive care treatment, according to a statement posted on his official Facebook account. The cause of death was not disclosed.

His death marks the passing of one of the most prominent leaders of Timor-Leste’s independence generation, whose political career spanned the resistance movement, constitution-building process and the presidency of Southeast Asia’s youngest nation.

Guterres served as president from 2017 to 2022 after decades of involvement in the campaign that culminated in Timor-Leste’s independence in 2002.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim paid tribute to Guterres, describing him as a leader who remained devoted to the ideals of freedom and democratic nation-building throughout his life.

The Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (Fretilin), the political party Guterres led for many years, said his death represented a profound loss for those committed to a sovereign and democratic Timor-Leste. The party credited him with promoting national unity, dialogue, peace and political stability during his years in public service.

Born on Sept. 7, 1954, in Ossu in the Viqueque district of what was then Portuguese Timor, Guterres emerged as a key figure in the resistance movement following Indonesia’s invasion in 1975. He later became one of the leading political figures guiding the territory through its transition toward independence after the United Nations-backed referendum of 1999.

In 2001, Guterres was elected president of the Constituent Assembly, overseeing the drafting of the country’s constitution ahead of formal independence. Following independence in 2002, he became the first speaker of the National Parliament.

After several unsuccessful presidential campaigns, Guterres secured victory in the 2017 election and served a single five-year term. In 2022, he was defeated in his bid for re-election by current President Jose Ramos-Horta, another veteran of the independence movement and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

His political career reflected the trajectory of Timor-Leste itself, from anti-colonial and resistance struggles to democratic governance and state institution-building.

Guterres is survived by his wife, Cidalia Lopes Nobre Mouzinho Guterres, and their children. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

The commitment comes amid growing scrutiny of labor practices affecting Bangladeshis, who comprise Malaysia’s largest foreign workforce and play a critical role in sectors ranging from construction and manufacturing to plantations and services.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Putrajaya, Anwar said cooperation on labor issues was essential to both countries and stressed that worker exploitation for corporate or personal gain would not be tolerated.

Around 800,000 Bangladeshi nationals are employed in Malaysia, accounting for roughly one-third of the country’s migrant workforce. Many have faced challenges including unpaid wages, excessive recruitment costs and fraudulent employment schemes that have left workers burdened with debt and, in some cases, without promised jobs.

Anwar said Malaysia was committed to improving conditions for foreign workers and ensuring that labor migration systems operate fairly and responsibly.

Rahman called for recruitment procedures to become more transparent, affordable and accountable, urging authorities to reduce the role of intermediaries that often increase costs for prospective workers.

The issue has drawn international attention. In late 2025, United Nations human rights experts warned of continued exploitation, deception and debt bondage affecting Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia. The experts urged both governments to strengthen oversight, protect workers from further victimization and hold fraudulent recruitment agencies accountable.

The labor discussions formed a central component of Rahman’s visit, which also reflects Bangladesh’s efforts to deepen economic engagement with key Asian partners following political changes in the country over the past two years.

Rahman, who became prime minister after elections in February, is scheduled to travel to China later on Monday for talks focused on trade, investment and infrastructure cooperation, according to Bangladeshi officials.

His decision to make Malaysia and China the destinations of his first official overseas trip highlights evolving regional diplomatic priorities for Dhaka.

Relations between Bangladesh and India have remained sensitive since the 2024 uprising that removed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from power. Hasina, a longtime partner of New Delhi, fled to India following her ouster, and Bangladeshi authorities have repeatedly requested her extradition.

Although ties between Dhaka and New Delhi have improved since Rahman assumed office, unresolved political issues continue to shape bilateral relations.

Against that backdrop, labor mobility and economic cooperation featured prominently during Monday’s discussions, with both governments signaling a desire to strengthen safeguards for migrant workers while maintaining one of Southeast Asia’s most important labor migration corridors.

The shooting occurred at around 9:00 a.m. local time at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, in Leyte province, police said. Two suspects, aged 15 and 14, were taken into custody shortly after the attack and are being questioned in the presence of their parents.

Police said the two boys fired indiscriminately inside the school compound, killing three students and injuring five others. Authorities have not yet established a definitive motive for the attack.

“We are hearing bullying was the motive behind their actions, but we have yet to ask them,” police Lieutenant Evalyn Diaz told AFP, adding that investigators were still working to reconstruct the sequence of events.

Authorities are also investigating how the suspects obtained the firearms and managed to bring them onto school grounds.

The injured students were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment, although officials have not released details regarding their conditions.

Video footage circulated by local media and verified by AFP showed students hiding inside classrooms while gunshots rang out across the campus, with children heard screaming and crying during the incident.

The Philippine Department of Education described the attack as a “high-alert situation” and said officials from the national, regional and local education offices had been deployed to coordinate with law enforcement agencies and school administrators.

“Our Central Office officials, alongside regional and division office personnel, are active on the ground, coordinating closely with school authorities and law enforcement to secure the premises,” the department said in a statement.

School shootings are uncommon in the Philippines, where firearms ownership is tightly regulated. However, illegal weapons remain widely available through black-market networks, and gun-related violence is frequently linked to criminal activity, personal disputes and local political rivalries.

In 2022, three people, including a former city mayor, were killed in a shooting near a graduation ceremony at Ateneo de Manila University in the capital. Authorities later concluded that attack was motivated by personal grievances.

Monday’s shooting is likely to renew scrutiny of school security measures and access to illegal firearms in the Southeast Asian nation as investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Russia concluded their first in-person summit in eight years on Thursday with a commitment to strengthen energy ties, expand trade and investment, and pursue long-term commercial partnerships aimed at diversifying supply sources and reducing exposure to market shocks.

The agreement comes as many Southeast Asian economies grapple with the impact of supply disruptions stemming from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy transit route. The region remains heavily dependent on Middle Eastern crude, with around 60% of Southeast Asia’s crude oil imports originating from the Gulf.

In a joint statement issued after the summit, ASEAN and Russia voiced concern over rising global energy insecurity driven by geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions and market volatility. The two sides also agreed to enhance crisis preparedness, cooperate on energy-transition initiatives and expand engagement in civilian nuclear energy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who hosted ASEAN leaders in Kazan, said Moscow was prepared to increase exports of value-added products to Southeast Asian markets, including fertilizers, pharmaceuticals and energy resources.

“Of course, we remain committed to supplying our Asian friends with food products and energy resources, which have been enjoying so much demand,” Putin said at a joint press conference with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The energy partnership has gained urgency as regional economies face higher fuel costs and supply constraints. The Philippines, for example, imports more than 90% of its crude oil requirements from Gulf producers, leaving it particularly exposed to disruptions in Middle Eastern supply routes.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said ASEAN viewed Russia as an important partner in strengthening regional energy resilience and broadening access to alternative sources of supply.

“We seek cooperation that diversifies our sources, strengthens our supply chains, and shields our region from external shocks,” Sugiono told the summit’s plenary session.

Analysts said Russia’s role as a major energy exporter could become increasingly attractive for Southeast Asian governments seeking to mitigate risks associated with geopolitical instability in traditional supply regions.

Chester Calabaza, founding president of the Manila-based International Development and Security Cooperation think tank, said the recent disruption to Middle Eastern energy flows had increased interest in Russian supplies among ASEAN economies pursuing broader energy-security strategies.

Russia’s outreach to ASEAN comes as Moscow seeks to deepen economic engagement with Asia and expand markets for its energy exports, while Southeast Asian governments look to diversify procurement channels amid heightened uncertainty in global energy markets.

The meeting took place at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People following a ceremonial reception, according to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, and comes as Myanmar’s military government seeks to consolidate political legitimacy following the 2021 coup that ousted the elected administration of Aung San Suu Kyi.

China has remained Myanmar’s most significant external partner since Western countries severed or downgraded ties after the coup, and has played a role as a regional power broker in efforts to manage the country’s civil war and border stability.

Xi told Min Aung Hlaing that China supports Myanmar in balancing development and security and pursuing a development path aligned with national conditions, while also calling for continued cooperation between the two countries on combating transnational crimes such as online fraud, illegal gambling and drug trafficking.

The Chinese president also emphasised the importance of dialogue among all parties in Myanmar to advance peace and reconciliation, describing the bilateral relationship as one that has “stood together through thick and thin,” according to state media.

Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to Beijing, his second since becoming civilian president in 2021, comes amid ongoing conflict inside Myanmar and increasing scrutiny of cross-border scam networks operating in border regions, which have affected Chinese citizens.

Beijing has also maintained defence and economic ties with Myanmar’s military authorities, while supporting limited ceasefires brokered with some armed groups operating along the countries’ shared border.

Myanmar’s political crisis, triggered by the 2021 military takeover, has fuelled armed conflict across the country and contributed to severe economic disruption, while also increasing its strategic importance in regional supply chains, including rare earth mineral production.

Min Aung Hlaing is seeking to expand trade and security ties with China, a major partner for Myanmar following the 2021 military coup that removed the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

China has become an important power-broker in Myanmar’s civil war, supporting different sides and negotiating ceasefires based on its strategic interests.

The visit comes as relations between Beijing and Naypyidaw face challenges, including concerns over online scam centers operating near their shared border.

During his five-day trip, Min Aung Hlaing is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and other senior officials.

China remains a key supplier of military equipment to Myanmar and has helped broker agreements with armed groups along the border.

Myanmar has also gained global attention as a supplier of rare earth minerals, which are important for China’s renewable energy industries.

The visit highlights China’s continued influence in Myanmar’s political, economic and security affairs.

Adam Castillo, a security consultant and former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar, was detained upon returning to the country on Thursday, the police source said.

He is being held in connection with a lawsuit filed by the current director of a business organization he previously headed, the source said, adding that he faces allegations of breach of trust related to property matters, which carry a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years under Myanmar law.

A court on Friday ordered Castillo remanded in custody for two weeks while investigations continue, the source said.

A second source confirmed the detention but provided no additional details.

The US State Department said it was aware of reports regarding the detention of a US citizen in Myanmar but declined to comment further, citing privacy considerations.

Castillo recently published a memoir documenting his experience working in Myanmar during and after the 2021 military coup, which toppled the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and triggered widespread unrest and civil conflict.

Myanmar has remained under military-dominated rule since the coup, despite a political transition process that international observers have described as tightly controlled and largely excluding opposition groups.

The case comes amid ongoing tensions between Myanmar’s military authorities and parts of the international business and diplomatic community that scaled back operations following the coup.