South Korean and US forces began computer-simulated military exercises on Monday amid tension over North Korea’s weapons programmes, while a report it has earned millions of dollars in exports is likely to raise doubt about the impact of sanctions. South Korean President Moon Jae-in said the joint drills, called Ulchi Freedom Guardian, were purely defensive and did not aim to […]

Southeast Asian foreign ministers ended an impasse on Sunday over how to address disputes with China in the South China Sea, issuing a communique that called for militarisation to be avoided and noting concern about island-building. The South China Sea has long been the most divisive issue for the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), with China’s influence looming […]

Indian forces on Monday killed five alleged rebels in Indian-held Kashmir, reports said. The five were killed in a major gun battle in the Machhil sector of the border in northern Kashmir, the reports said, quoting an Indian defence spokesman. Press Trust of India news agency quoted the spokesman as saying that a major ‘infiltration’ bid was foiled in the […]

Afghan forces have recaptured a remote village where Taliban and Islamic State (IS) fighters allegedly massacred dozens of civilians earlier this month, officials said on Tuesday. Militants killed about 50 men, women and children in Mirzawalang, a mainly Shiite village in Sayad district of northern Sar-e Pul province, on August 5 after overrunning a government-backed militia, according to officials and […]

Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain Monday urged the nation to bury their differences and get united for the stability and development of the country, as Pakistan celebrated 70 years of independence with a patriotic display including a giant flag and a show of airpower. Speaking at a ceremony held at the Jinnah Convention Centre to mark 70th Independence Day, the president […]

The Afghan security forces recaptured the control of Nawa district from the Taliban insurgents in southern Helmand province. The control of the district fell to Afghan forces after days of clashes and months after it was captured by the Taliban insurgents. Provincial governor’s spokesman Omar Zwak confirmed that the Afghan forces seized the control of the key areas of Nawa […]

The French consul-general in Karachi, Francois Dall’Orso, hosted a reception at his residence on Friday evening to celebrate Bastille Day, the national day of France. Mohammad Zubair, the governor of Sindh, was the chief guest. In his speech, he said that the Pakistan government was looking forward to enhanced cooperation with the induction into office of the Macron government. The […]

With no end in sight to the standoff in the Sikkim sector, China on Saturday said there is “no room” for negotiations to resolve the military face-off and the only solution is the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Donglang or Doklam region. India will face “embarrassment” if it does not withdraw its border troops to its own side and […]

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday that tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan are not conducive to their stability and development as well as regional cooperation, calling on both countries to meet each other halfway so as to improve bilateral ties. Wang made the call during his meeting with Pakistan’s top foreign affairs adviser, Sartaj Aziz. He said that […]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (Jun 25) told top American executives that India is a business-friendly country of “minimum government,” as he prepared for a first meeting with President Donald Trump aimed at improving ties and moving past differences over climate change. The meeting on Sunday at a Washington hotel included the heads of some of the top US […]