Asia

Dozens killed in blast at political rally in Pakistan

At least 40 people have been killed and more than 150 injured in a bomb explosion in Pakistan’s north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province that targeted a political party gathering, police have confirmed.

UN says forced to cut food aid to millions globally over funding crisis

The United Nations has been forced to cut food, cash payments and assistance to millions of people in several countries — including Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen — because of “a crippling funding crisis” that has seen its donations plummet by about half as acute hunger is hitting record levels, a top official has confirmed.

US and Taliban officials to meet in Qatar to discuss security and human rights

US officials are set to meet with representatives of the Taliban and "technocratic professionals" from Afghan ministries during a visit to Qatar's Doha this week, the State Department has said. Both sides will discuss security, narcotics  and women's rights.

North Korea’s leader meets Russian defense minister, first since Covid

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with visiting Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in his first known meeting with a foreign dignitary since the Covid-19 pandemic. Shoigu’s visit comes as North Korea is marking the anniversary of the armistice that ended fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War.

Senior Russia, China officials visit North Korea

Chinese Communist Party group headed by Politburo member Li Hongzhong are in Pyongyang to attend the 70th anniversary of the 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

China’s FM removed from office in surprise shake-up of Xi’s foreign policy leadership

China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang has been suddenly replaced by his predecessor Wang Yi in a surprise shake-up to China’s foreign policy leadership. Qin had been missing from the public eye for a month without explanation.

Russian defense minister leads delegation to North Korea

A Russian delegation led by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is beginning a three-day visit to North Korea on Tuesday, according to the Russian Defense Ministry and North Korean state media.

New arrest warrant issued for former Pakistani PM, Imran Khan

Pakistan’s Election Commission has issued an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The ex-premier faces a contempt charge for allegedly using “intemperate language” against government officials.

Dozens killed, missing in flash flooding in Afghanistan and Pakistan

At least 31 people have been killed and dozens more are missing due to heavy flooding from seasonal rains in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, more than a dozen people died as heavy rains and landslides hit neighbouring Pakistan.

Russia and China conduct joint naval drills in Sea of Japan

Russia and China have staged large-scale naval drills in the Sea of Japan, Russia’s Pacific Fleet announced in a statement to journalists. The three-day exercise involved a wide range of activities, including joint firing drills, a simulated naval battle, and air defense training.

China, Russia to hold joint air and sea drills in Sea of Japan

A Chinese naval flotilla set off on Sunday to join Russian naval and air forces in the Sea of Japan in an exercise aimed at “safeguarding the security of strategic waterways”, according to China’s defence ministry.

4 Pakistani soldiers killed in raid on army base

Suspected fighters armed with guns, hand grenades and rockets attacked a military base in southern Pakistan, killing at least four soldiers, the army and security officials have confirmed.

Xi says progress in China-Russia relations both states’ strategic choice

The ongoing progress in relations between Beijing and Moscow is the result of their strategic choice, which rests on fundamental interests of both countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping has stated.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev re-elected as Uzbek president for seven-year term in snap election

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was re-elected with more than 87% of the votes on Sunday, the country’s Central Election Commission announced on Monday citing preliminary results. More than 15 million people participated in Sunday’s election.

Report: US seeking to turn India into logistics hub to counter China

Washington intends to transform India into a major hub for maintenance and resupplying of its warships in the South Asia region as part of a military partnership pact aimed at countering Beijing, according to a report.

China says to continue efforts to bring Iran’s nuclear deal back on track

China's Foreign Ministry has announced that Beijing will continue its attempts to restore the US-abandoned 2015 nuclear agreement "at an early date".

China urges US to lift all anti-Iran sanctions

China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, Geng Shuang, has called on the US to remove all unilateral sanctions and restrictions imposed on Iran in connection with its nuclear program.

China’s president vows to step up war planning, urges army combat improvement

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to improve its combat readiness in order to be able to “win any war”. He made the remarks after meeting with the military command responsible for operations in the Taiwan Strait.

Taliban bans women’s beauty salons in Afghanistan

The Taliban has issued a one-month closure notice to all beauty salons in Afghanistan, in the latest curb on the rights and freedoms of women and girls in the country.

Ex-Iran envoy: Chances of world recognition of Taliban diminishing

Iran’s former ambassador to Afghanistan has said chances of the international community recognizing the Taliban are diminishing.

Pakistan vows to counter Indo-US defense cooperation

Islamabad has conveyed its strong reservations to Washington for its deepening defence ties with New Delhi, viewing the development as a direct threat to the country’s security interests.

UN says over 1,000 Afghan civilians killed since Taliban takeover in Afghanistan

More than 1,000 civilians were killed and nearly 2,700 others wounded in Afghanistan since the Taliban took control of the country in 2021, a UN report says.

China’s FM touts Beijing and Moscow as a force for “global peace”

Beijing and Moscow are "an important force in ensuring global peace and in promoting inclusive development," Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said in a video address Tuesday, according to Russian state news agency TASS.

China throws support behind Russia after Wagner insurrection

China has voiced support for Russia after a short-lived insurrection posed the gravest challenge to the 23-year rule of President Vladimir Putin of Russia, a close partner of Chinese leader Xi Jinping in his push “for a new world order and strategic alignment against the US.”

Blinken defends Biden on labeling China’s Xi a “dictator”

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has backed President Joe Biden’s remarks calling Chinese President Xi Jinping a dictator, saying the American leader “speaks for all of us.”

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