Asia

Several European countries mull reopening embassies in Afghanistan: Report

Several European states are considering reopening their embassies in Afghanistan in a move that would entail diplomatic recognition of the Taliban almost three years after the fall of Kabul, people familiar with the matter have claimed.

China says ready to work with new Iranian government

China's Foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian has stated it appreciates president-elect Masoud Pezeshkian’s recently announced favorable stance on the countries’ relations, voicing Beijing's readiness to work with Iran’s incoming administration.

Pakistan seeking to ban Imran Khan’s party

The Pakistani government has announced it plans to ban Pakistan Terheek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of jailed former Prime Minister, Imran Khan.

China, Russia launch joint military exercises

Chinese and Russian naval forces have started joint military drills in the Pacific, the Defense Ministry in Beijing has announced.

China says NATO threatening global peace

NATO is a threat to global peace, security and stability because of its “deep-rooted Cold War mentality and ideological bias”, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian has stated.

UN rights panel describes Pakistan’s Imran Khan detention arbitrary and calls for his release

A United Nations human rights panel has urged the immediate release of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, saying he has been detained “arbitrarily in violation of international laws”.

Iran envoy says complex condition in Afghanistan requires comprehensive consultations

Iran's special envoy to Afghanistan has stressed the need for comprehensive negotiations with all parties to address the "complex and serious" situation in Afghanistan and the wider region.

North Korea warns west forging ‘Asian version of NATO’

The United States, Japan and South Korea are forging a military alliance in Asia that bears strong similarities to NATO, the North Korean Foreign Ministry has warned, slamming the actions of the three countries as a threat to regional stability.

Pakistan court rejects appeals by Imran Khan, wife in illegal marriage case

A Pakistani court has rejected an appeal by former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife to suspend a ruling that their 2018 marriage violated Islamic law.

Putin says Russia could arm North Korea

Moscow reserves the right to provide weapons to allies, as the West claims it can arm Ukraine with impunity, and could send long-range weapons to North Korea and other countries, President Vladimir Putin has stated.

Armenia says recognised Palestinian statehood

Yerevan has officially recognised a Palestinian state, the Armenian foreign ministry has announced, the latest country to do so despite opposition from Israel.

Russia and North Korea sign mutual defence pact during Putin visit

Moscow and Pyongyang have pledged to assist each other against foreign aggression, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday during a visit to North Korea.

China slams NATO as Cold War relic amid warnings on Russia aid

The North Atlantic alliance is a relic of the past, and should do some soul-searching about its purpose, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian has stated at a briefing.

Russia’s Putin arrives in North Korea, and Kim welcomes him

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived at Pyongyang International Airport, marking the start of his two-day visit to North Korea, during which he is expected to have a lengthy face-to-face meeting with the Asian country's leader Kim Jong-un.

Putin says Russia supports North Korea against ‘treacherous’ West

Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for its friendship and support and pledged to assist Pyongyang in its struggle for independence and identity.

French magazine claims Russia recruiting Afghans to fight in Ukraine 

The French magazine L’Obs claims in a report that the Russian embassy in Tehran is recruiting and organizing Afghans to fight in Ukraine.

Kremlin says Putin to visit North Korea within hours

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit North Korea on June 18-19, the Kremlin announced on Monday.

Biden viewed more positively than Trump in global poll

US President Joe Biden has received higher confidence ratings than former President Donald Trump in a new international survey.

China stresses adherence to Iran’s territorial integrity, sovereignty

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has emphasized Beijing's commitment to respecting Iran’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Iran FM: Occupiers to blame for underdevelopment, economic maladies in Afghanistan

Iranian Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagher Kani says the decades-long US-led occupation continues to plague Afghanistan as it has led to the underdevelopment and serious economic problems in the country.

MbZ meets Taliban leader wanted by US

The acting interior minister of Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government, who has a $10m FBI bounty on his head, held a meeting with United Arab Emirates leader Mohammed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi.

Pakistani court acquits ex-PM Imran Khan in state secrets case

A high court in Pakistan acquitted jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday from a conviction on charges of leaking state secrets, his lawyer and his party stated, but the politician will remain in prison for now due to a conviction in another case.

Zelensky claims China is ‘Putin’s tool’

China is acting as an “instrument” of Russia by pressing other nations to shun an upcoming “peace summit” on the Ukraine conflict, President Volodymyr Zelensky has alleged. The Ukrainian leader also accused Beijing of providing military support to Moscow, without giving specific evidence.

Maldives says will ban Israelis from entering country over Gaza war

The Maldives government has announced it will ban Israelis from entering the country as public anger rises in the nation over Israel's war on Gaza.

Iran summons China’s ambassador over islands dispute statement

Iran’s Foreign Ministry called in China’s ambassador in Tehran on Sunday after Beijing once again supported the ‘baseless’ claims by neighboring Arab states’ over three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf.

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