South Korea stages drills simulating downing of North drones
Seoul: South Korea staged large-scale military drills on Thursday to simulate shooting down drones as a step to bolster its readiness against North Korean provocations, three days after the North flew drones into its territory for the first time in five years. South Korean warplanes and helicopters failed to bring down any of the five […]
France’s defence minister goes to Ukraine to boost support
Kyiv: France’s defence minister arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday to discuss further military support for Ukraine, insisting the French government’s backing is unflagging while efforts are made to reach an eventual negotiated end to Russia’s invasion. French Minister for the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu traveled to Ukraine’s capital after a trip to Poland, where he […]
Vatican says health of retired pope Benedict XVI ‘worsening’
Vatican City: The health of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has worsened due to his age, and doctors are constantly monitoring the 95-year-old’s condition, the Vatican said on Wednesday. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said Pope Francis, who asked the faithful earlier on Wednesday to pray for Benedict, went to visit his predecessor in the monastery on […]
Abduction, torture, rape: Conflict in Congo worsens, says UN
Dakar: The accounts are haunting. Abductions, torture, rapes. Scores of civilians including women and children have been killed by the M23 rebels in eastern Congo, according to a UN report. In addition, the M23 rebels have forced children to be soldiers, according to the report by a panel of U.N. experts. The 21-page report based […]
IS claims Afghan car bombing that killed local police chief
Kabul: The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a car bombing that killed a local police chief in Afghanistan. The IS regional affiliate — known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province — has increased its attacks since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021. Abdulhaq Abu Omar, the police chief of the […]
S. Korea launches jets, fires shots after North flies drones
Seoul: South Korea’s military fired warning shots, scrambled fighter jets and flew surveillance assets across the heavily fortified border with North Korea on Monday, after North Korean drones violated its airspace for the first time in five years, officials said. South Korea’s military detected five drones from North Korea crossing the border, and one traveled […]
China sends 71 warplanes, 7 ships toward Taiwan in 24 hours
Taipei (Taiwan): China’s military sent 71 planes and seven ships toward Taiwan in a 24-hour display of force directed at the island, Taiwan’s defense ministry said Monday, after China expressed anger at Taiwan-related provisions in a US annual defense spending bill passed on Saturday. China’s military harassment of self-ruled Taiwan, which it claims is its […]
UN official, Taliban minister meet on Afghan women NGO ban
Kabul: The top UN official in Kabul met with a Taliban government minister in Afghanistan’s capital on Monday, following a decision by the country’s new rulers to bar women from working for non-governmental organisations, the UN mission said. The measure — the latest in restrictions on women’s rights and freedoms in Afghanistan — was announced […]
Millions in US hunker down from frigid, deadly monster storm
Buffalo: Millions of people hunkered down in a deep freeze overnight and early morning to ride out the frigid storm that has killed at least 18 people across the United States, trapping some residents inside homes with heaping snow drifts and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses. The scope of […]
3 NGOs suspend work in Afghanistan after Taliban bar women
Kabul: Foreign aid groups on Sunday suspended their operations in Afghanistan following a decision by the country’s Taliban rulers to ban women from working at international and local non-governmental organisations. Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council and CARE, said they cannot effectively reach children, women and men in desperate need in Afghanistan without the […]
