Pentagon chief says in favor of placing missiles in Asia
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Saturday that he was in favor of placing ground-launched, intermediate-range missiles in Asia relatively soon, a day after the United States withdrew from a landmark arms control treaty.
Thousands of Indians flee Kashmir after security advisory: official
Thousands of Indians have started leaving the disputed region of Kashmir after the local government issued a security alert related to possible militant attacks in the area, a senior government official said on Saturday.
Mashrou’ Leila concert in Lebanon canceled after church pressure
Lebanon’s Byblos festival has canceled a concert by the indie rock band Mashrou’ Leila “to prevent bloodshed” after calls from church leaders accusing the band of blasphemy and death threats on social media.
Protesters march in Hong Kong as rival rally supports police
Thousands of mostly black-clad activists set off on a protest march in Hong Kong’s Mong Kok district on Saturday, as the Chinese-controlled city braced for another weekend of anti-government demonstrations.
Fresh round of U.S., Taliban talks in Doha, hope for peace deal rise
A fresh round of U.S.-Taliban peace talks began in Qatar’s capital Doha on Saturday, officials said, describing it to be the “most crucial” phase of negotiations to end the 18-year war in Afghanistan.
India sends back Maldives’ ex-vice president attempting illegal entry: sources
India has sent back former vice-president of the Maldives, Ahmed Adeeb, to his home country, two sources familiar with the matter said on Saturday, days after he illegally entered through a tugboat in the southern Indian city of Thoothukudi.
Protesters gather in Hong Kong as rival rally supports police
More than a thousand mostly black-clad activists gathered in Hong Kong’s Mong Kok district ahead of a protest march on Saturday, as the Chinese-controlled city braced for another weekend of anti-government demonstrations.
Iran to further reduce commitments to nuclear deal: foreign minister
Iran will take another step to reduce its compliance with a landmark 2015 nuclear deal, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday without elaborating, according to parliamentary news agency ICANA.
Eighth round of U.S., Taliban peace talks to start in Doha August 3: officials
A fresh round of U.S.-Taliban peace talks will start in Qatar’s capital Doha on Saturday, officials said, describing it to be the “most crucial” phase of negotiations to end the 18-year war in Afghanistan.
South Korea warns Japan of security pact risk, calls for ‘cooling-off’ in trade row
South Korea is exploring all options in a bitter trade row with Japan, including scrapping an intelligence sharing pact, but wants a cooling off period with Tokyo, a senior South Korean official said on Saturday.
