India and Japan agreed to bolster security ties including maritime cooperation yesterday after their defence ministers met in New Delhi.

Pakistan summoned Washington’s top envoy in Islamabad and “strongly condemned” remarks by the US ambassador to New Delhi calling disputed Kashmir “an important part of India”.

South Korea’s presidential office condemned North Korea’s launch of more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles yesterday and ordered its military to maintain full readiness during ongoing joint exercises with the United States.

Jailed former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan would not confront the military or army chief Asim Munir if freed, one of his closest aides told Reuters, portraying Munir as able to extend a “healing hand” after a legal breakthrough this week.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham unveiled plans Wednesday to offer those sleeping rough a way off the streets by Christmas, and vowed to donate part of his wages to help curb homelessness.

Sri Lanka’s government has arranged for water to be delivered to nearly 72,000 people across seven districts as the country tackles a drought linked to this year’s severe El Niño, a senior official said yesterday.

Israel accused Turkey of “dangerous adventures in Syria” yesterday, while Ankara called for a halt to “reckless” Israeli attacks, two days after Israel bombed a Syrian airbase where it said Turkish troops were about to deploy.

A complicated mission to save a Nasa satellite from burning up in the atmosphere has failed, the US space agency said Wednesday, as the rescue spacecraft could not be controlled.

The US will impose “the toughest sanctions in history” on Iran, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said yesterday, a focus on economic measures he suggested would lessen the need for new major military operations against Tehran.

Russian ballistic missiles killed 16 people and injured more than 40 in Kyiv early yesterday, authorities said, damaging buildings and severing power supply to some parts of the Ukrainian capital.

From a fishing trawler in the Adriatic, Italian scientists gently release thousands of tiny octopuses in the hope of fighting an invasive crab species that has devastated local fisheries.

Local divers recover bodies as authorities continue search for more victims

Meta employs around 1,500 people in Ireland, home to its international headquarters

PTI plans nationwide protest on September 27 demanding Khan’s release

The surprise move comes after the couple spent recent years repeatedly criticising the royal family and lambasting the British press, saying the tabloids had made their lives hell and they wanted to carve out independent roles for themselves.

Hui, with a full head of black hair, looked relaxed in a navy-blue suit and open-necked shirt as he stood on a podium overlooking the festivities in Tiananmen Square, an invitation many considered an official show of support for the billionaire businessman.

Police are investigating possible electrical faults, negligence and fire-safety lapses following the blaze

Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced what he called the "most crushing economic operation" ever taken against a country, targeting Iran with economic warfare and isolation.

Israel struck the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria on Tuesday, warning Syria was on the verge of violating a "status quo agreed with Israel in security matters" by allowing Turkish troops to deploy at the airbase.

The divided Muslim-majority territory has been at the centre of bitter rivalry between India and Pakistan since their independence from British rule in 1947.