Blast at Afghan news agency office in Kabul kills at least four

KABUL -- An explosion went off at an office of the Afghan Voice news agency in the capital, Kabul, on Thursday causing serious casualties,...

Reuters journalists in Myanmar appear in court

YANGON -- Two Reuters journalists who have been detained in Myanmar for the past two weeks were remanded in custody for a further two...

US sanctions two North Koreans over ballistic missile program

WASHINGTON -- The United States sanctioned two North Korean officials on Tuesday over the development of ballistic missiles, as Russia and America’s top diplomats...

Pyongyang likely to pursue talks, South says in rosy 2018 forecast

SEOUL -- South Korea predicted on Tuesday that North Korea would look to open negotiations with the United States next year in an optimistic...

Japan considers refitting helicopter carrier for F-35B stealth fighters

TOKYO -- Japan is considering refitting the Izumo helicopter carrier so that it can land US Marines F-35B stealth fighters, government sources said on...

China holds trilateral meeting to broker peace in long-simmering Afghan-Pakistan conflict

SINGAPORE -- China hosted top diplomats from Afghanistan and Pakistan on Tuesday in a bid to mediate a long-simmering conflict between the neighboring countries. Afghan...

Grieving Pakistani Christians mark Christmas after IS attack

QUETTA -- Pakistan deployed commandos inside and around a church in the southwestern city of Quetta Monday as its grieving but defiant congregation marked...

Iraq’s oil minister optimistic crude prices will rise

BAGHDAD -- Iraq’s Oil Minister Jabbar Al-Luaibi said he’s optimistic crude prices will increase in 2018, with global stockpiles falling and demand on the...

S. China Sea islands expanded ‘reasonably’ — Chinese report

BEIJING -- China has “reasonably” expanded its islands in the disputed South China Sea and this year construction projects there including radar facilities covered...

Trump could face challenge in 2020 primary if he runs

WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump may face competition to be the Republican party’s nominee for the 2020 White House race if he decides...

Pope, on Christmas Eve, says faith demands respect of immigrants

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis strongly defended immigrants at his Christmas Eve Mass on Sunday, comparing them to Mary and Joseph finding no place...

Putin critic clears first hurdle for presidency

MOSCOW -- Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Sunday cleared the first hurdle towards taking part in next year’s presidential election, even though the...