US not disengaging from Asia, seeks ‘partners, not protectorates,’ says Pentagon official

Official reiterates US interest in ​region as he called for greater burden-sharing and ‘partnership, ⁠not dependency’ US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby attends a NATO Defence Ministers meeting at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels, Belgium February 12, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS The United States is not disengaging from Asia and is instead “digging in” to…

Read More

Dar reiterates Makkah defence pact is ‘defensive in nature, not directed against any country’

Stresses accord not an instrument of confrontation, but expression of collective commitment to peace through strength Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday reiterated that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye was “defensive in nature and was not directed against any country,” saying its purpose was…

Read More

Gunman fires inside Thai government office as country reels from school shooting

Forensic police officers inspect the site of a shooting after former lawmaker Chalong Riewrang allegedly shot Thongchai Yenprasert, president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation, in Nonthaburi province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, August 10, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS A gunman was arrested after firing shots at ‌a local government office on the outskirts of…

Read More

Thailand beat Pakistan in Asian netball

Pakistan’s women’s netball team suffered a 66-48 defeat at the hands of Thailand in their second outing at the Asian Netball Championships. Pakistan’s women’s netball team suffered a 66-48 defeat at the hands of Thailand in their second outing at the Asian Netball Championships 2026 Plate Division in Hong Kong on Monday. Pakistan, who made…

Read More