Asia

Seoul: South Korea called on Tuesday for "peace and stability" to prevail in the Taiwan Strait as China sent dozens of fighter aircraft and navy vessels in drills around the self-ruled island. Foreign ministry spokesman Park Il said Seoul hoped "cross-strait relations will develop peacefully through dialogue and cooperation". "We will continue to monitor related developments while prioritising peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and pursuing diplomatic efforts to promote our national interests," Park added.

Asia

Islamabad: Archaeologists in Pakistan stumbled on the remains of a well-organised ancient civilisation dating back to the sixth century BC. This groundbreaking discovery was made during their excavation operations at the Bhir Mound site near the ancient city of Taxila. According to scientists, the excavation uncovered vintages of early urban planning, including narrow streets, residential buildings, wells, grain storage facilities, and tools used in daily life. They noted that the city developed organically in an irregular manner, unlike later cities characterized by geometric planning, demonstrating the foundational structure of life for the inhabitants of that era. The city was located along major trade routes leading to Central Asia and Afghanistan, interpreting the discovery of a wealth of unique archaeological artifacts from different epochs. The Bhir Mound is considered the oldest settlement in the Taxila area, which was captured by Alexander the Great during his campaign in India. The site also forms part of the Taxila Ruins, which have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980.

Asia

Islamabad:The Pakistani army announced Monday the killing of five militants during a security operation in the northwest of the country. In a statement, the Pakistani army explained that security forces carried out the operation based on intelligence information that monitored the militants' movements in the Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and were able to kill five militants. The statement also noted that an officer was killed during these clashes. The Pakistani army had recently announced the killing of five militants during a security operation in the Kohlu area of ​​Balochistan province in the southwest of the country.