US downs Iranian drones in Strait of Hormuz despite peace deal progress

News - South China Morning Post June 13, 2026 at 10:25 AM

The United States said it downed multiple Iranian drones targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday, hours after both sides said a deal to end the Middle East war was closer than ever. The interception came after weeks of halting talks between Tehran and Washington, mediated by Pakistan, that have been marked by threats and exchanges of fire despite a fragile truce agreed in April. US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees operations in the region, posted on social...

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Skipper Gill, vice-captain Iyer near 3,000 ODI runs ahead of 1st Afghanistan ODI

Kyrgyzstan News June 13, 2026 at 1:58 AM

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 13 (ANI): There will be some milestones up for grabs for the skipper Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer as they take on Afghanistan in the first ODI of the three-match series at Dharamsala on Saturday. The first match of the three-match series between India and Afghanistan will start in Dharamsala on Saturday. The occasion could be a special one for the captain

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Skipper Gill, vice-captain Iyer near 3,000 ODI runs ahead of 1st Afghanistan ODI

Turkmenistan News June 13, 2026 at 1:58 AM

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 13 (ANI): There will be some milestones up for grabs for the skipper Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer as they take on Afghanistan in the first ODI of the three-match series at Dharamsala on Saturday. The first match of the three-match series between India and Afghanistan will start in Dharamsala on Saturday. The occasion could be a special one for the captain

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Skipper Gill, vice-captain Iyer near 3,000 ODI runs ahead of 1st Afghanistan ODI

Tajikistan News June 13, 2026 at 1:58 AM

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 13 (ANI): There will be some milestones up for grabs for the skipper Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer as they take on Afghanistan in the first ODI of the three-match series at Dharamsala on Saturday. The first match of the three-match series between India and Afghanistan will start in Dharamsala on Saturday. The occasion could be a special one for the captain

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Morkel calls Virat Kohli's unavailability "big miss", says Rohit Sharma is "excited to go" for Afghanistan ODI series opener

Kyrgyzstan News June 12, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 12 (ANI): Team India's bowling coach, Morne Morkel, said the Men in Blue will miss the services Virat Kohli in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, after the legendary batter was ruled out of the home series due to a hamstring injury. Furthermore, Morkel welcomed another veteran, Rohit Sharma's comeback to the Indian side, saying that the latter is 'excite

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Morkel calls Virat Kohli's unavailability "big miss", says Rohit Sharma is "excited to go" for Afghanistan ODI series opener

Turkmenistan News June 12, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 12 (ANI): Team India's bowling coach, Morne Morkel, said the Men in Blue will miss the services Virat Kohli in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, after the legendary batter was ruled out of the home series due to a hamstring injury. Furthermore, Morkel welcomed another veteran, Rohit Sharma's comeback to the Indian side, saying that the latter is 'excite

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Morkel calls Virat Kohli's unavailability "big miss", says Rohit Sharma is "excited to go" for Afghanistan ODI series opener

Tajikistan News June 12, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 12 (ANI): Team India's bowling coach, Morne Morkel, said the Men in Blue will miss the services Virat Kohli in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, after the legendary batter was ruled out of the home series due to a hamstring injury. Furthermore, Morkel welcomed another veteran, Rohit Sharma's comeback to the Indian side, saying that the latter is 'excite

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China’s ban on Philippine defence chief and family seen as warning shot to Manila

News - South China Morning Post June 12, 2026 at 5:50 PM

China’s decision to ban Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr and his family from Chinese territory has taken Beijing’s maritime feud with Manila into unusually personal territory, with analysts saying the move appeared aimed at warning other Philippine officials against taking a hard line. The sanctions, announced by China’s foreign ministry on Thursday following Teodoro’s recent criticism of Beijing, also prohibit Chinese organisations and individuals from engaging in transactions,...

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Opening season of Afghanistan Premier League set to start on December 27

Tajikistan News June 12, 2026 at 4:33 PM

New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): The Afghanistan Premier League (APL) is scheduled to begin on December 27 this year, with the tournament marking one of the most intriguing investment opportunities in modern cricket.At a time when franchise cricket continues to expand across the world, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is introducing a competition built around one of the sport's most passionate fan bases, som

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Opening season of Afghanistan Premier League set to start on December 27

Turkmenistan News June 12, 2026 at 4:33 PM

New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): The Afghanistan Premier League (APL) is scheduled to begin on December 27 this year, with the tournament marking one of the most intriguing investment opportunities in modern cricket.At a time when franchise cricket continues to expand across the world, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is introducing a competition built around one of the sport's most passionate fan bases, som

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Opening season of Afghanistan Premier League set to start on December 27

Kyrgyzstan News June 12, 2026 at 4:33 PM

New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): The Afghanistan Premier League (APL) is scheduled to begin on December 27 this year, with the tournament marking one of the most intriguing investment opportunities in modern cricket.At a time when franchise cricket continues to expand across the world, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is introducing a competition built around one of the sport's most passionate fan bases, som

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Kazakh Titanium Accounts for 20% of Global Aerospace Market, Officials Say

The Astana Times June 12, 2026 at 2:57 PM

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA — Kazakh titanium accounts for approximately 20% of the global aerospace market, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said during a meeting with Sylvain Geler, chairman of the board of directors of Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium Plant (UKTMP) on June 11, as the government reviewed the company’s expansion plans and role in strengthening Kazakhstan’s position in global supply chains. Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium Plant. Photo credit: gov.kz Click to see the map in full size. The map is designed by The Astana Times. The meeting focused on the sustainable development of the enterprise, implementation of investment projects and measures to maintain the competitiveness of Kazakhstan’s titanium industry in international markets. UKTMP is one of the world’s largest vertically integrated titanium producers, operating a full production cycle from raw material processing to finished titanium pro…

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Police discover illegal drugs, arrest 3 smugglers in N. Afghanistan

Tajikistan News June 12, 2026 at 10:45 AM

KABUL, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Police in the drive against illegal drugs discovered 13 kg of opium and took into custody three drug traffickers in Takhar province, north of Afghanistan, on Thursday, provincial police spokesman Nizamudin Omir said Friday. The alleged drug smugglers, all Afghan nationals, were attempting to take the contraband out of Takhar on Thursday, but police identified and took them into custody

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Police discover illegal drugs, arrest 3 smugglers in N. Afghanistan

Kyrgyzstan News June 12, 2026 at 10:45 AM

KABUL, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Police in the drive against illegal drugs discovered 13 kg of opium and took into custody three drug traffickers in Takhar province, north of Afghanistan, on Thursday, provincial police spokesman Nizamudin Omir said Friday. The alleged drug smugglers, all Afghan nationals, were attempting to take the contraband out of Takhar on Thursday, but police identified and took them into custody

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Police discover illegal drugs, arrest 3 smugglers in N. Afghanistan

Turkmenistan News June 12, 2026 at 10:45 AM

KABUL, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Police in the drive against illegal drugs discovered 13 kg of opium and took into custody three drug traffickers in Takhar province, north of Afghanistan, on Thursday, provincial police spokesman Nizamudin Omir said Friday. The alleged drug smugglers, all Afghan nationals, were attempting to take the contraband out of Takhar on Thursday, but police identified and took them into custody

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Afghanistan A cruise past India A by DLS in rain-hit tri-series clash

Tajikistan News June 11, 2026 at 10:03 PM

Dambulla [Sri Lanka], June 11 (ANI): India A's imposing total of 349 proved insufficient as Afghanistan A pulled off a stunning DLS victory in a rain-affected tri-series clash in Dambulla on Thursday, powered by a blazing opening partnership and authoritative knocks from captain Imran Mir and Bahir Shah.Put in to bat first, India A overcame the conditions through an explosive start from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who

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Afghanistan A cruise past India A by DLS in rain-hit tri-series clash

Kyrgyzstan News June 11, 2026 at 10:03 PM

Dambulla [Sri Lanka], June 11 (ANI): India A's imposing total of 349 proved insufficient as Afghanistan A pulled off a stunning DLS victory in a rain-affected tri-series clash in Dambulla on Thursday, powered by a blazing opening partnership and authoritative knocks from captain Imran Mir and Bahir Shah.Put in to bat first, India A overcame the conditions through an explosive start from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who

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