US, S Korea, Japan start missile-tracking drill AFP, Seoul

The US, South Korea and Japan yesterday carried out joint exercises to track missiles from North Korea, as China warned that such manoeuvres fuel tensions following nuclear-armed Pyongyang's longest-range test launch to date. The drill comes less than two weeks after Pyongyang test-fired a new ICBM.

Qatar signs deal to buy Typhoon jets from UK AFP, Doha

Qatar signed a multibillion-dollar deal Sunday to buy 24 Typhoon fighters from Britain, its second major defence agreement this week. The $8-billion deal was signed in Doha by Qatar's Defence Minister Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah and his British counterpart, Gavin Williamson.

French journalist detained in Kashmir

AFP, Srinagar

Indian authorities have detained a French journalist in Kashmir where he was making a documentary on security in the disputed territory, officials said yesterday. Police said Paul Comiti was detained on Saturday in Srinagar, the capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, because of visa irregularities.

6,000 IS jihadists could return to Africa: AU

AFP, Algiers

Up to 6,000 Africans who fought for the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group in Iraq and Syria could return home, the African Union's top security official warned Sunday, calling on countries to prepare for the threat. Smail Chergui, the All's commissioner for peace and security, said African nations would need to work closely with each other and share intelligence to counter returning militants.