All about North Korea's military parade, Syrian Blast

Satellite imagery shows North Korea is poised to stage another military parade amid new worries that diplomatic efforts on denuclearization are stalling, though analysts say it is unclear whether it will showcase any of the country's largest ballistic missiles.

North Korea preparing toned-down military parade: analysts

Satellite imagery shows North Korea is poised to stage another military parade amid new worries that diplomatic efforts on denuclearization are stalling, though analysts say it is unclear whether it will showcase any of the country's largest ballistic missiles. Pyongyang is preparing to host a number of major events on Sept. 9 for the 70th anniversary of the country's founding, including a military parade, possible visits by foreign delegations, and - for the first time in five years - a massive choreographed performance known as the "Mass Games."

Loud blasts heard at Syrian airbase; cause disputed

Syrian state media said loud blasts coming from an airbase early on Sunday were from an explosion at an ammunition dump caused by an electrical problem, but an official in the regional alliance backing Damascus said they were from Israeli strikes. The state media cited a military source as saying there was no "Israeli aggression" directed at the Mezzeh airbase near Damascus after the sound of explosions was heard across the Syrian capital.

Exclusive: Pentagon cancels aid to Pakistan over record on militants

The U.S. military said it has made a final decision to cancel $300 million in aid to Pakistan that had been suspended over Islamabad's perceived failure to take decisive action against militants, in a new blow to deteriorating ties. The so-called Coalition Support Funds were part of a broader suspension in aid to Pakistan announced by President Donald Trump at the start of the year when he accused Pakistan of rewarding past assistance with "nothing but lies & deceit."

Trump says Canada not needed in NAFTA deal, warns Congress not to interfere

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday there was no need to keep Canada in the North American Free Trade Agreement and warned Congress not to meddle with the trade negotiations or he would terminate the trilateral trade pact altogether. "There is no political necessity to keep Canada in the new NAFTA deal. If we don't make a fair deal for the U.S. after decades of abuse, Canada will be out," Trump said on Twitter.

Palestinian refugees angry and dismayed at the U.S. for halting funds to U.N. agency

Palestinian refugees reacted with dismay on Saturday to a United States decision to halt funding to a U.N. agency, warning that it would lead to more poverty, anger, and instability in the Middle East. The U.S. announcement on Friday that it will no longer support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has deepened a cash crisis at the agency and heightened tensions with the Palestinian leadership.

Iran rejects Reuters report that Tehran has moved missiles to Iraq

Iran on Saturday rejected a Reuters report that Tehran has moved missiles to Iraq, saying it aimed to hurt Iran's ties with neighbors, the Iranian state news agency IRNA reported. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Twitter he was "deeply concerned" by the reports that Iran was transferring ballistic missiles into Iraq. He urged Iraqi leaders to quickly form a new government after a May 12 parliamentary election.

Trump, Sessions approved of Putin meeting proposal: former campaign adviser

President Donald Trump and U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions both supported a proposal during the 2016 campaign that Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin, lawyers for a former campaign adviser said in a court filing late on Friday. The account of the former adviser, George Papadopoulos, appeared to contradict the testimony of Sessions to Congress in November 2017 that he had "pushed back" against the proposal by Papadopoulos at a March 31, 2016, campaign meeting.

PM May says Britain will not compromise over Brexit plan

British Prime Minister Theresa May said she would not compromise with Brussels over her plans for Brexit as a media report said rivals in her party were set to publish their own proposal calling for a cleaner break with the European Union. With under two months before Britain and the EU want to agree to a deal to end over 40 years of union, May is struggling to sell what she calls her business-friendly Brexit to her own party and across a divided country.

Demonstrators call on Myanmar to release Reuters journalists

Dozens of people marched through Myanmar's largest city Yangon on Saturday, calling on the government to release Reuters journalists on trial for allegedly collecting state secrets, and to demand press freedom. Black-clad protesters marched with banners, flags, and balloons with the faces of the two jailed Reuters journalists - Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo - printed on them.

Islamists in northeast Nigeria kill up to 30 soldiers: sources

Islamist militants have killed up to 30 soldiers in an attack on a military base in northeast Nigeria, security sources said on Saturday, in one of the biggest attacks of its kind this year. Thursday's attack by suspected members of Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) was on a base in Zari village in the north of Borno State.

(With Inputs From Reuters)