European Union

After Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently reaffirmed Taiwan is part of China during an interview, the Taiwan island's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was clearly rattled.

A satellite launch vehicle being tested for the first time self-destructed after experiencing an anomaly shortly after liftoff, Taiwan's top weapons development institute said Wednesday, but no injuries or property damage were reported.

China launched the reusable rocket Zhuque-3 on Wednesday morning, achieving its first recovery of a rocket's first stage on land.

The government's campaign against communist insurgents is gaining momentum as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported neutralizing 1,045 New People's Army (NPA) rebels and their supporters during operations conducted from Jan. 1 to Aug. 13 this year.

Japan and Australia agreed in Canberra on Tuesday to advance arrangements for the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to use missile test sites in Australia, Kyodo News reported.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has categorically dismissed the United Arab Emirates' claim that Iran launched a missile toward its territory.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declared two French diplomats working at the French Embassy in Tehran 'persona non grata.'

The large-scale U.S.- ROK joint military exercises, Ulji Freedom Shield, began in every part of the ROK on August 17. The drill poses the most immediate and open threat to the DPRK and the regional security.

Belgium's largest wildfire in more than a century has already destroyed an area of around 30 square kilometres in the High Fens nature reserve near Germany's border, and is still not fully under control. Around 500 people are working to contain the flames, and many residents have been forced to evacuate the area. Commentators discuss what the rest of Europe can learn from the disaster.

Mykhailo Fedorov, who was dismissed from his post as Ukrainian defence minister a month ago amid widespread protests, has called in a video message to the Ukrainian people for a legitimate, secure and realistic way to be found to hold elections despite the war. Democracy in Ukraine must not depend on Russia's actions, he warned. Commentators in the country take stock.

Shortly before joint US-South Korea military exercises are due to begin, US President Donald Trump has ordered them to be scaled back, citing both the costs and his relationship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. He said their relationship was now "very good". The media examine the implications of Washington's U-turn.