News brief: Big stories of the day

US troops withdrawal 'will not have security impact' on Afghanistan: Presidential spokesman

In the first official response, Afghanistan has stated that the withdrawal of US troops from the war-torn country will not affect its security, presidential spokesman Haroon Chakhansuri was quoted by news agency AFP on Friday. 

Sensex plunges nearly 700 points amid fears of US government shutdown

Benchmark equity indices witnessed heavy selloff Friday after investors booked profits in realty, banking, IT and auto bluechips amid weak signals from global markets.

UAE to deposit $3 billion in Pakistan central bank

The United Arab Emirates will deposit $3 billion in the central bank of Pakistan to help "enhance liquidity" as the country struggles with a balance of payments crisis, state media said.

Order to monitor computers exists since 2009: Arun Jaitley

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday Jaitley on Friday responded to Congress leader Anand Sharma's remark over Home Affairs Ministry's move to allow ten agencies to monitor any computer.

Myanmar army pauses operations in north in rare conciliatory action

The Myanmar military on Friday announced a more than four-month cessation of its activities in northern areas where it is fighting ethnic minority insurgents, in what appeared to be a rare conciliatory move aimed at kick-starting peace talks.