News brief: Big stories of the day

US, South Korea set delayed military drills; North Korea urges end to pressure

The United States and South Korea will begin small-scale military drills on Monday that were delayed during talks with North Korea, days after Pyongyang threatened to restart work on its nuclear programme if international pressure does not ease.

Sri Lanka's ousted PM Wickremesinghe says US, Japan freeze aid over political crisis

Sri Lanka's deposed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the United States and Japan had frozen more than a billion dollars of development aid after his abrupt dismissal raised doubts about the future of democracy in the island.

China backs Pakistan's 'quest for peace through dialogue' with India

China on Sunday said it supported Pakistan's "quest for peace through dialogue" to settle the outstanding disputes with India and backed Islamabad's engagement with the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

Saudi Arabia readies to boost supplies over Iran oil sanctions

With Washington poised to curtail Iran's oil exports, OPEC heavyweight Saudi Arabia and its partners stand ready to ramp up supplies even as market conditions remain uncertain, analysts say.

19 militants killed in security operation after attack on Christians: Egypt

Egyptian security forces killed 19 Islamist militants from a cell believed to be responsible for an attack on Christians in Minya province in central Egypt which left seven people dead, the interior ministry said on Sunday.