R. Kelly’s lawyers began mounting a defense Thursday in Chicago against federal charges of child pornography, enticement of minors for sex and fixing his 2008 state trial, with an initial witness contending the singer was himself a victim of blackmail, according to a report of Associated Press.

MOSCOW, Dec 29: A new intercontinental weapon that can fly 27 times the speed of sound became operational Friday, Russia’s defense minister reported to President Vladimir Putin, bolstering the country’s nuclear strike capability.

In response to my September 18 article “Our constitution is one of the most progressive documents,” Praveen Kumar Yadav wrote that Nepal’s constitution is a regressive document (see “Far from progressive,” Republica, Sept 29). He mentioned some “conflicting issues” of the constitution and questioned: If the national charter was so progressive, as I depicted, why would then Prime Minister Sushil Koirala promise to amend it?

Why can’t an entrepreneur open a private school and make profit in the process? Why don’t we let the market decide if it wants private schools?

Notwithstanding rumored unconstitutional threats from the president, Fed should be congratulated for its steadfast commitment to policy “normalization”

TOKYO, Dec 18: Japan plans its first aircraft carrier and big increases in defense spending and weapons capability in the coming years, according to new defense guidelines approved Tuesday that cite its need to counter potential threats from North Korea and China and other vulnerabilities.

WASHINGTON, Nov 22: U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Wednesday a joint military exercise with South Korea called “Foal Eagle” would be reduced in scope next year so it does not harm diplomatic efforts with North Korea.

Democracy, with its roots in the Enlightenment ideals of freedom and reason must be defended

DHANGADI, Oct 7: With the incidence of rape and sexual assault unabated in different parts of the country, around 1,700 women have joined a week of self-defense training in Kailai district. The training is said to be the first of its kind in the far-western region.

Aug 2: The US Congress has passed a defense spending bill capping its security-related aid to Pakistan at USD 150 million, significantly below the historic level of more than USD one billion per year.

KATHMANDU, June 28: The government has endorsed a 'Legal Defense Directive 2075 BS. The meeting of the Council of Ministers held at the Prime Minister's official residence, Baluwatar today took a decision to this effect.

All security forces and organs should function in unified command control system in case of crisis or emergency

New Delhi, April 6: The website of Ministry of Defense of India appeared to have been hacked on Friday, officials said.

KATHMANDU, March 7: Defense Minister Ishwor Pokhrel has said Nepal was committed to One-China Policy.

KATHMANDU, Feb 12: His extended family owns a house in Jyatha and a small plot of land in Kathmandu where his brother runs a school. He has around half a million rupees in savings, a few diamond sets, 20 tola of gold and seven kilos of silver, not to mention a car, a motorcycle and the good perks and incentives he enjoys a sitting minister. Defense Minister Bhimsen Das Pradhan is anything but poor.

All credits should go to Deuba for successfully holding provincial and national elections by bringing Madhesi parties on board

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that his government is close to finalizing a deal to obtain Russia’s S-400 missile defense system – a source of worry for Turkey’s NATO allies.

KATHMANDU, Dec 6: Defense Minister Bhimsen Das Pradhan has assured of full polls security and urged the people to take part in the tomorrow's elections confidently.

His appeasement of the urban middle class that in return loathes him will only further alienate his core supporters.

CLARK, Philippines, Oct 23: Japan's defense minister asserted Monday that North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities have grown to an "unprecedented, critical and imminent" level.

LONDON, Aug 13: Chelsea had two players sent off and lost to Burnley 3-2 in the first match of its English Premier League title defense on Saturday, intensifying the concerns surrounding the champions after their frustrating offseason in the transfer market.

KATHMANDU, August 9: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba laid the foundation stone of a new building going to be constructed on the premises of Singha Durbar for the Ministry of Defense amidst a program here today.

KATHMANDU, July 28: Minister for Defense Bhimsendas Pradhan has said that construction works of the fast-track would be completed on the deadline due to Nepal Army's capable human resources and its chain of command.

KATHMANDU, April 26: Defense Minister Balkrishna Khand has said the Nepal Army is all committed to guaranteeing security in the upcoming local-level election.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Syria still has up to three tons of chemical weapons, Israeli defense officials said Wednesday in the first specific intelligence assessment of President Bashar Assad's weapons capabilities since a deadly chemical attack earlier this month.

On his first trip as U.S defense secretary to parts of the Middle East and Africa, Jim Mattis will focus on the fight against Islamic State and articulating President Donald Trump's policy toward Syria, officials and experts say.

KATHMANDU, March 24: Chinese Defence Minister General Chang Wanquan, who is on a three-day formal visit to Nepal, met with Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi at latter's Ministry on Friday.

KATHMANDU, March 24: Chinese Defense Minister General Chang Wanquan has paid a courtesy call on President Bidya Devi Bhandari at Sheetal Niwas on Friday.

KATHMANDU, March 24: Chinese Defense Minister General Chang Wanquan is holding a meeting with Chief of Army Staff of the Nepal Army Rajendra Chhetri at the army headquarters, Bhadrakali on Friday.

KATHMANDU, March 23: Chinese Defense Minister General Chang Wanquan has arrived in Nepal on a three-day official visit.

KATHMANDU, March 14: Minister of Defense and State Councilor of the People’s Republic of China Chang Wanquan will start an Asia-Pacific tour from Nepal on March 23. Minister Chang, who is a general in the People’s Liberation Army, will lead a 19-member delegation to discuss China’s ambitious One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, the Maritime Silk Road and military cooperation with Nepal and other countries in the Asia-Pacific.

BEIJING March 4: China says its defense budget will rise by about 7 percent in 2017, continuing a trend of lowered growth amid a slowing economy.

DHANGADHI (Kailali), Jan 22: Defence Minister Bal Krishna Khand on Saturday said Nepalis living in the bordering area in south and north have defended the border area.

Arsene Wenger's recent record at Arsenal should not undermine the long-serving manager's ability to help his players develop and fulfil their potential, defender Laurent Koscielny has said.

Economic inequality among countries has declined sharply in past 20 years, partly due to China’s rise

LONDON, Nov 5: With Chelsea leaking goals too easily, Antonio Conte didn't have to search far for the solution.

MANCHESTER, Oct 22: Glance at the Champions League standings and it would seem all is just fine at Leicester City this season.

PARIS, Oct 20: Paris Saint-Germain's attack bailed out its shaky defense in an unconvincing 3-0 win against Basel in the Champions League on Wednesday.

KATHMANDU, Oct 13: Minister for Defense, Bal Krishna Khand, has stressed on training the focus on developing a standard on basis of cooperation and support to deal with the current security challenges facing the world.

LEICESTER, England, Aug 27: Leicester earned the first win of its Premier League title defense, beating Swansea 2-1 thanks to goals by star striker Jamie Vardy and captain Wes Morgan on Saturday.

Global defense trade reached a record breaking $65 billion in 2015. IHS forecasts that the market will increase further to $69 billion in 2016. The Middle East was the largest importing region, with $21.6 billion in deliveries of defense equipment.

Wants to purchase arms, logistics on price-ceiling basis KATHMANDU, June 15:The Defense Ministry is preparing to clear long pending dues of Rs 2.4 billion for arms and other military purchases from neighboring India, in an attempt to expedite a new purchase model based on a price-ceiling approach.

PARIS,June 13: Spain begin bid for unprecedented third straight European title as they face Czech Republic in their group D opener at Stadium De Toulouse. European Championship holders are seen as one of the favorite to lift up the trophy but their late form is questionable as they lost to comparatively weaker side Georgia in final warm up match.

SAINT-DENIS, France, June 11: It's not a case of whether France's defense will get found out later on in the European Championship against better sides. It's already an open secret. The difference is that better sides will ruthlessly punish France's nervous, creaking back four the way Romania could not in a 2-1 defeat in their Euro 2016 opener on Friday night.