Briefly

INDONESIA

ASEAN names special envoy to Myanmar

Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have appointed Erywan Yusof, Brunei's second minister for foreign affairs, as special envoy to Myanmar, said diplomatic sources on Wednesday. The envoy's appointment was debated for months amid divisions within ASEAN. He will be tasked with reducing violence and opening dialogue between the government and opposition groups in Myanmar. The United Nations and many countries, including China and the United States, have urged the Southeast Asian bloc to spearhead diplomatic efforts to restore stability in Myanmar.

AFGHANISTAN

Attack targeting minister leaves 12 dead

A bombing attack that targeted Afghanistan's acting defense minister killed at least eight civilians and wounded 20, authorities said on Wednesday. The deputy minister was not hurt in the attack claimed by Taliban insurgents. The blast went off late on Tuesday in a heavily guarded upscale neighborhood of the capital of Kabul. It was followed by a gun-battle that also left four militants dead, authorities said. It came as the insurgent group presses ahead with an offensive that is putting pressure on provincial capitals in the south and west of the country.

Agencies via Xinhua