Briefly

SAUDI ARABIA

Plans for sea defense coalition unveiled

Saudi Arabia unveiled on Thursday plans for a multinational maritime defense coalition aimed at protecting international shipping and energy supply routes in the Red Sea region after attacks by Yemen's Houthis. The Saudi defense ministry said representatives from 43 countries and the European Union attended an international meeting to discuss the proposed coalition, with Saudi Arabia serving as its founding and leading state and hosting its headquarters. It said 14 countries, including Turkiye, Pakistan, Egypt, Sudan and Djibouti, issued a joint statement supporting the proposed coalition.

PAKISTAN

Four bodies located as 10 climbers go missing

The bodies of four climbers were located by Pakistani search crews on Friday after at least 10 mountaineers went missing in a suspected avalanche on Broad Peak a day earlier, Pakistani sources said. According to the Alpine Club, the expedition included five Nepali climbers, Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi and a Chinese climber identified only as Wang. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a news briefing on Friday that Chinese authorities were "acting swiftly to verify and gather information" and "stand ready to provide support to Pakistan in light of its need".

S. AMERICA

Venezuela, Chile to normalize relations

Venezuela and Chile announced on Thursday the beginning of a roadmap to gradually normalize bilateral relations, according to a joint statement issued by the two governments. In the first stage, the two countries agreed to reactivate consular relations as an initial step toward the full resumption of bilateral ties. The two governments said the process would be grounded in constructive dialogue, under the principles of mutual respect, reciprocity and strict adherence to international law.

XINHUA-AGENCIES