The US will continue airstrikes in support of Afghan forces fighting the Taliban, a top US general said Sunday.

For almost two weeks, a thick, black smudge stained the sky off Sri Lanka's western coast -- smoke from a burning container ship nine nautical miles out to sea.

The US military carried out two strikes against the Taliban overnight in support of Afghan forces in the Kandahar province, multiple defense officials said, targeting captured equipment.

Britain said on Tuesday it would permanently deploy two warships in Asian waters after its Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier and escort ships sail to Japan in September through seas where China is vying for influence with the United States and Japan.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that France and South Pacific nations would launch a South Pacific coast guard network to counter "predatory" behavior, which an adviser said was aimed at illegal fishing, as China expands its maritime reach.