A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated April 6 in southern Afghanistan, killing three NATO soldiers, two coalition civilians and an unspecified number of Afghan civilians, according to a statement from the International Security Assistance Force, AFP reported.

None of the foreign diplomatic missions in North Korea have moved out of the country, despite Pyongyang's warning that they should leave, Yonhap reported April 6.

U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey arrived in Afghanistan on April 6 for an unannounced visit, Afghan Islamic Press reported.

Syrian rebels overtook a loyalist garrison that defended the main southern route into Jordan and have promised to take control of the road, Reuters reported April 5. Fighters from the Free Syrian Army captured the Umal-Mayathen post after more than a week of fighting, and said they would now attempt to cut off the regime's supply lines. The seized post is several kilometers from the border crossing. The seizure follows several recent victories by the rebels in strategically important areas in Daraa governorate, along the border with Jordan.

A North Korean missile test would not come as a surprise, White House spokesman Jay Carney said April 5, Reuters reported.

The Philippines is ready to help the United States as it prepares to defend against threatened attacks by North Korea, a Foreign Ministry official said April 5, Reuters reported.