Asia

Chinese tourist caught desecrating sacred objects in monastery

The viral footage shows the tourist drinking liquid directly from a shrine altar before pouring the remaining drink into a butter lamp, an action Tibetans say represents a grave violation of religious sanctity and cultural values. Tibetans online condemned the act as far more than mere disrespect, calling it a "shameless provocation" and a "direct insult," while stressing that monasteries are holy spaces and not places for tourists seeking publicity or social media attention, Phayul reported.

2026-01-10T09:48:57.994789+00:00 IST

Pakistan: Hindu community ends sit-in after police assure action

According to the protesters, Kolhi was shot dead on January 4 in a village near Talhar. They alleged that the accused, a powerful local landlord, opened fire following a dispute and later fled the scene with armed associates. Despite the registration of a case, the accused had not been arrested, prompting outrage within the local community.

2026-01-10T09:44:18.521349+00:00 IST

German Chancellor's India visit to begin on Monday

Merz would then visit Sabarmati Ashram and participate in the Kite Festival.

2026-01-10T08:20:29.198037+00:00 IST

BYC says Pakistan using ‘scripted lies’

In a detailed statement, the BYC described the ISPR's latest press briefing as a "calculated attempt" to validate decades of state repression, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

2026-01-10T07:34:42.546722+00:00 IST

Pak: Major delays hit PM Youth Laptop Scheme Phase 4; poor planni

As per the documents, the effort to purchase 100,000 laptops could not be finished within the sanctioned timeframe. As per the documents, the effort to purchase 100,000 laptops could not be finished within the sanctioned timeframe.

2026-01-10T07:24:03.764366+00:00 IST

Erth Zayed Philanthropies Board of Trustees reviews 2025 progress

The meeting reviewed the Foundation's key achievements in 2025 and discussed its strategic directions for 2026.

2026-01-10T06:22:48.257449+00:00 IST

Amnesty calls Pakistan’s Afghan deportation plan ‘Unlawful’

In an open letter addressed to PM Shehbaz Sharif, Agnes Callamard, the secretary general of the global human rights organisation, acknowledged that Pakistan has generously hosted refugees for more than 40 years, but noted that the policy shifted significantly following the announcement of the repatriation plan in September 2023, according to the Dawn report.

2026-01-10T06:12:11.317638+00:00 IST

Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi calls for economic workers strike in Iran, says he is "prep

Pahlavi voiced support for protesters across the country, praising continued demonstrations against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the ruling establishment.

2026-01-10T05:56:46.188583+00:00 IST

Afghanistan appoints Noor Ahmed Noor at its Embassy in India: Sou

Afghanistan appointed diplomat Noor Ahmed Noor at the Afghan Embassy in Delhi, sources told ANI on Saturday.

2026-01-10T05:19:15.259687+00:00 IST

US to support Banglasesh's democratic transition

In the meeting with Under-Secretary, Rahman briefed Hooker about the preparations and arrangements for the upcoming general elections and expressed appreciation for the support of the US to the interim government during its tenure, including for the elections. Hooker responded that the US continues its strong support for the democratic transition in Bangladesh and looks forward to a free and fair elections in February, it added.

2026-01-10T05:14:46.415561+00:00 IST

India-Germany bilateral ties “at an all-time high": Ackermann

"India is a key partner for Germany. This strategic partnership has grown over the years. India is also a very important partner in defence," Ackermann told ANI.

2026-01-10T04:02:01.586217+00:00 IST

Taiwan detects 3 Chinese sorties, 6 vessels around itself

Of the three, a sortie crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ.

2026-01-10T03:31:46.366366+00:00 IST

13th day of protests in Iran, regime warns of response

Lending support to the protestors is the Iranian Crown Prince in exile Reza Pahlavi, who called for people to work together to deal the final blow to the regime.

2026-01-10T03:23:36.792455+00:00 IST

India-Fiji deepen cooperation in agri sector

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, held a bilateral meeting with Tomasi Tunabuna, Minister for Agriculture and Waterways of Fiji, on Friday at the Krishi Bhawan, where the two leaders discussed ongoing cooperation and outlined future areas of collaboration, as per a statement by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

2026-01-09T21:26:36.142955+00:00 IST

“Will not allow China's hand to reach into Taiwan”: President Lai

"I will certainly safeguard the nation and absolutely not allow Chinese pressure or China's hand to reach into Taiwan," President Lai said.

2026-01-09T20:25:24.673919+00:00 IST

MEA responds to recurring attacks on minorities in Bangladesh 

inistry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday spoke on the recurring attacks taking place against minorities in Bangladesh, highlighting the need to deal with these incidents "swiftly and firmly".

2026-01-09T20:16:01.866383+00:00 IST

US Ambassador Gor after he arrives in India

In a post on X, the ambassador wrote, "Great to be back in India! Incredible opportunities ahead for our two nations!"

2026-01-09T17:48:34.889517+00:00 IST

Rahman assumes office as BNP Chairman after Khaleda's death

In a post on X, the party stated, "Mr Tarique Rahman has assumed office as the Chairman of the BNP. Following the passing of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister, national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, the position of party Chairman became vacant."

2026-01-09T17:43:19.866088+00:00 IST

CNS Tripathi lauds INSV Kaundinya crew on maiden overseas voyage

In a post on X, the Spokesperson of the Indian Navy said that the CNS congratulated the crew via video conferencing on their steady progress during the voyage and commended their proficiency and resilience to date.

2026-01-09T14:38:43.509022+00:00 IST

India calls to “exercise restraint” in Indo-Pacific

During a weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India is closely monitoring developments across the Indo-Pacific region amid China's repeated threats to Taiwan, which Beijing considers an integral part of its territory.

2026-01-09T14:37:08.284145+00:00 IST

MEA rejects Chinese CPEC buildup in Shaksgam Valley

India on Friday firmly rejected China's infrastructure buildup through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the Shaksgam Valley, terming it "illegal and invalid", while noting that the region is an "integral and inalienable part" of India.

2026-01-09T13:57:35.642406+00:00 IST