Asia

Pak traders threaten nationwide shutdown over billing machines

Pakistani traders have warned of a nationwide shutdown on January 16 if the government does not withdraw mandatory POS machine installation. Protesting in Islamabad, they accused tax authorities of harassing small businesses and demanded Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's intervention.

2025-12-31T08:31:58.557819+00:00 IST

EAM Jaishankar conveys India’s condolences on Khaleda Zia’s death

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar conveyed India's condolences during his visit to Dhaka as Bangladesh mourns former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah said Jaishankar also recognised her contribution to democracy and expressed hope for stronger ties after Bangladesh's democratic transition.

2025-12-31T08:04:56.213449+00:00 IST

India–US relations face test in Trump 2.0 era

India-US relations in 2025 were marked by mixed signals, with public warmth between leaders overshadowed by rising trade disputes, tariff hikes, and disagreements over mediation claims, even as both sides continued strategic engagement and described the partnership as "special."

2025-12-31T07:28:35.262255+00:00 IST

Pakistan: Open manholes expose deadly civic failure in Karachi

An eight-year-old boy died after falling into an uncovered manhole in Karachi's Mehran Town, sparking public anger over civic negligence. Residents say repeated complaints were ignored, and the tragedy adds to at least 27 similar deaths reported across the city this year.

2025-12-31T07:06:16.294974+00:00 IST

Press freedom under threat in Balochistan: Report

A Freedom Network report warns that journalism in Balochistan is in crisis due to intimidation, censorship and poor infrastructure. Journalists face pressure from multiple actors, limited internet access and shrinking media outlets, while women journalists encounter added discrimination and barriers.

2025-12-31T06:39:24.144168+00:00 IST

Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia’s family pay their last respects

Bangladesh is observing a public holiday and three days of state mourning as former prime minister Khaleda Zia is laid to rest in Dhaka. Thousands gathered for her funeral prayers, attended by national leaders and foreign dignitaries, marking widespread tributes to her political legacy.

2025-12-31T05:59:56.140779+00:00 IST

Sea of mourners gathers in Dhaka for Khaleda Zia’s funeral

Bangladesh observed a public holiday and began three days of state mourning as crowds gathered in Dhaka for former prime minister Khaleda Zia's funeral. She will be buried with full state honours, with India and other countries joining in paying tributes to her political legacy.

2025-12-31T05:20:02.385224+00:00 IST

Pak: PTI scraps parliamentary board for Islamabad local polls

PTI withdrew its notification forming a parliamentary board for Islamabad local elections after admitting it violated the party constitution. The decision followed objections from the regional president. PTI candidates have filed nominations and will contest the polls under the Sunni Ittehad Council banner.

2025-12-31T05:07:38.063132+00:00 IST

Khaleda Zia laid to rest as India joins Bangladesh in mourning

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will be buried today in Dhaka with full state honours. The government has declared national mourning and a public holiday, while leaders worldwide, including India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, are attending or paying tribute.

2025-12-31T04:20:16.593456+00:00 IST

Pakistan faces urgent population challenge heading into 2026

UNFPA warned that Pakistan's growing population, gender inequality and climate risks require urgent policy changes. The agency urged reforms in planning and financing to reward progress in health, education and equality, while addressing persistent challenges like maternal mortality and unmet family planning needs.

2025-12-31T03:46:35.031784+00:00 IST

China continues ‘Justice Mission 2025’ drills around Taiwan

China continued its "Justice Mission 2025" military drills around Taiwan, involving naval, air and ground forces. The exercises included simulated strikes, landing operations and live-fire drills, which Beijing said were meant to deter separatist forces and reinforce a red line on Taiwan.

2025-12-31T03:21:20.250844+00:00 IST

Former JCP chairman and veteran ideologue Tetsuzo Fuwa dies at 95

Tetsuzo Fuwa, former chairman of the Japanese Communist Party and a key party ideologue, died aged 95. A long-serving lawmaker, he helped reshape the JCP into a more pragmatic force and remained active in party affairs until recent years.

2025-12-31T03:02:57.472109+00:00 IST

PTI stages sit-in after Imran Khan’s family denied jail meeting

PTI leaders and Imran Khan's sisters were again denied a meeting with him at Adiala Jail despite a court order, prompting a sit-in near the prison as party leaders accused authorities of violations and continued to press for access.

2025-12-31T03:01:17.938057+00:00 IST

China’s drills near Taiwan spark global alarm

China held a second day of military drills with live-fire exercises around Taiwan, prompting lawmakers from the US, Germany and other democracies to warn of rising tensions and urge urgent support for Taiwan amid concerns over regional stability.

2025-12-31T02:23:07.085554+00:00 IST

Taiwan detects 77 Chinese aircraft, 17 naval vessels around its t

In a post on X, the MND said that 35 of the 77 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern, central and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).

2025-12-31T01:46:03.043543+00:00 IST

MoD inks INR 4,666 crore defence deals with Israel’s IWI for carb

"IWI (Israel Weapon Industries), an SK Group company, is proud that its Indian subsidiary, PLR, has been selected by the Indian Ministry of Defence for the procurement of 170,000 carbines, based on the GALIL ACE CQB," the company said in a statement.

2025-12-31T01:32:46.558198+00:00 IST

After Trump, China claims it mediated India-Pakistan conflict

Speaking on Tuesday (local time) at the Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing had played a mediating role in several global conflicts, including the India-Pakistan standoff.

2025-12-31T01:12:03.077242+00:00 IST

“Utter stupidity”: Former envoy on Inqilab Moncho 4 pt agenda

Former Diplomat Anil Triguniyat on Tuesday expressed his views on the latest four-point demand issued by Bangladesh's Inqilab Moncho and Bangladesh envoy to India reaching Dhaka on urgent summons. He underlined the need for Bangladesh to deal with the internal issues instead of using India as a "punching bag".

2025-12-30T22:08:35.967205+00:00 IST

"She didn't let the BNP collapse," Ex Indian Envoy to Bangladesh

Sikri lauded Zia's tenure as she did not let the BNP collapse.

2025-12-30T21:56:29.235313+00:00 IST

Khaleda Zia’s demise may create sympathy wave for son Tarique Rah

On the demise of Bangladesh's first woman Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, Waiel Awwad said, "I think with the death of his (Tarique Rahman) mother today that have also would created a kind of a sympathy waves among the voters in Bangladesh and he is the front-runner candidate for taking up the Prime Minister's post because of his popularity, because of his self-exile for the last 17 years and I think the Bangladesh National Party is trying to isolate itself from the other small parties"

2025-12-30T21:52:37.762808+00:00 IST

Bangladesh is a very important partner to India, says former dipl

Speaking to ANI after her demise in a video interview, he said, "She was the leader of a neighbouring country, and whatever might have been the problems between us in the past, and there have been difficult relations in the past, but Bangladesh is going through a different phase today. The world is going through a different phase today. And Bangladesh is a very important partner. We do not want Bangladesh to go completely onto the side of Pakistan, Turkey, China, etc. So, our relations under the current circumstances have to be managed well."

2025-12-30T21:18:15.144562+00:00 IST