Asia

Gen Z-led push reshapes Nepal’s exam policy

Students in Nepal faced severe hardship after being forced to sit for exams during bereavement, disasters and childbirth. A youth-led campaign prompted the government to adopt a Special Consideration Policy, allowing exam deferrals and alternative assessments during emergencies.

2025-12-29T15:19:37.290201+00:00 IST

“Finger pointing”: India rejects Pakistan, cites “abysmal record”

Pakistan's record on minority rights has been shaped by decades of violence, systemic discrimination and social exclusion, with religious communities frequently facing mob attacks, communal unrest, restrictive laws and coercive religious conversions.

2025-12-29T14:11:15.889583+00:00 IST

Inqilab Moncho blocks Shahbagh over Sharif Osman Hadi killing

Inqilab Moncho has continued its Shahbagh blockade for the fourth day, demanding justice for Sharif Osman Hadi. Protesters called for a speedy trial, raised political demands, and staged daily demonstrations with slogans, cultural programmes, and participation from diverse groups.

2025-12-29T13:51:49.670824+00:00 IST

Workers Party of Bangladesh boycotts 13th national election

Bangladesh's Workers Party stated it will boycott the 13th national election, citing worsening law and order, political pressure and lack of a level playing field. The party alleged election irregularities, insecurity, and bias by authorities, saying these conditions make a credible poll impossible.

2025-12-29T13:18:18.233191+00:00 IST

CTA official urges Tibetan youth to serve community, preserve cul

Following this meeting on Wednesday, an awareness program was conducted for the institute's students at Atisha Hall, attended by Geshe Ngawang Tenphel, the President of the Regional Tibetan Freedom Movement, and the Head of Department, Geshe Tenzin Norbu, according to a report by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).

2025-12-29T12:28:07.363503+00:00 IST

Taiwan must boost defence to deter China, says President Lai

Taiwan President William Lai stated the island must strengthen its defence to deter China, stressing that peace depends on strength. He highlighted growing global concern over Taiwan's security and said his government is boosting defence spending and domestic capabilities to safeguard Taiwan.

2025-12-29T12:16:35.103804+00:00 IST

US lawmakers warn of security risks in China’s chip industry

A US House investigation found that American, Japanese and Dutch semiconductor equipment firms significantly aided China's chip industry, raising national security concerns. Lawmakers warned that sales to Chinese state and military-linked entities threaten US technological leadership and called for tighter export controls.

2025-12-29T12:00:44.996428+00:00 IST

"Siliguri Corridor an anomaly,": Sadhguru

He further said that today as the nation faces a threat to its sovereignty, India must develop the chicken into an elephant.

2025-12-29T11:55:47.227261+00:00 IST

US Chargé d’Affaires to Bangladesh talks of impending Feb polls i

During the meeting, the two discussed the upcoming February parliamentary elections and referendum and overall bilateral relations between the two countries.

2025-12-29T11:55:08.283396+00:00 IST

PTI will not hold talks without street protests: KP CM

Afridi made the remarks after spending three days in Lahore mobilising party supporters, at a time when the PTI remains divided internally. While one group of senior leaders has been advocating dialogue, another faction continues to push for street agitation in line with the directions of the party's jailed founder, Imran Khan, according to Dawn.

2025-12-29T10:43:17.193942+00:00 IST

Argentina envoy praises India’s Malvinas stance, seeks deeper

Argentina has reiterated its long-standing claim over the Malvinas and praised India's historic role in supporting decolonisation, while also expressing understanding for India's aspiration to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC).

2025-12-29T09:29:41.931244+00:00 IST

Ex-Nepal Home Minister faces probe over Gen-Z protest violence

Former Nepalese Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak on Monday appeared before a high-level inquiry commission investigating the alleged atrocities committed during the Gen-Z protests held in September.

2025-12-29T09:06:03.813027+00:00 IST

Jamaat-i-Islami slams PIA privatisation, calls sale grave mistake

Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman expressed his disapproval of the recent privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), asserting that it is a strategic asset that should not have been sold, as reported by Dawn.

2025-12-29T08:44:58.438726+00:00 IST

Pakistan: KP Governor urges provincial govt to back military ops

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi urged the provincial government to back military operations in the region, citing a notable decline in security owing to militancy, as reported by Dawn.

2025-12-29T07:59:59.416221+00:00 IST

Balochistan: Man reportedly missing after security operation

A man has reportedly gone missing after being taken into custody during a security operation conducted by Pakistani armed forces in the Panjgur district of Balochistan, The Balochistan Post reported.

2025-12-29T07:53:20.162535+00:00 IST

Tarique Rahman files nomination papers for Dhaka-17 seat

Nomination papers of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, who recently returned to the country after 17 years in self-exile, have been filed by party leaders on Monday for the upcoming national elections, Daily Star reported.

2025-12-29T07:39:34.330741+00:00 IST

Strained because of tariff: US Congressman on India-US ties

Indian-origin US Congressman Shri Thanedar described the current India-US relationship as "a little bit strained" due to hefty tariffs imposed by Washington on New Delhi, most of which is due to India's purchase of Russian oil, claiming that it fuels Moscow's war purpose in Ukraine.

2025-12-29T06:26:51.660996+00:00 IST

Bilawal Bhutto urges PTI to abandon ‘extremist politics'

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to abandon what he called "extremist politics" and return to conventional democratic practices for the betterment of their party, leadership, workers, and the country's political environment, The Express Tribune reported.

2025-12-29T05:38:41.147491+00:00 IST

Indonesia: 16 killed in nursing home fire in Manado

At least 16 people were killed in a fire that broke out at a nursing home in the capital city of Indonesia's North Sulawesi province, Manado, on Sunday, Xinhua reported, citing Indonesian authorities.

2025-12-29T04:58:27.158576+00:00 IST

China launches ‘Justice Mission 2025’ drills around Taiwan

China on Monday announced the launch of a large-scale inter-service joint military exercise around Taiwan, showcasing its assertion over the island nation, which Beijing claims "is a sacred and inseparable part" of its territory.

2025-12-29T03:09:41.492846+00:00 IST

Taiwan detects two sorties of Chinese aircraft, nine naval vessel

"2 sorties of PLA aircraft, 9 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. The ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded," the MND said in a post on X.

2025-12-29T01:12:51.145931+00:00 IST