Asia

Pakistan hit by 4.8-magnitude quake, fifth tremor in less than a

According to details shared by the NCS on X, the earthquake occurred at 1:21 am IST. The tremor was recorded at a latitude of 25.48 degrees North and a longitude of 66.69 degrees East, with its epicentre located in Pakistan.

2025-12-16T03:16:59.720022+00:00 IST

Sri Lanka: Former Cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga to be arrested

Sri Lanka's bribery commission informed on Monday that Former Cricketer and Minister Arjuna Ranatunga would be arrested and produced before court after he was named as a suspect in an incident in which an alleged loss of nearly Rs. 800 million was caused to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) by implementing spot tenders at higher prices, as reported by Daily Mirror.

2025-12-16T02:47:49.096572+00:00 IST

Taiwan detects heightened Chinese military activity

Taiwan detected the presence of 7 PLAN vessels operating around its territory along with 13 sorties of PLA aircraft, the Ministry of National Defence (MND) shared on Tuesday.

2025-12-16T02:38:22.134368+00:00 IST

Indian Navy DCNS hands over operational spares for MCGS Huravee

Deputy Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, on Monday handed over a consignment of operational spares for the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard Ship (MCGS) Huravee to Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, Chief of Defence Force of Maldives, during a function held onboard INS Sharda in Male.

2025-12-15T23:28:00.614342+00:00 IST

Bangladesh: Prominent journalist Anis Alamgir arrested

On Sunday evening, while Anis Alamgir was working out at a gym in Dhaka, DB police took him into custody and brought him to their Dhaka office. He was interrogated overnight on Sunday and into Monday afternoon, and was officially shown as arrested in a case on Monday, local media reported.

2025-12-15T18:28:56.739173+00:00 IST

Challenge mounts for former Nepal PM Oli within CPN-UML

KP Sharma Oli and senior vice-chair Ishwar Pokharel have filed their candidacies for the post of party chair. Over 300 central positions are to be elected at the general convention currently underway in Kathmandu.

2025-12-15T15:23:43.333179+00:00 IST

Nepal lifts ban on Indian high-value currency notes

Nepal has lifted its ban on Rs 200 and Rs 500 Indian currency notes, allowing their import and export with India up to a limit of Rs 25,000 per person, the government said, easing restrictions imposed after India's 2016 demonetisation.

2025-12-15T14:45:18.066261+00:00 IST

Garbage dump along Malir river chokes Karachi residents, commuter

Residents and students near Karachi's GTS Imtiaz garbage transfer station are facing health and daily life disruptions due to stench, dust and toxic gases. Authorities say the site is being modernised into a covered facility to reduce pollution and risks.

2025-12-15T10:44:55.600794+00:00 IST

Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile pushes back against China

Members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile launched advocacy efforts in New Delhi during Parliament's winter session, urging Indian and international support against China's control over Tibet. The delegation called for dialogue, human rights access, climate studies and action against disinformation campaigns.

2025-12-15T10:32:28.890956+00:00 IST

Urban and rural areas of Islamabad and Karachi grapple with garba

In Islamabad, Dawn reported, rural areas have been particularly neglected. With no formal system in place, residents dispose of garbage in nullahs and open grounds. "Secondary collection by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is irregular, and rural waste management contracts that expired a year ago have not been renewed, leaving services inconsistent.

2025-12-15T09:02:41.974867+00:00 IST

Luthra Brothers deportation: Final court procedure awaited

Indian authorities have furnished all required documentation to the Thai side, including the necessary Emergency Certificates (ECs).

2025-12-15T08:57:14.658625+00:00 IST

Singapore issues advisory to its nationals in Delhi

The advisory came after the Central Pollution Control Board invoked GRAP Stage 4 on December 13 as air quality in Delhi and surrounding areas deteriorated sharply. At this stage, construction and industrial activities are heavily restricted, while schools and offices are advised to shift to hybrid or online modes. Residents have also been urged to stay indoors, particularly children, the elderly, and those suffering from respiratory or cardiac conditions, and to wear masks when stepping out.

2025-12-15T08:48:26.145827+00:00 IST

Balochistan: Human rights groups demand immediate release of miss

According to Paank, the human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), Farzana, daughter of Muhammad Bakhsh Zehri, was forcibly taken by Pakistani forces on the night of 1 December 2025 while returning home from a hospital in Khuzdar. "Her whereabouts remain unknown, and authorities have neither acknowledged her detention nor provided any legal justification," the group said in a statement.

2025-12-15T08:11:53.403365+00:00 IST

PoJK Assembly a ‘Hoax’, real power lies with Pakistan: Activist A

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Mirza said that while PoJK appears to have all the trappings of a democratic setup, including a Legislative Assembly, a Prime Minister, a President, a Supreme Court and an Inspector General of Police, none of these institutions hold real authority.

2025-12-15T08:07:51.007621+00:00 IST

Australia pushes for tougher gun laws after deadly terror attack

Speaking to the media, Albanese said the issue would be placed on the agenda of the meeting scheduled for 4:00 pm local time (05:00 GMT). "This afternoon, at four o'clock, I will put on the agenda of the national cabinet tougher gun laws, including limits on the number of guns that can be used or licensed by individuals, a review of licences over a period of time," he said.

2025-12-15T08:05:46.180167+00:00 IST

Jaishankar to visit Israel following India–UAE strategic dialogue

In an statement, MEA wrote, "Following his participation in Sir Bani Yas Forum, EAM will co-chair the 16th Joint Commission and 5th Strategic Dialogue with H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, in Abu Dhabi today. He will thereafter pay a visit to Israel and hold bilateral consultations with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar."

2025-12-15T06:32:35.380026+00:00 IST

China sanctions former Japan defence official

Beijing said that Iwasahe had "colluded with separatist forces" in Taiwan.

2025-12-15T06:31:26.825611+00:00 IST

Jaishankar offers support to Australia after antisemitic terror a

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday spoke to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong following the deadly terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach, which left more than 15 people dead during a gathering to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah.

2025-12-15T05:46:40.544434+00:00 IST

PM Modi embarks on three-nation tour to Jordan, Ethiopia, Oman

During the Jordan visit, Prime Minister Modi will hold talks with King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein to review the entire gamut of India-Jordan relations and exchange views on regional developments. The visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Jordan, a milestone expected to give fresh momentum to bilateral engagement. The Prime Minister will also meet members of the Indian community in Jordan.

2025-12-15T04:12:22.804109+00:00 IST

Earthquake of 4.0 magnitude rattles Afghanistan

The tremor was recorded at 6:10 am at a depth of 22 km, with its epicentre located at latitude 36.71 degrees north and longitude 71.58 degrees east. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

2025-12-15T03:38:25.650043+00:00 IST

Riyadh: India highlights its civilisational values at UNAOC meet

Secretary (East) P. Kumaran led the Indian delegation and delivered India's national statement at the High-Level Meeting of the Group of Friends of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations. In his remarks, he emphasised UNAOC's role in promoting harmony and understanding among nations and cultures worldwide, as per MEA.

2025-12-15T03:24:14.061669+00:00 IST