Asia

3rd India-Nepal Cultural Festival held in Lumbini

Senior Indian official Munu Mahawar, Additional Secretary (North), Ministry of External Affairs, India on Monday evening attended the 3rd India-Nepal Cultural festival in Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.

2025-12-09T03:19:30.447355+00:00 IST

Potential megaquake alert issued after Japan hit by 7.5M EQ

After a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck northern Japan on Monday, officials have issued an alert for a potential megaquake in northern Japan as per a report by NHK Japan.

2025-12-09T03:04:41.593470+00:00 IST

Taiwan detects 8 PLA aircraft sorties, 6 PLAN vessels

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) on Tuesday recorded the presence of 6 PLAN vessels and 8 sorties of PLA aircraft around its territory.

2025-12-09T02:30:36.183766+00:00 IST

Kabul residents decry costly, “very weak” internet services

Kabul residents say internet is expensive and very slow, with data packages running out quickly. Students and users complain it affects daily work and studies. The telecom regulator says actions are being taken to improve service quality and enforce standards for companies.

2025-12-09T01:24:34.947008+00:00 IST

PTI warns Imran’s exclusion weakens Pakistan’s political system

PTI leaders warned that excluding Imran Khan from politics will damage Pakistan's democracy. After a meeting, they demanded access to Imran in jail, condemned treatment of Bushra Bibi, and vowed legal action. Tensions rose after an army press conference and government refusal to hold talks with Imran.

2025-12-09T01:21:11.749707+00:00 IST

India slams Pakistan strikes, backs Afghan sovereignty

India condemned recent border clashes that killed Afghan civilians and reaffirmed support for Afghanistan's sovereignty. Fighting between Pakistani and Afghan forces has intensified near Spin Boldak, with both sides blaming each other. Mediation efforts by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar have so far failed.

2025-12-08T23:45:24.704360+00:00 IST

India, Chile review progress of CEPA trade negotiations

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met Chile's Treasury Undersecretary Claudia Sanhueza to review progress on the India-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The meeting followed the fourth round of CEPA talks, which concluded on December 5.

2025-12-08T21:42:41.265341+00:00 IST

India urges “free, fair and inclusive” polls in Myanmar

India urged Myanmar to ensure "free, fair and inclusive" elections as concerns grow over limited voting areas and lack of transparency. Human Rights Watch warned the polls will not be credible. Myanmar remains in conflict, with many opposition leaders jailed since the 2021 coup.

2025-12-08T20:08:13.651965+00:00 IST

Arunachal Pradesh will remain an integral part of India: MEA

India reaffirmed that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of the country and advised citizens to be cautious when travelling through China after a woman from Arunachal was detained at Shanghai airport. India issued a demarche to China, saying such actions hurt improving bilateral ties.

2025-12-08T20:05:33.826887+00:00 IST

“Democracy and Pakistan don’t go together,” says MEA

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated "democracy and Pakistan don't go together," noting India is monitoring the situation. He also condemned border clashes that killed Afghan civilians, while political tensions continue over Imran Khan's imprisonment and PTI demands for access to him.

2025-12-08T19:12:55.805420+00:00 IST

India prioritizes affordable energy for 1.4 billion, says MEA

India on Monday reiterated that its energy procurement decisions are guided by its national interests and the need to ensure affordable energy access for its 1.4 billion citizens, as well as the global market dynamics.

2025-12-08T17:56:35.161100+00:00 IST

Amnesty seeks impartial probe into unlawful killings during Nepal

Amnesty International has called for a fair and impartial investigation into the unlawful killing of protesters across Nepal during the youth-led "Gen-Z" demonstrations in September, urging accountability for all those responsible.

2025-12-08T17:50:28.817530+00:00 IST

India–Nepal Cultural Festival’s 3rd edition held in Lumbini

The third edition of the India-Nepal Cultural Festival was held in Nepal's Lumbini region on Monday, showcasing the deep cultural, historical and Buddhist ties between the two neighbouring countries.

2025-12-08T17:21:54.190432+00:00 IST

Matter of immense joy:PM Modi as UNESCO cultural heritage meet be

In a post on X, PM Modi noted that the prestigious global forum has brought together over 150 nations "to protect and popularise our shared living traditions", as the session is being held for the first time in India and at the iconic Red Fort.

2025-12-08T17:11:52.592085+00:00 IST

Japan issues tsunami warning after twin strong quakes off Aomori

Japan issued a tsunami warning late Monday (local time) after a series of strong earthquakes struck off the east coast of Aomori Prefecture, prompting authorities to urge residents in coastal areas to move to higher ground and remain there until further notice.

2025-12-08T15:57:00.585175+00:00 IST

Beijing tightens grip as Hong Kong heads for legislature polls

Hong Kong is set to conduct elections for its Legislative Council on December 7, with not a single candidate representing the pro-democracy movement. The Chinese government's efforts to portray the legislature, referred to as LegCo, as legitimate are evidently not convincing to most people.

2025-12-08T14:56:25.877942+00:00 IST

US report attaches India as a key partner: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday welcomed the newly released US National Security Strategy 2025 report, noting New Delhi's strategic importance to Washington and identifying India as a key partner in global security and strategic initiatives.

2025-12-08T14:47:39.618020+00:00 IST

China fires flares at Philippine patrol aircraft

The Philippine Coast Guard reported that Chinese vessels launched three flares at its patrol aircraft engaged in a routine flight over the disputed South China Sea on December 6, marking the latest instance of aggressive Chinese actions intended to reinforce its territorial claims in the area, according to The Epoch Times (TET).

2025-12-08T14:17:16.686681+00:00 IST

Popular Tibetan singer Ah Sang re-arrested by Chinese authorities

Ah Sang was allegedly taken into custody a few days after he briefly appeared online in August 2025, only to disappear from public view shortly thereafter.

2025-12-08T14:08:42.862466+00:00 IST

MEA urges China not to selectively target Indians at airports

"MEA would advise Indian nationals to exercise due discretion while travelling to or transiting through China," the MEA spokesperson added.

2025-12-08T13:56:10.703442+00:00 IST

Tokyo rejects China’s radar-lock claim amid rising Taiwan tension

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said that the country's Air Self-Defence Force (ASDF) jets maintained a "safe distance" from Chinese aircraft during the incident off Okinawa on Saturday. He stressed that clear communication between the defence authorities of both nations remains "extremely important", even as China continues to retaliate diplomatically over Takaichi's earlier remarks on Tokyo's possible response to an attack on Taiwan.

2025-12-08T13:48:15.889088+00:00 IST