Asia

Pak: Leaders back military, accuse PTI of “anti-state narrative”

Pakistani political leaders from several parties defended the military and accused PTI of attacking state institutions. Government figures condemned Imran Khan's rhetoric as dangerous, while PTI said Imran has always defended national interests. The dispute followed sharp remarks from the military's media wing about Imran's criticism of the army.

2025-12-08T01:22:26.503695+00:00 IST

Petition seeks halt to alleged fake police encounters in Punjab

A petition in the Lahore High Court accuses Punjab's Crime Control Department of hundreds of fake police encounters since 2025. It demands enforcement of a law requiring FIA investigations into custodial deaths, claiming courts have already ruled such encounters illegal but no action has been taken.

2025-12-08T01:01:50.764909+00:00 IST

Pakistan: Lawyers reject “defaced” constitutional amendments

A lawyers' convention in Lahore rejected proposed constitutional amendments, condemned a military press conference, demanded the release of political detainees and missing persons, called for biometric bar elections, and opposed a new property ordinance, citing threats to judicial independence and fundamental rights.

2025-12-07T22:36:17.781207+00:00 IST

Rawalpindi, Islamabad transporters set for wheel-jam strike

Transporters in Rawalpindi and Islamabad launched a wheel-jam strike today over sharply increased traffic fines. They rejected officials' requests to delay the protest, saying heavy penalties from PKR 5,000 to PKR 20,000 are hurting their livelihoods. Several transport associations and JUI Rawalpindi backed the strike.

2025-12-07T21:20:39.342343+00:00 IST

Karachi police arrest 45 after clashes at Sindh Culture Day rally

Karachi police detained 45 people during a Sindh Culture Day rally after clashes over restricted routes. Officers used tear gas and baton charge after stones were thrown, injuring five policemen. Authorities cited past incidents and Red Zone security concerns while ordering action against those damaging property.

2025-12-07T21:05:35.917765+00:00 IST

EAM Jaishankar calls intangible heritage most "democratic expression of culture"

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar inaugurated a UNESCO session at the Red Fort, calling traditions and cultural practices the most "democratic expression of culture." India is hosting the event for the first time as UNESCO reviews nominations and support efforts to safeguard intangible cultural heritage.

2025-12-07T20:13:58.916102+00:00 IST

PTI says attacks on Imran will only boost his popularity

PTI leaders at a Peshawar rally defended Imran Khan against allegations of "anti-army" rhetoric, calling him a "national hero." Government and opposition figures accused him of spreading propaganda, while PTI warned attempts to "malign" him would only boost his popularity.

2025-12-07T19:46:18.950907+00:00 IST

US will not change Taiwan status quo, says Defence Secretary

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Sunday reiterated that the United States has no intention of altering the status quo in Taiwan, stressing that the focus is on defence and deterrence rather than confrontation with China

2025-12-07T17:29:14.634492+00:00 IST

Tamil Nadu sends 1,000 tonnes of relief to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka

Tamil Nadu has dispatched around 1,000 tonnes of essential food items and clothing to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu to help mitigate shortages caused by Cyclone Ditwah, the High Commission of India in Colombo said on Sunday.

2025-12-07T17:03:15.932122+00:00 IST

EAM highlights India’s efforts to protect intangible heritage

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday underscored India's longstanding commitment to protecting global cultural traditions as he addressed the inaugural session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in New Delhi.

2025-12-07T16:52:34.879619+00:00 IST

US hosts Quad HADR Tabletop Exercise in Honolulu

The United States hosted the fourth annual Quad Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) Tabletop Exercise and Strategic Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii, from December 2-5, bringing together officials from the US, Australia, India and Japan to strengthen our disaster-response capabilities across the Indo-Pacific.

2025-12-07T15:50:54.719833+00:00 IST

India inaugurates new Chancery of CGI Shanghai

The Consulate General of India in Shanghai on Sunday inaugurated its new, state-of-the-art Chancery at the Dawning Centre in Changning District, marking the first relocation of its office premises in over 32 years, in China's central business hub.

2025-12-07T15:12:42.215787+00:00 IST

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz meets Israel's PM Netanyahu

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed Berlin's support for the creation of a Palestinian state during his first official visit to Israel, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his firm opposition to such a move.

2025-12-07T15:00:57.377905+00:00 IST

Pretoria bar shooting leaves 12 dead, minors among victims

At least 12 people, including a three-year-old boy, were killed when gunmen opened fire inside a bar near Pretoria, South Africa, early Saturday morning.

2025-12-07T15:00:13.918965+00:00 IST

Key roads, routes now accessible: Indian High Commission

In a post on X, it said, "Sri Lanka is rising stronger and looks forward to welcoming Indian tourists, who make up the largest number of visitors to the island. Key roads and routes are now accessible, making travel across the island easier for visitors."

2025-12-07T14:40:34.779480+00:00 IST

Nepal’s anti-graft body files corruption case on Chinese company

Nepal's anti-graft body, the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), has filed a corruption case against 55 defendants, including the Chinese company, over the construction of Pokhara International Airport.

2025-12-07T14:37:37.861576+00:00 IST

Arundhati Roy signs “Mother Mary Comes to Me” for Nepali readers

The latest publication by the Bengali writer, "Mother Mary Comes to Me" is the story of her mother, Mary Roy, whom she writes as "my shelter and my storm."

2025-12-07T13:43:11.253804+00:00 IST

China’s online censorship faces growing public pushback

In its latest Quarterly Report on the Situation in China, the council said that China's "digital authoritarian model" has reached a breaking point and is now caught in a self-perpetuating loop of suppression and speculation, as reported by The Taipei Times.

2025-12-07T13:05:47.106937+00:00 IST

Ex-Diplomat Talmiz Ahmad advocates for 'strategic autonomy'

"Countries like India have been constantly saying that don't force us to make choices like this. We don't want a new Cold War. We want to retain the right to decide our own kind of relationship with different people. We are not hostile to the West, but we retain the right to shape and structure our ties with other countries," Ahmad said.

2025-12-07T12:56:21.111120+00:00 IST

Sri Lanka issues fresh alerts as Cyclone Ditwah toll climbs

Sri Lankan authorities issued fresh landslide warnings on Sunday as relentless rains continued to pound regions already devastated by Cyclone Ditwah, pushing the nationwide death toll to 627

2025-12-07T12:54:30.951076+00:00 IST

WB Governor Ananda Bose unveils new book at Delhi’s 5th Kristu Ma

Over the years, the festival has evolved into a platform celebrating compassion and human dignity. This year's edition was attended by West Bengal Governor Dr. C. V. Ananda Bose, Archbishop Anil Joseph Thomas Couto, Bishop Stephen Fernandes, and ambassadors from Portugal, Malta, Timor-Leste, Peru and Guatemala along with a large community of well-wishers.

2025-12-07T12:10:46.349371+00:00 IST