Asia

Afghanistan faces growing food insecurity as winter approaches

Millions in Afghanistan are facing worsening food insecurity as winter approaches. Families are asking the Islamic Emirate and aid groups for help. Experts warn limited aid is not enough and call for long-term solutions, while the World Food Programme says over 9 million people are already severely affected.

2025-11-16T14:33:14.335004+00:00 IST

China's coercive approach exposes its growing hostility

Taiwan's Presidential Office accused China of stoking tensions with Japan for political advantage, hours after Chinese maritime authorities announced plans for live-fire missile exercises in the Yellow Sea. China's Maritime Safety Administration issued a navigation alert stating that the People's Liberation Army would carry out missile launches with live munitions in the central Yellow Sea from Tuesday through Thursday, as reported by The Taipei Times.

2025-11-16T14:27:44.563201+00:00 IST

Pakistan: Kerosene oil, light diesel prices witness second hike

The prices of kerosene oil and light diesel saw a hike for the second time within a month, Ary News reported on Sunday.

2025-11-16T12:37:29.313088+00:00 IST

Pakistan's e-commerce dreams falter as skills crisis exposes deep governance gaps

Pakistan's e-commerce sector could create thousands of jobs but faces major setbacks due to a skills shortage, poor training, and weak logistics. Experts warn growth targets may fail unless the government improves workforce development and digital systems, The Express Tribune reported.

2025-11-16T12:32:16.555689+00:00 IST

Pakistan fails to answer as human rights protest continues

The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) has completed 6,000 days of continuous protest in Quetta, marking one of Pakistan's longest-running human rights campaigns. Families of the disappeared have gathered outside the Quetta Press Club for nearly sixteen years, holding photographs and documents as they wait for answers that remain elusive. This prolonged vigil reflects deep frustration over the state's unwillingness to acknowledge, investigate, or resolve cases of enforced disappearances, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

2025-11-16T11:53:49.301936+00:00 IST

Pakistan: Death toll rises to seven in fireworks factory blast 

The death toll after a blast in a firecracker factory in Hyderabad has risen to seven, Dawn news reported on Sunday, noting that another body was pulled out from the rubble.

2025-11-16T11:35:59.939331+00:00 IST

Pakistan arrests over 100,000 undocumented Afghans: UNHCR

A UNHCR report said more than 100,000 Afghan nationals were arrested or detained in Pakistan in 2025, mainly in Balochistan and Punjab. Returns and deportations to Afghanistan rose after border reopenings and government orders, with many leaving due to fear of arrest.

2025-11-16T11:34:07.042657+00:00 IST

Lahore tops global pollution index amid hazardous Punjab smog

Lahore remained among the world's most polluted cities as hazardous smog covered Punjab. AQI levels reached dangerous highs, prompting health warnings, mask distribution, and a police crackdown that led to arrests, fines, and action against crop burning, smoke-emitting vehicles, and brick kilns.

2025-11-16T10:27:00.331214+00:00 IST

Bharat Solar Yatra launches solar awareness website

India launched the official Bharat Solar Yatra website to boost solar awareness and access to government schemes. The 180-day nationwide campaign promotes solar adoption through demonstrations and guidance, helping citizens understand installations, subsidies, and benefits for a sustainable clean-energy future.

2025-11-16T10:11:41.994611+00:00 IST

China lashes out at Philippines over joint drills with US, Japan

This comes amid the Philippines, United States and Japan conducting another round of maritime drills in the South China Sea, which is known as the West Philippine Sea by the Philippines.

2025-11-16T09:55:15.562087+00:00 IST

Two Israelis arrested for spying for Iran

he Shin Bet (Israel's anti-terror General Security Service) and the Israel Police arrested two Israeli citizens who passed on photos and locations of sensitive sites in Israel to Iranian intelligence agencies.

2025-11-16T09:22:50.055737+00:00 IST

Jaishankar focuses on deepening ties with Bahraini counterpart

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday held a telephone conversation with Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, and discussed ways to further strengthen the longstanding multifaceted partnership between the two countries.

2025-11-16T09:17:36.146703+00:00 IST

China issues alert for its students in Japan

China's Education Ministry said that safety risks for Chinese citizens in Japan have risen, citing Japan's recent poor public security, a surge in crimes targeting Chinese citizens, and the overall unfavourable study environment. Earlier this month, Takaichi said Japan could respond with its own self-defence force if China attacked Taiwan.

2025-11-16T09:12:46.290793+00:00 IST

Pakistan’s leadership missing in action as climate emergencies

Pakistan is lacking in integrating its climate governance and social protection systems to survive the escalating pace of climate disasters, experts cautioned during the Fifth Annual International Conference, A New Global Order, Yet Again, organised by the IBA.

2025-11-16T08:58:40.436526+00:00 IST

Bangladesh on high alert ahead of Sheikh Hasina verdict

The situation in Bangladesh has become tense ahead of the verdict. Sheikh Hasina's Bangladesh Awami League has announced a two-day shutdown across the country, starting Sunday morning, disrupting normal life. Traffic in the capital, Dhaka, has been relatively light, while firecracker explosions have been reported in some areas.

2025-11-16T08:14:56.181465+00:00 IST

Pakistan intensifies state repression as Baloch men disappear

Families and community members say the individuals were whisked away to unknown locations, after which all communication and information about them ceased, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

2025-11-16T07:09:06.800100+00:00 IST

Afghanistan expands trade through Iran, Central Asia

According to Tolo News, citing Afghanistan's Ministry of Industry and Commerce, it stated that the country is using the Chabahar Port in Iran to bypass frequent disruptions at Pakistan's borders and ease political pressures from Islamabad, shifting transit agreements to alternative routes.

2025-11-16T07:03:12.348525+00:00 IST

Pakistan dengue toll hits 36

According to Dawn, citing officials, a 50-year-old man and an 80-year-old woman died in Hyderabad, while a 55-year-old woman passed away in Karachi.

2025-11-16T06:18:45.852022+00:00 IST

Pakistan: Petrol price remains unchanged at PKR 265.45 per litre

According to Geo News, citing a notification issued by Pakistan's Finance Division on Saturday, petroleum prices were reviewed after consultations with OGRA and other relevant ministries.

2025-11-16T06:06:28.723294+00:00 IST

Taiwan detects 30 Chinese aircraft, 7 vessels, one ship

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence detected 30 Chinese military aircraft, seven vessels and one official ship operating around its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time) on Sunday.

2025-11-16T02:35:29.945303+00:00 IST

Russian attacks on Ukraine kill 9 in latest strike

At least nine people have been killed and 53 have been injured over the past 24 hours by Russian strikes in Ukraine, according to regional authorities.

2025-11-16T01:25:58.960181+00:00 IST