Asia

China tightens overseas travel curbs on retired officials

The Chinese Communist Party has tightened overseas travel rules for retired officials, requiring approvals and extending restrictions. Insiders say passports are being centrally held, and limits once lifted after three years now remain. The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of foreign ties and follows recent US intelligence outreach to Chinese officials.

2026-02-24T16:57:15.971478+00:00 IST

"Impressive development": UN Resident Coordinator lauds India’s global leadership, AI vision

UN Resident Coordinator Stefan Priesner praised India's development and leadership at the AI Impact Summit 2026. Speaking to ANI, he highlighted priorities like health, climate change, and sustainable tourism. Priesner emphasised India's "limitless" tourism potential and aligned India's AI vision with the UN goal to "leave no one behind."

2026-02-24T14:44:47.062704+00:00 IST

Former Tibetan political prisoners offer prayers to Dalai Lama

Former political prisoners and the Lhasa Boys' Association held a prayer ceremony in Dharamshala for the Dalai Lama. They highlighted severe repression in Tibet, alleging systematic Chinese efforts to eradicate Tibetan identity, language, and religious freedom, while restricting movement and forcing citizens to denounce their spiritual leader.

2026-02-24T13:35:46.009016+00:00 IST

PM Modi on 2-day State visit to Israel from February 25

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Israel on February 25-26 at the invitation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The leaders will review the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and discuss cooperation across key sectors. Modi will also meet President Isaac Herzog. Netanyahu called the visit historic, highlighting growing ties in innovation, security, and emerging technologies.

2026-02-24T12:48:15.433688+00:00 IST

Baloch National Movement condemns Pakistan's airstrikes in Afghanistan, calls for "joint front" against regional instability

The Baloch National Movement (BNM) argued that Pakistan's expansionist policies and internal fragmentation cause regional instability, calling for a "joint front" among regional nations to counter what they term a broader military threat.

2026-02-24T12:25:56.383815+00:00 IST

Pakistan: Shopkeepers flout Karachi’s Ramazan price lists

Despite official price lists, Karachi shopkeepers are charging significantly higher rates for essentials during Ramazan. Fruits, vegetables, and chicken are being sold well above government-fixed prices. The report highlights the city administration's failure to enforce regulations, leaving consumers to struggle with soaring costs and ineffective market control.

2026-02-24T12:10:46.244322+00:00 IST

UNAMA raises concern over "credible reports of civilian casualties" following Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan

UNAMA and Amnesty report civilian casualties following Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan's Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. While Islamabad claims the "precise" strikes "neutralised" 70 militants linked to TTP and Daesh, the UN mission confirms 13 civilians killed and calls for an immediate end to hostilities to protect lives.

2026-02-24T10:45:54.029156+00:00 IST

Uttar Pradesh strengthens Singapore ties

During the visit, a substantive meeting was held with Tan See Leng, Singapore's Minister for Manpower and Minister in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology, and Kong Wy Mun, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Cooperation Enterprise. The dialogue focused on strengthening collaboration in governance, policy design and knowledge exchange to support Uttar Pradesh's long-term development objectives.

2026-02-24T08:53:11.575103+00:00 IST

Parliamentary Commitee applauds 'Grand Success' of AI Summit

In a press release issued after its meeting on February 24, the Committee described the summit as a "grand success" and said it was organised under the leadership of Narendra Modi.

2026-02-24T08:46:50.034141+00:00 IST

Nepalese Election Commission warns against involving children

In a recent statement, the commission reminded stakeholders that the use of minors in rallies, door-to-door canvassing, publicity events or any other form of electoral promotion is strictly prohibited. EC Officials said they have received reports of children being mobilised during campaign activities in various districts, prompting closer monitoring and possible action against violators, reported The Kathmandu Post.

2026-02-24T08:35:32.771755+00:00 IST

Amnesty International South Asia response on Pakistan airstrikes

In a post on X by Amnesty International South Asia, the organisation said it was "deeply concerned by the reports of civilian casualties caused by Pakistan's airstrike in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan on 21 and 22 February."

2026-02-24T08:14:35.718657+00:00 IST

Indo–Nepal Trade Festival signals strategic push for Energy

Held at PHD House in Hauz Khas under the theme "Connecting People, Enhancing Bilateral Trade," the festival was led by the Everest Chamber of Commerce with support from the Nepal Tourism Board and the Trade and Export Promotion Centre. Organisers said the event featured over 50 stalls and drew more than 20,000 visitors.

2026-02-24T08:02:49.043251+00:00 IST

India and Israel look to deepen trade ties: Indian Envoy

The discussions come amid a broader push to strengthen bilateral trade and move closer to finalising a long-pending free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries. The issue was highlighted in Indian Ambassador to Israel J P Singh's interview with DD on what the upcoming engagement could deliver in the domain of trade and connectivity.

2026-02-24T07:39:56.916780+00:00 IST

Indian students in Iran seek help as March exams prevent return

A large number of these students are enrolled in medical programmes at universities across Iran. According to them, their institutions have not announced any postponement of examinations despite the prevailing uncertainty. This has placed them in a difficult position: either stay back to complete their exams or return to India and risk losing an academic year.

2026-02-24T06:52:19.579275+00:00 IST

EAM Jaishankar extends greetings to Estonia on its Independence D

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday greeted Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna on Estonia's Independence Day.

2026-02-24T06:26:41.159461+00:00 IST

Nepal: Election Commision faces criticism over inaction

The constitutional poll body enforced the code of conduct on January 19 for the March 5 elections, following consultations with political parties and public feedback. However, 35 days into its implementation, no penalties have been imposed.

2026-02-24T05:46:43.472568+00:00 IST

Taiwan detects 5 Chinese naval vessels, 2 PRC balloons

According to the X post, the Taiwanese MND also detected two PRC balloons during the timeframe.

2026-02-24T05:01:23.706045+00:00 IST

GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohammad Al Budaiwi arrives in Delhi

In a post on X, MEA Spokesperson Jaiswal wrote, "Warm welcome to Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Mr. Jasem Mohammad Al Budaiwi @jasemalbudaiwi on his arrival in New Delhi. His visit will further deepen the historic and strong India-GCC ties. @GCCSG"

2026-02-24T04:28:07.413374+00:00 IST

Canada-India reset gains momentum ahead of PM Visit

"Look, Canada and India share a lot of things in common. We are both federal parliamentary democracies. And in that sense, as you may well know, the Indian constitution was inspired by the Canadian federal system. So I think we have a lot of things that we can cooperate on trade, on human resources, on critical minerals, on technology. So I think it's a very positive thing that India and Canada, which are middle powers in these very uncertain times, should be working together on a whole range of things, not only bilaterally, but also multilaterally." This assessment comes from Veena Nadjibullah, Vice President of Research and Strategy at the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada. I

2026-02-24T03:39:06.067527+00:00 IST

China benefits from Trump's clumsy antics

As Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January: "It seems that every day we're reminded that we live in an era of great-power rivalry - that the rules-based order is fading, that the strong can do what they can, and the weak must suffer what they must."

2026-02-24T02:49:12.474542+00:00 IST

'Will put stamp on all activities to solidify relationship'

High Commissioner of India to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, on Tuesday, said that the relationship between Canada and India has transformed in recent months and added that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to India will "put a stamp" on all bilateral steps taken to "solidify" the New Delhi-Ottawa relationship, which was strained under the leadership of former Canada PM Justin Trudeau.

2026-02-24T00:44:19.283336+00:00 IST