Asia

Kabul residents face severe water crisis, urge urgent action

Kabul residents face worsening water shortages as wells dry up and pipelines supply water only a few times a week, Tolo News reported. Experts warn the capital's groundwater could be depleted by 2030 without urgent management, deep-well projects and upgraded infrastructure.

2025-10-03T17:14:55.441224+00:00 IST

Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz stands firm as clash with PPP escalates

Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif ruled out apologising for her remarks against the PPP, saying she only spoke to defend Punjab's people. She criticised PPP leaders over flood aid and water disputes, rejected "wrongful criticism," and stressed Punjab's dignity, Dawn reported.

2025-10-03T16:43:36.332197+00:00 IST

India-Japan review progress at Surat high-speed rail site

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Japan's Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Hiromasa Nakano conducted a joint visit to the Surat High-Speed Rail (HSR) construction site on Friday.

2025-10-03T15:12:21.500634+00:00 IST

India, Brazil hold strategic dialogue to deepen cooperation

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Brazil's Special Advisor, Celso Amorim, in New Delhi, describing their exchange as useful for addressing global issues and promoting strategic cooperation. Earlier, NSA Ajit Doval held the 6th India-Brazil Strategic Dialogue, reviewing ties in defence, energy, minerals, health and cooperation in multilateral forums including BRICS and COP-30.

2025-10-03T15:09:52.723697+00:00 IST

DF-17 hypersonic missiles raise direct threat to Taiwan

China's move to deploy Dongfeng-17 (DF-17) hypersonic ballistic missiles at a People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) base close to Taiwan has raised alarm among defence analysts, who believe the weapon could endanger both US forces in the Western Pacific and Taiwan itself, as reported by Focus Taiwan.

2025-10-03T14:52:39.875809+00:00 IST

Rajya Sabha Dy Chairman Harivansh holds key bilateral meetings

The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, held a series of bilateral meetings with Presiding officers from the Parliaments of Russia, Germany, Italy, and host South Africa on the sidelines of the 11th G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit (P20) in Kleinmond, South Africa.

2025-10-03T14:29:37.556065+00:00 IST

CCP propaganda and harassment spill over to American streets

Falun Gong practitioners protesting peacefully outside the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles say they faced renewed harassment when a consulate employee attempted to seize one of their banners earlier this month.

2025-10-03T14:27:03.404015+00:00 IST

Pakistani Minister apologises for police assault on journalists

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry issued an apology on Friday following the attack on journalists at the National Press Club (NPC) in Islamabad a day earlier

2025-10-03T13:00:01.351102+00:00 IST

Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan “not ours,” says Pakistan FM

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told Parliament that Trump's 20-point Gaza plan was "not ours," stressing there was no room for politicking. He detailed the role of eight Muslim countries in drafting counter-proposals, reaffirmed Pakistan's stance on Palestine, and confirmed efforts for the release of Pakistanis on the Global Sumud Flotilla.

2025-10-03T12:46:55.943891+00:00 IST

Afghanistan FM Amir Khan Muttaqi to visit India this month

Following the United Nations Security Council's approval for Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to visit India, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the Ministry of External Affairs will continue to share updates regarding the visit.

2025-10-03T12:41:37.047461+00:00 IST

Islamabad universities accused of targeting Baloch students

Baloch students at QAU in Islamabad are staging a sit-in demanding the recovery of two missing students, Saeed and Feroz Baloch, and an end to racial profiling. Supported by Pashtun students, they say enforced disappearances and harassment of Baloch students are widespread across Pakistani universities.

2025-10-03T12:39:57.294838+00:00 IST

“We reject false allegations,” says MEA on Bangladesh remarks

India rejected Bangladesh's claims linking New Delhi to recent Khagrachhari violence, calling them "false and baseless." MEA said Dhaka was failing to maintain law and order and shifting blame, as tensions remain high after clashes between tribal groups and settlers left several dead and many injured.

2025-10-03T12:36:30.021520+00:00 IST

India-China flight resumption shows normalisation of ties: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday addressed the resumption of direct air services between India and China during its weekly media briefing.

2025-10-03T11:52:51.127225+00:00 IST

Transnational organised crime, concern for India, Canada: MEA

The Canadian federal government earlier this week listed the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity under its Criminal Code giving authorities the power to freeze assets, block funding, and prosecute members under "anti-terrorism" laws.

2025-10-03T11:37:36.451245+00:00 IST

PoJK leaders accuse Pak authorities of firing on peaceful demonstrators

Protests in PoJK entered their sixth consecutive day on Friday, spreading across the region after three young men were allegedly killed by Pakistani forces. Their funeral prayers in Muzaffarabad drew thousands of mourners, further intensifying public anger against Islamabad.

2025-10-03T11:28:44.327808+00:00 IST

"Natural consequence of Pakistan’s oppressive" approach: MEA

Amid ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), India has strongly criticised Pakistan's actions in the region, calling for accountability for its "horrific" human rights violations.

2025-10-03T11:04:02.491047+00:00 IST

Pakistan: PPP, journalists boycott National Assembly session

PPP and journalists briefly boycotted Pakistan's National Assembly session on Friday. PPP staged a walkout over CM Maryam Nawaz's remarks, while journalists protested a police raid at the National Press Club. Both returned after government assurances, Dawn reported.

2025-10-03T10:07:18.488552+00:00 IST

President Droupadi Murmu accepts credentials of newly appointed e

According to a statement from the President's office, Ahmedou Sidi Mohamed presented his credentials as the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. Christian Biever assumed charge as the Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, while Christopher Cooter joined as the High Commissioner of Canada. Tomaz Mencin presented his credentials as the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia.

2025-10-03T09:45:39.065040+00:00 IST

China's war on religion raises international outcry

On China's 76th National Day, survivors of persecution, international rights activists, US lawmakers, and activists convened at the US Capitol for a major conference titled "Faith Under Siege: Confronting Religious Persecution and Oppression in China." The gathering shed light on the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) intensifying crackdown on religious and faith-based communities, as reported by Phayul.

2025-10-03T09:40:14.987308+00:00 IST

Philippines Earthquake: Death toll rises to 72

The death toll has risen to 72 after a massive 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the Philippines, UN news reported on Thursday.

2025-10-03T09:35:48.332929+00:00 IST

"Self-respecting nations won’t be humiliated", says foreign affai

Sachdev's comments came after Putin, addressing the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, called Modi a "very wise leader" who puts India's national interest first. The Russian President cautioned that if India gave in to Western pressure and stopped buying Russian oil, the country could suffer losses of USD 9-10 billion.

2025-10-03T09:22:09.623480+00:00 IST