Asia

Tibet pays the price for China’s grandiose shows

A fireworks show in Tibet by Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang and brand Arc'teryx drew backlash after toxic debris was left behind despite eco-friendly claims. Locals are clearing hazardous waste, sparking criticism of ecological exploitation in Tibet and renewed debate on China's environmental policies.

2025-09-26T10:57:26.426990+00:00 IST

Government inaction sparks gas shortage, environmental threats

A growing dispute between the Muzaffarabad administration and local gas dealers over cylinder prices is drawing public attention and raising concerns over both affordability and environmental impact.

2025-09-26T09:30:17.436814+00:00 IST

IMF raises concerns over Pakistan's missed tax goals

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expressed serious concerns over Pakistan's failure to meet tax collection targets and the ongoing delay in resolving tax-related court cases amounting to over PKR 170 billion, currently pending before the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court, The Express Tribune reported.

2025-09-26T08:42:15.801947+00:00 IST

Pakistan: PML-N, PPP publicly spar over flood relief

A heated exchange between leaders of Pakistan's two federal coalition partners has exposed growing tensions beneath their public display of unity, centred around how to provide aid to the people affected by the recent floods in the country's Punjab province, The Express Tribune reported.

2025-09-26T07:27:06.288593+00:00 IST

India-Taiwan FTA hoped to boost Taiwanese investment:TAITRA CP

The Chairman of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), James Chih-Fang Huang, expressed optimism about a prospective Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and Taiwan, stating that it would significantly boost Taiwanese investments and business partnerships in the country.

2025-09-26T05:26:44.987221+00:00 IST

Taiwan records heightened Chinese military activity

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) detected 11 Chinese military vessels, seven naval vessels and one official ship around its territorial waters as of 6 am on Friday (local time).

2025-09-26T01:39:14.933415+00:00 IST

Naidu represents India at ICAO General Assembly in Montreal

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu represented India at the 42nd General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) held in Montreal, Canada.

2025-09-25T21:41:38.134702+00:00 IST

"FTA will be a win-win for EU and India," says Danish envoy

Danish Ambassador to India, Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, on Thursday reiterated Denmark's strong push for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union, describing it as a "win-win" opportunity for both sides.

2025-09-25T20:17:39.988485+00:00 IST

Russian Deputy Prime Minister meets PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev at the World Food India 2025 and said they discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, fertilizers and food processing.

2025-09-25T18:05:01.348828+00:00 IST

Nepal's interim govt seeks donations for reconstruction of public

Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Kulman Ghising publicly announced the establishment of a high-level committee and a dedicated fund to facilitate the reconstruction. The move aims to provide necessary financial resources for repair, rehabilitation, and economic restoration following widespread destruction.

2025-09-25T16:39:21.108166+00:00 IST

Nepal interim PM says poll preparations already underway

Nepal's interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki announced preparations for parliamentary elections on March 5, 2026. In her national address, she urged citizens to vote, rejected Gen Z demands for a new executive system, and pledged investigations into past corruption after recent deadly protests left 74 people dead.

2025-09-25T15:35:28.863885+00:00 IST

UNHRC session hears India’s call on Pahalgam massacre

Addressing the 60th session of the UNHRC, Dr Sharma condemned terrorism as a fundamental assault on human dignity and international peace. He invoked the April 22, 2025, attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, where 26 innocent civilians, including women and children, were massacred in a targeted assault on pilgrims and tourists.

2025-09-25T14:49:18.545682+00:00 IST

Kabul residents decry power outages, urges to act

Residents of Kabul's District 6 said they get only six hours of electricity daily, with rising bills worsening hardships. They urged Breshna to act, while its spokesperson admitted Kabul has only 350-400 megawatts against a demand of 650-700, Tolo News reported.

2025-09-25T13:36:29.900969+00:00 IST

Pak: PoGB traders continue sit-in, reject tax exemption deal

Traders in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) vowed to continue their sit-in at Sost Dry Port despite a government deal capping tax exemptions at PKR 4 billion. Leader Javed Hussain told Dawn the settlement ignored PoGB's constitutional exemption, warning traders may adopt a "Plan C" if demands remain unmet.

2025-09-25T12:51:03.195070+00:00 IST

V S Seshadri highlights global trade challenges at IIULER talk

Former Ambassador V S Seshadri, speaking at IIULER Goa as part of the MEA Distinguished Lecture Series, outlined global trade challenges, highlighting US unilateral tariffs, China's economic strategies, EU protectionism, and India's limited trade share, while stressing India's four-pronged strategy to reduce dependencies, as per a release by IIULER.

2025-09-25T12:34:19.572240+00:00 IST

Beijing’s spy scandal: Taiwan punishes ex-DPP members

According to Focus Taiwan, the court ruling, Huang Chu-jung, a former aide to DPP New Taipei Councillor Lee Yu-tien, received a 10-year sentence. Ho Jen-chieh, who previously served as an assistant to National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu when he was foreign minister, was sentenced to eight years and two months.

2025-09-25T12:34:00.733151+00:00 IST

Sambhali Trust highlights grassroots empowerment, urges stronger

Rathore highlighted the crucial role of international human rights bodies, describing them as guardians of freedom and dignity at a time when violence and discrimination remain on the rise.

2025-09-25T12:18:49.403186+00:00 IST

CCP’s subversion efforts in New Zealand spark regional alarm

Experts warn Pacific nations to guard against Beijing's influence after two incidents in New Zealand, including pressure on a Taiwan-linked event and airport security protests. Scholar David Yeau-Tarn Lee said New Zealand is aligning with democracies to resist CCP infiltration and defend sovereignty, The Epoch Times reported.

2025-09-25T11:30:41.015514+00:00 IST

French envoy in Mumbai to honour JSW Foundation’s Sangita Jindal

The Ambassador of France to India, Thierry Mathou, is in Mumbai on a two-day mission (September 25- 26) focused on enhancing the vibrant cultural and business relations between France and India, the Embassy of France in India said in a release.

2025-09-25T10:54:53.359883+00:00 IST

North Korea holds 2,000 kg highly enriched uranium, could build dozens of nukes: Seoul

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) estimates that 42kg of highly enriched uranium is required for one nuclear weapon. Based on that measure, 2,000kg would be sufficient for roughly 47 nuclear bombs, Al Jazeera noted.

2025-09-25T10:32:42.285738+00:00 IST

"Loans over loans is not a solution," says PM Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif urged wealthy nations to honour climate finance pledges, saying "loans over loans" can't solve crises. Highlighting Pakistan's flood losses, he reaffirmed emission-cutting goals and renewable energy plans, while lamenting inadequate global support. UN chief Antonio Guterres stressed urgent action and $1.3 trillion climate finance by 2035.

2025-09-25T10:08:17.460406+00:00 IST