Asia

China’s lawfare in the South China Sea endangers sovereignty

Analysts warn that these moves could undermine regional sovereignty, weaken international maritime law, and destabilise the Indo-Pacific, as reported by The Epoch Times.

2025-09-20T14:36:17.542074+00:00 IST

US move on H1B visa to have humanitarian consequences

The government said on Saturday that the full implications of the US decision to impose USD 100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications is being being studied by all concerned, including by Indian industry, and that the measure is likely to have humanitarian consequences by way of the disruption caused for families.

2025-09-20T14:22:29.149761+00:00 IST

China urges US for "open, fair, just...environment" on TikTok 

The ministry highlighted that the country welcomes companies to conduct business negotiations in line with market rules to reach solutions that comply with Chinese laws and regulations and balance interests of all parties.

2025-09-20T13:42:18.332811+00:00 IST

PoGB leader accuses Pakistan of suppression

A political leader from Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) has strongly criticised Pakistan's national media, accusing major outlets of insulting the region's 2.2 million residents and undermining their voices. In a statement, he insisted that PoGB's fate should be determined solely by its people and religious scholars, not dictated by outside forces or media propaganda.

2025-09-20T12:08:04.929387+00:00 IST

Earthquake of magnitude 3.4 hits Myanmar

An earthquake of magnitude 3.4 struck Myanmar on Saturday afternoon, as reported by the National Centre for Seismology (NCS).

2025-09-20T11:45:30.168102+00:00 IST

Sputnik India coils Delhi Metro's Yellow Line with their logos

Sputnik India, a Russian News Agency, on Saturday launched an advertising campaign by branding a train on Delhi Metro's Yellow Line with its logos, slogans, and QR codes.

2025-09-20T11:20:06.693916+00:00 IST

Air India warns of check-in delays at London’s Heathrow Airport

Air India on Saturday issued a travel advisory due to a cyberattack on a third-party service provider affecting check-in and boarding systems at major European airports, including London's Heathrow.

2025-09-20T11:12:54.142398+00:00 IST

Earthquake of magnitude 4.5 strikes Tajikistan

An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 struck Tajikistan on Saturday afternoon, as reported by the National Centre for Seismology.

2025-09-20T11:00:05.883741+00:00 IST

Pak: Climate experts warn neglect of waterways may worsen floods

Experts and civil society members in Karachi urged urgent restoration of natural waterways to prevent severe urban flooding. At a Karachi Press Club session, speakers blamed poor planning, sewage in storm drains, and housing projects on riverbeds for the crisis, stressing better urban planning and protection of farmland.

2025-09-20T10:47:30.069117+00:00 IST

Taiwan raises alarm over growing cases of Taiwanese missing in Ch

Of the total, 50 Taiwanese were listed as "disappeared" after visiting China, 19 were formally detained, and 119 faced restrictions on their freedom of movement. These included interrogations at airports and questioning in hotel lobbies, Taipei Times reported.

2025-09-20T09:17:16.084233+00:00 IST

AVIC president Bikram Chabhal on US visa fee hike

Bikram Chabhal, president of AVIC, said Trump's decision to raise the H-1B visa fee to USD 100,000 will heavily impact Indians, who form 70% of holders. He warned companies may struggle to pay, but added India could benefit if skilled workers return home.

2025-09-20T09:04:35.071218+00:00 IST

Trump’s H-1B visa fee hike “two-edged sword”: Ex-Diplomat

Former senior Indian diplomat Mahesh Sachdev on Saturday described US President Donald Trump's proclamation of imposing a USD 100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications as a "two-edged sword", warning that it could undermine America's IT innovation while significantly impacting Indian companies reliant on the US market, though it may also spur outsourcing and local hiring strategies in response.

2025-09-20T08:59:55.183303+00:00 IST

UKPNP leader slams Pakistan’s propaganda in PoJK

Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, Chairman of UKPNP, condemned Pakistan's propaganda against his party, stressing PoJK's neglect in healthcare, infrastructure, and education. He said real issues are overshadowed by political rhetoric and urged self-determination, unity, and political awakening, declaring, "Those who wear the chains must be the ones to break them."

2025-09-20T08:44:55.415838+00:00 IST

India, Canada NSAs meet in Delhi to enhance security ties

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met his Canadian counterpart Nathalie G. Drouin, National Security and Intelligence Adviser of Canada, on September 18 in New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in an official statement.

2025-09-20T07:29:10.011495+00:00 IST

Citizens of K-P accuse Pakistan of failing to crush militancy

According to The Express Tribune, protesters carried banners and placards with anti-terror slogans, demanding urgent intervention from the government and security institutions to restore peace. Organisers described the gathering as a "public referendum" against terrorism, underlining the community's united stance in defence of their homes. Speakers at the event emphasised that the large turnout reflected the determination of Swat's residents to protect their valley from being destabilised again.

2025-09-20T06:49:42.268569+00:00 IST

Afghan refugee repatriation resumes at Chaman after deadly blast

Repatriation of Afghan refugees at the Chaman border resumed a day after a bomb blast killed six people near a taxi stand. Officials cleared the area before reopening the crossing. Pakistan continues deporting undocumented Afghans, a policy criticised by rights groups for leaving returnees vulnerable in Afghanistan.

2025-09-20T06:48:53.069480+00:00 IST

Taiwan detects 5 Chinese aircraft and naval vessels near its terr

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) has reported Chinese military activity around its territory, with five sorties by aircraft of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and five People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels detected up until 6 am on Saturday, a significant decrease from what was reported the day prior.

2025-09-20T06:27:27.299097+00:00 IST

BYC slams Pakistan judiciary over jailed activist ‘absconder’ tag

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) condemned a court for declaring jailed activist Gulzadi Baloch an "absconder," calling it a mockery of justice. The group accused authorities of using courts as tools of repression and demanded the release of all detained leaders and withdrawal of fabricated cases.

2025-09-20T06:26:23.996958+00:00 IST

“Scoring a self-goal”: Ex-diplomat on Trump’s H-1B fee hike

Former diplomat KP Fabian criticised US President Donald Trump's order raising H-1B visa sponsorship fees to USD 100,000, calling it "an atrocity and unnecessary." He warned it would hurt Indians and the American economy, saying Trump was "keen on scoring a self-goal."

2025-09-20T06:02:26.795280+00:00 IST

Rajnath Singh set to embark on two-day visit to Morocco

According to the release by the Ministry of Defence, the visit, at the invitation of Morocco's Minister Delegate of National Defence Abdeltif Loudiyi, marks the first-ever trip by an Indian Defence Minister to the North African nation, highlighting the strengthening strategic ties between India and Morocco.

2025-09-20T05:57:01.304945+00:00 IST

America’s loss will be India’s gain:ex-NITI Aayog CEO on H1B visa

Former NITI Aayog CEO and ex-G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant hailed US President Donald Trump's H-1B visa overhaul as a potential boon for India's innovation ecosystem, asserting that the restrictive USD 100,000 fee per visa application will stifle US foreign talent inflows and redirect global brains to India's tech hubs like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Gurgoan.

2025-09-20T05:28:00.483670+00:00 IST