Asia

“Hamas is the obstacle”: Netanyahu on stalled hostage deal

Israel and the US are exploring new ways to free hostages from Gaza after blaming Hamas for blocking a ceasefire deal. Prime Minister Netanyahu and US officials say Hamas is not acting in good faith, and both countries are now considering alternative strategies to end the conflict.

2025-07-26T01:12:10.140737+00:00 IST

Afghan migrants return from Iran amid hardship and free transit

Nearly 750,000 Afghans have returned from Iran in a month, many deported and without money. Returnees say public aid and free transport helped ease their journey. Several allege mistreatment in Iran, including loss of money, housing issues, and lack of medical care, according to Tolo News.

2025-07-26T01:10:04.477488+00:00 IST

Floods hit Pakistan’s Punjab; rivers swell, villages evacuated

Heavy monsoon rains have caused severe flooding across Punjab, Pakistan, affecting major rivers and urban areas. Hundreds of families were evacuated, crops destroyed, and over 140 people killed. Authorities have issued flood warnings and launched relief efforts in affected districts, including Lahore, Gujranwala, and Dera Ghazi Khan.

2025-07-26T00:17:06.736566+00:00 IST

“Timely, productive visit advanced India-Maldives ties”: Misri

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Maldives saw key agreements on credit, trade, health, and digital payments. Both nations reaffirmed ties, launched talks on a Free Trade Agreement, and celebrated 60 years of diplomacy with commemorative stamps and development projects across housing, defence, environment, and healthcare.

2025-07-25T23:21:33.175490+00:00 IST

Lahore court issues warrant for PTI’s Shibli Faraz

A Lahore court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for PTI leader Shibli Faraz and summoned Imran Khan in a 2023 case involving threats to police outside Khan's residence. The case accuses them and others of obstructing police duty during an attempted arrest, according to Dawn.

2025-07-25T23:15:30.133277+00:00 IST

EU, Japan express concern over rights situation in Afghanistan

The EU and Japan raised concerns over Afghanistan's worsening human rights situation. Afghan analysts urged dialogue, saying issues should be resolved through engagement. The Taliban has not officially responded but has previously rejected such criticism, stating it upholds rights under Islamic Sharia.

2025-07-25T23:08:18.489349+00:00 IST

India, Maldives sign 8 key pacts in Malé

"Delighted to exchange eight Agreements related to Line of Credit, debt repayment, FTA, fisheries & aquaculture, digital transformation, pharmacopoeia and UPI in the presence of PM @narendramodi and President @MMuizzu today in Male," External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar posted on X.

2025-07-25T21:02:04.425390+00:00 IST

"India-Maldives relations are centuries old": PM Modi in Malé

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed gratitude and reaffirmed the close ties between India and the Maldives during an official banquet hosted in his honour by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu in Male.

2025-07-25T19:44:34.214828+00:00 IST

Maldives lauds India’s commitment of being First Responder

The two leaders discussed cooperation in the fields of development partnership, infrastructure support, capacity building, climate action and health.

2025-07-25T19:13:29.554986+00:00 IST

India is Maldives's closest, most trusted partner: Prez Muizzu

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu praised PM Modi's leadership and India's support, reaffirming strong bilateral ties at a banquet in Male. He highlighted 60 years of diplomatic relations, people-to-people links, and India's role in Maldives' development across healthcare, education, trade, and security.

2025-07-25T19:06:46.209696+00:00 IST

Muizzu congratulates PM Modi for becoming second-longest-serving

Speaking at the official banquet hosted in honour of PM Modi during his two-day visit to the Maldives, Muizzu praised the Prime Minister's leadership.

2025-07-25T18:00:44.031711+00:00 IST

PM Modi, Maldives President Muizzu release commemorative stamps o

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu released commemorative stamps on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of India-Maldives diplomatic relations.

2025-07-25T17:42:41.245519+00:00 IST

India, Maldives not just neighbours but co-passengers: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that India will continuously cooperate in developing defence capabilities of Maldives and peace, stability and prosperity in Indian Ocean is a common goal of the two countries.

2025-07-25T17:21:51.015834+00:00 IST

PM Modi, Muizzu's participate in 'Ek ped maa ke naam'

Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said that the act reflects the leaders' priority for a sustainable planet.

2025-07-25T17:13:49.574836+00:00 IST

Maldives President condemns Pahalgam terror attack

Misri, while addressing a special briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs on Prime Minister's visit to Maldives said that Muizzu reiterated the importance Maldives attaches to security-related issues and expressed commitment to work together.

2025-07-25T16:58:01.299109+00:00 IST

Indian medical team provides critical inputs for treatment method

"The Indian Medical Team currently visiting Bangladesh continued their mission to provide medical support to Bangladesh authorities for treatment of critically injured patients in the aftermath of the plane crash of July 21 at Milestone School and College in Dhaka", said the statement posted on Facebook page of Indian High Commission, Dhaka.

2025-07-25T16:39:59.806148+00:00 IST

"Maldives people should be able to use UPI after technical work"

Misri, while addressing a special briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs on Prime Minister's visit to Maldives said that Network-to-Network Agreement between India's NPCI International Payment Limited (NIPL) and Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) on UPI in Maldives was signed.

2025-07-25T16:36:34.665159+00:00 IST

PM Modi, Maldivian President inaugurate Defence Ministry building

As PM Modi arrived at the venue, he was greeted by enthusiastic crowds chanting "Narendra Modi Zindabad" and holding banners that read -- "Honouring Enduring Partnership - Welcome, Prime Minister Modi."

2025-07-25T16:00:48.158876+00:00 IST

Second round of India-New Zealand FTA negotiation concludes

The second round of negotiations for the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded successfully on Friday in New Delhi, further advancing the shared objective of strengthening bilateral trade and economic partnerships, according to a release from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

2025-07-25T15:44:18.616370+00:00 IST

India extends Rs 4,850 crore line of credit to Maldives

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, addressing a press briefing, said that this will be the first line of credit extended to the Maldives denominated in Indian rupees, replacing the earlier dollar-denominated credit.

2025-07-25T14:41:30.098285+00:00 IST

China tries to buy Taiwanese votes with cheap flights

According to the Taipei Times, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei City Councillor Hong Chien-yi recently obtained evidence that a Chinese "united front" unit in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, had issued notices offering discounted flights to China-based Taiwanese businesspeople and their families to return to Taiwan and vote.

2025-07-25T14:36:07.643178+00:00 IST