Asia

Nepal: Splinter communist parties from CPN-UML led by Oli merge

The CPN- Unified Socialist, led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, and the CPN Unity National Campaign, led by Bamdev Gautam, announced their merger on Friday at a ceremony held at City Hall in Kathmandu. With the merger, Bamdev Gautam, the campaign coordinator, has formally joined the CPN-Unified Socialist, which was formed after a split with CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist led by KP Sharma Oli following the intra-party rift.

2025-07-18T17:08:00.697848+00:00 IST

Spanish investor should consider MP as"key contender"

Additional Chief Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh Science and Technology Department, Sanjay Dubey, said that if Spanish investors are considering making investments, they should consider MP as a "key contender", highlighting the state's tailor-made policies and fiscal incentives.

2025-07-18T16:40:17.386024+00:00 IST

No double standards, especially in energy trade: MEA

India rejected the EU's new sanctions, saying it doesn't support unilateral measures. It stressed its commitment to legal obligations and highlighted energy security as a key priority. India also called for avoiding double standards, especially in energy trade.

2025-07-18T16:15:23.867559+00:00 IST

Kathmandu plane crash: Probe blames tragedy on cargo shift, speed

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Commission (AAIC) released its final report on Friday, citing several critical lapses in weight and balance management, incorrect takeoff speeds, and regulatory oversight failures as key contributing factors to the crash of the Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft (registration 9N-AME). One of the major findings was that the aircraft's cargo was likely not secured according to guidelines, which may have shifted during takeoff.

2025-07-18T15:44:04.529913+00:00 IST

US lawmakers introduce bill to cut DC's Sister City ties

"The United States must remain vigilant and proactive in countering authoritarian influence, especially when it targets the heart of American democracy," the SCCCP said

2025-07-18T14:59:57.257209+00:00 IST

MP Tourism woos Spanish investors with attractive policies

The Madhya Pradesh's principal secretary revealed lucrative investment opportunities, including 30% returns for investments over EUR10 million, to attract Spanish investors.

2025-07-18T14:48:21.637647+00:00 IST

Nepal bans Telegram citing rise in online fraud, money laundering

The Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) issued a notice ordering all telecommunication service providers to block Telegram with immediate effect on Friday late afternoon.

2025-07-18T14:17:39.650491+00:00 IST

Om Birla meets special envoys from South Korea

A delegation of special envoys, led by South Korea's former Prime Minister Kim Boo Kyum, met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at Parliament House on Friday and extended best wishes to President Lee Jae Myung for his recent electoral success.

2025-07-18T12:49:28.534710+00:00 IST

Israeli strikes kill at least 30 in Gaza as hospitals struggle under blockade

At least 30 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza, Al Jazeera reported, as hospitals struggle without power or supplies. Attacks hit displaced civilians, including children, while doctors are forced to choose who to treat. Israel also faced backlash after bombing Gaza's only Catholic church.

2025-07-18T12:47:13.234765+00:00 IST

Taiwanese VP Hsiao Bi-khim slams CCP’s coercion tactics

Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim reaffirmed the government's commitment to national security and regional stability, warning of rising Chinese threats. She highlighted Taiwan's military reforms, hybrid threat preparedness, and resolve to defend the status quo through democracy, innovation, and global partnerships.

2025-07-18T12:24:34.702009+00:00 IST

Pakistan’s occupation chokes free press in PoJK

Pakistan's global claims of democracy and press freedom stand exposed by the grim realities in PoJK, where journalists are not just silenced, they are strangled by neglect, censorship, and exploitation sanctioned by the state itself.

2025-07-18T12:12:02.021016+00:00 IST

Pakistan: Medium-level flood on Indus River at Punjab's Kalabagh

Heavy monsoon rains and glacial melting have caused medium-level flooding at Kalabagh and killed at least 63 people in Punjab, Pakistan, Dawn reported. Authorities warned of more rain spells ahead, with rescue efforts ongoing. Over 1000 people have been rescued, and emergency measures are in place across affected districts.

2025-07-18T11:06:01.134732+00:00 IST

SpaceX VP praises Bangladesh for efficient Starlink launch

SpaceX Vice President Lauren Dreyer praised Bangladesh's efficient support for Starlink during a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. They discussed using digital technology to improve education and healthcare in remote areas. Dreyer also commended efforts to fight corruption and enhance public service delivery through decentralization.

2025-07-18T10:40:36.685686+00:00 IST

Tajikistan begins deporting Afghan refugees

Russia's recent formal recognition of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan is thought to have triggered policy realignments across Central Asia. Tajikistan, which has historically provided safe haven to Afghan opposition figures and been openly critical of the Taliban, may now be signaling a pivot towards Moscow's strategic stance.

2025-07-18T09:57:31.009068+00:00 IST

Tehreek-e-Insaf slams Imran Khan's jail conditions

Addressing a press conference, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram said Khan is being kept in isolation for 22 hours a day and is not allowed newspapers, television, or books

2025-07-18T09:37:23.261495+00:00 IST

Take best from school, avoid stress: EAM

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday shared four key pieces of advice for students and reflected on the enduring value of the school's teachings and their relevance in shaping successful lives while speaking at the 70th Raising Day celebrations of The Air Force School (TAFS) in the national capital.

2025-07-18T08:43:58.677189+00:00 IST

Balochistan’s public transport turns into military convoy

According to an official notification issued by the Assistant Commissioner of Surab, all buses, vans, and wagons operating in the district will be required to implement a set of mandatory safety measures.

2025-07-18T08:39:04.695481+00:00 IST

MEA expresses grief over Al-Kut fire tragedy

In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal conveyed India's condolences to the people and government of Iraq.

2025-07-18T07:43:21.807129+00:00 IST

Pakistan’s child protection crisis deepens amid legal paralysis,

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is facing what experts are calling a "child protection emergency", as a recent report reveals a surge in rights violations against minors, with 402 documented incidents in just six months, already surpassing the 392 cases recorded in all of 2024, Dawn News reported.

2025-07-18T07:29:16.165707+00:00 IST

Pakistan accused of silencing Baloch Voices as families protest

Families of detained Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders and relatives of forcibly disappeared persons from Balochistan have launched a sit-in protest outside the National Press Club in Islamabad, demanding an immediate end to enforced disappearances and the release of all detained activists, The Balochistan Post reported.

2025-07-18T07:20:43.145687+00:00 IST

S Korea former PM Kim Boo Kyum on India visit

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung had dispatched a team of special envoys to India, to mark his administration's opening push to bolster both bilateral and multilateral ties. The delegation called on PM Modi and S Jaishankar yesterday.

2025-07-18T06:20:20.646773+00:00 IST