Asia

IMF raises concerns over Pakistan's sugar subsidy plan, warns of risk to $7 billion loan program

The IMF has raised concerns over Pakistan's plan to subsidise imported sugar, warning it could affect the $7 billion loan program. ARY News reports the IMF rejected the "food emergency" claim and fears the sugar will benefit industries, not households. The government may now review its decision.

2025-07-15T14:05:14.387208+00:00 IST

Jaishankar highlights India's focus on startups, medicine at SCO

Sharing the highlights of his participation at the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting through a post on X (formerly Twitter), Jaishankar said India remains open to new ideas that genuinely benefit the region, but stressed that cooperation must be built on mutual respect, equal sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

2025-07-15T13:57:49.603890+00:00 IST

Jaishankar slams terrorism at SCO meet, cites Pahalgam attack

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Tuesday stressed the importance of taking an uncompromising stance against terrorism, citing the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack in India, which was condemned by the UN Security Council during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin.

2025-07-15T13:34:25.909302+00:00 IST

EAM Jaishankar urges SCO to aid Afghanistan, embrace unity

EAM S. Jaishankar, at the SCO meet in Tianjin, urged member nations to support Afghanistan with development aid and stressed the need for unity in shaping a multipolar world. He shared the message on X, reaffirming India's commitment to regional stability and collective cooperation through platforms like the SCO.

2025-07-15T13:05:08.195835+00:00 IST

UN seeks urgent aid as Afghan returnee numbers soar

The UN says over 1.3 million Afghans have returned in 2025, overwhelming Afghanistan's fragile support systems. Tolo News reports the UN is urging urgent global aid, warning of rising poverty, underfunded relief efforts, and risks to regional stability without immediate reintegration support.

2025-07-15T13:03:55.266198+00:00 IST

Israel hits Lebanon, Syria as Gaza toll surpasses 58,000

Israel struck Lebanon's Bekaa Valley and Syria's Suwayda as attacks on Gaza continue. Al Jazeera reports over 58,000 killed in Gaza since October 7. Settlers torched Palestinian property in the West Bank. The UN recorded 875 killed near Gaza aid points and convoys over the past six weeks.

2025-07-15T13:02:19.078324+00:00 IST

BJP's Tarun Chugh meets Dalai Lama in Ladakh

BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh met Dalai Lama on Tuesday in Ladakh. The meeting reflected a deep spiritual connection and mutual reverence for India's civilisational responsibility in promoting peace, compassion, and religious freedom.

2025-07-15T12:46:51.233664+00:00 IST

EAM Jaishankar meets Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in China

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)'s Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Tuesday.

2025-07-15T12:17:39.313514+00:00 IST

EAM Jaishankar meets Iranian Foreign Minister on sidelines of SCO

This is Jaishankar's first in-person meeting with Araghchi following the recent conflict between Iran and Israel.

2025-07-15T11:23:20.809451+00:00 IST

Xi Jinping meets SCO ministers, calls for stronger ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping met SCO foreign ministers in Beijing and called for stronger regional cooperation. He highlighted China's commitment to the SCO, praised its growth, and urged unity amid global uncertainty. Xi also looked forward to the upcoming SCO Summit in Tianjin later this year.

2025-07-15T11:16:16.531620+00:00 IST

Philippines edges closer to Taiwan in strategic defence shift

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said in a recent interview that "it would be hiding from the obvious to say that Taiwan's security will not affect us." His comments reflect a shift in Manila's posture, even as it maintains its official diplomatic recognition of Beijing.

2025-07-15T10:37:02.938088+00:00 IST

India cuts zero-dose children by 43 per cent in 2024

As per the 2024 data, India brought down its zero-dose children from 1.6 million in 2023 to 0.9 million in 2024 , a drop of nearly 7 lakh.

2025-07-15T09:38:44.620879+00:00 IST

China slams Japan-Philippines Naval deal

In a classic display of authoritarian double standards, China has launched an aggressive diplomatic protest against Japan's potential transfer of second-hand Abukuma-class destroyers to the Philippines, a move aimed at bolstering regional deterrence in the face of Beijing's continued maritime bullying, The Eurasian Times reported.

2025-07-15T09:14:26.691875+00:00 IST

China's military goes all out in space

While China's space program is a source of national pride, its authoritarian leader Chairman Xi Jinping aims to displace the USA as the leading space power. This explains the enormous investment Beijing is pouring into scientific, civil and military space assets.

2025-07-15T08:12:17.198069+00:00 IST

Taiwan shuts down key bridge for military drill

The Wanban Bridge, which links New Taipei's Banqiao District to Taipei's Wanhua District, was entirely shut down from 11 pm (local time) on Monday to 6 am (local time) on Tuesday to facilitate the drill.

2025-07-15T08:11:16.819915+00:00 IST

Five people reportedly forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces

The incident occurred during a series of military operations carried out in the Mirabad and Neckwah regions.

2025-07-15T07:59:33.371734+00:00 IST

Tibetan, Mongolian, Japanese communities unite in Gifu

Mongol, Tibetan, and Japanese communities from across the Tokai region of Honshu Island gathered in the serene mountains of Gifu Prefecture to celebrate the 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama with joy, reverence, and cultural unity, as reported by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and the Office of Tibet, Japan.

2025-07-15T07:19:56.955608+00:00 IST

Subhanshu Shukla’s space mission will boost Gaganyaan

Indian astronaut Subhanshu Shukla returned to Earth after 15 days aboard the International Space Station. ISRO says his mission will help prepare for India's first human spaceflight under Gaganyaan.

2025-07-15T07:16:20.648665+00:00 IST

BLA launches coordinated attacks in Kalat, Kharan

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for a series of coordinated attacks on Pakistani security forces and infrastructure in Balochistan's Kalat and Kharan regions, aimed at what it calls resisting "occupation and exploitation", The Balochistan Post reported.

2025-07-15T07:07:33.263314+00:00 IST

Mahrang Baloch's sister condemns trh activists to ansfer of Baloc

She urged Pakistan's judiciary, civil society, bar councils, and international human rights organisations to intervene in the matter to restore the rule of law and safeguard the fundamental human rights of the detained people.

2025-07-15T07:01:51.018310+00:00 IST

Survey reveals Pakistan’s PTI govt losing support in KP

Public dissatisfaction is rising sharply in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) just months into Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur's tenure, as a recent Gallup Pakistan survey reveals deep frustrations over governance, services, and economic prospects, Geo News reported.

2025-07-15T06:47:29.598122+00:00 IST