Asia

"Peace, stability across Taiwan Strait important": Japan FM

Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya has expressed concern over China's military drills around Taiwan, emphasising the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, Taipei Times reported.

2025-07-13T01:22:38.191501+00:00 IST

11 Chinese aircraft, 7 naval vessels, 1 ship detected near Taiwan

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) said that it detected 11 Chinese military aircraft, seven naval vessels, and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan until 6 am (local time) on Sunday.

2025-07-13T01:11:12.361035+00:00 IST

Police crackdown on PTI as CM Gandapur’s convoy reaches Lahore

Punjab police took several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers into custody on Saturday as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur arrived in Lahore.

2025-07-12T22:01:55.166063+00:00 IST

Pakistani airline sends passenger to Jeddah instead of Karachi

A passenger has sent a legal notice to a private airline after being mistakenly flown from Lahore to Jeddah instead of Karachi.

2025-07-12T22:01:33.778851+00:00 IST

Lavrov meets Kim Jong as North Korea backs Russia in Ukraine war

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday in Wonsan, in a sign of strengthening the relations between Moscow and Pyongyang, CNN reported.

2025-07-12T20:24:11.171479+00:00 IST

Pak: JUI-F chief Rehman urges internal change in PTI-led KP govt

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman called for a change in the PTI-led KP government, preferably from within the party. He raised concerns over security, the FATA merger, and electoral rigging, while KP's governor clarified the ex-FATA committee was not meant to reverse the merger, Dawn reported.

2025-07-12T19:13:43.927765+00:00 IST

Namo Lakshmi Yojana fuels dreams across Gujarat

The Namo Lakshmi Yojana in Gujarat supports girls from low-income families with financial aid for schooling from Classes 9 to 12. Launched in February 2024, the scheme has reduced dropouts, boosted enrollments, and helped students like Shreya and Riddhi pursue their education without financial stress.

2025-07-12T18:13:31.597720+00:00 IST

Israeli strike kills one in south Lebanon amid ceasefire tensions

Lebanon said an Israeli strike killed one person in the south. The attack comes despite a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah. President Aoun criticised Israel's presence, ruled out ties, and vowed to control weapons. Hezbollah's past attacks sparked Israeli operations that weakened the group, The Times of Israel reported.

2025-07-12T18:01:21.796003+00:00 IST

EAM Jaishankar to visit Singapore, China

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit Singapore and China from July 13 to 15.

2025-07-12T17:36:53.825287+00:00 IST

"Relationship is complex": Warfare expert Spencer on US-Pak ties

Spencer said the opportunities between the United States and India are much different from what they were a few years back.

2025-07-12T16:24:15.963640+00:00 IST

UN warns of crisis as Afghan migrants return from Iran, Pakistan

The UNHCR warns that up to 3 million Afghans could return from Iran and Pakistan by year-end, worsening the crisis in Afghanistan. Many arrive without resources, overwhelming local communities. The UN is providing emergency aid and urging global support to prevent deeper poverty and instability.

2025-07-12T16:23:57.565792+00:00 IST

Operation Baam marks major Baloch resistance expansion: Activist

Baloch activist Mir Baloch called Operation Baam a major step in the Baloch resistance, praising unity among armed groups. He blamed Pakistan's military for oppression, dismissed official claims, and urged international support, saying the Baloch movement now spans across Balochistan and won't stop until freedom is achieved.

2025-07-12T14:17:39.353019+00:00 IST

'It was a test of India’s indigenous systems vs Chinese systems'

Spencer said that for the military capabilities, the evidence was in the video, satellite footage, "not in the words about how you said your Chinese systems performed".

2025-07-12T13:47:57.812846+00:00 IST

Probe blames failures, delay for Swat River tragedy killing 14

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM ordered action against officials after 14 people drowned in a Swat River flood. A probe found major lapses by multiple departments, poor coordination, and weak safety enforcement. Authorities will take disciplinary steps, launch awareness drives, and clear river encroachments, Dawn reported.

2025-07-12T13:23:32.801297+00:00 IST

Dalai Lama departs for Ladakh, devotees express reverence

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama left for Ladakh on Saturday, where he will stay until August-end. Devotees at Kangra Airport, including visitors from Vietnam and France, expressed deep reverence and joy while seeing him off, calling him a symbol of peace, spirituality, and inspiration across faiths.

2025-07-12T12:39:39.923935+00:00 IST

Fighter jet deal signals pushback to China in South China Sea

Malaysia has received U.S. approval to buy 33 F/A-18 Hornet jets from Kuwait, boosting its air defense amid rising tensions with China in the South China Sea. The move signals quiet U.S. support as Malaysia faces repeated Chinese incursions near its waters and oil rigs.

2025-07-12T11:52:42.573965+00:00 IST

KC Venugopal urges PM to stop Nimisha Priya’s execution in Yemen

K C Venugopal urged Prime Minister Modi to intervene in the case of Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala facing execution in Yemen. Calling it a grave injustice, he highlighted her history of abuse and requested urgent diplomatic efforts to save her life.

2025-07-12T11:51:23.168219+00:00 IST

Pak: Karachi utilities show no regard for law-abiding citizens

Residents of Punjab Colony in Karachi protested severe power and water cuts, blocking roads for hours after K-Electric disconnected supply to 80 flats. The protest ended only after officials promised restoration. Locals accused K-Electric of unfair treatment and ongoing neglect, despite regular bill payments, Geo News reported.

2025-07-12T10:13:46.219116+00:00 IST

Taiwan conducts live explosive Han Kuang drills along Tamsui River to block Chinese PLA amphibious assault aimed at capital

Taiwan's military held intense Han Kuang drills simulating a Chinese river invasion, using live explosives for the first time. The exercises aimed to boost defense readiness and deter Beijing amid rising threats. Troops also responded to a mock drone attack, highlighting concerns over China's growing aerial surveillance.

2025-07-12T10:13:09.079710+00:00 IST

BLF concludes ‘Operation Baam’ after 84 coordinated attacks

The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) has claimed responsibility for a sweeping wave of armed assaults across Balochistan, declaring the "successful completion" of Operation Baam, a large-scale military campaign involving 84 coordinated attacks over two days, The Balochistan Post reported.

2025-07-12T08:08:44.364052+00:00 IST

Pakistan’s ‘collective punishment’ in Balochistan continues with

Pakistani security forces reportedly raided the residence of a slain Baloch resistance fighter in Turbat's Gogdan area, subjecting family members to violence and intimidation while ransacking their home, The Balochistan Post reported.

2025-07-12T08:07:05.917624+00:00 IST