Asia

"Women got only 4% nominations, this is gatekeeping": Women's rights activist Raihana highlights discrimination in Bangladesh elections

Speaking to ANI after the results were announced, Raihana said many women were unable to secure party nominations despite being politically active.

2026-02-15T15:44:54.416266+00:00 IST

Pak: Imran Khan’s eye exam at Adiala Jail sparks PTI outrage

A medical team examined Imran Khan's eyes at Adiala Jail on Sunday following a Supreme Court order. PTI rejected the inspection as "malicious" without his family and personal doctors present. No hospital transfer occurred.

2026-02-15T15:40:35.827191+00:00 IST

Post-election tensions in Panchagarh trigger NCP-BNP face-off

Post-election tensions in Panchagarh triggered allegations by NCP leader Sarjis Alam of attacks on party members. BNP leaders denied involvement, calling the claims exaggerated. Police said only minor disturbances were reported and no major incidents or formal complaints had been recorded.

2026-02-15T13:13:48.734340+00:00 IST

MSDE to position skilling at core of India’s inclusive AI vision

The Ministry of Skill Development will showcase "AI for Inclusive Development" at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 with a pavilion focused on skilling in, with, and for AI to ensure inclusive growth and job opportunities.

2026-02-15T12:53:53.072749+00:00 IST

India, France to co-chair 6th Annual Defence Dialogue

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will co-chair the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru with French Minister Catherine Vautrin on February 17. The meeting will review bilateral defence cooperation, industrial collaboration, agreements, joint ventures, officer exchanges, and witness the virtual inauguration of Tata Airbus' H125 assembly.

2026-02-15T11:46:02.405270+00:00 IST

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to represent India at Tarique Rahman's swearing-in ceremony

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will represent India at Tarique Rahman's swearing-in in Dhaka on February 17. Muhammad Yunus has invited leaders from 13 countries. The ceremony follows the BNP's landslide victory in the February 12 elections, which marked Bangladesh's first vote after the 2024 protests.

2026-02-15T11:02:35.867646+00:00 IST

Bangladesh: BNP office set ablaze in Narayanganj

A BNP office in Rupganj, Narayanganj, was allegedly set on fire around 3:45 am on Saturday. Police identified two suspects and began an investigation. The incident occurred days after BNP's election victory. Locals doused the flames. BNP leaders linked the attack to rivals. A formal complaint is being prepared.

2026-02-15T10:26:56.967054+00:00 IST

PM Modi to inaugurate India AI Impact Expo 2026 tomorrow

The India AI Impact Expo 2026 will be held from February 16 to 20 alongside the India AI Impact Summit and is envisioned as a national showcase of artificial intelligence in action, bringing together policy, innovation, and large-scale implementation under one platform.

2026-02-15T09:23:04.946332+00:00 IST

Ahead of India AI Impact Summit 2026, finalists announced

The summit, scheduled to run from February 16-20, will showcase scalable and socially impactful AI solutions that address pressing global priorities, including healthcare, education, climate resilience and inclusive governance. The shortlisted teams will present their solutions during the Grand Finale and Awards Felicitation Ceremony at Bharat Mandapam and Sushma Swaraj Bhawan on February 16 and 17.

2026-02-15T08:56:56.597484+00:00 IST

AI Impact Summit: India's 7-sutra for AI Governance Framework

India's AI Governance Guidelines for Enabling Safe and Trusted AI Innovation outlined a principle-based framework to position artificial intelligence as a catalyst for inclusive growth, competitiveness, and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 as the country sets itself up to host the AI Impact Summit 2026 next week.

2026-02-15T08:55:27.188500+00:00 IST

BLA announces seven-day deadline for Pakistan on prisoner exchang

According to BLA, those freed were identified as ethnic Baloch connected to local policing structures, including Levies personnel. The group said they were let go after warnings, arguing that the move reflected what it termed ground realities and the broader interests of the Baloch population.

2026-02-15T08:26:41.620096+00:00 IST

Akhtar Mengal questions state strategy, warns of deepening crisis

Mengal said repeated attempts to subdue dissent through military operations, arrests and enforced disappearances had only deepened the divide between the federation and Baloch citizens. Quoting revolutionary poet Habib Jalib, he remarked that Balochistan was not simply "burning" but had already been reduced to ashes.

2026-02-15T08:08:18.001382+00:00 IST

Russia’s Alexey Navalny killed by dart frog poison

In a joint statement issued on Saturday -- timed to coincide with the Munich Security Conference -- the foreign ministries of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands said laboratory analysis of samples taken from Navalny's body "conclusively confirmed the presence of epibatidine", a toxin naturally found in poison dart frogs and otherwise absent from Russia. The governments said their findings leave no "innocent explanation" for the chemical's presence.

2026-02-15T07:58:20.511209+00:00 IST

Transforming healthcare delivery through artificial intelligence

The initiative leverages cutting-edge technologies such as AI-powered diagnostics, telemedicine solutions and surveillance tools to bridge gaps in medical services, improve quality of care and make health services more affordable and accessible for all citizens.

2026-02-15T07:47:49.272506+00:00 IST

Indian Navy rescues critically-ill Japanese national

Public Relations Officer (PRO) & Spokesperson, Ministry of Defence (MoD), Jammu Region today informed about a rescue operation the Indian Navy has had to undertake to save a critically-ill Japanese national's life.

2026-02-15T07:17:10.609585+00:00 IST

US army launches retaliatory strikes on dozens of ISIL targets

The United States Army has carried out a series of retaliatory strikes against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) targets in Syria, escalating its ongoing campaign against the remnants of the extremist group following a deadly ambush that killed two American service members and a US civilian interpreter late last year, reported Al Jazeera.

2026-02-15T06:59:24.556619+00:00 IST

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman pushes for ‘Democratic AI’ in India

The OpenAI CEO further said that he wil be in India next week and they "will soon be announcing new ways of partnering with the Indian government to put access to AI and its benefits within reach for more people across the country."

2026-02-15T06:51:01.730548+00:00 IST

Families in agony as Pakistan linked to fresh Baloch abductions

A new wave of alleged enforced disappearances has again put Pakistan's security apparatus under scrutiny, with at least seven individuals said to have gone missing in incidents connected to Panjgur and Karachi. A student is among those unaccounted for, heightening anxiety among families already grappling with similar cases, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

2026-02-15T06:39:48.424153+00:00 IST

Nepal: Devotees flock Pashupatinath temple on Mahashivratri

Observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi, Mahashivratri is considered one of the most sacred days dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to the Shiva Purana, the festival commemorates the night when Shiva manifested and is counted among four significant nights--Kaalratri, Moharatri, Sukhratri, and Shivaratri. The day is believed to inspire spiritual awakening and provide solace to those who are suffering or sorrowful.

2026-02-15T06:33:36.750209+00:00 IST

Bangladesh polls termed “historic” by PAFFREL chief

Rohana Hettiarachchie, Executive Director of People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), has described Bangladesh's recent national elections as "historic and landmark", while also calling for stronger inclusion and reconciliation efforts in the country's political landscape.

2026-02-15T06:22:22.191185+00:00 IST