Asia

Balochistan: Border crisis triggers food, fuel shortages

Tensions involving Iran, Israel and the US have disrupted cross-border trade, causing fuel and food shortages in Pakistan's Balochistan border districts. Markets in Gwadar, Kech and nearby areas are witnessing sharp price hikes as Iranian exports decline, raising concerns over worsening supply shortages.

2026-03-07T05:49:48.500163+00:00 IST

Balen Shah’s RSP heads for landslide victory in Nepal polls

Balen Shah's RSP is heading for a landslide victory in Nepal's parliamentary polls, leading in 98 seats and winning 19. Shah holds a massive lead over veteran KP Sharma Oli, as the RSP nears a simple majority, with party leaders eyeing a two-third majority of 186 seats.

2026-03-07T03:45:06.781526+00:00 IST

Balen Shah: From rap battle stage to doorstep of PM’s office

Balen Shah is poised to become one of Nepal's youngest Prime Ministers as the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leads an electoral landslide. Following the March 5 general election, the 35-year-old engineer is significantly outstripping veteran KP Sharma Oli in Jhapa-05. Backed by Gen-Z, Shah's rise signals a historic dismantling of Nepal's established political "Old Guard."

2026-03-07T03:00:46.441996+00:00 IST

Pakistan: Petrol, diesel prices hiked amid West Asia tensions

The Government of Pakistan has announced a sharp hike in the prices of petrol and diesel by PKR 55 per litre, in the wake of the escalating security situation in West Asia, as per a report by ARY News.

2026-03-06T21:10:51.816803+00:00 IST

Rocket attack targets military base housing US Diplomatic Centre

As the crisis escalates in West Asia, Reuters reported, citing Iraqi security sources on Saturday (local time) that a rocket attack targeted military base housing US diplomatic centre near the Baghdad international airport, as per Iraqi security sources.

2026-03-06T19:59:38.259789+00:00 IST

Bangladesh: Energy Minister assures of normal fuel supply a

On Friday after Dhaka saw a fuel crisis at several gas stations with rush and chaos regarding fuel, the country's Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood said that Bangladesh has adequate fuel stocks and that the supply is normal, thus urging the public to not panic.

2026-03-06T19:43:09.120816+00:00 IST

French Air Force Maj Gen calls for securing Strait of Hormuz

Deputy to the Chief of the Air and Space Force Staff in the French Air Force, Major General Dominique Tardif, on Friday stressed the need to address security threats in the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, saying international cooperation would be essential to tackle the current oil supply challenges.

2026-03-06T17:37:17.633209+00:00 IST

Araghchi, Jaishankar discuss regional situation

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday held a telephone conversation with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss regional developments following recent tensions involving the United States and Israel, as tensions in West Asia escalate.

2026-03-06T17:09:13.045184+00:00 IST

Iranian Navy's IRIS Lavan that took part in Milan, IFR 2026 safel

Sources said India had been approached by Iran days before the IRIS Dena incident south of Sri Lanka. The ship was in the region as part of the Iranian naval presence for the International Fleet Review and MILAN 2026, which took place from February 15 to February 25

2026-03-06T16:20:00.849080+00:00 IST

Balen’s party claims 2/3 majority in Nepal polls

Hundreds of supporters took to the streets across Nepal, singing, dancing, and celebrating as former Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Balendra Shah's party, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), claimed an absolute two-thirds majority in the parliamentary election in the country's House of Representatives as counting continues.

2026-03-06T15:01:09.074914+00:00 IST

EAM holds bilateral meetings with global leaders

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2026 in the national capital, engaging with top leaders from Malta, Mauritius, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, and Kenya to strengthen strategic and regional partnerships.

2026-03-06T14:11:18.552829+00:00 IST

US Mission appoints Mariana Neisuler as Consul General in Chennai

According to a release, the US Mission said that Neisuler took charge of the United States Consulate General Chennai on Monday.

2026-03-06T13:36:26.363054+00:00 IST

2012 deal with US on no Iran Oil purchase burns holes in Cong attack on Govt after US waiver on Russia Oil

However, historical records from the Congress-led UPA government's tenure indicate that India too had reduced oil imports from Iran following pressure linked to US sanctions.

2026-03-06T12:38:39.952177+00:00 IST

China accused of detaining Uyghurs for fasting

The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) has raised alarm over recent reports that Uyghur Muslims in East Turkistan have been detained for practising Ramadan fasting. The organisation said the incidents illustrate the continued lack of freedom of religion for Uyghurs living under Chinese rule.

2026-03-06T12:31:45.654486+00:00 IST

Pak's Op 'Ghazab lil-Haq' killed mostly Afghan women, children

The UN body said that from late evening on February 26 to March 5, it verified and recorded 185 civilian casualties in Afghanistan due to indirect fire and aerial attacks linked to cross-border armed clashes with Pakistan.

2026-03-06T12:08:47.246875+00:00 IST

Goal will be a regime change: Israeli FM amid West Asia conflict

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Friday said that the ultimate objective of Israel's ongoing military campaign in West Asia against Iran is to remove "existential threats" posed by the Islamic Republic, adding that the end goal for the joint operation with the US could "will be a regime change".

2026-03-06T12:00:27.032806+00:00 IST

RSP heads for clean sweep in Nepal parliamentary polls

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is emerging as the frontrunner in Nepal's House of Representatives elections held on March 5, riding on a surge in popularity following the Gen Z-led movement in September, The Himalayan Times reported.

2026-03-06T11:06:19.608052+00:00 IST

Pakistan faces deep education crisis amid low funding

A government report highlights a severe crisis in Pakistan's education system, with over 25 million children out of school and most ten-year-olds unable to read properly. Low government spending, weak policies, and poor learning resources continue to affect education quality across the country.

2026-03-06T10:11:24.301957+00:00 IST

Pakistan farmers face rising costs ahead of cotton sowing season

Farmers in South Punjab and Sindh face rising taxes, high input costs, and market uncertainty ahead of the cotton sowing season. Agricultural groups are urging the government to remove GST on cottonseed products, warning that continued financial pressure could further reduce cotton cultivation in Pakistan.

2026-03-06T09:53:45.085057+00:00 IST

"No one will dare violate our sovereignty again": Motlagh 

Iran's Consul General in Mumbai stated that the country remains united after the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and will continue defending its sovereignty. He highlighted public support for the leadership, criticised US sanctions and attacks, and expressed hope for cooperation with India to facilitate the departure of Indian nationals if needed.

2026-03-06T09:23:17.166226+00:00 IST

"Any instability in Taiwan will impact Indian economy," says Dy Representative Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Philippines

Michael Lee stated that any conflict in the Taiwan Strait would directly impact the Indian economy, calling on New Delhi to play a role in ensuring regional safety.

2026-03-06T09:04:25.502004+00:00 IST