India has been elevated to major power status in the Asia Power Index 2025, marking a significant milestone in New Delhi’s expanding global profile. The latest edition of the Index places India third in its overall ranking, behind only the United States and China, reflecting a steady enhancement of the country’s economic strength, military capability and regional influence. The ranking signals a turning point for India, which has long sought to consolidate its role as a central player in

The massive fire that devastated several high-rise buildings in Hong Kong, claiming 55 lives and injuring more than 70 residents, has triggered a detailed investigation into the construction materials used during the renovation of the tower complex. Authorities believe these materials played a significant role in the unusually fast spread of the flames. Three senior officials from the engineering company handling the renovation have already been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, after ea

Hong Kong is reeling after a catastrophic fire ripped through seven high-rise residential buildings in the Wang Fuk Court estate, killing at least 55 people and leaving hundreds more unaccounted for in one of the city’s worst disasters in decades. The fire began on Wednesday afternoon and rapidly engulfed multiple 31-storey towers undergoing repairs in Tai Po, where bamboo scaffolding and renovation materials helped the flames spread at alarming speed. Firefighters continued battling hotspo

India has taken a major step toward reducing its dependence on imported critical technologies by approving a new national programme for manufacturing sintered rare earth permanent magnets. These magnets are essential components used in electric vehicle motors, renewable energy systems, advanced electronics and defence platforms. The Union Cabinet cleared a financial package of Rs 7,280 crore to establish a fully integrated domestic supply chain capable of producing 6,000 metric tonnes per yea

Reports claiming that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled or delayed his upcoming India visit due to security concerns after the recent Delhi blast have triggered widespread discussion. However, senior government sources have now clarified that such claims are misleading and factually incorrect. The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Netanyahu, initially expected later this year, is unlikely to take place in 2025, but officials emphasize that the decision has no

A woman from Arunachal Pradesh has alleged severe harassment and illegal detention by Chinese immigration authorities at Shanghai Pudong Airport after they refused to recognise her Indian passport during a transit halt. In detailed posts shared on X, Pema Wang Thongdok described an ordeal that lasted nearly eighteen hours on November 21, when officials insisted her passport was invalid simply because her birthplace was listed as Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims as its territory.

The G20 Leaders’ Summit 2025 opened in South Africa on Friday, marking a significant moment for the international forum as it convenes on the African continent for the first time. Hosted in Johannesburg, the three-day gathering carries the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” reflecting South Africa’s priorities of promoting collaborative global action in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. This year’s summit places particular emphasis on strength

China is developing the world’s first artificial floating island capable of surviving nuclear blasts and extreme ocean disasters. The massive 78,000-tonne structure, officially known as the Deep-Sea All-Weather Resident Floating Research Facility, is designed as a long-term deep-ocean base that can support up to 238 people for four months without fresh supplies. The island will feature a semi-submersible twin-hull design similar in size to the Fujian aircraft carrier and is expected to be o

Authorities in Nepal have imposed a strict curfew in parts of Bara district after fresh clashes broke out between Gen Z protestors and supporters of former prime minister KP Sharma Oli’s CPN-UML party. The district administration confirmed the curfew will remain in effect until 8 pm local time on Thursday to prevent further violence and restore normalcy. The situation worsened on Wednesday when both young protestors and CPN-UML workers held simultaneous rallies in the Simara region. Tension

US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will move forward with selling F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant shift in defence cooperation just as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prepares for his first Washington visit in more than seven years. Trump described Saudi Arabia as a strong ally and confirmed that the kingdom’s request for the world-class stealth aircraft will be fulfilled. The crown prince is expected to arrive with clear priorities, includi

The United States is preparing a major escalation in its economic pressure campaign against Russia, with President Donald Trump announcing that he supports Senate legislation enabling Washington to impose tariffs of up to 500 percent on countries that continue significant trade with Moscow. The measure represents one of the most aggressive attempts yet to curtail Russian war funding and signals growing frustration in Washington over the prolonged conflict in Ukraine. Speaking before

  US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order removing import tariffs on a broad selection of food products in an effort to curb rising grocery costs and ease pressure on consumers. The decision marks one of the most significant adjustments to his trade policy since tariffs were introduced as a central feature of his economic agenda. The order comes at a moment when Americans have voiced growing frustration over inflation, particularly food prices, following last we

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party is positioned to advance crucial trade negotiations with the United States after securing a decisive electoral victory in Bihar, a development that analysts say could provide New Delhi with the political space needed to offer farm-related concessions long sought by Washington. The National Democratic Alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, appeared headed for an overwhelming win as early trends from the Election Commission showed the coalition leadi

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is preparing for a high-stakes visit to Washington this week, marking his first trip to the United States in seven years. The visit comes at a moment of deep regional unease, with Saudi Arabia seeking firmer American security guarantees as tensions rise across the Middle East. While US President Donald Trump is expected to press the crown prince to move toward normalising relations with Israel, officials and analysts suggest that Riyadh remains reluctant

Massive student and teacher protests erupted across Dhaka University and Jagannath University after the Yunus-led interim government scrapped the posts of music and physical education teachers in public schools. The move came after Islamist organisations like Hefazat-e-Islam and Islami Andolon Bangladesh denounced such subjects as “un-Islamic” and threatened street protests unless the government prioritized religious education. The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education had init

The United States Supreme Court has signaled strong skepticism toward former President Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose sweeping global tariffs, raising the possibility that one of his most controversial trade measures could soon face major curbs. The case, which centers on Trump’s invocation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), could redefine the limits of presidential authority in shaping US trade policy. For India, which bore the brunt of several

A fresh controversy has erupted after Farhatullah Babar, former adviser to Pakistan’s ex-president Asif Ali Zardari, claimed that the 26/11 Mumbai attacks were a reaction to Zardari’s ‘no first use’ nuclear weapons offer to India. According to Babar’s book The Zardari Presidency: Now It Must Be Told, the offer was made during an interview with Indian journalist Karan Thapar in November 2008. He suggests Pakistan’s military establishment retaliated through the terror assau

The White House has confirmed that United States President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi continue to engage in regular communication, with trade officials from both countries involved in what have been described as “very serious discussions.” The statement comes amid rising diplomatic and economic tensions between the two nations following Washington’s recent decision to impose a 50 percent tariff on select Indian imports, a move that has strained one of the world

In a move that has sparked outrage and concern, Pakistani authorities denied entry to 12 Hindu pilgrims who were part of a 1,932-member Sikh Jatha traveling to Pakistan to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The group crossed the Attari–Wagah border on Tuesday for the annual pilgrimage, but the 12 Hindu devotees were stopped at the immigration counters despite being initially cleared for travel. According to reports, their passports even bore immigration stamps before Paki