Pakistan’s request to reduce the 18 percent GST on condoms and other contraceptives has been rejected by the International Monetary Fund, leaving the government unable to make birth-control products cheaper in a period of rising population and financial pressure. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had asked the Federal Board of Revenue to approach the IMF for immediate approval to remove the tax, but the lender made it clear that such changes cannot be made mid-year and may only be considered du

A migratory seagull carrying a Chinese-made GPS tracking device was found along Karnataka’s Karwar coast, raising questions due to the location’s proximity to the strategic INS Kadamba naval base. Locals first spotted the bird near Timmakka Garden in Uttara Kannada district and alerted the marine division of the forest department. The discovery drew attention because INS Kadamba hosts key Indian Navy assets and is undergoing expansion that will make it one of the largest naval bases in th

India has closed the Indian Visa Application Centre in Dhaka following growing security concerns and escalating diplomatic tensions with Bangladesh. The decision was taken after intelligence inputs warned of threats from extremist elements and provocative statements made by certain Bangladeshi political leaders. The closure reflects India’s increasing concern over the safety of its diplomatic missions and personnel in the neighbouring country. The Indian Visa Application Centre lo

The United States has paused a multi-billion-pound investment programme in British technology, dealing a significant setback to relations between Washington and London amid ongoing trade disagreements. The decision places the £31bn tech prosperity deal on hold, halting a package that had been presented by the UK government as a cornerstone of its economic and diplomatic strategy with the US. The agreement, unveiled during Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK, was described by Pri

US President Donald Trump is reported to be considering the formation of a new geopolitical grouping known as the “Core-5,” a proposed alliance that would bring together the United States, Russia, China, India, and Japan. The initiative is being explored as a potential alternative to the Group of Seven, signaling a significant shift in Washington’s approach to global leadership and alliance-building. If pursued, the Core-5 could represent one of the most powerful strategic blocs ever as

Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has strongly defended the Taliban government's right to maintain political and economic relations with India, pushing back against Pakistan’s criticism over Kabul-Delhi engagement. Speaking at a conference in Kabul, Muttaqi dismissed Islamabad's accusations that India supports anti-Pakistan groups, calling them inconsistent and politically motivated. He reminded that Pakistan itself maintains diplomatic presence in New Delhi with act

Russian President Vladimir Putin lands in Delhi this evening for a crucial two-day state visit, his first trip to India since the Ukraine war and the first since 2021. The visit comes at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as both nations celebrate 25 years of the India-Russia strategic partnership along with the 23rd bilateral summit. The leaders last met during the SCO Summit in Tianjin on September 1, and this visit is expected to see multiple agreements aimed at strengthening l

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Wednesday that radical Islamic movements represent a growing and consequential threat not only to the United States but to global security as a whole. Describing these organisations as revolutionary in nature, Rubio said their objectives extend far beyond holding limited territory, and instead involve expanding their influence across regions and cultures. He noted that the ideological framework guiding these groups envisions a broad reach

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that the recent dip in India’s imports of Russian oil is expected to be short-lived, adding that Moscow plans to increase the volume of supplies to New Delhi in the coming months. He stated that Russia understands the external pressures faced by India, particularly in light of tariffs and policy constraints linked to its continued purchase of Russian crude. According to Peskov, Moscow views India’s approach toward its energy partnerships as

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has delivered a strong caution that the threat of diseases and dangerous pathogens being exploited by non-state actors is no longer a distant or hypothetical concern. Speaking at a major gathering marking fifty years of global commitment to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), he warned that bioterrorism has evolved into a credible danger that the world must be fully prepared to confront. He stressed that recent scientific advancements, though beneficia

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to travel to India on December 4 and 5 for the 23rd Annual Summit, marking his first visit since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and India’s Operation Sindoor. The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin is expected to place significant emphasis on strengthening defence cooperation, including discussions on a potential new S-400 air defence system contract. The visit comes at a critical time, as both countries reassess the

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