In the midst of the ongoing war, Iran has continued to export millions of barrels of oil, with about 90 ships, including oil tankers, crossing the critical Strait of Hormuz between March 1 and 15, 2026. Despite the waterway being effectively "closed" to most traffic due to the conflict, Iran has managed to keep its oil exports flowing, benefitting from its control over this vital chokepoint. According to maritime traffic data from Lloyd's List Intelligence, Iran has relied on a mix

China on Tuesday announced that it will extend humanitarian assistance to several West Asia countries, including Iran and Lebanon, as the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel enters its third week and continues to escalate. The move reflects Beijing’s growing concern over the worsening humanitarian situation across the region, where sustained military operations have disrupted civilian life and critical infrastructure. Speaking at a regular press briefing, Chinese Foreig

The Arctic, once considered remote and largely inaccessible, is emerging as a key area of global strategic interest. China has formally included its “Polar Silk Road” initiative within its broader Belt and Road strategy, signaling an expansion of influence in a region historically dominated by Arctic nations. By calling itself a “near-Arctic state,” Beijing is asserting that its economic and strategic interests extend well beyond its geographical borders, prompting concern from other glo

Gwadar, a port in Pakistan's Balochistan province, has become a focal point for geopolitical tensions, local unrest, and external influence, especially from China. Originally a fishing settlement on the Arabian Sea, it is now home to Pakistan's third-largest port, which plays a crucial role in the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The strategic location of Gwadar, near the Strait of Hormuz, has made it a highly coveted asset for various powers. What is most remarkable about

​Warships from China, Russia and Iran arrived in South African waters on Friday to participate in a week-long multinational naval exercise off the coast of Cape Town, drawing attention amid heightened global tensions and renewed scrutiny of South Africa’s foreign policy positioning. The exercise, titled “Will for Peace 2026,” is being conducted under the framework of the BRICS group of emerging economies and is scheduled to continue until next Friday. South Africa’s armed forces sa

India has ushered in a new phase of insurance regulation with Parliament clearing the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025, a move that comes at a time when trust between insurers and policyholders is increasingly strained. For millions of Indians, insurance is ultimately judged not by policy documents or premium receipts but by the ease and fairness of claim settlement. Delays, repeated document requests, late-stage exclusions, and opaque rejections have long plag

China on Wednesday strongly criticized reported United States demands aimed at reshaping Venezuela’s oil partnerships, calling the move an act of coercion that violates both national sovereignty and international law. Beijing’s response follows media reports that Washington has sought exclusive control over Venezuela’s oil sector as part of its political and economic engagement with the South American nation. Speaking at a regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spoke

China has issued a strong response to recent actions taken by the United States in Venezuela, sharply criticizing what it described as unilateral behavior and calling for the immediate release of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The remarks came amid growing international attention to Washington’s role in the South American nation and broader concerns about adherence to international law and diplomatic norms. Speaking during high-level talks in Beijing with

China has set a new global benchmark in rail transportation technology after successfully accelerating a superconducting magnetic levitation train to a speed of 700 kilometres per hour in just two seconds. The achievement marks the fastest acceleration ever recorded for a maglev system and positions China as the first country to demonstrate this capability using superconducting electric maglev technology. The experiment was conducted by researchers at the National University of Defe

China has strongly criticised a recent Pentagon report, calling it irresponsible, misleading, and an attempt to create divisions between Beijing and New Delhi while exaggerating the so-called China threat narrative. Responding sharply, Chinese officials accused the United States of distorting China’s defence policy and interfering in its internal affairs to justify Washington’s continued military dominance. Speaking at a media briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokes

The Reserve Bank of India has reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down from 5.5% to 5.25%. This marks a total reduction of 125 basis points in 2025, sparking fresh hope among homebuyers for affordable loan EMIs as banks prepare to revise lending rates. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which met on December 3, 4 and 5, voted unanimously after assessing inflation control, liquidity status and growth expectations. Governor Sanjay Malhotra confirmed the move, addin

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.

India is preparing for one of its busiest wedding seasons, with nearly 46 lakh weddings expected in 2025 and spending projected at around Rs 6.5 lakh crore. As celebrations grow grander, Indian weddings often resemble Bollywood productions with choreographed sangeets, elaborate décor and multi-day festivities. But with budgets crossing Rs 30–35 lakh for most weddings, and luxury ceremonies easily exceeding Rs 1 crore, families are pouring unprecedented amounts into these events. With such

Amid heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific, two separate US Navy aircraft — a helicopter and a fighter jet — crashed into the South China Sea on Sunday during routine operations. The incidents have reignited regional security concerns as the United States continues its strategic presence in the disputed waters, where China maintains sweeping territorial claims. According to a statement from the US Pacific Fleet, the first incident involved an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter assigned

United States President Donald Trump has once again defended his administration’s tariff policies, claiming that the strategy has played a major role in strengthening the U.S. economy and boosting the stock market. Since returning to office for his second term, Trump has emphasized a renewed focus on economic nationalism, arguing that countries trading with the United States must pay tariffs determined by the government to protect American interests. In his latest remarks, Trump a

Global competition in the satellite internet market is intensifying as Europe and China prepare to launch large-scale projects aimed at rivaling Elon Musk’s Starlink network. The developments mark a significant shift in the global communications landscape, with governments and private aerospace firms seeking to establish independent systems to reduce reliance on the American provider. Europe’s leading aerospace manufacturers have reached an agreement to combine their satellite p

Satellite imagery from US-based intelligence firms and open-source analysts has revealed a major new Chinese air-defence complex near the India border in Tibet’s Gar County. The facility, located roughly 65 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and facing India’s Nyoma airfield, includes command buildings, vehicle sheds, radar positions, and hardened munition storage. The most notable feature is a cluster of covered missile launch positions believed to be equipped with retractable roof

The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged to another record close on Tuesday, buoyed by a series of strong corporate earnings reports that reinforced investor optimism about the resilience of major U.S. companies. Gains from household names such as Coca-Cola, 3M, and General Motors helped the blue-chip index climb even as technology shares lagged, reflecting a rotation from growth stocks into more traditional sectors. The 30-stock Dow rose 218.16 points, or 0.47%, to finish at 46,924.

The United States has warned that steep tariffs could soon be imposed on China if Beijing proceeds with its newly announced restrictions on rare earth exports, heightening concerns of another trade confrontation between the two largest economies in the world. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Tuesday that the decision now rests largely on China’s next actions, suggesting that the situation remains fluid in the run-up to a crucial diplomatic meeting later this month. Pr