Amid escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait, the United States State Department has urged China to halt its recent military activities near Taiwan, warning that the drills are unnecessarily heightening regional instability. The call followed a two-day military exercise conducted by China around Taiwan, which included missile launches and the deployment of fighter jets, naval vessels, and coast gua

Russia’s Defence Ministry said on Thursday that it had transferred what it described as evidence showing that Ukrainian forces targeted a Russian presidential residence earlier this week, an allegation that Kyiv and Western governments have firmly rejected. The announcement adds to rising diplomatic tensions as Moscow and Washington continue discussions related to the broader war in Ukraine. According to the ministry, fragments of a Ukrainian drone recovered after an alleged attem

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Chinese President Xi Jinping used his annual New Year’s Eve address to reaffirm Beijing’s long-standing position on Taiwan, declaring that reunification with the self-governing island was inevitable. Speaking in Beijing on Wednesday, Xi said that bringing Taiwan under China’s control was “a trend of the times” that could not be stopped, reiterating a pledge that has become a central pillar of his leadership. The speech came just one day after the conclusion of large-scale

India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar is scheduled to attend the state funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka on December 31, marking a significant diplomatic gesture at a time of strained relations between the two neighbouring countries. The decision comes amid heightened political uncertainty in Bangladesh and a broader reassessment of regional alignments in South Asia following last year’s dramatic change of government in Dhaka. Kha

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the country is effectively engaged in a full-scale conflict with the United States, Israel and Europe, describing Iran’s current diplomatic and strategic environment as increasingly complex and difficult. His remarks reflect heightened regional tensions following months of military confrontation, economic pressure and stalled diplomacy. In an

Tensions in Bangladesh have escalated sharply following the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, triggering widespread protests and renewed anti-India sentiment across the country. A radical student outfit linked to Hadi, Inqilab Moncho, has issued a strong ultimatum to the interim Yunus administration, demanding sweeping action within strict deadlines, including the suspension of work permits issued to Indian nationals. The group announced its demands during a protest gathe

India on Monday strongly rejected Pakistan’s allegations of mistreatment of religious minorities, asserting that Islamabad lacks the moral authority to comment on such matters given its own record. Responding to remarks from Pakistan’s Foreign Office, New Delhi said attempts to highlight alleged incidents in India cannot mask Pakistan’s well-documented history of systemic discrimination and persecution of minorities. The response came after Pakistani Foreign Affairs spokespers

Pakistan has, for the first time, publicly acknowledged that Indian drone strikes caused damage at the strategically sensitive Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi during Operation Sindoor, marking a significant shift from its earlier attempts to downplay or deny the impact of the attacks. The admission came during a year-end press briefing on December 27, when Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister

Israel has become the first member of the United Nations to officially recognise Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, marking a significant diplomatic development for the self-declared republic in the Horn of Africa. The announcement ends decades of international non-recognition for Somaliland, which has operated as a separate political entity since breaking away from Somalia in 1991 following a prolonged civil conflict. The recognition was formalised on Friday when Isr

Newly released diplomatic transcripts have revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had expressed serious concerns to the United States as early as 2001 over Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme, questioning why the West appeared largely unconcerned about a country without democratic governance possessing nuclear arms. The remarks were made during a private meeting with then US President

The United States has carried out a series of airstrikes in Nigeria targeting Islamic State terrorists, following what US President Donald Trump described as escalating attacks against Christians in the region. The strikes, which Trump said were conducted on his direct orders, were aimed at extremist groups operating in northwest Nigeria and were described as both numerous and deadly.

Thailand has defended its military’s decision to remove a Hindu statue located along its border with Cambodia, stating that the action was necessary to establish control over a disputed frontier area. The move, which took place on December 25, has sparked criticism and renewed debate over border management and cultural sensitivity in the region. According to Thai authorities, the statue was situated in an area that remains contested between Thailand and Cambodia. Officials said th

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

An investigation by The New York Times has revealed that the Donald Trump Presidency raised an unprecedented $2 billion in donations during 2025, making it the most heavily funded second-term presidency in American history. Among the hundreds of donors were at least six Indian-origin Americans or the companies they lead, many of whom reportedly benefited from decisions taken by the Trump administrat

The United States has cautioned India about China’s evolving two-front strategic approach that combines diplomatic calm along the Line of Actual Control with an aggressive expansion of military support to Pakistan. The warning comes from the US Department of Defense’s 2025 Annual Report to Congress on Military and Security Developments involving the People’s Republic of China, a comprehensive assessment of Beijing’s military modernisation and regional ambitions. The report h

Canada and the United Kingdom emerged as dependable alternatives for Indian students seeking overseas education, especially as uncertainty around US work visas grew. Clear post-study work routes, predictable immigration rules, and relatively stable visa approval trends helped both countries attract hundreds of thousands of Indian students. However, policy changes in 2025 are reshaping that confidence and forcing students and families to reassess long-held assumptions about studying abroad.

Pakistan’s recent diplomatic and military outreach to Bangladesh has triggered fresh speculation about a potential defence agreement that could significantly reshape regional security dynamics in South Asia. Over the past few months, several senior Pakistani military officials, including the chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the Navy chief, and ISI head Lt General Asim Malik, have made repeated visits to Dhaka. These developments come as Bangladesh’s interim leadership u

A tragic aviation accident in Turkey has claimed the lives of Libya’s top military commander and seven others after a private jet crashed shortly after taking off from the capital city, Ankara. The incident occurred soon after the aircraft departed Esenboga Airport, bringing a sudden and devastating end to a diplomatic visit aimed at strengthening defence cooperation between Libya and Turkey. Libyan officials confirmed that the deceased included Gen. Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad,

A fresh political controversy has erupted in South Asia after a leader from Pakistan’s ruling party issued a direct warning to India over Bangladesh. Pakistan Muslim League youth wing leader Kamran Saeed Usmani released a video statement on Tuesday, threatening a strong military respo