Russia claims to down 250 Ukrainian drones, including 12 targeting Moscow
Russia’s Defence Ministry on Thursday claimed that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 250 Ukrainian drones over the past 24 hours, including 12 unmanned aerial vehicles targeting the Moscow region overnight, marking one of the largest reported drone interception operations since the
Baloch groups in UK condemn Pakistan, highlight enforced disappearances of women
Baloch political and human rights groups have intensified international pressure on Pakistan, with activists staging a protest in the United Kingdom to highlight what they describe as a sharp rise in enforced disappearances of Baloch women by Pakistani security forces. The protest was
Zelensky says Ukraine wants peace, but rejects ‘weak’ deal in New Year address
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared that Ukraine seeks an end to the war with Russia but will not accept a “weak” peace agreement that compromises the country’s sovereignty, security, or long-term future. In a 21-minute New Year’s Eve televised address delivered just
Trump announces withdrawal of National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland after Supreme Court setback
US President Donald Trump has announced that his administration will withdraw National Guard troops from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, just days after the US Supreme Court ruled against the federal government’s authority to deploy the Guard in Illinois. In a post on
UN begins 2026 with reduced $3.45 billion budget, plans 19% job cuts amid cash crisis
The United Nations has entered 2026 under severe financial strain, operating with a sharply reduced regular budget of $3.45 billion and preparing for widespread job cuts that will eliminate nearly one-fifth of its workforce. The UN General Assembly approved the budget late Tuesday
‘Peace on Earth’ is my New Year resolution, says Trump at Mar-a-Lago celebration
US President Donald Trump said that his New Year’s resolution for 2026 is “peace on earth,” striking a brief aspirational tone as he addressed guests at a grand New Year’s Eve celebration at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Responding to a question about
Intel flags Bangladesh polls and ISI push as major security challenge for India’s Northeast
Indian intelligence agencies have identified Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections and renewed efforts by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) as the most serious security challenges facing India’s northeastern states in the coming year, according to multiple assessments by the Intelligence Bureau (IB). Officials say the
India–Maldives trade records threefold growth over eight years, exports and tourism drive ties
Bilateral trade between India and the Maldives has recorded a remarkable threefold increase over the past eight years, underscoring the deepening economic interdependence between the two Indian Ocean neighbours. India’s exports to the Maldives have doubled to $680 million in FY 2024–25, while
India, Pakistan exchange lists of prisoners and nuclear installations on New Year
India and Pakistan on Thursday carried out their annual exchange of lists of civilian prisoners, fishermen, and nuclear installations, a routine but significant diplomatic exercise conducted simultaneously through official channels in New Delhi and Islamabad. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India
Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister Khaleda Zia dies at 80 after prolonged illness
Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister and veteran opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness, her party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), confirmed. Her death marks the end of an era in Bangladeshi
Another Hindu man shot dead in Bangladesh amid continuing attacks on minorities
In another troubling incident highlighting the continuing violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh, a Hindu man was shot dead by a colleague in Bhaluka upazila of Mymensingh district, according to local media reports on Tuesday. The killing adds to a growing list of
WPL 2026 hit by late withdrawals as Perry, Sutherland pull out; Tara Norris to miss season
Just days before the start of the fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), several teams have been forced into last-minute changes following the withdrawal of key overseas players. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC) have both suffered setbacks after
US lawmaker Ro Khanna condemns lynching of Hindu garment worker in Bangladesh
Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna has strongly condemned the killing of a Hindu garment factory worker in Bangladesh, describing the incident as a horrific act of violence and urging the international community to speak out firmly against hatred and religious bigotry. The victim, Dipu
Hindu family escapes burning homes in Bangladesh amid suspected targeted attack
In a disturbing incident highlighting rising communal tensions, at least five houses belonging to a Hindu family in Dumritala village of Bangladesh’s Pirojpur district were set ablaze on December 28. Authorities and local residents suspect the attack was targeted against religious minorities in
India, Nepal agree to deepen agricultural cooperation with biennial action plan
India and Nepal have agreed to significantly expand bilateral cooperation in the agriculture sector by formulating a comprehensive biennial action plan within the next three months, aimed at translating existing agreements into measurable outcomes on the ground. The decision was taken during the
Russia accuses Ukraine of drone attack on presidential residence in Novgorod
Russia on Monday accused Ukraine of launching a large-scale drone attack targeting a presidential residence in the northwestern Novgorod region, a claim Kyiv swiftly denied, calling it a fabrication aimed at justifying further Russian military strikes. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the
Trump sets deadline for Hamas disarmament, warns of severe consequences
US President Donald Trump on Monday said Hamas had been given a “very short period of time” to disarm, warning that failure to comply with the agreement would trigger serious consequences, as he appeared alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint
Netanyahu announces Israel’s highest civilian honour for Trump, hails his ‘tremendous contributions’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday announced that US President Donald Trump would be awarded Israel’s highest civilian honour, the Israel Prize, citing his “tremendous contributions to Israel and the Jewish people” and his role in strengthening regional security. The announcement was
Trump warns Iran of stronger retaliation if it rearms, signals openness to renewed talks
US President Donald Trump on Monday issued a stern warning to Iran, cautioning that it would face consequences “far more powerful than last time” if it resumes prohibited military activity, even as he signaled openness to renewed diplomatic engagement with Tehran. Speaking at
India approves lease of two additional MQ-9 drones for Navy, strengthening US defence cooperation
India has approved the lease of two additional MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the Indian Navy, a move that significantly strengthens the country’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and underscores the deepening defence partnership between New Delhi and Washington. The decision