India, European EFTA bloc sign $100 billion free trade deal

India and the four-member European trade bloc EFTA, including Norway and Switzerland, signed a $100-billion free trade agreement today to promote investment and exports, officials said
10 March 2024

floods, landslide 18 dead in Indonesia

At least 18 people were killed and five others were missing after flash floods and a landslide on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, a local official said yesterday.
9 March 2024

Another Indian EC resigns ahead of general election

The second-highest official in India's election commission resigned abruptly today, days ahead of the expected announcement of the date of the country's upcoming general election
9 March 2024

Iran arrests two young women for public dancing: report

Two young women were arrested in Tehran after the publication of a video in which they danced to celebrate the coming of the Persian New Year, Iranian media said Saturday
9 March 2024

Modi inaugurates Sabroom Land Port in India’s Tripura

The port facilitates movement of passengers, cargo to and from Bangladesh
9 March 2024

They’re duped

Indian authorities said they had detained members of a “trafficking” network sending citizens of the country to fight for the Russian army in Ukraine after raiding several travel agents.
8 March 2024

Hong Kong unveils nat’l security law

Hong Kong yesterday introduced the draft bill of a new national security law that includes life sentences for major offences such as treason and insurrection.
8 March 2024

India deports Myanmar nationals

India yesterday began deporting Myanmar nationals who had fled a recent surge in fighting between the ruling junta and rebels in a border region, a top state official said.
8 March 2024

Women's Day: Modi announces 100-rupee cut in gas cylinder price

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced his government’s decision to slash LPG cylinder prices by 100 rupees to mark International Women’s Day, saying this will significantly ease the financial burden on millions of households across the country, especially women"
8 March 2024

North Korea's Kim guides artillery firing drill, KCNA says

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un guided an artillery firing drill by the Korean People's Army, the country's military force, on Thursday, state media KCNA reported today
8 March 2024

India’s Congress vows ‘first job’ for all graduates if voted into power

India’s main opposition Congress party said yesterday it would guarantee paid apprenticeships to every graduate under 25 if it wins the upcoming election, as it tries to tap into voter concerns over high unemployment, even among the well-educated.
7 March 2024

Delhi-Male Row: India opens new naval base near Maldives

India on Wednesday opened a new naval base on its Indian Ocean island close to the Maldives, as ties with Male remain tense and New Delhi jostles anew with China for influence in the region.
7 March 2024

China will be global ‘force for peace’

China will be a global force for peace and stability, the country’s foreign minister Wang Yi said at a press conference in Beijing yesterday.
7 March 2024

‘Kashmir has been transformed’

The Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir has been transformed and integrated with the rest of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said yesterday, crediting the change to his government’s contentious decision to revoke its special status.
7 March 2024

Modi visits Kashmir for first time since repeal of Article 370

On his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since the scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution that gave a special status to the region, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused main opposition Congress of misleading the people on the issue
7 March 2024

Sandeshkhali issue: Mamata hits back at BJP 'rumours'

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today hit back at BJP accusing the party of spreading rumours about Sandeshkhali, where women have accused ruling Trinamool Congress leaders of sexually abusing them
7 March 2024

900 luxury watches 'go missing' in Japan

Around 900 luxury watches worth almost $13 million are missing in Japan after a site renting them out folded and its owner fled to Dubai, local media reported
7 March 2024

War in Gaza a 'disgrace for civilisation': Chinese FM

China's foreign minister Wang Yi today called Israel's war in Gaza a "disgrace for civilisation" and reiterated Beijing's calls for an "immediate ceasefire"
7 March 2024

Chinese national arrested in US for stealing Google AI technology

A Chinese software engineer was arrested Wednesday for allegedly stealing artificial intelligence technology from Google while secretly working for two Chinese companies, US Attorney General Merrick Garland said
7 March 2024

Detentions foil Delhi protest

Dozens of protesting Indian farmers were detained en route to New Delhi yesterday, forcing them to call off their plan to converge on the capital in their demand for higher crop prices, protest leaders said.
6 March 2024