Persecution by law: Religious minorities under siege in Pakistan

Pakistan’s draconian blasphemy laws have become a lethal tool for persecuting religious minorities. Enacted to punish “insults” to Islam with penalties up to death, these laws are increasingly misused to target Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis, Shia Muslims, and even the remnants of Pakistan’s Buddhist heritage.

Alarming rise of terror networks in Bangladesh

The fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024 has unleashed a dangerous wave of extremist activities across Bangladesh, creating significant security challenges not only for the nation itself but for the entire South Asian region.

Fifty people killed in a mall fire in Iraq

Fifty people were killed in a massive fire in a hypermarket in al-Kut city in eastern Iraq, the state news agency (INA) reported on Thursday, citing the province’s governor.

Paraguay president vows to defend Taiwan ties ‘with all its strength’

Paraguayan president Santiago Peña said Monday that his country would “stand firmly by Taiwan”, describing the 68-year diplomatic relationship as a strategic and values-based alliance that the country is prepared to defend “with all its strength and with a loud voice”.

Fire engulfs main stage of Tomorrowland festival days before opening

A fire has destroyed the main stage at Tomorrowland festival in Belgium, just two days before the event was set to open.

Huge military exercise involving 19 countries begins as Chinese surveillance expected

Australia is currently hosting its largest-ever war fighting drills, Exercise Talisman Sabre, an event anticipated to draw the scrutiny of Chinese spy vessels.

Trump announces trade agreement with Indonesia, including 19% tariff

President Donald Trump said Tuesday the United States has reached a trade agreement with Indonesia after speaking with the country’s President Prabowo Subianto.

India orders airlines to check fuel switches on Boeing jets

India’s aviation regulator has ordered the country’s airlines to inspect fuel control switches in Boeing aeroplanes, after their reported involvement in a fatal Air India crash that killed 260 people in June.

Dalai Lama calls India ideal place for Buddhist study amidst growing restrictions in China

Ladakh: Dalai Lama’s recent visit to Ladakh underscored India’s unique and vital role as the global center for authentic Buddhist learning and practice, a status that far surpasses China’s constrained and politicized approach, according to The Dalai Lama Office.

Taiwanese businesses abandon China amid rising costs

Taiwanese investment in China has plummeted to a historic low, with experts attributing the decline to China’s deteriorating business environment, rising authoritarianism, and increasing strategic risk, Taipei Times reported.

Australia skittle Windies for 27 - lowest Test total for 70 years

Australia bowled out West Indies for just 27 - the second lowest score in Test history, and the worst since 1955 - to complete a 176-run win and series clean sweep in Jamaica.

India’s Jaishankar set to begin first China visit in five years

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will arrive in Beijing on Sunday evening, his first trip to China in five years.

China mapping seabeds near Taiwan

China’s oceanographic survey and research ships are collecting data in the Indo-Pacific region — possibly to aid submarine navigation, detect or map undersea cables, and lay naval mines — activities that could have military applications in a conflict with Taiwan or the US, a New York Times report said.

Hash highways and heroin havens: Unmasking Pakistan’s global narco nexus

For decades, Pakistan has presented itself to the international community as a frontline state in the war on terror and transnational crime.

Switzerland clears path for $100 billion EFTA-India trade pact after 16 years of talks

Switzerland has officially ratified the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), clearing the final hurdle in a landmark trade deal.

Japan voices strong concern over Chinese military and rare earth moves

Japan’s top diplomat used a meeting with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of a regional summit in Malaysia on Thursday to lay out a laundry list of concerns with Beijing — including dangerous intercepts by its military and its export controls on crucial rare earth elements.

Trump intensifies trade war with 30% tariffs on EU and Mexico

Donald Trump announced on Saturday that goods imported from both the European Union and Mexico will face a 30% US tariff rate starting 1 August, in letters posted to his social media platform, Truth Social.

Italy qualify for T20 World Cup for first time

They have won the FIFA World Cup four times but in a historic first, Italy’s men’s cricket team, led by a former Australian Test opener Joe Burns, has qualified for the 2026 T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka.

India plans to kickstart rare-earth magnet output to cut China dependence

A proposed plan by India to spur local production of rare-earth magnets has drawn initial interest from a clutch of large conglomerates, people familiar with the matter said, as the country seeks to cut its reliance on China for these vital electric-vehicle and wind-turbine materials.

US lawmakers renew concerns about GenScript’s ties to China

The U.S. House of Representatives committee on China on Tuesday sent a letter to the directors of the FBI and national intelligence, renewing its concerns about GenScript Biotechnology’s work with U.S. companies, given its ties to China.

Derailing trust: Pakistan railways’ alarming safety crisis deepens

In a deeply unsettling revelation that underscores the magnitude of Pakistan’s deteriorating railway infrastructure, Pakistan Railways has recorded a staggering 45 accidents in the first six months of 2025 alone.

Original Birkin bag sells at auction for record $10 million

Scuffed, scratched and stained, this black leather Birkin bag just sold for €8.6 million ($10 million), with fees, becoming the most expensive handbag to ever sell at auction. The hammer fell at a winning bid of €7 million ($8.2 million).

A coin has two sides, so does stablecoins

Since Circle, the world’s second largest dollar stablecoin company, went public at the beginning of this month, its stock price has risen from the IPO price of $31 to $180 (as of June 27). At a time when the status of the US dollar as the largest reserve currency is being questioned, is the stablecoin a digital rocket booster to consolidate the dollar’s domination, or a spark that will weaken its hegemony?

India, Brazil partnership relevant to the entire world: PM Modi

India and Brazil are in agreement that all global problems should be resolved through dialogue, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (July 8, 2025) in Brasilia.

US deploys F-35s to Philippines for first time amid rising tensions with China

The Philippines is rapidly emerging as a key frontline state in the growing US-China rivalry in the Indo-Pacific, as Washington continues to deploy advanced military assets to the archipelago, which lies within the strategic ’’first island chain’’ a line of defence that includes Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines, critical to US interests in the region, as reported by The Eurasian Times.

Linda Yaccarino departs as boss of Musk’s X

Linda Yaccarino, the boss of Elon Musk’s social media site X, has announced she is stepping down after two years.

Gujarat bridge collapse kills 10 in India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his deep sorrow over the tragic bridge collapse. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Pakistan’s military orchestrated China’s rise while manipulating the U.S.

For over two decades, Pakistan’s military establishment executed one of the most sophisticated geopolitical deceptions in modern history. While publicly partnering with the United States in the War on Terror and receiving more than $32 billion in direct aid, Pakistan simultaneously deepened its strategic alliance with China and covertly supported the very Taliban factions it had pledged to combat.

Philippines summons Chinese envoy after ex-senator sanctioned

The Philippine government has summoned China’s envoy to Manila, expressing concern over Beijing’s recent rare move to sanction a former senator whom it accused of improper behaviour on issues related to China.

PM Modi vows ‘humanity first’ approach under India’s 2026 BRICS presidency

Prime Minister Narendra said that under India’s BRICS presidency next year, the forum will have ’’a people-centric approach and the spirit of humanity first.’’ He stated that India, under BRICS chairmanship, will continue to work closely on all key issues.