SOUTH ASIA

Nov192025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

European rights and advocacy groups slam ICT verdict against Sheikh Hasina

Dhaka, Nov 19 (IANS) Five European international organisations have denounced International Crimes Tribunal's (ICT) judgement against Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and demanded global action to stop what they describe "politically motivated" trials, the local media reported on Wednesday.A coalition of rights and advocacy groups based in London released a joint statement, voicing "deep concern" over ICT's recent judgement under Bangladesh's interim government. The coalition has written letters to the UN Secretary-General, the UN High Commissioner for human rights, Human Rights Watch, the European External Action Service, Amnesty International, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the US State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, the International Bar Asso...

Nov192025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

EAM Jaishankar and Russian Deputy PM review preparations for Putin’s India visit

SOUTH ASIA, TOP STORIES, WORLD

Moscow, Nov 19 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov met in Moscow on Wednesday as they reviewed preparations for the annual India-Russia Leaders Summit set to be held in New Delhi, next month."A pleasure to meet First DPM Denis Manturov in Moscow today morning. Took stock of the progress made since our last meeting for the 26th IRIGC-TEC in August 2025. Reviewed preparations for the upcoming Annual India-Russia Leaders Summit in New Delhi next month," EAM Jaishankar posted on X.Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India in December for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. He last visited India in December 2021 to attend the 21st edition of the meeting.On Tuesday, EAM Jaishankar called on Putin in Mos...

Nov192025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

After deportation from US, NIA arrests Anmol Bishnoi

INDIA, SOUTH ASIA, TOP STORIES

New Delhi, Nov 19 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested Anmol Bishnoi, the brother and close aide of dreaded gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, on his deportation from the US to India.Absconding since 2022, US-based Anmol Bishnoi is the 19th accused to be arrested for his involvement in the terror-syndicate led by his jailed brother, Lawrence Bishnoi.According to the NIA, "Anmol was chargesheeted by the NIA in March 2023 after investigations in the case established that he had actively aided designated individual terrorist Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi in the commission of various acts of terrorism in the country during the 2020-2023 period.""Operating closely with various Bishnoi gang associates, Anmol continued to run terror syndicates and execute terrorist acts ...

Nov192025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

China halts Japanese seafood imports after Tokyo, Beijing fail to resolve issues

SOUTH ASIA, TOP STORIES, WORLD

Tokyo, Nov 19 (IANS) China has apprised Japan of its decision to suspend imports of Japanese seafood, as tensions escalate over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan, local media reported on Wednesday, citing a government source.Earlier this month, China resumed imports of marine products from Japan, after lifting a blanket ban imposed in August 2023 following the release of treated radioactive water from the damaged Fukushima nuclear facility.Meanwhile, citing a Japanese Foreign Ministry source, Kyodo News reported that China and Japan failed to resolve their differences during a meeting of senior officials, as Tokyo refused Beijing's demand to retract Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan.Masaaki Kanai, head of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau...

Nov42025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Pakistani forces kill two more civilians in Balochistan

SOUTH ASIA, TOP STORIES, WORLD

Quetta, Nov 4 (IANS) Two more Baloch civilians were extrajudicially killed by Pakistani forces in Balochistan, a leading human rights organisation said on Tuesday.The latest incident comes against the backdrop of a continuing cycle of persecution marked by a surge in extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture across the province.Paank, the Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department, mentioned that on October 29, Hamza Baloch, a labourer by profession from the Sourgar Oranch area of the Khuzdar district of Balochistan, was forcibly disappeared by a Pakistan-backed death squad and handed over to the Pakistani army. After five days of illegal detention, the rights body said, his bullet-riddled body was discovered on Monday morning in the Jootar Koor Korak area of t...

Oct302025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Puja Banerjee credits Zeenat Aman and Jaya Prada for inspiring her look in ‘Dirty Scams’

ENTERTAINMENT, SOUTH ASIA

Mumbai, Oct 30 (IANS) Television actress Puja Banerjee has opened up about her look in her upcoming anthology, “Dirty Scams.” She revealed that it draws inspiration from Bollywood icons Zeenat Aman and Jaya Prada.In an exclusive quote shared with IANS, the actress said she wanted to bring back the charm and elegance of the retro era through her character’s styling. Talking about her role and look, Puja shared, “Playing Mohini is unlike anything I’ve done before. Her calmness is her weapon, and her beauty is her disguise. The look is inspired by icons like Zeenat Aman and Jaya Prada, elegant yet powerfully enigmatic. From the flowers in her hair to the delicate accessories, every detail adds to her mystery. It’s a role that challenged me and thrilled me in equal measure.”Hungama OTT's upc...

Oct302025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Xi says China’s development goes hand in hand with Trump’s vision to ‘Make America Great Again’

SOUTH ASIA, TOP STORIES, WORLD

Busan, Oct 30 (IANS) Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Thursday that China's development and revitalisation goes hand in hand with US President Donald Trump's vision to 'Make America Great Again.'He made the remarks during a meeting with Trump after landing in Busan for the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, and a state visit to South Korea.Xi said the two countries are fully able to help each other succeed and prosper together."China and the United States should be partners and friends. That is what history has taught us and what reality needs," he said.Xi also said he is ready to continue working with Trump to build a solid foundation for China-US relations and create a sound atmosphere for the development of both countries, Xinhua news agency reported.Earlier in th...

Sep262025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Head-on collision in north Afghanistan kills one, injures 11

SOUTH ASIA, SPECIAL, TOP STORIES, WORLD

Kabul, Sep 26 (IANS) A commuter lost his life and 11 others sustained injuries in a head-on road collision in northern Afghanistan's Jawzjan province, according to the provincial police on Friday.The collision took place between two passenger cars in the Qarabuyen Olya region, along the highway connecting Jawzjan to neighbouring Balkh province, leaving one dead on the spot and 11 others injured, said a police statement, Xinhua News Agency reported.Blaming reckless driving for the accident, the statement noted that the injured were promptly transported to a nearby health center for treatment, where most remain in critical condition.On Thursday, one traveller was killed and three others injured when their car overturned in eastern Afghanistan's Laghman province, the provincial police offic...

Sep262025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Namibia unveils strategy to achieve food sovereignty, cut agricultural imports

SOUTH ASIA, SPECIAL, TOP STORIES, WORLD

Windhoek, Sep 26 (IANS) Namibia has unveiled a comprehensive national strategy to transform its crop sector, enhance food sovereignty, and reduce dependence on agricultural imports.The strategy was formalised on Friday in the Namibian capital of Windhoek, where Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani introduced the Namibian Agronomic Board's annual report, Five-Year Integrated Business Plan, Five-Year Crop Value Chain Development Strategy, and Potato Development Scheme, Xinhua News Agency reported."Together, these milestones are not simply documents; they are a renewed commitment to transform the crop subsector and accelerate food self-sufficiency," she said.According to Zaamwani, the new strategic direction is encapsulated in the Five-Year Integrated Str...

Sep262025 by TheStateLineNo Comments

South Korean President returns home from New York, highlights new peace initiative at UN

SOUTH ASIA, TOP STORIES, WORLD

Seoul, Sep 26 (IANS) South Korean President Lee Jae Myung returned home Friday from a trip to New York, where he unveiled a new peace initiative on the Korean Peninsula at the UN General Assembly.In his first UN address since taking office in June, Lee also declared South Korea's full return to the global stage after months of political turmoil following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law attempt, Yonhap News Agency reported.Under the so-called "END" initiative, Lee told the United Nations that South Korea will focus on "exchange," "normalization" and "denuclearization" to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.During a meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Lee said he expects to make progress in trade talks with Washington based on "commercial rationality."Th...