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Western Asia
Preparations underway to boost aid in Gaza as ceasefire offers hope after two-year war
by Masum BillahAuthorities began preparing today (12 October) to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip following a new ceasefire deal, raising hopes that the devastating two-year war may be nearing an end. Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), responsible for managing humanitarian aid, said the daily flow of aid trucks […]
‘War is over’, but will fragile Gaza ceasefire hold amid deep divisions?
by Masum BillahBy Tom Hussain The US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza has halted two years of bloodshed, but analysts warn it will only hold if President Donald Trump, his administration and key Middle Eastern mediators remain deeply invested in preventing the conflict from reigniting. Neither Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor Hamas readily agreed to the truce. Rather, […]
Palestinian president meets Israeli peace activists, speaks to Israeli media
by Masum BillahRAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories: Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas met with Israeli activists in Ramallah on Thursday to discuss long-term peace after Israel and Hamas agreed a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. “I welcome the agreement signed today, the end of the war, and the release of the hostages,” Abbas told dozens of representatives from Israeli […]
Israel begins Gaza pullback as thousands head home
by Masum BillahNUSEIRAT: Palestinian Territories, Oct 10, 2025 : Israeli forces declared a ceasefire and withdrew from some positions in Gaza on Friday, as thousands of displaced Palestinians began to trek home and the families of October 7 hostages awaited news. The Israeli army said that its troops had ceased fire at noon (0900 GMT) “in preparation […]
Putin tells Azerbaijan’s Aliyev how Russian air defenses downed a passenger plane
by Masum BillahMOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin told Azerbaijan’s leader that two Russian missiles had detonated beside an Azerbaijan Airlines plane last year after Ukrainian drones entered Russian air space, in an incident that led to the deaths of 38 people. In what was the Kremlin leader’s most candid admission to date that Moscow was to blame […]
East Asia
China pledges firm stance against Trump’s 100% tariff threat
by Masum BillahChina on Sunday reaffirmed that it would not yield to US threats of a 100% tariff hike, urging Washington to resolve trade disputes through dialogue rather than coercion. “China’s position remains consistent,” the Commerce Ministry said in an online statement. “We do not seek a tariff war, but we are not afraid of one.” The […]
China’s Wingtech says Dutch court freezes control of Nexperia amid ‘national security’ dispute
by Masum BillahBy Finbarr Bermingham in Brussels In a move that could dent China’s relations with the European Union, Chinese technology company Wingtech said control of its Dutch subsidiary Nexperia has been effectively frozen, following an intervention by a government ministry and court in the Netherlands. In a corporate filing dated October 13, lodged with the Shanghai […]
Japan’s Nobel wins shine light on worrying brain drain, especially to ‘generous’ China
by Masum BillahBy Julian Ryall Japan’s scientific community is celebrating two Nobel wins this week, but the accolades have also reignited concern over the country’s ability to retain its top researchers amid growing competition from overseas. The wins have renewed scrutiny of the country’s research system, with observers citing poor funding, job insecurity and rigid institutions as […]
Trump cancels meeting with Xi amid rare earth trade clash
by Masum BillahBy Khushboo Razdan in Washington US President Donald Trump on Friday cancelled a planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, accusing Beijing of “hostile” trade behaviour after it further expanded export controls on rare earth elements. In a social media post, Trump said he had been “surprised” by China’s move, which he claimed would “clog […]
Why new EU steel tariffs to curb Chinese imports are giving carmakers a headache
by Masum BillahBy Xiaofei Xu in Paris A proposed increase to EU steel tariffs has already sown alarm among the continent’s car manufacturers, with stocks of major players plunging in the immediate aftermath of the announcement and industry insiders warning the measures could worsen cost pressures already weighing down growth in the sector. Following a Tuesday statement […]
South Asia
Pakistani, Afghan forces exchange deadly border fire: What’s next?
by Masum BillahBy Yashraj Sharma and Abid Hussain Pakistani and Afghan forces have exchanged deadly fire at multiple locations along their border, and the two sides claim to have captured and destroyed border posts in one of the worst border clashes in recent years. The Taliban administration’s spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said at least 58 Pakistani soldiers were […]
Will plan for port in Pakistan with US involvement fuel regional tensions?
by Masum BillahBy Maria Siow The United States is likely to seriously consider Pakistan’s proposal for a new port in the Arabian Sea and use it to ship the South Asian country’s rare minerals, even as observers warn of commercial and geopolitical risks of investing in a volatile region. Advisers to Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim […]
Message from Professor Muhammad Yunus to María Corina Machado
by Masum BillahDhaka : I extend my hearty congratulations to María Corina Machado on receiving the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her courageous fight for democracy in her beloved Venezuela. Ms. Machado has faced oppression with steadfast resolve, never wavering in her commitment to a freer and more just future for her country and her people. As the […]
India vows to reopen embassy in Afghanistan as Taliban FM visits
by Masum BillahNew Delhi: India will reopen its embassy in Kabul, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said on Friday, in a meeting with his Afghan counterpart, Amir Khan Muttaqi, the first senior official from Afghanistan visiting New Delhi since the Taliban took power in 2021. India closed its embassy when the Taliban took control four years ago, when […]
Southeast Asia
Philippines accuses China of ramming vessel near disputed island as tensions soar
by Masum BillahMANILA: The Philippines accused Chinese maritime forces of using water cannon and ramming a Filipino vessel near the Philippine-occupied Thitu Island, calling the actions a “clear threat” that escalates tensions in contested South China Sea waters. The Philippines Coast Guard said three Filipino vessels, including the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, were anchored near Thitu Island, locally […]
ICC rejects release bid from ex-Philippines president Duterte
by Masum BillahTHE HAGUE: Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte will remain in the custody of the International Criminal Court after judges Friday rejected a request from his defense team for release on medical grounds. “The Chamber finds that Mr.Duterte’s detention continues to remain necessary,” the ICC said in its ruling. ICC prosecutors have charged Duterte with three […]
New schools, hospitals and help for youth as Malaysia unveils record budget
by Masum BillahBy Joseph Sipalan and Hadi Azmi Malaysia’s government on Friday pledged to build more hospitals, upgrade airports, expand rural digital access and help youth boost their income, as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim unveiled a record budget with an eye on coming state elections. Anwar’s administration plans to spend a total of 470 billion ringgit (US$111.4 […]
Malaysia foreign minister heads to Myanmar for talks with junta on election, peace plan
by Masum BillahMalaysia’s foreign minister will visit Myanmar on Thursday for talks with the ruling junta on its upcoming election and will push for progress on a stalled peace process, Malaysia’s government said. Mohamad Hasan will make a one-day visit to the capital Naypyitaw in Malaysia’s capacity as chair of the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN and will […]
Myanmar’s military acknowledges attacking festival, accuses resistance forces of using human shields
by Masum BillahBANGKOK: Myanmar’s military government on Thursday acknowledged attacking a religious festival held on the grounds of a school in central Myanmar, which witnesses said killed about two dozen people, including children, when improvised bombs were dropped by motorized paragliders. A statement issued by the military’s information office blamed resistance forces opposed to army rule for […]
Central Asia
Russia Seeks to Reassert Role at Central Asia Summit, but Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Push Their Own Agendas
by Masum BillahBy Andrei Matveev The second Central Asia-Russia summit, held ahead of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) leaders’ meeting, reaffirmed the Kremlin’s continued intent to assert influence over the region. Russian President Vladimir Putin used the platform not only to signal discontent with the pace of economic integration but also to critique the Central Asian […]
Russia’s Putin arrives for summit meetings in Tajikistan in Central Asia
by Masum Billah(Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Tajikistan in Central Asia on Wednesday to attend meetings with leaders of other ex-Soviet republics likely to focus on regional development and their relations with Moscow. A Kremlin announcement said Putin would take part, beginning Thursday, in a Russia-Central Asia summit, also to be attended by the […]
Kazakhstan Oil Output Projected to Reach 100 Million Tons Annually
by Masum BillahBy Dmitry Pokidaev Kazakhstan is projected to reach an annual oil production level of 100 million tons in the coming years and sustain that output over the long term, according to Askat Khasenov, Chairman of the Board of the national oil and gas company KazMunayGas (KMG). The Ministry of Energy initially forecast oil production at […]
Uzbekistan to Co-Host FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2027 with Azerbaijan
by Masum BillahIt’s been a big year for Uzbekistan’s football ambitions. In June, the national team qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing a 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi that was enough to propel Uzbekistan into the main draw. It is the first time that Uzbekistan, which has built up its […]
Survey Reveals What Kazakhstanis Think About the Army and Defense
by Masum BillahBy Sergey Kwan In September 2025, the research platform Demos.kz conducted a nationwide survey on public perceptions of Kazakhstan’s Armed Forces. When asked about the likelihood of Kazakhstan becoming involved in a military conflict over the next five years, 29.7% of respondents considered the risk very low, 28% rated it as average, 13.2% as rather […]
