Pakistan's poverty rate rises 29 pc after six years of economic shocks

IANS | July 20, 2026 3:26 PM

New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) Pakistan's poverty rate has risen sharply over the past six years, with nearly 29 per cent of the population now living below the poverty line, as repeated economic shocks, high inflation and weak growth eroded household incomes and consumption, a report has said.

Cotton blossoms as India’s ‘white gold’

IANS | July 20, 2026 2:53 PM

New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) India ranks first globally in acreage and second in production and consumption of cotton, with the country’s cotton production standing at 290.91 lakh bales in 2025-26 while domestic consumption reached 328 lakh bales during the same period, according to an official factsheet issued on Monday.

China’s expanding role in Kyrgyzstan fuels concerns among locals

IANS | July 20, 2026 2:40 PM

New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) China's expanding role in Kyrgyzstan has fuelled concerns over jobs, land, natural resources, and national sovereignty in Kyrgyzstan, with many ordinary Kyrgyz citizens saying that the country’s leaders are ignoring the national interest, a report has said.

India approves first dengue vaccine QDENGA for people aged 4-60 years

IANS | July 20, 2026 2:24 PM

New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) India has approved its first dengue vaccine, with the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) granting market authorisation to Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India's QDENGA, marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to combat one of its most widespread mosquito-borne diseases, it was announced on Monday.

How eVTOL aircraft could transform urban mobility in India

IANS | July 20, 2026 1:47 PM

New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) India's launch of its first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft prototype has put the spotlight on a technology that could reshape urban transport by enabling short-distance flights above road traffic.

Pakistan faces fresh external risks despite FY26 current account improvement

IANS | July 20, 2026 1:39 PM

New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) Pakistan closed fiscal year 2026 with a near-balanced current account and stronger foreign exchange reserves, but the apparent improvement in its external position is largely driven by record remittance inflows rather than a meaningful expansion in exports or productivity, raising concerns about the sustainability of the country's economic recovery, a report has said.