Bangladesh unfit for any role in US-backed Gaza peace plan: Report

IANS | January 14, 2026 8:33 PM

Ottawa, Jan 14 (IANS) If the United States wants its proposed ‘International Stabilisation Force’ in Gaza to be credible and functional, it must make it clear that any force involving Bangladesh will not receive American diplomatic, financial, or military backing. The peacekeeping force cannot include a nation that refuses diplomatic ties with Israel, a report said on Wednesday.

Fear grips Indian students in Bangladesh amid rising attacks on minorities

IANS | January 14, 2026 8:30 PM

Dhaka, Jan 14 (IANS) Bangladesh must adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards violence against foreign students backed by credible prosecution and not hollow assurances, a report highlighted on Wednesday urging local universities to move beyond imposing curfews and stand up for their students outside campus gates.

Prudent to exclude unreliable actors like Pakistan from Gaza peace plan: Report

IANS | January 14, 2026 8:24 PM

Jerusalem, Jan 14 (IANS) Pakistan's track record of orchestrating bloodshed over decades cannot be erased by mere diplomacy. With the Gaza peace plan hanging in the balance, excluding unreliable actors like Pakistan is not just prudent — it's critical for lasting stability, a report said on Wednesday.

New household survey confirms rising poverty in Pakistan

IANS | January 14, 2026 6:42 PM

New Delhi, Jan 14 (IANS) Pakistan’s Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES), published after a gap of six years, exposes the extreme level of poverty in the country with food-insecure households surging from 15.9 per cent in 2018 to 2019 to a staggering 24.4 per cent in 2024 to 2025, according to a report in the local media.

India and China discuss positive steps for improved bilateral relations

IANS | January 14, 2026 6:31 PM

New Delhi, Jan 14 (IANS) Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday highlighted the need to take positive steps to create the right environment for improved bilateral relations between India and China during his meeting with Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), who is on a visit to India from January 12-14.

India and Cuba reaffirm commitment to strengthen ties

IANS | January 14, 2026 5:54 PM

New Delhi, Jan 14 (IANS) Marking the 66th anniversary of their diplomatic relations earlier this week, India and Cuba have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation based on mutual respect, collaboration, and solidarity.