Trump moves to shut asylum 'loophole': US media

IANS | December 30, 2025 8:33 AM

Washington, Dec 30 (IANS) The Trump administration is moving to sharply restrict access to asylum by urging US immigration judges to dismiss cases without hearings and redirect migrants to third countries, a shift officials say is aimed at closing what they describe as a "huge loophole" in legal immigration, according to a report by Politico.

India approves lease of two more MQ-9 drones for Navy, boosting US defence cooperation

IANS | December 30, 2025 8:29 AM

Washington, Dec 30 (IANS) India has approved the lease of two additional General Atomics MQ-9 unmanned aircraft for the Indian Navy, a decision shaped in part by the long-running efforts of US-based aerospace scientist Vivek Lall, whose work over two decades has helped deepen defence trade and industrial cooperation between New Delhi and Washington.

Trump sets deadline for Hamas disarmament

IANS | December 30, 2025 6:36 AM

Washington, Dec 30 (IANS) US President Donald Trump said Hamas had been given a “very short period of time” to disarm, warning that failure to do so would bring severe consequences, as he appeared alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint press conference in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.

Nepal, India agree to expand cooperation in the agriculture sector

IANS | December 29, 2025 10:25 PM

Kathmandu, Dec 29 (IANS) Nepal and India have agreed to formulate and implement a biennial action plan within the next three months to translate bilateral agricultural cooperation agreements into concrete outcomes, Nepal’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development said on Monday.

Global advocacy group calls for US action against killing of Hindus in Bangladesh

IANS | December 29, 2025 9:30 PM

Washington, Dec 29 (IANS) A leading global advocacy organisation, Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), has written to members of the United States Congress drawing attention to escalating violence and intimidation targeting Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.