Surge in poppy cultivation in Pakistan raises security concerns: Report

IANS | December 5, 2025 8:10 PM

Dhaka, Dec 5 (IANS) The rise in poppy cultivation across Pakistan's Balochistan province has emerged as a serious regional security threat marked by collapsing governance, murky lines between state-non-state actors and a narcotics market reshaped by Afghanistan’s opium ban, a report said on Friday.

Bangladesh: Khaleda Zia's travel to London for advanced medical treatment postponed

IANS | December 5, 2025 7:54 PM

Dhaka, Dec 5 (IANS) Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is unlikely to travel to London before Sunday for advanced treatment following delay in her scheduled medical flight and slight deterioration in her health condition, local media reported on Friday citing the BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam.

Eye on joint manufacturing, India and Russia solidify defence partnership during Putin's visit

IANS | December 5, 2025 7:41 PM

New Delhi, Dec 5 (IANS) Terming it as a pillar of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the both countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday acknowledged that India and Russia are reorienting military and military-technical cooperation to joint research and development, co-development and co-production of advanced defence technology and systems.