US steel imports fall; India shipments jump
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February 20, 2026 6:37 AM
Washington, Feb 20 (IANS) The United States bought less steel from the world in 2025 — but significantly more from India.
Trump dodges Taiwan strategy, sets Iran deadline
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February 20, 2026 6:29 AM
Washington, Feb 20 (IANS) President Donald Trump declined to outline any potential US military strategy on Taiwan or Iran, while setting what he described as a short deadline for Tehran and weighing in on fresh controversy surrounding Britain’s royal family.
World Bank to manage Gaza reconstruction fund: Ajay Banga
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February 20, 2026 6:23 AM
Washington, Feb 20 (IANS) World Bank President Ajay Banga announced the creation of a dedicated Gaza Reconstruction and Development Fund to manage international contributions for rebuilding the war-ravaged territory, saying the institution would act as a “limited trustee” under the direction of the newly formed Board of Peace.
Sheikh Hasina’s son questions Awami League ban ordinance
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February 19, 2026 10:45 PM
Washington, Feb 19 (IANS) Sajeeb Wazed, the son of Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has questioned the legality of an ordinance used by the interim government to ban the Awami League, saying the country’s new BNP-led administration faces a 30-day constitutional deadline to decide its fate.
Trump launches ‘Board of Peace,’ pledges $10B for Gaza
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February 19, 2026 10:41 PM
Washington, Feb 19 (IANS) President Donald Trump on Thursday launched what he called the “,” a new forum of world leaders meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace, and announced a $10 billion U.S. contribution tied to postwar stabilisation and relief efforts in Gaza.
Nepal: Parties unveil election manifestos, pledge friendly relations with neighbours
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February 19, 2026 9:18 PM
Kathmandu, Feb 19 (IANS) As Nepal heads toward the March 5 General Elections, the country’s three major political forces — the Nepali Congress (NC), Communist Party of Nepal–Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), and the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) — on Thursday unveiled distinct yet overlapping foreign policy agendas, placing strong emphasis on friendly relations with neighbouring countries.
Islamabad blast 'predictable harvest' of Pakistan's 'nurture-and-neglect' strategy towards extremism
IANS
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February 19, 2026 9:12 PM
Islamabad, Feb 19 (IANS) The suicide bombing at a mosque in Islamabad on February 6 is a grim indictment of Pakistan's security policy that has prioritised geopolitical leverage over domestic stability, a report has stated.
Unemployment and poverty increased in Bangladesh under Yunus: Report
IANS
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February 19, 2026 9:02 PM
Dhaka, Feb 19 (IANS) Business confidence weakened, industrial production slowed, and there were no significant new initiatives or major domestic or foreign investments in Bangladesh under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus who had taken over as the Chief Advisor of the interim government during a crucial period following the fall of government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, a report has highlighted.
PM Modi and Dutch counterpart Schoof discuss achieving social transformation through AI (Ld)
IANS
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February 19, 2026 8:39 PM
New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dutch counterpart Dick Schoof on Thursday underscored the need for India and the Netherlands to work together to realise the full potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to achieve social transformation.
India is third largest AI power in world, must leverage to own advantage: Mohandas Pai
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February 19, 2026 8:37 PM
New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS) Noted businessman Mohandas Pai, lauding the ongoing India AI Impact Summit 2026, on Thursday, exuded confidence that the deep tech and AI solutions will unfold unprecedented opportunities for the nation as well as mankind, and also cautioned on optimum and humane utilisation of the high-end technology.
