World News: Global Headlines Today

Balochistan: BLF targets 'death squads', kills three Pakistani army personnel

IANS | March 18, 2026 9:26 PM

Quetta, March 18 (IANS) The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) has claimed responsibility for carrying out attacks in Kech district that killed three Pakistani personnel and critically injured four others. Additionally, the armed group targetted Pakistan-backed death squads in Washuk district, killing three operatives, local media reported on Wednesday.

Bangladesh PM faces herculean task to restore stability in Bangladesh: Report

IANS | March 18, 2026 9:25 PM

Dhaka, March 18 (IANS) Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tariq Rahman confronts a formidable task in steering the nation towards stability and ushering in a new golden era, while ensuring extremist elements are kept in check, and the party’s hard-won credibility is preserved.

Nepal’s Gen-Z wave brings historic political shift: Report

IANS | March 18, 2026 9:16 PM

New Delhi/Kathmandu, March 18 (IANS) While the Gen-Z movement has emerged worldwide, Nepal is the only country to bring about swift political transformation. Nepal's recent election results have defied expectation, leaving observers questioning whether they underestimated the wave of Balendra Shah, with his party, Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) - having entered the country’s political arena only in 2022 - winning close to a two-thirds majority, a report said on Wednesday.

Report raises alarm over China's growing influence in Georgia's media landscape

IANS | March 18, 2026 9:15 PM

Paris, March 18 (IANS) Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has sounded an alarm over China's growing influence in a weakened media landscape of Georgia. Since 2022, China has been increasing its influence on information space of Georgia. While it has not not launched a state media outlet in Georgia, China is relying on local media outlets, particularly those who are pro-Kremlin and support the Georgian government to promote their narratives, a report has stated.

Confrontation with Afghanistan paradox of Pakistan's own making: Report

IANS | March 18, 2026 9:07 PM

Islamabad, March 18 (IANS) The ongoing confrontation between Pakistan and Afghanistan is not only a border dispute or counter-terrorism crisis but the manifestation of a deeper strategic paradox. The conflict between both neighbours is one of the most consequential security crisis in South Asia. Cros-border airstrikes, artillery exchanges and militant attack have transformed a tense but manageable relationship into a volatile confrontation, a report in Homeland Security Today mentioned.

Pakistan missiles could hit US: Tulsi Gabbard

IANS | March 18, 2026 9:06 PM

Washington, March 18 (IANS) Director of US National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday warned that Pakistan’s advancing missile programme could eventually put the United States within range, flagging it as part of a growing set of global threats to the American homeland.

Two incidents at India’s eastern border that pose questions over vulnerability and security

IANS | March 18, 2026 8:35 PM

New Delhi, March 18 (IANS) The recent arrest of an alleged trainer in military warfare in India and last year’s espionage-linked death in Bangladesh point to a larger vulnerability and competing intelligence agendas in the region, despite being separate incidents, tied coincidentally only by the identical citizenship of the perpetrators.

US envoy Gor, NSA Doval discuss 'critical security and geopolitical issues'

IANS | March 18, 2026 8:16 PM

New Delhi, March 18 (IANS) US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor held a "fruitful meeting" with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Wednesday, discussing "critical security and geopolitical issues" and the ongoing strategic cooperation between the United States and India.

Japanese PM Takaichi to visit US, hold talks with Trump

IANS | March 18, 2026 7:35 PM

Tokyo, March 18 (IANS) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will depart for Washington on Wednesday night on a three-day visit during which she is set to hold talks with US President Donald Trump with a goal to cement her standing as US' indispensable partner in Asia, local media reported.

Nearly 28 per cent children out of school in Pakistan: Report

IANS | March 18, 2026 6:44 PM

Islamabad, March 18 (IANS) Nearly 28 per cent of children in Pakistan, aged between 5-16 years, are out of school. Quite alarmingly, girls are disproportionately impacted as 34 per cent of girls are not enrolled in schools in comparison to 22 per cent of boys, local media reported on Wednesday.