Pakistan among worst affected as UK reduces aid spending: Report

IANS | May 19, 2026 4:30 PM

New Delhi, May 19 (IANS) Pakistan is among the worst-affected countries as the United Kingdom has reduced its foreign aid spending, cutting development assistance from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent of gross national income (GNI) by 2027, a report has said.

PM Modi's Europe outreach brings tech, geopolitical gains for India

IANS | May 19, 2026 2:32 PM

New Delhi, May 19 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visits to the Netherlands and Sweden constitute part of India’s wider European outreach, which includes Norway and Italy, at a time of shifting alliances in the geopolitical landscape amid the dramatic change in US foreign policy under Donald Trump’s presidency.

Pak heads for civil-military showdown over Asim Munir’s massive Defence demands

Vicky Nanjappa | May 19, 2026 12:25 PM

New Delhi, May 19 (IANS) Field Marshal Asim Munir is in complete control of Pakistan. The country may be ruled by a democratic government, but the fact is that the Pakistan Army under Munir is in complete control. However, even as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir put up a united front, in reality there are tensions brewing over massive military spending.

Rights body condemns attack on shrine in Bangladesh, warns of rising extremism

IANS | May 19, 2026 12:22 PM

Paris, May 19 (IANS) A leading international human rights organisation has strongly condemned the brutal attack on devotees and the vandalism of a shrine in Bangladesh, warning that the failure of authorities to prevent such violence and hold those responsible accountable is emboldening extremist groups.