Balochistan on edge as water crisis deepens: Report

IANS | February 23, 2026 8:14 PM

Quetta, Feb 23 (IANS) A major water crisis unfolding in Pakistan's Balochistan along with a demographic explosion threatens to overwhelm the fragile ecology of the province, a report has highlighted.

Anger, frustration mounts in occupied Gilgit-Baltistan over Pakistan's extractive economic approach

IANS | February 23, 2026 7:29 PM

Islamabad, Feb 23 (IANS) Islamabad's handling of dissent in Pakistan occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) has showcased the structural contradictions in the governance model of the region. Despite forcibly having administrative control since 1948, Pakistan has not given full constitutional status to PoGB, resulting in federal government and military-related institutions to have decisive authority over resources and political institutions of PoGB while restricting meaningful local representation, a leading Afghan media outlet has stated.

China: Doubts rise over military's effectiveness after large-scale removal of top brass

IANS | February 23, 2026 7:08 PM

Abuja, Feb 23 (IANS) As Chinese President Xi Jinping aims for an unprecedented fourth term as General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), analysts suggest he may be uncertain of his complete control over the armed forces. Without a clear succession plan, concerns persist about other aspirants positioning themselves to step into Xi’s role, with potential threats emerging from the senior Generals in the People's Liberation Army (PLA), a report said on Monday.

Canadian PM Mark Carney to visit India this week, hold talks with PM Modi

IANS | February 23, 2026 6:55 PM

Ottawa, Feb 23 (IANS) Expanding Canada-India relationship will be in focus as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visits India later this week during which he will first travel to Mumbai and then visit New Delhi, where he is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Childhood cancer survival rate in Pakistan remains dismal: Report

IANS | February 23, 2026 4:41 PM

Islamabad, Feb 23 (IANS) Even though experts reckon that childhood cancer survival rates in wealthy nations is over 80 per cent, it drops to below 30 per cent in low and middle-income nations like Pakistan largely due to delay in recognising symptoms, lack of quality supportive care and trained specialists, limited access to specialised treatment and treatment abandonment, a report has detailed.

From solidarity to strategy: India-Africa ties enter new phase

IANS | February 23, 2026 4:25 PM

New Delhi, Feb 23 (IANS) As global power structures undergo structural realignment, the India–Africa engagement is increasingly positioned not merely as historical solidarity, but as a forward-looking partnership shaping a more equitable and multipolar global order, according to delegates at a conference held by the Chintan Research Foundation (CRF) here on Monday.