Pakistan: Rights group alleges two farmers extrajudicially killed in Balochistan

IANS | February 23, 2026 3:43 PM

Quetta, Feb 23 (IANS) As violence against civilians continues to escalate in the Balochistan province of Pakistan, a leading human rights organisation reported that two farmers from Surab area were killed after being subjected to enforced disappearance earlier this month, local media reported on Monday.

'Pakistan's poverty level jumps to 11-year high amid govt claims of economic revival'

IANS | February 23, 2026 3:04 PM

New Delhi, Feb 23 (IANS) While the Pakistan government claims that the country’s economy has been revived from the brink and is now stable, the harsh reality is that poverty has climbed to an 11-year high of 29 per cent and income inequality is at levels not seen in nearly three decades, according to an article in the Pakistani media.

India AI Impact Summit recognised as landmark event for Global South

IANS | February 23, 2026 2:06 PM

New Delhi, Feb 23 (IANS) The 'India AI Impact Summit 2026', held in the national capital last week, is being seen in the foreign media as the most significant artificial intelligence (AI) gatherings ever hosted in the Global South, and is described as the world's biggest AI summit to date.

Bangladesh’s President alleges conspiracy by Yunus-led interim govt to overthrow him

IANS | February 23, 2026 2:05 PM

Dhaka, Feb 23 (IANS) Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin asserted that he was excluded from key discussions during the one-and-a-half-year tenure of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, alleging that conspiracies were hatched to overthrow him and that attempts were made to destabilise the country and create a constitutional vacuum.

Sri Lanka must jump onto India’s bandwagon to join AI race: Report

IANS | February 23, 2026 2:02 PM

New Delhi, Feb 23 (IANS) The only way for Sri Lanka to get into the AI race is to jump onto the bandwagon of a fast mover. Since it is unlikely that Sri Lanka can do so with the two leaders in the AI race -- the US and China -- the choice available is its neighbour to the north, India, the rising star. India has a high strategic edge with AI on many counts, according to an article in the Colombo Telegraph.

Political leaders in India decry Taliban's new penal code legalising domestic violence

IANS | February 23, 2026 1:33 PM

New Delhi, Feb 23 (IANS) The Taliban’s new domestic violence code, which permits women to be beaten as long as their bones do not break, has sparked widespread outrage in India. Critics describe it as an "assault on basic human dignity” and a chilling reminder of the dangers when power and religious edicts override basic rights. The move has been condemned as a stark violation of women’s rights, an affront to justice, and a signal that oppressive policies can be formalised under the guise of law.