US Assistant Secretary of State meets Nepal leaders

IANS | April 20, 2026 9:34 PM

Kathmandu, April 20 (IANS) US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Paul Kapur, who arrived in Kathmandu on Monday, has begun meetings with Nepal’s political and business leaders.

Pakistan: Protests continue in Balochistan over enforced disappearances

IANS | April 20, 2026 9:22 PM

Quetta, April 20 (IANS) A Baloch family on Monday staged a sit-in protest on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) highway at Sahaki Balgatar in Balochistan's Kech district following the enforced disappearance of a relative, demanding his immediate and safe recovery.

Rising paediatric HIV cases highlight unsafe practices in Pakistan's healthcare system: Report

IANS | April 20, 2026 9:08 PM

Islamabad, April 20 (IANS) The rise in paediatric HIV cases in Pakistan's Karachi is the consequence of a healthcare system that continues to tolerate unsafe practices despite knowing their cost. Figures from the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital and Research Centre and Indus Hospital point to a disturbing escalation as admissions of HIV-positive children have increased within a year, with many of them aged below five years.

Pakistan woefully unprepared to confront online abuse

IANS | April 20, 2026 8:41 PM

Islamabad, April 20 (IANS) The latest annual report by the Digital Rights Foundation has revealed that online abuse in Pakistan is evolving faster than the systems designed to contain it, a report has stated.

Pakistan learned little even after 10 HIV outbreaks: Report

IANS | April 20, 2026 8:00 PM

Islamabad, April 20 (IANS) Pakistan has learned little even after 10 years and roughly 10 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) outbreaks later. As many as 331 children tested positive for HIV in Pakistan's Taunsa between November 2024-October 2025, a report has stated.

US ramps up pace for critical minerals in Africa to counter China

IANS | April 20, 2026 7:12 PM

New Delhi, April 20 (IANS) The US is stepping up its investments in infrastructure projects in Africa to counter China’s influence as the race for critical minerals, such as copper, cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements, gathers pace in the aftermath of the trade war between the two countries.