![Pakistan ranks 7th among the world's most powerful air forces in 2024, operating 1,434 fighter jets, helicopters, and support aircraft. [Representational Image via The Express Tribune]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/paf1738001045-0.webp "paf1738001045-0")
Pakistan ranks 7th among the world’s most powerful air forces in 2024, operating 1,434 fighter jets, helicopters, and support aircraft.
![Protests erupt in Arunachal Pradesh as locals resist India's largest dam project over Siang River amid China-India water disputes. [Image via Reuters]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2020-03-31T102009Z_26885688_RC2YUF94P7HP_RTRMADP_3_CHINA-DERIVATIVES-LPG-1737689367.webp "2020-03-31T102009Z_26885688_RC2YUF94P7HP_RTRMADP_3_CHINA-DERIVATIVES-LPG-1737689367")
Protests erupt in Arunachal Pradesh as locals resist India’s largest dam project over Siang River amid China-India water disputes.
![Pakistan’s sesame seed exports to China reached $226M in 2024, driven by rising demand and strong trade growth. [Image via Economy]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/seesame-exports-w.webp "seesame-exports-w")
Pakistan’s sesame seed exports to China reached $226M in 2024, driven by rising demand and strong trade growth.
![China denies Covid-19 lab leak claims, urging the US to stop politicizing the virus's origin amid CIA's new assessment. [File photo via AFP]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/27132349875f6ec.webp "27132349875f6ec")
China denies Covid-19 lab leak claims, urging the US to stop politicizing the virus’s origin amid CIA’s new assessment.
![India reduces reliance on Russia for arms, strengthens ties with the West, and boosts domestic defense production. [Image via AFP]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2713320797018e5.webp "2713320797018e5")
India reduces reliance on Russia for arms, strengthens ties with the West, and boosts domestic defense production.
![High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan announces direct flights to strengthen bilateral ties, boost trade, and tourism. [Image via The Express Tribune]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/pak-bangladesh-ties1737833614-0.webp "pak-bangladesh-ties1737833614-0")
High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan announces direct flights to strengthen bilateral ties, boost trade, and tourism.
![Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi visits Kabul to discuss border security, economic ties, and tensions over water rights. [Image via Pakistan Today]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Iranian-FM-Baul-visit.webp "Iranian-FM-Baul-visit")
Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi visits Kabul to discuss border security, economic ties, and tensions over water rights.
![Trump discusses future of TikTok as Oracle and investors negotiate. Decision on app's operations expected within 30 days. [Image via The Express Tribune]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/featured-image-trump-tiktok1737354219-2.webp "featured-image-trump-tiktok1737354219-2")
Trump discusses future of TikTok as Oracle and investors negotiate. Decision on app’s operations expected within 30 days.
![UN urges aid for Gaza: 1M children need mental health support, $4B appeal launched for urgent humanitarian needs. [Image via The Nation]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1-million-children-in-gaza-need-mental-health-support-for-depression-anxiety-un-1737786549-7516.webp "1-million-children-in-gaza-need-mental-health-support-for-depression-anxiety-un-1737786549-7516")
UN urges aid for Gaza: 1M children need mental health support, $4B appeal launched for urgent humanitarian needs.
![The EAST reactor of China sets a new record, sustaining plasma for 1,000 seconds, advancing nuclear fusion energy. [Courtesy: EAST]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/artificial-sun1737819823-0.webp "artificial-sun1737819823-0")
The EAST reactor of China sets a new record, sustaining plasma for 1,000 seconds, advancing nuclear fusion energy.