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DHAKA: Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and a key leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is set to return to Bangladesh after nearly 17 years. His arrival has sparked massive excitement among BNP supporters and is being seen as a potential turning point in the country’s volatile political landscape. Rahman’s return comes at a time of significant instability in Bangladesh. Violent protests are on the rise, the Jamaat-e-Islami party has strengthened its presence, and the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus is navigating tense political waters ahead of the national elections scheduled for February 2026. With Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League sidelined from the electoral process, radical groups are attempting to consolidate influence, creati...

WASHINGTON: A federal court has backed former President Donald Trump’s decision to drastically increase H-1B visa fees, allowing the application cost to soar to $100,000. The ruling, delivered by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, states that Trump acted within his legal authority, marking a significant setback for foreign workers, particularly Indians, who form a major part of the H-1B workforce. Several related cases are still pending in courts. Judge Howell emphasized that Congress granted the President broad powers to address economic and national security concerns as part of his immigration policy. “As long as such actions remain within the bounds of law, courts cannot question the President’s policy judgment,” she stated. US Chamber of Commerce Challenges Fee HikeThe US Chamber ...

Washington/Delhi: A recent study from the U.S. Department of Defense has revealed that China played a significant role in assisting Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. According to the report, while Pakistan executed visible kinetic and proxy operations on the ground, China supported Islamabad through information warfare, cyber activities, intelligence cooperation, and diplomatic maneuvers. The report emphasizes that China’s involvement, though indirect, was decisive. Chinese support included real-time intelligence from satellite coverage, electronic surveillance inputs, and strategic cyber operations, enhancing Pakistan’s situational awareness and operational effectiveness. News outlets including CNN and News18, citing U.S. documents, highlighted that Beijing and Islamabad are now re...

Washington/Delhi: Astronomy enthusiasts have a celestial treat to look forward to in 2026, as the year promises multiple lunar eclipses across the globe. These rare events occur when the Earth comes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the lunar surface. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are completely safe to observe with the naked eye. March 3: Total Lunar Eclipse The first major eclipse of the year will occur on March 3, 2026, and it will be a total lunar eclipse. This spectacular phenomenon will be visible across India, the rest of Asia, Australia, the Pacific islands, and North and South America. According to U.S. timing, the eclipse will begin at 3:44 AM, reaching totality, and concluding by 9:23 AM. During totality, the Moon may appear reddish-oran...

Washington/Dhaka: China is reportedly planning to establish military bases in four countries bordering India—Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan—according to a new Pentagon report. The U.S. Department of Defense has flagged this move as a significant strategic development in the region. The report highlights that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is actively seeking to expand its military infrastructure in these countries to enhance its operational reach, including naval and air power support. Pakistan, where China has already developed a naval base in Gwadar, is one of the key focal points. Bangladesh is now also reportedly under consideration for a Chinese military outpost. China Strengthens Military Ties in South Asia The Pentagon report further notes that China h...

Dhaka: Tarique Rahman, senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is set to return to Bangladesh after nearly two decades abroad, fueling speculation that he could be positioned as the party’s Prime Ministerial candidate ahead of the February elections. Rahman’s return comes at a critical moment when Bangladesh is grappling with widespread political unrest. The ruling Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, has been barred from political activity, while Jamaat-e-Islami is gaining momentum. Analysts suggest that for the BNP, this election represents more than a routine contest—it could be the party’s first significant opportunity to regain power after nearly 15 years. BNP Considers Strategic Moves Sources within BNP, cited by N...

Islamabad: Pakistan Army Chief and newly elevated Field Marshal Asim Munir is facing growing domestic opposition over reports that Islamabad is considering deploying thousands of Pakistani troops to Gaza as part of a US-backed international security plan. Religious leaders and political clerics have warned that such a move would amount to a betrayal of the Muslim cause and Hamas. According to reports, Pakistan is planning to deploy nearly 3,500 troops to Gaza under a proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF), envisioned as part of former US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan. The force is expected to include troops from Muslim-majority countries and would allegedly play a role in the disarmament of Hamas following an Israel–Hamas ceasefire. Clerics Unite Against...

Dhaka: Extremist groups in Bangladesh have reportedly threatened the management of Global TV, demanding the dismissal of journalist Naznin Munni, warning that failure to comply would result in the channel being set on fire. According to local reports, these extremists are targeting voices that expose their actions, seeking to silence media coverage. Earlier this month, offices of two media houses, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, were set ablaze following the assassination of extremist leader Sharif Usman Hadi, trapping dozens of journalists inside. Now, Global TV faces similar threats, with Munni specifically in the crosshairs. Targeted for Speaking the Truth Naznin Munni, a well-known journalist and anchor with Global TV, had supported the student movements in July–August of last...

Islamabad: Controversy erupted in Pakistan following remarks by prominent cleric and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rahman, who questioned the Pakistani military’s response to India’s recent strikes. Speaking from Lyari, Karachi, Rahman asked why India’s operations in Bahawalpur and PoK’s Muridke were condemned if Pakistan’s cross-border attacks on Afghanistan were considered justified. Defense Minister Responds Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif responded on Tuesday, rejecting comparisons between Pakistan’s actions in Afghanistan and India’s military strikes in May. Asif argued that India has yet to provide evidence linking Pakistan to the Pulagam attack, while Pakistan has offered a fair investigation. Asif defended Islamabad’s cross-border operations, emph...

Dhaka: Violence against Hindus in Bangladesh continues to escalate, with several homes in Chattogram deliberately set on fire last week following the murder of a local laborer, Deepu Chandra Das. Victims report that attackers forcibly locked the homes from outside before igniting them, a move seemingly intended to trap and harm residents. Fortunately, most houses were made of temporary materials, allowing residents to escape, though their belongings, savings, and livelihoods were destroyed. Targeted Attack on Minority Communities According to local sources and affected families, the attacks were premeditated, aiming to intimidate the Hindu minority and force them to flee the area. The mob, reportedly composed of radical Islamic elements, used petrol to set the homes ablaze after secu...