world

New Delhi: The sudden plane crash in Turkey that killed Libya’s National Army Chief, Muhammad Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, has raised serious questions about whether it was a tragic accident or part of a larger international conspiracy. The incident occurred shortly after Pakistan finalized a $4.5 billion arms deal with the Libyan National Army. Al-Haddad, the top military commander of the United Nations-backed government controlling western Libya, died in the crash at a time when tensions were high in the region. The arms deal, reportedly negotiated secretly by Pakistan, has already faced criticism domestically within Pakistan. Significance of the Pakistan-Libya Arms Deal The scale of the deal is unprecedented, particularly for a conflict-ridden country like Libya. Pakistan’s Field Marsh...

Dhaka: Amid ongoing tensions with India, Bangladesh’s interim government has indicated a willingness to normalize ties with its large neighbor. Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed stated on Tuesday that Dhaka has no intention of maintaining strained relations with India. This comes at a time when protests and the suspension of visa services threatened to further strain bilateral relations. Ahmed emphasized that the interim administration, led by Mohammad Yunus, is actively working to improve and stabilize relations with India. First Sign of Reconciliation The statement marks the first clear signal of reconciliation from Bangladesh. Finance Advisor Ahmed, who is acting as Finance Minister in the interim government, made the remarks following Dhaka’s approval to import rice from India....

Washington: The Pentagon has submitted a detailed report to the U.S. Congress highlighting the evolving dynamics of India-China relations, with a special focus on Arunachal Pradesh. The report emphasizes China’s rise and the significant geopolitical shifts underway in Asia. According to the report, China’s long-term strategy aims for the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” by 2049. Under this vision, Beijing is not only striving to expand its global influence but is also building a world-class military capable of fighting and winning wars. The Pentagon underscores that China prioritizes the protection of its sovereignty, security, and developmental interests. To achieve these goals, it continues to strengthen both its internal and external security frameworks. China’s Core ...

Dhaka: Bangladesh is in turmoil following the assassination of Sharif Osman Hadi, an anti-India hardline leader and candidate from Dhaka-8. Amid nationwide chaos, including riots and arson, the government led by Mohammad Yunus has yet to apprehend any suspects. Questions are emerging about who actually stands to gain from Hadi’s death, with Bangladesh’s two major political parties, BNP and Awami League, reportedly not benefiting from the incident. Alleged Jamaat ConnectionAccording to an India Today report, BNP leader and former MP Nilofar Chowdhury Moni alleged that Faisal Karim, accused of assassinating Hadi, was twice granted bail over the past two years by Mohammad Shishir Monir, a senior leader of Jamaat-e-Islami and lawyer at the Supreme Court. Monir is a former secretary of Jamaa...

Beijing/Dhaka: China has expressed concern over the escalating violence in Bangladesh and stressed the importance of holding elections on schedule. The statement underscores China’s traditional diplomatic stance on promoting stability and parliamentary democracy in the country. The announcement comes amid nationwide protests following the assassination of young leader Sharif Usman Hadi, raising fears that the upcoming general elections, scheduled for 12 February 2026, might be delayed. A spokesperson from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said:"China has clearly stated that we want safe, stable, and smooth parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. We believe that all regions in Bangladesh will advance key political agendas while maintaining national unity and stability." By emp...

Colombo: Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has reaffirmed India’s commitment to stand with Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Dituvah. During his visit to Colombo, Jaishankar handed over a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Ranil Anura Kumara Dissanayake, alongside announcing a $450 million relief and reconstruction package for the cyclone-affected regions. The aid package includes $350 million in concessional loans for reconstruction and $100 million in grants. The announcement has been widely appreciated, with Sri Lankans praising India’s timely support. Prominent Sri Lankan journalist Jamila Hussain highlighted Jaishankar’s consistent support, posting on social media:"In 2022, at the peak of our economic crisis, Jaishankar came to Colombo and met...

Jerusalem: Tensions between Israel and Turkey are escalating. Following a high-level meeting in Jerusalem on Monday with the leaders of Greece and Cyprus, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a strong warning to Turkey—without mentioning the country by name—saying that any attempt to reclaim old empires or assert dominance over their lands will never succeed. The trilateral meeting, attended by Netanyahu, Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, focused on countering Turkey’s growing influence in the Eastern Mediterranean. Netanyahu referenced historical incursions, noting that multiple empires had previously ruled over their lands, but emphasized that “through courage and sacrifice, we achieved independence in the modern era.” He made it...

Tokyo: In a strategic move to end China’s dominance over rare earth minerals, Japan has announced plans to extract and refine these precious resources from the deep sea. According to Nikkei Asia, Japan aims to begin full-scale operations by 2027, targeting mineral-rich sediments located up to 6,000 meters below the ocean surface. The extracted seabed material will be transported to the mainland for processing. Japan is particularly focusing on minerals like dysprosium, which are vital for the automobile industry. Japan is home to one of the world’s largest automotive sectors, with global brands such as Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, and Nissan. However, in 2010, a territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands prompted China to halt rare earth mineral supplies, causing major disruptions for Japan...

Since assuming power in August last year, Mohammad Yunus’ interim government in Bangladesh has faced mounting criticism over its handling of law and order. Following last week’s violent unrest, these concerns have intensified. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Khaleda Zia, has sharply criticized the government’s failure to maintain stability. BNP Voices Strong Concerns Senior BNP leader and former minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury addressed CNN-News18, expressing deep concern over the ongoing violence and vandalism. He particularly condemned the attacks targeting Indian diplomatic missions, including the stone-pelting incident at the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram, labeling it as “mob rule.” Chowdhury stated, “The Yunus administration has failed to...

Russia has opened its doors to Indian workers in a major labor initiative amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The move, aimed at addressing Russia’s labor shortages, plans to bring 72,000 Indian migrants to Russia in 2026. This development follows agreements reached during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi earlier this month. Growing India-Russia Labor Collaboration India and Russia share decades of close bilateral ties, including multiple labor cooperation agreements. According to reports from Moskovsky Komsomolets, Russia’s official foreign labor quota for 2025 is set at 235,000 workers, with India allocated 71,817 slots. Boris Titov, Putin’s special representative, noted that at least 42,000 Indians will be deployed in Moscow and other major cities, wit...