Washington/Delhi, December 20, 2025: Thousands of Indian tech professionals visiting India to renew their U.S. work permits have been left stranded after the U.S. State Department abruptly canceled their visa appointments. The cancellations, affecting appointments scheduled between December 15 and 26, have left many workers and their families in uncertainty, with some facing potential job risks in the United States. According to immigration lawyers and reports from The Washington Post, the sudden cancellations are linked to the Trump administration’s new social media vetting policy, which aims to ensure that visa applicants do not pose national or public security risks. Appointments have now been rescheduled months later, with some cases deferred as far ahead as mid-2027. The H-1B vi...

Dhaka, December 20, 2025: The Bangladesh government has taken action following nationwide outrage over the brutal lynching of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das. Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the horrific killing, which occurred on Thursday night in Bhaluka, Mymensingh. According to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the interim government headed by Mohammad Yunus, the arrests were carried out across multiple locations. The accused include: Mohammad Limon Sarkar (19), Mohammad Tareq Hussain (19), Mohammad Manik Mia (20), Irshad Ali (39), Nizum Uddin (20), Alomgir Hussain (38), and Mohammad Miraj Hussain Acon (46). The 27-year-old Das, a follower of Sanatan Dharma and factory worker in Mymensingh city, was allegedly attacked by a mob over accusations of blasphemy. H...

Islamabad, December 20, 2025: In a significant legal development, Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have been sentenced to 17 years in prison each for corruption in the high-profile Toshakhana case. The verdict was delivered by a special court after 80 hearings in Adiala Jail, where Khan is currently in custody. The case revolves around the purchase of an expensive Bulgari jewelry set at a heavily discounted price, allegedly received as a gift from the Saudi Crown Prince during an official visit in May 2021. The court found that both Khan and Bushra Bibi violated anti-corruption laws and provisions under Pakistan’s Penal Code. Imran Khan was sentenced to 10 years under Section 409 (criminal breach of trust) and 7 years under Section 5(2) of the Nationa...

Bangladesh is witnessing heightened unrest as the funeral of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent anti-India student leader, takes place today under tight security measures. Despite heavy police and military presence, acts of arson and violence continue across Dhaka and other cities, reflecting deep political and communal tensions. Hadi, a central figure in the 2024 student movement that temporarily challenged former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was known for his anti-India rhetoric and promotion of controversial “Greater Bangladesh” maps depicting parts of India. He was fatally shot on December 12 while returning from Friday prayers in an e-rickshaw in Dhaka. Initially treated in Dhaka, he was later transferred to Singapore due to critical injuries, where he succumbed to his wounds on Thurs...

As tensions with China intensify, former US President Donald Trump has signed the National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) 2026, emphasizing deeper military engagement with India and reaffirming Washington’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The policy marks a strategic pivot, aimed at countering China’s growing influence while strengthening ties with key regional partners. The NDAA 2026, which legally authorizes nearly $900 billion in defence and security spending, highlights India as a crucial partner in both bilateral and multilateral military cooperation. It calls for enhanced collaboration through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), which brings together India, the US, Japan, and Australia, to promote regional stability, conduct joint military exercises, and stre...

Pakistan is witnessing a growing water crisis as the flow in rivers originating from India, including the Chenab and Jhelum, has significantly declined, impacting irrigation and agriculture in multiple regions. Islamabad has officially blamed India for restricting water release, intensifying tensions between the two neighbours over shared water resources. According to the Pakistan Ministry of Water Resources, satellite imagery from December 8 indicated a significant reduction in water levels at the Baglihar reservoir, which further dropped by December 13. Pakistani officials allege that the fluctuations in the reservoir suggest India may have temporarily restricted water release before refilling the dam, affecting downstream irrigation systems. Impact on Agriculture Authorities re...

China has further strengthened Pakistan’s naval capabilities by handing over the fourth and final Hangor-class submarine, equipped with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, significantly enhancing Islamabad’s underwater warfare potential in the Arabian Sea and the wider Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The development is being viewed by defence experts as part of a broader China-Pakistan strategy to counter India’s growing naval dominance. On December 17, 2025, China officially delivered the submarine to the Pakistan Navy at the Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group in Wuhan. Notably, Pakistan has named the new submarine PNS Ghazi, symbolically reviving the name of the Pakistani submarine sunk by the Indian Navy during the 1971 Indo-Pak war—a move widely interpreted as a psychological a...

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: The United States has welcomed Pakistan’s potential role in the proposed international stabilization force for Gaza under President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan. The plan calls for the deployment of troops from Muslim-majority countries to oversee a transitional period in the war-torn Palestinian territory. U.S. Commends Pakistan’s ProposalU.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s willingness to consider contributing to the international force. Speaking at a press conference, Rubio said, “We are very grateful to Pakistan for offering—or at least considering—being part of this effort to bring stability to Gaza.” While Pakistan has not yet committed troops, it has welcomed the proposal and stated that it is reviewing the details....

NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s reputation as a country with a high number of beggars is now creating diplomatic embarrassments even in Muslim nations. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Azerbaijan have taken strict measures against Pakistani citizens involved in begging, deporting thousands this year alone. Pakistani Beggars Face Crackdown AbroadThe economic hardships in Pakistan have forced many citizens to seek livelihood abroad, often resorting to begging. However, host nations have grown increasingly intolerant. Reports indicate that Pakistani nationals, who traveled on tourist visas, sometimes remained in these countries to beg instead of returning home, prompting decisive action by local authorities. According to a report by the Economic Times, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Azer...

DHAKA: Shock and outrage have swept Bangladesh after a Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, was brutally beaten to death by a mob on Thursday night. The victim’s body was reportedly tied to a tree and set on fire. New details surrounding the killing suggest a horrifying chain of events and raise questions about police complicity. False Allegation Sparks Deadly Mob AttackAccording to Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen, who resides in exile in India, Dipu was first targeted due to a personal grudge held by a Muslim coworker. The coworker falsely accused Dipu of making derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad. Despite Dipu informing the police about the accusation, no action was taken against the accuser. Nasreen revealed on social media that Dipu worked at a factory in Bhaluka, Mymensingh...