Dhaka: Just hours after Tariq Rahman was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh, an unexpected and discreet visit by Bilal Erdogan, son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has sparked intense political speculation across South Asia. Bilal Erdogan reportedly arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday morning in a private aircraft—less than 24 hours after Tariq Rahman’s oath ceremony. The visit was not publicly announced in advance, raising questions about Turkey’s rapidly growing interest in Bangladesh’s political landscape and its intentions with the newly formed government. Observers believe the timing of the visit indicates a calculated Turkish attempt to deepen its influence in Dhaka at a critical moment of political transition. Turkey Expanding Footprint Since 2024 Repo...

Tehran/Washington: The United States is reportedly preparing for a large-scale military strike on Iran, potentially by the end of this week, targeting not only Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile infrastructure but also key political and military leadership in what could amount to an attempt at regime change. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, citing senior White House officials, US President Donald Trump has been fully briefed on multiple military strike options. The report suggests that each plan has been designed to inflict maximum damage on Iran’s strategic capabilities and government structure. Officials familiar with the discussions said the proposed operation could involve coordinated attacks on Iran’s military bases, nuclear facilities, government targets, and...

Dhaka: Newly sworn-in Bangladesh Prime Minister Tariq Rahman delivered his first national address on Wednesday night, outlining his government’s priorities and promising strong action to restore democracy, improve law and order, and curb corruption. In a significant message aimed at easing rising communal tensions, Rahman assured religious minorities—including Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians—that his government will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of religion. Tariq Rahman, who took oath as Prime Minister on February 17 after securing a sweeping victory in the general elections, said Bangladesh belongs equally to all its citizens, regardless of faith. “Whether someone is Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Christian, religion does not define citizenship. This is our country, and we...

Washington: US President Donald Trump has strongly criticised the United Kingdom’s controversial agreement to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while keeping the strategically vital Diego Garcia military base on a long-term lease. Trump has warned British Prime Minister Keir Starmer not to allow the territory to slip away from British control, calling the deal a serious strategic mistake. In a sharp post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump urged Starmer to reconsider the agreement, arguing that leasing such a critical geopolitical asset could weaken the UK’s position in the Indian Ocean. “I want to tell UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer that when it comes to countries, leasing is not a good thing. He is making a big mistake with a 100-year lease. Diego Garcia is str...

Washington: The United States is reportedly on the verge of launching its largest-ever military operation against Iran, with reports suggesting that a major strike could take place as early as this weekend. The rapidly escalating American military buildup in the Middle East has intensified fears that West Asia may be heading towards a devastating regional war. According to multiple international reports, the US has positioned a massive fleet of warships, fighter jets, and refuelling aircraft in the region, indicating preparations for what analysts believe could be a long-term military campaign against Iran. A report by The Telegraph, citing a source close to the US administration, claimed that the chances of a full-scale war between the United States and Iran in the coming week could...

Moscow: Russia has firmly dismissed the United States’ claim that India has agreed to stop buying Russian crude oil. The Russian government said it has no reason to believe that New Delhi has changed its position on energy imports and continues to see India as a key and stable partner in the global oil market. The statement came in response to remarks made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who recently claimed that India had promised to halt crude oil purchases from Moscow. However, Russia has categorically rejected this assertion, stating that India has shown no indication of ending its energy trade with Russia. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday that India’s purchase of Russian hydrocarbons benefits both nations and also helps maintain stabi...