world

Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has once again issued a stern warning to Iran, stating that Tehran knows the consequences if it fails to reach a nuclear agreement. His remarks came immediately after talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Muscat, Oman, aimed at reviving the nuclear deal. Speaking to reporters, Trump reiterated that a large U.S. naval fleet is heading toward the region, emphasizing America’s readiness and resolve. He claimed that Iran is eager to strike a deal and described the ongoing negotiations as “very good,” but stressed that Tehran must come to the table in the right position. “We had very good talks with Iran. It seems they are desperate to make a deal. This deal will be different from the last one. Our massive fleet is on its way, and it will arr...

Hargeisa / New Delhi: Since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas, Houthi rebels have begun targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea, raising global concerns over the security of one of the world’s busiest maritime routes. For Israel, safeguarding these shipping lanes has become a core national security priority. A New Strategic Framework On December 26 last year, Israel shocked the world by officially recognizing Somaliland, a move seen as a major shift in the Horn of Africa. Israel’s aim is to assert influence in the Red Sea, a vital corridor connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. The recognition sparked criticism from countries including China, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq, but Israel has steadily aligned with India, the UAE, and Ethiopia to form a strategic axis counter...

Islamabad: A deadly suicide attack at the Dija al-Kubra Shia mosque in Islamabad on Friday has left 36 people dead and 170 injured, sparking shock across Pakistan. The Islamic State (IS), a radical Sunni extremist group, has claimed responsibility for the attack. It is one of the largest assaults in the capital in recent years. Eyewitnesses described the chaos and terror during Friday prayers at the Kasar-e-Khadijat-ul-Kubra mosque in the Tarlai area. Two men who were present during the attack gave detailed accounts of the horrifying incident and the bravery of security personnel who tried to stop the attackers. Eyewitness Accounts One worshipper, 52-year-old Mohammad Qasim, told Geo TV that the attack occurred just one to two minutes after prayers began. “As the first rukoo of th...

Bogotá: Colombian President Gustavo Petro visited the United States in early February and met with former U.S. President Donald Trump—a meeting closely watched worldwide. The encounter came just a month after Trump had threatened military action against Colombia and had revoked Petro’s visa, highlighting the tense backdrop of their discussions. On February 3, Petro met Trump at the White House. The meeting followed U.S. military actions in Venezuela and the alleged kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro, events that Petro publicly criticized. The 65-year-old leftist leader is known for his outspoken opposition to Trump’s policies. He has strongly condemned potential U.S. military interventions in Venezuela and has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza—stances that have often p...

Dhaka: With Bangladesh’s general elections scheduled for 12 February, political parties are intensifying their campaigns. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has released its manifesto, with party leader Tarique Rahman outlining promises on the economy, foreign policy, defense, and law and order. Economic Focus: Empowering the Middle Class Speaking on Friday, 6 February, Rahman emphasized that if BNP returns to power, the first priority will be creating jobs for the middle class and transforming Bangladesh’s debt-driven economy into an investment-led one. “Our government will work to build a $1 trillion economy by 2034, elevating Bangladesh to an upper-middle-income nation,” he declared. The manifesto stresses that economic growth will be inclusive, based on the productive powe...

Washington: The United States has announced a major ramp-up in missile production, signaling a significant enhancement of its strike capabilities. The Pentagon has signed five separate defense framework agreements with Raytheon to boost missile development and manufacturing over the next seven years. Production Targets Under the new agreements: Tomahawk cruise missiles: Annual production is set to increase from 50 units to over 1,000—a 20-fold surge—allowing the US to conduct sustained strike operations if needed. AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles: Production will rise to at least 1,900 units per year. These missiles are widely used by NATO and non-NATO fighter aircraft and also serve as interceptors in the NASAMS air defense system. SM-6 missiles: Production ...

Stockholm: The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) 2025 report highlights a significant shift in India’s nuclear weapons posture. According to the report, released on 6 February, India has begun integrating its nuclear warheads with missile systems and conducting sea-based deterrence patrols, signaling a potential departure from its traditional “No First Use” policy. Key Findings from SIPRI Previously, India maintained its nuclear warheads separate from their delivery systems during peacetime. SIPRI’s report indicates that India is now storing some missiles in canisters with warheads, and its sea-based nuclear forces are actively patrolling, thereby enhancing its second-strike capability. India has developed a robust nuclear triad—land-based missiles, air-laun...

Beijing/Washington: The United States has accused China of carrying out a covert nuclear test on June 22, 2020—just a week after its military clash with India in the Galwan Valley on June 15. According to US officials, China conducted at least one “yield-producing nuclear test” in violation of existing test-ban commitments, though it was designed to avoid a full nuclear detonation. What Was the Test? The test reportedly involved the use of nuclear materials, but in a controlled manner that did not produce a mushroom cloud or a large-scale explosion. Such “sub-critical” or “zero-yield” tests are intended to validate weapon designs, check performance, and develop new, compact nuclear warheads with far greater efficiency than older models. The explosive yield of such tests is measured i...

Washington: Pakistan faced a diplomatic setback after the US Trade Representative’s office released a map of India showing the entire region of Jammu & Kashmir as part of India, including the territory under Pakistani control (PoK). The move comes following the announcement of a trade framework between the US and India. The map marks a departure from Washington’s traditionally neutral stance on Kashmir, which has long considered it a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan to be resolved through dialogue. In September 2023, former US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, reiterated that the Kashmir dispute should be addressed bilaterally. However, last year, amid heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan, former US President Donald Trump made statements that deviat...

Washington: US President Donald Trump has removed the 25% additional tariff imposed on imports from India, but issued a stern warning regarding any future purchases of Russian oil. The tariff had been levied last year over India’s continued imports of Russian crude. On Friday, Trump signed an executive order officially lifting the additional duty on Indian goods. The White House confirmed that while the tariff relief takes effect immediately, any resumption of Russian oil imports by India could result in the tariff being reinstated. White House Statement According to the White House, the decision to remove the 25% tariff was made under the executive order, recognizing India’s commitment to halt both direct and indirect imports of Russian oil. The statement also highlighted India’s...