world

Islamabad: Pakistan’s government has vowed a forceful response to the deadly suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad, which killed at least 31 people and injured around 169 others. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif pointed to Afghanistan in connection with the attack, claiming the suicide bomber had traveled there prior to carrying out the assault. The attack occurred on Friday when the bomber detonated explosives inside the mosque during prayers. According to Asif, security forces confronted the attacker, who then detonated himself at the end of the prayer hall, targeting worshippers. Afghanistan and Alleged External Links Asif accused the Afghan Taliban of having links to the attacker, stating on social media platform X that the suicide bomber had previously visited Afghanista...

Dhaka: Violent clashes erupted in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, on Friday as police confronted protesters demanding justice for slain student leader Usman Sharif Hadi. Reports indicate that around 40–50 people were injured during the confrontation outside the government residence of Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus. Thousands of demonstrators, organized by the Inquilab Platform, attempted to march toward Yunus’s official residence in Jamuna, demanding a United Nations-monitored investigation into Hadi’s December 2025 assassination. Hadi was shot while campaigning in the Paltan area of Dhaka and later airlifted to Singapore, where he succumbed to his injuries. His death had triggered a series of violent incidents targeting media outlets, political and cultural organizations, and even the I...

Washington: The United States has once again announced fresh sanctions on Iran, just after nuclear talks in Oman. The latest measures specifically target Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical businesses. Notably, an Indian company has also come under the ambit of these sanctions. According to the US State Department, the sanctions target 15 companies and 14 vessels linked to Iran’s so-called “shadow fleet.” These entities have allegedly been involved in transporting petroleum, petroleum products, and petrochemicals in violation of international restrictions. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that the move is part of the Trump administration’s new pressure campaign against Tehran. He emphasized that President Donald Trump remains committed to curbing the Iranian governmen...

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released a list of individuals taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), identifying at least 89 Indians among the nation’s “worst of the worst” criminals. These individuals are accused of a range of serious offenses, including domestic violence, drug trafficking, sexual assault, fraud, robbery, and money laundering. DHS Statement on the List In a statement, DHS highlighted, “We are pleased to announce that an additional 5,000 criminal illegal aliens can be viewed at WOW.DHS.GOV. Our database now includes 25,000 individuals apprehended by @ICEgov and @CBP — this represents only a snapshot of the criminal illegal aliens removed from our streets under the Trump administration.” The department described the off...

The United States has accused China of conducting a secret nuclear test, reportedly carried out immediately after the deadly Galwan Valley clash with India in June 2020. Thomas DiNanno, U.S. Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, made the allegation at a disarmament conference in Geneva, stating that the U.S. has evidence of a Chinese nuclear explosive test on 22 June 2020. China has not directly responded to these allegations. Key Highlights: The U.S. claims China conducted the nuclear test in secrecy. China has not directly responded but has emphasized responsible conduct. The disclosure comes at a time when there is no active arms control treaty between Russia and the U.S. for the first time since 2010. Alleged Secret Nuclear Test by China The U...

Pakistan’s debt burden has crossed its legal limits, putting the already-struggling economy under severe pressure. According to a recent report, the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio has surged to 70.7%, surpassing the 56% ceiling set by the Pakistani Parliament. Debt Rising Beyond Legal Limits The Karachi-based newspaper Business Recorder reported that Pakistan’s latest Debt Policy Statement 2026 revealed the government’s public debt for fiscal year 2024-25 has exceeded the legal threshold by a significant margin. The debt now stands at 16.8 trillion Pakistani rupees above the authorized limit, equivalent to roughly 14.7% of GDP. Analysts say this highlights the government’s repeated failures in enforcing fiscal discipline. Structural Flaws in Governance The report emphasizes that t...

Islamabad / Europe: Pakistan’s annual observance of “Kashmir Solidarity Day” on 5 February, intended to bolster its narrative on Kashmir, has instead turned into an embarrassment for Islamabad. Across Europe, Kashmiri communities mobilized to expose Pakistan’s propaganda, highlighting decades of violence, oppression, and demographic manipulation in the region. Protests Outside Pakistani EmbassiesThe largest demonstration took place outside the Pakistani Embassy in Bradford, UK, organized by the United Kashmir Peoples National Party (UKPNP). Protesters denounced Pakistan’s observance as a charade, chanting slogans such as “No Occupation, End State Terrorism.” They criticized the country for using symbolic gestures of sympathy while ignoring the real suffering of Kashmiris. Participant...

Islamabad: Pakistan’s largest province, Balochistan, has long been engulfed in violence, political unrest, and armed resistance. The province has become a focal point of conflict, with local insurgents clashing repeatedly with Pakistani security forces. The Baloch rebels claim to be fighting for their rights and independence, while the Pakistani government admits that controlling the uprising has become increasingly challenging. Rising Threat to PakistanRecently, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif acknowledged in Parliament that Baloch insurgents are better armed than before. According to him, individual rebels are equipped with military-grade gear worth up to $20,000, including assault rifles priced over $2,000 each—sometimes surpassing the equipment of Pakistani forces themselve...

Tokyo: Japan has achieved a significant breakthrough in rare earth research, successfully drilling deep-sea sediments near Marcus Island (Minamitorishima) to extract rare minerals. Dubbed the “rare-earth rich mud” or “magical mud,” this discovery could help Japan reduce its reliance on China for critical minerals. Successful Deep-Sea ExtractionJapanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shared on X (formerly Twitter) that the research vessel Chikyu collected sediment from a depth of 6,000 meters (19,700 feet) near Minamitorishima. According to Takaichi, this marks the first-ever extraction of rare minerals from such depths. She called this a crucial first step toward domestic industrialization of rare minerals and emphasized Japan’s efforts to establish a strong supply chain, reducing depend...

Islamabad: Pakistan is facing escalating unrest in Balochistan, with attacks by rebel groups creating widespread chaos. The Pakistani military is reportedly struggling to maintain control, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to lash out at India in a recent speech. Shehbaz Sharif’s Remarks on India and BalochistanAddressing a special session of the Pakistan-administered Kashmir assembly in Muzaffarabad, Shehbaz Sharif accused India of using proxy groups to spread terrorism inside Pakistan. He stated, “Until India abandons its aggressive and expansionist designs and its nefarious conspiracies, lasting peace in South Asia cannot be achieved.” Recalling the April–May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, Sharif claimed India suffered a “humiliating defeat” and suggested that India is now at...