world

Maldives has stirred a fresh geopolitical controversy in the Indian Ocean by staking a claim over the Chagos Islands, a group of nearly 60 islands located about 500 km from the Maldives. The largest of these islands, Diego Garcia, currently under UK control, hosts a major U.S. naval base. Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has proposed a deal to former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the strategic island. Maldives’ Proposal to the U.S. In an interview with Newsweek, President Muizzu said he is open to an arrangement under which if Maldives assumes control of the Chagos Islands, the United States could continue to maintain its naval facility on Diego Garcia. This unexpected move comes despite Mauritius being recognized as the sovereign authority over the Chagos Islands by the Un...

Gwadar, Balochistan: The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) carried out highly coordinated attacks on Chinese infrastructure and security installations across Gwadar and other parts of Balochistan. The attacks reportedly inflicted significant losses on Pakistani security forces. In response, the Pakistani Army conducted at least 20 drone strikes targeting areas in Killi Jamaldini, Noshki district. Reports indicate that these strikes resulted in casualties among civilians, including women and children. According to the Balochistan Post, the drone operations began overnight following the BLA’s assault on over a dozen towns this week, during which the group claimed to have killed more than 200 Pakistani soldiers. China Suspends Operations at Gwadar PortFearing further attacks, China has tempo...

Kabul: Following the series of severe attacks across 12 cities in Balochistan, Pakistan attempted to deflect blame onto India and Afghanistan. While India firmly rejected Pakistan’s allegations, the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan has directly exposed Pakistan’s false narratives. Hurryat Radio, Afghanistan’s state-run media outlet, published a report calling Pakistan “deceptive and dishonest.” The channel stated that “for years, the Pakistani military has relied on familiar tactics to divert attention from internal instability. Whenever internal divisions deepen, Pakistan activates its machinery of accusations, making Afghanistan the perennial scapegoat.” The report added that Pakistan’s strategy is designed to conceal failures and reinforce a narrative of national siege. This,...

Islamabad: India’s landmark free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union has sent shockwaves across Pakistan, creating a climate of concern in Islamabad. Pakistani experts are warning that the country is falling behind India in global trade and urging immediate action to avoid economic setbacks. Since Donald Trump assumed the U.S. presidency, global tariff wars have escalated, affecting countries from India to Europe. India, hit by 50% U.S. tariffs, has responded strategically by forging a massive trade deal with the EU, widely described as the ‘Mother of All Free Trade Deals.’ This move has alarmed not only the United States but also India’s regional rivals, Pakistan and Bangladesh. While Bangladesh is actively negotiating trade agreements with Europe, Pakistan faces the risk of ...

Washington/New Delhi: The United States is spearheading a major international coalition on critical minerals, named Pax Silica, aimed at reducing global dependence on China for rare earths. The alliance, which initially includes 20 countries, will hold its first meeting in Washington from 2–4 February. India, along with Australia, Japan, the European Union, the UK, and New Zealand, is participating in the summit. India’s Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will attend the Critical Minerals Ministerial convened by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The meeting will focus on forming a strategic partnership to secure the supply chain for essential minerals critical to semiconductors, AI technologies, electric vehicles (EVs), and clean energy infrastructure. Strategic Goals and Geopolit...

Canberra/New Delhi: The recent trade agreement between India and the European Union (EU) has drawn global attention, with an Australian think tank calling it a “case study for strategic economic diplomacy.” The Lowy Institute, in a detailed report, highlighted how the deal reshapes global trade flows and offers lessons for countries like Australia. The study emphasized that the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) connects two of the world’s largest democratic economies, signaling a shift from old trade certainties. “By linking two major democracies, this deal reconfigures global trade flows while demonstrating how leading economies adapt to an increasingly fragmented and unstable world order,” the report said. Strategic and Economic SignificanceThe Lowy Institute noted that the deal ...

Quetta, Pakistan: Baloch insurgents have carried out the largest coordinated attack in two decades in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the assault, which reportedly included female suicide commandos and targeted multiple cities across the region. The BLA has named this campaign HeroF 2.0 and asserted that the operations are ongoing. According to the group, Pakistani security forces suffered heavy casualties, and the insurgents temporarily gained control over several urban and rural areas. BLA spokesperson Jiyand Baloch stated that Islamabad’s military presence was pushed back, while clashes continued at multiple locations. Pakistani Soldiers AbductedThe BLA said its fighters struck Pakistani Army, police, and Fr...

Tehran: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a stark warning to the United States, accusing Washington of attempting to seize Iran’s oil, gas, and mineral wealth. Posting multiple messages on social media platform X, Khamenei emphasized that Iran’s resources, strategic geography, and energy reserves are highly coveted by the U.S., which previously exercised extensive influence over the country. “America controlled Iran’s resources, oil, politics, and security for over 30 years. Now, with their grip weakened, they are looking to return,” Khamenei wrote. “The Iranian nation stands firmly and will prevent any such attempts.” This comes amid ongoing threats of U.S. military action. While former President Donald Trump has claimed that Iranian officials are engaged in di...

Islamabad: In a coordinated assault across 12 cities in Balochistan, Pakistan witnessed the most significant insurgent attack in decades on Saturday. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility, emphasizing that their objective is the province’s independence from Pakistan. The attacks targeted major military installations, police stations, paramilitary posts, and civilian areas, and included both suicide bombers and female combatants. The scale of the operation has sent alarm signals to China and the United States, which have heavily invested in the underdeveloped region. Balochistan is rich in natural gas and rare minerals, and hosts China’s multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, while the U.S. also maintains strategic interest in the ar...

Washington: February 2026 promises to be an extraordinary month for space enthusiasts, with several exciting celestial events set to unfold. Astronomers have been eagerly anticipating these phenomena, which include both a rare planetary alignment and the year’s first solar eclipse. ‘Ring of Fire’ Solar Eclipse On 17 February, during the new moon, the Moon will pass between the Sun and Earth, creating an annular solar eclipse, famously known as a “Ring of Fire.” Unlike a total solar eclipse, the Moon will not completely cover the Sun because it will be near its farthest point from Earth. As a result, the Sun’s outer corona will remain visible, forming a brilliant fiery ring. According to National Geographic, at the peak of the eclipse, the Moon will cover 92% of the Sun’s disk, pro...