world

Dhaka: With Bangladesh’s general elections just ten days away, political competition in Hindu-majority constituencies is heating up. Traditionally, Hindu voters have supported Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, but this year, with the party barred from contesting, the choice is largely between the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) and Jamaat-e-Islami. On 30 January, Jamaat-e-Islami candidates campaigned in Hindu villages, presenting themselves as protectors of Hindu interests. Meanwhile, the BNP has accused joint task forces of harassing Hindu voters in Itna, Mithamoin, and Austagram sub-districts, including arrests on allegedly fabricated charges. Local reports indicate that Hindu voters are carefully weighing which party—BNP or Jamaat—can provide short, medium, and long-term security. ...

Washington/Abu Dhabi: Newly released documents linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have sparked global outrage, revealing a startling connection to Islam’s holiest site, the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. According to the emails included in the files, a piece of the Kaaba’s sacred covering, the Kiswah, was reportedly sent to Epstein. The shipment was facilitated by Emirati businesswoman Aziza Al-Ahmadi, who ensured that three pieces of the Kiswah were delivered to Epstein in Florida via British Airways in February and March 2017. The emails indicate that this occurred after Epstein had served time for his sexual crimes. What is the Kiswah? The Kiswah is a black cloth embroidered with gold, draping the Kaaba, the most sacred site in Islam. It holds profound religious si...

Geneva: The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning about recent cases of Nipah virus detected in India. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the virus as extremely rare but highly serious. He confirmed that the recent cases are limited to India, with no reported spread to other countries. In a post on social media platform X, Ghebreyesus cited two recent cases in West Bengal, marking the third known instance in the state since the virus was first identified in 1998. He emphasized that Indian authorities are closely monitoring over 190 people who had contact with the patients, and so far, no further infections have been detected. Surveillance and testing have been intensified, and health centers are implementing strict prevention and control measures. C...

Kyiv: A Russian drone attack on a bus carrying miners in Ukraine’s southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region has killed at least 15 people and injured seven others, Ukrainian officials confirmed. The attack occurred just hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the second round of peace talks to end the ongoing conflict with Russia. Regional military administration chief Alexander Ganjha said on Telegram that the drone targeted a shuttle bus belonging to an energy company, DTEK, as employees were finishing their shift. Ukraine’s Emergency Service reported that the attack caused a fire, further complicating rescue efforts. Initial reports had listed 12 fatalities, but the death toll later rose to 15. DTEK CEO Maxim Tymchenko described the incident as a “deliberate terrorist attack ...

Islamabad: In response to deadly attacks by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), the Pakistani Army launched a massive counter-operation in the province, claiming to have killed 145 Baloch militants over the past two days. The clashes also resulted in the deaths of 17 security personnel and nearly 50 civilians, according to officials. The attacks began on Saturday morning when BLA fighters simultaneously struck 14 cities across Balochistan, targeting hospitals, schools, banks, and marketplaces. Pakistan’s Junior Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry told Reuters that the attackers disguised themselves in civilian clothing and opened fire indiscriminately on shopkeepers and ordinary citizens. The militants reportedly used civilians as human shields in their assault. Balochistan’s Chief M...

Tehran: Experts are warning that 2026 could see heightened risks of a global conflict, with tensions rising in several key regions due to weakening international checks on major powers. Analysts have identified five potential flashpoints this year that could trigger serious confrontations, possibly escalating to World War III. 1. Greenland CrisisOnce considered unlikely as a conflict zone, Greenland has emerged as a potential hotspot. Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated statements that the U.S. “needs” Greenland, coupled with implied threats of military action, have alarmed Denmark and Europe. While direct conflict is improbable, any clash between European and U.S. forces could escalate tensions, disrupting transatlantic relations. 2. Russia-Ukraine WarThe Russia-Ukraine co...

Islamabad: India’s Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the 2026-27 budget on Sunday, highlighting a significant boost in defence spending. The Indian defence budget has been raised to ₹7.84 lakh crore, marking a 15.3% increase compared to the previous year. The budget emphasizes “Make in India” initiatives and self-reliance in defence production. The move has caught the attention of Pakistani defence analysts. Pakistani commentator Kamar Cheema noted that India’s heightened focus on defence is unprecedented and reflects the country’s drive to rapidly strengthen its military capabilities—posing potential challenges for Pakistan. In a recent video, Cheema said, “This year, India’s defence budget has increased by 15%. The government is prioritizing national security and ...

Tehran: The Indian government has strategically overlooked the Chabahar Port in Iran in its 2026 Union Budget. No allocation has been made for the Chabahar port project, which India had previously supported with an annual allocation of ₹100 crore. Experts are now analyzing the reasons behind this decision. Geopolitical analyst Brahma Chelani commented on India’s strategy regarding Chabahar. According to him, the port is India’s only route to Afghanistan and Central Asia that bypasses Pakistan. With India seemingly stepping back, the opportunity for China to strengthen its presence—already established in Pakistan’s Gwadar Port—could increase. However, this move may also be part of a deliberate Indian strategy. In a detailed post on social media, Chelani noted that while the budget did...

Tel Aviv/New Delhi: Following Europe, India is set to deepen economic ties with one of its closest allies, Israel, as both countries move toward a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of this year. Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar confirmed the development, noting that India and Israel have already signed the framework for FTA negotiations. Speaking to an Indian private news channel, Ambassador Azar said a delegation from India is scheduled to visit Tel Aviv in February to discuss trade facilitation and the agreement. He explained that initial talks would focus on straightforward issues, followed by discussions on more complex matters. The ambassador expressed optimism that a formal trade deal could be concluded within 2026. Strengthening Trade and Logistics Addressing the proposed...

Islamabad/New Delhi: China and Pakistan are moving closer to extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan, a strategic development that could significantly alter regional dynamics while sidelining India’s long-standing objections to the project. The proposal was discussed in detail during a recent meeting of the Pakistan Senate’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, where officials reportedly indicated that key decisions regarding the corridor’s expansion have nearly been finalised. If implemented, the extension of CPEC into Afghanistan would mark a major geopolitical win for Beijing and Islamabad, while raising concerns in New Delhi, which has steadily expanded its diplomatic and developmental footprint in Afghanistan in recent years. According to Pakista...