world

Islamabad: Hafiz Saeed, the globally designated terrorist and leader of the banned group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), is reportedly moving freely in Pakistan despite official claims that he is in custody. Saeed and his organization are responsible for multiple terrorist attacks in India, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks. A video emerging from Pakistan’s Punjab province, reportedly from Okara district, shows Saeed attending meetings and interacting with his commanders in a relaxed manner, casting doubt on Islamabad’s repeated claims of controlling him under house arrest or in jail. Video Evidence of FreedomThe video, shared by OSINT TV, shows Saeed active in October and November last year. He is seen meeting Lashkar’s deputy Saifullah Qasuri and recruitment commander Nasr Javed. Police per...

Islamabad: Pakistan is raising alarms over the India-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which was signed in New Delhi on 27 January 2026. The landmark deal, dubbed the “Mother of All Deals,” is expected to create a unified market for over 2 billion people, but Pakistan fears major economic repercussions, particularly in its textile sector. Gauhar Ejaz, former Commerce Minister and prominent industrialist, has warned the Pakistani government that the FTA could put more than 10 million jobs at risk. Speaking to ARY News, Ejaz said:"The India-EU deal poses a serious threat to Pakistan’s industrial sector, especially the $9 billion textile industry. The challenges created by this new trade agreement will make it extremely difficult for our market to compete." Loss of Trade B...

Paris/Washington: Boeing has suffered a major setback after India opted for the French Rafale fighter jet over the American F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The deal marks a significant shift in global fighter jet markets, with the Super Hornet’s prospects for new international customers severely affected. Boeing had proposed building F/A-18 Super Hornets in India under the “Make in India” initiative, including full technology transfer. India even conducted trial operations of the aircraft before ultimately choosing the Rafale for its naval fleet. The decision has dashed Boeing’s hopes of securing a major new client. Super Hornet Production Facing EndgameThe U.S. aerospace giant had previously announced that the Super Hornet production line would close by the end of 2025 due to a lack of buye...

Dhaka: Bangladesh’s garment exporters are raising alarms over the potential impact of the India-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement, signed on 27 January 2026. Industry experts warn that the deal, set to take effect in 2027 after parliamentary approvals in India and the EU, could undermine Bangladesh’s long-held advantage in the European market. Currently, Bangladesh enjoys duty-free access to the EU under the Least Developed Country (LDC) framework, a benefit it has had since 1975. This has made Bangladesh the second-largest exporter of textiles to the EU after China. In certain segments such as denim, trousers, and T-shirts, it has even surpassed China. In FY 2024-25, Bangladesh accounted for over 50% of EU garment imports, totaling $19.71 billion. Impact of the India-EU DealO...

Brussels/New Delhi: India and the European Union (EU) have signed a landmark mobility pact aimed at facilitating easier movement for Indian students, professionals, and workers across the 27 EU member states. The agreement was formalized during the 16th India-EU Summit in New Delhi, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Antonio da Costa. The pact comes at a time when U.S. policies on H1-B visas have made migration and work opportunities for Indian citizens more challenging. Experts say this mobility framework could transform the dreams of millions of Indian students and professionals looking to study, work, or settle abroad. Under the new framework, Indian students will have unrestricted mobility a...

Ottawa: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has issued a strong warning to U.S. President Donald Trump after reports surfaced that American officials met with separatist leaders from Alberta. The meetings, which reportedly took place several times in Washington since last spring, have raised serious concerns in Ottawa over external interference in Canada’s domestic politics. Speaking alongside provincial premiers in Ottawa, Carney said, “I expect President Trump to respect Canada’s sovereignty. I have always been clear about this in my discussions with him. We focus on what we can work on together, and that is where our attention lies.” Carney emphasized that, according to his knowledge, Trump did not raise Alberta’s independence during these discussions. The controversy erupted afte...

Dhaka: Bangladesh and China have entered into a historic defense agreement to jointly manufacture advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), raising strategic concerns for India. The agreement includes full technology transfer, capacity building, and long-term collaboration between the two nations. According to sources familiar with the matter, the deal was signed between the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) to establish a state-of-the-art UAV manufacturing and assembly plant in Dhaka. The project will initially focus on producing medium-altitude, long-endurance UAVs with vertical take-off and landing capabilities, designed for both military operations and humanitarian assistance, including disaster management. The signing ceremony w...

New Delhi: Over the past decade, the Indian Navy has emerged as the most reliable and rapid first responder in the Indian Ocean region. Its role during natural disasters—such as the massive earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand in March 2025—demonstrated its operational efficiency and humanitarian commitment through missions like Operation Brahma and Operation Sagar Bandhu. Naval Diplomacy in ActionNearly 50 years ago, naval strategist Ken Booth outlined the concept of naval diplomacy as a blend of military strength, diplomacy, and policing. Today, the Indian Navy exemplifies this concept. From the icy waters of the northern Arabian Sea to the warm zones of the South China Sea, the Navy has become a “crisis companion,” promoting trust and collaboration amid rising regional maritime tensio...

Brussels: The European Union has called on India to play a constructive role in ending the Russia-Ukraine war by urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt hostilities. The appeal was made by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, following the signing of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. Kallas emphasized that India’s close ties with Russia could be leveraged to push for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. While the joint statement released after the trade agreement did not specifically mention Russia, EU officials have made it clear that they expect India to use its diplomatic influence to promote peace. EU Accuses Russia of PretenseAddressing media after the 16th India-EU Summit, Kallas stated, “We are facing a...

Washington/Ottawa: Tensions between the United States and Canada have escalated over the F-35 stealth fighter jet deal, threatening to strain the historically close relationship between the two North American neighbors. The controversy dates back to former President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, when he controversially referred to Canada as the 51st U.S. state, prompting political upheaval in Ottawa and the resignation of then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Mark Carney succeeded him, but the friction between the countries has only intensified. F-35 Deal Under ReviewCanada signed a deal in January 2023 to purchase 88 F-35 jets from U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin for CAD 19 billion, intending to replace its aging CF-18 fleet. However, Prime Minister Mark Carney recently an...