world

Dhaka/Chattogram: A senior U.S. defense security advisor was recently spotted at a Bangladesh Navy base in Chattogram, located near India’s border, fueling speculation about potential technology transfers and strategic collaborations. According to reports, Steven Barry James, a senior official from the U.S. Defense Technology Security Administration (DTSA), met with Rear Admiral M. Moinul Hasan, commander of the Chattogram naval area, on January 27, 2026. Following the meeting, the Bangladeshi delegation escorted James to Chattogram Dry Dock Limited (CDDL), where Lieutenant Commander Zahid Mohsin Kabir presented future operational plans, naval capabilities, and upcoming projects. The DTSA, established in the 1980s, is tasked with preventing the proliferation or misuse of technologies...

Washington/Ottawa: Tensions between the United States and Canada are escalating over Canada’s purchase of F-35 stealth fighter jets, raising questions about the future of North American defense cooperation. The friction traces back to former President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, which strained bilateral ties. Canada had signed a C$19 billion deal in January 2023 with Lockheed Martin to acquire 88 F-35 stealth jets, aiming to replace its aging CF-18 fleet. However, following disagreements with the Trump administration, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a review of the deal. While Canada plans to take delivery of the 16 jets already paid for, the remaining 72 aircraft are now in question, posing a significant challenge to U.S. defense planners. Threats to NORA...

Tel Aviv/Washington/New Delhi: Amid escalating global conflicts—from Ukraine to Gaza, and rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait—India is emerging as a potential global weapons manufacturing hub. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to jointly produce weapons with India, marking a significant step in international defense collaboration. Meanwhile, the United States has sent a congressional delegation to India to explore co-development and co-production of defense systems. Netanyahu emphasized that producing weapons in India and Germany will reduce Israel’s dependence on U.S. military aid, ensure faster supply chains, and strengthen strategic alliances. “During the Gaza conflict, our soldiers lost their lives because they lacked the munitions they needed,” Netanyahu sa...

Abu Dhabi/Riyadh: Recent tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over Yemen have taken a worrying turn on social media. In the midst of the dispute, a wave of racist online campaigns originating from Saudi users has targeted Indians and other South Asians. Saudi Arabia positions itself as a global leader of the Islamic world, funding Muslim organizations worldwide to bolster its influence. As the custodian of Islam’s two holiest mosques, the kingdom enjoys significant sway among Muslims globally. Yet, beneath this religious and political influence lies a stark reality of deep-seated racism. Recently, social media users in Saudi Arabia have begun derogatorily labeling UAE nationals as “Indian”—using the term as an insult to demean them. UAE resident Mishal Al Shamsi (@mes_alshamsi) ...

New Delhi/Islamabad/Beijing: India has unveiled its long-range hypersonic anti-ship missile, signaling a major shift in its maritime strategy. With China and Pakistan increasingly seeking to assert dominance in the Indian Ocean, this cutting-edge missile strengthens India’s ability to safeguard its strategic interests. The missile, developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is designed to neutralize high-value targets such as aircraft carriers and warships at a range of 1,500 km. What sets this weapon apart is its unprecedented speed and maneuverability. Equipped with a two-stage solid propulsion system, the missile can reach speeds of Mach 10 and maintain an average of Mach 5 along a quasi-ballistic trajectory. Its ability to fly at extremely low altitud...

Kuala Lumpur: A controversial statement by Malaysia’s Minister for Religious Affairs has triggered widespread criticism and ridicule, after he suggested that workplace stress could be one of the factors pushing people toward homosexuality. Responding to a written question in Parliament, Dr. Zulkifli Hasan, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), claimed that “work pressure” may contribute to individuals adopting what he described as an “LGBT lifestyle.” His remarks immediately drew backlash from civil society groups, human rights activists, and social media users. The minister was replying to a question raised by PAS lawmaker Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff, who sought details on LGBT trends in Malaysia. In his written response, Dr. Zulkifli said that factors such as...

Tehran/Washington: Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated sharply after U.S. President Donald Trump issued what he described as a final ultimatum to Tehran over its nuclear program, warning of a “very bad” military response if Iran refuses to return to the negotiating table. The warning comes amid a significant U.S. military buildup in the Middle East. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by three destroyers—USS Frank E. Petersen Jr., USS Spruance, and USS Michael Murphy—has arrived in the region. Together, the strike group represents formidable firepower, including Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles and reportedly a nuclear-powered submarine. In a series of posts on social media, Trump said he hoped Iran would “quickly come to the negotiating t...

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in Moscow on Wednesday. This marks Al-Sharaa’s second visit to Russia since taking office in December 2024. The meeting comes as Putin seeks to secure the future of Russian military bases in Syria and maintain Moscow’s strategic influence in the region. Al-Sharaa and Putin had met previously in October 2025, signaling a possible rapprochement. However, former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a long-standing adversary of Al-Sharaa, remains in Moscow under Russian protection. After losing control of Damascus in December 2024, Assad fled to Moscow with his wife, and Russia has reportedly refused extradition despite repeated requests from Al-Sharaa. At the start of Wednesday’s meeting, President Putin con...

Islamabad / Bahawalpur: Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, conducted a military drone test near the India-Pakistan border in Bahawalpur, approximately 70–80 kilometers from the frontier. The visit is significant as Bahawalpur was the site of one of India’s deadliest strikes during Operation Sindoor, when the Indian Army carried out a major attack near Ahmedpur Sharqia, reportedly targeting a mosque compound and eliminating at least five militants. During the visit, General Munir inspected the Bahawalpur Garrison, receiving briefings on operational, training, and administrative matters, with a particular focus on multi-domain warfare preparedness. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that he also reviewed a high-intensity field exercise, “Steadfast Resolve...

Dubai: Imagine walking through streets made of gold in a city dedicated entirely to the precious metal. That vision is becoming reality in Dubai, which is set to become home to the world’s first “Gold City.” Authorities have announced the upcoming launch of the New Dubai Gold District, aimed at transforming the emirate into a global hub for gold and jewelry. At the heart of the project will be Gold Street, a unique road constructed entirely from gold. Designed as a major tourist attraction, the street will integrate retail and wholesale trading, bullion, and investment opportunities under one roof, creating a unified ecosystem for the gold and jewelry sector. Officials expect over 1,000 gold retailers to operate in Gold Street, cementing Dubai’s reputation as the “City of Gold” and a...