world

Washington/Ottawa: Relations between the United States and Canada are under renewed strain as former US President Donald Trump reignites old tensions, prompting fears of potential military conflict. Trump had previously referred to the Canadian Prime Minister as a “governor,” souring diplomatic relations between the two countries. The US military had prepared a secretive plan in 1927, later approved in 1930, known as “War Plan Red,” which envisioned a hypothetical invasion of Canada. According to military strategists of the time, the plan involved highly aggressive, multi-front operations to ensure Canada could be subdued within hours. The strategy included poison gas attacks, capture of strategic ports, disruption of sea and rail links, and occupation of cities along lakes and rivers, ...

Paris: Rising tensions over Greenland have prompted European nations to show a united front in response to repeated threats by U.S. President Donald Trump. In a strategic move, France has deployed its only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, to the North Atlantic near Greenland. The carrier is equipped with Rafale fighter jets and a full complement of naval escort and support vessels. French President Emmanuel Macron is also scheduled to meet leaders from Denmark and Greenland in Paris to reaffirm European solidarity and support for the sovereignty and regional unity of Greenland amid rising geopolitical tensions. Deployment DetailsWhile the French Ministry of Defence has not disclosed the exact location, sources cited by AFP report that the carrier is moving tow...

Beijing: China’s PL‑17 air‑to‑air missile, considered one of the most secretive weapons of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), has reportedly been seen up close for the first time. The missile, believed to be significantly more capable than the widely discussed PL‑15, has drawn global attention due to its exceptional range, size, and speed. The PL‑17 is a long‑range air‑to‑air missile designed primarily to target high‑value aerial assets such as airborne early warning aircraft, surveillance platforms, and aerial refuelling tankers. Although the missile has existed for years, China has never officially released its specifications, making this recent visual sighting particularly noteworthy. According to defence analysts and reports cited by The War Zone, the missile seen ap...

Washington/New Delhi: Following the historic India–European Union Free Trade Agreement signed on 27 January, the United States has once again turned its attention to India, signalling growing unease over the new trade pact. While the Trump administration attempted to block the deal prior to its finalisation, India and the EU refused to yield, completing the agreement despite Washington’s pressure. However, US officials have now begun targeting India over its Russian oil purchases. US Trade Representative Jamison Greer stated that Washington is still closely monitoring India’s crude oil imports from Russia, indicating that the administration does not intend to lift additional tariffs on India anytime soon. Contradictory Signals from the Trump Administration Greer’s remarks appear t...

Riyadh/Tehran: In a significant geopolitical shift, Saudi Arabia has openly expressed support for Iran amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington, firmly opposing any potential US military action against the Islamic Republic. Saudi Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has made it clear that Saudi airspace will not be used under any circumstances for an attack on Iran. According to Arab News, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman conveyed this assurance during a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, signalling a notable realignment in regional diplomacy at a time when the Middle East is on the brink of a wider confrontation. The Saudi Press Agency quoted MBS as saying that Saudi Arabia respects Iran’s sovereignty and territorial i...

Islamabad/New Delhi: Pakistan is facing mounting economic anxiety following the finalisation of a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union, a deal that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has described as the “mother of all trade deals.” Analysts and Pakistani media have warned that the agreement could significantly weaken Pakistan’s foothold in European markets and deepen its already fragile economic situation. According to a report published by Pakistan-based news portal brief.pk, the India–EU trade pact poses a serious and immediate threat to Pakistan’s export-driven sectors, particularly textiles, and calls for urgent, pragmatic policy responses from the Shehbaz Sharif-led government rather than political rhetoric. Preferential Acces...

Islamabad: Separatist militant group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on the Pakistani Army in the restive Balochistan province, alleging that 12 soldiers were killed and six others injured during intense clashes. According to a statement issued by BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch, the confrontation took place in the Panjgur district, where BLA fighters targeted Pakistani military personnel in what they described as a coordinated ambush. The clash reportedly began around 1:00 pm on Saturday and continued for nearly seven hours, ending around 8:00 pm. The spokesperson claimed that the Pakistani Army’s so-called “death squad” was attacked when it attempted to advance in large numbers toward the Sorap area. He further alleged that additional arm...

Dhaka: As Bangladesh prepares for its parliamentary elections on February 12, BNP chief Tarique Rahman has warned his party supporters of possible electoral manipulation. Speaking at a virtual rally on Monday, Rahman urged party leaders and activists to remain vigilant and ensure the integrity of the voting process. This will be the first general election since the August 2024 government takeover by Sheikh Hasina, and the Awami League, Bangladesh’s oldest party, is participating for the first time as an opposition. Although Rahman did not directly name individuals or groups, he hinted that extremist elements could attempt to interfere with the election. Reports suggest that the Jamaat‑e‑Islami alliance, allegedly emboldened by contacts with the United States and the United Kingdom, m...

Tehran/Washington: Tensions in the Middle East have escalated sharply as Iran announced live‑fire military drills near the Strait of Hormuz and temporarily closed its airspace, even as the United States launched large‑scale military exercises in the region. The parallel moves have intensified fears of a direct confrontation between Tehran and Washington. Iran issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on Tuesday, declaring live‑fire military activity in airspace near the Strait of Hormuz from January 27 to January 29. According to the advisory, airspace within a five‑nautical‑mile radius will remain restricted up to an altitude of 25,000 feet. The announcement came just hours after American military assets arrived in the region. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global chokepoint through whi...

Tehran/Washington: Reports of a major explosion at Iran’s sensitive Parchin military complex have sparked concerns of a potential escalation in the Middle East. The complex, long under international scrutiny for its role in Iran’s nuclear program, was reportedly hit on Tuesday evening, with confirmation from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), though details about the cause remain unclear. The Parchin facility is widely believed to host critical components of Iran’s nuclear weapons program and has previously been the site of international monitoring. Last year, during heightened tensions, Israel carried out airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure, including Parchin. Any incident at this site typically triggers global diplomatic and security alarms. The expl...