world

Dhaka/New Delhi: Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has strongly objected to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s public address in New Delhi, describing it as “shocking” and a serious provocation that could damage bilateral relations with India. The sharp reaction came after Sheikh Hasina, chief of the Awami League, delivered her first public address since fleeing Bangladesh in August 2024 following a student-led uprising. Speaking at a press event in New Delhi on January 23, Hasina launched a scathing attack on the Yunus-led interim administration, calling it authoritarian and accusing it of pushing Bangladesh into chaos and lawlessness. In a statement issued on Sunday, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “The government and people of...

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to join former US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” has sparked a major political storm at home, with opposition leaders accusing his government of “selling Palestinian blood” and surrendering Pakistan’s moral stance to appease Washington. The sharpest attack came from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohel Afridi, a senior leader of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Afridi described Sharif’s participation in the Gaza Peace Board as a “betrayal of the Muslim Ummah” and alleged that both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir had prioritised political interests over Palestinian lives. “By signing this deal, Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir have compromi...

Paris: French authorities have detained the Indian captain of an oil tanker suspected of being part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” a network allegedly used to bypass Western sanctions on Russian oil exports. The vessel, named Grinch, was intercepted by the French Navy in the Mediterranean Sea and is currently anchored under guard near the southern French port of Marseille. According to an AFP report, the tanker was stopped after it was found sailing without a national flag, a violation of international maritime norms. The 58-year-old captain, an Indian national, has been taken into custody, while the remaining crew members—also all Indian nationals—are being kept onboard the vessel as investigations continue. The Marseille Public Prosecutor’s Office is overseeing the case. Wes...

Beijing:China’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign within the military has now reached the highest echelons of power, sending shockwaves through the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). President Xi Jinping has removed General Zhang Youxia, one of China’s most senior and influential military commanders, from his post amid an ongoing investigation into serious disciplinary and legal violations. The move marks one of the most dramatic actions taken under Xi’s long-running crackdown on corruption within the defence establishment and signals a decisive tightening of control over the armed forces. According to China’s Ministry of National Defense, General Zhang — the senior Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) — is under formal investigation for alleged violations of party dis...

SpaceX’s Starlink satellites faced a serious threat last year, requiring at least 148,696 collision avoidance maneuvers, with Chinese satellites accounting for 3,732 of these evasive moves, according to a recent report filed with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC). China’s Satellites Pose Major RisksThe top threat came from Honghu-2, an experimental satellite launched in December 2023 by Landsat 2 Y-3 rocket from Hong Kong, which forced Starlink satellites to maneuver 1,143 times alone. Other Chinese satellites, including those from YunYao Aerospace and Long March 6A debris, collectively accounted for hundreds of additional adjustments. Such maneuvers consume significant fuel and reduce satellite lifespan. Other Space Objects Contribute to DangerThe report also highlighte...

The United States is reportedly considering direct military action against Iran, including potential strikes targeting high-value leadership, including the country’s Supreme Leader. According to military sources, aircraft stationed on the USS Abraham Lincoln could launch precision attacks on Tehran and other critical sites. US Forces Deploy to the Middle EastSatellite imagery shows the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, along with a full task force including warships, supply vessels, and submarines, moving through the Strait of Malacca toward the Persian Gulf via Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka. The carrier’s F/A-18 Hornet jets are capable of striking leadership targets, Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) facilities, and command-and-control centers with precision munitions. US Admiral James ...

Russia has decided to breathe new life into Pakistan’s steel industry under a fresh agreement. Once a vital part of Pakistan’s economy, the country’s steel sector is currently on the brink of collapse. Growing Pakistan-Russia TiesIn recent months, relations between Pakistan and Russia have shown signs of thawing. As part of a revival project, both countries have agreed to start construction next year. The Public Accounts Committee of Pakistan confirmed that the project is a key component of a bilateral agreement, under which Russia will help rehabilitate Pakistan’s steel industry. Work is slated to begin in 2027, signaling not only economic cooperation but also an improvement in diplomatic ties. This move has drawn global attention, given Russia’s traditional alliance with India and Pak...

Washington/Islamabad, January 24, 2026: U.S. President Donald Trump has openly criticized the United Kingdom’s decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, calling it a “foolish decision.” The remote islands in the Indian Ocean host a key U.S. military base, and Trump’s intervention signals Washington’s growing concerns about China’s strategic moves in the region. The Chagos dispute comes at a time when China is aggressively expanding its influence across the South Pacific, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean. Beijing is using economic investment, infrastructure projects, and cultural diplomacy to win influence, which U.S. analysts fear could pave the way for future Chinese military bases. U.S.-China Military Base RaceWhile the United States currently...

Islamabad, January 24, 2026: Pakistan’s participation in the newly launched Board of Peace at Davos, led by U.S. President Donald Trump, has sparked criticism at home. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif attended the signing ceremony, calling it a diplomatic success, but opposition parties have voiced strong objections. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal defended the government in parliament on Friday, rejecting claims that Pakistan was trying to appease the United States. He stated that Pakistan’s involvement in the Board of Peace aims to promote lasting peace in Gaza and strengthen the country’s global standing. Opposition leaders, however, accused the government of bowing to U.S. pressure. Senate opposition leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas criticized Shahbaz Sharif for joining the forum, calli...

New Delhi/Moscow, January 24:As military technology rapidly evolves, the nature of modern warfare is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Range alone no longer defines a missile’s lethality—speed, maneuverability, penetration capability and survivability against air-defence systems have become equally decisive. Today, several nations possess long-range and hypersonic missiles capable of evading even the most advanced missile defence networks, fundamentally reshaping global strategic balance. From intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) to hypersonic glide vehicles, these weapons are designed to defeat detection and interception, making them among the most feared instruments of modern warfare. Below is a look at 10 of the world’s longest-range and most formidable missiles, widely re...