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Tehran: Iranian authorities have seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman carrying 6 million litres of diesel fuel, with 18 crew members onboard, including personnel from India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, Iranian media reported on Saturday. According to the semi-official Fars News Agency, the tanker, reportedly transporting fuel illegally, had shut down all navigation systems prior to being intercepted near the coast of Hormozgan province. Iranian officials said the vessel was attempting to evade detection before being detained. Tehran’s Ongoing Crackdown Iran regularly targets vessels it suspects of illegal fuel transport in the region, citing its low domestic fuel prices as an incentive for smuggling to neighbouring markets. Last month, Iranian authorities seized another tanker,...

Amid shifting strategic equations in South Asia, a renewed debate has emerged around India’s Agni‑5 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and its overwhelming deterrence value, particularly in the context of Bangladesh’s reported interest in acquiring Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft. Bangladesh Eyes Eurofighter Typhoon Deal According to reports from Dhaka, the Bangladesh Air Force is considering the purchase of 12 to 16 Eurofighter Typhoon jets. Earlier, Bangladesh was in talks with China for the J‑10C fighter aircraft. However, defence analysts say Dhaka reassessed its options after realizing that Chinese claims comparing the J‑10C with India’s Rafale fighters did not hold up operationally. Seeking a platform comparable to Rafale, Bangladesh has now turned towards the Eur...

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reportedly faced severe diplomatic embarrassment after entering a high-level meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan without an invitation, leaving officials visibly surprised and unsettled. 40-Minute Wait Leads to Uninvited EntrySources report that Sharif waited approximately 40 minutes for a scheduled meeting with Putin. When the Russian President did not arrive, Sharif allegedly decided to enter the room where Putin and Erdoğan were holding important discussions. A video, briefly circulated by RT India and later deleted, showed Sharif waiting impatiently before walking into the meeting, startling both Russian and Turkish officials. Violation of Diplomatic ProtocolAnalysts no...

Islamabad: In an unprecedented display of digital warfare, the Pakistan Navy has reportedly been using artificial intelligence to create a virtual naval fleet and spread deepfake videos simulating military exercises. According to Indian Navy sources, this operation aims to create confusion and project strength far beyond Pakistan’s actual naval capabilities. AI-Powered Naval IllusionsDefense experts say Pakistan has established an "AI-driven virtual navy" to compensate for its limited real-world naval assets. Using deepfake videos, AI-generated audio, edited combat clips, and even video game footage, Pakistan is attempting to portray a powerful naval presence on social media—an image that bears little resemblance to reality. This marks a new, dangerous form of information warfare where ...

Dhaka: Tarique Rahman, son of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is set to end his 17-year self-imposed exile and return to Bangladesh on 25 December. The announcement comes at a politically sensitive time as the election dates have also been declared. Bangladesh is scheduled to hold general elections on 12 February next year. BNP Welcomes the DecisionMirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Secretary General, confirmed that the decision for Rahman’s return was taken during a meeting of the party’s Standing Committee. He stated, “We are pleased to announce that our acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, will return to Dhaka on 25 December. The party will formally welcome him. This step is both emotionally and politically signifi...

Islamabad/Dhaka/Beijing: Pakistan has blamed India for bringing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to near inactivity, accusing New Delhi of undermining a platform crucial for regional collaboration. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, Tahir Hussain Andarabi, said on Thursday that India’s obstruction has weakened SAARC, while Pakistan hopes that the process may resume soon. Pakistan Seeks a New BlocAt the same time, Pakistan is attempting to form a new regional grouping, reportedly with the support of China and Bangladesh, bypassing India entirely. “India has repeatedly disrupted the SAARC process. This attitude is regrettable, but Pakistan hopes the process will be revived,” Andarabi said, commenting on ongoing diplomatic efforts by Pakistan’s Finan...

Washington/New Delhi: Indian H-1B visa holders are facing fresh uncertainty as the U.S. government postpones visa interviews in India until March-April 2026, leaving many workers unable to return to their jobs in the United States. Immigration experts are advising H-1B holders to avoid traveling to India and remain in the U.S. to safeguard their employment. The delays, affecting interviews originally scheduled for December, have left hundreds of Indian professionals in limbo. “H-1B employees traveling abroad without valid visa stamping risk losing their jobs and being separated from their families,” warned immigration expert Rahul Reddy, founder partner of Reddy Newman Brown PC. Risk of Job LossReddy explained that U.S. employers cannot keep H-1B positions vacant for more than six mo...

Islamabad/Washington: Baloch separatist leader Mir Yar Baloch has raised serious concerns over U.S. military assistance to Pakistan, urging President Donald Trump to reconsider support for the Pakistan Army under General Asim Munir and the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The appeal comes at a critical time, as the Trump administration has approved a $686 million package to upgrade Pakistan’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets. In an open letter, Mir Yar claimed that the weapons, including F-16 upgrades, are being used not for defense but to commit atrocities against Baloch civilians in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province. Allegations of Misuse of U.S. WeaponsMir Yar’s letter emphasizes that for 77 years, Baloch people have faced military oppression, enforced disappearances, ...

Dhaka/Beijing: Despite China’s persistent efforts, Bangladesh has refused to purchase the Chinese J-10C fighter jet, dealing a significant setback to Beijing’s defense export ambitions. In a surprising turn, Dhaka is now showing keen interest in the Eurofighter Typhoon, signaling a shift toward Western fighter aircraft. According to the Eurasian Times, Bangladesh has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to begin talks for acquiring 12 to 16 Eurofighter Typhoons. If the deal is finalized, Bangladesh would become the 11th country to operate the 4.5-generation multirole fighter, which was jointly developed by the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Notably, Bangladesh would be the first South Asian nation to operate the Eurofighter Typhoon. Growing Preference for EurofighterWhile the ...

Dhaka: Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has strongly rejected the announcement of next year’s national elections. The party also accused Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus’ government of being aligned with a “murderous and fascist” faction, questioning its ability to conduct free and fair polls. The Election Commission, under Yunus’ leadership, had declared on Thursday that elections would be held on 12 February 2026. The Awami League described this move as illegal and politically motivated, claiming that the current government cannot ensure transparency, impartiality, or reflect the will of the people. Awami League’s Strong StatementIn an official statement from its headquarters at 23 Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka, the Awami League said it had closely r...