world

Islamabad/Washington: In a startling revelation, reports suggest that Pakistan spent three times more than India on lobbying efforts in the US to win over President Donald Trump, following his return to power. Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir reportedly leveraged promises of a major mineral deal to secure Trump’s favor, opening Pakistan’s strategic resources as bait. Sources reveal that since Trump’s second term began, his approach toward Pakistan has significantly shifted. Despite suspending economic aid to Pakistan during his first term, Trump has hosted Asim Munir for a White House lunch and later welcomed both Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for high-level meetings in Washington. According to the New York Times, Pakistan engaged six influential US lobbying firms, including...

Paris: Amid growing concerns over Russian aggression in Europe, France has for the first time publicly showcased its nuclear-capable supersonic cruise missile, the ASMPA-R, mounted on the Rafale M fighter jet. The demonstration, conducted by the French Naval Nuclear Aviation Force, was part of Operation Diomede, simulating a nuclear strike without loading an actual warhead. According to the French Defense Ministry, the ASMPA-R missile was officially inducted into the Naval Nuclear Aviation Force on November 10, 2025. Though operational since 2023 within the strategic air forces, this public display marks its first visual confirmation on the Rafale M platform, which both the French Air Force and Navy employ for missile launches. Enhanced Range and Speed The ASMPA-R boasts a range o...

Islamabad: Following the failure of Turkish combat drones during Operation Sindoor, the Pakistan Army is now shifting its focus from Ankara to Russia, Ukraine, and European countries in search of advanced drone technology. Pakistani officials are negotiating with these nations to acquire military-grade, medium-altitude, long-endurance drones, a move that has caught the sharp attention of Indian defense authorities. Previously, the Pakistan Army relied heavily on drones from Turkey and China, but the shortcomings observed during Operation Sindoor have prompted senior Pakistani officials to explore alternatives. Reports indicate that a technology transfer agreement has been signed between a European company and Pakistan’s state-owned Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT). Sources reveal that Isla...

The COP30 United Nations Climate Change Conference is currently underway in Belém, a small city nestled within the dense Amazon rainforest in Brazil. Against the backdrop of rising global temperatures, countries are urgently discussing measures to mitigate climate change, promote clean energy, and build resilience against extreme weather events. From India to Indonesia, the impacts of global warming are increasingly visible, with floods, droughts, and heatwaves affecting millions. Key Themes: Fossil Fuels, Finance, and Forests Three words echoed throughout the conference: fossil fuels, finance, and forests. Global leaders highlighted the need to transition away from coal, oil, and gas, increase funding for climate-resilient infrastructure, and protect forests as a critical line of de...

In a development that could significantly impact Indian professionals, the U.S. is reportedly preparing to phase out the H-1B visa program. Republican lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced plans to introduce a bill aimed at gradually ending the program to curb large-scale displacement of American workers. If passed, this legislation could intensify ongoing debates in Congress regarding the future of H-1B visas and broader immigration reforms. A Setback for Indian Professionals The H-1B visa has long been a gateway for Indian professionals seeking work opportunities in the U.S., as well as a pathway toward green cards and eventual citizenship. The recent proposal comes shortly after the U.S. government raised H-1B visa fees, making the program more costly and challenging for a...

Islamabad:In the wake of the deadly suicide bombing in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again blamed India and Afghanistan for orchestrating terror attacks on Pakistani soil. Addressing the National Assembly on Wednesday, Sharif alleged that “external forces” were responsible for the recent spate of violence, including the twin attacks in South Waziristan’s Wana and the capital Islamabad. Sharif claimed that both attacks were planned and supported from across the border, stating, “It is no longer a secret that external elements are behind these attacks. The perpetrators sit across the border and work hand in hand.” India and Afghanistan Under Fire Sharif accused both Kabul and New Delhi of collaborating to destabilize Pakistan, emphasizing that the impr...

Beijing: In a major leap toward global naval dominance, China is reportedly building its first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the “Type 004.” Newly surfaced images from Dalian Shipyard in Liaoning Province suggest that the carrier’s hull structure includes a reactor containment unit, confirming suspicions that it will run on nuclear propulsion. Defense experts warn that this could significantly shift the power balance in the Indo-Pacific, posing strategic challenges for both India and the United States. This revelation comes just a week after the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) launched its first domestically built aircraft carrier, Fujian. Reports also indicate that Beijing is simultaneously working on another conventionally powered carrier, further signaling its aggressive nav...

Dhaka/New Delhi: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has hailed India as her country’s most trusted friend, crediting New Delhi with playing a decisive role in preventing Bangladesh from descending into a Pakistan-style autocratic regime. Currently living in exile in India, Hasina issued a strong appeal to the Indian government to continue supporting democratic stability in the region amid fears of rising radical influence under the interim government in Dhaka. In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, Hasina said India’s role in maintaining democracy and regional peace was not only crucial for Bangladesh but also for South Asia at large. “India has always prioritized a stable and democratic Bangladesh. We only ask that Delhi continues to support the right of the Banglad...

T Islamabad/Kabul: Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated sharply as the Taliban government prepares to suspend trade through Pakistani territory, a move that could deliver a severe blow to Pakistan’s struggling economy. Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, has directed traders and finance officials in Kabul to find alternative trade routes, claiming that Pakistan’s transit system has caused significant losses and market disruptions for Afghan businesses. Following this statement, panic has begun spreading across Pakistan’s commercial sectors. However, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif downplayed the development, saying the decision would have “no impact” on Pakistan. He even went on to call it a “blessing in d...

P Islamabad: In a provocative statement following a deadly suicide bombing in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared that the Pakistan Army is fully prepared to fight a two-front war—against India on the eastern border and the Afghan Taliban on the western front. Asif’s remarks, seen as a fresh round of sabre-rattling, come amid rising tensions and a string of terror attacks across Pakistan. Speaking at a public event, Asif said, “We are ready for war on both fronts. Allah has helped us in the past, and He will help us again. We will emerge victorious on both sides.” His statement followed Tuesday’s suicide blast in Islamabad, which killed 12 people and left 36 injured. A day earlier, another explosion was reported in Waziristan. The Pakistani government has ...