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In a significant diplomatic development amid rising global concerns over terrorism, India and the United States have come together at the United Nations to push for stronger international action against Pakistan-based terror networks. The joint move follows a series of high-profile terror attacks, including the recent massacre in Sydney and earlier strikes in India’s Pahalgam region.The Donald Trump administration, aligning closely with New Delhi, has urged the United Nations to impose fresh sanctions under the UN Security Council’s 1267 sanctions regime against major jihadist organisations operating from Pakistan. The proposed action targets the Islamic State (IS) group, Al-Qaeda affiliates, and Pakistan-origin terror outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), along with ...

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...

Washington/New Delhi: The US Embassy in India has announced heightened scrutiny for tourist visa applications from pregnant Indian women, warning that visas will be denied if the primary purpose of travel is to give birth in the United States. This move targets what US authorities call “birth tourism,” where children born on American soil automatically gain citizenship.The embassy stated, “American consular officers will refuse tourist visa applications if they believe the travel’s main objective is to give birth in the US and secure citizenship for the child. This is not permitted.”What is Birthright Citizenship?Under the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, any child born on American soil automatically acquires US citizenship, regardless of the parents’ immigration status. While th...

Washington: The reputation of the iconic American F-16 fighter jet took a major hit on Wednesday after a US Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon crashed near Trona Airport in California. The dramatic incident, which occurred on 3 December at around 10:45 a.m. local time, sent shockwaves through military aviation circles.The aircraft went down in a remote desert region south of Death Valley. Moments after hitting the ground, the jet exploded, turning into a massive fireball. Video footage posted online shows thick black smoke billowing into the sky as flames engulfed the crash site.The US Air Force confirmed the crash in an official statement, adding that the pilot managed to eject safely before the fatal impact.Pilot Ejects in Time, Suffers Minor InjuriesAccording to the Air For...

The constitutional amendment in Pakistan may have cleared the path for Army Chief General Asim Munir to become the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), but the powerful Sharif family appears unwilling to let that happen. The decision on Munir’s elevation has been delayed repeatedly, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s unexpected diversion to Lahore after returning from London has triggered fresh speculation.Shehbaz’s Flight Diverted — A Political Signal?ISLAMABAD: The appointment of General Asim Munir as Pakistan’s first CDF continues to hang in the balance. Hours after landing in Pakistan from his London visit, PM Shehbaz Sharif’s aircraft—expected to arrive in Islamabad—was redirected to Lahore on Tuesday.The sudden change of destination instantly activated intellig...

Islamabad: In a significant escalation of violence in Balochistan, the armed separatist group Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) carried out an unprecedented attack using a female suicide bomber against a heavily guarded Pakistan Frontier Corps complex. The complex, located in Chagai district, is a hub for Chinese copper and gold mining projects. Reports confirm that six Pakistani personnel were killed in Sunday evening’s assault.This marks the first time the BLF has deployed a female fidayeen, following in the footsteps of another Baloch insurgent group, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which previously used female attackers through its Majid Brigade.BLF Releases Identity of Female BomberBLF released the photo of the attacker, identified as Zarina Rafiq, also known as Trang Mahu. ...

Ankara: Turkey is intensifying its focus on Kashmir, raising eyebrows worldwide by bringing the issue to its parliament despite not being a direct stakeholder. While Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir might not surprise anyone, Turkey’s move marks a significant step in its assertive foreign policy and signals a fresh strain in India-Turkey relations. Earlier, Turkey had even denied passage to Indian Apache helicopters through its airspace, forcing the US company to reroute.Analysts suggest that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is following the path of the Ottoman rulers, seeking to revive Islam and establish himself as the spiritual leader or ‘Caliph’ of the Muslim world. In this vision, nuclear-armed Pakistan is a key ally, and Bangladesh under Mohammad Yunus is emerging as another st...

The United States has announced an immediate suspension of visa issuance for all individuals traveling on Afghan passports, following a deadly shooting targeting two National Guard members. In a parallel move, the Trump administration has also halted all asylum application decisions until further notice—marking one of the toughest immigration measures in recent years.Visa Freeze Announced After Attack on National GuardOn Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed through a post on X that visas for Afghan passport holders had been stopped without delay.“There is no priority greater than the safety of our nation and our people,” Rubio wrote, underlining the seriousness of the government’s response.The decision comes just days after two National Guard members were shot ...

Washington D.C.: U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a permanent ban on migration from what he referred to as “third world” countries, alongside plans to review pathways to citizenship. The decision comes amid rising public anger after a shooting targeting two National Guard members in Washington D.C.The alleged shooter, an Afghan national, had arrived in the United States under a resettlement program for people who assisted U.S. forces during the Afghanistan withdrawal. The incident has sparked a broader debate over immigration policies and national security.Speaking on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated: “I will permanently halt migration from third world countries to fix the American system. I will end the millions of illegal admissions under Biden, including those he...

Dhaka, 27 Nov 2025: In a dramatic turn of events, a Bangladesh court has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 21 years in prison. This verdict comes just weeks after the International Crimes Tribunal handed her a death sentence, marking the second major ruling against her in a single month.Sheikh Hasina, currently residing in India, had fled Bangladesh following anti-government protests in July–August last year. The latest conviction relates to three separate corruption cases involving the allocation of plots in the RAJUK New Town Project in Dhaka. Each case carries a seven-year sentence, cumulatively totaling 21 years. Special Judge Court-5, presided over by Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, delivered the verdict at approximately 11:45 AM on Thursday.Prosecution and de...