Category: World

New Delhi: After signing a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom, India has further accelerated its trade diplomacy by concluding a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Oman. The agreement was formally signed on December 18, 2025, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, marking a significant milestone in India’s engagement with the Gulf region. This move gains added importance amid rising global trade tensions, especially after the United States imposed steep tariffs of up to 50 percent on certain…

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Dhaka: Bangladesh once again finds itself at a critical historical juncture where the lines between democracy, power, and fundamentalism are becoming increasingly blurred. The return of Tarique Rahman—son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)—after 17 years of self-imposed exile is not merely a political event. It has emerged as a powerful symbol of the deepening instability that has marked Bangladeshi politics since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government. Tarique Rahman’s homecoming comes at a time when the interim government…

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New Delhi: India’s growing stature on the global trade stage is increasingly evident in the way it is shaping trade agreements on its own terms. In its recently concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with New Zealand, India has firmly safeguarded the interests of its farmers, especially those linked to the dairy sector, by keeping agricultural and dairy products completely out of the pact. After nine months of negotiations, both countries agreed that the FTA would proceed without opening India’s sensitive agriculture and dairy markets. This decision is being seen…

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Washington: US President Donald Trump said that the United States carried out a “strong and lethal” military operation against the Islamic State (ISIS) in northwest Nigeria, targeting terrorists allegedly involved in the killing of Christians. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed the strike was conducted under his direct command as Commander-in-Chief. He alleged that ISIS-linked militants in the region had been carrying out large-scale attacks against Christians. “The United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorists in northwest Nigeria tonight at…

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Kyiv/Washington: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that several documents related to a potential peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine are already “fully prepared” following discussions with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. In a video message shared on X (formerly Twitter), Zelenskyy said progress had been made on the framework of a peace deal, though sensitive issues still remain unresolved. He stressed that these challenges could be addressed through continued coordination with the American team in the coming weeks. “Organizing what we spoke about today with President Trump’s envoys…

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New Delhi/Dhaka: Security and intelligence agencies are closely monitoring developments in Bangladesh following reports of attempts to create an extremist armed outfit aimed at reshaping the country’s internal security structure. According to intelligence inputs, a proposed force—referred to as the National Armed Reserve (NAR)—is allegedly being planned with the objective of enforcing a radical interpretation of Sharia law and exerting control over the country’s law-and-order machinery. Sources claim the proposed force could comprise over 8,000 radicalised youths and may eventually be positioned as an alternative to the existing police system.…

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London | Former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi hosted a glamorous pre-birthday party in London for fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, drawing attention and controversy online. The high-profile celebration took place at Modi’s opulent Belgravia residence, attended by notable personalities including Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, actor Idris Elba, and fashion designer Manoviraj Khosla. Photographs from the event show Mazumdar-Shaw posing with Khosla and engaging with Elba, capturing the star-studded atmosphere. Renowned photographer Jim Riddell shared images of the party on social media platform X, thanking Modi for organizing “an…

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Washington | In a major development surrounding the future of popular short-video platform TikTok, the company has confirmed a change in ownership structure that will allow the app to continue operating in the United States without facing a ban. TikTok has signed a spin-off deal with a group of American investors, ensuring that its US operations will now be controlled by American entities. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew announced that following the agreement, TikTok will function as a new company in the United States, with operational control firmly in American…

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Dhaka | Amid continuing violence and unrest in Bangladesh, senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation, particularly attacks on the media and rising intolerance. Tharoor described the recent assaults on press institutions as a direct attack not only on press freedom but also on Bangladesh’s pluralistic character. In a series of posts on social media platform X, Tharoor said he was “deeply troubled” by reports from Bangladesh, especially the targeted attacks on the offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and…

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Johannesburg | At least 10 people were killed and around 10 others injured in a deadly shooting incident near Johannesburg in South Africa, police said on Sunday. Several of the injured are reported to be in critical condition. The information was confirmed by the police and reported by AFP. According to officials, an unidentified gunman opened fire indiscriminately on pedestrians in a village located around 40 kilometres from Johannesburg. The attacker suddenly began targeting people passing through the area, triggering panic and chaos within minutes. Ten victims died on the…

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