A fresh controversy has erupted after Farhatullah Babar, former adviser to Pakistan’s ex-president Asif Ali Zardari, claimed that the 26/11 Mumbai attacks were a reaction to Zardari’s ‘no first use’ nuclear weapons offer to India. According to Babar’s book The Zardari Presidency: Now It Must Be Told, the offer was made during an interview with Indian journalist Karan Thapar in November 2008. He suggests Pakistan’s military establishment retaliated through the terror assau

Bangladesh has officially withdrawn its earlier approval for fugitive Indian preacher Zakir Naik’s planned visit scheduled for November 28. The reversal came after the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government reassessed potential risks, with security agencies warning that Naik’s presence could draw massive gatherings and create law and order challenges ahead of the country’s first general elections since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime. Naik, who faces terror-linked allegations in Ind

Pakistan has offered Bangladesh the use of its Karachi port for exporting jute and other goods, marking a significant geopolitical move amid deteriorating India-Bangladesh relations. The offer comes shortly after India banned the import of jute products through land routes, a major blow to Bangladesh’s export sector. The development was formalized during the Pakistan-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting in Dhaka, held after a gap of nearly 20 years, signaling a thaw in relatio

During his official visit to Japan on Tuesday, United States President Donald Trump met with the families of Japanese citizens who were abducted by North Korea several decades ago. The emotional meeting took place in Tokyo, where relatives of the victims shared their ongoing struggle for answers and appealed for international cooperation to bring their loved ones home. President Trump expressed deep sympathy and reaffirmed Washington’s full and unwavering support for Japan’s efforts to re

US President Donald Trump received a royal welcome in Japan on Monday, marking the beginning of a major diplomatic visit focused on strengthening relations between Washington and Tokyo. Upon his arrival in Tokyo, Trump was greeted by Japanese officials before proceeding to meet Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace. The ceremony was conducted with traditional formality, symbolizing the respect and deep ties that have defined the United States–Japan partnership for decades. Followi

Satellite imagery from US-based intelligence firms and open-source analysts has revealed a major new Chinese air-defence complex near the India border in Tibet’s Gar County. The facility, located roughly 65 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and facing India’s Nyoma airfield, includes command buildings, vehicle sheds, radar positions, and hardened munition storage. The most notable feature is a cluster of covered missile launch positions believed to be equipped with retractable roof

In a major geopolitical development, Taliban-ruled Afghanistan has decided to restrict Pakistan’s access to cross-border river water by constructing a dam on the Kunar River. The directive came from Supreme Leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, who ordered the Ministry of Water and Energy to begin construction “as fast as possible.” This move comes just weeks after deadly border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan that claimed hundreds of lives and amid heightened tensions followin

In a dramatic twist following India’s victory in the Asia Cup 2025, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi has finally congratulated Team India but not without controversy. Despite India's win, the trophy remains in Naqvi's Dubai office, with the ACC president refusing to hand it over unless the BCCI organizes an official presentation ceremony in Dubai. This condition has been met with resistance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which had earlier wr

As the world watches the evolving dynamics of U.S.–China relations, former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that a “fair trade deal” with Chinese President Xi Jinping could soon materialize during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Speaking ahead of the high-profile event, Trump described his relationship with Xi as “strong” and said he expects posit

India has announced the reopening of its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan, marking a significant step in restoring engagement with the Taliban-led government. The decision, revealed during a bilateral meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi on October 10, represents the first high-level diplomatic dialogue between the two nations since the Taliban took power in August 2021. India had shut

Paul Kapur, a noted American academic and expert on South Asian security, has been appointed as the new Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia in the United States government. Known for his hardline stance against Pakistan’s military establishment, Kapur’s appointment marks a significant shift in Washington’s regional approach, especially amid renewed tensions in South Asia. His selection comes as the US seeks to redefine its engagement with both India and Pakistan whil

Pakistan cricket has plunged into fresh controversy after former captain Shahid Afridi publicly urged Mohsin Naqvi to step down as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Afridi’s call comes in the aftermath of the Asia Cup, which was marred by chaos both on and off the field. He argued that Naqvi, who also holds the position of Pakistan’s Interior Minister and serves as president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), is unable to devote the ne

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has raised serious objections against Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi over the Asia Cup trophy fiasco that followed the final between India and Pakistan. During Tuesday’s ACC meeting, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla grilled Naqvi for taking the trophy away instead of presenting it to the victorious Indian team. Shukla reminded the gathering that th

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed US President Donald Trump’s new initiative aimed at ending the Gaza conflict, describing it as a comprehensive pathway toward long-term and sustainable peace. Modi’s support comes after Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed on Washington’s 20-point proposal during talks at the White House. In a statement posted on X, Modi said, We welcom

The Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai witnessed both thrilling cricket and shocking post-match drama. India secured the title with a dominant 5-wicket win over Pakistan, but the victory was marred by an unprecedented trophy row. Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board, left the stadium carrying the Asia Cup trophy and winners’ medals after India refused to accept them from his hands.

Indian cricket team captain Suryakumar Yadav has been fined 30 percent of his match fee by the ICC after dedicating India’s Asia Cup 2025 group stage victory over Pakistan to the Indian Armed Forces and the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. The incident took place after India’s seven-wicket win on September 14, when Yadav’s post-match comments were deemed political in nature following an official complaint from Pakistan. Th

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus sparked a political storm during the UN General Assembly in New York, openly stating that Dhaka’s relations with India have soured since last year’s student protests that toppled Sheikh Hasina. Yunus accused India of providing shelter to Hasina and spreading “fake news” portraying the uprising as Islamist-driven. According to him, this has deepened mistrust between the two neighbors, alrea

Asia-Pacific markets retreated on Wednesday, following overnight declines on Wall Street after comments from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell unsettled investors. Powell noted that equity prices appeared to be “fairly highly valued” and cautioned that the rate-cutting outlook remained unclear, adding that the central bank faces a “challenging situation” as it navigates inflationary pressures and economic growth concerns. In Australia, the S&P/ASX

The high-octane India vs Pakistan Asia Cup clash on September 14 may have ended on the field, but the fallout off it continues to dominate headlines. Reports suggest that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is preparing to lodge a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav. The controversy stems from Surya’s post-match comments, where he dedicated India’s seven-wicket win to “

The Asia Cup 2025 has been plunged into deeper turmoil after India captain Suryakumar Yadav reportedly told the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) that he will not accept the tournament trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi if India wins the final. The warning comes amid escalating tensions following the no-handshake controversy between India and Pakistan. The Indian skipper made his stance cle