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Bangladesh: Ahead Of Tarique Rahman’s Return, Security A Major Concern
The much-heralded moment has arrived: on Thursday morning, acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will return to Dhaka from London for the first time in 17 years. His biggest challenge would be leading the party to victory in the elections set for February. It will test his hold over the party and his political understanding and maturity.
More importantly, in the short window he has, he must energise his party cadres, for which he must physically cover much of Bangladesh, but the threat of assassination looms large.
As senior BNP leader Mirza Abbas told the Dhaka Tribune, “The entire nation is under a state of security fear at this moment. We are trying to ensure security as much as is needed. The rest is in Allah’s hands.”
Home Adviser Lt Gen Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd) said the highest level of security has been ensured for Tarique Rahman ’s safe return. However, the recent attacks on media outlets and sporadic violence have raised concerns about law enforcement.
The opinion polls point to a BNP victory, and if Tarique Rahman’s mother passes away in the weeks leading up to the elections, victory is probably guaranteed. She is critical with multiple ailments and has been on a ventilator in a Dhaka hospital since December 11.
The U.S.-based International Republican Institute, in a recent survey, says the BNP is on course to win the largest number of parliamentary seats, and Rahman may be the next PM. This is the first time he will be contesting a parliamentary election.
The BNP has sought to smoothen the path to victory by stitching together alliances with seven partners, leaving seven seats for them. It is also setting aside four seats for the Jamaat-e-Islami, its former partner when in power many years ago. The Jamaat is expected to come second to the BNP in the hustings, according to various assessments.
But the spectre of large-scale violence puts a question mark over the elections. Even now, there are doubts about whether the polls will go ahead. Add to that a poisoned political atmosphere: Oman Hadi, brother of anti-India activist Sharif Osman Hadi, who was shot dead by unidentified assailants, has accused “vested quarter” within the current Yunus government of orchestrating his brother’s death.
The shooting attack on another student leader, Muhammad Sikdar, whose condition is reported to be critical, has added to the sense of insecurity. Minorities are on edge, anticipating more violence directed at them. The mob lynching of a Hindu on charges of blasphemy has added to their concerns.
The man presiding over this chaos, Interim Adviser Muhammad Yunus, remains confident: “We have roughly 50 days to go before the election,” he told Sergio Gor, Trump’s special envoy, “We want to hold a free, fair and peaceful election. We want to make it remarkable.”
The people of Bangladesh and neighbours like India will hope and pray it comes to pass.
Two Police Officers Die In Moscow Bomb Blast
Three people were killed in a bomb blast in Moscow on Wednesday after two police officers approached a man acting suspiciously near the site where a senior general was killed two days ago by a car bomb that Russia said was planted by Ukrainian intelligence.
A string of Russian military figures and high-profile supporters of the war in Ukraine have been assassinated during the nearly four-year-old conflict. Ukrainian military intelligence has said it was responsible for a number of the attacks.
Ukraine Behind Killing?
Russia’s State Investigative Committee said that when two police officers approached a man who was acting strangely, they were killed by an explosive device, adding that a third person was also killed. It did not specify who the third person was.
It said it opened criminal cases under clauses dealing with the murder of law enforcement officers and the illegal trafficking of bombs.
Unofficial Telegram news channels in Russia said the bomber was one of those killed and that he detonated the bomb when approached by the officers. Reuters could not independently confirm those details.
The blast took place very close to where Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Russian General Staff’s army operational training directorate, was killed on Monday.
Russia said it suspected Ukraine was behind the killing.
There was no official comment from Ukraine.
Myrotvorets, an unofficial Ukrainian website that provides a database of people described as war criminals or traitors, updated its entry on Sarvarov to say the 56-year-old general had been “liquidated.”
(with inputs from Reuters)
Zelenskyy Seeks Meeting with Trump to Finalise Peace Framework with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a direct meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to address the most delicate aspects of a potential peace agreement with Russia, including the issue of territorial control. The proposal follows a fresh round of U.S.-Ukrainian talks in Miami that brought the two sides closer to a draft framework for ending the war.
Speaking to reporters in remarks released by his office on Wednesday, Zelenskyy said the delegations had nearly completed work on a 20-point document that could form the foundation for a political settlement. “This is a framework a foundational document on ending the war, a political document between us, America, Europe, and the Russians,” he said. “We are ready for a meeting at the leaders’ level to discuss sensitive matters such as territorial questions.”
A Step Forward from Earlier Plans
Trump has repeatedly stated his intention to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War Two but has yet to secure meaningful progress from either Moscow or Kyiv. Previous drafts of the U.S. peace proposal were criticised in Ukraine for aligning too closely with Russian demands, including territorial concessions and limits on Ukraine’s armed forces.
Zelenskyy said the latest 20-point framework represents a substantial improvement from the earlier 28-point version discussed between the United States and Russia. Under the new plan, Ukraine would retain its current army strength of around 800,000 troops. Additional agreements with Washington and European partners would provide strong security guarantees, ensuring continued Western backing.
“We will see a strong Ukraine supported by the Coalition of the Willing, with a mechanism to monitor compliance with peace and a clear plan to respond to any renewed Russian aggression,” Zelenskyy said. He added that both delegations also worked on agreements covering post-war reconstruction and investment.
Key Disputes Over Territory
Despite progress on several issues, Kyiv and Washington remain divided over the question of territory. Ukraine’s position, Zelenskyy said, is to “remain where we are,” meaning hostilities would stop along current battle lines. Russia, however, continues to demand full control of the eastern Donetsk region, around a quarter of which remains under Ukrainian control.
Washington is reportedly seeking a compromise that could involve establishing a demilitarised or free economic zone in disputed areas.
The fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant also remains unresolved. The facility Europe’s largest is under Russian occupation near the front line. Zelenskyy said Kyiv had suggested turning the surrounding area into a limited economic zone to ensure safety and economic cooperation.
Next Steps in Peace Efforts
Zelenskyy said the new 20-point proposal would soon be submitted to Moscow for review. “If all regions are included and if we remain where we are, then we will reach an agreement,” he said. “But if not, there are two options: either the war continues, or we decide on potential economic zones.”
His remarks signal Ukraine’s cautious optimism that negotiations with the United States and its allies could lead to a breakthrough, even as deep disagreements over territory persist.
with inputs from Reuters
Trump’s Recall of Ambassadors Leaves U.S. With Diplomatic Gaps Across Africa
U.S. President Donald Trump’s mass recall of ambassadors has left Washington without senior diplomatic representation in more than half of sub-Saharan Africa, raising concerns about the country’s ability to advance its policies across a region troubled by coups and conflict.
Since taking office, Trump has pursued a business-oriented diplomacy in Africa, shifting the U.S. focus from aid to trade. His administration has promoted bilateral agreements and rare-earth mineral deals while seeking to broker peace accords in volatile areas. Trump has often contrasted this approach with China’s, claiming that Washington offers African nations a more reliable partnership.
Diplomatic Vacancies and Unclear Plans
According to reports from the Associated Press, the recall of 13 chiefs of mission will bring the total number of ambassadorial vacancies in Africa to about 30. Former diplomats said such a high figure would inevitably weaken America’s diplomatic presence. The State Department has not confirmed when, or if, replacements will be appointed.
Cameron Hudson, a former U.S. official with experience in African affairs, described the move as characteristic of Trump’s “personal style.” He noted that Trump prefers to handle key relationships himself rather than relying on ambassadors. “If he’s not personally engaged, that country doesn’t merit his attention. If he is engaged, then he doesn’t see the need for an ambassador,” Hudson said.
Trump’s personal envoy, Massad Boulos father-in-law of Trump’s daughter Tiffany has reportedly played a central role in negotiations involving the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Sudan.
Policy Shifts and Political Friction
Trump’s tenure has been marked by efforts to mediate the long-running conflict in eastern Congo. However, renewed advances by M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have cast doubt on the sustainability of recent peace efforts. The president has also clashed with South Africa and placed Nigeria on a watch list over the killing of Christians, even hinting at possible military action.
Among the ambassadors recalled were those serving in Rwanda, Nigeria and Niger, where a U.S. missionary pilot was kidnapped earlier this year.
Despite criticism, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the administration’s policies had delivered “unprecedented success” in advancing U.S. interests, citing new trade and peace agreements as evidence of effective leadership.
Leadership Changes and Ongoing Challenges
The reshuffle extends beyond overseas embassies. Jonathan Pratt, Senior Bureau Official for African Affairs, announced his retirement after serving through the end of the year. Deputy Assistant Secretary Nick Checker will take his place, becoming the third person to hold the position during Trump’s second term.
Former Assistant Secretary Tibor Nagy, who served during Trump’s first administration, said the number of vacancies was “extremely high” and warned that the absence of a Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary for African Affairs could harm the bureau’s effectiveness.
Nagy noted that while Checker is experienced and capable, “at some point you really do need a Senate-confirmed assistant secretary” to lead diplomacy at the highest level.
with inputs from Reuters
Beijing Urges Police to Adopt Kunming Dog Over Foreign Breeds
China’s national security authorities have called on police forces nationwide to prioritise the use of the Kunming dog, a domestically bred working dog, instead of foreign breeds such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Malinois and Springer Spaniels. The move underscores Beijing’s wider strategy of pursuing technological and operational self-reliance.
The Ministry of Public Security issued the directive on Thursday, describing the initiative as part of efforts to “promote the development goal of international first-class police dog technology.” The statement praised the Kunming dog as a symbol of China’s independent control over police dog breeding and its growing expertise in this specialised field.
A Home-Grown Hybrid with Global Aspirations
Although not native to China, the Kunming dog is a wolf-dog hybrid developed in the 1950s through crossbreeding Alsatians with local dogs in Yunnan province. The ministry established a dedicated canine breeding centre in the region and has since expanded the programme to include three additional indigenous breeds.
“The Kunming dog’s advantage lies in its diverse genetic composition,” said Wang Guodong, a zoological researcher based in Kunming, in a video released alongside the ministry’s statement. Wang explained that while foreign breeds may excel in specific roles, they often display clear limitations. The Kunming dog, by contrast, performs reliably across a wider range of policing tasks.
Performance and Innovation
According to the ministry, the Kunming dog is China’s first and only police breed with fully independent intellectual property rights. It has been recognised for its “high technological and innovation value,” reflecting the government’s growing emphasis on domestic research and breeding capacity.
Handlers featured in the ministry’s promotional material said the breed surpasses foreign dogs in operations such as narcotics detection, explosives searches, and suspect apprehension. Its adaptability to different environments also makes it particularly suited to China’s varied policing needs.
In earlier years, some Chinese police dogs were trained using German commands, based on the belief that they would respond better to the language. However, authorities now aim to align training entirely with local systems to strengthen domestic expertise.
National Self-Reliance in Police Dog Technology
“As global competition in police dog technology becomes increasingly fierce, maintaining a stable supply of high-quality breeds suited to local conditions is essential,” the ministry said. The push to popularise the Kunming dog reflects a broader policy goal: to ensure China’s law enforcement operations are supported by locally developed resources and technologies.
with inputs from Reuters
Turkey Says Jet That Killed Libyan Army Chief Reported Electrical Failure
The Libyan army’s chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, died in a plane crash on Tuesday after leaving Turkey’s capital, Ankara, the prime minister of Libya‘s internationally recognised government said, adding that four others were on the jet as well.
“This followed a tragic and painful incident while they were returning from an official trip from the Turkish city of Ankara. This grave loss is a great loss for the nation, for the military institution, and for all the people,” Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah said in a statement.
Turkey’s Statements
Turkey’s head of communications said on Wednesday that the private jet carrying the chief of staff of Libya’s army reported an electrical failure and requested an emergency landing shortly before crashing near Ankara.
The Dassault Falcon 50 jet took off from Ankara’s Esenboga Airport at 1717 GMT on Tuesday en route to Tripoli, and at 1733 GMT it informed air traffic control of an emergency caused by an electrical malfunction, Burhanettin Duran said in a statement.
Eight people, including three crew members, were killed in the crash, according to Libyan and Turkish officials.
Air traffic control redirected the aircraft back toward Esenboga Airport, and emergency measures were initiated, but the jet disappeared from radar at 1736 GMT while descending for landing and contact was lost, he said.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that the wreckage was later found near Kesikkavak village in the area.
Investigation Underway
Turkey’s defence ministry had announced Haddad’s visit earlier, saying he had met with Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler and Turkish counterpart Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, along with other Turkish military commanders.
Search and rescue teams reached the crash site after operations were launched by Turkey’s Interior Ministry, and investigations into the cause of the crash were continuing with the involvement of all relevant authorities, Duran said.
Libya’s internationally recognised government has said the dead included the country’s army chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, and four members of his entourage.
Libyan officials have said the jet was leased and registered in Malta, adding that its ownership and technical history would be examined as part of the investigation.
(with inputs from Reuters)
US Cancels H1B Visa Lottery, To Prevent ‘Exploit’ And ‘Abuse’
Donald Trump’s administration is set to scrap the H1B visa lottery system in the United States of America, a move that will likely impact thousands of Indians. The longstanding H-1B work visa lottery system in the US will be replaced with a new, weighted approach that prioritises skilled and higher-paid foreign workers. This move will make it significantly harder for entry-level professionals to secure work visas.
According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) page, the H1B visa nonimmigrant classification applies to people who wish to perform services in a speciality occupation, services of exceptional merit and ability relating to a Department of Defence (DOD) cooperative research and development project, or services as a fashion model of distinguished merit or ability.
The Department of Homeland Security, on December 23, announced a final rule to amend regulations governing the process by which USCIS selects H-1B registrations for unique beneficiaries for filing of H-1B cap-subject petitions. This final rule is effective Feb. 27, 2026, and will be in place for the FY 2027 H-1B cap registration season.
Visa Hike
President Trump has long been critical of the current H1-B visa system that offers work permits for hundreds of thousands of people in the US on a regular basis. In September, Trump decided to hike the cost for an H-1B visa to $100,000. Until now, H-1B visa fees generally ranged between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on various factors. On Tuesday, a U.S. judge upheld the Trump administration’s authority to attach a six-figure charge on visas for high-skilled workers, the Politico reported.
“The lawfulness of the Proclamation and its implementation rests on a straightforward reading of congressional statutes giving the President broad authority to regulate entry into the United States for immigrants and nonimmigrants alike,” D.C. District Judge Beryl Howell, an appointee of Barack Obama, wrote in a 56-page decision, according to the Politico article.
However, the Hindustan Times reports that the H-1B visa fee will not apply to international students who are transitioning from a student status (F-1) to a work status (H-1B). The fee is only targeted at companies that are bringing early career workers directly from other countries to the US for work.
(with inputs from Reuters)
Australia Cancels British Man’s Visa After Charges Of Displaying Nazi Symbol
Australia cancelled the visa of a British national after he was charged with displaying a banned Nazi symbol, the immigration minister said on Wednesday, as the country cracks down on antisemitism in the wake of a mass shooting at Bondi Beach.
The government of Australia revoked the visa of a 43-year-old man who was charged on December 8 with displaying a Nazi symbol and advocating for violence against the Jewish community on the social media platform X, according to the Australian Federal Police.
“If you come to Australia on a visa, you are here as a guest,” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told the Australian Broadcasting Corp, referring to the British citizen.
“If someone comes here for the purposes of hate, they can leave,” he said.
Pro-Nazi Ideology
Burke and the federal police did not name the British man, but the federal police said he displayed the Nazi Hakenkreuz – a type of swastika – and espoused “pro-Nazi ideology with a specific hatred of the Jewish community” from two X accounts from October to November.
After having his visa revoked, the man who was living in the state of Queensland was taken into immigration detention and would be deported unless he voluntarily left first, media reports said.
On December 14, a father and son allegedly opened fire on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s famed Bondi Beach, killing 15 people and sparking calls for the Australian government to do more to stop antisemitism.
Bondi Beach Attack
Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead in the attack, but his son, Naveed Akram, is charged with murder and terrorism, with police saying he was recorded saying he was motivated by the Islamic text the Koran.
As part of the government’s response to the Bondi Beach shooting and calls for heightened action against antisemitism, Burke said he plans to lower the legal thresholds for a person’s antisemitic actions to be illegal. He has previously said that antisemitic groups intentionally curb their language to avoid criminal charges while violating Australian community standards.
He also said that for a visa cancellation, the authorities needed to prove a person’s actions had a harmful impact on the community, but “incitement of hate should be enough”.
“We should be able to cancel visas on that basis alone,” Burke told the ABC. “There will…be legislation to increase my powers to make cancellations of exactly this nature.”
(with inputs from Reuters)
China Accuses Taiwanese Nationals In Subsea Cable Sabotage Case
Chinese authorities reported on Wednesday that two Taiwanese citizens directed the smuggling operation involving a Chinese-crewed vessel that damaged critical subsea cables earlier this year.
In June, a Taiwanese court sentenced the Chinese captain of a Togo-registered ship, the Hong Tai 58, to three years in jail after finding him guilty of intentionally damaging undersea cables off Taiwan in February, in a case that alarmed officials in Taipei.
On Wednesday, the public security bureau in Weihai, in China’s eastern Shandong province, said its investigations into the incident showed that two Taiwanese men were behind a multi-vessel operation that was illegally transporting frozen goods into China. The authorities’ findings came after interviewing seven Chinese crew members on the Hong Tai 58.
China’s Cash Bounty
China previously accused Taiwan of “manipulating” possible Chinese involvement in the case, saying it was making claims before the facts were clear.
The Weihai public security bureau issued a bounty of up to 250,000 yuan ($35,569) for information or assistance regarding the Taiwanese suspects with the surnames Chien and Chen, adding that they have been on a Chinese customs office wanted list since 2014.
Cross-Strait Accusations
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office accused Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party of provoking confrontation, saying Taipei had “ignored the facts of the case” and “maliciously hyped up” the situation.
Taipei is “sheltering and condoning smuggling crimes, using the opportunity to carry out political manipulation and undermine cross-strait relations,” a spokesperson for the office, Peng Qingen, said at a weekly news briefing.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Beijing views Taiwan as its own territory. Taipei rejects that, saying only the island’s people can decide their future.
(With inputs from Reuters)
U.S. Coast Guard Pursues More Assets In Blockade Push
The U.S. Coast Guard is awaiting reinforcements before potentially boarding and seizing a Venezuela-linked tanker it has been pursuing since Sunday, according to officials.
The Coast Guard is awaiting specialized Maritime Security Response Teams to board the Bella 1 after it refused inspections. These elite units, capable of helicopter rappelling, are necessary as the agency’s limited resources struggle to meet the Trump administration’s aggressive seizure goals.
Unlike the U.S. Navy, the Coast Guard can carry out law enforcement actions, including boarding and seizing vessels that are under U.S. sanctions.
Trump earlier this month ordered a “blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, in Washington’s latest move to increase pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
The Coast Guard has in recent weeks seized two oil tankers near Venezuela. After the first seizure, on Dec. 10, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted a 45-second video showing two helicopters approaching a vessel and armed individuals in camouflage rappelling onto it.
The White House said that the United States was still in “active pursuit of a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela’s illegal sanctions evasion.”
Limited Resources
The United States has assembled a massive military force in the Caribbean, including an aircraft carrier, fighter jets and other warships. Ospreys and additional MC-130J Commando II aircraft arrived in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico in recent days, according to a separate source.
The Coast Guard has far fewer resources in place.
The service has long said that it lacks the resources to effectively carry out a growing list of missions, including search and rescue operations and drug seizures.
In November, the Coast Guard announced that it had seized about 49,000 pounds of drugs worth more than $362 million in the eastern Pacific.
For the fiscal year ending September 2026, the Coast Guard requested $14.6 billion in funding. It will receive an additional $25 billion through a sweeping spending and tax legislation, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
(With inputs from Reuters)