Posts in category: World

Bangladesh has seized assets worth $6.2 billion (approximately 760 billion taka) linked to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

According to Bangladeshi authorities, the seized assets are associated with Sheikh Hasina, her family, and 10 business groups.

Officials said that assets belonging to Sheikh Hasina both inside Bangladesh and abroad have been confiscated.

Bangladeshi media reported that authorities began investigating Sheikh Hasina’s assets in 2024 after she was removed from power following a student-led mass movement and fled to India. Investigations were also launched into her close relatives and major business groups accused of benefiting disproportionately during her 15-year tenure in office.

According to the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), assets worth 570 billion taka within Bangladesh and an additional 190 billion taka abroad have been seized.

BFIU chief Akhtar Mohammad Mamun said that 98 cases have so far been registered against Sheikh Hasina and individuals linked to her as part of the ongoing investigations. He added that efforts to recover funds transferred overseas are continuing, expressing hope that significant progress would be made before the end of this year.

Also Read: Sheikh Hasina Wajid Declares She Will Return to Bangladesh This Year

It is noteworthy that investigations into Sheikh Hasina’s assets have been underway since 2024. Following her removal from office, she has been convicted in absentia in multiple cases, including receiving a death sentence in a case related to crimes against humanity.

Sheikh Hasina has been living in India since fleeing Bangladesh in August 2024. She recently said that she intends to return to Bangladesh before the end of this year.

The Bangladeshi government has also requested India to extradite Sheikh Hasina.

Two days ago, Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaid Islam, told journalists that Sheikh Hasina is a convicted criminal. She said that if Sheikh Hasina surrenders to the authorities, legal action will be taken against her in accordance with Bangladeshi law. Upon her return, she will be sent to jail, after which further judicial proceedings will continue under the law.

US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will soon take control of the Strait of Hormuz and charge a 20 percent fee on every ship passing through the strategic waterway.

According to the international news agency Reuters, Trump made these remarks during an interview with the American television program Fox & Friends.

Trump said that the United States is going to take control of the Strait of Hormuz and become its “guardian angel.” He added that America should be compensated for providing security in the region.

He further said that the United States expects to be paid for taking control of and protecting the Strait of Hormuz, adding that other nations are very wealthy and should not expect America to provide such services free of charge.

Speaking about Iran, Trump said that the United States had reached an agreement with Iran and that the matter had already been settled, but Iran violated the agreement. He claimed that Iran “always does this,” adding that the two sides have already had ten agreements and that the United States is now preparing to take very strong action against Iran.

Also Read: Iran’s Foreign Minister Holds Calls with Saudi, Qatari, Turkish and Omani Counterparts on Regional Tensions

The US president also said that Iran has suffered what he described as a “crushing defeat” in its conflict with the United States. He claimed that Iran’s navy, air force, and missile capabilities have been almost completely destroyed.

Later, Trump posted a message on his Truth Social account, stating that the Strait of Hormuz is open and will remain open with or without Iran. He said the United States is restoring an Iranian blockade under which only Iranian naval vessels or their buyers will be prevented from entering or leaving the strait, while all other countries will be allowed to use the waterway freely.

TEHRAN: Iran has warned that it will not only respond forcefully to any attack against it but will also close the Strait of Hormuz if it comes under military aggression, according to claims made by Iranian media citing officials.

According to Iranian officials, the country will deliver a strong and effective response to any act of aggression. They said that in the event of an attack, Iran would target “two objectives for every one target” struck against it in order to send a clear message to its adversaries.

The officials said Iran would not compromise on its national security or sovereignty and would respond to any military action with full force.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime waterways, through which a significant portion of global oil supplies passes every day. As a result, any tensions involving the strategic waterway are closely monitored because of their potential impact on global energy markets and regional stability.

However, there has been no immediate official response from any other country or relevant international organization regarding the claims made by Iranian officials or the possibility of such a move. Global attention remains focused on the situation amid rising tensions in the region.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister responded to recent threats made by US President Donald Trump, saying that Iran should speak to Trump “in his own language.”

The deputy foreign minister said that Trump understands the language of power better than anything else, adding that Iran would respond appropriately to safeguard its national security and interests. He said Tehran would not bow to any pressure or threats and would stand firm on its position.

Also Read; Threats Must End Before Talks on Final Agreement Can Begin: Iran

Earlier, US President Donald Trump adopted a hardline stance on Iran, saying, “I will give a little warning. We are going to launch a strong attack on Iran tonight.”

Trump also claimed that Iran had carried out missile and drone attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz the previous day. He said he was unhappy with the Iranians and described the current situation not as a war but as the “denuclearization of Iran.”

US President Donald Trump has announced that the ceasefire agreement reached with Iran a few weeks ago has come to an end.

Speaking in a strong tone during the NATO Summit in Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, President Trump said, “I think the agreement is over now, and there is no point in wasting time with Iran.”

Addressing the media alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said the US military had carried out a “very large and powerful” attack on Iran the previous night.

Commenting on Iran’s recent actions and attacks on commercial ships, President Trump used strong language, saying, “There is something wrong with these Iranians. They have a sick mentality, they are bad people, and they play a dirty game.”

Trump claimed that Iran had attacked commercial vessels belonging to Saudi Arabia and other countries the previous day. In response, he said, the US military launched an operation that inflicted significant damage on Iran’s military capabilities.

Also Read: PM, FM Arrive in Tehran, Attend Condolence Ceremony and Funeral Prayers of late Iranian Supreme Leader

Despite announcing that the ceasefire agreement had effectively ended, President Trump said he may still allow his best negotiators to continue talks with Iran.

During the summit, President Trump also criticized fellow NATO member states, saying they were not prepared to support the United States in its conflict with Iran.

Expressing his frustration, Trump said the United States provides NATO with every possible form of assistance and contributes the largest share of its funding, but the alliance did not support Washington in its actions against Iran.

US President Donald Trump has announced the removal of sanctions imposed on Türkiye and also indicated his willingness to approve the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Ankara.

The announcement was made during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the NATO Summit, where President Trump said that the United States was lifting the sanctions imposed on Türkiye.

The United States had imposed sanctions on Türkiye in 2020 under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) after Ankara purchased the Russian-made S-400 air defense system.

The sanctions imposed in 2020 included restrictions on US export licenses and the supply of defense equipment to Türkiye’s Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB).

Also Read: ATC sends suspect in Group Captain Asim Tariq murder case to jail for identification parade

The measures also included the freezing of assets and visa restrictions against the then-head of the SSB, Ismail Demir, and other Turkish defense officials. In addition, certain loans and financial assistance from US financial institutions to Türkiye were also restricted.

President Trump also expressed near agreement on the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye.

Meanwhile, Israel has urged the United States to reconsider any decision to allow Ankara to rejoin the F-35 fighter jet program.

TEHRAN: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that negotiations on a final agreement will not begin if threats continue.

In a statement shared on social media, Araghchi said that millions of Iranians demonstrated unity by attending the funeral to pay tribute to Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. He added that neither the Iranian people nor the country’s brave armed forces are influenced by threats.

Araghchi stated that Clause 13 of the Memorandum of Understanding is clear, saying that discussions on a final agreement will not begin as long as threats continue.

He further urged the other side to honor its signature.

Also Read: Iran Announces Resumption of UAE Flights from July 1 Following Ceasefire Agreement

TEHRAN: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir arrived in Tehran to attend the funeral prayers of the late Iranian Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, according to a report by Express News. The two leaders also offered Fateha for the deceased.

According to Express News, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir arrived in Tehran first, where he was received at Tehran Airport by Iran’s Defence Minister, Interior Minister, and other senior civilian and military officials. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was also present at the airport.

The Prime Minister later arrived with a delegation that included Attaullah Tarar, Bilawal Bhutto, Murad Ali Shah, Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, as well as other ministers and members of parliament.

After arriving in Tehran, the Prime Minister and the Field Marshal visited the Imam Khomeini Hussainiya Centre, where the body of the late Iranian Supreme Leader had been placed. Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership offered Fateha and participated in the funeral prayers.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the late Supreme Leader’s services to Islam, saying that he had guided the Iranian nation for decades with exceptional vision, wisdom, and foresight. He also expressed complete solidarity with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Syed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, and the people of Iran over the national tragedy, and prayed for the deceased’s forgiveness and elevated status.

Also Read: AJK High Court Orders PTI Registration, Clears Way for Bat Symbol

A parliamentary delegation led by Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, along with members of parliament and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, also attended the funeral with the Prime Minister.

After attending the funeral prayers, the Prime Minister, who had arrived in Tehran earlier the same day, departed for Istanbul for his official visit to Türkiye.

According to Iranian media, the body of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been moved to the Imam Khomeini Mosalla cultural complex in Tehran, where delegations from around the world and representatives of different faiths are paying tribute.

The report further states that the funeral prayers will be offered tomorrow, with a large number of world leaders and people from across the globe expected to attend. It also says that after Tehran, the body will be taken to Qom, then Najaf, and later to Karbala.

The report adds that on February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel allegedly targeted the Supreme Leader’s compound in Tehran during an attack, resulting in his death and the deaths of several other prominent figures.