Minneapolis was on edge Thursday after a woman was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer during the Trump administration’s latest immigration crackdown. This led to the protest in the city. Protesters clashed with law enforcement agents on Thursday as anger mounted over the shooting, AP reported.State and local officials demanded ICE leave Minnesota after 37-year-old Renee Nicole Macklin Good was shot in the head Wednesday morning. However, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said agents would not be leaving.The Department of Homeland Security deployed more than 2,000 officers to the area in what it said was its largest immigration enforcement operation ever. Noem said more than 1,500 people were already arrested.Bystanders captured video of Macklin Good’s killing in a residential neighbourhood south of downtown. Hundreds of people attended a Wednesday night vigil to mourn her and urge the public to resist the immigration crackdown. Some then chanted as they marched through the city, but there was no violence.“I would love for ICE to leave our city and for more community members to come to see it happens,” said Sander Kolodziej, a painter who came to the vigil to support the community. 3 protestors arrestedThree people were arrested at an anti-ICE protest near the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, where ICE operated from, after several hundred people gathered at the site in the south metro, CBS news reported.WCCO’s Beret Leone said the crowd split into three groups, blocking agents from entering or leaving the building. Shortly after 8 a.m., three people from the crowd were taken away in handcuffs.Federal agents also deployed chemical irritants at the crowd.Hundreds of people gathered in Minneapolis and neighbouring St. Paul, chanting, marching and holding signs urging ICE agents to get out of their city. The demonstrations were ongoing since news of the shooting broke yesterday.A live feed of the protests showed some confrontations breaking out between law enforcement and protesters.Some protesters were treated after it appeared a chemical agent was deployed.What DHS and Trump say about death of woman?Noem called the incident an “act of domestic terrorism” against ICE officers, saying the driver “attempted to run them over and rammed them with her vehicle. An officer of ours acted quickly and defensively, shot, to protect himself and the people around him.”President Donald Trump made similar accusations on social media and defended ICE’s work.Noem alleged that the woman was part of a “mob of agitators” and said the officer followed his training. She said the FBI would investigate.However, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called Noem’s version of events “garbage.”“They are already trying to spin this as an action of self-defense,” Frey said. “Having seen the video myself, I wanna tell everybody directly, that is bullshit.”What witness said?The Department of Homeland Security claimed Good “weaponised her vehicle” and attempted to run over officers, prompting an agent to fire what it described as defensive shots. However, multiple eyewitnesses strongly dispute this account. Neighbours say Good posed no threat and appeared to be trying to drive away when gunfire erupted, sending her vehicle crashing into parked cars. Witnesses described chaos, fear and helplessness as federal agents ordered residents to stand back and allegedly did not attempt to render aid. Viral videos and frame-by-frame analyses circulating on social media also challenge the official version, suggesting the agent was not in immediate danger. The shooting has left the community shaken and grieving, deepening public concern over aggressive immigration enforcement tactics.

A powerful storm hit Istanbul on Thursday, bringing strong winds, towering waves, and widespread disruption to sea transport, and it also affected several other provinces across western Turkiye.Several videos are going viral on social media, and one of them shows a Pegasus flight aborting landing at Istanbul Airport due to severe weather. The flight could be seen losing balance and couldn’t move straight, forcing the pilot to abort the landing.Another video showed a strong lodos winds battered the area, rocking boats violently and creating rough, stormy conditions.Following warnings from the Turkish State Meteorological Service, gale-force winds began sweeping through Istanbul in the morning hours and intensified over the Bosphorus and the Marmara Sea, Hurriyet Daily News reported.In Besiktas, large waves slammed into the shoreline, creating hazardous conditions along the coast. Maritime operations were brought to a grinding halt as treacherous sea conditions made navigation impossible. Besiktas–Kadiköy passenger boat services were suspended, while some ferry lines announced multiple cancellations.In Bakirköy, a tree toppled onto four vehicles along the coastal road, forcing a lane to close temporarily. In Bahçelievler, another fallen tree injured a pedestrian, who was reported to have sustained minor injuries.According to official data, wind speeds exceeded 70 kilometres per hour in some districts.Beyond Istanbul, severe weather battered the broader Marmara and Aegean regions. In the northwestern province of Çanakkale, strong winds forced the temporary suspension of transit ship traffic through the Dardanelles and several ferry services were also cancelled. In the neighbouring province of Edirne, heavy rainfall caused localised flooding. Fishermen in the western city of Izmir remained in port due to rough seas, carrying out maintenance work while waiting for conditions to improve.The storm also reached the Black Sea coast, with severe winds causing trees to topple and block roads in Samsun.

India’s Ruturaj Gaikwad (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

Ruturaj Gaikwad delivered one of the finest List A knocks of the season on Thursday, producing a composed yet commanding 134 off 131 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and rewriting several records along the way. It was an innings built on patience, timing and authority, and one that once again underlined why Gaikwad continues to be rated among India’s most consistent domestic performers.𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗷𝗮𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆15 – Ruturaj Gaikwad (57 inngs)*15 – Ankit Bawne (94 inngs)13 – Devdutt Padikkal (36 inngs)13 – Mayank Agarwal (79 inngs) With this century, Gaikwad drew level with Ankit Bawne for the most hundreds in Vijay Hazare Trophy history. Both now sit on 15, but the context makes Gaikwad’s achievement stand out. He reached the mark in just 57 innings, while Bawne needed 94. The Maharashtra batter’s ability to convert starts has been a defining feature of his career, and Thursday’s knock was another example of that trait.

The innings also carried a milestone of even greater significance. Gaikwad became the fastest player in professional List A cricket to score 20 centuries, achieving the feat in just 95 innings. No other batter has reached 20 List A hundreds in fewer than 100 matches. The previous benchmark of 129 innings was jointly held by Mayank Agarwal and Khurram Manzoor, while modern greats like Babar Azam and Virat Kohli took 131 and 143 innings respectively to get there.𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁-𝗔 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 (𝗺𝗶𝗻 𝟱𝟬 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗴𝘀)58.83 – Ruturaj Gaikwad 57.86 – Michael Bevan 57.76 – Sam Hain57.67 – Virat Kohli 57.01 – Cheteshwar Pujara Gaikwad’s consistency is reflected not just in his centuries but also in his numbers across formats. He currently boasts the best batting average in List A cricket among players with at least 50 innings, sitting at an impressive 58.83. That places him ahead of names such as Michael Bevan, Sam Hain, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara, a list that highlights the quality of company he now keeps. Against Goa, Gaikwad’s knock was both fluent and controlled. He struck eight fours and six sixes, anchoring the Maharashtra innings as they posted 249 for 7. The match went down to the wire, with Maharashtra eventually clinching a tense three run victory. During the course of the innings, Gaikwad also became the fastest batter to complete 5,000 List A runs, adding another landmark to an already memorable day. Despite his growing list of achievements, Gaikwad was a surprise omission from India’s squad for the upcoming three match ODI series against New Zealand in January. The exclusion came shortly after he scored his maiden ODI century against South Africa in December 2025, making the decision even more puzzling for many observers. At 29, Gaikwad finds himself at a crucial phase of his career. His domestic numbers continue to make a strong case for sustained opportunities at the international level, while his leadership credentials are also on the rise. He is set to lead Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2026 season, a role that reflects the trust placed in him by the franchise.

A local walks past a mural featuring oil pumps and wells in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

When US President Donald Trump floated the idea of Washington receiving millions of barrels of oil from Venezuela, it sounded like a throwback to an older energy playbook: pump more oil, cut fuel prices, make voters happy. The reality is far messier.

What is being proposed?

The plan being discussed involves the US receiving 30–50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude, alongside American investment to help revive Venezuela’s oil production. That oil would then be sold on global markets, adding supply and, in theory, keeping prices low.The timing matters. Oil prices are already under pressure globally, and petrol prices have eased after years of inflation-driven pain. The Venezuela pitch is being sold as a way to lock that relief in.

Why Venezuela still matters

Venezuela holds the largest proven oil reserves in the world. On paper, it should be an energy superpower. In practice, years of mismanagement, sanctions, and infrastructure collapse have hollowed out its industry.The state oil company, PDVSA, has struggled to maintain wells, pipelines, and refineries. Skilled workers have fled. Equipment is outdated. Even modest production increases take time, money, and political stability, all of which are in short supply.

Does more Venezuelan oil mean cheaper fuel?

Not automatically. Oil prices are set globally, not bilaterally. Even tens of millions of barrels spread over months are small in a market that consumes roughly 100 million barrels a day worldwide. Venezuelan oil would add to supply at the margins, not overwhelm the system.Prices are already low largely because of global oversupply and cautious demand, including production decisions by OPEC. Venezuelan barrels might help keep prices soft, but they are unlikely to be the main driver.

The domestic cost for the US

Cheap petrol is good politics, but it comes with trade-offs.Lower oil prices squeeze US shale producers, many of whom operate close to break-even. Prolonged weakness risks layoffs, stalled drilling, and reduced investment in oil-heavy regions such as Texas and North Dakota.Unlike in the past, the US is now a major oil producer and exporter. That means falling prices no longer deliver an unambiguous economic win. Gains for consumers increasingly cancel out losses in the energy sector.

Can Venezuela actually deliver?

This is the biggest uncertainty. Venezuela has repeatedly overpromised and underdelivered on production targets. Power shortages, decaying infrastructure, regulatory uncertainty, and political risk remain structural obstacles. Any agreement is also vulnerable to sanctions enforcement, legal challenges, and shifts in US or Venezuelan politics.

A macaw stands on a decorative oil drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Even with fresh investment, Venezuela cannot rapidly ramp up production at a scale that reshapes global markets.

The takeaway

Venezuela may help keep oil markets loose at the edges, but it is not a magic lever for cheap gas. Fuel prices today are low because of global dynamics, not because Caracas is back as an energy heavyweight.For consumers, relief may last. For US oil producers, pressure is building. And for Venezuela, the promise of an oil-fuelled revival remains far more aspirational than assured.

The weapons and military units on display in China’s major parade (Image credit: AP)

China, one of the world’s largest arms exporter, has endured a series of humiliating battlefield exposures that have shattered its image as a supplier of reliable defence systems. From Operation Sindoor‘s rout of Pakistani defenses to the swift US raid on Venezuela, Chinese systems repeatedly crumbled under pressure, amplifying doubts among global buyers.The US operation in Venezuela’s capital not only led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, but dealt a severe reputational blow to Beijing, underscoring Washington’s continued technological superiority over Chinese-supplied military equipment, according to a Taiwanese official, Newsweek reported.During Operation Sindoor in May last year, Indian forces systematically targeted and neutralised key Pakistani military and terror infrastructure, repeatedly penetrating Chinese-supplied air defence systems such as the HQ-9, which failed to intercept incoming missile attacks, including strikes by the BrahMos.In Venezuela, America’s EA-18 Growlers reportedly played a crucial role in the mission by deploying advanced electronic jamming and communications-disruption capabilities. The Growler is a carrier-launched electronic warfare aircraft built not for delivering ordnance, but for controlling the electromagnetic battlefield. During the Venezuela operation, it formed part of a large US aerial force that disabled China-supplied radar and communication networks, enabling special forces aircraft to move into and out of Venezuelan airspace with speed and minimal resistance.

Venezuela defence system: ‘Full of flaws, slow to react’

Venezuela’s Chinese JY-27A radar — hyped by Beijing as a stealth-killing powerhouse capable of spotting low-observable jets like the F-35 — suffered a catastrophic flop during the US raid, as reported by the Washington Times. Sold to Caracas as cutting-edge tech, the system proved riddled with flaws, agonisingly slow to react, and utterly blind to American stealth incursions.The radar’s complete failure has left Beijing red-faced. The system is central to China’s air-defence ambitions, intended to counter advanced US platforms such as the F-35 and F-22 fighter jets, as well as B-2 and next-generation B-21 stealth bombers.The Maduro government also invested roughly $2 billion on Russian S-300 air defence missile systems, along with associated radar and communication networks that were integrated with China’s JY-27A radar. Russia also supplied the Pantsir-S1, a combined gun-missile air defence system designed to counter drones and low-flying helicopters — the very types of platforms that breached Venezuelan airspace during the operation.“None of them fired. Not one,” said online military analyst Shanaka Anslem Perera, as quoted by the Washington Times.The US operation lasted less than three hours, during which elite military units, including Delta Force, captured Maduro and his wife from their fortress compound in Caracas, airlifted them to a US warship, and later flew the couple to New York.Some Chinese analysts, however, contended that the US was operating against a far weaker opponent, suggesting the mission was not necessarily indicative of how such capabilities would perform against major powers, South China Morning Post reported.

Operation Sindoor

Pakistan gets nearly 82% of its defence imports from China. Operation Sindoor exposed serious vulnerabilities in Beijing’s weapons when pitted against Indian and Western systems.The most visible failures were in Pakistan’s Chinese-made air defence and missile systems. Assessments indicated that the HQ-9 and HQ-16/LY-80 air defence units were ineffective against Indian aircraft and missiles, even around sensitive military installations. The PL-15 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, promoted as a rival to advanced Western systems, reportedly malfunctioned or failed to hit targets, with Indian officials later displaying fragments of a recovered PL-15 missile that had landed without striking anything. Chinese-supplied fighter jets such as the J-10C and JF-17 Block III also failed to significantly challenge Indian air operations, despite unverified claims of aerial successes.Together, these failures have reinforced longstanding concerns about the reliability and combat effectiveness of Chinese military exports, damaging China’s credibility as an arms supplier and opening space for rivals, including India, to emphasise proven performance in real combat conditions.Also read: How Op Sindoor exposed pattern of failures, underperformance by Chinese weapons systems

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its decision on a plea filed by Allahabad high court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, challenging the validity of a parliamentary committee probing corruption charges against him. The case relates to the recovery of a large sum of cash from his official residence last year.The apex body has also refused to grant him more time to file his response before the committee.A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma declined Justice Varma’s request for an extension to submit his reply to the parliamentary panel, which is scheduled to receive responses on January 12. Justice Varma has questioned the legality of the committee set up by the Lok Sabha Speaker, arguing that it is unsustainable under the Judges (Inquiry) Act.Justice Varma has contended that when a motion seeking the removal of a judge is introduced in both Houses of Parliament on the same day, an inquiry committee can be formed only if the motion is admitted in both Houses.In his case, he argued, the motion was rejected by the deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha, rendering the committee invalid. He has challenged the admission of the Lok Sabha motion, seeking it to be declared “contrary to law”.The case stems from events on March 14 last year, when a large sum of currency was found at Justice Varma’s official residence in Delhi, where he was then serving as a high court judge. He was later transferred to the Allahabad high court.Following the recovery, then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna ordered an in-house inquiry and constituted a three-member panel, which submitted its report on May 4, finding Justice Varma guilty of misconduct.After receiving the report, the then CJI asked Justice Varma to resign or face impeachment proceedings. When he refused to step down, the report was forwarded to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On August 7, the Supreme Court dismissed Justice Varma’s plea challenging the in-house inquiry report. Days later, on August 12, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla constituted a separate three-member parliamentary committee to probe the charges.During an earlier hearing on December 16, the Supreme Court had agreed to examine Justice Varma’s challenge to the constitution of the Lok Sabha inquiry panel. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the judge, pointed to what he described as a procedural lapse, submitting that the inquiry committee could not be formed unilaterally by the Lok Sabha Speaker when notices of the removal motion were given in both Houses on the same day.“Where the notices of the motion are ‘given’ to the Houses on the same date, no committee will be constituted, unless the motion is being admitted in both Houses,” Rohatgi had argued. He added that such a committee must be constituted jointly by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Badshahi Mosque, Lahore (AP photo)

Is Pakistan heading towards a Gen Z uprising? A PhD student from the country has sparked a debate after critically examining present-day Pakistan, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief and de facto power centre Asim Munir, without naming either directly.The piece, written through a lens that shows contrast in powerful boomer generation and youth of Gen Z-Alpha, quickly struck a chord online and became a flashpoint for what many described as a quiet rebellion. It highlighted the widening divide between Pakistan’s ruling establishment, often referred to as “Boomers,” and its increasingly restless Gen Z population.The article, titled “It is over,” was written by US-based PhD student Zorain Nizamani and published in Pakistan’s daily The Express Tribune on January 1. It was later taken down, reportedly following pressure from the Pakistani military.“For the older men and women in power, it’s over. The young generation isn’t buying any of what you’re trying to sell to them. No matter how many talks and seminars you arrange in schools and colleges, trying to promote patriotism, it isn’t working,” Nizamani wrote.Writing from the perspective of Gen Z and Generation Alpha, Nizamani rejected what he described as an imposed narrative of patriotism pushed by those in power, arguing that such efforts no longer resonate with young Pakistanis.“Young minds, the Gen Z, the alphas, they know exactly what is happening, and despite your consistent efforts of trying to ‘sell’ your views of patriotism to them, they are seeing right through it. Thanks to the internet, thanks to whatever little education we have left, despite your best efforts of keeping the masses as illiterate as possible, you have failed. You have failed to tell people what to think, they are thinking for themselves. They might be a little too scared to speak their minds because they prefer breathing,” Nizamani wrote.He argued that forced patriotism, speeches and seminars cannot replace justice, opportunity and basic rights, and said young people clearly see corruption, inequality and hypocrisy despite censorship and propaganda.Nizamani also highlighted generational differences over economic freedom, writing, “The Gen Z wants erased restrictions on freelancing, the boomers want to increase regulations on freelancing.”Concluding his article, he wrote: “Boomers, we have had enough. We aren’t buying your narrative anymore. It’s worn out.”The article drew support from followers of former prime minister Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated. The Canada wing of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) shared the article on X, highlighting its key points.“Zorain Nizamani’s article ‘It is Over’ was removed from eTribune most likely for exposing the reality: DG ISPR’s university visits are futile. The youth see through propaganda and are no longer easy to mislead or control,” the PTI Canada wing said.Pakistani activist Mehlaqa Samdani also linked the article’s removal to censorship. “Not surprisingly, this article is no longer accessible through the Express Tribune’s digital edition, exactly the kind of censorship Zorain talks about,” she wrote.The episode has intensified online debate over whether Pakistan’s younger generation is moving from quiet disillusionment toward open resistance against an entrenched establishment widely seen as out of touch.

After spending more than a month in theatres, ‘Dhurandhar’ has added yet another feather to its cap by registering the biggest fifth weekend ever for a Hindi film. The Aditya Dhar directorial has also managed to remain consistent all through and remain unaffected by other big releases like ‘Avatar Fire And Ash’ and films like ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’, ‘Ikkis’ which released in weeks after. The Ranveer Singh starrer pulled in an impressive Rs. 33.25 crore net over the weekend, pushing its total Hindi net collection beyond Rs. 781 crore in just 33 days. With this momentum, the film is now closing in on ‘Pushpa 2’s long-standing Hindi net record of Rs. 812 crore and is expected to surpass the mark during its sixth weekend, cementing its place at the very top.‘Dhurandhar’ has also carved out a rare distinction in box office history. Unlike other members of the Rs 1000-crore club, which depended on pan-India, multi-language releases to inflate their numbers, this espionage drama has achieved its staggering figures purely through its Hindi version. That achievement sets it apart as a one-of-a-kind solo-language blockbuster.

While several big-ticket films have enjoyed explosive openings only to witness sharp drops after the initial weeks, ‘Dhurandhar’ has defied that pattern entirely. The Bollywood spy action thriller has displayed unprecedented consistency, continuing to earn strongly even in its fifth week. With its iron grip on ticket counters, the film has already sealed its status as an all-time blockbuster and is poised to chase a few more milestones before wrapping up its theatrical run.After making a good Rs. 12.75 crore on fifth Sunday, the film saw a huge drop on Monday, January 5 when the holiday period ended and made Rs. 4.75 crore. On fifth Tuesday, day 32, it made a similar number. On Wednesday, day 34, it saw a drop further, collecting Rs. 4.25 crore. On day 35, which is 5th Thursday, till afternoon, the film has collected Rs. 0.37 crore. The total collection of ‘Dhurandhar’ is now Rs. 786.37 crore. DISCLAIMER: The box office numbers in this article are compiled from our proprietary sources and diverse public data. While we strive for accuracy, all figures are approximate unless explicitly mentioned, offering a fair representation of the project’s box office performance. We are open to feedback and suggestions on toientertainment@timesinternet.in.

Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif

Pakistan on Tuesday expressed confidence that it may no longer need financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund within six months, with Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif claiming the country had seen a surge in aircraft orders following a four-day military standoff with India in May, Geo TV reported.Speaking on a Geo News programme, Asif made a fanciful claim while arguing that the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict showcased Pakistan’s “resolve and military effectiveness” to the world.Military tensions escalated in May 2025 after Pakistan-sponsored terrorists carried out a terror attack in Pahalgam, killing 26 civilians in April. India responded with a strong military operation, launching Operation Sindoor, under which it targeted and destroyed multiple terror camps and Pakistani military facilities.However, Khawaja Asif, appearing disconnected from the ground reality, made such statements after a Bangladeshi defence delegation met Pakistan’s air chief to discuss a potential sale of the JF-17 Thunder, the multi-role fighter aircraft jointly developed by China and Pakistan. There are also reports of talks between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to convert about $2 billion in Saudi loans into a JF-17 fighter jet deal, according to two Pakistani sources cited by Reuters.According to Arab News, several countries have since stepped up defence engagement with Pakistan.“Right now, the number of orders we are receiving after reaching this point is significant because our aircraft have been tested,” defence minister Asif told Pakistan’s Geo News channel.“We are receiving these orders, and it is possible that after six months we may not even need the IMF,” he said.Pakistan markets the Chinese co-developed JF-17 as a lower-cost multi-role fighter and has positioned itself as a supplier offering aircraft, training and maintenance outside Western supply chains.“I am saying this with full confidence,” Asif said. “If all these orders materialise over the next six months, we will not need the IMF.”

Pakistan’s repeated reliance on IMF

Pakistan has repeatedly turned to the International Monetary Fund over the years, for financial support to stabilise its fragile economy, with such assistance tied to strict conditions including fiscal reforms, subsidy cuts and revenue-enhancing measures.In September 2024, the IMF approved a $7 billion bailout for Pakistan under its Extended Fund Facility (EFF), followed by a separate $1.4 billion loan under its climate resilience fund in May 2025, aimed at bolstering the country’s economic stability and climate resilience.

Bangladesh shows interest in Pak’s JF-17

Demonstrating Dhaka’s efforts to move closer to Islamabad, Bangladesh has expressed “potential interest” in acquiring the JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan, along with plans to resume direct flights between the two countries from January 29 after a gap of more than a decade.The JF-17, jointly developed by China and Pakistan, was deployed by Pakistan against India during the May 7–10 hostilities. In November last year, Indian Air Force chief Air chief Marshal A P Singh said the aircraft was among at least five high-tech Pakistani fighters shot down during Operation Sindoor.This latest development and closeness between Pakistan and Bangladesh comes under the pretext of Dhaka’s straining relations with India.

Pak seeks JF-17 deal with Saudi Arabia

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are also in talks to convert around $2 billion in Saudi loans into a JF-17 fighter jet deal, as two Pakistani sources told Reuters, in a move that would deepen military cooperation between two Islamic nations. Pakistan and Saudi signed a mutual defence pact last year.The discussions highlight efforts by the long-time allies to operationalise defence cooperation at a time when Pakistan is under acute financial strain and Saudi Arabia is recalibrating its security partnerships amid uncertainty over US commitments in the Middle East.