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The Political Times, Dhaka (2025)

18/05/2025

Trump to Call Putin in Bid to End Ukraine War: “It’ll Be Over in 24 Hours”-18 May 2025.

US President Donald Trump said he will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday about halting hostilities in Ukraine, in a BBC report. The US president posted on Truth Social that the call is set at 10am local time and that he will later speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and leaders of some NATO countries.

Russia and Ukraine held their first face-to-face talks in three years in Istanbul on Friday. The talks did not yield anything, although they agreed on a prisoner swap.

If Putin had attended the talks in Turkey, President Trump would have liked to have been present. But the Russian president refused to attend.

Trump already made it clear that there would be movement towards ending the war only if Putin holds face-to-face talks. Kremlin aide Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies that preparations for a call on Monday between Putin and Trump were under way. The two leaders have spoken about this before.

"There are preparations for talks," Peskov told the TASS news agency.

"Hopefully there will be productive discussions, a ceasefire," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "This is a brutal war, a war that never should have happened, it will end."

The Russian leaders have been urged by European leaders to accept a 30-day ceasefire.

A ceasefire and a possible summit between them are likely to be discussed by the leaders of Russia and the United States.

18/05/2025

Israel Launches New Military Operation in Gaza Amid Escalating Conflict-18 May 2025.

Israel launched a fresh large-scale Gaza military operation, named "Operation Gideon's Chariots," in a bid to exert further pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the extent of the operation, which began hardly after U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East visit came to a close—amidst speculations of a ceasefire or an increase in humanitarian assistance. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the Israeli negotiation team to remain in Doha, Qatar, where indirect talks with Hamas are underway. Although Hamas released an Israeli-American hostage as a goodwill gesture, it demands a ceasefire on a permanent basis and total troop withdrawal. However, the Israeli military maintains that the operation will not cease until all hostages are released and Hamas is dissolved. More than 150 people have died in the past 24 hours, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, including at least four children in the Jabalia refugee camp. The total number of deaths has risen since the ceasefire collapsed on March 18.

18/05/2025

Trust Shattered: Hamas Claims U.S. Promise Broken-18 May 2025.

Hamas government official Bassem Naim blames the U.S. for reneging on its guarantee after it successfully negotiated the release of American hostage Alexander. According to Naim, Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff had guaranteed that aid would flow into Gaza and a ceasefire would follow within two days of Alexander's release. But seven days have elapsed with nothing happening. Naim accuses the U.S. of trickery and says that the pledge was "thrown in the dustbin." According to reports, the agreement entailed pressuring Israel to lift the blockade and open borders to human aid. Although indirect U.S.-mediated talks are still ongoing in Qatar, Hamas now says it is extremely suspicious of Washington. The issue intensifies as the Israeli soldiers continue to attack Gaza while ignoring a tenuous ceasefire that collapsed on March 18. More than a year and a half of negotiation standstill leaves thin prospects for securing lasting peace amid rising civilian casualties and broken diplomatic promises.

14/05/2025

Chief Advisor Announces Inauguration of Kalurghat Bridge Construction – A New Era for Connectivity !-14 May 2025.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has announced the official inauguration of the construction of Karnaphuli River bridge on road and rail linking Kalurghat in Chittagong.

He unveiled the foundation stone plaque of the Circuit House in Chittagong at 11 am on Wednesday (May 14).

The Chief Advisor said, I have many memories of the Kalurghat Bridge. The bridge is enormous in terms of history. People of Boalkhali are also present here today. The Kalurghat Bridge is their long-awaited bridge. Once it is built, many challenges of people of Chittagong will be over.

Road Transport and Bridge Adviser Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan reported that the residents of South Chittagong long ago demanded a new Kalurghat Bridge across the Karnaphuli River. The residents of Boalkhali and South Chittagong are glad that the construction work on it has started.

He further told that the current bridge was constructed in 1931. Even if its period is taken to be 80 years, its period ended in 2011. Work on the new bridge is expected to be completed by 2029 and commissioned in 2030.

It should be mentioned that Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus will attend the 5th convocation of Chittagong University in the afternoon. He will receive the D.Litt title at this convocation. And in the afternoon, after a long 8 years, Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus will attend his village house in Bathua, Hathazari.

Earlier, Dr. Muhammad Yunus had a visit to his own district Chittagong for the first time since becoming the Chief Advisor to the caretaker government.

14/05/2025

Pharmaceutical Exports See Growth in FY Despite April Decline-14 May 2025.

Bangladesh medicine exports dropped 34.25% in April due to holidays in major import countries and decreased US aid. But the first 10 months of exports during FY 2024-2025 went up by 3.46% year on year to $177.42 million. Industry people attribute April's decline to temporary strikes like congestion at ports and a drop in US and UK donations. Beximco Pharmaceuticals claimed a consistent export growth, while Incepta Pharmaceuticals faced challenges due to cuts in USAID funding, disrupting vaccine exports. Despite such setbacks, companies like Square Pharmaceuticals show strong demand for their products in the global market, and experts warn against a reading of the short-term dip. Overall, the future of the pharmaceutical sector is bright, based on continued growth in overseas markets.

14/05/2025

Trump Urges Saudi Arabia to Recognize Israel in Landmark Call for Middle East Peace-14 May 2025.

US President Donald Trump has urged Saudi Arabia to officially endorse Israel and join the Abraham Accords. He made the appeal while delivering a speech at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh on Tuesday (May 13) local time, which is being hailed as a "historic milestone" towards Middle East peace. US media publication New York Post reported the development in a report.

The report cited Trump, who was targeting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as saying, "This is a great honor for Saudi Arabia and very important for the future of the region."

The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco already had diplomatic ties with Israel through the Abraham Accords.

Though Saudi Arabia is still formally unreconciled with Israel, there have been rumors of furtive talks between the two in recent years. Diplomacy to promote Israeli-Saudi relations is in the meantime bogged down because of the war in Gaza.

Trump's tour and statements evidently reflect that he wants to continue his diplomatic mission in the Middle East. Disapproving of the Biden administration, Trump argued that the Biden administration had not been able to promote the peace process started under his term successfully.

Trump's move is viewed by experts as a strategic move to emphasize the success of his foreign policy with the 2024 presidential election in view.

14/05/2025

How Real Is the Risk of Nuclear War Between India and Pakistan ?-14 May 2025.

Last month's India-Pakistan standoff did not lead to nuclear war, but it again showed how quickly tensions can escalate in a region where the threat of atomic weapons hangs over it. As military retaliation played out, Pakistan signaled its nuclear option via an NCA meeting. India responded with defiant threats against "nuclear blackmail." Both countries possess about 170 nuclear warheads and are building up full nuclear triads.

India's nominal "no-first-use" stance has also grown more indeterminate, and Pakistan only communicates with strategic reserve, describing weak red lines such as territorial modification or political destabilisation. These recent near-incident events, such as the 2022 Indian launch into Pakistan without intended intent, indicate a genuine danger of uncontrolled escalation.

Analysts argue the threat of nuclear war is low—until ground fighting creates a "use it or lose it" scenario. While deterrence holds, the nuclear overhang makes low-level conflicts dangerously explosive. As Center for Arms Control's John Erath puts it, "Even a small nuclear risk is too large."

14/05/2025

The Heartbeat of a Billion: What Virat Kohli Truly Means to India-14 May 2025.

Virat Kohli's Test cricket retirement is the closing of Indian cricket's golden chapter. Just weeks after Rohit Sharma's retirement, the twin shock of the retirement of two of India's most experienced batters has left the public in a state of despair, especially with the high-profile England Test series ahead. Kohli, who announced his retirement on Instagram, said, "It's not easy – but it feels right," and left millions of his fans crying.

Kohli’s impact goes far beyond the numbers. From lifting the U-19 World Cup in 2008 to becoming one of the most influential cricketers in history, his journey has been inspiring. Known for his intensity, passion, and unmatched fitness standards, Kohli changed the face of Indian cricket. He scored over 9,200 runs in Tests, led India to a historic Test series win in Australia, and made overseas victories a priority.

Under Kohli’s captaincy, India became a fearless and fit team. His fierce drive to win and ability to chase impossible targets made him a global icon. His departure isn’t just about runs—it's the exit of a generation-defining legend, the heartbeat of a billion.

14/05/2025

Brazil's Hexa Dream Set to Be Realized Under Ancelotti's Leadership-14 May 2025.

A new era dawns in Brazilian football as the legendary Italian tactician Carlo Ancelotti assumes charge of the national team. Ancelotti will become the first foreign coach in the history of Brazilian football, a milestone for the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).

CBF president Edinaldo Rodriguez said he was pleased to have recruited "the world's best coach," citing Ancelotti's record-breaking 5 Champions League titles in Europe's premier leagues. Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid at the close of this season to concentrate his efforts on guiding Brazil's World Cup campaign. His first game as the chief will be against Ecuador in World Cup qualifying.

This highly anticipated move follows a series of rumors after Brazil's struggles in the World Cup qualifiers, leading to the sacking of Tite. The CBF believes Ancelotti’s strong mentality and experience can lead Brazil to their sixth World Cup title—Hexa. His arrival brings hope for a promising future for the Seleção.

14/05/2025

BBC Cameraman Captures Haunting Scene of Malnourished Children in Gaza, Records Israeli Strike on Hospital-14 May 2025.

Atrocities of war continue to unwind in Gaza. On Tuesday, a BBC cameraman was caught up in an Israeli missile strike at Khan Younis's European Hospital. The blast killed and injured dozens, one of them a father whose children our colleague was comforting. The attack, reports say, was targeted at a Hamas command center under the hospital, which is denied by Hamas.

Our cameraman, though shaken, was fortunate to have escaped injury. In the days leading up to the strike, he had been documenting the tragic destiny of malnourished children, like five-month-old Siwar Ashour. This little girl, suffering from severe malnutrition, moved our crew as we documented her story.

Siwar's mother, Najwa, expressed that she was extremely heartbroken and hoped her daughter would recover and grow up like other children. While some formula was managed to be secured for Siwar's treatment, the battle to survive in Gaza continues, where food and medicine are scarce as a result of the Israeli blockade.

This touching and heartbreaking moment illustrates the unbearable suffering of civilians in Gaza, whose lives are characterized by violence and starvation.

14/05/2025

Bloodshed at the Border: 51 Dead After Indian Attack in Pakistan-14 May 2025.

A minimum of 51 people have been reported dead in Pakistan in the Indian strike. The country's military confirmed the information in a press statement on Tuesday (May 13).

The military's media wing stated that 11 of the deceased were security personnel. Their identities have been released. The remaining 40 were civilians. They include seven women and 15 children.

The Pakistani military claims that 121 civilians were injured in the Indian attack. In addition, 78 paramilitary and army personnel were injured.

Islamabad, however, has not issued any estimate of damage. Satellite imagery, though, shows destruction at several military installations, including an airbase.

14/05/2025

Mount Etna Erupts Again: Europe's Most Active Volcano Spews Lava and Ash-14 May 2025.

Italy's Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, has begun to emit lava once again. It erupted turbulently on Tuesday (May 13) evening local time, emitting large quantities of ash and lava. The news was reported by Turkish news agency Anadolu Agency in a report.

The report added that two narrow flows of lava were flowing south and eastward from the southeastern crater, with numerous explosions.

The country's 'National Civil Protection Department' made an official statement in this regard. The statement mentioned that Etna has entered the pre-alert stage. The lava fountain's height has increased. It is feared that it can explode in a mighty way at any moment.

The city of Catania in Sicily has already undertaken emergency measures. This city is located closest to the volcano. Mount Etna is the longest active volcano in the world. It has been erupting since 425 BC.

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