Author: INF 365

China conducts live-fire naval exercises between Australia and New Zealand. Australia criticizes inadequate notice, leading to flight diversions. China accuses Australia of exaggerating the situation. New Zealand monitors second day of Chinese drills. Diplomatic discussions held to address rising tensions. In February 2025, China held live-fire naval exercises in international waters between Australia and New Zealand. The sudden drills forced several commercial flights to change routes as airlines received last-minute warnings. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles criticized Beijing for the short notice, calling it “disconcerting” for aviation safety. In response, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian accused Australia of “deliberately…

Indian pharmaceutical companies linked to illegal opioid exports to West Africa. Mumbai-based Aveo Pharmaceuticals identified as a major supplier. Unlicensed tapentadol-carisoprodol pills contribute to addiction in Nigeria and Ghana. Indian authorities ban production following international scrutiny. Calls for stricter regulation of India’s pharmaceutical exports intensify. A recent investigation revealed that Indian pharmaceutical companies play a significant role in West Africa’s opioid crisis. Mumbai-based Aveo Pharmaceuticals stands out as a major exporter of unlicensed and highly addictive opioid combinations to countries like Nigeria and Ghana. This has sparked serious concerns about the ethical practices of India’s pharmaceutical industry and its impact…

UN report reveals extensive human rights violations against journalists during Bangladesh’s 2024 protests. At least six journalists killed; approximately 200 injured amid violent crackdowns. Intelligence agencies and government officials allegedly intimidated media to control protest coverage. Reports of misinformation campaigns and censorship by state-backed entities. UN demands independent investigations and accountability for abuses against media personnel. A recent report by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), released on February 12, 2025, reveals severe human rights violations against journalists in Bangladesh. These violations occurred during student-led protests between July 15 and August 5, 2024. The…

US warns Ukraine: Starlink access at risk over mineral rights disagreement. Kyiv rejects US demand for $500 billion in critical minerals. Starlink essential for Ukraine’s military communications since 2022. Tensions escalate between Presidents Trump and Zelensky over resource negotiations. Potential loss of Starlink could severely impact Ukraine’s defense capabilities. US officials have warned Ukraine that it could lose access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service. They demand that Kyiv allocate $500 billion worth of critical minerals to the US. This comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected an earlier proposal from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The proposal sought…

Germany’s snap election scheduled for February 23, 2025. Conservative CDU/CSU leads polls; far-right AfD gains momentum. Key issues: economic downturn, migration, and security concerns. Friedrich Merz’s CDU scrutinized over potential AfD collaboration. Coalition formation challenges anticipated post-election. Germany is poised for a critical snap election on February 23, 2025, following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government in late 2024. The election’s outcome is expected to reshape the nation’s political landscape and influence its role within Europe. Current opinion polls position the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), at the…

President Trump dismisses Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Air Force Vice Chief Gen. Jim Slife also removed. Retired Lt. Gen. Dan Caine nominated as new Joint Chiefs Chairman. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasizes refocusing on core military missions. Concerns arise over potential politicization of military leadership. In an unexpected move, President Donald Trump has dismissed General Charles “CQ” Brown Jr. from his position as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gen. Brown, who served for 16 months and was the second African American in this role, was touring the southern…

Chinese warships conducted live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea. Exercises prompted flight diversions between Australia and New Zealand. Australia and New Zealand criticized China’s short notice of drills. Chinese navy’s presence in the region is unprecedented. Diplomatic discussions are underway to address notification concerns. On February 21, 2025, Chinese naval vessels carried out live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea, located between Australia and New Zealand. The sudden announcement of these drills forced several commercial flights to change their routes for safety. Airlines like Qantas, Emirates, and Air New Zealand quickly adjusted their flight paths. Australian and New Zealand authorities raised…

President Trump alleges $21 million USAID funds misused in India. Claims funds intended to influence Indian elections. Indian government expresses deep concern over foreign interference. Political tensions rise between BJP and Congress over funding allegations. Reports suggest funds were actually designated for Bangladesh, not India. Washington, D.C., February 22, 2025 — President Donald Trump has accused India of misusing $21 million from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). He claims that the funds were meant to influence voter turnout in Indian elections. Speaking at the Republican Governors Association meeting, he questioned this allocation, calling it a “kickback scheme.”…

Protesters form human chain at National Museum in Dhaka Demonstration condemns February 17 bus robbery and assaults Victims faced delays in filing complaints due to jurisdictional issues Police inaction criticized; demand for justice intensifies Authorities initiate case three days post-incident Dhaka, February 22, 2025 — A group of concerned citizens gathered in front of the National Museum in Dhaka yesterday. They protested against a recent bus robbery and the alleged sexual assault of female passengers. The demonstrators formed a human chain, demanding immediate justice for the victims and condemning the horrifying incident. On February 17, a Rajshahi-bound bus operated by…

Keith Kellogg, US envoy, arrives in Kyiv for talks with President Zelenskyy. Former President Trump claims Ukraine is to blame for the war. Kellogg stresses US commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and security guarantees. Zelenskyy cancels trip to Saudi Arabia over sidelining in US-Russia talks. US signals changes in support for Ukraine’s NATO ambitions. On Wednesday, Keith Kellogg, the US special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, landed in Kyiv. He met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and top military commanders. This visit is crucial as the US re-evaluates its approach to Russia, especially with the war in Ukraine still raging since…