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Wednesday, February 11, 2026

War Clouds Over Gulf? US Deploys Fighter Jets To Qatar Amid Iran Escalation

The United States has mounted Patriot missile systems on mobile truck launchers at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, a move in place since January 2026 amid heightened tensions with Iran. Newly released satellite images show Patriot missiles installed on trucks, allowing them to be swiftly repositioned into defensive formations at the base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East, which supports operations across the region. <h2>Satellite Images Show Expanded Deployment</h2> According to a Reuters report, the satellite images were obtained from Planet Labs. A comparison between images dated January 17, 2026, and February 1, 2026, shows that Patriot systems have been mounted on M983 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT), replacing earlier semi-static launchers. The February 1 image shows at least 10 MIM-104 Patriot air defence systems loaded onto trucks. Aircraft presence at the base has also increased. The latest imagery shows one RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft, three C-130 Hercules planes, 18 KC-135 Stratotankers (previously 18), and seven C-17 Globemasters (previously two). <h2>Greater Mobility Amid Escalating Risks</h2> Forensic image analyst William Goodhind said mounting the missiles on trucks enhances their mobility, enabling rapid repositioning in the event of an Iranian attack. The move reflects growing security concerns involving Iran. <h2>US-Iran Tensions Intensify</h2> Tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated since January 2026. US President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Iran over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, its backing of pro-Iranian groups in the Middle East, and its handling of domestic opposition. Negotiations are reportedly underway to prevent a broader conflict. In 2025, Israel struck Iranian nuclear facilities and military targets during a two-week conflict that the US later joined. Iran subsequently replenished its missile stockpiles. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned that any US attack would prompt retaliation against American bases in the region. Iran maintains underground missile complexes in Tehran, Kermanshah, Semnan, and along the Gulf Coast. <h2>Wider Military Build-Up Across the Region</h2> The US has strengthened its military footprint at multiple bases in the Middle East. A February 2, 2026 image of Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base showed 17 F-15E strike aircraft, eight A-10 Thunderbolts, four C-130s, and four helicopters. Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Base hosted C-5 Galaxy aircraft and C-17s, while aircraft deployments also rose at Diego Garcia and Oman’s Dukhan base. Iran’s IRIS Shahid Bagheri naval drone carrier was observed near Bandar Abbas on January 27 and February 10. <h2>Pentagon Yet To Comment</h2> The Pentagon has not issued a statement on the developments. The deployment strengthens US defensive and strike capabilities in the region, even as threats and counter-threats from both sides continue to heighten tensions.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/war-clouds-over-gulf-us-deploys-fighter-jets-to-qatar-amid-iran-escalation-1826647

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Bangladesh elections: Over 50% polling centres considered 'risky', CCTV installed at most stations

Dhaka, Feb 11 (PTI): More than half the polling centres have been identified as "risk-prone" for the general elections in Bangladesh, as officials said 90 per cent of them will be under CCTV surveillance, with many policemen deployed in the capital, Dhaka, wearing body cameras. Officials said the Election Commission's security system is based on risk assessment. “Security deployment is being made based on local sensitivity assessments,” Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah told a media briefing late Tuesday. EC officials said the elections would witness the largest-ever deployment of law enforcement personnel and the most extensive use of technology in the country's electoral history. Sanaullah said the poll body expected law enforcement agencies to ensure a peaceful atmosphere for voters during polling and after elections. He said the EC was largely satisfied with the current law-and-order situation and “compared to any time in the past, we are in a better position now”. His comments came hours after the police Inspector General Baharul Alam said they found 24,000 out of nearly 43,000 polling centres across the country were “high” or “moderate” risk-prone election stations. Police said they provided a list of risk-prone polling centres to the EC, which showed that out of 2,131 polling centres in Dhaka, 1,614 were risk-prone. However, the army, in a media briefing earlier, said they have identified two centres in Dhaka city to be "risky". Officials said policemen would use body-worn cameras for the first time at these specific locations. EC data showed that first-time voters made up some 3.58 per cent of the total 1,27,700,597 voters. The polls are being held simultaneously along with a referendum on a complex 84-point reform package. The contest is mainly between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its once ally, Jamaat-e-Islami. Chief adviser Muhammad Yunus’ interim government last year disbanded deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League and barred it from contesting the polls. A series of pre-poll surveys conducted in the past two months by consulting firms, research organisations and think tanks suggest that the BNP was the frontrunner and that its new chairman, Tarique Rahman, is in pole position to be the next prime minister. Hasina’s Awami League government was ousted in a student-led violent street protest, dubbed the July Uprising, on August 5, 2024. PTI AR SKY SKY(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/bangladesh-elections-over-50-polling-centres-considered-risky-cctv-installed-at-most-stations-1826471

USTR removes X post that showed PoK and Aksai Chin part of Indian territory

New York/Washington, Feb 10 (PTI): The office of the US Trade Representative has removed a social media post that featured a map of India showing the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as well as the Aksai Chin region as part of the Indian territory.Last week, as the US and India announced details of a bilateral interim agreement framework on trade, the US Trade Representative's office posted information about the trade deal on the social media website X, along with a map of India.The map had shown the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), as territory of India. Similarly, the Aksai Chin region, claimed by China, was also shown as part of the Indian territory.However, the specific post showing the map of India has now been deleted from the USTR's X handle. On previous occasions, maps of India had been shown with a demarcated line to portray the PoK and Aksai Chin region. But the map of India issued by the USTR had shown the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir, including these two areas, as an integral part of India.New Delhi has consistently underscored that the entire Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been, is and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. India also asserts that Aksai Chin is an integral part of its territory based on historical claims and past treaties.Previously, in the "standard map" released by China, the country has staked claim over Arunachal Pradesh, Aksai Chin region, Taiwan and the disputed South China Sea.India and the US announced on Friday night that they have reached a framework for the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement under which both sides will reduce import duties on a number of goods to boost two-way trade. PTI YAS (This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/ustr-removes-x-post-that-showed-pok-and-aksai-chin-part-of-indian-territory-1826470

India, China Strategic Talks Spotlight Border Peace As Key To Overall Ties Progress

India and China on Tuesday underlined the importance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas for overall progress in bilateral relations during the Strategic Dialogue held in the national capital. The Strategic Dialogue was held between Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and China's Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, who is in India to participate in the BRICS Sherpa Meeting from February 8 to February 10. According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two sides exchanged views on a wide range of issues across bilateral, regional, and international affairs, with discussions primarily focusing on recent progress in stabilising and rebuilding bilateral ties and on ways to advance engagement. Both sides reiterated their commitment to implement guidance from their leaders, including the need to approach bilateral issues, particularly trade-related concerns, from a political and strategic perspective. "Both sides underscored the importance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas for overall progress in bilateral relations. They reiterated their commitment to implement the guidance provided by their leaders including on the need to proceed from a political and strategic direction to approach issues and concerns related to bilateral trade," the statement said. During the dialogue, Foreign Secretary Misri noted the successful resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and expressed hope for its continued expansion. Both sides also recognised the need to conclude an updated Air Services Agreement at an early stage and agreed to continue taking practical steps to facilitate visa processing and promote people-to-people exchanges. The discussions also covered multilateral cooperation, including during India's BRICS Chairmanship this year. "The Chinese side expressed its support for a successful BRICS Summit in India. EVFM also conveyed that China understands and respects India's aspirations for UNSC membership," the MEA added. (This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/india-china-border-peace-strategic-dialogue-brics-trade-ties-delhi-1826467

US Customs Removes 25% Additional Tariff Charge On Indian Goods

The United States Customs and Border Protection has formally rescinded the additional 25 per cent tariff previously imposed on Indian goods, effective from February 7, 2026, following an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump last week. Under the revised guidance, products entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse on or after 12:01 a.m. <h3 data-start="75" data-end="107">India Exempt From Executive Order</h3> Eastern Tie on February 7 are no longer subject to the additional ad‑valorem duty imposed under Executive Order 14329, which was issued in August 2025 as a punitive measure linked to India’s energy purchases from Russia. However, officials clarified that reciprocal tariffs under Executive Order 14257 will remain in force for products that do not qualify for an exemption, meaning that some Indian exports may still face duties under normal tariff schedules. <h3 data-start="111" data-end="154">Interim Agreement Reduces Tariff Rate</h3> The executive order and subsequent US‑India interim trade framework reflect a broader effort to reset bilateral economic relations and address longstanding trade tensions. Under the interim agreement, the United States plans to apply a reciprocal tariff rate of 18 per cent on certain Indian goods, down from the earlier combined levy that reached up to 50 per cent at the height of the trade standoff. <h3 data-start="1644" data-end="2092">Trade Relief Supports Indian Exports</h3> The move follows commitments discussed by President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deepen trade and strengthen cooperation, including commitments on energy purchases and defense ties. India has signaled openness to increasing energy imports from the United States, even as it navigates its broader international energy strategy. Market analysts say the tariff relief is expected to ease export pressures on Indian industries, though some sectors will continue to face higher duties due to other trade provisions still in effect.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-removes-25-tariff-indian-goods-trade-relief-feb-7-1826459

Monday, February 9, 2026

Israel Warns Of Solo Military Action As US-Iran Tensions Rise Ahead Of Netanyahu’s Washington Visit

The United States has repeatedly warned Iran of possible military action, even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares for a visit to Washington, a development that has heightened concerns over the future of US-Iran talks and rising regional tensions. Israeli defence officials have cautioned that Tehran’s expanding ballistic missile programme could pose an existential threat to Israel. Israel has also warned US President Donald Trump that if Iran crosses Israel’s defined ballistic missile “red line”, it could launch military action against Tehran even without American support. <h2>Israel Says It Will Preserve ‘Freedom of Action’</h2> According to a report by The Jerusalem Post, Israel believes Iran has not yet crossed that threshold, but officials say Tehran’s activities are being closely monitored. Israel has made it clear that it will preserve its freedom of action and will not, under any circumstances, allow Iran to rebuild or possess weapons that could threaten Israel or its neighbouring countries. <h2>Concerns Over Limited US Strike on Iran</h2> Several Israeli defence officials have expressed concern that President Trump could opt for limited military action — similar to strikes carried out against the Houthis in Yemen — which may leave Iran’s core missile capabilities intact. One official warned that the US could declare success after hitting select targets, while Iran’s main military strength remains untouched, potentially leaving Israel to bear the consequences. Israeli Air Force Brigadier General Omer Tishler, the incoming commander of the force, may accompany Netanyahu on his US visit on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Tishler is expected to represent IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir during the trip. Netanyahu’s visit comes amid ongoing US-Iran talks that began in Oman last week. <h2>Iran Rejects Talks on Ballistic Missiles</h2> Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran has refused to discuss ballistic missiles, regional proxy groups or internal repression during negotiations. Iran has also rejected demands to shut down its nuclear project or permanently give up its ability to carry out a nuclear explosion. As tensions with Washington continue alongside negotiations, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a message to the Iranian people. <h2>Khamenei Urges Resolve Over Military Hardware</h2> In a televised address, Khamenei said national strength depends more on determination and the ability to deliver a strong response than on military hardware such as missiles and aircraft. His remarks come as Iran prepares nationwide rallies on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution’s victory. “Until the enemy is disappointed, a nation remains under oppression,” Khamenei said, according to China’s Xinhua news agency. “The enemy must be made to despair.”

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/israel-warns-of-solo-military-action-as-us-iran-tensions-rise-ahead-of-netanyahu-s-washington-visit-1826257

Buckingham Palace commits to support UK police probe into King’s brother Andrew

London, Feb 9 (PTI): Buckingham Palace on Monday said it “stands ready” to support a police investigation into the conduct of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III, after further damaging claims emerged over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Thames Valley Police confirmed it is assessing allegations against Andrew that he may have passed on confidential information to Epstein in his former role as the UK’s trade envoy. According to the BBC, emails released in the US appear to show that Andrew forwarded reports to Epstein, including one from November 2010 sent by his then Indian-origin special assistant Amit Patel, related to official trade visits. The anti-monarchy group, Republic, reported the matter to the police for "suspected misconduct in public office and breach of official secrets”. "We can confirm receipt of this report and are assessing the information in line with our established procedures," said a Thames Valley Police spokesperson. Andrew, stripped of all his royal titles by the King last year, has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing. "The King has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's conduct," Buckingham Palace said in a statement. "While the specific claims in question are for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect. "As was previously stated, Their Majesties’ [Charles and Camilla] thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse," the statement reads. It followed the 77-year-old monarch being heckled by members of the public during a royal visit to the town of Clitheroe in north-west England earlier on Monday. Prince William and Kate Middleton’s office had also been forced to issue a statement on behalf of the Prince and Princess of Wales as the royal circles came under mounting pressure over the issue. "I can confirm the Prince and Princess have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations. Their thoughts remain focused on the victims," Kensington Palace said. The scandal has continued to dominate the headlines as documents continue to be released as part of a US Congress inquiry into the late Jeffrey Epstein. It has shaken up the UK government, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer fighting to hold on to his job over a decision to appoint a politician tainted by his close links with the sex offender as the US ambassador. While he later sacked Peter Mandelson as the UK’s envoy to Washington DC, Starmer's judgment has been called into question by the Opposition and his own Labour Party MPs. Anas Sarwar, the British Pakistani leader of the Scottish Labour Party, went as far as to openly call for his resignation ahead of elections coming up for the devolved Parliament in Scotland. “We cannot allow the failures at the heart of Downing Street to mean the failures continue here in Scotland, because the election in May is not without consequence for the lives of Scots," said Sarwar. However, it led to Starmer’s top team of Cabinet ministers rallying around their leader and expressing confidence in his leadership. PTI AK GRS GRS GRS(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/buckingham-palace-commits-to-support-uk-police-probe-into-king-s-brother-andrew-1826254