Washington, Jan 29 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told lawmakers that Venezuela under Nicolas Maduro had become a strategic base for China, Russia, and Iran in the Western Hemisphere, warning that Beijing had been receiving Venezuelan oil at deep discounts while expanding its influence close to the United States.
Washington, Jan 29 (IANS) The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady. Chair Jerome Powell said inflation is still “somewhat elevated,” with tariffs pushing up goods prices.
New Delhi, Jan 28 (IANS) Foreign Ministers and top officials of 20 countries have confirmed their participation for the India-Arab Foreign Ministers meeting (FMM) and 4th India-Arab Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) 2026 which will take place this week, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted on Wednesday.
Washington, Jan 28 (IANS) As China prepares for the 'Two Sessions' in March, the country’s biggest annual political event, new appointments are expected with key positions to be filled by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s handpicked loyalists. However, new appointments cannot hide the fact that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) aim is to become a world-class military in the coming years and will encounter immediate challenges, a report said on Wednesday.
Islamabad, Jan 28 (IANS) Pakistan's renewed relevance and facade of internal stability, secured through the suppression of dissent and temporary major power favour, remain fragile as the hybrid regime still struggles to secure public trust, and the illusion of order "carries the seeds of its undoing", a report said on Wednesday.
Dhaka, Jan 28 (IANS) Although Bangladesh's radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami signals when convenient that it will not implement Shariah if it comes to power, its leaders, including candidates for the February 12 general elections--openly advocate establishing Shariah law on television talk shows. Similarly, at the grassroots level, mid, lower-tier leaders and workers promote voting for the Jamaat electoral symbol 'daripalla' (balance scale) symbol as a religious duty, while some even present it as a “ticket to paradise”, a report said on Wednesday.
Washington, Jan 28 (IANS) Pakistan-based Islamic terrorist organisations are diversifying their fundraising tactics and finding ways to evade global oversight. These groups exploit humanitarian activities, mosques, rescue operations and wars to raise funds worldwide — including in the US, while spreading “militant Islamic messages” and bolstering terrorist activities, a report said on Wednesday.
Dhaka, Jan 28 (IANS) The 13th Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, scheduled to be held on February 12, stand out for two features - no participation of Awami League, which is country's oldest political party and the small number of women contesting in the polls, a report has detailed.
Washington, Jan 28 (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Wednesday asked Iran to move quickly toward negotiations as a large American naval force advanced to the region, raising pressure on Tehran amid heightened Middle East tensions.
Tokyo, Jan 28 (IANS) Early voting for Japan's House of Representatives election scheduled for February 8 started at Japanese diplomatic missions worldwide and designated places in Japan on Wednesday, local media reported.
