US Secretary of State urges realism on Venezuela transition

IANS | January 4, 2026 9:12 PM

Washington, Jan 4 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday said expectations of an immediate democratic transition in Venezuela are unrealistic, cautioning against demands for instant elections following the arrest of Nicolás Maduro.

Peca in Pakistan used against journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders: Report

IANS | January 4, 2026 9:04 PM

Islamabad, Jan 4 (IANS) The amendments to Pakistan's Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) were made in an opaque manner and passed by the Parliament in January last year without any consultations or debate, and though Senators had said that the amended law would not be used against journalists, the promise was broken as was clear from the intent behind introducing these amendments, a rights activist said.

Marco Rubio outlines US pressure strategy on Venezuela

IANS | January 4, 2026 9:03 PM

Washington, Jan 4 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday said the Donald Trump administration is relying on economic pressure, naval enforcement and oil sanctions to shape developments in Venezuela, as Washington seeks to curb drug trafficking, foreign influence and regional instability emanating from the country.

Rubio says US is using oil quarantine to pressure Venezuela

IANS | January 4, 2026 8:53 PM

Washington, Jan 4 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that the Trump administration is exerting control over Venezuela through economic and maritime pressure centred on the country's oil industry, rejecting suggestions that Washington is planning a military occupation.

'Pakistan reeling under mounting unemployment'

IANS | January 4, 2026 8:33 PM

New Delhi, Jan 4 (IANS) The Pakistan government "continues to peddle a comforting unemployment rate of 7 per cent", yet, according to prominent economist Dr Hafeez Pasha, the real figure is closer to 22 per cent, according to an article in the Pakistani media.

IMF’s orthodoxy set to consign Pakistan to a low-growth trap: Report

IANS | January 4, 2026 7:48 PM

New Delhi, Jan 4 (IANS) The IMF’s orthodoxy is set to consign Pakistan to a low-growth trap for years and without a fundamental rethink of the current strategy, and a change in the sham nature of the fiscal austerity being imposed, the economy will continue to be impaired for the long term, while ordinary Pakistanis will continue to suffer needlessly, a new report has warned.