Monday, January 5th, 2026
President Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty to charges of narco-terrorism
NEW YORK: Toppled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges of narco-terrorism after President Donald Trump’s stunning capture of him rattled world leaders and left officials in Caracas scrambling to respond. Maduro, 63, pleaded not guilty in New York federal court to four criminal counts that include narco-terrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. Maduro is accused of overseeing a cocaine-trafficking network that partnered with violent groups including Mexico’s Sinaloa and Zetas cartels, Colombian FARC rebels and Venezuela’s Tren de AraguaRead More
Pakistan focus to enhance cooperation in health sector with Russia
ISLAMABAD, Jan 05 (APP/DNA): Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal held an important meeting on Monday with Pakistan Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, focusing on strengthening Pak-Russia cooperation in the health sector. During the meeting, both sides held detailed discussions on potential partnerships in medical technology, vaccine production, pharmaceutical trade and medical education. The two dignitaries emphasised the need to help improve public health systems and promote joint initiatives at the international level. Key areas discussed also included technical cooperation with Russian health institutions, exchange of expertise andRead More
SC accepts appeal regarding powers of session judges
ISLAMABAD, Jan 05 (APP/DNA): The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday accepted the appeals against the decision of the Lahore High Court (LHC) related to the powers of the sessions judges. According to the details, the Supreme Court has quashed the Lahore High Court’s order to transfer the case to the Sessions Judge, while restoring the decision of the Sessions Judge, Kasur, regarding the transfer of the case.The case was heard by a three-member bench headed by Justice Jamal Mandokhel. Justice Jamal Mandokhel inquired whether the Sessions Judge can transfer theRead More
Crackdown against Afghan Nationals
Mehtab Pirzada RAWALPINDI, Senior Superintendent of Police SSP Operations Rawalpindi, Malik Tariq Mehboob, Monday directed police officials to intensify action against Afghan nationals and other foreign residents found involved in illegal activities, stressing strict enforcement of the law to maintain peace and order in the district. He issued these directives while chairing a meeting at the Police Lines Headquarters to review the performance of police station staff. The meeting was attended by muharrars and DFSCs from police stations across Rawalpindi district. During the meeting, the SSP Operations emphasized that addressingRead More
Power, Oil, and Pressure
By Muhammad Omar Iftikhar Distrust has long defined U.S.–Venezuela relations. What began as political disagreement escalated into confrontation driven by oil interests, ideological rivalry, and competing ideas of sovereignty. Venezuela mattered to Washington not for moral reasons but for strategic ones: vast oil reserves and its place within the U.S.’ traditional sphere of influence made it economically vital yet politically defiant. This tension shaped decades of engagement. The decisive rupture came in 1998 with Hugo Chávez’s election. Promising redistribution and national control over resources, Chávez challenged U.S. dominance while remainingRead More
Address of the President of Uzbekistan – stratetic vector of the country’s future development
By: Eldor Aripov The President’s annual address represents a strategic pivot for Uzbekistan, transitioning from rapid reform to institutionalised, sustainable growth, according to a leading policy analyst. Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies (ISRS), stated that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s recent Address to the Oliy Majlis is a “strategic policy document” marking a “qualitatively new stage of development.” He described the speech as the blueprint for “the institutional consolidation of reforms and the formation of a sustainable growth model oriented toward the long term.” Aripov’s analysisRead More