Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claimed Pakistan won't need IMF loans within six months due to surging fighter jet orders following the May 2025 India-Pakistan mini-war. However, experts dismiss this as unrealistic. Political scientist Ayesha Siddiqa noted Pakistan only manufactures 35% of JF-17's airframe, sharing revenues with China. Pakistan's total debt exceeds $280-300 billion, with debt servicing consuming over half of federal revenues. Economist Qaiser Bengali stated Pakistan has "already defaulted," surviving only by taking new loans to repay old ones. Pakistan recently sold its national airline PIA for Rs 4,300 crore under IMF pressure, contradicting Asif's optimistic claims about economic independence through jet sales.

Pakistani PhD student Zorain Nizamani's op-ed "It Is Over" went viral after being removed from The Express Tribune hours after publication, allegedly under military pressure. The article argued Pakistan's ruling elites have lost influence over younger generations, stating forced patriotism through seminars and speeches no longer works. Nizamani claimed Gen Z and Gen Alpha see through propaganda thanks to internet access and education, despite state efforts. He noted frustrated youth are leaving Pakistan rather than challenging authorities. The censorship sparked massive backlash, with former PM Imran Khan's PTI and activists condemning the removal as proof of the article's truth. Nizamani, son of actors Fazila Qazi and Qaiser Khan Nizamani, became a national hero online. 

Russia strongly condemned the US seizure of Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera (formerly Bella 1) in the North Atlantic, asserting no state has authority to use force against lawfully registered vessels on the high seas. Russia's Ministry of Transport stated the vessel received a temporary Russian flag permit on December 24, 2025, per international law, before US Naval forces boarded it outside territorial waters. Citing the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, Moscow emphasized freedom of navigation rights. The US European Command confirmed seizing the sanctioned tanker after weeks of Coast Guard pursuit, executing a federal court warrant. The vessel had evaded a US blockade near Venezuela for over two weeks, escalating US-Russia maritime tensions. (PC: AP)

The United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker, Marinera, in the North Atlantic after tracking it for more than two weeks, officials said. The ship, earlier known as Bella 1, is accused of violating US sanctions linked to Venezuelan and Iranian oil. The US military said the action was led by Homeland Security with support from defence agencies. Russia’s foreign ministry called for “humane and dignified treatment” of Russian crew and said force against registered vessels was not allowed under maritime law. The UK Ministry of Defence said British forces gave “enabling support” to the operation. US officials also confirmed a second Venezuela-linked tanker was seized in the Caribbean.

The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence said British forces helped the United States seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic. The vessel, known as the Marinera and formerly the Bella 1, was tracked between Iceland and Scotland before US forces took control on Wednesday. UK support included Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft and the naval support ship RFA Tideforce, the MoD said. Defence Secretary John Healey stated the action was in compliance with international law and part of wider efforts to enforce sanctions. The tanker is linked to networks accused of evading sanctions on Venezuelan and Iranian oil. A second Venezuela-linked tanker was also seized by US forces in the Caribbean. (PC: BBC)

The United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, with the United Kingdom confirming it supported the operation. The White House said the vessel, Marinera, violated US sanctions and was linked to Venezuelan oil shipments. UK defence officials said British forces provided air surveillance and a navy ship during the seizure. A US court authorised the action, officials added. Washington also said it boarded another tanker in the Caribbean as part of the same operation. Russia criticised the move, saying the ship was only temporarily flagged to Russia and warned against the use of force. US officials said the tanker’s crew could face prosecution if required.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday mocked French President Emmanuel Macron while recalling a tariff dispute. Trump claimed he warned France of a 25 per cent tariff on all imports unless it raised drug prices. “Donald, you have a deal. I beg you,” Trump said, imitating Macron. He claimed France tripled drug prices after the threat, while US prices fell. Trump said similar pressure worked with other countries too. He linked the move to his “Most Favoured Nation” policy aimed at lowering US drug costs. France has not responded to the remarks.

Videos circulating online show Hamas leader Naji Zaheer at a Lashkar-e-Taiba camp in Pakistan’s Gujranwala, raising fresh security concerns. Zaheer is said to be a close aide of Hamas leader Khaled Mashal. Reports say he was invited as a chief guest at the event. This comes as Pakistan faces pressure from the US to send troops to Gaza. Analysts say the sighting points to growing links between Hamas and Pakistan-based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Pakistan has not confirmed the visit. The development could complicate Islamabad’s position on any Gaza deployment amid domestic and global scrutiny. (PC: AFP)

The United States has seized a second oil tanker linked to Venezuelan oil in the Caribbean, the US Southern Command said on Wednesday. The vessel, identified as the M/T Sophia, was taken in international waters and is being escorted to the United States, officials said. This follows the earlier capture of a Russian-flagged tanker, the Marinera, in the North Atlantic. US forces and the Coast Guard conducted the operations under sanctions enforcement for carrying oil tied to Venezuela. The actions are part of wider US efforts to disrupt sanctioned oil shipments. No details on crew or cargo were released. (PC: BBC)

The US has confirmed seizing the oil tanker Marinera (formerly M/V Bella 1) in the North Atlantic for violating US sanctions on Russia and Venezuela. The US European Command announced the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security seized the vessel pursuant to a federal court warrant after tracking by USCGC Munro. The tanker had been sailing under a Russian flag after renaming from its Guyana registration while fleeing US pursuit in the Atlantic. Three US Air Force special operations aircraft departed Scotland's Wick Airport heading toward Iceland's Reykjavik, with a British RAF military transport also heading there, though their connection to the tanker operation remains unclear. The announcement follows White House comments suggesting military action in Greenland remains "always an option." (PC: Reuters)