North Korea launched two ballistic missiles from its eastern coast, marking its first such test in two months. The launch coincided with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s visit to China, according to TRT World. The previous missile test by Pyongyang took place in November, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump approved South Korea’s plan to build nuclear-powered submarines.

The missile launches come just before a historic conference of North Korea’s ruling party, the first in five years, where economic and defense strategies are expected to be discussed. In preparation for the meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered the construction of additional factories to expand and modernize missile production.

State media reported that Kim recently inspected a weapons production facility and directed a 250 percent increase in production capacity. The timing of the launches and Kim’s directives underscore Pyongyang’s continued emphasis on strengthening its defense capabilities ahead of major political events.

Three people, including two members of the Pakistan Army and a civilian machine operator, were killed while clearing accumulated snow in Gilgit-Baltistan. According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation took place during the night of January 2 to 3, using heavy machinery under the leadership of Captain Asmad.

At around 2 a.m. on January 3, heavy snowfall trapped Captain Asmad, two soldiers, and the civilian operator. All four were later rescued, but Captain Asmad, Sepoy Rizwan, and operator Aishar succumbed to their deteriorating conditions. The ISPR stated that they carried out a challenging mission to ensure military movement despite extreme weather conditions and made the ultimate sacrifice.

The statement further emphasized that their dedication and sacrifice reflect the Pakistan Armed Forces’ unwavering commitment to defending the homeland and fulfilling their duties with devotion.

The Pakistan Air Force on Saturday successfully conducted a flight test of the indigenously developed Taimur air-launched cruise missile, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The missile is capable of accurately hitting targets up to 600 kilometers away and can engage both land and sea-based objectives. The ISPR described the test as a significant milestone in strengthening the country’s aerospace and defense capabilities.

The Taimur missile is equipped with advanced navigation and guidance systems and can fly at very low altitudes to evade enemy air and missile defense systems. Senior military officials, along with scientists and engineers involved in the missile’s development, were present during the test. Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu congratulated the team for their professionalism and dedication, calling the achievement a reflection of Pakistan’s technological self-reliance and credible conventional deterrence.

According to the ISPR, the successful test demonstrates the Pakistan Air Force’s operational readiness, technological advancement, and continued efforts to achieve national security objectives.

The United Kingdom has asked for clarification from the United States after President Donald Trump said Washington would oversee Venezuela’s government following the arrest of Nicolás Maduro. Trump made the remarks on Saturday during a press conference in Florida, where he stated that the U.S. would manage the country until a safe and fair transfer of power could be ensured. Senior U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, were present at the event.

Speaking to Sky News, UK Treasury Chief Secretary Darren Jones said it was unclear what Trump meant by saying Washington would “run” Venezuela’s government. Jones emphasized that Britain does not support colonialism and that determining Venezuela’s political future is not the role of any third country. He declined to comment on whether U.S. actions violated international law, saying that was a matter for international courts.

The UK’s request for clarity highlights growing international concern over the implications of U.S. involvement in Venezuela’s transitional governance following Maduro’s detention.

Retired US Lieutenant General Ben Hodges has issued a strong warning against American intervention in Venezuela, saying that removing President Nicolás Maduro would be the easy part but the real challenge would begin afterward. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Hodges said he doubts the US government has a clear plan for what comes next, drawing parallels between current US confidence and the overconfidence seen during the early stages of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Responding to President Donald Trump’s comments about not fearing to put “boots on the ground,” Hodges cautioned that military involvement without clear strategic goals and solid political and civilian planning is extremely risky. Based on his experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, he warned that lack of preparation could lead to loss of control.

Hodges, a former commander of US Army forces in Europe, also noted that Cuba is entangled in the crisis, as Venezuela’s oil supply is vital to Havana. He claimed around 30,000 Cuban workers are in Venezuela and said the US administration’s new national security strategy signals a push to reinforce its influence across the Western Hemisphere.

At least 40 soldiers of Myanmar’s junta were killed in coordinated attacks by anti-junta resistance fighters in Yesdase town of Bago region, south of the capital Naypyidaw. The assaults took place on Tuesday, according to a statement released Thursday by the Naypyidaw People’s Defense Force (PDF). The group said it targeted junta positions on both sides of the Sittang River, focusing on military outposts in Doyetan, Khintanle, and Omyatu villages.

The PDF reported that the first attack began around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday near a camp in Doyetan, where about 40 soldiers were stationed, killing two and seizing ammunition. About an hour later, resistance fighters ambushed a convoy of 70 junta troops sent to reinforce the camp, killing at least 20. A separate midday assault in Omyatu village left another 20 soldiers dead, with three captured and a large cache of weapons and ammunition seized.

The PDF claimed full control of Omyatu village following the attacks, marking one of the deadliest recent clashes in the Bago region.

At least 40 soldiers of Myanmar’s junta were killed in coordinated attacks by anti-junta resistance fighters in Yesdase town of Bago region, south of the capital Naypyidaw. The assaults took place on Tuesday, according to a statement released Thursday by the Naypyidaw People’s Defense Force (PDF). The group said it targeted junta positions on both sides of the Sittang River, focusing on military outposts in Doyetan, Khintanle, and Omyatu villages.

The PDF reported that the first attack began around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday near a camp in Doyetan, where about 40 soldiers were stationed, killing two and seizing ammunition. About an hour later, resistance fighters ambushed a convoy of 70 junta troops sent to reinforce the camp, killing at least 20. A separate midday assault in Omyatu village left another 20 soldiers dead, with three captured and a large cache of weapons and ammunition seized.

The PDF claimed full control of Omyatu village following the attacks, marking one of the deadliest recent clashes in the Bago region.

Almost one million Indian nationals living in Canada are at risk of losing their legal residency status within the next few months as their work permits approach expiration. According to immigration consultant Kanwar Serah in Mississauga, data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows that by the end of 2025, about 1.053 million work permits will have expired, with another 927,000 set to expire in 2026. The Canadian government is also reducing opportunities for new visa applicants and permanent residency, which could intensify the situation.

Serah warned that if migrants fail to apply for new visas or permanent residency, they will lose their legal right to stay in the country. Temporary workers and international students are expected to be the most affected. He noted that Canada has never faced such a large number of immigrants losing legal status before, with around 315,000 expected to become undocumented in early 2026 and over 291,000 by late 2025.

By mid-2026, at least two million people could be living in Canada without legal status, nearly half of them Indian nationals. Serah emphasized that stricter rules will apply to Indian citizens and that the number of undocumented migrants will continue to rise over the next two years.

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a clear warning to Colombian President Gustavo Petro following the capture and transfer of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to the United States. Speaking at a press conference in Florida, Trump accused Petro of overseeing cocaine production and trafficking operations that send drugs into the U.S. He claimed Petro runs cocaine factories and urged close monitoring of his activities.

Before the operation in Venezuela, Trump had repeatedly accused Caracas of involvement in illegal drug smuggling into the United States. In his latest remarks, he also criticized Cuba, describing it as a “failed state” and blaming its leadership for decades of economic hardship. Trump suggested that Cuba could soon become a central topic in U.S. policy discussions.

Trump added that the U.S. wants to help the Cuban people and those who have migrated from Cuba to live in America, signaling potential future engagement on Cuban issues.

The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence announced that the Royal Air Force, in coordination with France, carried out a joint airstrike on Saturday night targeting an underground facility in Syria. The site was believed to be used by ISIS for storing weapons and explosives. Officials stated that the target was located in a sparsely populated area and that the operation posed no risk to civilians.

Although ISIS was territorially defeated in Syria in 2019, the group remains active in the country’s desert regions. Palmyra, known for its UNESCO-listed ancient ruins, was previously under ISIS control. The latest strike follows an attack last month in Palmyra by a lone ISIS gunman that killed two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian. In response, U.S. forces launched airstrikes on several ISIS targets across Syria.

The joint UK-France operation underscores continued international efforts to suppress ISIS activities in Syria’s remote areas following renewed militant attacks.

Anti-narcotics experts have stated that Venezuela’s role in global drug trafficking is relatively small, serving primarily as a transit point for narcotics produced elsewhere. Neighboring Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine producer, but most of its output reaches the United States through routes other than Venezuela. According to a 2020 report by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), about three-quarters of the cocaine entering the U.S. travels via the Pacific Ocean, with only a small portion coming through the Caribbean.

Although earlier U.S. operations targeted Caribbean routes, recent enforcement efforts have shifted focus to the Pacific. In September, former U.S. President Donald Trump told military leaders that intercepted boats carried bags of white powder, mainly fentanyl and other drugs. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid about 50 times stronger than heroin, has become a leading cause of overdose deaths in the U.S. On December 15, Trump issued an executive order designating fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction.”

However, the DEA’s 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment did not identify Venezuela as a source of fentanyl trafficked into the United States, noting that the drug is primarily produced in Mexico and smuggled across the southern border by land.

At least 40 people were killed in a United States military operation in Venezuela reportedly aimed at abducting President Nicolás Maduro, according to a senior Venezuelan official cited by The New York Times. The casualties included both military personnel and civilians. The report said the US forces launched a large-scale assault to destroy Venezuela’s air defense systems before landing troops on the ground.

US officials were quoted as saying that more than 150 American aircraft were deployed to neutralize Venezuela’s air defenses, allowing military helicopters to safely deploy troops who then attacked Maduro’s position. The operation’s details and the exact number of casualties have not been officially confirmed.

The White House and the Pentagon did not immediately comment when contacted regarding the reported attack or its aftermath.

Large-scale protests took place across major US cities including Washington DC, New York, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles against President Donald Trump’s military operation in Venezuela and the reported abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. Demonstrators carried Venezuelan flags and chanted slogans opposing the military action, braving freezing temperatures and rain to express their dissent.

Protesters held placards reading “No war against Venezuela” and “Hands off Latin America.” In Los Angeles, a Party for Socialism and Liberation organizer named Cameron criticized US motives, saying the country prioritizes profit over people. The Chicago-based Anti-War Committee stated that they oppose the use of public funds to fuel imperialist wars and reject any attack on Venezuela’s sovereignty.

The protests reflect growing domestic opposition to US military involvement in Latin America, with participants demanding an end to interventionist policies and respect for Venezuela’s independence.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep concern over the US operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. In a statement released through his spokesperson, Guterres warned that the operation could have alarming consequences for the entire region. He emphasized that the action in Venezuela set a dangerous precedent and called for full respect for the UN Charter and international law.

The Secretary-General voiced particular concern that international law had not been respected in this case. He urged Venezuela to engage in dialogue while upholding human rights and the rule of law. The statement came as Colombia, backed by Russia and China, called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council scheduled for Monday.

According to reports, the aircraft carrying Maduro landed at Stewart Air National Guard Base, about 70 kilometers from New York City, on Saturday evening. He was later transported by helicopter to Manhattan for initial legal processing at the US Drug Enforcement Administration headquarters before being moved to a Brooklyn prison.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on all nations to abide by international law following US President Donald Trump’s announcement that American forces had conducted a large-scale operation to detain Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Speaking from London, Starmer described the situation as rapidly evolving and clarified that the United Kingdom had no involvement in the operation. He urged patience until the full facts of the incident are verified.

The report noted that the UK has not yet recognized the results of Venezuela’s disputed 2024 election, in which Maduro secured a third term. London has consistently supported a peaceful and negotiated transfer of power in the country, maintaining its stance on democratic processes and stability in Venezuela.

Starmer’s remarks reflect the UK’s cautious diplomatic approach as global attention turns to the unfolding developments in Venezuela and their potential implications for international relations.