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.

India’s top business magnates, including Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, are facing mounting challenges under U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term. Expectations that his administration would strengthen U.S.-India relations have faded as tariffs on Indian goods were doubled to 50 percent, following Trump’s frustration over India’s continued oil imports from Russia. The move has directly impacted Indian trade and strained diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Washington. Ambani’s Reliance Industries, which profited from refining discounted Russian crude, has been hit hard by new U.S. trade measures. Adani, meanwhile, faces corruption allegations in U.S. courts, with cases filed by the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Despite lobbying efforts and investments aimed at improving relations, both businessmen are struggling to gain traction with the Trump administration. Analysts note that early optimism about a close Trump-Modi partnership has given way to disappointment as U.S. attention toward India wanes. Indian business circles now hope that a new trade agreement could ease tensions and reduce tariffs, though many acknowledge that earlier assumptions about Trump’s unwavering support were unrealistic.

Venezuelan Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed the duties of president following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro in a United States military operation. Under Articles 233 and 234 of Venezuela’s constitution, the vice president takes over when the president is temporarily or permanently absent. Rodríguez, who also served as finance and oil minister, confirmed her assumption of office on Saturday afternoon and chaired a National Defense Council meeting hours after Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were detained. She demanded their immediate release and condemned the US action as a severe violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and international law. Rodríguez, 56, is a longtime ally of Maduro and a leading figure in the Chavismo movement founded by Hugo Chávez. She previously served as communications minister, foreign minister, and president of the Constituent National Assembly before becoming vice president in 2018. Analysts described her as one of the most powerful and hardline figures in the current system. Although US President Donald Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with Rodríguez and that she showed willingness to work with Washington, she publicly denied any cooperation and reaffirmed loyalty to Maduro. Rodríguez has since become the most visible face of the Venezuelan government amid uncertainty over Maduro’s fate.

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.

A Habiganj court has granted bail to Mahdi Hasan, member secretary of the local branch of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, 15 hours after his detention. The bail was approved on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at around 10 a.m. by the Habiganj Judicial Magistrate Court. Hasan had been taken into custody following an altercation with Officer-in-Charge Abul Kalam of Shayestaganj Police Station and was later shown arrested in a case accusing him of misconduct toward police and obstruction of government duties. Following his detention, more than a hundred activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement gathered in front of Habiganj Sadar Model Police Station from Saturday evening until Sunday morning, demanding an immediate court hearing for Hasan’s bail. Meanwhile, a video of Hasan’s conversation with the officer circulated on social media, showing a heated exchange between the two. The incident has drawn attention locally due to the viral video and the mobilization of student activists demanding Hasan’s release.

Venezuela’s Supreme Court has appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as the country’s acting president after the United States detained President Nicolás Maduro and took him to New York. The court issued the order on Saturday night, declaring that Maduro is temporarily unable to perform his duties. The decision was announced during a televised session on state channel VTV, where Justice Tania D’Amelio stated that Rodríguez will assume all powers and responsibilities of the presidency. According to Venezuela’s constitution, the vice president must take over presidential duties in cases of temporary or complete absence of the president. Reuters reported that the Supreme Court emphasized the importance of Rodríguez’s appointment to ensure administrative continuity and national defense. The court also plans to hold hearings to determine the legal framework for maintaining state continuity and sovereignty in the face of the president’s forced absence. The ruling marks a significant shift in Venezuela’s leadership structure as the country faces uncertainty following Maduro’s detention abroad.

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.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his administration will work with an interim arrangement to manage Venezuela’s affairs until a safe, fair, and legitimate transfer of power is completed. He expressed support for Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume responsibility in this transitional framework. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Trump said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is maintaining regular contact with Rodríguez, who appears willing to cooperate in line with U.S. expectations. According to reports from BBC and Reuters, Rodríguez was a long-time close ally of recently ousted President Nicolás Maduro and served as his vice president. Her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, currently leads Venezuela’s National Assembly. The Rodríguez siblings have long been influential figures within Maduro’s government. Following a recent U.S. military operation, Venezuela’s political landscape has shifted rapidly, prompting Rodríguez to move toward cooperation with the Trump administration. Trump’s administration stated that the interim arrangement aims to restore political stability in Venezuela and ensure an internationally recognized transfer of power, with Rodríguez expected to play a central role in the process.

New York City’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has sharply criticized the United States for detaining Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and bringing him to New York. According to Mamdani, the US operation in Venezuela amounts to an act of war and violates both international and federal law. The statement was reported by CNN. Mamdani said he had been informed about the operation and Maduro’s detention. He described the unilateral action against a sovereign nation as a clear attempt at regime change that affects not only people abroad but also New Yorkers, including thousands of Venezuelan immigrants who consider the city their home. He emphasized that his administration’s main priority is ensuring the safety of all New Yorkers, including members of the Venezuelan community. The mayor added that his administration will closely monitor the situation and provide necessary guidance. The report noted that the number of Venezuelan immigrants in New York City has significantly increased over the past three years, with many settling permanently in the city.

The government has issued a gazette prohibiting the extraction of groundwater for irrigation in the Barind region, covering 4,911 mouzas across Rajshahi, Naogaon, Chapainawabganj, and Natore districts. The order allows groundwater use only for drinking purposes. Farmers in the area, who depend heavily on groundwater for crop cultivation, have expressed deep concern, warning that the sudden ban without alternative irrigation systems or subsidies could reduce crop production by about 2.7 million tons this season and leave 2.54 million hectares of land uncultivated. Experts and local farmers argue that the decision disregards the agricultural realities of the drought-prone Barind area, where the government itself had promoted deep tube-well irrigation since the 1980s through the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority. They say the ban shifts responsibility for groundwater depletion onto farmers while ignoring the state’s institutional role in creating the system. Officials and researchers have urged phased implementation, farmer consultation, and interim support to prevent economic and social crises. The Barind region’s future agricultural stability remains uncertain as stakeholders call for reconsideration of the gazette and development of sustainable water management alternatives.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, naming Liton Das as captain and Saif Hasan as vice-captain. The announcement was made on Sunday through an official press release. The squad includes regular players who have been part of the T20 setup in recent months, with no major surprises in selection. Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Ripon Mondol, who had been in discussion for their recent performances, were not included in the final squad. Lower middle-order batter Zakir Ali Anik was also left out due to poor form. The team includes Nurul Hasan Sohan and Mohammad Saifuddin among others. Bangladesh will begin their World Cup campaign against the West Indies on February 7, followed by matches against Italy, England, and Nepal. The first three group-stage matches are scheduled to be held in Kolkata and the final one in Mumbai. However, the BCB plans to send a letter to the ICC requesting that the matches not be held in India due to the current political situation.

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.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro arrived in the United States on Saturday, landing at Stewart Air National Guard Base, about 70 kilometers from New York City. According to reports, the plane carrying Maduro landed around 5 p.m. Eastern Time. After landing, he was transported by helicopter to Manhattan’s West Side Heliport and then to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration headquarters for initial legal processing. Authorities plan to transfer him to a detention facility in Brooklyn following the court procedures. U.S. media footage showed FBI officers positioned near the aircraft door as Maduro, wearing a blue jacket and partially covering his face, was escorted down the stairs by American officials. He was surrounded by members of the FBI and DEA. Reports indicate that preparations are underway to present him before a federal court in Manhattan on charges related to drug and arms trafficking. The Brooklyn detention center where Maduro is expected to be held is known for housing high-profile inmates, including R. Kelly, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Sean “Diddy” Combs. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed responsibility for Maduro’s capture in Venezuela and released a photo of him in custody.

Spain has offered to mediate between the United States and Venezuela after tensions escalated following a US attack in Caracas and the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was taken out of the country. According to an AFP report, Spain’s foreign ministry issued a statement on Saturday urging restraint and expressing readiness to help ease the situation. The ministry said Spain did not recognize the results of Venezuela’s July 28, 2024, presidential election, in which the National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner despite opposition rejection. Opposition candidate González Urrutia fled to Madrid after the election. Spain also noted that it has already granted asylum to thousands of Venezuelans forced to leave for political reasons and will continue to do so. The statement emphasized Spain’s willingness to support a democratic, negotiated, and peaceful resolution for Venezuela, highlighting its ongoing humanitarian and diplomatic engagement with Venezuelan political developments.

Owners of lighter cargo vessels transporting goods through Bangladesh’s waterways have accused a syndicate linked to senior Awami League figures of monopolizing the sector and withholding large payments. Despite arrests of several members after August 5, 2024, others remain active. The owners claim they must pay the group to operate at Chittagong’s outer anchorage and across the country. They have issued a 10-point demand to the government, including enforcement of the 2024 transport policy, payment of overdue demurrage, and dissolution of the syndicate, warning of a nationwide vessel shutdown if ignored. The dispute centers on control of the Bangladesh Water Transport Coordination Cell (BWTCC). Owners allege that Awami-linked businessman Haji Shafiq Ahmed unlawfully declared himself convener to misappropriate about Tk 500 crore owed to them. They also accuse agents of using vessels as floating warehouses to create artificial market shortages. Government officials acknowledge unresolved corruption and policy violations but deny aiding the syndicate. The standoff has left many vessel owners in debt, with hundreds forced to scrap ships. The government faces pressure to enforce maritime policy and resolve payment disputes to restore order in the inland shipping sector.