Venezuela accused the United States of “extortion” at an emergency UN Security Council meeting after Washington seized two Venezuelan oil tankers this month. Venezuela’s UN envoy Samuel Moncada said the action was piracy and illegal. The US said it is also tracking a third tanker. President Donald Trump earlier ordered a naval blockade on sanctioned oil ships linked to the Maduro government. He accused President Nicolas Maduro of leading drug groups. The US said it may keep or sell the seized oil and vessels. Russia and China criticised the US move and urged it to stop. The US said the actions target drug trafficking in the region. (PC: BBC)

A fresh batch of nearly 30,000 documents from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Jeffrey Epstein files includes numerous references to President Donald Trump, showing he flew on Epstein’s private jet in the 1990s, sometimes with an unnamed 20-year-old woman and Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, according to a senior prosecutor email. The files also contain internal communications and photos tied to Epstein and his circle—but do not allege criminal conduct by Trump. The DOJ labeled many claims involving Trump as “untrue and sensationalist,” emphasizing transparency in releasing the records. (PC: AP)

Several explosions were heard in southern Moscow on Wednesday at the location where Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov was killed by a car bomb days earlier, according to Russian Telegram channels citing eyewitness reports. Unofficial sources said a car detonated nearby and at least two people were seriously injured, though no official confirmation has been issued by authorities. Sarvarov’s assassination came amid a series of targeted attacks on senior Russian military figures since the Ukraine conflict began, with some accusations pointing toward possible involvement of Ukrainian intelligence services, which Moscow has repeatedly denied. (PC: Reuters)

Controversial figures Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya sparked widespread outrage after a viral video showed them at a lavish London party, where Modi referred to both as “the two biggest fugitives of India.” The footage was shared on social media from Mallya’s 70th birthday celebration, capturing the pair joking about their legal status abroad while evading Indian authorities. Their remarks and public display have drawn sharp backlash online, with critics accusing them of taunting India’s law enforcement and judicial processes. Both men have been living overseas amid ongoing legal challenges. 

The United States has finalised a major overhaul of the H-1B work visa programme, replacing the longstanding random lottery system with a weighted selection process that prioritises higher-paid and higher-skilled foreign workers. The new rule, announced by the Department of Homeland Security, will take effect February 27, 2026, ahead of the FY2027 H-1B cap season, and applies to about 85,000 visas issued annually. Officials say the change aims to curb abuse of the old lottery, protect US workers’ wages and better align visa allocation with economic needs. This shift could make it harder for entry-level applicants, including many from India, to secure H-1B visas. 

Sharif Osman Hadi's brother Omar directly accused Muhammad Yunus's interim government of killing the prominent youth leader to cancel Bangladesh's forthcoming elections. The 32-year-old activist and Inqilab Manch spokesperson was shot in Dhaka on December 12 during a campaign event, dying December 18 in Singapore, triggering nationwide unrest. Omar confronted authorities, warning "If you can't give justice then you have to flee," demanding accountability for "those in power" responsible. "You killed Osman Hadi and want to cancel election showing him," he charged. Tens of thousands attended Hadi's funeral under heavy security, chanting "Hadi's blood will not go in vain." Hadi gained prominence during July 2024's uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina.

A federal judge rejected the US Chamber of Commerce's challenge to President Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee, ruling it falls under his broad immigration regulatory powers. US District Judge Beryl Howell dismissed arguments that the fee conflicts with federal law and will force employers to cut jobs. "The parties' vigorous debate over ultimate wisdom of this political judgment is not within courts' province," Howell wrote. Separately, the Department of Homeland Security scrapped the H-1B lottery system, replacing it with a weighted selection prioritizing higher-skilled, higher-paid workers effective February 27, 2026. Amazon received over 10,000 visas this year, followed by Tata Consultancy Services, Microsoft, Apple, and Google. California has the highest H-1B worker concentration. (PC: Times Now)

New documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein have renewed focus on Donald Trump. Released by the Justice Department, the files include emails, flight logs and notes. An email says Trump flew on Epstein’s jet at least eight times in the 1990s, sometimes with Ghislaine Maxwell. Records challenge Trump’s past denials. The files also mention an unverified rape allegation and a disputed handwritten letter. The DOJ stressed Trump faces no criminal charges and warned some claims may be false or sensational. (PC: AP)

Pakistan and Bangladesh are reportedly negotiating a NATO-style defense agreement similar to Pakistan's September pact with Saudi Arabia, which stated "aggression against either country shall be considered aggression against both." Senior Pakistani military officials including ISI chief Lt General Asim Malik, Navy chief, and Joint Chiefs chairperson have repeatedly visited Dhaka as Muhammad Yunus distances Bangladesh from India. Pakistan aims to finalize the deal before Bangladesh's elections in two months, while the Yunus administration remains favorable. The agreement would enable intelligence sharing and joint military drills, with potential nuclear cooperation remaining unclear. India closely monitors developments, particularly concerning eastern front security. Pakistan Muslim League leader Kamran Saeed Usmani publicly demanded formal military alliance Tuesday. (PC: India Today)

US Vice President JD Vance strongly condemned racist attacks against his Indian-origin wife Usha Vance, telling far-right commentator Nick Fuentes and former White House press secretary Jen Psaki they "can eat shit." Speaking to UnHerd, Vance denounced Fuentes, who called him a "race traitor" for marrying outside his race and harassed his family online through the "Groyper" movement. Vance stated racism should be opposed universally, with people judged by actions rather than ethnicity. However, he claimed race-based college admissions and employment policies discriminate against white Americans, arguing his mixed-heritage children face disadvantages in elite systems. Vance prioritized addressing powerful political figures over fringe online commentators regarding discrimination concerns. (PC: X)