US President Donald Trump said “many, many” Cuban soldiers were killed during a military raid that led to the capture of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro. He called the operation “brilliant” while speaking to party members. Local media in Venezuela reported that 23 Venezuelan and 32 Cuban troops died when US special forces stormed Maduro’s guarded compound. The US has not confirmed these figures. In Caracas, armed police were seen patrolling key areas, according to images shared by the interior ministry. Videos posted online showed security forces chanting slogans of loyalty. Many officials from Maduro’s government remain in place, and residents say fear continues across the capital. (PC: BBC)

Seven European leaders issued a joint statement reaffirming support for Denmark after US President Donald Trump hinted at taking control of Greenland, Denmark's autonomous Arctic territory. Leaders from France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark stressed sovereignty, territorial integrity, and border inviolability are "universal principles" they'll continue defending. The statement emphasized Arctic security as a "key priority for Europe" and critical for international security, noting Greenland holds untapped rare earth deposits and sits on strategic polar routes and missile paths between Russia and the US. Leaders declared "Greenland belongs to its people" and only Denmark and Greenland can decide their matters, reaffirming Denmark is NATO member requiring collective Arctic security. (PC: News 18)

A senior aide to President Donald Trump said the United States wants Greenland to become part of the country for security reasons. In an interview with CNN, Stephen Miller said it is the formal position of the US government that Greenland should join the US and added that “nobody will fight” Washington over the issue. Trump has again said the US “needs” Greenland to protect Nato and the Arctic. Denmark rejected the idea. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned any US attack would end Nato. Seven European leaders issued a joint statement backing Denmark and said only Denmark and Greenland can decide their future, under UN rules. (PC: BBC)

Fresh satellite images show China building new permanent facilities near Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh. The site lies close to the current buffer zone. It has been under Chinese control since 1962, though India still claims the area. Images dated December 28 show several solid structures coming up only metres from the lake. Earlier, the area had mainly temporary shelters, boats and a small pier. China had built a road network here in 2013, once used by both sides for patrols. Since the 2020 standoff, Indian patrols have not returned. Experts say the fixed buildings could help the PLA maintain year-round presence in harsh winter conditions. (PC: India Today)

Authorities in Nepal have extended a curfew in Birgunj, a city near the Indian border, after clashes linked to a TikTok video led to communal tension. The dispute began in Dhanusha district after a video was posted with remarks said to hurt religious feelings. Two youths were later handed to police. The situation worsened after a mosque was vandalised in Kamala Municipality. Protests spread to Birgunj, where groups held rallies, burned tyres and ignored a ban on gatherings. The Parsa district office imposed a curfew in several areas and later extended it till Tuesday evening. Security forces were given special powers to enforce the order. (PC: HT)

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has welcomed the arrest of Nicolás Maduro by US forces, calling it “a huge step for humanity, for freedom and human dignity”. She spoke to Fox News hours after Maduro appeared before a court in New York. Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were seized from their Caracas residence on Saturday and flown to the United States in a special forces mission. Machado said she was grateful to President Donald Trump for the action. She left Venezuela last month to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. In court on Monday, Maduro said, “I am still president,” and pleaded not guilty to drug and other charges. (PC: BBC)

Venezuela’s ousted leader Nicolas Maduro told a New York court that he is still the country’s president as he pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other charges. The hearing marked his first appearance in the United States after he and his wife Cilia Flores were seized in Caracas and flown to New York. Images earlier showed the couple being moved in handcuffs under heavy guard. During the session, a brief exchange took place between Maduro and a member of the public. Outside the courthouse, small groups of protesters gathered with signs for and against the US action. Meanwhile, Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president in Caracas. (PC: BBC)

The India Meteorological Department has warned that dense fog and cold wave conditions will affect large parts of the country on Tuesday. Morning fog is likely over northwest, central, east and northeast India. Cold wave alerts are in place for parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan and Jharkhand. The weather office said night temperatures may fall further due to weak western systems. In the past day, visibility dropped to near zero in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, disrupting road and air travel. Very dense fog may continue in isolated areas of Punjab, Haryana, east Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan. Clear skies later may lead to colder nights and fresh fog by morning. (PC: India Today)

US President Donald Trump has again said the United States needs Greenland for national security. He told reporters that the island is vital for defence and early missile warning. Greenland is part of NATO through Denmark and lies on the shortest route between Europe and North America. The US already runs the Pituffik Space Base in the island’s northwest. Experts say the area helps track Russian naval movement. Greenland also holds large deposits of minerals such as lithium and rare earths, though oil and gas drilling is banned. The island has wide self-rule but remains under Denmark’s constitution. Both Greenland and Denmark rejected Trump’s offer to buy the island in 2019. (PC: NDTV)

A past visit by Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores to India has drawn fresh attention after his capture by the United States. The former Venezuelan leader, raised Catholic, was introduced to Sathya Sai Baba through Flores. The couple travelled to the Prasanthi Nilayam ashram in Puttaparthi in 2005 for a private meeting. A photo from the visit is now circulating online. Reports say Maduro later kept a portrait of the guru in his office and backed official tributes after Sai Baba’s death in 2011. The Sathya Sai organisation continues to operate in Venezuela, which has a large devotee base. (PC: India Today)