Two U.S. Navy F/A-18 fighter jets flew over the Gulf of Venezuela on December 9, marking one of the closest U.S. warplane flights to Venezuelan territory in recent years. According to U.S. officials, the jets conduct “routine training flight” in international airspace and stayed at least ~150 miles from Venezuela’s coast, though they circled the Gulf for over 30 minutes.    The flyover occurs amid a significant U.S. military buildup in the region — including naval deployments and lethal strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Caracas have denounced the military presence, warning it threatens national sovereignty, while U.S. leaders suggest the pressure on Venezuela could intensify, including possible ground operations. (PC: India Today Today)

A member of the UK armed forces died in Ukraine on Tuesday while observing the testing of a new defensive system, the Ministry of Defence said. The accident happened away from the front lines, and no other British personnel were hurt. The individual’s family has been informed. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary John Healey offered their condolences, calling the death a tragic loss. The BBC reported that hostile fire was not involved. The UK has a small number of personnel in Ukraine to support local forces and protect diplomatic staff. This is the first publicly confirmed UK military death since 2022. (PC: BBC)

New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani said he and his wife will move into the $100 million Gracie Mansion in January. He said the move is needed for his family’s safety and to focus fully on his plan for affordability and housing stability. Mamdani, who won last month’s election by a wide margin, will be the youngest New York mayor in over a century. He currently lives in a rent-stabilised Astoria apartment and has faced criticism for it. Gracie Mansion offers high security, staff support and space for official events, which most past mayors have used. (PC: NDTV)

Australia has blocked millions of children and teenagers under 16 from using major social media platforms as a new national law takes effect. Apps like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, X, and Reddit must now remove or block accounts belonging to users below the age limit. Parents and children will not face punishment, but companies could be fined up to A$49.5 million for failing to follow the rules. The government says the ban will protect young people from harmful content. Critics warn it may isolate vulnerable teens and push them toward unsafe, unregulated online spaces. (PC: BBC)

The IMF has approved a $1.2 billion tranche for Pakistan, completing reviews of its $7 billion Extended Fund Facility and $1.4 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility. With this, Pakistan has received $3.3 billion of the $8.4 billion package, crucial for stabilising its $370 billion economy battered by floods, inflation, and depleted reserves. The IMF praised progress primary surplus of 1.3% GDP, reserves up to $14.5 billion, and inflation down to 12–15% but urged discipline in monetary policy and energy reforms. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed reforms as a “global case study.” Yet, experts warn Pakistan’s 24th IMF bailout underscores chronic mismanagement and recurring dependency cycles.(PC: IOTA)

The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed that a member of the UK armed forces died in Ukraine on Tuesday morning in what has been described as a tragic accident. The incident occurred while the individual was observing Ukrainian forces testing a new defensive capability, away from the front lines. The MoD clarified that the death was not caused by hostile fire. Defence Secretary John Healey expressed devastation, extending condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased. The individual’s identity and service details have not been disclosed. The MoD stated it will not comment further as investigations continue.

Saudi Arabia has eased its strict alcohol ban for the first time in decades. The kingdom now allows high-income non-Muslim residents to buy alcohol at a store in Riyadh’s diplomatic area. Only those earning above $13,300 a month can shop there. The move follows the opening of a similar store for diplomats last year. New outlets are also planned for Jeddah and Dhahran. This policy shift is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, which aims to attract global businesses and tourists. The country has had a near-total ban on alcohol since 1952. (PC: India Today)

At least 22 people died after a fire broke out in a seven-storey office building in Jakarta on Tuesday. Police said the blaze began when a battery exploded on the first floor. Many workers were having lunch when the fire spread quickly through the upper floors. Most victims were women, and many are believed to have died from smoke inhalation. Fire crews used 28 engines and 100 personnel to rescue trapped workers, with dramatic scenes from aerial ladders. The fire has been put out, but teams are still searching the top floors. The building houses a company that makes and operates drones.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as “foreign terrorist organizations.” The order instructs state agencies to block them from receiving contracts, employment, or funding from the state. Neither group is recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. CAIR, one of the largest Muslim civil rights groups in the U.S., said it plans to sue DeSantis, calling the order unconstitutional and defamatory. The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt, says it renounced violence decades ago. This follows a similar move by Texas last month. (PC: ABC News)

Fresh fighting has broken out along the Thailand-Cambodia border, breaking a ceasefire agreed only weeks ago. At least three Thai soldiers and seven Cambodian civilians have died since Monday. Both sides blame each other for starting the clashes. Thailand has carried out airstrikes, while Cambodia says Thai forces fired into civilian areas. Tension has been rising for months over a long-running border dispute linked to an ancient temple. A peace deal backed by former US President Donald Trump is now stalled, and talks have broken down. Travel warnings are in place for all border areas as violence continues.