Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado, in an interview with Fox News, offered to share her Nobel Peace Prize with the US President Donald Trump.She also thanked Trump for his intervention in Venezuela and for abducting Nicolas Maduro. She claimed it was a “huge step for humanity, for freedom and human dignity.” Despite her overt alignment with the US hegemony and corporate agenda, she was deemed not fit for the top role in Venezuela.&nbsp;Fox News anchor Hannity asked Maria Corina Machado, “Did you at any point offer to give him the Nobel Peace Prize?”Machado responded, she didn't, “We want to give it to him. Share it with him.” &nbsp;Machado has been trying to gather support from the international community. In the process, she has made several claims, from privatising all resources of Venezuela and profiting US companies to moving the Venezuelan embassy in Israel to occupied Jerusalem, to dedicating her Nobel Prize to US President Donald Trump.Trump says he won't back Venezuelan opposition leader, María Corina Machado, because she has no support in Venezuela."I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader," said Trump," She doesn’t have the support or the respect within the country. She’s a very nice woman, but she doesn’t have the respect."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">NOW: Maria Machado is on FOX NEWS making a FOOL of herself. <a href="https://t.co/0EBTTHgm47">pic.twitter.com/0EBTTHgm47</a>&mdash; Spencer Hakimian (@SpencerHakimian) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpencerHakimian/status/2008366227962335628?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Every country struggles with its inner crisis, and it tries to find a solution for itself. Europe had the bloodiest French Revolution, which set off a series of subsequent revolutions across the continent; the US had its Civil War. Chavismo's social welfare record is not propaganda, massive wealth distribution, upliftment of a large number of people from poverty, universal health care and education. These were material changes that made a difference in the lives of underprivileged people. But it is also true that Chavismo was not devoid of corruption, and required diversifying its economy and institutional reform. Venezuela was not exceptional in having inner turbulence or economic crisis. The majority of this was caused by the market crash of 2014 and the repeated sanctions by the US. What is exceptional is the externalisation of the internal crisis.Western moral institution operates within a Euro-Atlantic moral framework, which uses soft powers such as the Nobel Peace Prize to serve its geopolitical interests. It's not that Machado won the Nobel Prize, so she is legitimate; the Nobel Prize itself works within a power system which prioritises which discourse is important.&nbsp;

Maria Corina Machado’s Nobel win, praise for Trump, and Venezuela’s oil politics reveal how Western soft power legitimises regime change while ignoring deeper crises.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado, in an interview with Fox News, offered to share her Nobel Peace Prize with the US President Donald Trump.She also thanked Trump for his intervention in Venezuela and for abducting Nicolas Maduro. She claimed it was a “huge step for humanity, for freedom and human dignity.” Despite her overt alignment with the US hegemony and corporate agenda, she was deemed not fit for the top role in Venezuela. Fox News anchor Hannity asked Maria Corina Machado, “Did you at any point offer to give him the Nobel Peace Prize?” Machado responded, she didn't, “We want to give it to him. Share it with him.” Machado has been trying to gather support from the international community. In the process, she has made several claims, from privatising all resources of Venezuela and profiting US companies to moving the Venezuelan embassy in Israel to occupied Jerusalem, to dedicating her Nobel Prize to US President Donald Trump. Trump says he won't back Venezuelan opposition leader, María Corina Machado, because she has no support in Venezuela. "I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader," said Trump," She doesn’t have the support or the respect within the country. She’s a very nice woman, but she doesn’t have the respect."

Maria Corina Machado’s Nobel win, praise for Trump, and Venezuela’s oil politics reveal how Western soft power legitimises regime change while ignoring deeper crises.

Machado offers to share her Nobel Peace Prize with Donald Trump

A huge profit on the Polymarket prediction platform, where a trader made $400,000 by betting $32,000 on the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, has sparked a debate. The trader placed the bet just hours before the Trump administration’s military operation to capture Maduro, raising questions about the possibility of insider trading. However, it remains unclear whether the trader had any inside information or was simply lucky.&nbsp;While online investigators have tried to track down the trader, who used the pseudonym ‘Burdensome-Mix’, they have yet to find conclusive details about the account’s identity. Polymarket users often bet under anonymous names, though linking these to cryptocurrency wallets could potentially reveal their true identities. A company called Chainalysis, which tracks crypto transactions, confirmed they couldn’t identify the user but noted that the trader was cashing out through reputable US exchanges, which is not typical of fraud cases that aim to conceal identities.&nbsp;Experts are divided on whether the trader engaged in insider trading. Daniel Taylor, a professor from the Wharton School, pointed out that while the situation appears suspicious in hindsight, it’s difficult to spot such behavior in real time. Unlike traditional financial markets, prediction platforms like Polymarket are lightly regulated, making it harder to detect fraud or manipulation.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/delhi-becomes-first-union-territory-to-lodge-fir-for-wrong-side-driving-delhi-driving-delhi-moter-vehicle-act-1767703747701">Delhi becomes first Union Territory to lodge FIR for wrong-side driving</a>&nbsp;While prediction markets are overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), their staff is limited compared to agencies like the SEC. This limited oversight, coupled with the fact that Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., advises both Polymarket and Kalshi, has led some experts to question the objectivity of regulatory actions. Critics argue that political ties could hinder rigorous oversight of these platforms, especially as the stakes grow higher.&nbsp;Polymarket and Kalshi, despite their ties to Trump, state that insider trading is not allowed on their platforms. Kalshi has rules prohibiting government officials from betting on topics related to government activity. However, skepticism about the efficacy of these policies remains, particularly given the absence of strong regulatory measures.&nbsp;Other cases of potentially dubious profits on Polymarket, such as a near $1 million win from correctly predicting Google’s top searches, have also stirred concern. Even if a case could be made for insider trading, experts like Taylor argue that prosecution would be challenging without evidence of actual harm to the public or market participants.&nbsp;The Biden administration has been more aggressive in opposing prediction markets, particularly those focused on elections and sports betting. In contrast, the Trump administration was more lenient, with the Justice Department and CFTC dropping investigations into such markets. Meanwhile, Trump’s social media platform, TruthSocial, is reportedly working on its own prediction market, further increasing the scrutiny of this emerging sector.

A Polymarket trader bet on Nicolas Maduro’s capture, then made profit of $400,000 hours later

A huge profit on the Polymarket prediction platform, where a trader made $400,000 by betting $32,000 on the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, has sparked a debate. The trader placed the bet just hours before the Trump administration’s military operation to capture Maduro, raising questions about the possibility of insider trading. However, it remains unclear whether the trader had any inside information or was simply lucky. While online investigators have tried to track down the trader, who used the pseudonym ‘Burdensome-Mix’, they have yet to find conclusive details about the account’s identity. Polymarket users often bet under anonymous names, though linking these to cryptocurrency wallets could potentially reveal their true identities. A company called Chainalysis, which tracks crypto transactions, confirmed they couldn’t identify the user but noted that the trader was cashing out through reputable US exchanges, which is not typical of fraud cases that aim to conceal identities. Experts are divided on whether the trader engaged in insider trading. Daniel Taylor, a professor from the Wharton School, pointed out that while the situation appears suspicious in hindsight, it’s difficult to spot such behavior in real time. Unlike traditional financial markets, prediction platforms like Polymarket are lightly regulated, making it harder to detect fraud or manipulation. Also Read: Delhi becomes first Union Territory to lodge FIR for wrong-side driving While prediction markets are overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), their staff is limited compared to agencies like the SEC. This limited oversight, coupled with the fact that Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., advises both Polymarket and Kalshi, has led some experts to question the objectivity of regulatory actions. Critics argue that political ties could hinder rigorous oversight of these platforms, especially as the stakes grow higher. Polymarket and Kalshi, despite their ties to Trump, state that insider trading is not allowed on their platforms. Kalshi has rules prohibiting government officials from betting on topics related to government activity. However, skepticism about the efficacy of these policies remains, particularly given the absence of strong regulatory measures. Other cases of potentially dubious profits on Polymarket, such as a near $1 million win from correctly predicting Google’s top searches, have also stirred concern. Even if a case could be made for insider trading, experts like Taylor argue that prosecution would be challenging without evidence of actual harm to the public or market participants. The Biden administration has been more aggressive in opposing prediction markets, particularly those focused on elections and sports betting. In contrast, the Trump administration was more lenient, with the Justice Department and CFTC dropping investigations into such markets. Meanwhile, Trump’s social media platform, TruthSocial, is reportedly working on its own prediction market, further increasing the scrutiny of this emerging sector.

A trader on Polymarket made $400K betting on Nicolas Maduro's capture. The incident raises concerns over insider trading in prediction markets, with little regulation

Did insider trading fuel $400K profit on Polymarket? Betting on Nicolas Maduro's capture sparks debate

Protests over gold mining in Afghanistan's northeastern province, Takhar, turned violent on Tuesday (Jan 06) after residents set vehicles and equipment belonging to mining companies on fire. At least six people were reportedly killed and several others wounded during clashes. A senior Taliban official confirmed the clashes, saying the violence led to both human and financial losses.&nbsp;"A clash between employees of a contracted company and residents over the extraction of a gold mine in Chah Ab district of Takhar province has resulted in both human and financial losses," said Humayoun Afghan, the spokesman for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, AFP reported.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fresh-unrest-in-nepal-curfew-in-birgunj-after-communal-tension-india-seals-border-nepal-genz-curfew-nepal-elections-1767695810694">Fresh unrest in Nepal: Curfew in Birgunj after communal tension, India seals border</a>&nbsp;The unrest brewed over the Samti gold mine in Chah Ab, a rural district bordering Tajikistan and one of Afghanistan’s major gold deposits, covering about 12 square kilometres. &nbsp;The Taliban signed a five-year contract nearly two years ago with a Chinese firm operating under the name China-Afghanistan and its Afghan partners, with a declared investment value of $310 million. The protests began on Friday after locals flagged concerns over environmental damage, destruction of farmland and the extraction of the yellow metal without sharing any profits with the community. The protesters assumed charge of several mining operations forcefully from the contractors.&nbsp;Resources, including copper and lithium, buried across Afghanistan's rocky landscape are estimated to be worth a trillion dollars, according to US and UN assessments from 2010 and 2013.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/a-glimpse-into-mughal-royalty-hong-kong-palace-museum-s-rare-jewelry-exhibition-details-inside-1767700927036">A glimpse into Mughal royalty: Hong Kong Palace Museum showcases rare jewelry exhibition. Details inside</a>&nbsp;The Taliban government has vowed to restore security to the country and is courting Afghan and foreign investors to exploit its underground wealth and secure a crucial revenue stream as foreign aid funding dries up.&nbsp;

The protests erupted after locals voiced concerns over environmental damage, loss of farmland due to gold mining, and companies not sharing revenue with local communities.

Protests over gold mining in Afghanistan's northeastern province, Takhar, turned violent on Tuesday (Jan 06) after residents set vehicles and equipment belonging to mining companies on fire. At least six people were reportedly killed and several others wounded during clashes. A senior Taliban official confirmed the clashes, saying the violence led to both human and financial losses. "A clash between employees of a contracted company and residents over the extraction of a gold mine in Chah Ab district of Takhar province has resulted in both human and financial losses," said Humayoun Afghan, the spokesman for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, AFP reported. Also Read: Fresh unrest in Nepal: Curfew in Birgunj after communal tension, India seals border The unrest brewed over the Samti gold mine in Chah Ab, a rural district bordering Tajikistan and one of Afghanistan’s major gold deposits, covering about 12 square kilometres. The Taliban signed a five-year contract nearly two years ago with a Chinese firm operating under the name China-Afghanistan and its Afghan partners, with a declared investment value of $310 million. The protests began on Friday after locals flagged concerns over environmental damage, destruction of farmland and the extraction of the yellow metal without sharing any profits with the community. The protesters assumed charge of several mining operations forcefully from the contractors. Resources, including copper and lithium, buried across Afghanistan's rocky landscape are estimated to be worth a trillion dollars, according to US and UN assessments from 2010 and 2013. Also Read: A glimpse into Mughal royalty: Hong Kong Palace Museum showcases rare jewelry exhibition. Details inside The Taliban government has vowed to restore security to the country and is courting Afghan and foreign investors to exploit its underground wealth and secure a crucial revenue stream as foreign aid funding dries up.

The protests erupted after locals voiced concerns over environmental damage, loss of farmland due to gold mining, and companies not sharing revenue with local communities.

Multiple killed in clashes over gold mine in Afghanistan

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly condemned Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan's recent remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which involved drawing comparisons with Venezuela. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari took it to the social media platform X, expressing outrage over Chavan’s statement and accusing Congress of sinking to new lows.&nbsp;&nbsp;Bhandari criticised Chavan for suggesting that India could face a situation similar to Venezuela, saying, "Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan has shamelessly drawn a parallel between India’s situation and Venezuela. His remarks show a clear anti-India mindset." This came after Chavan reportedly questioned whether India could face the same fate as Venezuela, referencing the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US forces.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ex-boyfriend-charged-with-murder-of-nikitha-godishala-after-financial-dispute-comes-to-light-1767702082916">Ex-boyfriend charged with murder of Nikitha Godishala after financial dispute comes to light</a>&nbsp;In a video clip shared by Bhandari, Chavan is seen questioning, "The real question is whether what happened in Venezuela could happen in India. Will Mr. Trump kidnap our Prime Minister?" Chavan’s comment has yet to receive an official response from him or Congress. Former Jammu and Kashmir DGP SP Vaid also expressed disapproval, asking why Chavan wasn’t ashamed of his words. In a video message on X, Vaid questioned Chavan's loyalty to the country, saying, "It shows that some Congress leaders have so much frustration and they are giving anti-India statements...Why didn't your head hang in shame before saying this? Are you not a countryman? It is humiliating for Venezuela what Trump and the US did to them. Do you want this to happen in your country? You hate Modji so much?" Vaid said in a video message on X. &nbsp;The controversy followed after US President Donald Trump announced that US forces had captured Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela, accusing him of narco-terrorism. Several countries condemned the action, while India expressed its concern and called for peaceful dialogue to resolve the crisis in Venezuela.

Congress leader’s ‘Will Trump kidnap our PM?’ remark draws BJP’s ‘anti-India’ retort

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly condemned Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan's recent remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which involved drawing comparisons with Venezuela. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari took it to the social media platform X, expressing outrage over Chavan’s statement and accusing Congress of sinking to new lows. Bhandari criticised Chavan for suggesting that India could face a situation similar to Venezuela, saying, "Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan has shamelessly drawn a parallel between India’s situation and Venezuela. His remarks show a clear anti-India mindset." This came after Chavan reportedly questioned whether India could face the same fate as Venezuela, referencing the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US forces. Also Read: Ex-boyfriend charged with murder of Nikitha Godishala after financial dispute comes to light In a video clip shared by Bhandari, Chavan is seen questioning, "The real question is whether what happened in Venezuela could happen in India. Will Mr. Trump kidnap our Prime Minister?" Chavan’s comment has yet to receive an official response from him or Congress. Former Jammu and Kashmir DGP SP Vaid also expressed disapproval, asking why Chavan wasn’t ashamed of his words. In a video message on X, Vaid questioned Chavan's loyalty to the country, saying, "It shows that some Congress leaders have so much frustration and they are giving anti-India statements...Why didn't your head hang in shame before saying this? Are you not a countryman? It is humiliating for Venezuela what Trump and the US did to them. Do you want this to happen in your country? You hate Modji so much?" Vaid said in a video message on X. The controversy followed after US President Donald Trump announced that US forces had captured Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela, accusing him of narco-terrorism. Several countries condemned the action, while India expressed its concern and called for peaceful dialogue to resolve the crisis in Venezuela.

BJP lashes out at Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan after he compared India’s situation with Venezuela. The BJP criticised Chavan for making anti-India statements

The investigation into the killing of 27-year-old Indian woman Nikitha Godishala, who was reported missing on New Year’s Eve, has taken a dramatic turn after her former boyfriend, Arjun Sharma, was formally charged with both first- and second-degree murder in the US state of Maryland. The case has grown more complex following claims by Nikitha’s family that the crime may have been driven by a financial dispute. Her cousin and father have alleged that Sharma frequently borrowed money from multiple people and may have killed Nikitha when she confronted him about unpaid dues.&nbsp;Nikitha’s cousin, Saraswati Godishala, revealed that she transferred $4,500 to Sharma on December 27. According to a complaint submitted to the Indian Embassy in the US, Sharma later returned $3,500 but allegedly sought another $1,000 on January 2, a request Saraswati says she refused. Family members claim that Nikitha had been persistently asking Sharma to repay the remaining amount on December 31, the day she was last heard from. Investigators believe the murder took place shortly after 7 pm on New Year’s Eve.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/a-glimpse-into-mughal-royalty-hong-kong-palace-museum-s-rare-jewelry-exhibition-details-inside-1767700927036">A glimpse into Mughal royalty: Hong Kong Palace Museum showcases rare jewelry exhibition. Details inside</a>&nbsp;In another serious allegation, Saraswati said that Sharma carried out unauthorised bank transactions worth around $3,500 from Nikitha’s account before leaving the country. He reportedly claimed he needed urgent medical treatment for a hand injury as the reason for his departure. Nikitha’s father, Anand Godishala, echoed the financial motive theory, telling reporters in Secunderabad that Sharma routinely borrowed money, including from his daughter. He suspects Nikitha was killed when she visited Sharma’s apartment to demand repayment. Anand said his final conversation with his daughter was on the night of December 31.&nbsp;Nikitha’s body was discovered while police were investigating a missing persons complaint, ironically filed by Arjun Sharma himself on January 2. The Indian Embassy has confirmed it is coordinating with US authorities and is in touch with the victim’s family.<h2>Who was Nikitha Godishala?</h2>Originally from Hyderabad, Nikitha moved to the United States in 2021 to pursue higher education. She completed her pharmacy studies at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, while also working at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Secunderabad, first as a clinical pharmacist intern and later as a clinical data specialist. She later got a master’s degree in Health Information Technology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and started working as a data and strategy analyst at Vheda Health in Columbia in February 2025.

Ex-boyfriend charged with murder of Nikitha Godishala after financial dispute comes to light

The investigation into the killing of 27-year-old Indian woman Nikitha Godishala, who was reported missing on New Year’s Eve, has taken a dramatic turn after her former boyfriend, Arjun Sharma, was formally charged with both first- and second-degree murder in the US state of Maryland. The case has grown more complex following claims by Nikitha’s family that the crime may have been driven by a financial dispute. Her cousin and father have alleged that Sharma frequently borrowed money from multiple people and may have killed Nikitha when she confronted him about unpaid dues. Nikitha’s cousin, Saraswati Godishala, revealed that she transferred $4,500 to Sharma on December 27. According to a complaint submitted to the Indian Embassy in the US, Sharma later returned $3,500 but allegedly sought another $1,000 on January 2, a request Saraswati says she refused. Family members claim that Nikitha had been persistently asking Sharma to repay the remaining amount on December 31, the day she was last heard from. Investigators believe the murder took place shortly after 7 pm on New Year’s Eve. Also Read: A glimpse into Mughal royalty: Hong Kong Palace Museum showcases rare jewelry exhibition. Details inside In another serious allegation, Saraswati said that Sharma carried out unauthorised bank transactions worth around $3,500 from Nikitha’s account before leaving the country. He reportedly claimed he needed urgent medical treatment for a hand injury as the reason for his departure. Nikitha’s father, Anand Godishala, echoed the financial motive theory, telling reporters in Secunderabad that Sharma routinely borrowed money, including from his daughter. He suspects Nikitha was killed when she visited Sharma’s apartment to demand repayment. Anand said his final conversation with his daughter was on the night of December 31. Nikitha’s body was discovered while police were investigating a missing persons complaint, ironically filed by Arjun Sharma himself on January 2. The Indian Embassy has confirmed it is coordinating with US authorities and is in touch with the victim’s family. Who was Nikitha Godishala? Originally from Hyderabad, Nikitha moved to the United States in 2021 to pursue higher education. She completed her pharmacy studies at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, while also working at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Secunderabad, first as a clinical pharmacist intern and later as a clinical data specialist. She later got a master’s degree in Health Information Technology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and started working as a data and strategy analyst at Vheda Health in Columbia in February 2025.

The murder of Indian woman Nikitha Godishala in Maryland, after being reported missing on New Year’s Eve, is linked to a financial dispute with her former boyfriend, Arjun Sharma

Trump's new plan to “run” the Latin American country Venezuela with 30 million people could see Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller thrust into a position of power as Secretary of State Marco Rubio is busy. After the stunning capture of the ousted leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife Cilia Flores, US President Donald Trump seized the country's oil reserves and claimed that they are not at war with Venezuela. But he would not need Congressional approval to send a second strike. However, the important question remains who is actually ‘running’ the country. Vice President Delcy Rodrigues has taken control of the military, and the Supreme Court has put her in the role of acting President of Venezuela.&nbsp;&nbsp;US President Donald Trump, in a telephonic interview with NBC News, suggested that Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller will jointly run the country when asked who will be leading, Trump said, “Me.” There is no clear legal and institutional framework for how the United States could run a country of 30 million, but that did not stop Trump from threatening “boots on the ground” and demanding “total access” from the Venezuelan interim leadership.&nbsp;According to reports from the Washington Post, the President is relying on a handful of business insiders to look after foreign affairs. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is the nation's top diplomat. He was supposedly the &nbsp;"Venezuela hawk' and was reportedly the most desirable candidate to shoulder the responsibility. But he has his hands full as acting administrator of the US Agency for International Development, and acting archivist for the National Archives and Records Administration. So the responsibility of day-to-day monitoring could likely fall on Stephen Miller.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">COLLINS: Stephen, you&#39;re part of the group the president has said is running Venezuela. What exactly are your day to day responsibilities? STEPHEN MILLER: .... heh heh heh. The president has asked Secretary Rubio to be the lead. COLLINS: But what are you specifically doing?… <a href="https://t.co/6atA9G3hE8">pic.twitter.com/6atA9G3hE8</a>&mdash; Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) <a href="https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/2008359708571123741?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Stephen Miller is the architect behind the Project 2025 and the Trump administration's aggressive deportation project, close to 3000 immigrants per day. Miller was also heavily involved in the alleged drug war in Mexico and Venezuela. Miller, late at night, went on an ahistorical pro-empire rant on social media, which appeared like a bad imperial fever dream. The post talks about the premise of the Great Replacement theory, a far-right conspiracy theory floated by the French author Renaud Camus, which imagines a kind of reverse colonisation taking place from the third world countries toward the empires of old.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Not long after World War II the West dissolved its empires and colonies and began sending colossal sums of taxpayer-funded aid to these former territories (despite have already made them far wealthier and more successful). The West opened its borders, a kind of reverse…&mdash; Stephen Miller (@StephenM) <a href="https://twitter.com/StephenM/status/2008035701804208224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Donald Trump claims the US will “run” Venezuela after Maduro’s capture, with Stephen Miller emerging as a key figure amid legal and political uncertainty.

Trump's new plan to “run” the Latin American country Venezuela with 30 million people could see Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller thrust into a position of power as Secretary of State Marco Rubio is busy. After the stunning capture of the ousted leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife Cilia Flores, US President Donald Trump seized the country's oil reserves and claimed that they are not at war with Venezuela. But he would not need Congressional approval to send a second strike. However, the important question remains who is actually ‘running’ the country. Vice President Delcy Rodrigues has taken control of the military, and the Supreme Court has put her in the role of acting President of Venezuela. US President Donald Trump, in a telephonic interview with NBC News, suggested that Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller will jointly run the country when asked who will be leading, Trump said, “Me.” There is no clear legal and institutional framework for how the United States could run a country of 30 million, but that did not stop Trump from threatening “boots on the ground” and demanding “total access” from the Venezuelan interim leadership. According to reports from the Washington Post, the President is relying on a handful of business insiders to look after foreign affairs. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is the nation's top diplomat. He was supposedly the "Venezuela hawk' and was reportedly the most desirable candidate to shoulder the responsibility. But he has his hands full as acting administrator of the US Agency for International Development, and acting archivist for the National Archives and Records Administration. So the responsibility of day-to-day monitoring could likely fall on Stephen Miller.

Donald Trump claims the US will “run” Venezuela after Maduro’s capture, with Stephen Miller emerging as a key figure amid legal and political uncertainty.

Will Stephen Miller 'Run' Venezuela? Trump’s plan raises alarm

US President Donald Trump’s second term is taking shape through bold foreign policy moves. After a dramatic overnight raid that captured Venezuela’s president and his wife, Trump has issued fresh warnings to other nations in Washington’s orbit in recent days.

After Venezuela, THESE nations are Donald Trump's next potential targets: Here's why

The Mughal dynasty, which ruled India for over 300 years, is remembered not only for its political dominance but also for its remarkable creativity, particularly in art, design, and jewelry. The empire’s legacy is filled with opulent and innovative creations, blending Persian, Islamic, and Indian styles into works of unmatched beauty. Many of these precious items are still preserved today and displayed in museums worldwide.&nbsp;A stunning exhibition titled The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Treasures of the Mughal Court recently presented some of these masterpieces, in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum. Focused on the three legendary Mughal emperors, Akbar (1556-1605), Jehangir (1605-1627), and Shah Jahan (1628-1658, the display showed their cultural influence and passion for exquisite design.&nbsp;Among the star attractions were mesmerising pieces of jewelry, such as the intricately enamelled meenakari necklaces, which gained prominence during the Safavid dynasty of the 16th century. The Mughal period also saw the creation of stunning rings, particularly known as Vora in India. These pieces were not only steeped in tradition but also had a contemporary flair that reflects the forward-thinking vision of Mughal artisans.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/health-and-wellness/why-don-t-women-trust-public-toilets-in-india-experts-reveal-shocking-reasons-1767694819326">Why don’t women trust public toilets in India? Experts reveal shocking reasons</a>&nbsp;The exhibition further highlighted the rise of iconic designs, such as kundan and polki jewelry, which became deeply associated with Mughal artistry and remain popular at weddings today. During the reign of Babur, the Mughal Empire set up workshops that brought together artisans skilled in diverse techniques, blending cultures and stones to create jewelry that continues to inspire modern designers.&nbsp;While much of the Mughal empire's precious gold and gems were lost or melted down in the empire’s decline, a few jewels have withstood the test of time. The most famous among them is the Koh-i-Noor diamond, which was recut in 1852 to suit European tastes and now forms part of the British Crown Jewels.

The Hong Kong Palace Museum showcases Mughal jewelry masterpieces, offering a glimpse into the empire's art, design, and cultural fusion during emperors Akbar, Jehangir, and Shah Jahan

The Mughal dynasty, which ruled India for over 300 years, is remembered not only for its political dominance but also for its remarkable creativity, particularly in art, design, and jewelry. The empire’s legacy is filled with opulent and innovative creations, blending Persian, Islamic, and Indian styles into works of unmatched beauty. Many of these precious items are still preserved today and displayed in museums worldwide. A stunning exhibition titled The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Treasures of the Mughal Court recently presented some of these masterpieces, in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum. Focused on the three legendary Mughal emperors, Akbar (1556-1605), Jehangir (1605-1627), and Shah Jahan (1628-1658, the display showed their cultural influence and passion for exquisite design. Among the star attractions were mesmerising pieces of jewelry, such as the intricately enamelled meenakari necklaces, which gained prominence during the Safavid dynasty of the 16th century. The Mughal period also saw the creation of stunning rings, particularly known as Vora in India. These pieces were not only steeped in tradition but also had a contemporary flair that reflects the forward-thinking vision of Mughal artisans. Also Read: Why don’t women trust public toilets in India? Experts reveal shocking reasons The exhibition further highlighted the rise of iconic designs, such as kundan and polki jewelry, which became deeply associated with Mughal artistry and remain popular at weddings today. During the reign of Babur, the Mughal Empire set up workshops that brought together artisans skilled in diverse techniques, blending cultures and stones to create jewelry that continues to inspire modern designers. While much of the Mughal empire's precious gold and gems were lost or melted down in the empire’s decline, a few jewels have withstood the test of time. The most famous among them is the Koh-i-Noor diamond, which was recut in 1852 to suit European tastes and now forms part of the British Crown Jewels.

The Hong Kong Palace Museum showcases Mughal jewelry masterpieces, offering a glimpse into the empire's art, design, and cultural fusion during emperors Akbar, Jehangir, and Shah Jahan

A glimpse into Mughal royalty: Hong Kong Palace Museum showcases rare jewelry exhibition. Details inside

Copper prices have hit an all-time high, close on the heels of gold and silver. The surge in interest for metals like copper, silver and gold is coming from a number of factors: macroeconomic, geopolitical and industrial. Precious metals such as gold and silver are serving as safe-haven assets amid global uncertainties like trade war and US tariff tensions, as well as policy risks from potential US fiscal deficits. A “debasement trade” is also taking place, wherein investors hedge against currency weakening and inflation through hard assets.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gold-silver-plunge-gold-surges-to-multiple-record-highs-in-2025-1767188159738/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/gold-silver-plunge-gold-surges-to-multiple-record-highs-in-2025-1767188159738/embed</a><h2>What is the latest price of gold, silver, copper and other metals?</h2>At the time of writing, gold is trading on the spot market near 4,475 US dollars per ounce. Silver is around 78.9 US dollars per ounce, ready to breach the 80-dollar record. Copper is trading near 13,300 US dollars per metric tonne on the London Metal Exchange, or around 6.06 US dollars per pound, marking a record high. Other metals are also elevated, including all-time highs. &nbsp;Platinum and palladium remain strong at over 2,300 and around 1,700 US dollars per ounce respectively, while nickel prices are also elevated compared with historical averages.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/us-attacks-venezuela-what-does-it-mean-for-gold-silver-and-crude-oil-prices-1767439050212">US attacks Venezuela: What does it mean for gold, silver, and crude oil prices</a><h2>Why is gold surging?</h2>Gold is a safe-haven asset and markets are factoring in geopolitical and supply chain risks, leading investors to hoard the yellow metal. Central banks across the world, from the US Federal Reserve to the Reserve Bank of India, are making aggressive gold purchases as part of diversification away from the US dollar. Around 755 tonnes of central bank purchases are projected for 2026, much higher than pre-2022 levels.The likely Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2026 is lowering real yields on the dollar, making gold more attractive to investors. Persistent inflation is further bolstering the appeal of precious metals.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/can-silver-outperform-gold-in-future-due-to-rise-in-demand-1766396593842">Can Silver outperform Gold in future due to rise in demand?</a><h2>Why are other metal prices increasing?</h2>Robust industrial demand for these metals amid the clean energy transition is creating a squeeze on prices. Most of the metals seeing price increases are used in electric vehicles, solar panels and renewables, AI infrastructure and data centres. This sudden and ever-growing demand is propelling copper and silver prices, as these metals are essential components in electronics, wiring and batteries.Supply-side pressures are adding to the rally in prices. Mining disruptions in key regions such as Chile, Peru and Indonesia are contributing to metal shortages, alongside declining ore grades. Environmental restrictions and limited new production capacity for metals like copper, silver, aluminium and tin are adding to structural tightness in the market. This is expected to persist, keeping metal prices high in 2026 and beyond.

Copper price is at all-time high as silver is set to hit another record. Gold remains strong on safe-haven demand as central bank are on a buying spree. Just what is happening to metal prices?

Copper prices have hit an all-time high, close on the heels of gold and silver. The surge in interest for metals like copper, silver and gold is coming from a number of factors: macroeconomic, geopolitical and industrial. Precious metals such as gold and silver are serving as safe-haven assets amid global uncertainties like trade war and US tariff tensions, as well as policy risks from potential US fiscal deficits. A “debasement trade” is also taking place, wherein investors hedge against currency weakening and inflation through hard assets. https://www.wionews.com/videos/gold-silver-plunge-gold-surges-to-multiple-record-highs-in-2025-1767188159738/embed What is the latest price of gold, silver, copper and other metals? At the time of writing, gold is trading on the spot market near 4,475 US dollars per ounce. Silver is around 78.9 US dollars per ounce, ready to breach the 80-dollar record. Copper is trading near 13,300 US dollars per metric tonne on the London Metal Exchange, or around 6.06 US dollars per pound, marking a record high. Other metals are also elevated, including all-time highs. Platinum and palladium remain strong at over 2,300 and around 1,700 US dollars per ounce respectively, while nickel prices are also elevated compared with historical averages. Also read: US attacks Venezuela: What does it mean for gold, silver, and crude oil prices Why is gold surging? Gold is a safe-haven asset and markets are factoring in geopolitical and supply chain risks, leading investors to hoard the yellow metal. Central banks across the world, from the US Federal Reserve to the Reserve Bank of India, are making aggressive gold purchases as part of diversification away from the US dollar. Around 755 tonnes of central bank purchases are projected for 2026, much higher than pre-2022 levels. The likely Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2026 is lowering real yields on the dollar, making gold more attractive to investors. Persistent inflation is further bolstering the appeal of precious metals. Also read: Can Silver outperform Gold in future due to rise in demand? Why are other metal prices increasing? Robust industrial demand for these metals amid the clean energy transition is creating a squeeze on prices. Most of the metals seeing price increases are used in electric vehicles, solar panels and renewables, AI infrastructure and data centres. This sudden and ever-growing demand is propelling copper and silver prices, as these metals are essential components in electronics, wiring and batteries. Supply-side pressures are adding to the rally in prices. Mining disruptions in key regions such as Chile, Peru and Indonesia are contributing to metal shortages, alongside declining ore grades. Environmental restrictions and limited new production capacity for metals like copper, silver, aluminium and tin are adding to structural tightness in the market. This is expected to persist, keeping metal prices high in 2026 and beyond.

Copper price is at all-time high as silver is set to hit another record. Gold remains strong on safe-haven demand as central bank are on a buying spree. Just what is happening to metal prices?

Now, Copper price at all-time high as silver set to breach another record. Why are metal prices soaring?

Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Tuesday (06 Jan) reportedly stormed the Birzeit University, located near Ramallah in the West Bank. At least two students were injured after live rounds were fired, reported Al Jazeera.&nbsp;According to WAFA, Israeli forces broke past the University's main entrance and conducted searches in buildings on the campus. They also seized property from the student movement sympathetic to Hamas.&nbsp;Nearly 8,000 students were present on the campus at the time of IDF raids, WAFA reported.&nbsp;Several footage from the campus show students fleeing as teargas and canisters land behind them.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Israeli occupation soldiers chase students with gunfire and teargas during their incursion into Birzeit University campus in Ramallah. <a href="https://t.co/afMBR0OlvD">pic.twitter.com/afMBR0OlvD</a>&mdash; Quds News Network (@QudsNen) <a href="https://twitter.com/QudsNen/status/2008484144142315777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-run-venezuela-stephen-miller-power-1767696993755">Will Stephen Miller 'Run' Venezuela? Trump’s plan raises alarm</a>&nbsp;According to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, 11 students were hospitalised after getting injured, including five with bullet wounds, four with teargas injuries following the IDF assault.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Israeli army forces storm Birzeit University near Ramallah and attack students during class, firing live ammunition and throwing stun grenades at them, and assaulting journalists. So far, 41 students have been injured. Palestinian Student Day. <a href="https://t.co/tNRtUy5eZ3">https://t.co/tNRtUy5eZ3</a> <a href="https://t.co/WagVhIb4YA">pic.twitter.com/WagVhIb4YA</a>&mdash; FlyingBeagle &quot;Abu Alya&quot; (@FlyingBeagle_) <a href="https://twitter.com/FlyingBeagle_/status/2008527722776002900?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Birzeit University, located near Ramallah in the West Bank, is one of Palestine’s leading higher education institutions. Founded in 1924, it offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and is known for academic research, student activism and its role in Palestinian public life. The institution often serves as a hub for student activism, political debate and protests, drawing frequent attention from Israeli authorities and rights groups.&nbsp;(This is a developing story; Further details are awaited)

Israeli forces reportedly entered Birzeit University, Palestine's premier institution for higher studies, located near Ramallah in the West Bank.

Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Tuesday (06 Jan) reportedly stormed the Birzeit University, located near Ramallah in the West Bank. At least two students were injured after live rounds were fired, reported Al Jazeera. According to WAFA, Israeli forces broke past the University's main entrance and conducted searches in buildings on the campus. They also seized property from the student movement sympathetic to Hamas. Nearly 8,000 students were present on the campus at the time of IDF raids, WAFA reported. Several footage from the campus show students fleeing as teargas and canisters land behind them.

Israeli forces reportedly entered Birzeit University, Palestine's premier institution for higher studies, located near Ramallah in the West Bank.

Israeli military storms Birzeit University campus in West Bank: Reports

As Delcy Rodriguez takes over as Venezuela’s acting president after Nicolas Maduro’s capture, attention has turned to her long-standing devotion to Indian spiritual guru Sathya Sai Baba, marked by repeated visits to his Puttaparthi ashram and deep spiritual ties between Venezuela and India.

In Pics | Delcy Rodriguez followed Sathya Sai Baba – After Maduro, Venezuelan interim leader’s ties to Indian spiritual guru emerge

The much-publicised Cartel de los Soles, which was allegedly a leading drug trafficking network from Venezuela, does not exist. That was the pretext used by US President Donald Trump to justify a campaign against Venezuela and the abduction of its President, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores. Instead, the term Cartel de los Soles is a slang used to define a “patronage system” and “culture of corruption” that is fueled by drug money.&nbsp; In March 2020, the Justice Department's indictment mentioned Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns) 32 times. It mentioned that the group provides weapons to a Colombian Marxist rebel group, FARC, which funded its militant activities through drug trafficking and flooding the United States with cocaine.&nbsp; However, in the 2026 DOJ indictment, the term appears only twice, referring to a culture allegedly supported by successive Venezuelan Presidents Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. The original drug trafficking pretext for Maduro's kidnapping has been largely dismissed by many of the US allies and adversaries. Now the tacit admission by the DOJ of the absence of an actual Cartel de los Soles reveals the true motivation behind the US imperialist campaign.&nbsp; “Let me get this straight: We go to a country, we capture their leader, we bomb it, &amp; then we say we run this country now — and that's not war. But when they send cocaine over here, that people are willingly snorting — that is war. That doesn't make any sense,” said Kat Timf, a political commentator at Fox News.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">MacCALLUM: You have about 100,000 dying from drug overdoses, most of those drugs from from Venezuela and other places CROW: That&#39;s actually not true. The majority of the deaths by drugs in America are the result of meth and fentanyl. Almost none of that comes from Venezuela <a href="https://t.co/xp3TmcYDyG">pic.twitter.com/xp3TmcYDyG</a>&mdash; Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) <a href="https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/2008277428406239534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Experts in Latin American crime and narcotics have long argued that the term was a figure of speech, a slang coined by the Venezuelan media for corrupt officials bearing a sun insignia on their uniforms. Neither the United Nations' annual World Drug Report nor the DEA's annual National Drug Threat Assessment mention Cartel de los Soles.&nbsp; Nevertheless, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared, “We will continue to reserve the right to take strikes against drug boats that are bringing drugs toward the United States that are being operated by transnational criminal organisations, including the Cartel de los Soles.”

The Cartel de los Soles is not a real drug cartel. Experts and US indictments reveal how Trump used the myth to justify action against Venezuela.

The much-publicised Cartel de los Soles, which was allegedly a leading drug trafficking network from Venezuela, does not exist. That was the pretext used by US President Donald Trump to justify a campaign against Venezuela and the abduction of its President, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores. Instead, the term Cartel de los Soles is a slang used to define a “patronage system” and “culture of corruption” that is fueled by drug money. In March 2020, the Justice Department's indictment mentioned Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns) 32 times. It mentioned that the group provides weapons to a Colombian Marxist rebel group, FARC, which funded its militant activities through drug trafficking and flooding the United States with cocaine. However, in the 2026 DOJ indictment, the term appears only twice, referring to a culture allegedly supported by successive Venezuelan Presidents Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. The original drug trafficking pretext for Maduro's kidnapping has been largely dismissed by many of the US allies and adversaries. Now the tacit admission by the DOJ of the absence of an actual Cartel de los Soles reveals the true motivation behind the US imperialist campaign. “Let me get this straight: We go to a country, we capture their leader, we bomb it, & then we say we run this country now — and that's not war. But when they send cocaine over here, that people are willingly snorting — that is war. That doesn't make any sense,” said Kat Timf, a political commentator at Fox News.

The Cartel de los Soles is not a real drug cartel. Experts and US indictments reveal how Trump used the myth to justify action against Venezuela.

DOJ silently admits there is no drug trafficking group named Cartel de los Soles

Unrest flares up again in Nepal as Birgung city, located near the border with the Indian state of Bihar, has erupted in violent protests after a video with alleged religious content went viral on the social media platform TikTok, triggering a series of protests and counterprotests from Sunday. The demonstrations in Birgung town of Parsa district soon turned violent, leading the district authorities to extend the curfew order until Tuesday evening.&nbsp;"The curfew order issued yesterday, 2082.09.21 (2026.01.05) from 6:00 pm to 8:00 am on 2082.09.22 (2026.01.06), in view of the latest security situation, has been continued in the following four forts within the Birgunj Metropolitan City area of Parsa district, as per Section 6 (a) of the Local Administration Act, 2028, from today, 2082.09.22 (2026.01.06), until 1:00 PM, prohibiting anyone from moving within those boundaries, holding any kind of gathering, procession, demonstration, meeting, meeting, or siege," the latest order reads. Amid a deteriorating law and order situation, India has completely sealed its borders near the Raxaul district in Bihar, restricting all cross-border movements except for emergency services.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-banger-musk-shares-meme-of-maduro-s-confiscated-iphone-here-s-what-the-messages-in-it-might-mean-1767693110227">‘Banger’: Musk shares meme of Maduro’s ‘confiscated iPhone’. Here’s what the messages in it might mean</a><h2>What happened?</h2>Tensions brew in the Himalayan country after two Muslim men, identified as Haider Ansari and Amanat Ansari of the Kamala municipality of the Dhanusha district, reportedly posted a video on social media allegedly containing derogatory remarks against some religious communities. The clip went viral across the area, sparking communal tensions in the Dhansha and Parsa districts.&nbsp;Locals in the area caught the two men and handed them over to the police on charges of hurting religious tensions. However, the situation escalated after a mosque was vandalised in Ward 6 of Kamala Municipality.&nbsp;The flare-up, which started as protests on Sunday, became an intense communal flashpoint as people took to the street demonstating against vandalism, and counter-protests led to sharp escalations.&nbsp;Nepal has been reeling under violent demonstrations after September 2025, when Gen-Z protests erupted in Nepal over corruption, elite privilege and digital restrictions, as young demonstrators mobilised nationwide, challenging political authority through street protests and online activism campaigns.&nbsp;

Amid a deteriorating law and order situation, India has completely sealed its borders, restricting all cross-border movements except for emergency services.

Unrest flares up again in Nepal as Birgung city, located near the border with the Indian state of Bihar, has erupted in violent protests after a video with alleged religious content went viral on the social media platform TikTok, triggering a series of protests and counterprotests from Sunday. The demonstrations in Birgung town of Parsa district soon turned violent, leading the district authorities to extend the curfew order until Tuesday evening. "The curfew order issued yesterday, 2082.09.21 (2026.01.05) from 6:00 pm to 8:00 am on 2082.09.22 (2026.01.06), in view of the latest security situation, has been continued in the following four forts within the Birgunj Metropolitan City area of Parsa district, as per Section 6 (a) of the Local Administration Act, 2028, from today, 2082.09.22 (2026.01.06), until 1:00 PM, prohibiting anyone from moving within those boundaries, holding any kind of gathering, procession, demonstration, meeting, meeting, or siege," the latest order reads. Amid a deteriorating law and order situation, India has completely sealed its borders near the Raxaul district in Bihar, restricting all cross-border movements except for emergency services. Also Read: ‘Banger’: Musk shares meme of Maduro’s ‘confiscated iPhone’. Here’s what the messages in it might mean What happened? Tensions brew in the Himalayan country after two Muslim men, identified as Haider Ansari and Amanat Ansari of the Kamala municipality of the Dhanusha district, reportedly posted a video on social media allegedly containing derogatory remarks against some religious communities. The clip went viral across the area, sparking communal tensions in the Dhansha and Parsa districts. Locals in the area caught the two men and handed them over to the police on charges of hurting religious tensions. However, the situation escalated after a mosque was vandalised in Ward 6 of Kamala Municipality. The flare-up, which started as protests on Sunday, became an intense communal flashpoint as people took to the street demonstating against vandalism, and counter-protests led to sharp escalations. Nepal has been reeling under violent demonstrations after September 2025, when Gen-Z protests erupted in Nepal over corruption, elite privilege and digital restrictions, as young demonstrators mobilised nationwide, challenging political authority through street protests and online activism campaigns.

Amid a deteriorating law and order situation, India has completely sealed its borders, restricting all cross-border movements except for emergency services.

Fresh unrest in Nepal: Curfew in Birgunj after communal tension, India seals border

Elon Musk has shared a humorous post containing a meme that showed a fictional screenshot of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro’s confiscated iPhone, ‘revealing’ chats he had with various leaders, including US President Donald Trump, under whose orders he was extracted to the US to stand trial in alleged drug offences. The meme shows profile pics of Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping, Canada’s ex-PM Justin Trudeau, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, and Trump. The idea seems to be to share the possible last messages Maduro may have received before the American military operation on January 3. The shock and absurdity of Maduro’s US capture is evident in the meme photo, which is imagined as a ‘screenshot’ of his phone’s last chat history.<h2>Maduro’s capture</h2>On January 3, US forces seized Maduro from his presidential residence in the Venezuelan capital Caracas in what was essentially a regime change operation. He was brought to New York, where he appeared before a court on Monday (Jan 6). Maduro pleaded not guilty, and claimed he was kidnapped.<h2>What is in the Maduro meme photo shared by Musk?</h2>The original meme was shared by Musk with a simple comment: ‘Banger’ and a laughing emoji. The meme has got 26 million views and thousands of replies.The satirical screenshot of Maduro’s iPhone Messages app shows texts from the leaders, with&nbsp;a “CONFIDENTIAL” watermark overlaid, adding to the faux-leaked vibe of the meme.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-i-was-kidnapped-venezuelan-president-nicol-s-maduro-pleads-not-guilty-in-us-court-1767561352618">‘I was kidnapped’: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro pleads not guilty in US court</a><h2>Decoding the meme: What each leader told Maduro before his capture</h2>Putin says, “We make deal, no tell Trump”, possibly referring to secretive alliances between Russia and Venezuela often involving oil, military support, or anti-US pacts. The “no tell Trump” suggests fear of US intervention by Trump, as well as Putin's poor English.Xi, who is identified in the screenshot as “Chino” or Chinese, says: “Trump berry FAFO”. This appears garbled or intentionally poorly translated to mock Xi’s broken English. “Berry” is probably meant as “very,” and “FAFO” could be an acronym for the internet slang “f*** around and Find Out”. This could be referring to defence secretary Pete Hegseth's remark that Maduro ‘effed around and found out’, while detailing the Caracas operation to media along with Trump on January 4. China has several large investments in Venezuela and has given loans to the country. There are also oil deals which Trump could jeopardise for China.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-venezuela-tensions-maduro-wife-to-stay-in-detention-centre-until-next-hearing-1767693977486/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-venezuela-tensions-maduro-wife-to-stay-in-detention-centre-until-next-hearing-1767693977486/embed</a>Trudeau is identified as “Gringo Canada”, and says “Come to Canada whenever ;)”. While Gringo is an ironic slang used mainly by Latin Americans to refer to North Americans, the winky face symbol and invitation allude to Canada’s reputation for offering asylum to left-leaning exiles like Cuban refugees. While Trudeau is no more in power, it is a mockery of his progressive policies and criticisms of Trump.Zelensky asks, “Can I borrow $500 million?”, which is poking fun at Ukraine’s heavy reliance on international aid amid its war with Russia, with billions in US funding under scrutiny by the Trump administration. Zelensky is known for his frequent requests for financial or defence aid, which he is seeking from Maduro, given Venezuela’s oil wealth.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/who-s-next-7-dictators-who-won-t-sleep-peacefully-after-nicholas-maduro-s-extraction-1767529921852">Who's next? 7 dictators and leaders who won't sleep peacefully after Nicholas Maduro’s extraction</a> Kim Jong-un, labelled “Otro Chino”, meaning “Another Chinese”, says: “you are homoseshuro”. This is possibly a deliberate misspelling of “you are homosexual,” as a childish or homophobic insult. “Otro Chino” lumps Kim in with Xi, alluding to North Korea’s alliance with China and shared authoritarianism with Venezuela.Donald Trump’s message is interestingly ‘sent’ at 2.08 am, which is around the time Maduro was captured in the intervening night of January 3 and 4. The US president only says: “come outside”, which is shown as unread with a blue dot.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Banger 😂 <a href="https://t.co/u5kA0RVW9q">https://t.co/u5kA0RVW9q</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/2008199691918340589?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Elon Musk shared a viral meme claiming Maduro’s confiscated iPhone revealed fake chats with Trump, Putin, Xi and others. What could be the meaning of their cryptic messages? Let's decode


Elon Musk has shared a humorous post containing a meme that showed a fictional screenshot of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro’s confiscated iPhone, ‘revealing’ chats he had with various leaders, including US President Donald Trump, under whose orders he was extracted to the US to stand trial in alleged drug offences. The meme shows profile pics of Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping, Canada’s ex-PM Justin Trudeau, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, and Trump. The idea seems to be to share the possible last messages Maduro may have received before the American military operation on January 3. The shock and absurdity of Maduro’s US capture is evident in the meme photo, which is imagined as a ‘screenshot’ of his phone’s last chat history. Maduro’s capture On January 3, US forces seized Maduro from his presidential residence in the Venezuelan capital Caracas in what was essentially a regime change operation. He was brought to New York, where he appeared before a court on Monday (Jan 6). Maduro pleaded not guilty, and claimed he was kidnapped. What is in the Maduro meme photo shared by Musk? The original meme was shared by Musk with a simple comment: ‘Banger’ and a laughing emoji. The meme has got 26 million views and thousands of replies. The satirical screenshot of Maduro’s iPhone Messages app shows texts from the leaders, with a “CONFIDENTIAL” watermark overlaid, adding to the faux-leaked vibe of the meme. Also read: ‘I was kidnapped’: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro pleads not guilty in US court Decoding the meme: What each leader told Maduro before his capture Putin says, “We make deal, no tell Trump”, possibly referring to secretive alliances between Russia and Venezuela often involving oil, military support, or anti-US pacts. The “no tell Trump” suggests fear of US intervention by Trump, as well as Putin's poor English. Xi, who is identified in the screenshot as “Chino” or Chinese, says: “Trump berry FAFO”. This appears garbled or intentionally poorly translated to mock Xi’s broken English. “Berry” is probably meant as “very,” and “FAFO” could be an acronym for the internet slang “f*** around and Find Out”. This could be referring to defence secretary Pete Hegseth's remark that Maduro ‘effed around and found out’, while detailing the Caracas operation to media along with Trump on January 4. China has several large investments in Venezuela and has given loans to the country. There are also oil deals which Trump could jeopardise for China. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-venezuela-tensions-maduro-wife-to-stay-in-detention-centre-until-next-hearing-1767693977486/embed Trudeau is identified as “Gringo Canada”, and says “Come to Canada whenever ;)”. While Gringo is an ironic slang used mainly by Latin Americans to refer to North Americans, the winky face symbol and invitation allude to Canada’s reputation for offering asylum to left-leaning exiles like Cuban refugees. While Trudeau is no more in power, it is a mockery of his progressive policies and criticisms of Trump. Zelensky asks, “Can I borrow $500 million?”, which is poking fun at Ukraine’s heavy reliance on international aid amid its war with Russia, with billions in US funding under scrutiny by the Trump administration. Zelensky is known for his frequent requests for financial or defence aid, which he is seeking from Maduro, given Venezuela’s oil wealth. Also read: Who's next? 7 dictators and leaders who won't sleep peacefully after Nicholas Maduro’s extraction Kim Jong-un, labelled “Otro Chino”, meaning “Another Chinese”, says: “you are homoseshuro”. This is possibly a deliberate misspelling of “you are homosexual,” as a childish or homophobic insult. “Otro Chino” lumps Kim in with Xi, alluding to North Korea’s alliance with China and shared authoritarianism with Venezuela. Donald Trump’s message is interestingly ‘sent’ at 2.08 am, which is around the time Maduro was captured in the intervening night of January 3 and 4. The US president only says: “come outside”, which is shown as unread with a blue dot.

Elon Musk shared a viral meme claiming Maduro’s confiscated iPhone revealed fake chats with Trump, Putin, Xi and others. What could be the meaning of their cryptic messages? Let's decode

‘Banger’: Musk shares meme of Maduro’s ‘confiscated iPhone’. Here’s what the messages in it might mean

Nearly 200 US military personnel were involved in the US operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on Monday (Jan 5). This comes after American forces on Saturday (Jan 3) seized the Venezuelan leader in what it described as its war against drug cartels and drug lords. In an operation titled Operation Absolute Resolve, the American forces entered Venezuela, bombed Caracas and captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their presidential palace under the orders of US President Donald Trump.Washington has accused Maduro of running a drug cartel and had placed a bounty of $50 million on him. Maduro was flown to USS Iwo Jima, then to Guantánamo Bay, and finally by government plane to Stewart Air National Guard Base in NY. He is held at Brooklyn’s notorious Metropolitan Detention Center and is facing charges of narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracies. He made his first appearance in Manhattan federal court on Jan 5, where he pleaded not guilty.“Nearly 200 of our greatest Americans went downtown in Caracas… and grabbed an indicted individual wanted by American justice, in support of law enforcement, without a single American killed,” Hegseth said in a speech to US sailors and shipbuilders in Virginia. The American operation involved more than 150 military aircraft in various roles, including striking Venezuelan defenses.A day after the US operation, Trump claimed that “a lot of Cubans were killed”, while no US casualty was reported died in the operation. Havana authorities said that 32 Cubans were killed, while the Colombian President said that one person from his country was also killed.Earlier, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine revealed that the attack on Venezuelan capital Caracas and the capture of leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife was not an instantaneous plan by Trump and the US state machinery. US spies had been monitoring Maduro’s every move for months. A small team, including one source within the Venezuelan government kept a track of the 63-year-old’s movements like when he slept, what he wore and what he ate. His pets were also tracked by the intelligence staff.US troops also created a full-size replica of Maduro’s Caracas safe house to practise their entry routes. And after keeping a track for months, the mission called “Operation Absolute Resolve” was finalised in early December last year. While the operation was approved by Trump four days earlier when it was executed, the US military delayed it due to weather conditions.

Nearly 200 US troops took part in Operation Absolute Resolve, a US raid that bombed Caracas and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Maduro, accused of narco-terrorism, was flown to the US and pleaded not guilty in federal court.

Nearly 200 US military personnel were involved in the US operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on Monday (Jan 5). This comes after American forces on Saturday (Jan 3) seized the Venezuelan leader in what it described as its war against drug cartels and drug lords. In an operation titled Operation Absolute Resolve, the American forces entered Venezuela, bombed Caracas and captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their presidential palace under the orders of US President Donald Trump. Washington has accused Maduro of running a drug cartel and had placed a bounty of $50 million on him. Maduro was flown to USS Iwo Jima, then to Guantánamo Bay, and finally by government plane to Stewart Air National Guard Base in NY. He is held at Brooklyn’s notorious Metropolitan Detention Center and is facing charges of narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracies. He made his first appearance in Manhattan federal court on Jan 5, where he pleaded not guilty. “Nearly 200 of our greatest Americans went downtown in Caracas… and grabbed an indicted individual wanted by American justice, in support of law enforcement, without a single American killed,” Hegseth said in a speech to US sailors and shipbuilders in Virginia. The American operation involved more than 150 military aircraft in various roles, including striking Venezuelan defenses. A day after the US operation, Trump claimed that “a lot of Cubans were killed”, while no US casualty was reported died in the operation. Havana authorities said that 32 Cubans were killed, while the Colombian President said that one person from his country was also killed. Earlier, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine revealed that the attack on Venezuelan capital Caracas and the capture of leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife was not an instantaneous plan by Trump and the US state machinery. US spies had been monitoring Maduro’s every move for months. A small team, including one source within the Venezuelan government kept a track of the 63-year-old’s movements like when he slept, what he wore and what he ate. His pets were also tracked by the intelligence staff. US troops also created a full-size replica of Maduro’s Caracas safe house to practise their entry routes. And after keeping a track for months, the mission called “Operation Absolute Resolve” was finalised in early December last year. While the operation was approved by Trump four days earlier when it was executed, the US military delayed it due to weather conditions.

Nearly 200 US troops took part in Operation Absolute Resolve, a US raid that bombed Caracas and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Maduro, accused of narco-terrorism, was flown to the US and pleaded not guilty in federal court.

‘Greatest Americans’: Nearly 200 US troops involved in operation to capture Maduro, bomb Caracas

US President Donald Trump's administration after carrying out the audacious operation that ended in the abduction of Venezuela president Nicolas Maduro has now pushed out a cartoon meant to provoke rivals and allies alike. Here's all you need to know.<h2>Why is the cartoon provocative?</h2>The provocative cartoon shows a basketball bat wielding Trump stomping on global allies. Trump, in his trademark dark colour suit and red tie is pictured with one foot planted on South America, the continent where Venezuela is located and his other foot stretched to stomp Canada and Alaska in North America. What's more the cartoon Trump is doing so while holding in his left hand a baseball bat with the words "Donroe Doctrine" emblazoned on it, a play on "Monroe Doctrine".

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/VoELTNtIF2">pic.twitter.com/VoELTNtIF2</a>&mdash; Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/2007558804582609344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/five-years-since-january-6-from-riot-to-redemption-how-donald-trump-rewrote-capitol-hill-siege-1767679914403">January 6 anniversary: Rioters or heroes? How Trump rewrote Capitol Hill siege</a><h2>Trump's chest-beating continues</h2>The provocative cartoon is Trump administration's latest chest-thumping move aimed at showcasing his prowess. Following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilian, the White House, Department of State and Trump's cabinet have released a steady stream of images and clips in this theme. "This is OUR Hemisphere, and President Trump will not allow our security to be threatened," said one posted by Marco Rubio's Department of State.In another, posted by Katie Miller, the wife of Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, showed an image of Greenland painted in US colours, with a one word caption "SOON".

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">SOON <a href="https://t.co/XU6VmZxph3">pic.twitter.com/XU6VmZxph3</a>&mdash; Katie Miller (@KatieMiller) <a href="https://twitter.com/KatieMiller/status/2007541679293944266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-swears-in-delcy-rodriguez-as-acting-president-days-after-maduro-abduction-1767674124349">Who's Delcy Rodriguez? Maduro's second-in-command sworn in as acting president</a><h2>What is Donroe Doctrine?</h2>'Donroe Doctrine' is Trump's play on the Monroe Doctrine, the 1823 declaration by the fifth US president, James Monroe, asserting dominance in the Western Hemisphere. A core idea behind American foreign policy for centuries, the US foreign policy stated that Europe should stay out of the Americas, and in turn, the US would stay out of Europe.Now, Trump has slapped his name on the policy principle. "The Monroe Doctrine is a big deal, but we've superseded it by a lot, by a real lot. They now call it the Donroe document," he said at a news conference. "American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again," he insisted.&nbsp;

After seizing Venezuela’s president, Donald Trump’s administration has now shared a taunting cartoon showing Trump stomping rivals. Here's all you need to know.

US President Donald Trump's administration after carrying out the audacious operation that ended in the abduction of Venezuela president Nicolas Maduro has now pushed out a cartoon meant to provoke rivals and allies alike. Here's all you need to know. Why is the cartoon provocative? The provocative cartoon shows a basketball bat wielding Trump stomping on global allies. Trump, in his trademark dark colour suit and red tie is pictured with one foot planted on South America, the continent where Venezuela is located and his other foot stretched to stomp Canada and Alaska in North America. What's more the cartoon Trump is doing so while holding in his left hand a baseball bat with the words "Donroe Doctrine" emblazoned on it, a play on "Monroe Doctrine".

After seizing Venezuela’s president, Donald Trump’s administration has now shared a taunting cartoon showing Trump stomping rivals. Here's all you need to know.

Trump trolls allies and rivals alike with 'Donroe Doctrine' cartoon after Maduro capture

Hyundai Motor Group announced it to roll out human-like robots in its factories from 2028. The announcement comes while showing off Atlas, a humanoid robot developed by Boston Dynamics, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on Monday. It is the development to come in the race of the new technology used by different giant firms.&nbsp;Hyundai stated that it "plans to integrate Atlas across its global network", along with a plant in the US state of Georgia that was part of a massive immigration raid in 2025. Firms like Amazon, Tesla, and Chinese car-making giant BYD said that they will use humanoid robots in their operations.&nbsp;Hyundai confirmed that the Atlas robots will gradually take on more tasks. The firm owns a majority of its stake in Boston Dynamics, the technology company prominent for Spot, the robot dog. It is also being developed to work alongside people and autonomously manage machines, according to a report in the BBC.&nbsp;The company said the robots are expected to reduce physical stress on workers, take on hazardous duties and support the broader adoption of robotic technology. The company did not disclose how many robots would be rolled out initially or the cost of the initiative.&nbsp;Addressing concerns at CES, Hyundai vice chairman Jaehoon Chang said fears about robots replacing human jobs were understandable, but stressed that people would still be required for tasks such as training and supervising the machines, Reuters reported.<h3>Hyundai’s workers are detained</h3>The announcement follows Hyundai’s statement in 2025 that it would invest more than $20 billion (£15.5 billion) in the United States, aligning with President Donald Trump’s push to expand domestic manufacturing. It also said that the investment would include boosting vehicle production in the US and funding advances in autonomous driving and artificial intelligence. Tesla, led by Elon Musk, has also poured significant resources into its humanoid robot project, Optimus.&nbsp;Hyundai’s Georgia battery plant, run jointly with electronics major LG, is among its most important US facilities. In September 2025, US immigration authorities raided the site and detained hundreds of workers, including at least 300 South Korean nationals, resulting in outrage in South Korea.&nbsp;In response to it, President Lee Jae Myung and Hyundai's chief executive José Muñoz warned that the raid could hamper foreign investment in the US. However, Washington and Seoul later reached an agreement to release the detained workers.

The company said the robots are expected to reduce physical stress on workers, take on hazardous duties and support the broader adoption of robotic technology. The company did not disclose how many robots would be rolled out initially or the cost of the initiative.

Hyundai Motor Group announced it to roll out human-like robots in its factories from 2028. The announcement comes while showing off Atlas, a humanoid robot developed by Boston Dynamics, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on Monday. It is the development to come in the race of the new technology used by different giant firms. Hyundai stated that it "plans to integrate Atlas across its global network", along with a plant in the US state of Georgia that was part of a massive immigration raid in 2025. Firms like Amazon, Tesla, and Chinese car-making giant BYD said that they will use humanoid robots in their operations. Hyundai confirmed that the Atlas robots will gradually take on more tasks. The firm owns a majority of its stake in Boston Dynamics, the technology company prominent for Spot, the robot dog. It is also being developed to work alongside people and autonomously manage machines, according to a report in the BBC. The company said the robots are expected to reduce physical stress on workers, take on hazardous duties and support the broader adoption of robotic technology. The company did not disclose how many robots would be rolled out initially or the cost of the initiative. Addressing concerns at CES, Hyundai vice chairman Jaehoon Chang said fears about robots replacing human jobs were understandable, but stressed that people would still be required for tasks such as training and supervising the machines, Reuters reported. Hyundai’s workers are detained The announcement follows Hyundai’s statement in 2025 that it would invest more than $20 billion (£15.5 billion) in the United States, aligning with President Donald Trump’s push to expand domestic manufacturing. It also said that the investment would include boosting vehicle production in the US and funding advances in autonomous driving and artificial intelligence. Tesla, led by Elon Musk, has also poured significant resources into its humanoid robot project, Optimus. Hyundai’s Georgia battery plant, run jointly with electronics major LG, is among its most important US facilities. In September 2025, US immigration authorities raided the site and detained hundreds of workers, including at least 300 South Korean nationals, resulting in outrage in South Korea. In response to it, President Lee Jae Myung and Hyundai's chief executive José Muñoz warned that the raid could hamper foreign investment in the US. However, Washington and Seoul later reached an agreement to release the detained workers.

The company said the robots are expected to reduce physical stress on workers, take on hazardous duties and support the broader adoption of robotic technology. The company did not disclose how many robots would be rolled out initially or the cost of the initiative.

Hyundai Motor Group announces to roll out humanoid robots in US factories from 2028: Here's why

The Trump administration has moved to fundamentally reshape the United States’ pediatric vaccine schedule, breaking with years of scientifically backed recommendations that reduced disease with routine shots. The change, announced on Monday (Jan 5) by the US health department, rolls back long standing recommendations that helped sharply reduce childhood illness and hospitalisation. Under the new framework, the government will no longer advise that all children routinely receive vaccines against several common diseases, including rotavirus and seasonal influenza.The dramatic shift were announced by the US health department, led by long-time vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention instead will recommend that shots preventing those illnesses as well as hepatitis A, hepatitis B and meningococcal disease be administered for select groups of high-risk individuals or when parents and a child's doctor deem them warranted, rather than as standard practice.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/five-years-since-january-6-from-riot-to-redemption-how-donald-trump-rewrote-capitol-hill-siege-1767679914403">Five years since January 6: From riot to redemption, how Donald Trump rewrote Capitol Hill siege</a>The agency had already shifted to this recommendation model for Covid-19 shots in 2025.At the end of 2024, the CDC was recommending 17 pediatric immunizations for all individuals, the agency said. Now that number is 11.President Donald Trump praised the changes, noting that the "MAHA Moms" -- a base of online influencers who ardently support Kennedy's agenda -- "have been praying for these common sense reforms for many years."Trump's message heralding the schedule overhaul followed a TruthSocial post rife with false statements about vaccine safety and recommendations that contradict scientific consensus.The decision follows Trump's directive last month that health officials compare the US vaccine schedule to peer countries abroad.They were notably focused on Denmark. The new US recommendations now more closely resemble&nbsp;that country's schedule."After an exhaustive review of the evidence, we are aligning the US childhood vaccine schedule with international consensus while strengthening transparency and informed consent. This decision protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health," Kennedy said in a statement.But medical and public health experts slammed the overhaul.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gunfire-erupts-near-venezuela-presidential-palace-days-after-nicolas-maduro-capture-1767663847877">Gunfire erupts near Venezuela presidential palace days after Nicolas Maduro capture</a>Sean O'Leary, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, said "the US child vaccine schedule is one of the most thoroughly researched tools we have to protect children from serious, sometimes deadly diseases.""It's so important that any decision about the US childhood vaccination schedule should be grounded in evidence, transparency and established scientific processes, not comparisons that overlook critical differences between countries or health systems," he told journalists.Experts at the Vaccine Integrity Project, an initiative out of the University of Minnesota, recently noted that the US had already been in line with global consensus.Denmark, project researchers said, represents more of an outlier among "peer countries" than a standard."Denmark's schedule reflects a set of choices made in a small, highly homogeneous country with a centralized health care system that guarantees universal access to care, low baseline disease prevalence, and strong social infrastructure," the group wrote."Those conditions do not apply to the United States, not even close."- 'More confusing for parents' -Senator Bill Cassidy, whose deciding vote confirmed Kennedy's controversial appointment as health chief last year, said that "changing the pediatric vaccine schedule based on no scientific input on safety risks and little transparency will cause unnecessary fear for patients and doctors."The Republican, himself a doctor, said doing so would "make America sicker."States have the authority to mandate vaccinations, but generally CDC recommendations wield significant influence over state policies.US officials have said that access as well as insurance coverage of vaccines should remain in place, even for shots not broadly recommended by the federal government."All vaccines currently recommended by CDC will remain covered by insurance without cost sharing," said Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the federal health insurance programs."No family will lose access. This framework empowers parents and physicians to make individualized decisions based on risk, while maintaining strong protection against serious disease."But public health authorities warned that the changes would only sow doubt and confusion, especially as vaccine skepticism has mushroomed in the wake of the pandemic.O'Leary said the shift "just makes things more confusing for parents and clinicians.""Tragically, our federal government can no longer be trusted" to provide vaccine recommendations, he added. &nbsp;

The Trump administration has slashed the US childhood vaccine schedule, dropping routine shots for flu, rotavirus and more. Health experts warn it risks confusion, fear, and a rollback of decades of disease control.

The Trump administration has moved to fundamentally reshape the United States’ pediatric vaccine schedule, breaking with years of scientifically backed recommendations that reduced disease with routine shots. The change, announced on Monday (Jan 5) by the US health department, rolls back long standing recommendations that helped sharply reduce childhood illness and hospitalisation. Under the new framework, the government will no longer advise that all children routinely receive vaccines against several common diseases, including rotavirus and seasonal influenza. The dramatic shift were announced by the US health department, led by long-time vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention instead will recommend that shots preventing those illnesses as well as hepatitis A, hepatitis B and meningococcal disease be administered for select groups of high-risk individuals or when parents and a child's doctor deem them warranted, rather than as standard practice. Also read | Five years since January 6: From riot to redemption, how Donald Trump rewrote Capitol Hill siege The agency had already shifted to this recommendation model for Covid-19 shots in 2025. At the end of 2024, the CDC was recommending 17 pediatric immunizations for all individuals, the agency said. Now that number is 11. President Donald Trump praised the changes, noting that the "MAHA Moms" -- a base of online influencers who ardently support Kennedy's agenda -- "have been praying for these common sense reforms for many years." Trump's message heralding the schedule overhaul followed a TruthSocial post rife with false statements about vaccine safety and recommendations that contradict scientific consensus. The decision follows Trump's directive last month that health officials compare the US vaccine schedule to peer countries abroad. They were notably focused on Denmark. The new US recommendations now more closely resemble that country's schedule. "After an exhaustive review of the evidence, we are aligning the US childhood vaccine schedule with international consensus while strengthening transparency and informed consent. This decision protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health," Kennedy said in a statement. But medical and public health experts slammed the overhaul. Also read | Gunfire erupts near Venezuela presidential palace days after Nicolas Maduro capture Sean O'Leary, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, said "the US child vaccine schedule is one of the most thoroughly researched tools we have to protect children from serious, sometimes deadly diseases." "It's so important that any decision about the US childhood vaccination schedule should be grounded in evidence, transparency and established scientific processes, not comparisons that overlook critical differences between countries or health systems," he told journalists. Experts at the Vaccine Integrity Project, an initiative out of the University of Minnesota, recently noted that the US had already been in line with global consensus. Denmark, project researchers said, represents more of an outlier among "peer countries" than a standard. "Denmark's schedule reflects a set of choices made in a small, highly homogeneous country with a centralized health care system that guarantees universal access to care, low baseline disease prevalence, and strong social infrastructure," the group wrote. "Those conditions do not apply to the United States, not even close." - 'More confusing for parents' - Senator Bill Cassidy, whose deciding vote confirmed Kennedy's controversial appointment as health chief last year, said that "changing the pediatric vaccine schedule based on no scientific input on safety risks and little transparency will cause unnecessary fear for patients and doctors." The Republican, himself a doctor, said doing so would "make America sicker." States have the authority to mandate vaccinations, but generally CDC recommendations wield significant influence over state policies. US officials have said that access as well as insurance coverage of vaccines should remain in place, even for shots not broadly recommended by the federal government. "All vaccines currently recommended by CDC will remain covered by insurance without cost sharing," said Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the federal health insurance programs. "No family will lose access. This framework empowers parents and physicians to make individualized decisions based on risk, while maintaining strong protection against serious disease." But public health authorities warned that the changes would only sow doubt and confusion, especially as vaccine skepticism has mushroomed in the wake of the pandemic. O'Leary said the shift "just makes things more confusing for parents and clinicians." "Tragically, our federal government can no longer be trusted" to provide vaccine recommendations, he added.

The Trump administration has slashed the US childhood vaccine schedule, dropping routine shots for flu, rotavirus and more. Health experts warn it risks confusion, fear, and a rollback of decades of disease control.

US bows to 'MAHA Moms': Trump administration scraps universal childhood shots for flu, rotavirus

Thailand on Tuesday (Jan 6) accused Cambodia of violating the 10-day-old truce between the neighbours, saying that cross-border mortar fire injured its troops. Meanwhile, Phnom Penh claimed that the incident was an accident, adding that there was “no intention to fire into Thai territory” and also injured two of its own soldiers. This comes after the two countries agreed to a fragile truce on December 27 following three weeks of clashes.‘Cambodia has violated the ceasefire,” the Thai army said in a statement on Tuesday, accusing Cambodian forces of firing mortar rounds into its Ubon Ratchathani province. It added that one soldier was wounded by shrapnel.In a statement, Cambodia’s Defence Ministry spokeswoman Lieutenant General Maly Socheata said that the incident, which happened at 7:27 am on Tuesday in Mom Bei, Preah Vihear province, occurred when Cambodian troops were carrying out organisational and orderliness arrangements at their stationed areas within their territory.“At the same time, an explosion occurred from a pile of garbage, resulting in one minor injury and one serious injury to two Cambodian soldiers who were performing their duties at the site,” she said.The Thai army later said in a statement that the Cambodian side contacted a Thai military unit and claimed that “there was no intention to fire into Thai territory” and that “the incident was caused by an operational error by Cambodian personnel.”The Thai army said that it warned Cambodia to exercise caution, stressing that a similar incident in future would attract retaliation.The explosion happened near a frontier region known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos meet, Socheata added. She did not mention the allegation of a strike by Thailand but said that border coordination teams from both nations addressed the incident.The fresh clashes between Thailand and Cambodia were triggered last year after a Thai soldier was injured by a landmine, allegedly placed near the disputed border area by Cambodia, in November. Cambodia denied the claims, but the Thai soldier died later, prompting Thailand to launch an air strike, triggering the recent clashes.

Thailand accused Cambodia of violating a 10-day-old truce after mortar fire injured a Thai soldier. Cambodia called it an accident, denied targeting Thailand and said two of its own soldiers were hurt. The incident occurred near the Emerald Triangle border area.

Thailand on Tuesday (Jan 6) accused Cambodia of violating the 10-day-old truce between the neighbours, saying that cross-border mortar fire injured its troops. Meanwhile, Phnom Penh claimed that the incident was an accident, adding that there was “no intention to fire into Thai territory” and also injured two of its own soldiers. This comes after the two countries agreed to a fragile truce on December 27 following three weeks of clashes. ‘Cambodia has violated the ceasefire,” the Thai army said in a statement on Tuesday, accusing Cambodian forces of firing mortar rounds into its Ubon Ratchathani province. It added that one soldier was wounded by shrapnel. In a statement, Cambodia’s Defence Ministry spokeswoman Lieutenant General Maly Socheata said that the incident, which happened at 7:27 am on Tuesday in Mom Bei, Preah Vihear province, occurred when Cambodian troops were carrying out organisational and orderliness arrangements at their stationed areas within their territory. “At the same time, an explosion occurred from a pile of garbage, resulting in one minor injury and one serious injury to two Cambodian soldiers who were performing their duties at the site,” she said. The Thai army later said in a statement that the Cambodian side contacted a Thai military unit and claimed that “there was no intention to fire into Thai territory” and that “the incident was caused by an operational error by Cambodian personnel.” The Thai army said that it warned Cambodia to exercise caution, stressing that a similar incident in future would attract retaliation. The explosion happened near a frontier region known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos meet, Socheata added. She did not mention the allegation of a strike by Thailand but said that border coordination teams from both nations addressed the incident. The fresh clashes between Thailand and Cambodia were triggered last year after a Thai soldier was injured by a landmine, allegedly placed near the disputed border area by Cambodia, in November. Cambodia denied the claims, but the Thai soldier died later, prompting Thailand to launch an air strike, triggering the recent clashes.

Thailand accused Cambodia of violating a 10-day-old truce after mortar fire injured a Thai soldier. Cambodia called it an accident, denied targeting Thailand and said two of its own soldiers were hurt. The incident occurred near the Emerald Triangle border area.

‘Pile of garbage exploded’: Cambodia justifies after Thailand alleges ceasefire violation

For decades, thorium was supposed to be India's energy ‘Trump card’. Clean, abundant available, and perfectly matched to the country's geology, it was seen as the fuel that could one day free India from imported uranium and fossil fuels. Homi Bhabha built India’s nuclear roadmap around it. And yet, in 2025, India still does not run a single commercial reactor on thorium fuel.<h2>Homi Bhabha's Thorium dream</h2>In the 1950's Homi Bhabha, the "father of India's nuclear program," envisioned a three-stage nuclear energy plan that included plans to leverage India's vast thorium reserves and achieve long-term energy security. Former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam also spoke about it often.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/five-years-since-january-6-from-riot-to-redemption-how-donald-trump-rewrote-capitol-hill-siege-1767679914403">Five years since January 6: From riot to redemption, how Donald Trump rewrote Capitol Hill siege</a>As Dr Srijan Pal Singh, author and former advisor to President Kalam puts it: "The total energy contained in all the world’s uranium, petroleum and coal put together is equal to the energy contained in India’s thorium alone".Talking to WION's parent company ZEE News, Dr Singh said, "India’s thorium is our biggest treasure lying right under our feet," and "We should have utilised it".<h2>What happened to India's Thorium plans? Science succeeded, deployment did not</h2>It wasn't a failure of research. Indian scientists proved the thorium pathway step by step. Thorium oxide fuel pins were tested in pressurised heavy water reactors. Uranium 233 bred from thorium powered the KAMINI reactor at Kalpakkam. Fuel fabrication, reprocessing, and irradiation studies were all completed.What never happened was the final jump. The Advanced Heavy Water Reactor, designed specifically for thorium, has remained on paper for more than two decades.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-india-cannot-be-a-bystander-shiv-sena-mp-priyanka-chaturvedi-accuses-musk-s-grok-ai-of-enabling-sexualised-abuse-of-women-on-x-1767342794242">'India cannot be a bystander': Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi accuses Musk's Grok AI of enabling sexualised abuse of women</a><h2>Beaten at its own game? A breakthrough from elsewhere</h2>Now, Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE) has done what India planned for decades. The US based private startup recently &nbsp;unveiled ANEEL, a commercially deployable thorium-based fuel designed to work in pressurised heavy water reactors, including in Indian reactors.The irony is hard to miss. India laid the foundation, built the reactors, and validated the fuel cycle. The final, commercial step happened abroad.<h2>Not a defeat</h2>Experts point to a mix of causes behind the delay in commercial deployment of Thorium. They explain that Thorium is not fissile on its own and requires complex breeding and reprocessing. After the 2008 nuclear deal made uranium easier to access, urgency faded. Funding slowed. Institutional caution set in. Thorium became a future goal rather than a present mission.Dr Singh believes that pause has cost India dearly. He argues that "We should immediately set up a task force, create a venture fund that does not go only to IITs and the BARC, but also supports our private enterprises".

Thorium was meant to power India’s energy future. The science worked, the fuel cycle was proven, yet no reactor ever followed. Now a US startup has gone commercial first. WION explains how India built the roadmap, then stalled at the final step.

For decades, thorium was supposed to be India's energy ‘Trump card’. Clean, abundant available, and perfectly matched to the country's geology, it was seen as the fuel that could one day free India from imported uranium and fossil fuels. Homi Bhabha built India’s nuclear roadmap around it. And yet, in 2025, India still does not run a single commercial reactor on thorium fuel. Homi Bhabha's Thorium dream In the 1950's Homi Bhabha, the "father of India's nuclear program," envisioned a three-stage nuclear energy plan that included plans to leverage India's vast thorium reserves and achieve long-term energy security. Former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam also spoke about it often. Also read | Five years since January 6: From riot to redemption, how Donald Trump rewrote Capitol Hill siege As Dr Srijan Pal Singh, author and former advisor to President Kalam puts it: "The total energy contained in all the world’s uranium, petroleum and coal put together is equal to the energy contained in India’s thorium alone". Talking to WION's parent company ZEE News, Dr Singh said, "India’s thorium is our biggest treasure lying right under our feet," and "We should have utilised it". What happened to India's Thorium plans? Science succeeded, deployment did not It wasn't a failure of research. Indian scientists proved the thorium pathway step by step. Thorium oxide fuel pins were tested in pressurised heavy water reactors. Uranium 233 bred from thorium powered the KAMINI reactor at Kalpakkam. Fuel fabrication, reprocessing, and irradiation studies were all completed. What never happened was the final jump. The Advanced Heavy Water Reactor, designed specifically for thorium, has remained on paper for more than two decades. Also read | 'India cannot be a bystander': Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi accuses Musk's Grok AI of enabling sexualised abuse of women Beaten at its own game? A breakthrough from elsewhere Now, Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE) has done what India planned for decades. The US based private startup recently unveiled ANEEL, a commercially deployable thorium-based fuel designed to work in pressurised heavy water reactors, including in Indian reactors. The irony is hard to miss. India laid the foundation, built the reactors, and validated the fuel cycle. The final, commercial step happened abroad. Not a defeat Experts point to a mix of causes behind the delay in commercial deployment of Thorium. They explain that Thorium is not fissile on its own and requires complex breeding and reprocessing. After the 2008 nuclear deal made uranium easier to access, urgency faded. Funding slowed. Institutional caution set in. Thorium became a future goal rather than a present mission. Dr Singh believes that pause has cost India dearly. He argues that "We should immediately set up a task force, create a venture fund that does not go only to IITs and the BARC, but also supports our private enterprises".

Thorium was meant to power India’s energy future. The science worked, the fuel cycle was proven, yet no reactor ever followed. Now a US startup has gone commercial first. WION explains how India built the roadmap, then stalled at the final step.

A promise buried in plain sight: How Thorium, 'India's energy future,' turned into a flop

President Donald Trump said on Monday that the US has already collected, and is likely to receive over $600 billion from tariffs, claiming the policy has strengthened America's finances and bolstered national security. He also accused the media of playing down the issue ahead of an important Supreme Court decision.&nbsp;In a post on his social media platform on Truth Social app, Trump said, "We have taken in, and will soon be receiving, more than 600 Billion Dollars in Tariffs, but the Fake News Media refuses to talk about it because they hate and disrespect our Country, and want to interfere with the upcoming Tariff decision, one of the most important ever, of the United States Supreme Court."&nbsp;He also asserted in the post that framed trade measures are directly connected to the global standing of the nation. "Because of Tariffs, our Country is financially, AND FROM A NATIONAL SECURITY STANDPOINT, FAR STRONGER AND MORE RESPECTED THAN EVER BEFORE," Trump wrote.&nbsp;After Trump came to power in January 2025, he used tariffs as a national security and foreign policy tool, imposing huge tariffs on countries globally on imports of their products. In addition, he has also imposed a 50 per cent tariff on the import of products from India.<h3>India pushes ahead to diversify exports</h3>India is planning to extend the country's exports away from the US, and it is likely to gather pace in the coming ahead, according to an article in the South China Morning Post. The article shows that New Delhi has maintained a resolute approach to the punitive levies, ever since US President Donald Trump imposed penal import tariffs of 50 per cent on India last year. However, India still kept the door open to negotiations.&nbsp;The US is the biggest export destination for India, accounting for around 18 per cent of the country’s total goods exports, including apparel and leather items, with a large Indian diaspora driving demand for these products.&nbsp;However, the article notes that it is uncertain whether New Delhi and Washington can reach a trade agreement, given India’s resistance to opening sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy to US imports. Experts also doubt that the US will make any major reductions to its tariffs.

After Trump came to power in January 2025, he used tariffs as a national security and foreign policy tool, imposing huge tariffs on countries globally on imports of their products. In addition, he has also imposed a 50 per cent tariff on the import of products from India.

President Donald Trump said on Monday that the US has already collected, and is likely to receive over $600 billion from tariffs, claiming the policy has strengthened America's finances and bolstered national security. He also accused the media of playing down the issue ahead of an important Supreme Court decision. In a post on his social media platform on Truth Social app, Trump said, "We have taken in, and will soon be receiving, more than 600 Billion Dollars in Tariffs, but the Fake News Media refuses to talk about it because they hate and disrespect our Country, and want to interfere with the upcoming Tariff decision, one of the most important ever, of the United States Supreme Court." He also asserted in the post that framed trade measures are directly connected to the global standing of the nation. "Because of Tariffs, our Country is financially, AND FROM A NATIONAL SECURITY STANDPOINT, FAR STRONGER AND MORE RESPECTED THAN EVER BEFORE," Trump wrote. After Trump came to power in January 2025, he used tariffs as a national security and foreign policy tool, imposing huge tariffs on countries globally on imports of their products. In addition, he has also imposed a 50 per cent tariff on the import of products from India. India pushes ahead to diversify exports India is planning to extend the country's exports away from the US, and it is likely to gather pace in the coming ahead, according to an article in the South China Morning Post. The article shows that New Delhi has maintained a resolute approach to the punitive levies, ever since US President Donald Trump imposed penal import tariffs of 50 per cent on India last year. However, India still kept the door open to negotiations. The US is the biggest export destination for India, accounting for around 18 per cent of the country’s total goods exports, including apparel and leather items, with a large Indian diaspora driving demand for these products. However, the article notes that it is uncertain whether New Delhi and Washington can reach a trade agreement, given India’s resistance to opening sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy to US imports. Experts also doubt that the US will make any major reductions to its tariffs.

After Trump came to power in January 2025, he used tariffs as a national security and foreign policy tool, imposing huge tariffs on countries globally on imports of their products. In addition, he has also imposed a 50 per cent tariff on the import of products from India.

'Far stronger & more respected': Trump claims US will receive over $600 billion in tariffs, hits out at media

US President Donald Trump admitted that the ousted opposition leader and the Nobel Prize winner Maria Corina Machado doesn't have the "support" and "respect" to govern the Venezuelan nation. This comes after a year of the Western media and journalists rallying around Maria Corina Machado and her candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, who was supposedly the “rightful” winner. According to them, Nicolas Maduro has allegedly stolen the election.&nbsp;&nbsp;Even though there were political divisions within Venezuela and the Bolivarian Revolution. But it did not constitute an overwhelming majority. Venezuela’s National Electoral Council said that the opposition party, months ahead of the election, started to claim that they would not accept the results. In fact, independent US media, Peoples Forum, Peoples Dispatch and Real News Network, have reported that claims by the US corporate media about a rigged 2024 Venezuelan election were circulated just hours after the polls closed. It cites more than 800 international election observers on the ground, which paints a very different picture.&nbsp;&nbsp;On January 3, 2026, the US conducted a military operation in Venezuela and abducted Nicolas Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores. Soon, when enquired about Maria Corina Machado as the potential leader. Trump responded, "I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader. She doesn't have the support within or the respect within the country. She's a very nice woman, but she doesn't have the respect."&nbsp;&nbsp;Machado had become an international figure following the election and the riot that ensued after the result. She continued her campaign within the international community, leaving out the impact of US sanctions, the multiple US-backed coup attempts in Venezuela since 2002.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">María Corina Machado is 100 % aligned with the US and president Trump: &quot;China lent, Russia armed and Iran entrenched itself. They bet on Maduro. And, like him, they are about to lose their investment.&quot;<a href="https://t.co/qLp8VaB9Oq">pic.twitter.com/qLp8VaB9Oq</a>&mdash; Emmanuel Rincón (@EmmaRincon) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmaRincon/status/1986206389585276985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">¿Dónde está el 70% que votó por Edmundo González? Son como el Cartel de los Soles, no existen. <a href="https://t.co/D0DxOYj1rV">pic.twitter.com/D0DxOYj1rV</a>&mdash; Doña Ligia 🇨🇴🇻🇪🇵🇸 (@ligia281243) <a href="https://twitter.com/ligia281243/status/2008123838421438753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BREAKING: 🇻🇪🇺🇸 Members of the Venezuelan opposition are now joining the anti-US protests across Venezuela <a href="https://t.co/fjRkBKsYXc">pic.twitter.com/fjRkBKsYXc</a>&mdash; Megatron (@Megatron_ron) <a href="https://twitter.com/Megatron_ron/status/2008171514961785138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Most of the Liberal and Conservative US Media, from ABC News, CNN, to Fox News, united in support of Machado. A report from the Washington Post claimed that Trump opposes Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado leading the country because she won the Nobel Peace Prize that he so desperately wanted. In an interview with NBC News, Trump said that it was not the case. She legitimately lacks support among Venezuelans.

Donald Trump said Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado lacks support and respect to govern, contradicting Western media narratives after Maduro’s abduction.

US President Donald Trump admitted that the ousted opposition leader and the Nobel Prize winner Maria Corina Machado doesn't have the "support" and "respect" to govern the Venezuelan nation. This comes after a year of the Western media and journalists rallying around Maria Corina Machado and her candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, who was supposedly the “rightful” winner. According to them, Nicolas Maduro has allegedly stolen the election. Even though there were political divisions within Venezuela and the Bolivarian Revolution. But it did not constitute an overwhelming majority. Venezuela’s National Electoral Council said that the opposition party, months ahead of the election, started to claim that they would not accept the results. In fact, independent US media, Peoples Forum, Peoples Dispatch and Real News Network, have reported that claims by the US corporate media about a rigged 2024 Venezuelan election were circulated just hours after the polls closed. It cites more than 800 international election observers on the ground, which paints a very different picture. On January 3, 2026, the US conducted a military operation in Venezuela and abducted Nicolas Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores. Soon, when enquired about Maria Corina Machado as the potential leader. Trump responded, "I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader. She doesn't have the support within or the respect within the country. She's a very nice woman, but she doesn't have the respect." Machado had become an international figure following the election and the riot that ensued after the result. She continued her campaign within the international community, leaving out the impact of US sanctions, the multiple US-backed coup attempts in Venezuela since 2002.

Donald Trump said Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado lacks support and respect to govern, contradicting Western media narratives after Maduro’s abduction.

Trump says Machado doesn’t have 'support' and 'respect' to govern

Five years after the US Capitol riots, Jan 6 still haunts American politics. From violent rioters to mass pardons, lawsuits and even jobs inside Trump’s administration. Here's how Trump rewrote the story of Jan 6 rioters.

Five years since January 6: From riot to redemption, how Donald Trump rewrote Capitol Hill siege

Business leaders from Afghanistan and Pakistan held talks on Monday to discuss reopening the Torkham border crossing, with the aim of easing trade disruptions between the two countries, local media reported. The Taliban-run Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment said that they and Pakistani counterparts agreed to establish a joint delegation to hold talks on reopening the Torkham border crossing, Afghanistan's Khaama Press reported. In a statement, the chamber said Pakistan's Chamber of Industry offered to hold talks during a virtual meeting held on Sunday, a proposal accepted by the Afghan side to ease trade disruptions. According to the statement, a 12-member delegation from each side is expected to hold talks in Jalalabad next week to discuss practical steps forward. The chamber said the first phase would enable stranded cargo containers to cross the border, followed by talks on the full reopening of the Torkham crossing. The Torkham crossing is one of the most key trade routes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which enables the movement of large volumes of food, fuel, and commercial goods between the two nations. On Sunday, people held a protest in the Landi Kotal area of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to demand an immediate reopening of the Torkham border, local media reported. Traders, transporters, tribal elders, daily wagers, activists of political parties and civil society were part of the protest held under the banner of the All Borders Coordinators Council. Representatives from various organisations and groups, who were directly impacted by the border shutdown with Afghanistan since October 12, participated in the protest, the Dawn reported. While addressing the protesters, the speakers said that the border closure has caused economic murder of thousands of people, the majority of them being tribesmen, as they were fully reliant on the cross-border trade. They called the Torkham border an important business gateway to Central Asia and said that the border crossing served as an economic hub for thousands of families, as their livelihoods were linked to it. According to them, all commercial activities have stopped in the town due to the border closure. The speakers said that hundreds of families faced extreme poverty and economic problems due to border closure, with many of them forced to take loans for their survival. They urged Afghanistan and Pakistan not to link bilateral trade to political and security issues and to allow people to travel frequently on both sides of the border. "We also demand that influential tribal elders and trade representatives shall be made part of future Pak-Afghan peace and trade dialogue as they have always helped resolve thorny issues between the two countries in the past," they said.

In a statement, the chamber said Pakistan's Chamber of Industry offered to hold talks during a virtual meeting held on Sunday, a proposal accepted by the Afghan side to ease trade disruptions.

Business leaders from Afghanistan and Pakistan held talks on Monday to discuss reopening the Torkham border crossing, with the aim of easing trade disruptions between the two countries, local media reported. The Taliban-run Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment said that they and Pakistani counterparts agreed to establish a joint delegation to hold talks on reopening the Torkham border crossing, Afghanistan's Khaama Press reported. In a statement, the chamber said Pakistan's Chamber of Industry offered to hold talks during a virtual meeting held on Sunday, a proposal accepted by the Afghan side to ease trade disruptions. According to the statement, a 12-member delegation from each side is expected to hold talks in Jalalabad next week to discuss practical steps forward. The chamber said the first phase would enable stranded cargo containers to cross the border, followed by talks on the full reopening of the Torkham crossing. The Torkham crossing is one of the most key trade routes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which enables the movement of large volumes of food, fuel, and commercial goods between the two nations. On Sunday, people held a protest in the Landi Kotal area of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to demand an immediate reopening of the Torkham border, local media reported. Traders, transporters, tribal elders, daily wagers, activists of political parties and civil society were part of the protest held under the banner of the All Borders Coordinators Council. Representatives from various organisations and groups, who were directly impacted by the border shutdown with Afghanistan since October 12, participated in the protest, the Dawn reported. While addressing the protesters, the speakers said that the border closure has caused economic murder of thousands of people, the majority of them being tribesmen, as they were fully reliant on the cross-border trade. They called the Torkham border an important business gateway to Central Asia and said that the border crossing served as an economic hub for thousands of families, as their livelihoods were linked to it. According to them, all commercial activities have stopped in the town due to the border closure. The speakers said that hundreds of families faced extreme poverty and economic problems due to border closure, with many of them forced to take loans for their survival. They urged Afghanistan and Pakistan not to link bilateral trade to political and security issues and to allow people to travel frequently on both sides of the border. "We also demand that influential tribal elders and trade representatives shall be made part of future Pak-Afghan peace and trade dialogue as they have always helped resolve thorny issues between the two countries in the past," they said.

In a statement, the chamber said Pakistan's Chamber of Industry offered to hold talks during a virtual meeting held on Sunday, a proposal accepted by the Afghan side to ease trade disruptions.

Pakistan, Afghanistan hold talks to reopen border for trade

A Syrian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, began a fresh round of talks with Israel on Monday, according to state news agency SANA, marking the first negotiations between the two sides in several months.Quoting a government source, SANA said the talks were coordinated and mediated by Washington, adding that the discussions were focused on reaching "a balanced security agreement" between the two countries.Two diplomatic sources told AFP that the US-mediated talks were being held in Paris.SANA said the negotiations were focused on reactivating a 1974 disengagement agreement and guaranteeing "the withdrawal of Israeli forces" to their positions before the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.After Assad's ousting, Israel sent troops into the UN-patrolled buffer zone, which has separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights for decades.Israel has also carried out repeated incursions deeper into Syrian territory since then, as well as bombings, and has said it wants a demilitarised zone in the country's south.France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot spoke to Shaibani on Monday in Paris, the French foreign ministry said in a statement."The two ministers stressed the importance of working towards the restoration of a unified, stable and sovereign Syria. In that regard, they mentioned the necessity of coming to a security arrangement with Israel in Syria's south," the statement said.The United States has been pushing Syria and Israel to reach an agreement that would halt hostilities between the two countries, technically at war since 1948."The resumption of these negotiations is confirmation of Syria's firm commitment to restoring its non-negotiable national rights," the government source told SANA, adding that intelligence chief Hussein al-Salama was also part of the delegation.Syria and Israel opened direct negotiations after Assad was toppled by an Islamist-led coalition.Officials have met on several occasions, most recently in September, but Israel's insistence on a demilitarised zone in southern Syria has been a major stumbling block.Last month, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said the demand would endanger his country and urged Israel to respect the 1974 deal.

After Assad's ousting, Israel sent troops into the UN-patrolled buffer zone, which has separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights for decades.

A Syrian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, began a fresh round of talks with Israel on Monday, according to state news agency SANA, marking the first negotiations between the two sides in several months. Quoting a government source, SANA said the talks were coordinated and mediated by Washington, adding that the discussions were focused on reaching "a balanced security agreement" between the two countries. Two diplomatic sources told AFP that the US-mediated talks were being held in Paris. SANA said the negotiations were focused on reactivating a 1974 disengagement agreement and guaranteeing "the withdrawal of Israeli forces" to their positions before the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. After Assad's ousting, Israel sent troops into the UN-patrolled buffer zone, which has separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights for decades. Israel has also carried out repeated incursions deeper into Syrian territory since then, as well as bombings, and has said it wants a demilitarised zone in the country's south. France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot spoke to Shaibani on Monday in Paris, the French foreign ministry said in a statement. "The two ministers stressed the importance of working towards the restoration of a unified, stable and sovereign Syria. In that regard, they mentioned the necessity of coming to a security arrangement with Israel in Syria's south," the statement said. The United States has been pushing Syria and Israel to reach an agreement that would halt hostilities between the two countries, technically at war since 1948. "The resumption of these negotiations is confirmation of Syria's firm commitment to restoring its non-negotiable national rights," the government source told SANA, adding that intelligence chief Hussein al-Salama was also part of the delegation. Syria and Israel opened direct negotiations after Assad was toppled by an Islamist-led coalition. Officials have met on several occasions, most recently in September, but Israel's insistence on a demilitarised zone in southern Syria has been a major stumbling block. Last month, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said the demand would endanger his country and urged Israel to respect the 1974 deal.

After Assad's ousting, Israel sent troops into the UN-patrolled buffer zone, which has separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights for decades.

Syria begins fresh round of talks with Israel to reach ‘balanced security agreement’

Following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over drug trafficking charges, the US Navy's P-8 Poseidon was spotted circling a drug-smuggling hub off Mexico's coast on Monday morning. Notably, US President Donald Trump has issued a warning to Mexico over drug trafficking, raising fears of a similar action to that in Venezuela. According to flight tracking websites, the aircraft carried out surveillance and reconnaissance operations miles offshore from Tijuana, believed to be a major drug cartel corridor. Reports state that the plane took off from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington, flew through Oregon and California, did several rounds off the Mexican coast and southern California, before returning to base.<h2>Boeing P-8 Poseidon</h2> The Boeing P-8 Poseidon is equipped with advanced sensors that can detect targets both on the surface and underwater. These features help monitor suspicious vessels and maritime movements. The Pacific drug corridor is used by cartels to smuggle narcotics, including fentanyl, into the United States. The Poseidon's capability for both anti-submarine warfare and surface surveillance makes it perfect for operations along this zone. Flying at speeds of over 900 kilometres per hour, it can reach altitudes of up to 41,000 feet.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-s-machado-labels-interim-president-as-architect-of-torture-narcotrafficking-vows-to-dismantle-criminal-structures-1767672570345">Venezuela’s Machado labels interim president as ‘architect of torture, narcotrafficking’, vows to ‘dismantle criminal structures’</a>&nbsp;Its in-flight refuelling system helps it stay airborne for hours at a time. The US has a total of 174 aircraft in its P-8 Poseidon fleet and has logged over 700,000 flight hours. It has been built to withstand all kinds of conditions for up to 25 years. According to Boeing, it can be upgraded to meet evolving threats. The P-8 has interoperability features and can work in tandem with other US and allied forces across land, sea, and air operations.&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-venezuela-tensions-venezuelan-parliament-head-vows-to-bring-back-maduro-1767670532693/embed<h2>What Trump said of Mexico drug cartel operations</h2> The flight comes after Trump raised concerns that drug cartels continue to dominate large parts of Mexico. He also slammed the government for failing to control these operations. "The cartels are running Mexico, whether you like it or not. It's not nice to say, but the cartels are running Mexico," he said. Trump even threatened Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in November to take action against drug cartels or face possible US military intervention. "Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? It's OK with me. Whatever we have to do to stop drugs," Trump said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The US Navy's P-8 Poseidon was seen doing several rounds over Tijuana, a drug-smuggling hub in Mexico. This flight comes after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured over the New Year's weekend. 

Following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over drug trafficking charges, the US Navy's P-8 Poseidon was spotted circling a drug-smuggling hub off Mexico's coast on Monday morning. Notably, US President Donald Trump has issued a warning to Mexico over drug trafficking, raising fears of a similar action to that in Venezuela. According to flight tracking websites, the aircraft carried out surveillance and reconnaissance operations miles offshore from Tijuana, believed to be a major drug cartel corridor. Reports state that the plane took off from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington, flew through Oregon and California, did several rounds off the Mexican coast and southern California, before returning to base. Boeing P-8 Poseidon The Boeing P-8 Poseidon is equipped with advanced sensors that can detect targets both on the surface and underwater. These features help monitor suspicious vessels and maritime movements. The Pacific drug corridor is used by cartels to smuggle narcotics, including fentanyl, into the United States. The Poseidon's capability for both anti-submarine warfare and surface surveillance makes it perfect for operations along this zone. Flying at speeds of over 900 kilometres per hour, it can reach altitudes of up to 41,000 feet. Also Read: Venezuela’s Machado labels interim president as ‘architect of torture, narcotrafficking’, vows to ‘dismantle criminal structures’ Its in-flight refuelling system helps it stay airborne for hours at a time. The US has a total of 174 aircraft in its P-8 Poseidon fleet and has logged over 700,000 flight hours. It has been built to withstand all kinds of conditions for up to 25 years. According to Boeing, it can be upgraded to meet evolving threats. The P-8 has interoperability features and can work in tandem with other US and allied forces across land, sea, and air operations. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-venezuela-tensions-venezuelan-parliament-head-vows-to-bring-back-maduro-1767670532693/embed What Trump said of Mexico drug cartel operations The flight comes after Trump raised concerns that drug cartels continue to dominate large parts of Mexico. He also slammed the government for failing to control these operations. "The cartels are running Mexico, whether you like it or not. It's not nice to say, but the cartels are running Mexico," he said. Trump even threatened Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in November to take action against drug cartels or face possible US military intervention. "Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? It's OK with me. Whatever we have to do to stop drugs," Trump said.

The US Navy's P-8 Poseidon was seen doing several rounds over Tijuana, a drug-smuggling hub in Mexico. This flight comes after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured over the New Year's weekend.&nbsp;

US spy jet P-8 Poseidon circles major drug hub off Mexico's coast. Could Venezuela-like operation be in the pipeline?

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US spy jet circles drug hub off Mexico's coast. Could Venezuela-like op follow?