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

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

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

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol in Paris to discuss global energy issues. The talks covered oil markets, nuclear power and critical minerals. Birol said the meeting was warm and productive. Jaishankar said he valued the IEA’s view of the world energy scene and its support for India’s growth. He also spoke about India’s aim to become a full member of the IEA. The minister is on a six-day visit to France and Luxembourg. In Paris, he also met members of the French-Indian Young Talents Program. He will later hold talks with French and Luxembourg leaders during the trip.

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

Marathi film Dashavatar, directed by Subodh Khanolkar, has entered the Oscar 2026 contention list. The director confirmed the development on Monday. The film is among a limited number of titles selected from thousands of global entries. This marks a major moment for Marathi and regional Indian cinema. Zee Studios and the film’s producers called it a historic achievement. Dashavatar tells the story of a folk artist from Konkan who performs the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. The film released in theatres in September 2025. Final Oscar nominations will be announced later this month.

The Supreme Court on Monday denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the Delhi riots conspiracy case. The court said personal liberty is not absolute and must be balanced with society’s security. It found that allegations against both accused are prima facie true. The bench said their roles were central and directive, not minor. The court noted they were involved in planning and coordinating the alleged conspiracy behind the 2020 riots. Five other accused were granted bail, as their roles were seen as subsidiary. The court said delay in trial alone cannot justify bail in serious cases under UAPA.

Former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty in a US court in New York on Monday. Speaking through an interpreter, Maduro told the judge he was “captured” and called himself a “decent man” and Venezuela’s president. He denied all charges against him. Maduro faces charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. US prosecutors allege links with international criminal groups. His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty and said she is Venezuela’s first lady. The case follows Maduro’s capture in Caracas, which has drawn global attention. Venezuela and its allies have criticised the US action.

India has advised its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran until further notice. The advisory was issued as protests spread across the country over rising prices and living costs. The external affairs ministry asked Indians and people of Indian origin in Iran to stay alert and avoid protest areas. Those living in Iran were told to register with the Indian embassy. Around 10,000 Indians, mostly students, are currently in Iran. The move comes after US President Donald Trump warned of action if protesters are harmed. Iranian leaders have rejected foreign pressure. Protests have been reported in many cities. (PC: AP)

A 45-year-old Hindu factory owner and acting newspaper editor, Rana Pratap, was shot in the head by men on a motorcycle in Bangladesh's Jashore district on Monday evening. Attackers called him from his ice factory, led him to an alley, and fired multiple rounds, leaving seven bullet casings. Local sources claim Pratap had multiple legal cases and alleged extremist group connections, though he was acquitted in all cases. This killing follows recent atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, including a widow's rape, hair-cutting incident, and murders of Khokon Chandra Das, Amrit Mondal, and Dipu Chandra Das. India condemned the violence, expressing concern over "unremitting hostility" against minorities under Muhammad Yunus's interim government. (PC: NDTV)