Videos circulating online show Hamas leader Naji Zaheer at a Lashkar-e-Taiba camp in Pakistan’s Gujranwala, raising fresh security concerns. Zaheer is said to be a close aide of Hamas leader Khaled Mashal. Reports say he was invited as a chief guest at the event. This comes as Pakistan faces pressure from the US to send troops to Gaza. Analysts say the sighting points to growing links between Hamas and Pakistan-based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Pakistan has not confirmed the visit. The development could complicate Islamabad’s position on any Gaza deployment amid domestic and global scrutiny. (PC: AFP)

The United States has seized a second oil tanker linked to Venezuelan oil in the Caribbean, the US Southern Command said on Wednesday. The vessel, identified as the M/T Sophia, was taken in international waters and is being escorted to the United States, officials said. This follows the earlier capture of a Russian-flagged tanker, the Marinera, in the North Atlantic. US forces and the Coast Guard conducted the operations under sanctions enforcement for carrying oil tied to Venezuela. The actions are part of wider US efforts to disrupt sanctioned oil shipments. No details on crew or cargo were released. (PC: BBC)

The US has confirmed seizing the oil tanker Marinera (formerly M/V Bella 1) in the North Atlantic for violating US sanctions on Russia and Venezuela. The US European Command announced the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security seized the vessel pursuant to a federal court warrant after tracking by USCGC Munro. The tanker had been sailing under a Russian flag after renaming from its Guyana registration while fleeing US pursuit in the Atlantic. Three US Air Force special operations aircraft departed Scotland's Wick Airport heading toward Iceland's Reykjavik, with a British RAF military transport also heading there, though their connection to the tanker operation remains unclear. The announcement follows White House comments suggesting military action in Greenland remains "always an option." (PC: Reuters)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced that the 18th-century Quran on which he swore his oath of office will be publicly exhibited at the New York Public Library’s main branch. The manuscript, copied in Ottoman Syria and once owned by Black scholar Arturo Schomburg, was part of Mamdani’s private midnight swearing-in ceremony as the city’s first Muslim mayor. Written in black ink with red markings and intended for everyday use rather than ornamentation, the Quran is now presented with photos from the ceremony to symbolize inclusion and shared civic heritage. (PC: NDTV)

Renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs sharply criticized U.S. foreign policy, calling the much-touted “rules-based order” a myth and accusing Washington of pursuing decades-long regime-change tactics driven by military and intelligence institutions rather than constitutional governance. Speaking after his UN Security Council testimony on Venezuela, Sachs described the U.S. capture of Venezuela’s leader as a violation of international law and highlighted the strategic motives tied to ideology and oil. He warned that Iran could be the next target, potentially provoking a far more dangerous global conflict, and urged BRICS nations to uphold international law. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, exchanging New Year greetings and discussing ways to further strengthen the India–Israel strategic partnership in 2026. Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment against terrorism and zero tolerance for terror in all forms, while also exchanging views on the evolving regional situation. Modi highlighted satisfaction with the momentum in bilateral cooperation and emphasized expanding collaboration across key sectors. The conversation underscored growing mutual trust, security cooperation and a forward-looking vision for deeper ties in the year ahead. (PC: X)

Russia has sent navy ships to escort an oil tanker that the United States is seeking to seize, US media reported. The vessel, earlier known as Bella 1 and now called Marinera, is believed to be sailing in the North Atlantic between Scotland and Iceland. The ship once carried Venezuelan oil and is accused of breaking US sanctions. American officials said they prefer to board and seize it rather than sink it. Russia said the tanker is sailing under its flag in international waters and accused the US and Nato of giving it unfair attention. The move follows Washington’s order to block sanctioned tankers linked to Venezuela. (PC: BBC)

The Trump administration has told Venezuela’s interim leadership that it can raise oil output only after cutting economic ties with China, Russia, Iran and Cuba, ABC News reported. Sources said the US also wants Venezuela to partner only with American firms and favour the US when selling heavy crude. The warning comes after US forces captured former president Nicolás Maduro last week and Delcy Rodríguez took charge. US officials believe pressure will work because oil tankers are already full and wells are being shut. Lawmakers said Caracas may face insolvency within weeks without oil sales. The White House has not denied the report. (PC: NDTV)

The White House said using the US military to secure Greenland is “always an option”, raising concern among European allies. President Donald Trump has spoken in recent days about seeking control of the island, which is part of Denmark and a NATO member. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any US move by force could end NATO. Greenland’s prime minister said the territory cannot be taken “because you want to”. In a joint statement, leaders from several European states said they will continue to defend Greenland’s territorial integrity. US House Speaker Mike Johnson later said he did not think military action was appropriate and had not discussed it with Trump. (PC: Sky News)

US forces killed at least 55 Cuban and Venezuelan military personnel during the operation to capture former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, officials in Caracas and Havana said. Venezuela confirmed that 23 of its service members died in the attacks. Cuba said 32 of its troops and security staff posted in Caracas were also killed. The dead included two colonels and a lieutenant colonel, aged between 26 and 67. The raid began with air strikes on military sites and ended with US special forces seizing Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The couple were taken to New York and have pleaded not guilty to drug charges. (PC: X)