Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido's envoy, Freddy Galarate Gonzalez Urrutia, is touring Latin America to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to relinquish power. He was hosted by the president of Panama and met with a group of former and current officials from the region. The tour has received support from several leaders, including US President Joe Biden, who met with Gonzalez Urrutia in Washington. However, Maduro's government has responded by declaring nine Latin American ex-presidents persona non-grata and accusing them of plotting against him. Maduro has also activated a "integral defense" plan to deploy police and soldiers across the country, citing a plot to prevent his inauguration. The strongman claims that authorities have arrested several foreigners, including two Americans, with "terrorist" intentions.
https://www.montanarightnow.com/national_news/venezuela-opposition-decry-crackdown-before-maduro-swearing-in/article_58daab51-072f-5946-81d9-2a8319dfe35c.htmlThe Houthis have been enforcing a maritime blockade in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November, attacking US and other vessels, citing solidarity with Palestinians killed in Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. The Houthi attacks have numbered over 130, prompting the US to launch Operation Prosperity Guardian in December 2023 to protect vessels in the region. In response, the US has also launched strikes into Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, targeting the group's military capabilities.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2025/01/08/yemen-Central-Command-Houthi-attack/1501736390238/The Houthi group, which controls northern Yemen, has been launching rocket and drone attacks against Israel and disrupting Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea since November 2023 to show solidarity with Palestinians in their conflict with Israel. In response, a US-led navy coalition has conducted regular air raids on Houthi targets, prompting the Houthis to expand their attacks to include US warships. The US-led coalition also launched airstrikes on a military site of the Houthi group in Yemen's northern province of Saada on January 5, according to reports from residents on social media.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/international/us-british-coalition-launches-more-airstrikes-on-yemen/India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has stated that a free-trade agreement (FTA) between India and the four-nation European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is progressing rapidly, with strong political support for the deal. The implementation of the agreement is expected by the end of 2025. This development may give impetus to a similar FTA with the larger EU, particularly as Europe prepares for a more distant relationship with the US under President Donald Trump's return to office and its trade row with China.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3294085/india-and-european-nations-push-faster-fta-launch-ahead-trumps-return?module=top_story&pgtype=section#commentsThe Indian government is considering increasing trade with Afghanistan through development projects in the country, particularly at the Iranian Chabahar port complex, which was developed by India to bypass Pakistani ports. This move aims to strengthen economic relations between the two countries, as stated by the Afghan Foreign Ministry. The Taliban administration in Afghanistan has expressed interest in strengthening ties with India, a country with significant economic potential. However, Pakistan may view this development with concern due to its strained relations with both India and Afghanistan.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/940358-taliban-see-india-as-important-economic-partnerThe Israeli military has launched airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, resulting in at least five deaths, including two babies, according to medics. The US has denied allegations of genocide in Gaza, despite Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent declaration that a genocide is occurring in Sudan. Meanwhile, a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas remains "very close," with Blinken stating as much. In other news, Saudi Arabia is experiencing severe flooding due to torrential rains. Additionally, activists are criticizing the US for its role in what they claim is a genocide in Gaza, following Blinken's comments on Sudan.
https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/live-blog-israel-kills-9-palestinians-in-gaza-air-strikes-18251814India's permanent representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, presented a six-point plan at the UN Security Council to support African efforts in silencing guns by the end of this decade. The plan was discussed during a debate on Friday, which was led by Mozambique, whose presidency was congratulated by Kamboj for its success. The six-point plan aims to address conflict-ridden regions in Africa, including the Sahel, Central Africa and the Horn of Africa, where instability is driven by factors such as chronic political instability, ethnic divisions, and exploitation by terrorist and armed groups.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/international/ruchira-kamboj-lays-down-6-point-plan-on-silencing-the-guns-in-africa-at-un-security-council/North Korea's Ambassador to the UN, Kim Song, defended a recent missile test by stating that it was part of a plan to enhance the country's defense capabilities. He accused the US of double standards, pointing out that the US had justified Israel's actions in Gaza as self-defense despite a high civilian death toll. The US has expressed concerns that North Korea is becoming more capable of waging war due to its receipt of Russian military equipment and technology.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40341873/us-warns-north-korea-becoming-better-prepared-for-war-fighting-against-ukraineIndustry Minister Lee is set to visit the US this week to discuss economic exchange between the two countries amidst turbulent financial times. The Industry Ministry has chosen to support exporters in Korea, which saw a record high export growth of 8.2% in 2024, reaching $683.8 billion. To boost cooperation and navigate uncertainties, Lee emphasized the need for collaboration between the government and private sector, as well as effective communication with the US business community ahead of the start of the second Donald Trump administration.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-01-09/business/industry/Industry-Ministry-vows-closer-ties-with-key-sectors-as-global-trade-uncertainty-looms/2218626