Category: International

Venezuela’s parliament on January 5, 2026, swore in Delcy Rodríguez as interim President, two days after U.S. forces seized President Nicolás Maduro and flew him to New York to face trial on drug trafficking charges. The dramatic development followed a U.S. military operation ordered by President Donald Trump, which included strikes on Caracas on January 3. Oath Taken in National AssemblyMs. Rodríguez, who was serving as Vice-President under Maduro, took Read More …

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), once close allies against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, are now witnessing their deepest rift in decades. The divergence stems from conflicting political and strategic interests in Yemen’s ongoing civil war. Clash Over Southern YemenThe UAE has been backing the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group that has seized large parts of southern Yemen from the internationally recognised government. Saudi Read More …

Bulgaria officially became the 21st member of the eurozone on January 1, 2026, marking a major milestone in its European integration journey. Celebrations included a display of euro coins on the façade of the Bulgarian National Bank in Sofia and fireworks across the capital. Euro Adoption Expands Single-Currency AreaWith Bulgaria’s accession, the number of Europeans using the euro has crossed 350 million. The last country to join the single-currency bloc Read More …

Indonesian authorities have raised the alert level for Mount Bur Ni Telong, a volcano in the westernmost province of Aceh, to the second-highest level following a marked increase in volcanic activity. The decision comes after the volcano recorded at least seven volcanic earthquakes on December 30, 2025, signalling heightened internal movement. Location and Physical Features Mount Bur Ni Telong is a 2,624-metre-high stratovolcano located in Bener Meriah regency of Aceh. Read More …

Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes on Mukalla, the port city in Yemen’s Hadramout governorate, on December 30, following reports that an arms shipment allegedly from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had arrived at the port. Warning to UAE and Troop WithdrawalFollowing the strikes, Saudi Arabia issued a warning to the UAE, instructing Emirati forces to leave the area within 24 hours. In response, the UAE announced that it was pulling Read More …

Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister and three-time head of government, Begum Khaleda Zia, passed away on December 30, 2025, after a prolonged illness, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced. She was 80 and had been suffering from advanced liver cirrhosis along with multiple age-related ailments. Early Life and Entry into PoliticsKhaleda Zia was born on August 15, 1946, in Dinajpur district of undivided India to Taiyaba and Iskandar Ali Majumdar. Read More …

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on December 29, 2025, launched a large-scale military exercise codenamed “Justice Mission 2025”, involving coordinated naval, air and missile forces encircling Taiwan. The drills mark one of the most expansive Chinese military activities around the island in recent years. Showcase of Advanced Missile CapabilityA key highlight of the exercise is the demonstration of hypersonic YJ-20 missile capabilities deployed from China’s advanced Type 055 guided-missile destroyers. Read More …

Israel on December 26 formally recognised the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, becoming the first country to do so. Key AnnouncementIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, praised his leadership and invited him to visit Israel. The move marks a significant diplomatic milestone for Somaliland, which has sought international recognition for over three decades. About Somaliland Colonial and Historical Background Significance Read More …

India took over as Vice Chair of the Kimberley Process (KP) on 25 December 2025, ahead of assuming the Chairpersonship from 1 January 2026. This will be the third time India has been entrusted with the chair of the global diamond governance mechanism. About Kimberley Process The Kimberley Process is a tripartite initiative involving governments, the international diamond industry and civil society, aimed at preventing the trade in conflict diamonds. Read More …

India Optel Limited (IOL), a Mini Navratna Defence PSU, on 22 December 2025 signed a collaboration agreement with Safran Electronics & Defense (France) for the transfer of production of two high-precision, combat-proven defence systems. Key Systems Covered Scope of the Partnership Significance

Japan has taken the final political step to restart the Kashiwazaki–Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, the world’s largest nuclear facility by capacity, marking a major milestone in its gradual return to nuclear energy nearly 15 years after the Fukushima disaster. Key Developments About Kashiwazaki–Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant Background: Fukushima Disaster and Nuclear Shutdown Significance of the Decision

Why in News:Scientists have reported rare video evidence of sharks living inside an active submarine volcano, challenging long-held assumptions that such extreme volcanic environments can support only microorganisms. Key Findings About Kavachi Volcano Extreme Conditions Inside the Volcano Eruptive History Scientific Significance

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