The US military conducted a large-scale strike in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, leading to charges and a political crisis, while the week also featured various global events and protests.
The article covers a wide range of topics including Russia and NASA's lunar nuclear projects, US military actions in Nigeria, ongoing Ukraine conflict, Supreme Court decisions, and a roundup of notable films and TV shows of 2025, highlighting the year's major events and cultural moments.
Austria is preparing to deport Syrian migrants following the fall of the Assad regime, as Syrian rebels have reportedly stormed into Damascus and claimed that President Assad has fled. The Syrian government, with the prime minister stating its readiness to cooperate with the opposition, is considering transitioning power to a new government.
A passenger on a Volaris flight in Mexico attempted to forcibly divert the plane to the US. The crew managed to detain the individual, and the flight, originally bound for Tijuana, was redirected to Guadalajara.
Ukraine has denied reports that its military was ordered to hold the Kursk region in Russia until Donald Trump's potential inauguration. Andriy Kovalenko, from Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, called the claims false, stating that Ukrainian forces are conducting missions aligned with strategic goals. Reports had suggested Ukrainian soldiers were instructed to maintain territory for future negotiations. Meanwhile, Ukraine and South Korea have claimed North Korean troops are aiding Russia, though Ukrainian soldiers have not confirmed their presence.
A Chinese national, Shenghua Wen, residing illegally in California, has been arrested for allegedly attempting to send $2 million worth of weapons and ammunition to North Korea. Prosecutors claim Wen believed the arms were intended for a potential attack on South Korea, as directed by Kim Jong-un's regime. Charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, Wen faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The arrest has been highlighted as a significant prevention of illegal arms shipment and intelligence gathering for the U.S. and its allies.
Finland's transport agency reported that fiber-optic cables connecting Finland and Sweden were accidentally cut during construction work, contradicting earlier suspicions of sabotage by Swedish authorities. The cables have since been repaired, and the incident affected around 6,000 households in Finland without impacting Swedish users. This event occurs amid heightened tensions in the Baltic Sea region following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
A former defense minister has accused Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza, raising serious allegations about the conduct of Israeli military operations in the region.
Israel has accused a worker from the World Central Kitchen of being involved in the attack that occurred on October 7. The details of the accusation and the response from the World Central Kitchen or the accused individual have not been disclosed.
A Russian national managed to board a Delta flight from New York's JFK Airport to Paris without a ticket, bypassing security checks. Upon arrival in Paris, the individual was detained for lacking a visa and will be returned to the US, where they hold a valid residence permit. Both Delta Airlines and the TSA are investigating the security breach.
The United Arab Emirates has expressed gratitude to Turkey for assisting in the arrest of three Uzbek suspects accused of murdering Rabbi Zvi Kogan, an Israeli and Moldovan national, in the UAE. The suspects were captured in Istanbul during a covert operation by Turkish intelligence and police and have been extradited to the UAE. The motive for Kogan's murder remains unclear, but Israeli officials have labeled it an antisemitic attack. The investigation is ongoing with cooperation from Uzbek and Israeli authorities.
The families of two Australian teenagers who died from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos are calling for answers as eight people have been detained in connection with the incident. The victims, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, were among six foreign tourists who died after consuming toxic bootleg alcohol. The detained individuals were staff at the hostel where the victims stayed. The incident highlights ongoing issues with methanol poisoning in Southeast Asia, particularly in party towns like Vang Vieng, and has prompted international warnings about consuming spirits in Laos.
The United Arab Emirates has named three Uzbek nationals as suspects in the murder of Rabbi Tzvi Kogan, with the suspects likely facing the death penalty under UAE law. The suspects, who fled to Turkey, were apprehended and deported back to the UAE. The UAE government is investigating their affiliations before proceeding with their execution. The UAE Ambassador to the US expressed condolences and emphasized the nation's commitment to diversity and peace in response to the crime.
The United Arab Emirates has arrested three individuals in connection with the murder of an Israeli Rabbi. This development highlights the ongoing security and diplomatic challenges in the region.
The White House has condemned the murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan in the UAE, expressing condolences to his family and the Jewish community. The crime is seen as an attack on peace and tolerance, and the US is collaborating with Israeli and UAE authorities, who have suspects in custody. The US emphasizes the need for accountability for those involved in the crime.