World News
Rights groups say at least 16 dead in Iran during week of protests
Deaths and arrests have been reported through the week both by state media and rights groups, though the figures differ
 "Rights groups say at least 16 dead in Iran during week of protests")
US forces seize Venezuela's Maduro, fly him to New York to face charges
President Trump said that no American troops had been killed and that no military equipment had been lost during the operation
 "US forces seize Venezuela's Maduro, fly him to New York to face charges")
US will run Venezuela after US forces capture Maduro, says Trump
Trump said the US would for now manage the South American nation of about 30 million people plus its oil reserves, the largest in the world. But he gave few details of how
 "US will run Venezuela after US forces capture Maduro, says Trump")
Qatar, Egypt sign MoU to enhance LNG sales and import cooperation
QatarEnergy said in a statement that the agreement includes supplying Cairo with up to 24 liquefied natural gas cargoes for the upcoming summer
 "Qatar, Egypt sign MoU to enhance LNG sales and import cooperation")
Two killed in Russian border drone strikes ahead of Ukraine peace talks
Another person was killed in a drone strike on a village in the Kursk region, regional Gov. Alexander Khinshtein said Sunday
 "Two killed in Russian border drone strikes ahead of Ukraine peace talks")
4.3 magnitude earthquake strikes Udayapur district in western Nepal
There were no immediate reports of loss of lives or damage of any kind due to the quake
 "4.3 magnitude earthquake strikes Udayapur district in western Nepal")
Trump's plan to revitalise Venezuela's oil industry faces major hurdles
Venezuela's oil industry is in disrepair after years of neglect and international sanctions, so it could take years and major investments before production can increase dramatically
North Korea condemns US strikes on Venezuela as sovereignty violation
"The incident is another example that clearly confirms once again the rogue and brutal nature of the United States," KCNA said, citing a spokesperson for North Korea's Foreign Ministry
 "North Korea condemns US strikes on Venezuela as sovereignty violation")
How US' military operation in Venezuela could impact oil supply chains
US forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, an intervention that is raising urgent questions about its implications for oil production, prices, exports and global supply chains
 "How US' military operation in Venezuela could impact oil supply chains")
OPEC+ likely to keep oil output steady despite turmoil among members
Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE flared last month over a decade-long conflict in Yemen, when a UAE-aligned group seized territory from the Saudi-backed government
 "OPEC+ likely to keep oil output steady despite turmoil among members")
China asks US to release Venezuelan President Maduro, his wife at once
China expresses grave concern over the US forcibly seizing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and taking them out of the country, a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement here said
 "China asks US to release Venezuelan President Maduro, his wife at once")
British, French warplanes strike suspected IS arms facility in Syria
The strikes occurred Saturday evening on the structure in the mountains just north of the historic town of Palmyra in the country's Homs province
 "British, French warplanes strike suspected IS arms facility in Syria")
Why Venezuela's oil sector offers no quick payoff for US companies
Any companies that might want to invest there would need to deal with security concerns, dilapidated infrastructure, questions about the legality of the US operation to snatch Maduro
 "Why Venezuela's oil sector offers no quick payoff for US companies")
How cocaine, corruption led to indictment of Venezuelan President Maduro
Maduro is indicted on four counts: narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices
 "How cocaine, corruption led to indictment of Venezuelan President Maduro")
Why protests are growing across Iran amid rising nuclear tensions
Economic pressure, intensified in September by the return of United Nations sanctions on the country over its atomic programme, has put Iran's rial currency into a free fall
 "Why protests are growing across Iran amid rising nuclear tensions")
Chinese social media hails Trump's Maduro move as Taiwan template
Trump's operation against the Venezuelan strongman shot to the top of China's Weibo late Saturday, with the topic gaining some 440 million views on the X-like platform
Aid groups scramble as Israel bans over three dozen organisations in Gaza
The 37 groups represent some of the most prominent of the more than 100 independent nongovernmental organisations working in Gaza, alongside United Nations agencies
 "Aid groups scramble as Israel bans over three dozen organisations in Gaza")
Musk's Starlink to offer free internet services in Venezuela through Feb 3
The announcement coincided with dramatic scenes involving deposed Dictator Nicolas Maduro following his removal by the United States
 "Musk's Starlink to offer free internet services in Venezuela through Feb 3")
Myanmar's military frees over 6,100 prisoners on independence anniversary
The amnesty comes as the military government proceeds with a monthlong, three-stage election process that critics say is designed to add a facade of legitimacy to the status quo
 "Myanmar's military frees over 6,100 prisoners on independence anniversary")
What makes mountain birds sing at dawn and why are they sometimes quiet?
Many bird species take part in a dawn chorus. This is when the community of songbirds in a particular habitat sing intensively around sunrise
 "What makes mountain birds sing at dawn and why are they sometimes quiet?")
