American writer Michael J. Schumacher, known for his biographies of prominent cultural figures, has died at the age of 75. His daughter confirmed that her father passed away on December 29; the cause of death has not been disclosed.
Asian stock markets opened higher, with the MSCI index for global equities reaching an all-time high. This happened amid the capture of Nicolás Maduro by US forces and rising oil prices and PDVSA default bonds.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced plans to build two additional migrant detention camps. This decision comes amid a record number of detentions: in less than a year, local law enforcement has made 20,000 arrests related to immigration law violations.
Turkish President Erdogan insists on the country's reintegration into the F-35 program, which he discussed with Donald Trump. Ankara seeks to obtain the aircraft for which it has already paid part of the funds, but Israel opposes it due to the use of unique technologies in the aircraft.
Japan's Ministry of Defense recorded a group of Chinese military aircraft, including H-6 bombers and J-16 fighters, flying between the islands of Okinawa and Miyako. In response, the Japan Self-Defense Forces scrambled fighter jets for observation.
The Hilton hotel chain has responded to accusations from the US Department of Homeland Security regarding the refusal to serve their employees. The company stated that the hotel in Lakeville, where the incident occurred, is independently managed, and the staff's decision does not comply with the chain's corporate policy.
New research confirms the Younger Dryas impact hypothesis, where a fragmented comet exploded over North America. This led to the extinction of mammoths and the decline of the ancient Clovis culture.
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a new driver assistance system, MB. DRIVE ASSIST PRO, which allows vehicles to navigate US city streets autonomously. This technology, already operational in China, will be a direct competitor to Tesla FSD.
The Mexican government rules out the possibility of unilateral US military action against drug cartels, despite threats from Donald Trump. President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized the country's sovereignty, rejecting foreign intervention.
The Trump administration plans meetings with oil company executives to discuss increasing oil production in Venezuela after Maduro's removal. Companies deny prior consultations, and analysts warn of the need for billions in investment.
Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka met with Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych. They discussed the mood in Czech society and the recent public discussion regarding the New Year's address by Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Tomio Okamura.
CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadéra won the elections on December 28, 2025, securing 74. 6% of the votes. His victory was made possible by the 2023 constitutional referendum, which abolished term limits for presidents.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported the detection of 15 North Atlantic right whale calves. For the full recovery of the species, at least 50 calves must be born annually.
The leaders of China and South Korea have agreed to intensify trade cooperation and protect regional stability. The visit of South Korean leader Lee Jae-myung took place against the backdrop of North Korea's ballistic missile tests.
The IDF has resumed strikes on Lebanese territory, where, according to the Israeli military, Hamas and Hezbollah militants are located.
Nine Nigerian soldiers were killed and five wounded in an attack by militants in Borno State. A military convoy was ambushed near Bindundul village, where one of the armored vehicles hit a mine.
Tankers with Venezuelan oil and fuel have left the country's territorial waters, ignoring the US naval blockade. This happened after President Donald Trump imposed a blockade on all sanctioned tankers in December 2025.
The Swiss government has frozen the assets of Nicolas Maduro and 37 of his associates for four years to prevent the withdrawal of illegally obtained funds. The sanctions do not apply to current members of the Venezuelan government, and Switzerland is ready to return illegal funds to the people.
The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on the US military operation in Venezuela, during which Nicolas Maduro was arrested. Venezuela condemned the US actions as an illegal armed attack, while the US called it a law enforcement operation.
The European Commission and the British regulator Ofcom are demanding explanations from X over the dissemination of intimate images created by Grok AI. European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier stated that such content grossly violates European law.
In a confidential OPLAN document, the German Ministry of Defense views Russia's intensified covert attacks on critical infrastructure as a prelude to a large-scale armed confrontation. German intelligence predicts that Russia aims to develop strategic capabilities for a full-scale war against NATO by 2029.
The number of signatures on petitions to deport Nicki Minaj is rapidly growing. The reasons are her political views and support for Donald Trump, as well as her marriage to a convicted sex offender.
Latvian police are investigating damage to the Palanga-Liepāja optical cable, considering versions of weather conditions and deliberate interference. The vessel Silver Copenhagen, previously suspected, was found not to be involved in the incident.
President Zelenskyy signed Decree No. 20/2026, which introduced Kyrylo Budanov to the National Security and Defense Council as the Head of the President's Office. At the same time, O. Ivashchenko was removed from the Council.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegset mocked the effectiveness of Russian air defense systems in Venezuela after a US operation in Caracas. He noted that Russian systems failed to activate when US special forces operated in the center of the capital.
Northern France has been gripped by a snow cyclone, causing transport collapse and record traffic jams in Île-de-France. An orange alert has been declared in 26 departments, and road traffic remains critical.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned of a humanitarian energy catastrophe in Ukraine due to Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure. He emphasized that Russia's actions bear the hallmarks of war crimes, and lasting peace is only possible with effective security guarantees for Ukraine.
World oil prices fell on January 5, despite geopolitical tensions following the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The market remains stable due to an oversupply of global crude oil reserves.
US President Donald Trump has warned Venezuela's new leader, Delcy Rodriguez, of severe consequences if she does not change the country's political course. The statement comes amid preparations for the trial of ousted Nicolas Maduro in New York.
The price of Bitcoin reached $93,323 on January 5, updating a three-week high. This happened after the capture of Venezuelan President Maduro, which caused the crypto market to grow.
