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Sälen (Sweden) (AFP) – The world is on “a dangerous path” in the wake of the US attack on Venezuela, says Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Speaking at his country’s premier forum on security and national defence, Kristersson says Washington’s military operation and capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro “violates international law and risks encouraging more countries to act in exactly the same way.” US President Donald Trump has also since threatened Cuba, saying “make a deal, before it is too late” in a post on his Truth Social platform, and adding that the flow of Venezuelan oil and money to Havana would now stop.

Jerusalem (AFP) – “We all hope that the Persian nation will soon be freed from the yoke of tyranny,” says Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the beginning of a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, as major protests shake the Islamic republic for a second week. Sparked by anger over the rising cost of living, they have evolved into a movement against the theocratic regime in place since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

(AFP) – US and allied forces carry out “large-scale” strikes against the Islamic State jihadist group in Syria, which the US Military said in a statement on X was in response to an attack last month that left three Americans dead. “The strikes today targeted ISIS throughout Syria” and were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which was launched “in direct response to the deadly ISIS attack on US and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria” on December 13, US Central Command wrote on X on December 10.

Caracas (AFP) – Supporters of Venezuela’s deposed leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores rally in Caracas to mark one week since his dramatic capture by US forces. IMAGES

(AFP) – Images released by the Emergency Services of Ukraine show firefighters battling blazes in the northern Sumy region and eastern Donetsk region in the aftermath of Russian strikes.

Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia is seeking to “shut down” entire cities by intensifying attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. After a night of heavy drone and missile strikes on 8 January, Zelensky urges local authorities to prepare contingency plans, stressing that the threat from medium-range ballistic missiles also poses a challenge to neighbouring European capitals.

Hwacheon (South Korea) (AFP) – Thousands of people gather atop a frozen river in South Korea’s Hwacheon for the annual Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, hoping to catch a Sancheoneo [mountain trout]. “It brings back those old memories, and spending time together with my son is what really matters, so we’re having a great time,” says Kim Choon-tae, a businessman attending the festivities.

Brasília (AFP) – “In these difficult geopolitical times of instability and conflict… it shows that it is possible to build trade routes based on rules of open trade and strengthening, not isolationism, but multilateralism,” says Brazil’s Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin on the announcement of the Mercosur–European Union trade agreement, which has drawn strong opposition from farmers in several European countries.

Caracas (AFP) – Relatives gather in front of the Helicoide prison to protest and pray for the prompt release of prisoners in Venezuela. The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners called for a vigil outside this prison, considered a symbol of the government’s “torture.” Venezuela announced on January 8 the release of “a significant number” of detained opposition members. Nearly 30 hours after the announcement, NGOs report between eight and 11 releases, including two opposition figures and five Spaniards. IMAGES

Caracas (AFP) – Hundreds of pro-government demonstrators take to the streets of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, in support of the deposed president Nicolas Maduro, as the one-week mark approaches since the United States’ military operation to detain the Venezuelan leader and his wife Cilia Flores. IMAGES

Caracas (AFP) – Multiple vehicles are seen leaving the US embassy in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas as both countries have entered “exploratory” talks on restoring diplomatic ties, broken off in 2019 under ousted leader Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela has also confirmed that US diplomats have traveled to Caracas for talks on reopening the embassy. IMAGES

At sea (AFP) – Footage shared on social media by the United States Southern Command shows what officials say is the latest seizure of a tanker seeking to break the American naval blockade of sanctioned oil leaving Venezuela. According to Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem, the Olina was “another ‘ghost fleet’ tanker ship suspected of carrying embargoed oil.” The vessel is the fifth seized by US forces in recent weeks.