January 6, 2026, witnessed a series of significant international and domestic developments. Key events included Israeli military strikes in Lebanon, a heated United Nations debate over the US capture of Venezuela's president, and a major industrial fire in Andhra Pradesh, India.
UN Security Council in Turmoil Over Venezuela Operation
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency session to address the dramatic capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, through a statement read by Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo, expressed deep concern and urged respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. The session was formally requested by Colombia, a new Security Council member.
US Ambassador Mike Waltz defended the operation, describing it as a "surgical law enforcement operation" against Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, whom he labeled indicted fugitives and narco-terrorists. He denied the US was occupying Venezuela but emphasized that the country's vast energy reserves could not remain under adversarial control.
Russia's ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, condemned the US action as a "harbinger of a turn back to the era of lawlessness." China also demanded Maduro's release. Meanwhile, Venezuela's parliament denounced the capture and pledged support for interim leader Delcy Rodriguez, who was set to be sworn in. Her brother, Jorge Rodriguez, was re-elected as parliament head.
Israel Issues Warnings, Then Strikes Lebanon Villages
In a significant escalation, the Israeli military issued warnings before launching strikes on villages in southern and eastern Lebanon on Monday. This marked the first such warning issued in 2026. The Israeli military stated it was targeting Hezbollah and Hamas sites in the villages of Kfar Hatta, Annan, Al-Manara, and Ain al-Tineh.
Lebanon's National News Agency reported that a strike on Al-Manara completely destroyed a house, causing serious damage to the surrounding area. The agency identified the targeted home as belonging to Sharhabil Sayed, a Hamas leader killed by Israel in 2024. An AFP photographer witnessed families fleeing Kfar Hatta following the warnings.
These strikes continue despite a ceasefire with Hezbollah that has been in place since November 2024. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized Lebanon's disarmament efforts as insufficient. The ceasefire monitoring committee is scheduled to meet this week to assess the situation.
Major Gas Leak Inferno in Andhra Pradesh's Konaseema
A serious industrial accident occurred in Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh. A gas leak at ONGC's Mori-5 well, operated by contractor Deep Industries Ltd, sparked a massive fire around 12:40 pm on Monday. The incident led to the evacuation of approximately 600 people from three nearby villages: Irusumanda, Gudapalli, and Lakkavaram.
District authorities reported no casualties. The flames reached 20 meters high with a 25-meter diameter. At least ten fire tenders were deployed, sourcing water from a nearby irrigation canal. ONGC mobilized its Crisis Management Teams and is coordinating with international well-control specialists. The cause is under investigation, and cooling operations are underway.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu inquired about the incident and ordered rapid containment. The district collector, SP, and ONGC officials are monitoring the situation from a nearby secretariat.
Other Global Developments
In other news, Swiss police confirmed the identity of all 116 people injured in the deadly New Year's bar fire in Crans-Montana, with 83 still hospitalized. The death toll remains at 40. Italian authorities repatriated the bodies of five victims.
Separately, UN and military sources reported a blast killed at least eight troops in northeast Nigeria.
