In the hours before President Donald Trump announced that Maduro had been seized by US forces, betting odds on Polymarket that the Venezuelan leader would be out of power by the end of January surged sharply. One anonymous account, created just last month and focused exclusively on Venezuela-related bets, turned a $32,537 stake into nearly half a million dollars, reports BBC.

While the identity of the bettor remains unknown, the timing of the trades has raised concerns that someone may have profited from advance knowledge of a sensitive US operation. Dennis Kelleher, chief executive of the financial reform group Better Markets, said the trade bore “all the hallmarks of a transaction based on inside information,” reports BBC.

Polymarket data show that as late as Friday afternoon, the odds of Maduro’s exit stood at just 6.5%. They rose modestly by midnight before spiking dramatically in the early hours of Saturday, shortly before Trump posted on Truth Social that Maduro was in US custody, reports BBC.

The episode has intensified scrutiny of prediction markets, which allow users to wager on political outcomes using cryptocurrency and operate under looser regulatory frameworks than traditional financial markets. While insider trading is illegal in equities, prediction markets sit in a grey zone, governed by fewer and less explicit rules.

The controversy is politically sensitive, not least because Donald Trump Jr, the president’s son, serves in advisory roles at both Polymarket and its rival Kalshi, underscoring the industry’s proximity to the current administration, reports BBC. Both platforms have grown rapidly, handling hundreds of millions of dollars in wagers during the 2024 US presidential election cycle.

Lawmakers are beginning to respond. Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres has introduced legislation that would bar government employees from trading on prediction markets when they possess “material nonpublic information” related to the bet, an attempt to close a regulatory gap exposed by the Maduro episode.

Kalshi has said it explicitly prohibits insider trading, including by government officials, while Polymarket has yet to publicly comment. But the incident highlights a broader challenge: as prediction markets gain legitimacy and political access, questions about fairness, transparency and misuse of confidential information are likely to intensify.

The post Maduro bet sparks scrutiny of US prediction markets appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Addressing an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council through Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, Guterres said the Council was meeting at a “grave time” following the United States’ military action in Venezuela on January 3.

He noted that US forces were active across Caracas and the northern states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, though the scale of casualties remains unclear.

President Donald Trump had announced what he described as a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela and its leader Nicolás Maduro, later stating that Washington would “run the country” until a transition could be arranged.

Venezuela’s government has denounced the operation as military aggression in both civilian and military areas and a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, Guterres said. He added that President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are currently being held in New York on serious criminal charges brought by US authorities.

“What is less certain is the immediate future of Venezuela,” the Secretary-General warned, expressing deep concern over the risk of intensified instability inside the country, its potential regional impact, and the precedent such actions could set for relations between states.

The crisis, he said, comes against the backdrop of long-standing international concern over Venezuela, which deepened after the disputed presidential election of July 2024. An expert panel appointed by the UN at the request of the Venezuelan government had identified serious electoral shortcomings, while the UN human rights office has documented grave violations.

Guterres also noted that interim President Delcy Rodríguez had declared a nationwide emergency on January 3, expanding security powers amid rising tensions that the Council has discussed repeatedly since August.

Reiterating his concern that international law had not been respected in the recent military action, the UN chief stressed that the Charter prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. “The maintenance of international peace and security depends on the continued commitment of all Member States to adhere to the Charter,” he said.

Venezuela, he added, has endured decades of political, social and economic turmoil, with democracy weakened and millions forced to flee. While the situation is critical, he said, it remains possible to avert a wider and more destructive conflict.

Guterres urged Venezuelan actors to engage in inclusive, democratic dialogue grounded in respect for human rights, the rule of law and the sovereign will of the people. He also called on neighbouring countries and the broader international community to act in solidarity and in line with international principles.

“International law provides tools to address issues such as illicit drug trafficking, disputes over resources and human rights concerns,” he said. “This is the route we need to take. The power of the law must prevail.”

The post ‘Power of law must prevail in Venezuela’, UN chief tells Security Council appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

“We’re at war with people that sell drugs,” Trump said, adding that before any vote could be held, “we have to fix the country first.” Asked who was ultimately in charge of Venezuela, Trump replied: “Me.”

The remarks have added to unease in Washington. In a rare joint statement, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley and Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, who lead the Senate Judiciary Committee, said they were unhappy at being excluded from a classified briefing on Maduro’s capture, stressing that the arrest was presented as a law-enforcement operation under their committee’s oversight.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson told CNN that President Trump did not require prior congressional authorization for the operation, saying it was permitted under Article II of the US Constitution and that Congress had been properly notified.

The post US President Trump: “We’re not at war with Venezuela” appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

According to the BBC, Maduro walked into a Manhattan courtroom for the first time on Monday afternoon, where 92-year-old Judge Alvin Hellerstein asked him to confirm his identity to begin the proceedings.

Speaking calmly in Spanish before an interpreter, Maduro told the court: “I am Nicolás Maduro. I am president of the Republic of Venezuela and I am here kidnapped since January 3rd. I was captured at my home in Caracas.” The judge swiftly interrupted, saying there would be a “time and a place” to address those claims, reports the BBC.

During the 40-minute arraignment, Maduro, 63, and Flores both entered not-guilty pleas to charges that include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. “I’m innocent. I’m a decent man,” Maduro said, while Flores told the court she was “completely innocent”, the BBC reported.

CBS News said Maduro also insisted he remained Venezuela’s lawful leader, declaring through an interpreter: “I’m innocent. I’m not guilty. I’m a decent man, the president of my country.”

The couple appeared in blue and orange jail shirts and khaki trousers, wearing headphones for Spanish translation. Maduro was seen taking careful notes on a yellow legal pad, which he asked the judge to allow him to keep. Flores appeared to have bruises on her face, which her lawyer alleged were sustained during their arrest. Both were transferred to a New York jail after being seized at their compound in Venezuela as part of a surprise US operation that also involved strikes on military bases, reports BBC.

The hearing ended tensely when a man in the public gallery shouted that Maduro would “pay” for his crimes. “I’m a president and prisoner of war,” Maduro shouted back in Spanish, before the man was escorted out, visibly emotional.

Neither Maduro nor Flores sought bail, meaning they will remain in federal custody. Their next court hearing is scheduled for March 17.

As Maduro prepares for a prolonged legal battle in the United States, Venezuela faces an uncertain future, caught between a leadership vacuum at home, mounting international scrutiny, and deepening geopolitical tensions that are being closely watched across the world.

Delcy Rodríguez sworn in as interim president of Venezuela

Former vice-president, Delcy Rodríguez, was sworn in as interim president by her brother, the head of Venezuela’s National Assembly. She described Maduro and Flores as “two heroes” and said she took the oath with pain because of the suffering caused by what she called “illegitimate military aggression”.

The post Maduro, wife pleaded not guilty in New York court, Next court hearing on March 17 appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

PIB said India’s approach to Braille is anchored in a rights-based ecosystem led by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and reinforced through education reforms, assistive schemes, and digital platforms. Government initiatives such as the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan), the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and Sugamya Pustakalaya align closely with the United Nations’ disability inclusion framework, reflecting India’s commitment to the principle of “leaving no one behind”.

Observed annually on January 4, World Braille Day highlights Braille not merely as a reading system, but as a gateway to education, dignity and social inclusion. PIB noted that while Braille was introduced in India in 1887, a major milestone came in 1951 with the adoption of Bharati Braille as a single national standard for Indian languages. According to the 2011 Census, India has over 50 lakh persons with visual impairment, many of whom face barriers in accessing education, healthcare and employment. In response, Braille has been embedded into India’s policy and institutional framework as both a literacy tool and a public accessibility norm.

Braille is a tactile reading and writing system based on a six-dot cell arranged in two columns. Different combinations of raised dots represent letters, numbers and symbols, enabling people who are blind or have low vision to read through touch. Named after its inventor Louis Braille, the system is not a language but a code that can be applied across multiple languages.

PIB highlighted that the RPwD Act, 2016 provides the legal backbone for Braille access in India. The Act mandates inclusive education, requires government-funded or recognised institutions to ensure accessible infrastructure, and emphasises education in appropriate modes of communication, including Braille. It also provides for free learning materials and assistive devices for students with benchmark disabilities up to the age of 18.

The National Education Policy 2020 further integrates Braille into mainstream education by calling for accessible teaching-learning materials, including Braille textbooks, and prioritising the participation of children with disabilities. NCERT, under NEP 2020, is responsible for enabling the production of Braille and other accessible-format textbooks.

The government recognises Bharati Braille as the unified Braille script for Indian languages. PIB said that on January 4, 2025, a Standard Bharati Braille Code with Unicode mapping was published under the aegis of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD). The standard, adopted after public consultation, enables digital compatibility, including use in screen readers, Braille displays and software applications.

Building on this, NIEPVD has validated revised Bharati Braille tables for technological integration and prepared Draft Bharati Braille 2.1, which is being placed in the public domain on World Braille Day 2026 for stakeholder feedback. The institute is also conducting regional-language Braille training programmes, including in Tamil, Malayalam and Odia.

PIB said the Accessible India Campaign, launched in 2015, has taken a holistic approach to accessibility by focusing on built environments, transport systems and information and communication technologies. This includes Braille signage at public buildings and railway stations, and national website accessibility guidelines.

In higher education, structured accessibility practices are being strengthened through initiatives such as Sugamya Pustakalaya, a digital library offering books in accessible and digital Braille formats. The platform, developed through collaboration between NIEPVD, Tata Consultancy Services and the Daisy Forum of India, embeds accessible formats into institutional workflows rather than limiting them to disability offices.

The post World Braille Day: India’s rights-based push expands access to Braille appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The commissioning ceremony was held in Goa. With over 60 per cent indigenous content, Samudra Pratap is India’s first indigenously designed pollution control vessel and the largest ship in the Indian Coast Guard fleet so far.

The induction of the vessel is expected to significantly enhance the Coast Guard’s capabilities in pollution response, fire-fighting, maritime safety, environmental protection, and long-range surveillance across India’s maritime zones. Describing the ship as a symbol of India’s mature defence industrial ecosystem, Rajnath Singh said efforts are underway to raise indigenous content in warships to 90 per cent. He noted that although designed primarily for pollution control, the multi-role platform would also strengthen coastal patrols and maritime security due to its integrated capabilities.

The Defence Minister praised the Coast Guard’s multidimensional role, ranging from marine pollution response and search-and-rescue operations to maritime law enforcement. He said the force’s growing strength sends a clear message to adversaries against any misadventure along India’s maritime borders. Equipped with advanced pollution detection systems, dedicated response boats, modern fire-fighting equipment and a helicopter hangar, Samudra Pratap is designed to operate effectively even in rough sea conditions. Rajnath Singh said the vessel would help prevent damage to fragile marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, mangroves and fisheries, while supporting the sustainability of coastal communities and the blue economy. Calling marine environmental protection both a strategic necessity and a moral responsibility, the Defence Minister said the commissioning of Samudra Pratap aligns with India’s broader maritime vision of peace, stability and environmental responsibility in the Indo-Pacific region. He added that India has consistently demonstrated its role as a responsible maritime power amid global maritime uncertainty.mRajnath Singh reiterated the government’s commitment to modernising the Coast Guard, emphasising the need for it to evolve into a proactive, intelligence-driven and integration-centric force. He also highlighted the importance of developing specialised career streams in areas such as maritime law enforcement, environmental protection and maritime cyber security. In a first for the Coast Guard, Samudra Pratap will have two women officers on board. Applauding the move towards a more inclusive and gender-neutral force, the Defence Minister said women officers are increasingly serving in frontline operational roles across the ICG.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Director General Coast Guard Paramesh Sivamani, and senior officials from the Centre and the state attended the ceremony. Samudra Pratap, meaning “Majesty of the Seas”, has a displacement of 4,170 tonnes, a length of 114.5 metres and a top speed exceeding 22 knots. The vessel will be based at Kochi under the operational control of the Coast Guard Region (West).

The post Rajnath Singh commissions India’s first indigenous pollution control vessel appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sahkar se Samriddhi”, linking the cooperative movement with public welfare and social development. Several Union Ministers, Ministers of State, senior officials from the Ministries of Cooperation, Women and Child Development, and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, along with NDDB Chairman Dr Meenesh Shah and other dignitaries, will attend the conclave.

During the event, Amit Shah will launch the third phase of the Giftmilk Programme under the CSR initiative of SAIL’s Bhilai Steel Plant, benefiting around 4,000 government school children in mining areas of Chhattisgarh through the supply of vitamin A- and D-fortified flavoured milk via the Chhattisgarh Milk Federation. He will also launch the Shishu Sanjeevani Programme under IDBI Bank’s CSR initiative, providing fortified nutritional supplements to about 3,000 children at anganwadi centres in rural Nagpur, Maharashtra. The conclave will bring together representatives from government ministries, public and private sector companies, dairy cooperatives, research institutions and beneficiary organisations to explore collaborative and sustainable approaches to tackling child malnutrition. Technical sessions will focus on public health interventions and corporate–cooperative collaboration for nutrition security, with around 1200 participants expected to attend.

The post Amit Shah to inaugurate conclave on nutrition security appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

China’s foreign ministry said Washington’s actions were a “clear violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations,” adding that Beijing is closely monitoring the security situation in Venezuela, BBC reported.

It urged the US to “cease efforts to subvert the Venezuelan government” and resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiation, reiterating similar appeals made over the weekend. Iran described the detention as an abduction. “It’s nothing to be proud of; it’s an illegal act,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei was quoted by AFP as saying, adding that “as the Venezuelan people have emphasised, their president must be released.” The statements come amid heightened tensions, with Iran itself recently facing warnings from US President Donald Trump over possible American intervention if peaceful protesters are killed.

The post Iran, China call for Maduro’s immediate release appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

BBC reports that speaking to The Atlantic, Trump said that for Venezuela, “regime change, anything you want to call it, is better than what you have right now”.

Rodríguez, who is due to be sworn in later on Monday, struck a contrasting tone at her first cabinet meeting, issuing a direct appeal to Washington.

“Our peoples and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war,” she said.

Meanwhile, deposed president Nicolás Maduro is expected to appear in a New York court after being seized during US air strikes on Venezuela on Saturday.

He faces drug trafficking-related charges, which he has denied.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is at war “against drug trafficking organisations”, not Venezuela itself.

The post Trump warns Venezuela’s interim leader appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

BBC reported that dramatic scenes showed Maduro in handcuffs, escorted by armed officers alongside his wife, as the couple were transferred to the New York courthouse.

They are facing multiple federal charges related to drug trafficking and weapons offences.

The couple is due to appear before 92-year-old Judge Alvin Hellerstein for their first court appearance since their seizure over the weekend, reports the BBC. The arraignment, typically a brief proceeding, is expected to include the formal reading of charges and the entry of pleas. As with previous high-profile cases, a large crowd of journalists and members of the public queued outside the courthouse hours ahead of the hearing. Reacting to the developments, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he wanted to see a “peaceful transition to democracy” in Venezuela. Calling the situation “really important,” Starmer said international law must be the “anchor” for Venezuela’s future, while noting that it was for the US to explain the legal justification for its actions. He stressed that stability and a peaceful democratic transition remained the priority.

The post Nicolás Maduro appears before New York court appeared first on Greater Kashmir.