Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was intent on reaching Oslo this week, hoping to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in person. Leaving her place of concealment and securing safe passage to Norway meant navigating military roadblocks, surviving hours on turbulent seas, and trusting that the small boats ferrying her to a Caribbean island would not be targeted by a US drone strike. A private aircraft awaited her there.
Although she arrived in Norway after the award ceremony had already taken place, the hazardous journey energized her followers and highlighted her continued influence after a year spent in hiding from President Nicolás Maduro’s government. Her escape also reinforced her role in the escalating confrontation between Caracas and Washington. New details surrounding the operation have revealed the involvement of a discreet rescue firm led by former US special operations and intelligence personnel, who coordinated the covert removal of one of Venezuela’s most prominent political figures without detection.
“We weren’t the first to attempt this,” said Bryan Stern, a combat veteran and head of Grey Bull Rescue. Based in Tampa, the organization was founded after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, and Machado’s extraction marked its 800th mission. Despite the team’s extensive experience evacuating clients from dangerous situations, this mission stood apart. “Our systems are built to move people nobody knows,” Stern explained. “Maria is very much known — and that was the real challenge.”
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
India and Sweden are preparing for a significant expansion in their economic relationship, with Swedish investments in India expected to rise sharply in the coming years. Business Sweden views India as a strategic partner, driven by the country’s rapid economic growth and Sweden’s strengths in sustainability and green technology. This alignment is creating fresh opportunities for collaboration across industries, particularly as global demand increases for cleaner and more efficient solutions.
Over the past six years, Swedish companies have invested around $2.5 billion in India, supporting sectors ranging from manufacturing to digital services. Major players such as Volvo, Ericsson, and IKEA are scaling up their presence, directly employing more than 220,000 people and indirectly supporting millions through local supply chains. Beyond capital inflows, this engagement is helping build long-term ecosystems where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand, reflected in initiatives like IKEA’s focus on environmentally responsible sourcing within India’s vast consumer market.
Sustainability sits at the heart of this partnership. With India aiming for net-zero emissions by 2070 and Sweden consistently ranking among global leaders in innovation, collaboration in green technology is gaining momentum. Joint initiatives launched at platforms such as the India-Sweden Sustainability Day include projects in hydrogen-based steelmaking, artificial intelligence–driven emissions reduction, and low-carbon cement produced from recycled materials. Today, more than 280 Swedish companies operate in India, combining Sweden’s collaborative “Triple Helix” approach—linking government, industry, and academia—with India’s expanding manufacturing capabilities.
Swedish investments in India could potentially double within five years, particularly if an India–EU free trade agreement is finalized, easing market access for Swedish firms. At the same time, Indian companies are increasing their footprint in Sweden, with foreign direct investment from India rising by 191 percent over the past five years in areas such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, and digital technology. This two-way flow of capital and expertise highlights a partnership built on shared ambitions, blending Nordic efficiency with Indian scale to support a more sustainable global economy.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Saturday reviewed the Combined Graduation Parade at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad. Addressing the flight cadets, he underlined that warfare allows no second place, stressing that Operation Sindoor remains ongoing despite a reduction in operational intensity.
General Chauhan warned that there is zero tolerance for error and that complacency carries severe consequences. He noted that the cadets are entering the Air Force at a time marked by heightened operational readiness, calling it a new normal that demands constant alertness, agility, and preparedness. Emphasising that success must become habitual, he said wars are won through decisive action rather than words.
The parade marked the completion of pre-commissioning training for flight cadets from various branches of the Indian Air Force at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, with General Chauhan serving as the Reviewing Officer. He also congratulated cadets from Vietnam, stating that their participation reflects the growing trust and friendship between India and Vietnam. Wishing all graduating trainees success, the CDS said their careers ahead would be defined by honour, sacrifice, and a sustained pursuit of excellence.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said the country will never forget the ultimate sacrifice made by security personnel who gave their lives defending the “temple of democracy” during the 2001 Parliament terror attack, as leaders from across political parties paid homage on its anniversary.
Speaking to ANI, Rijiju said December 13 is a solemn day for the nation. He noted that every year tributes are paid at the Parliament premises to the martyrs, with the Vice President, Prime Minister, and Members of Parliament joining in remembrance. He emphasized that the fallen personnel laid down their lives to protect India’s democratic institutions and saved Parliament from terrorist assault.
President Droupadi Murmu also paid tribute to the martyrs, stating that the nation will always remain indebted to them and their families. In a post on X, she said the courage and dedication of the heroes who protected Parliament in 2001 continue to inspire the nation, reaffirming India’s resolve to fight terrorism in all forms.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi likewise honored the security personnel who made the supreme sacrifice. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Kiren Rijiju, and several senior parliamentarians from both the ruling alliance and the opposition also paid their respects. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath remembered the martyrs, calling the attack a cowardly assault on the nation’s sovereignty and democracy, and said the country would forever be grateful for their sacrifice.
The Central Reserve Police Force paid special tribute to Constable Kamlesh Kumari of the 88 Battalion, recalling her bravery during the attack. Despite sustaining serious injuries, she continued to pursue the terrorists and share crucial information, actions that led to all five attackers being neutralized. She was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra for her valor. On December 13, 2001, five heavily armed terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed attacked the Parliament complex in New Delhi. The assault, which occurred shortly after Parliament was adjourned, claimed the lives of 14 people, including security personnel and a civilian.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul spoke to the media at the Government House in Bangkok, announcing the dissolution of parliament. During the press interaction, he addressed questions and reacted to the political developments, outlining the government’s position and explaining the reasons behind the decision to dissolve the legislative body.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Starting 6 pm tomorrow (13 Dec 2025), train commuters can check a single webpage for updates on trip delays. Daniel Martin talks with Professor Raymond Ong, Transport Analyst and Deputy Head (Research) at NUS’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Andrea Heng and Susan Ng discuss the impact of the US reviewing visa applicants’ social media histories, especially as tourist numbers are expected to rise for the football World Cup, with insights from Steven Okun, CEO of APAC Advisors.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
Australia is introducing a first-of-its-kind law that blocks minors from using social media without a parent’s approval. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng discuss the debate with Professor Tama Leaver from Curtin University’s Internet Studies program: is this a vital measure to safeguard young people’s mental health, or an impractical policy that limits digital freedom?
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
Malaysia’s ringgit has made an unexpected recovery, while Thailand’s baht continues to lag behind. So where does the Singapore dollar stand amid this regional currency reshuffle? Andrea Heng and Genevieve Woo explore the forces behind Asia’s currency winners and losers in 2024, and what households and businesses should monitor going into the new year, with insights from Saktiandi Supaat, Chief FX Strategist and Head of FX Research & Strategy at Maybank.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
