FirstUp: UN Security Council to meet over US action in Venezuela and other big headlines

It is set to be a busy Monday, with several events scheduled.

Following the capture of Nicolas Maduro and the US strikes on Venezuela, the United Nations Security Council is due to meet.

Also, the UK government’s planned ban on advertising F&B products high in fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) will take effect today. According to iabUK, the regulator has issued official formal guidance on the ban. The legislation was due to come into effect on October 1 2025; however, it was delayed because the government required more time to develop a specific legal definition of brand advertising.

India braces for the 2026 All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) — the world’s largest and most sophisticated wildlife survey starting today.

Here is a closer look at the events taking place today.

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UN Security Council to discuss Venezuela crisis

Today (January 5), the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting regarding the US operation against Venezuela. The meeting has been convened at the request of Colombia, a non-permanent member of the Council, and was supported by permanent members China and Russia.

“The presidency intends to hold the emergency meeting on Monday morning at 10 am (1500 GMT),” said Khadija Ahmed, spokeswoman for the Somali Permanent Mission to the United Nations. Somalia holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council for January.

Venezuela’s UN Ambassador Samuel Moncada wrote to the UNSC, “This is a colonial war aimed at destroying our republican form of government, freely chosen by our people, and at imposing a puppet government that allows the plundering of our natural resources, including the world’s largest oil reserves.”

He said the US had violated the founding UN Charter, which states: “All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.”

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Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, noted that the US military action constitutes “a dangerous precedent”.

UK ban on TV junk food advertising comes into force today

Paid-for online ads for ‘less healthy’ food and drink (LHF) products will be banned from today. The legislation was scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2025; however, it was delayed to allow the government to define the specific legal definition of brand advertising. The UK advertising watchdog will reportedly begin cracking down on TV and paid online ads featuring junk food, according to the Guardian.  

In May 2025, Health Minister Ashley Dalton said, “We want to support economic growth and ensure that industry has confidence to invest in advertising, but, at the same time, protect children from advertising of less healthy products,” as quoted by The Drum. Boris Johnson’s government promised to impose a ban on products high in fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS), stating it would take effect from 2023.

Tiger census to begin in India 

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has announced that it will roll out Phase I of the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) from today (January 5).  The National Tiger Conservation Authority, in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India, is carrying out this exercise. The surveys will be conducted in seven-day cycles covering all tiger reserves until the end of February.  

According to a New Indian Express report, Kalakad Mundanthurai, Anamalai, Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam, and Srivilliputhur-Megamalai are five notified tiger reserves in Tamil Nadu. As per the previous AITE, the state’s tiger population increased from 264 in 2018 to 306 in 2022.  

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to deliver a keynote ahead of CES 

Nvidia’s press conference at CES 2026 with Founder and CEO Jensen Huang will take place today. Huang will deliver a keynote address showcasing the latest NVIDIA solutions that drive innovation and productivity across industries.

The New York Post quoted Wedbush analyst Dan Ives saying, “The Jensen keynote speech is front and centre in terms of strategic direction for AI.” Adding, “It’s not just everyone in tech and markets watching, but everyone around the world.” Nvidia’s CEO has attended CES on and off for nearly a quarter of a century. Huang gave a memorable keynote last year as well.

BMC Elections 2026: Thackeray brothers to address joint rallies from today

In the run-up to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections 2026, sources indicate that the Thackeray brothers will address joint rallies starting today. Polling will be held on January 15, and Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have sealed an alliance for the BMC elections.

They will hold joint rallies in the western suburbs of Mumbai and at Shivaji Park. Thackeray brothers will also address rallies in Kalyan, Dombivli, and Mira-Bhayandar in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).  

Congress to launch ‘MGNREGA Bachao Abhiyan’

The Indian National Congress (INC) is set to launch a nationwide campaign against the repeal of the MGNREGA scheme today, the party chief Mallikarjun Kharge said after a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC).

  “MGNREGA was not just a scheme, but the Right to Work given by the Constitution. Under the VB-G RAM G Act, the states will face an additional expenditure burden, which has been termed a one-sided decision taken without consultation,” said Kharge, adding, “This law has been brought to crush the poor. We will fight against it on the streets and in Parliament.” The VB-G RAM G Bill, replacing the 20-year-old MGNREGA, was passed in Parliament during the recently concluded Winter Session of Parliament.    

With inputs from agencies