Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other charges at a defiant appearance in a New York court Monday, two days after being snatched by U.S. forces in a stunning raid on his home in Caracas.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday criticized the European Union's policy on Türkiye's bid to join the bloc, saying Ankara has long sought full EU membership but that political obstacles have prevented this from being realized.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Jan. 5 that Ankara has conveyed its concerns over Venezuela to U.S. President Donald Trump, stressing the need to prevent further instability in the country.

Iran will offer no leniency to "rioters", though the public has a right to demonstrate, the head of the country's judiciary said on Monday, following more than a week of sometimes-deadly protests.

The Syrian Defense Ministry said Monday that three soldiers were wounded in an attack by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)  in the Aleppo countryside in northern Syria.