DENMARK: Danish police made several arrests today, saying they carried out the operation “on suspicion of preparation for a terrorist attack.”

The arrests were made in “a coordinated action” in several locations in Denmark early on Thursday.

No other details were given by Danish authorities. 

RUSSIA: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, arrested in Russia on espionage charges, lost an appeal today to be released from jail and will remain in custody at least until January 30.

Mr Gershkovich was detained in March while in Yekaterinburg, about 1,200 miles east of Moscow. 

Russia’s Federal Security Service accuses him of spying while the International Federation of Journalists demands his release.

CHINA: A leader of Taiwan’s main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party began a visit to China on Wednesday, less than one month before the breakaway Chinese province holds elections for president and the legislature.

The party said that vice-chair Andrew Hsia and his delegation aimed to contribute towards “peace, stability and prosperity between the two sides.”

VENEZUELA: The leaders of Guyana and Venezuela met face to face today, as regional nations sought to defuse a long standing dispute over Essequibo, a vast border region rich in oil and minerals.

Ahead of the meeting between Guyanese President Irfaan Ali and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of the neutral host for the talks, St Vincent and the Grenadines, said he expected additional meetings to be held over the issue.