Venezuela

• Pres. Maduro told Venezuelan state-owned companies to plan to exploit oil, gas, and minerals in Essequibo - the large swathe of Guyana that Venezuela claims as its own (and held a referendum over last week). Venezuela disputes the territory, which comprises two-thirds of Guyana's territory, and analysts are warning that last week's referendum and this oil / gold rush could be precursors to a military invasion.
• Guyana's Pres. Ali said his government had reached out to allies (presumably including the U.S. as well as regional partners like Brazil, though Ali didn't specify) with the aim of "building a regional response" in case Venezuela invades. Guyana will raise the issue at the UN Security Council tomorrow.
• Separately, a witness at a drug trafficking trial in New York told the court he witnessed former Citgo CEO Luis Marin offering the defendant help laundering drug money through Citgo contracts. Citgo executives have been accused of taking bribes before, but this is the first known allegation of their involvement in the drug trade too.

• Israel said Tuesday was the "most intense day" of its military campaign in Gaza so far: its troops fought fierce close-range battles with Hamas as they reached "the heart" of key areas like the city of Khan Younis.

• The U.S. charged four Russian soldiers - two commanding officers and two lower-ranking troops - for war crimes committed in Ukraine in absentia. The four allegedly abducted and tortured an American citizen living in Ukraine early in the war.
• Meanwhile, Ukraine launched a massive drone attack on the bridge to Crimea and over the Sea of Azov. Russia says it shot down 41 drones.

• Italy officially gave China notice that it would not renew their Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) agreement when it expires in March 2024.
• Italy was the only G7 country to join BRI: it joined in pursuit of export growth and other economic gains but has been disappointed in the results and now wants out.

• Human Rights Watch warned that Taliban bans on women working or going to school - and the reintroduction of corporal punishment - are causing "irreversible damage" to boys' education too: teachers are less qualified because there aren't enough male teachers to replace the banned female ones, and the beatings haven't improved morale.