International
US Charges Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro With Narco-Terrorism
US Charges Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro With Narco-Terrorism
The United States Department of Justice has formally charged Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro with narco-terrorism, cocaine trafficking, and illegal possession of machineguns and destructive devices against the United States, following his reported arrest in a military-backed operation ordered by US President Donald Trump.
In a statement posted on X on Saturday, US Attorney-General Pamela Bondi announced that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been indicted in the Southern District of New York. Bondi said the suspects would be brought to the United States to face trial, praising President Trump for insisting on accountability and commending US forces involved in the operation.
Earlier, President Trump disclosed on his Truth Social account that US forces had captured Maduro and removed him from Venezuela after what he described as a large-scale US strike.
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“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country,” Trump wrote, adding that the mission was conducted alongside US law enforcement agencies.
Trump’s announcement followed reports of multiple explosions in Caracas and other parts of Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday. CNN reported that several blasts were heard around 1:50 a.m. local time, accompanied by power outages and the sound of aircraft overhead.
Reacting, the Venezuelan government accused the United States of carrying out a “grave military aggression” against Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira. Authorities said President Maduro had signed a state of emergency declaration and ordered the activation of national defence plans.
The government also announced plans to file complaints before the United Nations Security Council and other international bodies, seeking global condemnation of the alleged attack.
The development comes amid a recent increase in US military presence in the Caribbean, part of Washington’s broader efforts targeting alleged drug trafficking networks linked to Venezuela.
US Charges Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro With Narco-Terrorism
International
Second Man Killed by US Federal Agents in Minneapolis Immigration Operation
Second Man Killed by US Federal Agents in Minneapolis Immigration Operation
A 37-year-old man was shot and killed by US federal agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Saturday morning during a sweeping immigration enforcement operation, marking the second fatal shooting by federal authorities in the city in recent weeks.
Officials said the incident occurred near Nicollet Avenue and 26th Street, where Department of Homeland Security and Border Patrol agents were conducting operations linked to federal immigration enforcement. Authorities claim the man allegedly approached officers with a firearm, prompting agents to fire in self-defense. The victim, a licensed gun owner and U.S. citizen, was pronounced dead at the scene.
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The shooting has sparked widespread outrage and protests across Minneapolis. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the operation “horrific” and urged the federal government to withdraw agents, warning that the enforcement actions are destabilizing communities.
This incident follows the fatal shooting of Renée Good on January 7 during a previous ICE operation, whose death was later ruled a homicide by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner. Community leaders and lawmakers have criticised the federal immigration crackdown, calling for increased accountability and oversight of federal agents.
Political figures including U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and Representative Nikki Budzinski have condemned the operations, demanding transparency and stronger regulations to prevent further loss of life. The shootings have intensified debates over the use of force by federal law enforcement, the role of ICE, and the balance between public safety and civil liberties in the United States.
Second Man Killed by US Federal Agents in Minneapolis Immigration Operation
International
Brazil’s Lula Accuses US President Trump of Seeking to Create ‘New UN’
Brazil’s Lula Accuses US President Trump of Seeking to Create ‘New UN’
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has accused US President Donald Trump of attempting to establish a “new United Nations”, warning that the move could weaken existing multilateral institutions and destabilise the global diplomatic order.
Lula made the remarks while addressing supporters in Brazil, reacting to Trump’s proposal for a new international body reportedly aimed at managing global conflicts outside the traditional United Nations framework. According to the Brazilian leader, such an initiative risks undermining the UN Charter, replacing collective decision-making with unilateral influence dominated by powerful states.
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The criticism follows Trump’s recent unveiling of a proposed “Board of Peace”, which he has promoted as a more effective alternative to the UN in resolving global crises. Lula argued that instead of creating parallel structures, world powers should focus on reforming the United Nations, particularly by expanding the UN Security Council to better represent Africa, Latin America and the Global South.
Lula warned that the world is entering a “very dangerous moment” where multilateralism is being challenged by selective alliances and power blocs. He stressed that peace and stability can only be sustained through inclusive global dialogue, not through institutions controlled by a few countries.
The comments come amid broader geopolitical shifts, with several Global South leaders expressing concern over growing pressure on international institutions. China has also reaffirmed its support for the central role of the United Nations, aligning with Brazil’s position that global governance must remain balanced and rules-based.
Analysts say Lula’s remarks highlight widening divisions over the future of global governance, as debates intensify around reforming the UN versus creating alternative international platforms championed by major powers.
Brazil’s Lula Accuses US President Trump of Seeking to Create ‘New UN’
International
Indonesia Landslide in West Java Kills Seven, Dozens Missing
Indonesia Landslide in West Java Kills Seven, Dozens Missing
A deadly landslide in West Java, Indonesia has claimed the lives of at least seven people and left more than 80 others missing, authorities confirmed, as search and rescue teams battle treacherous conditions to reach potential survivors.
The disaster struck West Bandung early Saturday following days of heavy rainfall, causing steep slopes to collapse and bury several villages under mud and debris. Homes, roads, and critical infrastructure were severely damaged, with many residents forced to flee for safety.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has deployed hundreds of rescuers, including army personnel and volunteers, to comb through the affected areas. Officials warned that the ongoing torrential rains and unstable terrain heighten the risk of additional slides, making the operation dangerous.
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Authorities reported that dozens of houses were swallowed by the landslide, and while some residents escaped, many remain trapped under thick layers of mud. Meteorological experts had previously issued warnings of persistent heavy rainfall across West Java, a region prone to landslides and flash floods during the rainy season.
Local governments have ordered evacuations in vulnerable areas and continue to monitor the region’s slope stability. Officials emphasized the urgent need for residents to heed warnings and remain cautious as rescue efforts intensify.
The landslide adds to Indonesia’s ongoing challenges with natural disasters, especially during the rainy season, when floods and landslides frequently strike the archipelago, causing widespread damage and fatalities.
Indonesia Landslide in West Java Kills Seven, Dozens Missing
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