Seized oil tanker off Venezuela to be brought to US as tensions mount

María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, stated that Nicolás Maduro's political downfall is inevitable, emphasizing that the transition to a new political era in Venezuela is irreversible. This declaration followed her perilous escape from Venezuela, aided by U.S. support, and her recent public appearance in Oslo, Norway, where she received the Nobel Prize.

President Trump addressed a Congressional ball following the Senate's rejection of two healthcare proposals aimed at extending Obamacare subsidies, highlighting the urgency of bipartisan cooperation on healthcare as premium rates are expected to rise.

Immigration agents in the U.S. are increasingly arresting Afghan asylum seekers, particularly men awaiting court hearings, creating a climate of fear among recent arrivals. An example is Amir, who was detained after being pulled over while driving home from an English class in Bloomington, Indiana. This trend raises concerns about the safety of Afghan nationals in the U.S.

Indiana Republicans voted against a proposal to redraw the state's congressional map, which aimed to add two Republican-friendly seats, resulting in a 19-31 defeat. This decision is seen as a significant rebuke to former President Donald Trump's influence over the party's direction.

Bryan Stern, a U.S. special forces veteran, led a perilous night mission to help Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado escape from Venezuela. The operation involved navigating through treacherous waters and military checkpoints, ultimately allowing her to reach Norway after a long and dangerous journey.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado publicly confirmed that the United States assisted her escape from Venezuela to Norway, where she made her first public appearance in nearly a year after being in hiding. This event coincided with her receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, which she dedicated to her country and its struggle for democracy.

Norway’s Magnus Carlsen, the world No 1, suffered a 0.5-1.5 defeat against US veteran Levon Aronian in the final of the Freestyle Grand Slam Tour held in Cape Town. Despite this loss, Carlsen secured overall victory in the five-event Tour, earning a prize of approximately $500,000.

The United States has proposed a plan that envisions Ukraine joining the European Union by January 2027, as stated by a senior official amid intensified diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict with Russia. Concurrently, Ukraine has reported regaining control of two settlements in the Kharkiv region and pushing back Russian forces in Kupiansk, a strategic railway hub.