Afghanistan war veteran arrested after ICE protest prepares for trial

Tens of thousands of residents in western North America are under evacuation orders as heavy rains have caused rivers to overflow, particularly affecting Washington state and British Columbia. Authorities continue to warn that water levels are rising, and the risk of flooding remains high following several days of intense storms.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that the United States has urged Ukraine to withdraw from the Donbas region and establish a 'free economic zone', suggesting that Russian troops may remain without further advances. This development highlights ongoing diplomatic pressures amid the conflict with Russia.

Rwanda has denied any involvement in the recent violence in South Kivu, instead blaming the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi for violating a peace agreement reached in Washington. The Rwandan government has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and adherence to the terms of the accord, as reported by FRANCE 24’s Juliette Montilly.

The U.S. military has seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, as confirmed by President Donald Trump. This action marks a significant escalation in the U.S. pressure campaign against the Venezuelan government led by Nicolás Maduro, reflecting ongoing tensions between Washington and Caracas.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to India marked his first trip since the Ukraine conflict began, where he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss enhancing economic ties, particularly in energy and defense sectors. This visit occurs amidst increasing pressure from the United States on India regarding its continued purchases of Russian oil.

The U.S. military has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, a significant escalation in the pressure campaign against President Nicolás Maduro's regime. This action occurred shortly after the country's opposition leader departed on a boat, highlighting the ongoing political turmoil in Venezuela.

Europe is responding to a recent U.S. policy paper warning of 'civilizational erasure' due to declining powers and increasing migration. This follows Vice President JD Vance's earlier comments at the Munich Security Conference, highlighting concerns over European stability and leadership. The absence of Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a NATO meeting further underscores tensions in transatlantic relations.

The United States has shifted its stance towards Syria's new leadership, indicating a desire for Israel to align with this change as tensions persist between Israel and Syria. Washington's support for the new government in Damascus contrasts with Israel's historically aggressive posture, particularly following recent military actions in southern Syria that resulted in civilian casualties.