Trinidad and Tobago to open airports to US military as Venezuela tensions rise

The United States has pledged to seek Senate approval for security guarantees aimed at protecting Ukraine from potential future attacks, a crucial requirement for Kyiv amid ongoing tensions with Russia. This commitment follows recent peace talks in Berlin involving U.S., Ukrainian, and European leaders, which focused on establishing a framework for Ukraine's security.

Three Americans, including two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter, were killed in an ambush by the Islamic State in Palmyra, Syria. This incident marks a significant escalation in U.S. military involvement in the region, prompting Washington to blame ISIL for the attack and promise retaliation.

A JetBlue passenger plane took evasive action to avoid a mid-air collision with a US Air Force aircraft flying with its transponder turned off near Venezuela. The incident occurred during the flight's ascent, raising significant safety concerns as the military aircraft crossed its path, complicating air traffic control communications.

Venezuela has condemned the European Council's renewed sanctions, labeling them as futile and indicative of the EU's lack of autonomy in global affairs. The Venezuelan government, led by Nicolás Maduro, argues that these sanctions do not contribute to resolving the ongoing crisis in the country.

Korea Zinc has announced plans to invest $7.4 billion in a minerals refinery in the United States, with support from Washington. The company will begin by acquiring two mining complexes and the only zinc smelter in the U.S., located in Tennessee.

Venezuela has accused Trinidad and Tobago of collaborating with the United States in the recent seizure of an oil tanker off its coast, an action described by the Maduro regime as theft of Venezuelan oil. This incident follows a broader pressure campaign by the Trump administration against Nicolás Maduro's government, escalating tensions in the region.

A JetBlue flight from Curaçao to New York narrowly avoided a mid-air collision with a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker near Venezuela. The incident occurred when the military aircraft reportedly did not have its transponder activated, prompting the JetBlue pilot to express outrage during communication with air traffic control.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado suffered a vertebra fracture during her secret journey from Venezuela to Norway, where she was to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. This injury occurred during a high-risk sea crossing, as confirmed by her spokesperson.