World

US intelligence (CIA) tracked the leader of an oil-rich, US-baiting nation to a heavily guarded compound in the mountain-flanked capital. Then, US military force demonstrated its power to remove that leader from power. Finally, a more pliant successor was installed to do Washington's bidding. This was the recipe for Donald Trump's recent 'regime change' in Venezuela. The country's president, Nicolás Maduro, was abducted in Caracas before dawn on 3 January.

Supporters of the US and Israeli military campaign against Iran argue that weakening Tehran by degrading its missile capabilities, crippling its navy, and reducing its ability to project power through regional allies will make the Middle East safer. However, this strategy rests on an assumption that a weaker Iran would produce a more stable region. In reality, destabilizing one of the Middle East’s largest and most strategically important states could unleash forces far more dangerous than the status quo.

Federal and local authorities across the United States have announced heightened security measures, including increased law enforcement patrols and enhanced protection for sensitive sites. Security experts state these precautions are in response to fears that Iran, or its proxies, may launch retaliatory attacks on American soil following the recent US and Israeli bombing of Iranian territory. The measures aim to counter potential threats from both state-directed operatives and lone actors allegedly inspired by Tehran.

South Sudan, the world's youngest nation, is reeling from an escalating conflict between the government-aligned army and opposition forces, which observers warn risks returning the country to a full-blown civil war. Violent confrontations between the military, loyal to President Salva Kiir, and insurgents believed to be allied with suspended Vice-President Riek Machar have increased significantly in recent weeks, highlighting the fragility of the 2018 peace agreement.

Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai has announced he will not appeal his conviction and 20-year prison sentence. The 78-year-old critic of the Chinese Communist Party was convicted in December last year on charges of sedition and conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, with the sentence handed down in February. Lai pleaded not guilty to all charges, but the penalty imposed on him is the harshest given for national security offences in Hong Kong.

Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has outlined his ambition to compete in a Grand Prix on African soil, speaking on the eve of the new season in Melbourne, Australia. The 41-year-old driver, F1's first black race driver, also voiced sharp criticisms about the continent's current state, claiming it is being "controlled" by European powers.

The United States Justice Department has published additional FBI documents detailing interviews with a woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted by former President Donald Trump and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein when she was between 13 and 15 years old. The documents, released on Thursday, describe multiple 2019 interviews where the woman claimed Epstein introduced her to Trump, leading to the alleged assault.

Investigations into a Serbian investment fund, allegedly favored by senior politicians, businessmen who have profited from state contracts, and other individuals, have intensified suspicions of corruption at the highest echelons of politics and business. The focus is on an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) named Vista Rica, established in 2023, with investors linked to President Aleksandar Vucic and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), raising concerns about systemic favoritism and financial opacity.

US President Donald Trump launched a sharp critique against Spain, labeling the country as “terrible” and threatening to “cut off all trade” with the EU member state. These threats came in response to Spain’s strong condemnation of US strikes on Iran and its decision to ban the use of two jointly operated military bases in Andalusia for warfare. Trump made these remarks during a meeting at the White House with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, sparking discontent among the Spanish public and highlighting tensions within the Western alliance.

US President Donald Trump harshly criticized Spain, threatening to cut off all trade with the European country. This verbal assault came after Spain strongly condemned US military strikes on Iran. Trump, addressing reporters during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House, allegedly stated that "Spain has been terrible" and that "we're going to cut off all trade" with the EU member state.

As the US-Israel war with Iran intensifies, the European Union (EU) is facing growing scrutiny and pressure. The EU, its key member states, and the United Kingdom have called for adherence to international law and condemned the Iranian government. However, Europe has so far failed to articulate a coherent common approach, appearing divided, sidelined, and ineffective as a major crisis unfolds in the Middle East with potential ramifications for Europe and the global order.

▪️ The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the postponement of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which was scheduled to commence in mid-March. In a statement on its website, CAF confirmed that the tournament in Morocco will not kick off on March 17 as planned, but is instead rescheduled for the summer months.