Author: Emily Harper

Venezuela’s opposition has long anticipated a simple sequence: Nicolás Maduro falls, and a new leadership replaces his government. The first part appeared to occur when U.S. forces seized Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores during a military operation on a base in Caracas and flew them to the United States. U.S. authorities say Maduro is jailed in New York on drug trafficking charges. The second part has not been followed. President Donald Trump said the United States would “run” Venezuela and then accepted a transition led by Delcy Rodríguez, the vice president in Maduro’s administration. With many opposition leaders already…

Warner Bros. Discovery said Wednesday that it has again rejected a hostile takeover proposal from Paramount and is urging shareholders to back a rival agreement with Netflix to purchase Warner’s studio and streaming assets. Warner said its board views Paramount’s proposal as effectively a leveraged buyout, warning that the offer would rely on substantial debt and includes operating restrictions that could limit the company’s ability to perform while a transaction is underway. In a letter to shareholders, board chair Samuel Di Piazza Jr. said the Netflix agreement provides “superior value” and greater certainty. Paramount did not immediately respond publicly. Its…

Europa’s Promise as a Potential Home for Life Europa, one of Jupiter’s largest moons, has long been considered one of the most promising places beyond Earth to search for extraterrestrial life. Beneath its fractured, icy surface lies a vast ocean of liquid water, believed to contain more water than all of Earth’s oceans combined. This hidden sea, shielded by a relatively thin crust of ice, has placed Europa at the center of planetary science and astrobiology discussions for decades. Two major space missions are now on their way to investigate this intriguing world. One is led by NASA, whose Europa…

Strong Rebuke From United Nations Experts A group of United Nations experts has issued a sharp condemnation of the large scale military action carried out by the United States against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, describing it as a grave violation of international law with far reaching global consequences. The experts denounced the bombardment of Caracas and other cities, as well as the forcible seizure of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, warning that such actions risk destabilising not only the region but the international system as a whole. According to the experts, the use of armed force on Venezuelan territory…

China’s leading artificial intelligence server supplier xFusion has taken an early procedural step toward a potential stock-market debut, hiring Citic Securities to run a pre-IPO “tutoring” program for its executives, according to a regulatory disclosure. The Henan-based company signed the agreement on Dec. 31, 2025, and the tutoring period is scheduled to run from January to April or May, a filing posted on the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) website showed. In China’s domestic listing system, IPO tutoring is commonly used to help companies align governance, internal controls, and disclosure practices with exchange and regulator requirements. The engagement does not…

Press Detentions Amid a Shifting Power Landscape Venezuelan security forces detained at least fourteen members of the press while they were reporting on the aftermath of the seizure of Nicolás Maduro by US forces, underscoring growing concerns about press freedom during a period of political upheaval. According to the union representing media workers in Venezuela, most of those detained were employed by foreign news organizations and were later released. One reporter was expelled from the country. The detentions took place in multiple locations across Caracas, including near the National Assembly and in the Altamira neighborhood, areas that had become focal…

Shares of major U.S. energy companies rose Monday after President Donald Trump said the United States plans to take control of Venezuela’s oil industry and rely on American companies to help restore production following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. The market response lifted a broad range of oil-linked stocks, with investors focusing on whether policy could eventually open access to a country that sits on the world’s largest oil reserves. Analysts said the announcement is unlikely to move crude prices immediately because oil markets are widely viewed as well supplied. Still, traders interpreted the comments as a possible long-term…

A hotel operating under the Hilton umbrella in Minnesota canceled room reservations made by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, according to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The agency said the bookings were made using official government email addresses and government rates, and that the reservations were later voided after the property identified the guests as immigration enforcement personnel. DHS posted screenshots of emails it said were sent by the hotel’s operators. In one message, the operators referenced an “influx” of government reservations and indicated they were not willing to host ICE at the property. DHS described…

A Crowded Field of Familiar Names The race to determine the next head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders is beginning to take shape, with a wide range of familiar NFL names emerging as potential candidates. Early betting odds suggest a competitive and uncertain process, reflecting both the instability surrounding the franchise and the high stakes involved in getting the next hire right. At the front of the list sits Brian Flores, who has quickly become the early favorite. Flores brings a reputation for discipline, defensive structure, and leadership shaped by years within the Bill Belichick coaching tree. His current…

A Confident Shift in Royal Style As she approaches a new personal milestone, Kate Middleton is widely seen as entering a phase of renewed confidence and control, particularly in how she presents herself on the global stage. Recent profiles of the Princess of Wales describe a royal figure who is now firmly in charge of her wardrobe, using fashion not only as personal expression but as a subtle diplomatic tool. Since the departure of her longtime stylist, Kate has not appointed a direct replacement. Instead, she has taken a more hands on role in selecting her outfits for major engagements.…