At least 24 Venezuelan security officers were killed during a late-night U.S. military operation to seize President Nicolás Maduro and fly him to the United States to face federal drug trafficking charges, Venezuelan officials said Tuesday.
Venezuela’s attorney general, Tarek William Saab, said the operation left “dozens” of officials and civilians dead and announced that prosecutors would examine the deaths, describing the incident as a “war crime.” Saab did not clarify whether his estimate referred exclusively to Venezuelans.
The toll among Venezuelan forces follows an announcement by Cuba’s government that 32 Cuban military and police officers stationed in Venezuela were killed during the operation, a development that prompted two days of official mourning on the island.
The Venezuelan military published a video tribute on Instagram honoring fallen security personnel. The montage displayed photographs of those killed alongside black-and-white footage of soldiers, U.S. aircraft over Caracas and armored vehicles destroyed in the fighting.
“Their spilled blood does not cry out for vengeance, but for justice and strength,” the military wrote in the post. It added that the deaths strengthened its resolve to “rescue our legitimate President,” dismantle what it called foreign-backed terrorist groups and prevent similar events from occurring again on Venezuelan soil.
In Washington, President Donald Trump rejected Democratic criticism of the operation, arguing that previous administrations had also sought Maduro’s arrest. Speaking at a House Republican retreat, Trump complained that Democrats were failing to acknowledge what he described as a successful mission that resulted in Maduro’s removal, despite bipartisan agreement that Maduro was not Venezuela’s rightful president.
Maduro was indicted in the United States in 2020, accused of participating in a long-running narco-terrorism conspiracy involving international cocaine trafficking. U.S. officials have noted that the Biden administration increased the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest near the end of his term, after Maduro assumed a third term despite evidence suggesting he lost Venezuela’s most recent election. The Trump administration later raised the reward to $50 million.
“They’ve been after this guy for years,” Trump said. “At some point, they should say, ‘You did a great job.’”
Trump’s comments followed briefings by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior officials to congressional leaders late Monday. The briefings came amid growing concern among lawmakers that the administration may be pursuing a more aggressive foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere without clear consultation or a defined plan for Venezuela’s future governance.
After the session, House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters he does not anticipate U.S. troops being deployed to Venezuela, saying the operation was “not a regime change” mission. Democratic leaders, however, said the briefing left unanswered questions about the administration’s broader intentions.
Public opinion in the United States remains divided. A poll conducted over the weekend by The Washington Post and SSRS found that about four in 10 Americans supported the use of U.S. military force to capture Maduro, while a similar share opposed it. Roughly two in 10 respondents said they were unsure. Nearly half of those surveyed opposed the United States taking control of Venezuela or selecting a new government, and about nine in 10 said Venezuelans should determine their own leadership.
Maduro pleaded not guilty Monday to federal drug trafficking charges in a U.S. courtroom. U.S. forces captured him and his wife early Saturday during a raid on a guarded compound in Caracas. His longtime ally, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, has since been sworn in as Venezuela’s acting president.
Since Maduro’s ouster, Trump and senior officials have fueled international unease by signaling a more assertive U.S. posture abroad. In recent days, Trump has renewed calls for an American takeover of Greenland, threatened military action against Colombia over cocaine trafficking and warned that Cuba’s communist government faces mounting pressure.
Trump has said his administration will now oversee Venezuela policy and push the country’s leaders to open its vast oil reserves to U.S. energy companies.
Colombia’s foreign affairs minister, Rosa Villavicencio, said Tuesday she plans to meet with the U.S. Embassy’s chargé d’affaires in Bogotá to lodge a formal complaint over recent threats from Washington. Trump recently said he was not ruling out action against Colombia and criticized its president over drug trafficking concerns.
Villavicencio said Colombia seeks to strengthen relations with the United States and expand cooperation against narcotics trafficking, echoing comments made earlier by other Colombian officials.
Meanwhile, leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom joined Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in a statement defending Greenland’s sovereignty. The self-governing territory, part of the Kingdom of Denmark and a member of NATO, should determine its own future, the leaders said.
“Greenland belongs to its people,” the statement said. “It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Republicans Tuesday, predicting Democrats will impeach him for a third time if the party loses control of Congress in November’s midterm elections, as polling indicates voters favor Democratic congressional control amid economic anxiety and concerns about the country’s direction.
“You gotta win the midterms ’cause, if we don’t win the midterms, it’s just gonna be — I mean, they’ll find a reason to impeach me,” Trump stated during a speech at a House Republican policy retreat held at the newly renamed Trump-Kennedy Center. “I’ll get impeached.”
The president’s remarks, delivered on the fifth anniversary of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, underscored his recognition that Democratic control of the House of Representatives would empower opposition lawmakers to pursue impeachment proceedings against him despite his having already survived two previous impeachments during his first term. Trump remains the only president in American history to face impeachment twice, though Republican senators prevented conviction in both cases by denying prosecutors the two-thirds supermajority required for removal from office.
Trump’s warning came as polling data suggests Republicans face difficult political terrain heading into the November elections. An NBC News poll conducted in October found that 50 percent of registered voters prefer Democratic control of Congress, while 42 percent favor Republican control—a difference exceeding the survey’s 3.1 percentage point margin of error. The eight-point Democratic advantage suggests the party could reclaim both chambers of Congress that Republicans narrowly control following the 2024 elections.
According to Reuters, Trump urged fellow Republicans to fight in more unified fashion on issues ranging from gender politics to healthcare and election reforms, while emphasizing the need to effectively communicate his administration’s policies to a public frustrated by persistent cost-of-living challenges. The president’s call for party discipline reflected concerns that Republican internal divisions could suppress turnout or enable Democrats to exploit disagreements on controversial issues.
Midterm elections historically favor the party not holding the presidency, a pattern that creates structural challenges for Republicans defending congressional majorities while Trump occupies the White House. The president acknowledged this historical precedent during his speech, expressing puzzlement about the phenomenon. “They say that when you win the presidency, you lose the midterm,” Trump stated. “I wish you could explain to me what the hell’s going on with the mind of the public.”
The historical pattern Trump referenced has proven remarkably consistent across recent decades. In 2018 midterm elections during Trump’s first term, Democrats surged to House majority winning 235 seats while Republicans maintained Senate control. The 2018 Democratic gains dramatically exceeded their 194 House seats from the 2016 presidential election year, demonstrating how midterm dynamics typically punish the president’s party regardless of individual popularity or policy achievements.
That 2018 blue wave ultimately enabled Democrats to pursue both impeachments against Trump. The first impeachment in 2019 stemmed from accusations that he pressured Ukraine to announce investigations into then-Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, partially by withholding hundreds of millions of dollars in congressionally approved military aid, as a strategy to damage Biden’s election prospects. The second impeachment in 2021 followed Trump’s role in events surrounding the January 6 Capitol attack as he attempted to overturn his electoral loss to Biden.
Trump has consistently proclaimed innocence regarding both impeachments, characterizing them as politically motivated attacks by Democrats seeking to undermine his presidency through constitutional mechanisms rather than electoral competition. His framing of potential future impeachment as Democrats finding “a reason” to proceed suggested he views the process as predetermined regardless of his conduct, requiring only sufficient Democratic votes rather than legitimate constitutional grounds.
The timing of Trump’s remarks on the fifth anniversary of the Capitol attack carried particular symbolism. Rioters broke into the building on January 6, 2021, attacking law enforcement officers and demanding Trump be installed as president for another term despite his electoral defeat. On the first day of his second term following his 2024 election victory, Trump issued blanket pardons for hundreds of people involved in the riot, including those accused or convicted of violent crimes—a controversial decision that Democrats characterized as endorsing political violence.
NBC News reported in July that Republican operatives planned to weaponize the threat of another Trump impeachment as a turnout driver in midterm elections despite the president not appearing on the ballot. The strategic calculus reflects recognition that base Republican voters respond intensely to perceived threats against Trump, potentially motivating participation in congressional races that might otherwise generate less enthusiasm than presidential contests.
The retreat where Trump delivered his warning took place at the Kennedy Center, a Washington performing arts venue recently renamed to include Trump’s name—a change reflecting the former president’s continued dominance over Republican Party identity and institutions. The renaming of the prestigious cultural center to the Trump-Kennedy Center illustrated how thoroughly Trump has reshaped the GOP in his image, with even institutions traditionally separate from partisan politics now bearing his brand.
House Republicans have demonstrated enormous deference to Trump throughout his second term, ceding substantial congressional authority over spending and other matters to the executive branch in ways that have alarmed constitutional scholars concerned about legislative branch power erosion. However, recent developments suggest nascent independence within the Republican caucus. The House could vote this week to override a Trump veto that canceled water projects in Colorado and Utah, though whether the effort achieves the two-thirds majority required for veto override remains uncertain.
The potential veto override would represent significant Republican defection from presidential preferences, suggesting that some lawmakers prioritize constituent interests in specific states over party loyalty when Trump’s decisions directly harm their districts. Such independence, even if limited to narrow issues, could signal weakening of Trump’s iron grip on congressional Republicans that has characterized much of his political career.
Trump’s agenda faces direct consequences from November’s election outcomes. All 435 House seats and approximately one-third of Senate seats will be contested, with results determining whether Republicans can continue implementing presidential priorities or whether Democratic majorities will obstruct Trump’s legislative goals while pursuing investigations into administration conduct.
The president’s explicit acknowledgment that Democrats would impeach him if they regain power suggests he anticipates his second-term actions will generate impeachable allegations from opposition perspectives. Whether those concerns reflect recognition of controversial policies he plans to pursue or simply realistic assessment of Democratic intentions regardless of his conduct remains ambiguous from his public statements.
Trump’s comments about Democrats finding “a reason” to impeach him could reflect several interpretations. He may believe Democrats will manufacture frivolous charges as political harassment, or he may recognize that his governing approach will inevitably generate legitimate constitutional concerns that Democrats with subpoena power will investigate. The ambiguity serves Trump’s political purposes by portraying potential future impeachment as partisan persecution rather than accountability for specific misconduct.
The economic concerns Trump acknowledged as motivating voter discontent present significant challenges for Republican midterm prospects. Polling consistently shows that cost-of-living issues including inflation, housing affordability, and wage stagnation rank among voters’ top priorities. If economic conditions fail to improve substantially by November, Republicans defending Trump’s economic record may struggle against Democratic attacks blaming administration policies for persistent financial stress afflicting middle-class families.
Most voters believe the country is on the wrong track according to multiple polls, a sentiment that historically correlates with losses for the party controlling the White House. Trump’s challenge involves convincing voters that Republicans deserve continued congressional power despite widespread dissatisfaction with national conditions under his presidency. The difficulty of that task becomes apparent in Trump’s own expressed puzzlement about why presidential parties typically lose midterm elections.
Republican operatives face strategic dilemmas about how aggressively to tie congressional candidates to Trump in different districts. In conservative areas where Trump remains popular, candidates benefit from close association with the president and his policy agenda. However, in competitive suburban districts that have trended Democratic in recent cycles, Republican candidates may need to establish some independence from Trump to appeal to moderate voters skeptical of his leadership while avoiding alienating the party base.
The impeachment threat that Trump emphasized could energize both Republican and Democratic voters, creating asymmetric mobilization effects that are difficult to predict. Republican voters motivated by desire to protect Trump from impeachment may turn out at higher rates than typical midterm participation. Conversely, Democratic voters energized by prospects of holding Trump accountable through impeachment may similarly exceed normal midterm turnout, potentially canceling Republican gains from their base mobilization.
The stakes extend beyond Trump’s personal political fate to encompass fundamental questions about presidential accountability and congressional oversight. If Democrats regain control and pursue impeachment, they will argue that constitutional checks and balances require Congress to investigate and potentially remove presidents who abuse power, regardless of whether Senate conviction appears achievable. Republicans will characterize such actions as partisan weaponization of impeachment that degrades the process into routine political warfare.
Trump’s prediction that Democrats will impeach him effectively acknowledges that his governing approach generates sufficient controversy to provide impeachment justifications from opposition perspectives. Whether future impeachment proceedings would involve conduct similar to his previous impeachments or entirely new allegations remains speculative, though the president’s warning suggests he anticipates that Democratic investigators with subpoena power will uncover or characterize actions as impeachable offenses.
The November 2026 midterm elections will ultimately determine whether Trump’s warning proves prescient or whether Republicans retain sufficient power to shield him from impeachment attempts during his final two years in office. The president’s explicit framing of midterms as referendum on his continued tenure—albeit indirectly through impeachment threat rather than direct electoral challenge—underscores how thoroughly Trump has personalized American politics around his own fate rather than broader policy debates or institutional considerations.
British police have arrested two suspects following the fatal stabbing of a 23-year-old Nigerian man in southeast London, a killing that has renewed scrutiny of persistent knife violence in the United Kingdom and its toll on young people and migrant communities.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a teenage boy and a 23-year-old man were taken into custody in connection with the death of John Temitope Onetufo, who was stabbed on New Year’s Eve in the Lewisham area of the capital. The arrests were made on Jan. 2 as detectives intensified efforts to piece together the circumstances surrounding the killing.
Police said emergency services were alerted shortly after midday on Dec. 31 to reports of a stabbing on Grove Street, Lewisham. Officers arrived alongside paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance to find Onetufo suffering from a serious stab wound to the chest.
Despite attempts by medical teams to save him, Onetufo was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities later formally identified him as a resident of Deptford, a nearby neighborhood in southeast London.
In a statement published on the Metropolitan Police website, investigators described the incident as a fatal stabbing and confirmed that a homicide investigation had been launched immediately after Onetufo’s death. A post-mortem examination is expected to establish further medical details, though police have not indicated any delay to the criminal inquiry.
Detective Chief Inspector Samantha Townsend, who is leading the investigation, said the arrests marked a significant step forward but emphasized that inquiries were continuing.
“My team has worked relentlessly over recent days to pursue every possible line of enquiry, and I can confirm that two arrests have now been made in connection with this tragic incident,” Townsend said. “While this represents meaningful progress, our investigation remains active as we seek to establish the full circumstances of what happened.”
Townsend extended condolences to Onetufo’s family and friends, underscoring that detectives remain focused on accountability. “We are committed to finding answers and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice,” she said, appealing to members of the public with relevant information to come forward.
The Metropolitan Police said the two suspects — a 17-year-old boy and a 23-year-old man — remain in custody while questioning continues. No charges had been announced as of Monday, and investigators have not disclosed a possible motive or whether the suspects were known to the victim.
The killing has resonated beyond Lewisham, particularly among Nigerians in the United Kingdom and abroad, where it has reignited concerns over knife crime and the vulnerability of young people living in major British cities. Community leaders say such incidents deepen anxiety among immigrant families already grappling with the challenges of life far from home.
Knife violence has remained a persistent issue in England and Wales despite repeated government pledges to curb it through tougher sentencing, expanded stop-and-search powers and youth intervention programs. Official crime data show that while overall violent crime has fluctuated in recent years, knife-related offenses have continued to claim lives, particularly among young men.
The death of Onetufo also follows other high-profile cases involving Nigerian nationals in the UK. PUNCH Metro reported in August 2025 that a 60-year-old Nigerian woman, Nkiru Chima, was found dead with multiple stab wounds in her apartment in Romford, east London. In that case, the Metropolitan Police said officers were alerted after a distress call from the British Transport Police and later discovered Chima’s body at her residence.
Advocacy groups within the Nigerian diaspora say repeated incidents of fatal violence involving their compatriots underscore the need for closer cooperation between police and minority communities, as well as targeted prevention efforts. They argue that fear of crime, combined with cultural and legal barriers, can discourage witnesses from coming forward promptly.
Criminologists note that fatal stabbings often occur in familiar settings and can escalate rapidly, making early intervention and intelligence-sharing critical. They also point to social pressures, economic stress and youth marginalization as contributing factors that require long-term policy responses beyond policing alone.
In Lewisham, local residents described shock and sadness following the New Year’s Eve killing, which unfolded as many people were preparing to usher in 2026. Some said the timing added to the trauma, casting a shadow over what is typically a moment of celebration.
Police presence in the area was stepped up in the days following the stabbing, with officers conducting door-to-door inquiries and reviewing CCTV footage from nearby streets and businesses. Authorities have not said whether any weapons have been recovered.
The Metropolitan Police reiterated that anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, is urged to contact detectives or provide tips anonymously through the charity Crimestoppers.
As the investigation continues, Onetufo’s death has become another stark reminder of the human cost of knife crime in Britain — a problem that continues to challenge law enforcement, policymakers and communities alike. For his family, friends and the wider Nigerian community, the focus remains on justice and answers as they mourn a life cut short.
A powerful winter storm blanketed large swaths of Europe with snow and ice, snarling air, rail and road travel from Amsterdam to Paris and triggering deadly accidents, mass flight cancellations and widespread infrastructure disruptions as authorities urged residents to stay home and brace for further deterioration.
A snow-covered street in Amsterdam, amid air, train, and road traffic disruptions caused by snowfall, as hundreds of flights were cancelled and trains came to a standstill, in Netherlands, January 5, 2026. REUTERS/Charlotte Van Campenhout
Heavy snowfall brought aviation to a near standstill in the Dutch and French capitals on Monday, with hundreds of flights scrapped, train networks crippled and highways clogged for hundreds of kilometers. The disruptions rippled outward across the continent, affecting Britain, Italy and the Balkans as a prolonged cold snap tightened its grip.
At Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport — one of Europe’s busiest aviation hubs — operations were severely curtailed as snow accumulation and icy conditions forced the cancellation of roughly 700 flights. Airport officials halted incoming air traffic for several hours while crews worked to clear runways and de-ice aircraft, diverting inbound planes to alternative airports across the region, Reuters said.
Inside the terminal, stranded passengers crowded departure halls as delays mounted and information screens flickered with cancellations. One traveler told Dutch outlet AD that uncertainty was compounding the frustration, with little clarity on when normal operations might resume.
The transport chaos extended well beyond the airport. Rail travel around Amsterdam collapsed after frozen track switches and a software malfunction crippled the Netherlands’ rail network during the morning rush. The national rail operator NS said no trains were running in the Amsterdam region for much of the day, while services elsewhere were sharply reduced. The company announced it would shift to a winter timetable on Tuesday, cutting the number of trains to improve reliability, Reuters reported.
International connections were also disrupted. Eurostar said services scheduled to travel into the Netherlands were terminated in Brussels, while all departures from Dutch stations were canceled, stranding international travelers mid-journey.
French authorities faced similar challenges as snowfall intensified around Paris. The country’s civil aviation authority instructed airlines to cut flights by 15% at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly airports through the evening, amounting to roughly 70 canceled departures and arrivals, figures confirmed by airport operator Groupe ADP.
Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot urged travelers to verify flight status before leaving home and encouraged the use of public transportation where possible — advice that proved difficult to follow as snow forced the suspension of some bus services across the capital.
On the ground, the impact was dramatic. Traffic authorities in the Paris region recorded more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) of traffic jams as snow and ice turned major arteries into bottlenecks. Officials temporarily barred trucks from roads around Île-de-France to reduce accident risks.
The Associated Press said the storm’s effects turned deadly in parts of France. Authorities in the southwestern Les Landes region confirmed three fatalities linked to traffic accidents, while at least two more people were killed in crashes around Paris. Emergency services responded to dozens of collisions as freezing temperatures made roads treacherous.
By Tuesday morning, Paris awoke under a thick blanket of snow, transforming iconic rooftops and landmarks into wintry scenes. Schools unable to operate safely closed for the day, giving children an unexpected holiday. For air travelers, however, the conditions brought little cheer, as six airports in northern and western France were shuttered entirely due to heavy snowfall, AP said.
Across the border in the Netherlands, snow continued to fall, complicating recovery efforts. Schiphol Airport said approximately 400 additional flights were grounded as crews worked around the clock to clear runways and aircraft. Meteorologists warned that further snowfall was expected later in the week, raising concerns about prolonged disruption.
Commuters who abandoned rail travel and took to the roads encountered long, slow journeys as ice-coated highways snarled traffic nationwide. Authorities urged people to travel only if absolutely necessary, warning that conditions could worsen overnight.
The storm system did not stop at France and the Netherlands. In Italy, persistent rain caused the Tiber River to swell once again, dampening public gatherings in Rome. The Associated Press said Pope Leo XIV’s Epiphany blessing drew smaller crowds than usual as St. Peter’s Square was only partially filled with worshippers sheltering under umbrellas.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri issued an ordinance restricting access to parks and flood-prone areas, citing risks from falling trees and rising waters. Farther north, snow dusted Bologna, while ski resorts in the Dolomites welcomed fresh powder even as freezing temperatures threatened transport links across central and northern Italy.
Britain was gripped by one of its coldest nights of the winter, with temperatures plunging to minus 12.5 degrees Celsius (9.5 Fahrenheit). Snow and ice disrupted rail, road and air travel, closing hundreds of schools across northern England and Scotland. Sporting events were postponed, Glasgow’s subway shut down due to an ice-related power failure, and Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport suspended operations temporarily.
In northern Scotland, forecasters warned of up to 15 centimeters (6 inches) of additional snowfall. Lawmaker Andrew Bowie described the situation as “critical,” calling for military assistance to help clear snow and deliver food and medical supplies to communities already cut off by earlier storms.
The Balkans also endured severe weather, with heavy snow and rain swelling rivers and knocking out power and water supplies in several areas. In Bosnia’s capital, Sarajevo, a woman was killed when a snow-laden tree branch collapsed, authorities said. Neighboring Serbia imposed emergency measures in parts of the west, urging caution as travelers headed toward ski resorts ahead of Orthodox Christmas celebrations.
Black ice forced vehicles to pull over on mountain roads near Sarajevo, while strong winds and stormy seas battered the Adriatic coast. Video footage from southern Montenegro showed waves surging into seaside cottages at Ada Bojana, underscoring the storm’s reach beyond inland transport networks.
Meteorologists warned that the prolonged cold spell could persist, keeping much of Europe in the grip of hazardous conditions. Emergency officials across the continent emphasized the need for vigilance, particularly as climate experts note that increasingly volatile winter weather is straining infrastructure designed for more moderate conditions.
The sweeping disruptions highlighted Europe’s vulnerability to extreme winter storms, with interconnected transport systems amplifying the impact when key hubs such as Amsterdam and Paris falter. As cleanup crews raced to restore services, authorities cautioned that recovery would be uneven — and that patience would be required as winter tightened its hold.
Flash floods triggered by days of intense monsoon rainfall have killed at least 16 people in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province, sweeping away homes, isolating villages and forcing hundreds of residents into emergency shelters, officials said Tuesday, as rescue teams continued searching for those still missing.
The floods struck early Monday after rivers burst their banks on Siau Island, part of the Siau Tagulandang Biaro district, unleashing torrents of water mixed with mud, rocks and debris that surged through residential areas. Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency, said the fast-moving floodwaters overwhelmed communities before many residents had time to escape.
Emergency responders supported by police and military personnel were dispatched to four of the hardest-hit villages on Siau, a small volcanic island located about 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Sulawesi, Indonesia’s fourth-largest island. Access to several areas remained difficult as damaged roads and disrupted communications slowed relief operations, Muhari said.
By Tuesday, as rain eased and floodwaters began to recede, rescuers had recovered 16 bodies from submerged neighborhoods and debris-filled riverbanks, according to Nuriadian Gumeleng, a spokesperson for North Sulawesi’s search and rescue office. Search teams were continuing to look for at least three people who remained unaccounted for, focusing on areas where entire clusters of homes were inundated.
The flooding destroyed at least seven houses and damaged more than 140 others, with water rushing down hillsides and tearing through villages built along river channels. More than 680 residents were displaced and sought refuge in temporary shelters set up in churches, schools and other public buildings, Muhari said.
Sitaro District Chief Chyntia Ingrid Kalangit declared a 14-day emergency response period beginning Monday, a move aimed at accelerating evacuations, aid distribution and infrastructure repairs. She said at least 25 people were injured in the flooding and warned that unstable weather conditions could still pose a threat.
“We are urging residents to remain vigilant, especially those living near rivers and steep slopes,” Kalangit said, adding that additional rainfall could trigger further flooding or landslides. She said the provincial government had deployed heavy equipment to clear debris and sent relief supplies, including food, clean water and medical assistance, to affected communities.
The disaster has once again highlighted Indonesia’s vulnerability to extreme weather, particularly during the monsoon season, which typically runs from November through March. As an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands with mountainous terrain and densely populated riverbanks, Indonesia frequently experiences floods, landslides and other weather-related disasters.
Climate and disaster experts say such events are becoming more destructive as heavier rainfall linked to climate change combines with deforestation, poor drainage and unregulated development. In rural and island communities like those on Siau, homes are often built close to rivers or on unstable slopes, increasing the risk when heavy rains strike.
Residents who survived the floods described scenes of chaos as walls of muddy water surged through their neighborhoods in the predawn hours. Some said they were awakened by the sound of rushing water and collapsing structures, while others were forced to flee rooftops or cling to debris as the floods tore through their villages.
Local authorities said restoring access to isolated areas remained a priority, as several roads were washed out or buried under mud and fallen trees. Power and communications outages further complicated coordination efforts, though officials said conditions were gradually improving.
The tragedy in North Sulawesi comes just weeks after a far deadlier series of floods and landslides struck other parts of Indonesia. In December, catastrophic flooding across 52 cities and regencies on Sumatra, the country’s largest island, killed at least 1,178 people, injured more than 7,000 and left 148 missing as of Tuesday, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.
Those disasters prompted renewed calls for stronger early warning systems and better land-use planning, particularly in flood-prone regions. While Indonesia has made progress in disaster preparedness following the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, challenges remain in remote and under-resourced areas.
Analysts say the situation on Siau Island underscores the difficulty of responding quickly to disasters in geographically isolated communities. With limited infrastructure and reliance on ferries or small aircraft, delivering aid and evacuating victims can take precious time.
Humanitarian organizations have urged authorities to ensure that displaced residents receive adequate shelter, sanitation and health care, warning that stagnant water and crowded conditions could raise the risk of disease outbreaks in the days ahead.
For families who lost loved ones and homes, the road to recovery is expected to be long. Local officials said damage assessments were still underway and that longer-term reconstruction plans would depend on support from provincial and national governments.
As Indonesia braces for continued monsoon rains, disaster officials emphasized the importance of public awareness and preparedness. Muhari said authorities were monitoring weather forecasts closely and coordinating with local governments to issue alerts if conditions worsen.
The floods in North Sulawesi serve as a stark reminder of the human toll of extreme weather in Indonesia, where seasonal rains remain a lifeline for agriculture but also pose a recurring threat to lives and livelihoods.
Israeli warplanes struck multiple locations across southern and eastern Lebanon late Monday and early Tuesday, escalating military pressure just days before Lebanese officials are set to hold a pivotal meeting on efforts to disarm Hezbollah and other militant groups operating near the border with Israel.
One of the most significant strikes occurred shortly after 1 a.m. Tuesday in the southern coastal city of Sidon, Lebanon’s third-largest city, where an air raid flattened a three-story commercial building in a busy industrial district. The attack came ahead of a scheduled government briefing by Lebanon’s army commander on the progress of extending state authority into long-contested areas and removing armed groups from the country’s south.
An Associated Press photographer at the scene in Sidon said the destroyed structure was located in a commercial zone filled with workshops and auto repair shops and appeared to be uninhabited at the time of the strike. Ambulances transported at least one injured person from the area, while rescue teams searched through debris for possible victims. No fatalities had been reported by early Tuesday.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the strikes, warning that the timing and scale of the attacks undermined international efforts to stabilize the country and threatened Beirut’s own attempts to reassert control over regions historically dominated by Hezbollah.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Aoun said the airstrikes ran counter to diplomatic initiatives aimed at reducing tensions and jeopardized Lebanon’s “serious efforts to extend the authority of the state and implement commitments related to security and stability.”
Israel’s military said the strikes targeted weapons storage facilities and infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah and Hamas, both designated as militant groups by Israel and the United States. In a statement released Tuesday, the military acknowledged that the sites were embedded within civilian areas but blamed the groups for operating among noncombatants.
The attacks were part of near-daily Israeli military action that has continued despite a ceasefire brokered more than a year ago, following a devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Under that agreement, Lebanon pledged to dismantle armed groups south of the Litani River — a commitment Israeli officials say has not been fully implemented.
The latest airstrikes came nearly two hours after Israel’s military Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, issued public warnings on the social media platform X, advising residents to evacuate areas in two villages in eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley and two villages in the country’s south ahead of imminent strikes.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that one of the homes hit in the Bekaa Valley village of Manara belonged to Sharhabil al-Sayed, identified as a Hamas military commander who was killed in an Israeli drone strike in May 2024. Residents evacuated the targeted areas after Israel’s warnings, and there were no immediate reports of casualties in those strikes.
Earlier Monday, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said an Israeli drone strike on a vehicle in the southern village of Braikeh wounded two people. The Israeli military said the strike targeted two Hezbollah members.
The airstrikes occurred as Lebanon’s government prepares for a sensitive and politically fraught discussion on Hezbollah’s disarmament. The Cabinet is scheduled to meet Thursday, with army commander Gen. Rudolph Haikal expected to brief ministers on ongoing security operations and future plans.
Lebanon’s army last year began disarming Palestinian factions operating in refugee camps and other areas outside full state control. Government officials have repeatedly said that by the end of 2025, all territory south of the Litani River — an area long regarded as Hezbollah’s stronghold — would be free of the group’s armed presence.
Monday’s strikes, however, targeted villages north of the Litani River and well beyond the immediate border area with Israel, raising concerns among Lebanese officials and analysts that Israel’s military campaign may be expanding geographically even as political negotiations intensify.
The current push to dismantle Hezbollah’s military capabilities follows a 14-month war between Israel and the Iran-backed group that ended in November 2024 with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. That conflict severely weakened Hezbollah, killing much of its senior political and military leadership and destroying large portions of its infrastructure.
The war began on Oct. 8, 2023, one day after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel. In what it described as solidarity with Hamas, Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel, prompting Israeli retaliation. Israel escalated its campaign in September 2024 with widespread airstrikes across Lebanon, followed by a ground invasion aimed at pushing Hezbollah away from the border.
Although the ceasefire halted large-scale fighting, Israel has continued to carry out targeted strikes, saying they are necessary to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its military capabilities. According to the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, at least 127 civilians have been killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon since the ceasefire took effect.
Analysts say the timing of the latest attacks reflects Israel’s skepticism toward Lebanon’s ability — or willingness — to fully disarm Hezbollah. While Beirut has publicly committed to restoring state authority, Hezbollah remains a powerful political and military force with deep roots in Lebanese society and significant backing from Iran.
For Lebanon, the challenge is balancing internal stability with external pressure. Any aggressive move against Hezbollah risks political backlash and potential unrest, while failure to act invites continued Israeli military action. President Aoun and Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s government face mounting pressure from Western and regional partners to demonstrate concrete progress ahead of renewed diplomatic engagement.
The strikes have also heightened fears among civilians already struggling with Lebanon’s prolonged economic crisis. Sidon residents surveyed by the AP said the attack revived memories of the broader war and raised concerns that fragile calm could collapse into renewed large-scale conflict.
As Lebanon’s leaders prepare to meet later this week, the latest Israeli airstrikes underscore the narrow window for diplomacy. Whether the disarmament talks lead to tangible changes on the ground — or further escalation — could shape the trajectory of Israeli-Lebanese relations and regional stability in the months ahead.
British authorities have opened an investigation into the death of a Kenyan nurse found inside her home in southern England, a case that has stirred grief across the Kenyan diaspora and renewed concerns about the welfare of migrant healthcare workers living abroad.
Peninah Muiruri, a Kenyan national working as a nurse in the United Kingdom, was discovered dead at her residence in Horsham, Sussex, after relatives raised alarm when she suddenly stopped communicating, family members and African media outlets said. Police have scheduled a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death as inquiries continue.
Informer East Africa said Muiruri’s family alerted authorities after repeated attempts to reach her failed, an unusual break from her routine. Relatives told the outlet that she was known for maintaining close and regular contact with family members in Kenya, despite being the only one living and working overseas. When the silence persisted, family members requested a welfare check, prompting police officers to visit her home, where her body was found.
UK authorities have not publicly released details surrounding the circumstances of her death, saying further information would depend on the outcome of forensic examinations. A post-mortem has been scheduled to establish what led to her passing.
As investigations proceed, Muiruri’s family has launched a repatriation fund to raise money to transport her body back to Kenya for burial, Informer East Africa reported. The family appealed to well-wishers for financial assistance, noting the high costs associated with international repatriation and funeral arrangements.
The news has sent shockwaves through Kenyan communities both in the UK and at home. Tuko, an online Kenyan news platform, reported that Muiruri’s death has left her family devastated and searching for answers. Known affectionately as “Penny,” she worked as a nurse in Sussex and was described by relatives as deeply devoted to her family, despite the physical distance created by her career abroad.
Tuko said Muiruri’s consistent communication with her loved ones ultimately played a key role in drawing attention to her sudden disappearance from daily contact. Family members initially hoped there was an innocent explanation for her silence, but their worst fears were realized after police confirmed her death.
Her sister, Helen Wagio, shared an emotional tribute on Facebook, questioning the circumstances surrounding Muiruri’s death while expressing anguish and faith amid uncertainty.
“What really happened to you, my sister Penny?” Wagio wrote in a post cited by Tuko. “The United Kingdom is far, but our God will reveal everything. You were selfless, caring, kind, loving, and responsible. You sacrificed everything for us, Peninah.”
Wagio added that the family struggled to accept the reality of the loss, clinging to hope that the news might somehow be untrue. She also appealed for compassion, saying speculation circulating online had compounded the family’s pain.
“We have not even processed the news of her death, and then conclusions are everywhere,” she said, according to Tuko. “God, we wait on You. Thank you to everyone who is helping and encouraging us.”
Tributes have continued to pour in from Kenyans around the world, many of whom remembered Muiruri as warm, joyful and deeply generous. Social media platforms have been flooded with condolence messages from friends, colleagues and strangers alike, reflecting the close-knit nature of diaspora communities and the shared sense of loss when one of their own dies far from home.
Beyond the personal tragedy, Muiruri’s death has reignited broader conversations about the challenges faced by African healthcare workers in the UK. Britain relies heavily on overseas nurses and caregivers, many from Kenya, Nigeria and other African nations, to support its overstretched health system. While these workers often find professional opportunities abroad, they also face isolation, demanding work environments and limited local family support.
The case has also drawn comparisons to other recent deaths involving Kenyan caregivers in the UK. Tuko previously reported on the death of Irene Mbugua, a woman from Mataara in Gatundu, Kiambu County, who was working as a caregiver in Britain. Mbugua was allegedly killed by a patient she was caring for, her body discovered after she failed to submit a required daily work report.
Though authorities have stressed that there is no indication the cases are linked, the incidents have fueled concern among Kenyan migrant workers and advocacy groups, who say more safeguards and support systems are needed for those working in private homes or isolated settings.
Analysts note that migrant nurses often shoulder heavy workloads while navigating cultural adjustment, immigration pressures and separation from family. When communication suddenly breaks down, as in Muiruri’s case, families thousands of miles away are left with limited options beyond appealing to authorities for welfare checks.
The repatriation fund established by Muiruri’s family has also highlighted the financial strain many migrant families face when tragedy strikes abroad. Transporting a body internationally can cost thousands of dollars, expenses rarely covered by employers or insurance policies.
As British investigators work to establish the cause of Muiruri’s death, Kenyan community leaders in the UK have urged patience and restraint, warning against speculation until official findings are released. They have also called for stronger community networks to ensure that individuals living alone have regular check-ins and support.
For now, Muiruri’s family says their focus remains on honoring her life and bringing her home. Her death, they say, is not only a personal loss but a reminder of the vulnerability faced by many who leave their countries in search of opportunity.
The Trump administration has expanded a controversial visa policy by adding seven more countries — including five in Africa — to a list of nations whose citizens must post bonds of up to $15,000 to apply for entry into the United States.
With the latest additions, the list now includes 13 countries, all but two of them in Africa, a move that further raises the financial barrier for many travelers seeking U.S. visas.
The State Department last week added Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia and Turkmenistan to the program. The designations took effect Jan. 1, as outlined in a notice published on the department’s travel.state.gov website.
The bond requirement is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to tighten entry rules for foreign visitors. Other measures already in place include mandatory in-person visa interviews for applicants from all countries requiring visas, as well as extensive disclosures of social media activity and detailed personal travel and residency histories for both applicants and their families.
U.S. officials argue the bond system — which ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 — serves as a deterrent against visa overstays by applicants from countries with historically high overstay rates.
Posting the bond does not ensure a visa will be approved. However, the funds are refunded if the visa is denied or once a visa holder demonstrates compliance with the terms of admission, including departing the country on time.
The newly added countries join Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Gambia, Malawi and Zambia, which were placed under the bond requirement in August and October of last year.
Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty Monday to sweeping U.S. drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges, declaring himself “innocent” and a “decent man” as his first appearance in an American courtroom opened a case with far-reaching legal and geopolitical consequences.
“I’m innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the president of my country,” Maduro told U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein during a brief but closely watched arraignment in Manhattan federal court.
The proceeding marked the first time Maduro has faced a U.S. judge on charges that the Trump administration cited to justify his capture in Caracas and transfer to New York. Prosecutors accuse Maduro, his wife Cilia Flores, and others accused alongside them of conspiring with international drug cartels to ship vast quantities of cocaine into the United States. Convictions could carry decades in prison or life sentences.
Maduro, wearing a blue jail-issued shirt over an orange undershirt and khaki detention pants, entered the courtroom shortly before noon accompanied by federal officers. Flores, seated nearby, appeared with bandages on her temple and eyelid. Her attorney, Mark E. Donnelly, told the court she suffered “significant injuries” during the capture operation and may have fractured ribs or severe bruising. Judge Hellerstein directed prosecutors to ensure she receives appropriate medical care.
Throughout the hearing, Maduro maintained a posture of defiance wrapped in formality. He wrote steadily on a yellow legal pad placed beside a copy of the indictment at the defense table and asked the court to allow him to keep his notes. Hellerstein instructed prosecutors to coordinate with the U.S. Marshals Service to respect that request.
As journalists filled the jury box and spectators packed the gallery, Maduro repeatedly greeted reporters with “Happy New Year,” glancing toward them before turning back to the court. Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration were among those observing, including Frank Tarentino, the special agent in charge of the DEA’s New York Division.
Minutes into the hearing, Hellerstein asked Maduro to identify himself for the record. Maduro responded by calling himself the president of Venezuela and said he had been “kidnapped” and “captured” from his home in Caracas.
“I am a prisoner of war,” he added in Spanish.
The judge reminded Maduro of his rights, including the right to counsel at no cost if he could not afford one and the possibility of pretrial release unless prosecutors show grounds for detention. Maduro replied that he had not been aware of those rights until the judge explained them.
“I did not know of these rights; your honor has informed me of them now,” he said.
Maduro entered a formal plea of not guilty to all charges. His next court appearance was scheduled for March 17, setting the stage for what is expected to be a lengthy legal battle over jurisdiction, immunity and the legality of his arrest.
Court filings show Maduro is represented by Barry J. Pollack, a Washington-based defense attorney with more than three decades of experience handling high-profile cases. Pollack recently negotiated a plea agreement that secured the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange after a guilty plea to an Espionage Act charge. Pollack has also won acquittals and exonerations in politically sensitive cases, underscoring the aggressive defense Maduro is expected to mount.
Judge Hellerstein, 92, who will preside over the case, was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York by then-President Bill Clinton in 1998 and took senior status in 2011. Over his career, he has overseen major cases including litigation involving Harvey Weinstein and numerous matters stemming from the Sept. 11 attacks, giving him deep experience in complex and high-visibility proceedings.
Tensions flared briefly as the hearing ended. As Maduro rose to leave, a man in the courtroom gallery stood and addressed him forcefully in Spanish, calling him an illegitimate leader. The man, later identified as 33-year-old Pedro Rojas, said he had been imprisoned by Venezuela’s government. As deputy U.S. marshals escorted Maduro out, the former leader turned toward him and responded in Spanish: “I am a kidnapped president. I am a prisoner of war.”
The exchange encapsulated the stark divisions surrounding Maduro’s fall and prosecution. To supporters and some allies abroad, he remains the elected leader of Venezuela and a victim of U.S. overreach. To critics and many Venezuelans in exile, his appearance in court represents long-delayed accountability for alleged abuses of power.
The indictment against Maduro traces alleged criminal conduct back to his early years in public office and accuses him of partnering with violent transnational groups to turn Venezuela into a hub for narcotics trafficking. U.S. officials argue that because Washington does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president, claims of sovereign immunity do not apply. His lawyers are expected to challenge that position, arguing that the seizure of a foreign leader without extradition violates international law.
Beyond the courtroom, the case has rattled diplomats and governments worldwide. Legal scholars say the prosecution could redefine how nations treat former heads of state accused of transnational crimes, while also testing limits on U.S. power abroad. Human rights advocates and international law experts have raised questions about whether Maduro’s capture undermines long-standing norms, even as victims of drug violence view the case as a necessary step toward justice.
For now, the proceedings are moving forward within the tightly controlled rhythms of the federal court system. As Maduro was led from the courtroom alongside Flores, the judge’s calendar and the March hearing date stood in contrast to the extraordinary circumstances that brought the former leader there.
What unfolds next will reverberate far beyond Lower Manhattan, shaping debates over sovereignty, accountability and the reach of American courts in an increasingly polarized world.
Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was brought under heavy guard to a federal courthouse in Manhattan on Monday, marking his first appearance before an American judge on sweeping narco-terrorism charges that the Trump administration says justified his dramatic capture and transfer to the United States.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were scheduled to stand before U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein at midday for an initial arraignment, a procedural step expected to open a prolonged and politically explosive legal battle over whether a former foreign head of state can be tried in a U.S. courtroom. Prosecutors say Maduro faces decades in prison, and potentially life sentences, if convicted on each count.
U.S. authorities accuse Maduro, along with members of his family and close allies, of conspiring with international drug trafficking organizations to funnel thousands of tons of cocaine into the United States. Federal prosecutors allege the network worked with Mexico’s Sinaloa and Zetas cartels, Colombia’s FARC guerrillas and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, turning state institutions into tools of organized crime. Maduro, 63, has consistently denied the accusations, dismissing them as a pretext for U.S. interference aimed at Venezuela’s oil wealth.
Maduro’s legal team is expected to challenge the case at its foundation. His lawyers argue that he retains immunity from prosecution as a sovereign leader, even after his removal from power. The United States, however, does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president, having rejected his 2018 reelection as fraudulent.
Maduro has hired Barry J. Pollack, a Washington-based attorney with a record of handling high-profile and politically sensitive cases. Pollack, a partner at Harris, St. Laurent & Wechsler, negotiated Julian Assange’s 2024 plea agreement that secured the WikiLeaks founder’s release after he pleaded guilty to an Espionage Act charge. Pollack also won an acquittal for former Enron accountant Michael Krautz in 2006 and helped overturn the conviction of Martin Tankleff, who spent 17 years in prison for the murders of his parents before being exonerated.
Outside the courthouse, the scene underscored the global stakes of the case. The Associated Press observed two opposing groups of demonstrators separated by New York Police Department community affairs officers using metal barricades. Roughly 50 protesters opposed to U.S. intervention waved signs reading “No War for Venezuelan Oil,” “No Blood for Oil” and “No to Criminal Trump Invasion,” while about a dozen pro-intervention demonstrators gathered across the street. At one point, a brief scuffle erupted when a Venezuelan flag was pulled away from protesters. More than 100 journalists from around the world lined the perimeter, filming and interviewing demonstrators hours before the hearing.
Reuters reported that Maduro and Flores were transported Monday morning from a Brooklyn detention facility to Manhattan by helicopter, escorted by armed officers in tactical gear. Images of the former leader with his hands restrained circulated rapidly, fueling outrage among allies abroad and jubilation among some of his critics.
The arrest itself has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles. Reuters said U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres raised concerns about instability in Venezuela and questions over the legality of the U.S. operation, which involved Special Forces flying into Caracas, breaching Maduro’s security cordon and pulling him from the threshold of a fortified safe room. The United Nations Security Council was expected to debate the seizure, with Russia, China and several left-leaning governments condemning the raid as a violation of international law.
Maduro’s arraignment builds on a case first filed in New York in 2020, when U.S. prosecutors charged him and other Venezuelan officials as part of a long-running narcotics investigation. A superseding indictment unsealed Saturday added new allegations and defendants, including Flores, and detailed what prosecutors describe as decades of drug trafficking stretching back to Maduro’s time in Venezuela’s National Assembly in 2000, through his tenure as foreign minister, and into his presidency after succeeding Hugo Chávez in 2013.
While the courtroom drama unfolded in New York, Venezuela’s political leadership scrambled to respond. An emergency decree published in Caracas ordered police to seek out and detain anyone suspected of supporting the U.S. operation. At the same time, senior officials signaled a potential shift in tone. After initially denouncing Maduro’s capture as a colonial “kidnapping,” acting President Delcy Rodríguez said Venezuela was open to dialogue with Washington.
“We invite the U.S. government to work together on an agenda of cooperation,” Rodríguez said, adding that “President Donald Trump, our peoples and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war.”
Trump, however, made clear that oil looms large in his administration’s calculus. Reuters reported that U.S. oil company shares rose Monday on speculation that American firms could regain access to Venezuela’s vast reserves, the largest in the world at roughly 303 billion barrels. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said American companies would return to rebuild Venezuela’s energy sector. “We’re taking back what they stole,” he said. “We’re in charge.”
Venezuela’s oil industry, once a pillar of the global energy market, has withered due to mismanagement, sanctions and underinvestment, producing about 1.1 million barrels per day last year — a fraction of its 1970s peak. Trump has warned of further military action if Venezuela does not cooperate on oil and drug enforcement, while also issuing sharp remarks toward Colombia, Mexico and Cuba.
Legal scholars say the case could reshape norms governing international law and sovereignty. Some experts argue the capture of a foreign leader without extradition marks a sharp break from precedent and risks eroding a rules-based global order. Others contend that narco-terrorism charges and the U.S. refusal to recognize Maduro’s presidency weaken claims of immunity.
Inside Venezuela, reactions remain cautious. While many opponents of Maduro privately welcomed his downfall, celebrations have been muted. His allies still control key institutions, and there has been no visible split within the military, even as speculation grows that insiders may have aided the U.S. operation.
As Maduro’s case moves forward, it promises to test not only the reach of American courts but also the balance between justice, power and international restraint in an increasingly fractured world.
