Articles for category: Politics

January 18, 2026

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A CIA team, steel doors and a fateful phone call

PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump gave the Venezuelan leader one last chance to step down. In a private phone call a week ago, Trump told Nicolás Maduro that he had to go. By that point, an armada of U.S. warships was floating off Venezuela’s shores. A CIA team had crept into the country, tracking Maduro’s movements and habits: where he slept, what he ate, where he traveled. “You got to surrender,” Trump said, recalling the conversation at a news conference Saturday at his Mar-a-Lago home. Maduro took the gamble of his life. He “came close” to giving in,

January 18, 2026

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The US violated international law in Venezuela. These are the questions Australia must now ask | Donald Rothwell

No matter how the Trump administration seeks to justify its actions in seizing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in an audacious snatch and grab operation, this has been a gross violation of international law. The United Nations charter makes crystal clear that all UN members are to refrain from the “use of force” against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. The US violation of Venezuelan airspace, ensuing airstrikes in Caracas, the seizure of Maduro and his illegal removal from Venezuela are all egregious violations of this. Any suggestion it was justified as an act of

January 18, 2026

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Maduro pleads not guilty in N.Y. court as Democrats condemn Trump’s Venezuela attack

The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency session on the United States’ capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro at 10 a.m. today in New York City. Venezuela formally requested the meeting of the council, which includes as permanent members China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as 10 other nonpermanent member nations, according to a U.N. statement. A spokesperson for U.N. Secretary General António Guterres said in a statement Saturday that the United States’ actions in Venezuela “constitute a dangerous precedent. The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect — by all

January 18, 2026

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U.S. seizes Russian-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela after weekslong pursuit

The United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic following a dramatic weekslong chase on the high seas. The operation to seize the sanctioned vessel, which changed its name from the Bella 1 to the Marinera after fleeing the American blockade of Venezuela last month, was carried out early Wednesday. The U.S. also announced the seizure of another sanctioned tanker, the M/T Sophia, which it said was “conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea.” The Kremlin, a strong supporter of deposed President Nicolás Maduro, accused the U.S. of violating maritime law by seizing the Marinera. The

January 18, 2026

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Barrett-Jackson 2026 celebrity cars include Kevin Hart and Linda Perry

Jan. 15, 2026, 3:30 p.m. ET Every year, car enthusiasts all over the country flock to the annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale car auction in Arizona to get an up-close look at hundreds of vintage, unique and brand-new car models that are on display and for sale. However, some gearheads love attending Barrett-Jackson to get a look at their favorite celebrities’ cars. Years past have included a restored 1962 Ford Thunderbird owned by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar, a 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda owned by Nicolas Cage and even Lucille Ball’s custom-built golf cart. The Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2026 auction

January 17, 2026

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Rwandans Added On Nationalities Highly Restricted To Enter USA – Breaking News, Latest News and Videos

Rwandans that had been expecting to enter the United States should consider suspending application for Visas to US. A new updated list of nationalities restricted to process immigrant visa to USA has been released by the Department of State and Rwanda is featured among other dozens. “President Donald Trump has made clear that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and not be a financial burden to Americans,” the Department of State said. The Department of State said that the changes take effect on January 21, 2026. It said that it is, “pausing all visa issuances to immigrant visa applicants who are

January 17, 2026

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InAmerica Education Celebrates Record-Breaking 2025 Early Decision Results Across Top U.S. Universities – AZCentral | The Arizona Republic

Distributed by EIN Presswire InAmerica celebrates record-breaking Early Decision success, with 42% ED admits, 15% to top 10 schools, and major growth in its College Division. NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, January 14, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — InAmerica Education, a premier educational consulting firm headquartered in New York and established in 2013, proudly announces its outstanding Early Decision results for the 2025-2026 application cycle. With a deeply experienced team of admissions professionals and a driven cohort of students, InAmerica has secured placements at some of the most prestigious institutions in the United States, including MIT, the University of Chicago, Northwestern, Washington

January 17, 2026

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US forces attempt to board oil tanker after pursuit across Atlantic

The US is carrying out an operation to seize a tanker linked to Venezuelan oil, an official tells CBS, the BBC’s US news partner. Previously named Bella 1, its name has been changed to Marinera and it has also reportedly been reflagged from a Guyanese to a Russian vessel. Russia has reportedly deployed a submarine and other vessels to escort an oil tanker – which is also being pursued by US forces – across the Atlantic. The ship, currently between Iceland and the British Isles, has been accused of breaking US sanctions and shipping Iranian oil. It has historically transported

January 17, 2026

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SailGP 2026 begins with boat-breaking crash, surprise U.S. success in Perth

Barely a minute into the opening race of the SailGP Championship season in Perth and there was a boat-breaking collision between Switzerland and New Zealand. While it took both teams out of the day’s racing, Sebastien Schneiter’s Swiss crew at least look likely to return to the water for Sunday’s concluding races; whereas the damage to Pete Burling’s Black Foils — the back few feet of one of the hulls knocked clean off — means the Kiwis take no further part in the weekend. The umpires disqualified New Zealand as the boat that had to keep clear, giving them seven

January 17, 2026

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Breaking down the strategic implications of the 15% tariff framework of the US-Taiwan trade deal

The United States and Taiwan formalized a significant trade and investment agreement on January 15, 2026, establishing a new framework for bilateral economic relations. The deal creates a 15% cap on reciprocal tariffs for Taiwanese exports—a move designed to stabilize trade costs amid rising US protectionism—while securing a massive US$500 billion capital commitment from Taiwan to bolster US manufacturing. While the agreement text outlines the mechanisms for tariffs and investment, recent comments from US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick provide essential context regarding the US administration’s strategic objectives. Credit: Digitimes Part I: The Terms of the Agreement The agreement is built