A newly released video has revealed the details of a covert maritime operation that enabled Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado to leave the country last month, defying a decade-long travel ban and nearly a year spent in hiding. The operation allowed Machado to travel to Norway, where she was scheduled to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, marking a significant moment in her long-running confrontation with Venezuela’s political establishment. According to footage shared

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has underscored her determination to assume the presidency of Venezuela as the nation grapples with a complex political transition, even as the United States appears to prioritize engagement with acting President Delcy Rodriguez. Machado’s remarks came during a high-profile visit to Washington this week that highlighted deepening divisions over the future of Venezuelan leadership, democratic reform and international diplomatic strategy.

The Internal Revenue Service has announced that the 2026 tax filing season will officially begin on Monday, Jan. 26, giving taxpayers the green light to submit their 2025 individual income tax returns. The agency expects to process approximately 164 million returns during the upcoming season, with the vast majority filed electronically. Officials say new tax law provisions could lower tax liabilities for some filers and potentially increase refund amounts, while operational changes may alter

Iran’s exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi has intensified his appeal to former United States president Donald Trump, urging immediate action against Iran’s leadership as nationwide protests continue to grip the country and reports of fatalities mount. In a series of statements issued on Monday, Pahlavi portrayed the Iranian government as severely weakened and argued that decisive international support could help protesters bring an end to the current political system. Pahlavi soug

The United Arab Emirates has approved significant amendments to its child care framework, allowing foreign residents to foster children of unknown parentage, a move that expands access to a system that was previously restricted to Emirati citizens. The changes, enacted under Federal Decree-Law No. 12 of 2025, revise provisions of the 2022 law governing child welfare and are aimed at strengthening institutional care while broadening social participation in foster services. The update

A 24-year-old student from Andhra Pradesh pursuing a master’s degree in the US state of Texas has been reported missing after undertaking a solo winter trip to Alaska during the Christmas holiday period. The student, identified as Karasani Hari Krishna Reddy, is a native of Guntur district and had travelled to Alaska on December 22 with plans to return within two weeks, according to information shared by his friends. Reddy, who was studying in Texas, had informed his friends and r

U.S. Representative Doug LaMalfa, a Republican who represented California’s 1st Congressional District, has died at the age of 65, according to an announcement released Tuesday morning by the National Republican Congressional Committee. His death brings an abrupt end to a political career that spanned more than two decades in state and federal office and leaves a significant vacancy in a district already facing major political uncertainty. LaMalfa represented a vast and predominan

Drivers crossing major Port Authority bridges and tunnels are facing higher travel costs as new toll rates officially take effect with the start of the year. The increase, set at 3 percent, applies to eastbound traffic and affects all motorists regardless of whether they use E-ZPass or pay by plate, adding another financial consideration for daily commuters and occasional travelers alike. For drivers who rely on these crossings for work, the change is being felt immediately. Many co

María Corina Machado, long regarded as the most prominent figure in Venezuela’s opposition movement, has emerged as the principal political casualty of Donald Trump’s latest moves on Venezuela. Despite her vocal alignment with Trump and public support for his hardline stance against Nicolás Maduro, Machado now finds herself sidelined as Washington recalibrates its approach to the crisis-ridden nation. Trump has publicly claimed that the United States will effectively “run”

Mass transit agencies across the tri-state area have announced special service schedules for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, with adjustments aimed at accommodating holiday celebrations while maintaining essential transportation access. Riders are advised to plan ahead and review schedules carefully, as service levels will vary by mode and day. In New York City, subway service will largely operate on a regular schedule on New Year’s Eve, with additional overnight service on

As India moves toward 2026, the political spotlight will not only be on major Assembly elections in states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam, but also on a massive churn in the Rajya Sabha. As many as 75 seats in the Upper House of Parliament are set to fall vacant across April, June and November 2026, potentially reshaping the balance of power between the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA alliance. These vacancies span a wide range of states, including Uttar Pradesh,

In a major development for obesity treatment, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first oral version of Wegovy, marking a significant shift in how weight-loss medications can be administered. The approval was announced by Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, which described the tablet

Brookfield Zoo is offering Chicago-area residents and visitors an excellent opportunity to explore one of the region’s most popular attractions without paying an admission fee, as the zoo has announced free entry on most days throughout January and February. The expanded winter free admission schedule gives families, students, and animal enthusiasts a chance to enjoy a meaningful outdoor experience during the colder months while keeping expenses low. With a wide variety of exhibits and thousan

The Trump administration on Thursday ordered an immediate suspension of the United States’ diversity visa lottery programme, citing national security concerns following deadly shootings at Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The directive was issued by the Department of Homeland Security after authorities confirmed that the suspect in the attacks had entered the country through the diversity visa programme, also known as the green card lottery. Homeland Security

The District of Columbia is preparing to close the DC Streetcar after years of delays, significant investment, and ridership levels that never returned to pre-pandemic levels. City officials confirmed that the streetcar, which operates along H Street NE and Benning Road NE from Union Station to Oklahoma Avenue NE, will end service on March 31 due to budget pressures and consistently low demand. The announcement marks a major shift in Washington’s transit strategy, coming nearly a decade aft

Paramount Skydance has escalated its long-running pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery by launching a hostile takeover bid valued at $30 per share, moving directly to shareholders after earlier attempts failed to gain traction. The all-cash offer matches the proposal that Warner Bros. Discovery declined last week and places the company’s enterprise value at approximately $108.4 billion. Paramount’s decision to bypass company leadership signals its determination to remain a central contender

Bart experienced significant service disruptions on Monday morning after a power issue halted regular operations across several major lines, affecting thousands of commuters throughout the Bay Area. According to early information from the transit agency, a major delay was reported on the San Francisco line in all directions as crews responded to a power problem detected between the Powell Street and Embarcadero stations. The issue restricted train movement in one of the system’s busiest cor

Netflix has taken a bold step by announcing its intention to buy Warner Bros and Discovery’s movie studio along with HBO’s streaming networks, a move that could reshape the entertainment industry. The massive acquisition, valued at $72bn (£54bn), is still under negotiation, but the proposal has already sparked heated discussion. One of the strongest voices responding to this development is US President Donald Trump, who raised concerns about the potential size and power Netflix could gai

Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has strongly defended the Taliban government's right to maintain political and economic relations with India, pushing back against Pakistan’s criticism over Kabul-Delhi engagement. Speaking at a conference in Kabul, Muttaqi dismissed Islamabad's accusations that India supports anti-Pakistan groups, calling them inconsistent and politically motivated. He reminded that Pakistan itself maintains diplomatic presence in New Delhi with act

Russian President Vladimir Putin lands in Delhi this evening for a crucial two-day state visit, his first trip to India since the Ukraine war and the first since 2021. The visit comes at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as both nations celebrate 25 years of the India-Russia strategic partnership along with the 23rd bilateral summit. The leaders last met during the SCO Summit in Tianjin on September 1, and this visit is expected to see multiple agreements aimed at strengthening l