Trump expands Venezuela sanctions as Maduro decries new ‘era of piracy’
Six more oil supertankers added to sanctions list, as well as members of Maduro’s extended family, amid rising tensions following tanker seizureDonald Trump has exerted more pressure on Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro, expanding sanctions and issuing fresh threats to strike land targets in Venezuela, as the South American dictator accused the US president of ushering in a new “era of criminal naval piracy” in the Caribbean.Late on Thursday, the US imposed curbs on three nephews of Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, as well as six crude oil supertankers and the shipping companies linked to them. The treasury department alleged the vessels “engaged in deceptive and unsafe shipping practices and continue to provide financial resources that fuel Maduro’s corrupt narco-terrorist regime”. Continue reading...
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Australia news live: PM confirms deal to keep Tomago aluminium smelter open; Chalmers clears way for Korean firm to up its stake in defence shipbuilder
Follow updatesReddit launches high court challenge to Australia’s under-16s social media banGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOfficials investigating after Victoria police memorial vandalised overnightVictoria police are investigating the vandalism of the Victoria Police Memorial in Melbourne this morning.If you don’t need to be on the roads during heavy rainfall, we ask the community to delay their travel until the storm passes.If you do come across flash flooding, the best thing to do is turn around and find another way – it’s not worth putting your life or your loved ones at risk. It doesn’t take much for vehicles to become stuck in water or washed away as you don’t know what damage has been done to the road surfaces. Continue reading...
Indiana’s state Senate votes down redistricting bill despite Trump pressure
The Midwestern state bucks a nationwide trend to embrace more partisan-leaning maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
‘I hope he loses’: Trump blasts Indiana Republican senate leader after his state redistricting effort gets blocked –as it happened
This live blog is now closed.Indiana Republicans reject effort to redraw voting maps in rebuke to TrumpChris Van Hollen, the Democratic senator from Maryland, was among the lawmakers speaking out against the Trump administration and its actions around Venezuela, taking to the senate floor on Wednesday to call on Congress to block Donald Trump from “using taxpayer dollars to launch a regime change war”.“Last time I checked, the constitution of the United States gives Congress – this body – the power to decide questions of war or peace,” he said. Continue reading...
Labor wants watchdog to advise on overhauling travel perks for politicians as backlash grows
Sussan Ley offers bipartisan truce to work on reform after a week of damaging headlines about MPs’ largesseFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe federal government wants the independent expenses watchdog to provide advice on overhauling travel perks for MPs, opening the door to changes after a backlash over politicians’ entitlements.The opposition leader, Sussan Ley, is prepared to work with Anthony Albanese to reform the system, offering a truce after a week of damaging headlines about MPs’ largesse. Continue reading...
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,387
These are the key developments from day 1,387 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Thailand set for early elections amid political deadlock and Cambodia skirmishes
Move follows a disagreement with the largest grouping in parliament, with elections to be held within 45-60 daysThailand’s prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, announced on Thursday that he is “returning power to the people”, moving to dissolve parliament and clear the way for elections earlier than previously anticipated.Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat said the move followed a disagreement with the largest grouping in parliament, the opposition People’s party. “This happened because we can’t go forward in parliament,” he told Reuters. Continue reading...
Sydney after-school childcare worker pleads guilty to using children to produce child abuse material
Former police officer admits to taking explicit images of children as young as four in his careFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA former police officer who was secretly working in childcare has admitted taking explicit photos and videos of children younger than 10 when they were in his care.David William James created the child abuse material while working at six out-of-school hours (OOSH) care services in Sydney’s north and city centres between April 2021 and May 2024. Continue reading...
Venezuela seeks withdrawal from International Criminal Court’s Rome Statute
The court has been investigating the government of President Nicolas Maduro for crimes against humanity since 2023.
U.S. Issues New Sanctions Targeting Maduro’s Family and the Oil Sector
The United States is escalating its pressure campaign on Venezuela’s leader, Nicolás Maduro, after seizing an oil tanker off the coast.