In a dramatic escalation of tensions, the deposed president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, is scheduled to appear before a federal court in Manhattan on Monday afternoon. He faces serious drugs and weapons charges following a shocking raid by United States special forces over the weekend.
The Caracas Raid and Political Fallout
Maduro, along with First Lady Cilia Flores, was captured during a military assault on the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, on Saturday. The operation reportedly resulted in the deaths of 40 individuals. Following the seizure, former US President Donald Trump declared that America would now "run" the South American nation, which is home to approximately 30 million people.
US officials have issued a stark warning, indicating a readiness for further military intervention if the country's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, fails to comply with their demands. Rodríguez initially denounced Maduro's capture as an "atrocity," but her stance appeared to shift by Sunday, when she called for a "balanced and respectful" relationship with the United States.
According to reports from The New York Times, officials within the Trump administration had identified Rodríguez as a potential successor to Maduro several weeks prior to the raid. This assessment was partly based on her established connections to Wall Street and the international oil industry.
The reaction within Caracas has been one of profound uncertainty. While some citizens privately welcomed the end of Maduro's rule, the traumatic nighttime assault triggered widespread stockpiling of supplies and a palpable atmosphere of fear.
Trump's Legacy on Disaster Preparedness and Climate
Separately, emergency management experts have issued a grave warning that the Trump administration has dangerously weakened America's capacity to prepare for and respond to natural disasters. In 2025, his government aggressively moved against climate science that produced advanced weather forecasts and significantly cut support for frontline agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema).
This dismantling of critical services coincides with data showing extreme weather damage surpassed $101 billion in the first half of 2025 alone. Dr Adam Smith, who tracked the figures until the relevant federal database was scrapped in May, stated this cost was "by far the most costly first half of any year on record dating back to 1980."
The global impact of the US retreat from climate science is substantial. Scientists and forecasters worldwide depend on American satellite data and research to track severe weather across Europe, plan disaster responses in the Caribbean, and monitor deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.
Crans-Montana Fire Victims Identified
In Switzerland, investigators have now identified the final 16 victims of the devastating New Year's Eve bar fire at the Crans-Montana mountain resort. The tragedy, which claimed 40 lives in total, stands as one of the worst disasters in recent Swiss history.
Hundreds of mourners joined a silent procession through the town on Sunday to honour the dead, and the nation will observe a national day of mourning on Friday.
The police confirmed the identities of the last victims, which include:
- Two 15-year-old Swiss girls.
- A 22-year-old Swiss woman.
- A 24-year-old woman with Swiss and French nationality.
- Three Italian teenagers aged 16 and 15.
- A 22-year-old Portuguese woman.
- A 17-year-old Belgian girl.
- Six French nationals, including two women and four males, ranging from 14 to 33 years old.
- A 15-year-old girl holding French, British, and Israeli nationalities.
A total of 119 people were injured in the blaze. Regional prosecutors believe the fire started when sparkling candles were held too close to the basement ceiling of the venue. Two individuals who managed the bar are now under criminal investigation.
Other Key Developments
In further news, Canadian officials have expressed concerns that US health institutions can no longer be relied upon for accurate information, citing fears that misinformation from the Trump administration is eroding public confidence in vaccines.
Denmark's Prime Minister has asserted that the United States "has no right" to annex Greenland, following statements from Donald Trump that the country "absolutely" needs the territory.
Meanwhile, US immigration data reveals a grim record: 31 people died in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2025, the highest number in decades. The deaths, which occurred amid record detention levels, were attributed to causes including heart failure, stroke, and suicide, with advocates reporting inadequate conditions in detention facilities.
Finally, a powerful gun-safety movement in the United States is creating a new pipeline for political candidates. Many are entering public life after participating in student-led protests or after losing family members to gun violence, marking a significant shift from the political landscape of 15 years ago.
