Author: Andrew Rogers

Republicans in Congress are showing little interest in limiting President Donald Trump’s war powers as he escalates threats abroad. Trump’s recent military operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has sparked concern among Democrats and some U.S. allies. Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime Trump ally, gave a blunt response when asked if Congress would limit the president’s authority. “No,” Graham told NBC News. His answer reflects the lack of GOP enthusiasm for reclaiming Congress’ constitutional war powers. Trump has indicated he could take further steps, including the possibility of using ground troops in Venezuela. He also warned other countries about…

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has praised U.S. President Donald Trump for removing Nicolás Maduro from power. She said Venezuelans are “very grateful” to Trump and called for a swift transition to democracy. Machado spoke exclusively to CBS Evening News on Tuesday, just three days after U.S. forces executed a daring mission to capture Maduro, ending his nearly 13-year rule. She aligned herself with Trump in recent months, supporting his administration’s pressure on Maduro’s regime and dedicating her Nobel Peace Prize to him. When Trump ordered last weekend’s operation to remove Maduro from Caracas and fly him to New…

On the night of April 24, 1980, tension was at its peak in the Pentagon. The mission was clear—rescue 52 American hostages held in Iran. Delta Force was preparing for its first major operation. The mission was named Operation Eagle Claw. The plan was precise: eight helicopters and massive C-130 transport planes would land in Iran’s desert, code-named Desert One. But nature intervened immediately. A sudden, intense sandstorm, known as a haboob, struck the desert. The landing site was unclear. Within moments, three of Delta Force’s eight advanced helicopters became unusable. Commanding officer Charlie Beckwith realized the mission could no…

The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces has sent shockwaves from Caracas to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Venezuelan officials report at least 56 security officers have died during the operation, highlighting the high stakes of the mission. Maduro is now in New York, facing charges of narco-terrorism. In court, he denied wrongdoing, calling himself a decent man and the country’s president. The United States does not recognize him as Venezuela’s legitimate leader. María Fernanda Bozmoski, a Venezuelan-American analyst at the Atlantic Council who lives in Wisconsin, said the arrest raises serious questions about the country’s future. She noted that…

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Beijing to discuss deepening economic cooperation and the future of China-EU relations. The talks centered on trade openness, multilateralism, and strategic engagement, highlighting the importance of strong bilateral ties. Martin is the first Irish prime minister to make an official visit to China in 14 years. His five-day trip comes amid growing tension between Beijing and the European Union, with recent trade disputes affecting European products, including dairy and electric vehicles. During the meeting, Xi stressed that China-Ireland relations have developed steadily based on mutual respect, equality, and shared…

Zhao Jinyun, former vice governor of China’s northwestern Gansu province, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for bribery and insider trading. She is the first senior official to be jailed in 2026 amid the country’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign. The Second Intermediate People’s Court of Tianjin issued the sentence on Tuesday. Zhao received separate punishments for bribery and insider trading. She was sentenced to 13 years in prison and fined 3 million yuan ($427,670) for accepting bribes. Additionally, she received five years in prison and a 500,000 yuan fine for insider trading. The total punishment was consolidated to 15…

Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northwest China is leading the way in renewable energy with a program that lets residents install solar panels on their rooftops and sell electricity back to the grid. The region enjoys about 3,000 hours of sunlight each year, making it one of the sunniest areas in China. Its renewable energy production from solar and wind already exceeds local demand. In Tongxin County, the grid-connected capacity of rooftop solar systems has reached 125.62 megawatts as of December. These systems generate roughly 226 million kilowatt-hours per year. This amount of electricity can power about 90,000 households annually.…

Israeli military vehicles entered a village in the countryside of Quneitra in southern Syria on Tuesday, according to local observers on the ground. The move has raised fresh concerns about violations of Syrian sovereignty at a time when indirect talks between Syria and Israel are taking place abroad. Twelve Israeli army vehicles were seen entering the Saida al-Golan village in the Quneitra countryside. Residents reported military movement inside the village area, adding to ongoing tension across southern Syria. The latest incursion comes as a Syrian delegation is holding a new round of negotiations with Israeli representatives in the French capital,…

Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China is close to achieving full e-commerce coverage in rural areas, officials reported. This milestone comes as county-level commercial service centers, logistics distribution hubs, and township-level logistics stations now form a comprehensive network to connect rural consumers with digital markets. According to the regional department of commerce, township commercial centers and village convenience stores have reached record coverage rates of 96.56 percent and 98.92 percent, respectively. The expansion has strengthened rural access to goods and services while facilitating the flow of agricultural products to urban centers. The region’s push follows a three-year national action…

China’s Premier Li Qiang has urged Guangdong to accelerate economic growth and strengthen its position as the country’s leading economic engine. During a three-day visit from Saturday to Monday, Li emphasised innovation, reform, and decisive action as key drivers for the province’s continued success. Guangdong, China’s largest provincial-level contributor to GDP, has long led the nation’s economy. But the eastern province of Jiangsu is closing the gap, putting pressure on Guangdong to maintain its edge. In 2024, Guangdong recorded a GDP of nearly 14.2 trillion yuan (US$2.03 trillion), growing 3.5% year on year, while Jiangsu grew 5.8% to 13.7 trillion…