Global Pulse

分类： politics

  • Man arrested for vandalizing US VP JD Vance’s Ohio home

    Man arrested for vandalizing US VP JD Vance’s Ohio home

    A security breach occurred at the personal Ohio residence of US Vice President JD Vance, resulting in the arrest of an unidentified individual for acts of vandalism. The incident, which took place overnight, involved the suspect attempting to forcibly enter the property by damaging windows with a hammer.

    According to official statements from the US Secret Service, agents assigned to protect the vice presidential residence physically detained the individual. The agency confirmed the arrest was made on charges of property damage, specifically the destruction of windows at the Cincinnati home.

    Vance, who was not present during the incident, addressed the event through a social media post on platform X. He characterized the perpetrator as ‘a crazy person’ and noted that his family had already returned to Washington DC, leaving the Ohio property unoccupied at the time of the attack.

    The Secret Service emphasized that neither the Vice President nor any members of his family were in Ohio when the vandalism occurred, confirming the residence was completely empty during the security incident. The agency continues to investigate the motives behind the attempted break-in and the security protocols surrounding vice presidential residences outside the nation’s capital.

  • ‘I am innocent’: Venezuela’s ousted leader Nicolas Maduro pleads not guilty in US court

    ‘I am innocent’: Venezuela’s ousted leader Nicolas Maduro pleads not guilty in US court

    In a dramatic courtroom appearance that has ignited international controversy, ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro vehemently pleaded not guilty to narco-trafficking and weapons charges in a New York federal court on Monday. The 63-year-old, who maintains he remains Venezuela’s legitimate president, denounced the US military operation that resulted in his capture from his Caracas residence as an illegal act of aggression.

    The extraordinary legal proceedings follow a stunning weekend raid conducted by US commandos with aerial and naval support, marking an unprecedented escalation in Washington’s approach to regime change. President Donald Trump subsequently announced that the United States would assume control of Venezuela’s governance and its substantial but dilapidated oil infrastructure, triggering both domestic celebrations and widespread international condemnation.

    Global leaders expressed alarm at the intervention, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasizing the fundamental importance of respecting “sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity” during an emergency Security Council session. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum declared that the Americas “do not belong” to any single nation, while Colombian President Gustavo Petro issued a fiery statement suggesting he would “take up arms” against Trump’s administration.

    Meanwhile, Venezuela’s political future remains uncertain as interim president Delcy Rodriguez, previously Maduro’s vice president, has signaled willingness to cooperate with US demands. The Trump administration has indicated preference for continuity with existing structures rather than installing previously recognized opposition figures.

    The geopolitical shockwaves extend beyond Venezuela, with Trump simultaneously threatening action against Cuba and reiterating US claims to Greenland. Financial markets responded positively to the prospect of accessing Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, with shares in major US energy corporations surging significantly.

    Casualty reports from the military operation continue to emerge, with Cuban officials reporting 32 nationals killed during the assault. The US has acknowledged some service members were wounded but confirmed no American fatalities.

    Outside the Manhattan courthouse, polarized demonstrations reflected the deep divisions surrounding the intervention, with protesters both condemning and celebrating the unprecedented shift in US foreign policy.

  • 92-year-old US judge presiding over Maduro case

    92-year-old US judge presiding over Maduro case

    At 92 years of age, U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein is presiding over one of the most significant international cases of his lengthy judicial career: the arraignment of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The proceedings unfolded in Judge Hellerstein’s Manhattan courtroom at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan courthouse, where Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, entered not guilty pleas to charges including narco-terrorism.

    This case represents the latest chapter in a sprawling drug trafficking investigation that has been before Hellerstein for approximately 15 years, resulting in the 2020 indictment of Maduro and the prior conviction of Venezuela’s former intelligence director, Hugo Armando Carvajal.

    Judge Hellerstein’s judicial tenure spans more than two decades since his 1998 appointment by President Bill Clinton to the Southern District of New York. A Columbia University law graduate and former U.S. Army lawyer (1957-1960), Hellerstein has developed a reputation for handling complex, high-profile cases with international implications.

    His distinguished career includes presiding over numerous civil cases related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and he has issued several notable rulings that challenged both Democratic and Republican administrations. In a significant 2015 decision, Hellerstein ordered the U.S. government to release photographs depicting detainee abuse in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    More recently, Hellerstein has intersected with Trump-era policies, rejecting a request to move Donald Trump’s New York hush money case to federal court and blocking the administration from deporting alleged Venezuelan gang members without court hearings.

    The jurist has also handled major financial fraud cases, sentencing tech entrepreneur Charlie Javice to over seven years for defrauding JPMorgan Chase and imposing an 18-year sentence on Archegos Capital Management founder Bill Hwang. In another international matter, he presided over a case finding BNP Paribas liable for supporting Sudan’s former regime, resulting in a $20.75 million award to plaintiffs.

  • Maduro pleads not guilty in US court

    Maduro pleads not guilty in US court

    Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro formally declared his innocence before a United States federal court in New York on Monday, marking an unprecedented legal proceeding against a sitting head of state. During his initial court appearance, Maduro entered a plea of not guilty to all charges brought against him by US authorities.

    “I am innocent, I am not guilty,” Maduro asserted in open court, according to journalists present in the courtroom. The Venezuelan leader further stated that he had been forcibly taken from his residence in Caracas and emphasized that he remains the legitimate president of Venezuela despite his current detention.

    In a parallel development, Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, similarly proclaimed her complete innocence regarding the allegations leveled against her by American prosecutors. The simultaneous legal challenges facing both individuals represent an extraordinary escalation in US-Venezuela relations.

    Judicial authorities have scheduled the next hearing in this landmark case for March 17, establishing a timeline for what promises to be a complex international legal battle with significant diplomatic implications.

    The circumstances preceding Monday’s court appearance were equally remarkable. In the early hours of Saturday, US military forces conducted targeted operations in Caracas and other Venezuelan locations, culminating in the apprehension and extraction of both Maduro and his wife. The detained couple was subsequently transported to New York where they now await further judicial proceedings, setting a dramatic precedent in international law and interstate relations.

  • Iran says no leniency for ‘rioters’ as protests persist

    Iran says no leniency for ‘rioters’ as protests persist

    Iran’s judiciary has declared an uncompromising stance against individuals it labels as ‘rioters’ amid sustained nationwide demonstrations, while simultaneously acknowledging citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful protest. Judicial Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei issued directives to prosecutors nationwide to enforce legal measures “with resolve” against those allegedly instigating violence, emphasizing zero leniency would be shown.

    The unrest, now entering its second week, originated from economic grievances but has progressively incorporated political demands. Initial protests emerged in Tehran on December 28 when merchants staged strikes protesting soaring prices and economic stagnation, subsequently spreading across 23 provinces and affecting at least 45 urban centers according to AFP verifications.

    International responses have intensified significantly. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged Iranian authorities through spokesperson Stephane Dujarric to uphold protesters’ rights to peaceful assembly and prevent further casualties. Concurrently, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning from Air Force One, stating Iran would face severe consequences if demonstrations turned deadly.

    The Iranian government has implemented dual strategies addressing the crisis. Economically, authorities announced direct cash transfers to citizens equivalent to 3.5% of average monthly wages, acknowledging legitimate socioeconomic frustrations. Simultaneously, security forces have intensified operations, with Mizan News Agency reporting weapons seizures from alleged militant hideouts in Tehran.

    Media polarization reflects the complexity of the situation. Reformist publication Arman Melli suggested authorities were heeding protesters’ concerns, while conservative outlets Javan and Kayhan accused the United States and Israel of financing destabilization efforts. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei condemned Israel for allegedly exploiting protests to undermine national unity.

    Despite official reports of diminishing protest scales from Fars News Agency, social media evidence suggests continued mobilization. The diaspora has intensified solidarity demonstrations globally, with Paris-based protester Sahar Aghakhani declaring incremental progress toward systemic change. Current demonstrations remain smaller than the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests, though analysts note similar patterns of economic discontent evolving into political challenges.

  • Central Africa Republic President Faustin Archange Touadéra reelected, provisional results show

    Central Africa Republic President Faustin Archange Touadéra reelected, provisional results show

    BANGUI, Central African Republic — The nation’s electoral authority has confirmed President Faustin Archange Touadéra’s victory in securing a third presidential term, according to provisional results released late Monday. The controversial election, held last month, proceeded without participation from the major opposition coalition that had denounced the political climate as fundamentally unequal.

    The electoral landscape shifted significantly when a constitutional referendum earlier removed presidential term limits, enabling Touadéra to seek re-election despite previous restrictions. This constitutional amendment prompted the main opposition coalition to boycott the electoral process entirely, claiming the playing field was systematically tilted in favor of the incumbent administration.

    Despite the boycott, six candidates remained in the presidential race against Touadéra. Official results from the National Election Authority indicate the president captured a commanding 76.15% of the total votes cast. The election occurred amid ongoing security challenges in the mineral-rich yet impoverished nation, which has experienced prolonged instability since a violent rebellion ousted former President François Bozizé in 2013.

    International observers have noted concerns about the electoral process, while the government maintains the election was conducted fairly and represents the will of the Central African people. The outcome solidifies Touadéra’s continued leadership amid persistent armed conflict and deepening humanitarian crises affecting approximately half of the country’s population.

  • Maduro makes 1st court appearance in New York

    Maduro makes 1st court appearance in New York

    Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appeared before a federal court in New York on Monday morning, marking his first judicial proceeding since being apprehended by U.S. military forces on Venezuelan soil. The unprecedented operation represents one of the most dramatic escalations in U.S.-Venezuela relations in modern history.

    The courtroom proceedings unfolded under tight security as the Venezuelan leader faced charges previously filed by U.S. prosecutors. Legal experts characterize the case as extraordinary in its implications for international law and diplomatic relations between nations.

    The detention operation, conducted by U.S. special forces, has ignited immediate geopolitical repercussions across Latin America and beyond. Regional leaders have begun issuing statements regarding the breach of sovereign territory, while international law specialists debate the legal precedents being established.

    The court appearance sets in motion what promises to be an extended legal battle with significant implications for international justice standards, diplomatic immunity protocols, and cross-border military operations. The case is expected to test longstanding conventions regarding head-of-state protections and extraterritorial jurisdiction.

    Observers note that the proceedings could establish landmark precedents concerning the accountability of national leaders under international law, while simultaneously raising questions about the appropriate boundaries of cross-border judicial enforcement.

  • Key moments in the US arrest of and case against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro

    Key moments in the US arrest of and case against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro

    In a meticulously coordinated military operation authorized by former President Donald Trump, United States forces successfully apprehended Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores over the weekend of January 2-3, 2026. The dramatic capture unfolded with American special operations teams converging on Maduro’s compound in Caracas before transporting the detainees to a U.S. warship stationed in the Caribbean Sea.

    The operation commenced at 10:46 p.m. EST on January 2 when Trump authorized the mission. Within hours, at 1:01 a.m. EST on January 3, U.S. forces reached Maduro’s residence in Venezuela’s capital. By 3:29 a.m. EST, the extraction team had already departed Venezuelan territory with their high-value captives. Trump publicly announced the successful operation via Truth Social at 4:21 a.m. EST, proclaiming a ‘large scale strike’ against Venezuela.

    Maduro and Flores were transported aboard the USS Iwo Jima to New York, where they faced arraignment on narco-terrorism conspiracy charges. The Justice Department released a new indictment detailing their alleged involvement in drug trafficking operations. During a press conference, Trump was accompanied by key administration officials including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Homeland Security advisor Stephen Miller.

    The U.S. president made controversial statements regarding America’s intentions, stating the U.S. would ‘run Venezuela’ until a ‘judicious transition of power’ could be arranged. Trump further escalated regional tensions by making provocative comments about neighboring governments, suggesting similar actions might target Colombian President Gustavo Petro and criticizing Mexico’s approach to drug trafficking.

    Venezuela’s political leadership responded with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assuming interim presidential duties following a directive from the nation’s high court. Rodríguez demanded proof of life for Maduro and Flores while leaving open possibilities for diplomatic engagement with the U.S. despite the military intervention.

    The operation resulted in significant international backlash, with Cuba reporting 32 military and police officers killed during the strikes. The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting where both allies and adversaries of the United States uniformly condemned the unilateral action.

    On January 5, Maduro appeared in a Manhattan federal courtroom where he pleaded not guilty to all charges, declaring himself ‘a decent man, the president of my country.’ His next court date was scheduled for March 17, 2026, as the unprecedented case continues to develop amid global diplomatic repercussions.

  • Military action in Venezuela emerges as an issue in a closely watched GOP primary in Kentucky

    Military action in Venezuela emerges as an issue in a closely watched GOP primary in Kentucky

    A significant political division has emerged within Kentucky’s Republican primary as President Donald Trump’s military intervention in Venezuela becomes a central point of contention. The race features Congressman Thomas Massie, a longstanding libertarian-leaning Republican who has frequently clashed with Trump, facing challenger Ed Gallrein, a retired Navy SEAL officer enjoying the former president’s full endorsement.

    Massie has launched a vigorous social media campaign condemning the military operation that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro, characterizing it as an unconstitutional overreach of executive power. The congressman asserted that the Venezuela intervention fundamentally concerns oil interests and regime change rather than combating drug trafficking, directly contradicting the administration’s stated objectives.

    “The Founders deliberately vested war-making authority in Congress, not the executive branch,” Massie emphasized, accusing Trump of bypassing constitutional procedures.

    Gallrein countered by defending the operation as a necessary measure against rogue regimes. “This decisive action demonstrates America’s commitment to holding bad actors accountable, restoring international law and order, deterring aggression, and protecting American families,” the Trump-endorsed candidate stated. He further argued that U.S. involvement creates opportunities for Venezuelans to experience peace and prosperity after decades of oppression.

    The May primary will serve as a crucial test of Trump’s ongoing influence within Republican politics. Massie, despite his frequent disagreements with Trump, has consistently secured reelection by substantial margins since 2012. Gallrein benefits from Trump’s powerful political machinery and support from a super PAC operated by former Trump aides, though he confronts a well-established incumbent with significant financial resources.

    Trump recently reinforced his endorsement of Gallrein through social media, urging other potential Republican candidates to avoid the race and describing Massie as a “Weak and Pathetic RINO” (Republican In Name Only). The primary winner will likely become the favored candidate in a district that last elected a Democrat two decades ago, though at least two Democratic contenders have already filed for the congressional seat representing northern Kentucky.

  • NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon to decide on extension of Sydney protest ban

    NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon to decide on extension of Sydney protest ban

    New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon is poised to make a pivotal determination regarding the potential extension of Sydney’s controversial protest ban, initially implemented following Christmas Eve legislative changes enacted after the Bondi terror incident. The decision, expected Tuesday, could prolong restrictive measures well into the new year.

    The current regulations, granting unprecedented authority to law enforcement, emerged from marathon parliamentary debates that established a 14-day prohibition on all public assemblies following declared terrorist events. This framework permits Commissioner Lanyon to maintain restrictions for up to three months, with provisions denying all police authorization requests during the initial fortnight.

    Notably, the legislation expands police capabilities to remove facial coverings from individuals suspected of committing offenses at public gatherings—a power previously reserved for more serious categories of criminal activity.

    The urgency of Commissioner Lanyon’s decision intensified after approximately 250 demonstrators defied the ban on Sunday, assembling at Sydney’s Town Hall to protest American military actions against Venezuela. Participants displayed placards bearing anti-imperialist messages and modified American flags featuring skull imagery. Counter-protesters numbered around forty according to police accounts.

    Law enforcement arrested three individuals during the unauthorized gathering: two men aged 26 and 34 for breach of peace, and a 53-year-old woman allegedly wearing offensive attire. All were released without formal charges following the demonstration’s conclusion.

    Commissioner Lanyon previously justified the restrictions by emphasizing their role in preventing community fear and divisiveness, asserting that “NSW Police is committed to exercising these new powers responsibly and transparently.”

    However, civil liberties organizations have mounted significant opposition. NSW Council for Civil Liberties president Timothy Roberts condemned the powers as “extremely anti-democratic,” while the Palestine Action Group criticized the measures as undermining fundamental democratic rights. Advocacy groups argue the regulations disproportionately suppress legitimate dissent across various social movements, extending beyond their original counter-terrorism purpose.