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  • Venezuela looks to petrodollars to bring down prices

    Venezuela looks to petrodollars to bring down prices

    In a strategic economic maneuver, Venezuela’s interim government is deploying petrodollar revenues to combat hyperinflation and stabilize its crippled currency. The administration under Acting President Delcy Rodriguez confirmed receiving $300 million from U.S. sales of Venezuelan crude, funds immediately channeled into bolstering the struggling bolivar.

    This dollar injection aims to narrow the widening gap between official and parallel exchange rates—a primary driver of Venezuela’s rampant inflation. Market analysts observed immediate positive effects, with currency speculation diminishing upon anticipation of the dollar influx. Alejandro Grisanti of Ecoanalitica noted that while such interventions provide temporary relief, sustainable economic recovery requires consistent dollar availability and responsible fiscal policies beyond exchange rate manipulations.

    The current economic strategy marks a continuation of policies initiated during Nicolas Maduro’s administration, when Rodriguez served as vice president. Following Maduro’s military ouster on January 3, the United States asserted control over Venezuelan oil assets, with former President Donald Trump declaring Washington ‘in charge’ of the nation’s oil revenues.

    Parliament has begun debating Rodriguez’s proposal to open Venezuela’s nationalized oil sector to private investment—a significant policy shift for the traditionally socialist nation. Meanwhile, ordinary Venezuelans face unbearable hardships with monthly minimum wages and pensions equivalent to merely 40 US cents, forcing pensioners to choose between hunger and untreated illness according to union leader Josefina Guerra.

  • Exclusive: UK confirms phone call between Cameron and ICC’s Karim Khan

    Exclusive: UK confirms phone call between Cameron and ICC’s Karim Khan

    The British government has officially acknowledged a contentious April 2024 telephone conversation between then-Foreign Secretary David Cameron and International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, marking the first formal confirmation of the exchange that allegedly involved threats over the ICC’s Gaza investigation.

    The disclosure emerged through a Freedom of Information request filed by Unredacted, a national security research unit at the University of Westminster. In a January 2026 response letter, the Foreign Office’s Information Rights Unit stated: “The then Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, was the only person present on the call on 23 April 2024 with Karim Khan.”

    This confirmation follows Prosecutor Khan’s recent statement to the ICC alleging that a “senior British official” threatened to withdraw UK funding from the court during the April 23rd conversation. The call occurred during a critical period—one month before Khan sought arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and coincided with intensifying international pressure regarding the Gaza war crimes investigation.

    According to Middle East Eye’s previous reporting, which cited sources including former staff in Khan’s office who had seen meeting minutes, Cameron allegedly characterized the potential warrants as “like dropping a hydrogen bomb.” The former prime minister reportedly argued that while prosecuting Russia for Ukrainian aggression was justified, targeting Israel during its “self-defense” against October 7th attacks was fundamentally different. Cameron purportedly warned that the warrants would have “profound implications” in Britain and within his Conservative Party, threatening defunding and withdrawal from the Rome Statute if proceedings moved forward.

    Professor Sam Raphael, International Relations and Human Rights expert at the University of Westminster, stated: “This raises serious questions about the role of a senior minister in threatening the impartiality of the ICC, especially given the myriad forms of military, intelligence and diplomatic support provided by the UK to Israel at the time.”

    Legal experts consulted by MEE suggest Cameron’s alleged conduct may constitute an attack on judicial independence and potentially violate both the Rome Statute and British law regarding obstruction of justice. Two British MPs have subsequently called for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to initiate an independent investigation into the allegations, noting that any attempted coercion of the ICC could breach Article 70 of the Rome Statute prohibiting interference with justice administration.

    The ICC continues to face significant external pressure, particularly from Israel and the United States, since Khan’s decision to pursue warrants. The Trump administration has imposed financial and visa sanctions against Khan, his deputies, six judges, and Palestinian entities connected to the investigation, while threatening further measures against the court itself.

    ICC judges are currently reviewing an Israeli challenge to the court’s jurisdiction over Palestine and a separate complaint questioning the prosecutor’s impartiality. Khan has been on voluntary leave since May 2025 pending a UN investigation into unrelated sexual misconduct allegations, which he vigorously denies.

  • China launches nationwide employment assistance program

    China launches nationwide employment assistance program

    China has mobilized nine central government departments in a sweeping nationwide initiative to strengthen employment support and increase incomes for vulnerable worker groups during the first quarter of 2026. The coordinated program, operating from January through March, represents a significant governmental effort to address workforce challenges during the winter months.

    The multi-ministry collaboration brings together the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, among other key agencies. This interdepartmental approach underscores the comprehensive nature of the employment assistance campaign.

    Implementation strategies include organizing targeted job fairs across diverse locations including residential communities, rural areas, industrial zones, supermarkets, and transportation hubs such as railway stations. The program also emphasizes skills development, actively encouraging participants to obtain professional certifications that enhance their employment prospects.

    Special attention will be directed toward marginalized groups including people with disabilities, urban workers experiencing economic hardship, and graduates facing employment difficulties. These populations will receive customized assistance based on their specific circumstances and needs.

    The initiative builds on recent employment activities across the country, including a major five-province joint employment service event held in Guizhou province on January 16th that attracted numerous job seekers. The program’s implementation will be managed by local authorities who will tailor the employment services to regional needs while maintaining the national framework.

  • Iran says 3,117 people killed during nationwide protests

    Iran says 3,117 people killed during nationwide protests

    Iranian authorities have officially acknowledged 3,117 fatalities resulting from the nationwide anti-government demonstrations that commenced in late December. The protests erupted against a backdrop of severe economic deterioration and the unprecedented devaluation of the national currency.

    According to a declaration from Iran’s Martyrs Foundation, 2,427 of the deceased were classified as ‘martyrs,’ comprising security personnel and innocent civilians caught in the unrest. The remaining casualties were identified as protesters. This official disclosure contrasts sharply with assessments from international human rights organizations, which allege significantly higher casualty figures and accuse security forces of employing excessive, lethal force against demonstrators.

    Amiry-Moghaddam, a co-founder of the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights NGO, provided disturbing accounts in a recent video interview with Middle East Eye, claiming that security personnel executed wounded individuals with headshots. These allegations are reinforced by data from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana), which documented a death toll of 4,519. Their investigation details 4,251 protesters, 197 security personnel, 35 children, and 38 bystanders among the fatalities, with an additional 9,049 deaths under ongoing scrutiny. Hrana further reported at least 26,314 arrests and 5,811 individuals sustaining serious injuries.

    Iranian leadership has consistently refuted accusations of security force brutality, instead attributing the unrest to foreign interference. Senior military officials, including Armed Forces Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi, have accused the United States and Israel of deploying ISIS-affiliated mercenaries within Iran to attack both civilians and security forces. This rhetoric was amplified by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander General Mohammad Pakpour, who issued a stark warning to Israel and the US against ‘miscalculations,’ asserting that his forces had their ‘finger on the trigger.’

    These developments unfolded alongside heightened international discourse on Iran. Israeli President Isaac Herzog publicly advocated for regime change in Iran during an address at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Concurrently, US President Donald Trump indicated a openness to diplomatic negotiations with Tehran, stating that the initiative originated from Iranian officials and that Washington was prepared to engage.

  • Ryan Coogler, Leonardo DiCaprio, Rose Byrne, Diane Warren react to Oscar nominations

    Ryan Coogler, Leonardo DiCaprio, Rose Byrne, Diane Warren react to Oscar nominations

    Hollywood’s brightest talents shared intimate reflections on their creative processes and emotional connections to their Oscar-nominated work following Thursday’s announcement of the 96th Academy Award nominations.

    Ryan Coogler, whose blues-infused vampire film ‘Sinners’ received a record-breaking 16 nominations, revealed the deeply personal inspiration behind his project. ‘I wrote this script for my uncle who passed away 11 years ago,’ Coogler explained in an emotional interview. The filmmaker, nominated for Best Picture, Director, and Screenplay, described his relentless dedication to the craft: ‘I was writing last night. That’s why I didn’t get too much sleep.’

    Leonardo DiCaprio, nominated for Best Actor in ‘One Battle After Another,’ emphasized the enduring power of cinematic storytelling. ‘At the end of the day it’s about trying to be in films that are memorable,’ DiCaprio stated, highlighting the communal experience of theater-going as fundamental to human connection.

    Across the globe in Australia, Rose Byrne received her Best Actress nomination for ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’ in the middle of the night. Byrne detailed the intensive five-week rehearsal process that shaped her turbulent character, crediting director Mary Bronstein’s performance-driven approach. The nomination announcement triggered a joyous family celebration via FaceTime with her husband Bobby Cannavale in New York.

    Composer Ludwig Göransson, nominated for Best Original Score and Original Song for ‘Sinners,’ described the project as a ‘family affair’ that celebrates the foundational influence of blues music on Western culture. ‘Anything we’re hearing today on the radio wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for blues,’ Göransson noted, praising Coogler’s ability to showcase this musical heritage.

    Songwriter Diane Warren received her 17th nomination for ‘Dear Me’ from the documentary ‘Diane Warren: Relentless.’ The legendary composer reflected that ‘to be nominated is winning because these are the best of the best in the fields of film, music, that vote for you.’

    Producer Liza Marshall expressed amazement at audiences’ deep emotional connection to ‘Hamnet,’ noting that viewers frequently remain seated through the credits to process the film’s impact. Marshall praised star Jessie Buckley’s ‘primal’ performance that transcends conventional acting.

    Composer Alexandre Desplat described ‘Frankenstein’ as director Guillermo del Toro’s ‘dream project’ and the completion of a thematic triptych about empathy for those who are different. Nicholas Pike expressed excitement about his nomination for the contemporary operatic aria ‘Sweet Dreams Of Joy,’ while Bryce Dessner of The National celebrated his collaboration with musical hero Nick Cave on the grief-themed ‘Train Dreams.’

  • Australian Open: Sinner overpowers Duckworth, Wawrinka wins thriller

    Australian Open: Sinner overpowers Duckworth, Wawrinka wins thriller

    Melbourne witnessed a spectacular display of tennis prowess and veteran resilience on Thursday at the Australian Open, where two distinct narratives unfolded on the courts.

    Reigning champion Jannik Sinner demonstrated why he holds the world number two ranking with a commanding performance against Australian wildcard James Duckworth. The Italian maestro needed merely one hour and forty minutes to secure a decisive 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory on Rod Laver Arena. Sinner’s precision and power were on full display as he extended his remarkable winning streak against Australian opponents to 27 consecutive matches. His last defeat to an Australian came against Duckworth himself in Toronto back in 2021, but there was no hint of a repeat upset. Sinner’s clinical performance featured impeccable shot placement and relentless pressure, culminating in a match-ending ace that propels him into a third-round encounter with American Eliot Spizzirri.

    Meanwhile, on Kia Arena, 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka authored one of the most memorable chapters of his storied career. The Swiss veteran, who previously announced this would be his final Australian Open before retiring in 2026, battled Frenchman Arthur Gea in an epic five-set thriller that stretched to four hours and thirty-three minutes. Wawrinka ultimately prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(10-3) in a match that tested both physical endurance and mental fortitude.

    The three-time Grand Slam champion, who captured his first major title in Melbourne back in 2014, became the first player aged 40 or older to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since Ken Rosewall accomplished the feat at the 1978 Australian Open. Wawrinka’s victory was particularly impressive considering he received a late wild card entry and faced an opponent nineteen years his junior. Despite visible exhaustion, the veteran tapped into the energy of a supportive crowd to overcome cramps and mounting pressure, particularly during the decisive tiebreak where he demonstrated the champion mentality that has defined his career.

  • France seizes suspected Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker in the Mediterranean

    France seizes suspected Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker in the Mediterranean

    In a significant multinational operation, French naval forces have intercepted and seized the oil tanker ‘Grinch’ in the Mediterranean Sea, alleging the vessel constitutes part of Russia’s clandestine ‘shadow fleet’ designed to circumvent Western sanctions. The operation, conducted with British military support between the coasts of Spain and Morocco, represents the latest escalation in Western efforts to disrupt Russia’s oil revenue streams financing its war in Ukraine.

    French President Emmanuel Macron announced the seizure via social media platform X, stating the vessel was ‘subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag.’ Maritime authorities confirmed subsequent inspections validated suspicions regarding the vessel’s fraudulent registration credentials. The Grinch had been sailing under the flag of Comoros, a known practice among sanction-evading vessels seeking to obscure their true ownership and operations.

    According to French officials, the tanker originated from Murmansk, Russia’s crucial Arctic port, before being intercepted. The UK Ministry of Defence acknowledged providing ‘tracking and monitoring’ assistance through HMS Dagger, which surveilled the vessel transiting the Strait of Gibraltar. British Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized the collaborative effort aims to ‘choke off the funds that fuel Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.’

    Russia’s Paris embassy reported receiving no formal notification regarding the seizure, potentially setting the stage for diplomatic tensions. This incident follows similar recent actions, including a late 2023 French seizure of another sanctioned tanker and a January 2024 joint UK-US operation against a Russian-flagged vessel in the Atlantic.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky enthusiastically endorsed the interception, calling for even more aggressive measures including confiscation and sale of illicit oil cargoes. Speaking from Davos, Zelensky challenged European nations to move beyond discussion and demonstrate concrete action against Russian sanction evasion.

    The emergence of shadow fleets has become a pervasive challenge in global maritime security, with financial intelligence firm S&P Global estimating approximately 20% of worldwide oil tankers now participate in smuggling operations for sanctioned nations including Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.

  • Daughter recalls her father’s quiet role in shaping UAE before the Union

    Daughter recalls her father’s quiet role in shaping UAE before the Union

    At the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, Ayesha Mohammed Saeed Al Mulla offered a rare personal glimpse into the life of her father, Mohammed Saeed Al Mulla, a key architect behind the formation of the United Arab Emirates. Speaking on January 22, 2026, she revealed how the prominent businessman and former minister served as a trusted diplomatic messenger between the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum during the crucial pre-Union period.

    Unlike official historical accounts, Ayesha’s narrative focused on the character and values that defined her father both as a nation-builder and family patriarch. Born in Dubai’s historic Shindagha district in 1926, Mohammed Saeed Al Mulla belonged to a generation that laid the foundation for the modern UAE. His passing in 2023 drew formal tributes from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, acknowledging his considerable contributions.

    Ayesha described growing up in a household steeped in authenticity, poetry, and historical significance, shaped by family origins in Liwa. As the youngest daughter for 17 years, she developed a particularly strong bond with her father, who became her primary role model. ‘I was raised in the same home he was raised in, by the same values and principles,’ she reflected during the emotional session.

    The discussion centered on researcher Muayyad Al-Shaibani’s book ‘A Radiant Biography,’ which documents Al Mulla’s legacy through personal testimonies rather than conventional historical records. Ayesha highlighted her father’s exceptional diplomatic skills, noting that Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan had recently told her, ‘The only person who could calm matters down was your father.’

    Beyond his political role, Ayesha remembered her father’s strict integrity and discipline. He prohibited any of his children from working in government until after his retirement, maintaining a clear separation between public service and family interests. Among his most enduring lessons were the importance of accurately conveying messages from leadership without alteration and protecting family reputation above all else. ‘Money comes and goes,’ he taught her, ‘but reputation can never be replaced.’

    Ayesha concluded with simple pride: ‘He was a man of the Union, and I am proud to be the daughter of one of the men who helped shape it.’

  • Shanghai braces for record passenger numbers during Spring Festival

    Shanghai braces for record passenger numbers during Spring Festival

    Shanghai authorities are implementing comprehensive measures to manage an anticipated record-breaking travel period during the upcoming Spring Festival, with projections indicating nearly 49.15 million passenger journeys through China’s financial capital. The extended 40-day travel rush, officially scheduled from February 2 to March 13, is expected to establish new benchmarks in urban transportation management according to the municipal Spring Festival Transport Office.

    Transportation analysts predict a 5% overall increase in passenger volume compared to previous year’s figures, with rail travel demonstrating the most substantial growth at 6%. Air travel is forecast to experience a modest 1% increase, while road traffic is projected to decline by approximately 5%, reflecting shifting transportation preferences among travelers.

    The departure peak is anticipated around February 14, with an estimated 1.08 million passengers exiting the city as residents embark on homeward journeys, family visits, and vacation travels preceding the Spring Festival commencement on February 17, which heralds the beginning of the Year of the Horse. The return peak, projected for February 23, expects daily arrivals to reach 1.14 million passenger trips, representing an 8% surge over last year’s corresponding period.

    Highway traffic is forecast to achieve unprecedented levels, with average daily vehicle trips predicted to increase between 3-6%, reaching between 1.32 and 1.37 million vehicles. This potential record underscores the massive scale of seasonal migration characteristic of China’s most significant annual holiday period, presenting substantial logistical challenges for urban planners and transportation authorities.

  • German nurse jailed for murders could be linked to 100 more deaths

    German nurse jailed for murders could be linked to 100 more deaths

    German authorities have revealed that a convicted nurse serving life imprisonment for murdering 10 patients is now under investigation for potentially over 100 additional deaths. Chief Public Prosecutor Katja Schlenkermann-Pitts from Aachen confirmed to the BBC that investigators are examining “a correspondingly high number of suspicious cases” that could be linked to the former palliative care specialist.

    The unnamed defendant, previously employed at Rhein-Maas hospital in Würselen, received a life sentence in November last year after being found guilty of 10 counts of murder and 27 counts of attempted murder. The regional court determined that during night shifts, he deliberately administered lethal doses of sedatives and painkillers to critically ill patients without medical justification.

    Prosecutors established that the nurse repeatedly administered medications while fully aware of their potentially fatal consequences. Judicial authorities concluded his actions were motivated by personal discomfort and a desire to maintain control during nighttime operations, despite his trial testimony claiming he only intended to help patients sleep.

    The initial conviction covered crimes committed between December 2023 and May 2024. However, the newly suspected cases predominantly relate to earlier periods, prompting a massive expansion of the investigation. Authorities have ordered approximately 60 exhumations, with 27 already completed and 30 more pending forensic examination.

    Prosecutor Schlenkermann-Pitts emphasized that many cases remain preliminary and dependent on autopsy results, noting that some suspicions “may still be dropped” following thorough investigation. Concurrently, Cologne prosecutors are examining deaths at hospitals where the nurse worked prior to his transfer to Würselen, located 65 kilometers away.

    Two exhumations have already occurred in Cologne involving a 94-year-old woman who died in 2018 and a 78-year-old patient from 2015. Officials from both jurisdictions confirm preparations for potential new charges are underway, though any additional proceedings are unlikely to commence before 2027.

    This case bears striking parallels to that of Niels Högel, another German nurse sentenced to life imprisonment in 2019 for murdering 85 patients, making him the most prolific killer in Germany’s modern history.