What's next in Venezuela?, land strikes against Mexico drug cartels, UK considers banning X

Experts Phil Gunson and Juan S. Gonzalez discuss Venezuela's future after a US raid captured Nicolás Maduro, exploring the country's dynamics and US policy implications in a special two-part episode of The Foreign Affairs Interview. (Foreign Affairs - Phil Gunson)

The UN predicts global economic growth will slow to 2.7% in 2026, down from 2.8% last year, before rebounding to 2.9% in 2027, still below the pre-pandemic average of 3.2%. (The Japan Times - Michelle Nichols)

US President Trump announces plans to launch land strikes against Mexico drug cartels, escalating counternarcotics efforts and sparking sovereignty concerns. (gulfnews - Jay Hilotin)

The UK considers banning X, owned by Elon Musk, over AI-generated explicit images, citing safety concerns, amid global regulatory scrutiny and EU investigations into antisemitic content and deepfakes. (The Independent - Athena Stavrou)

BBC News: Grok AI restricts image editing to paid users amid deepfake concerns and government pressure on UK regulator Ofcom to address potential misuse.

mezha.net: Regulators worldwide respond to AI-generated nude images on Platform X

Arabian Post: The EU has ordered X to preserve Grok chatbot records until 2026, amid allegations of antisemitic content and non-consensual sexual material, to assess platform safeguards and potential breaches.

Russia's military procurement reveals plans for conflict beyond Ukraine, with increased production of submarines and missiles, signaling a campaign of sustained pressure on Europe. (Foreign Policy - Jacob Parakilas, Pavlo Shkurenko)

Sudan's 1,000-day war has left 30 million people in need of aid, with key cities bombed and civilians held for ransom, as foreign weapons flood the country, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. (Sky News - Yousra Elbagir)

Iran faces massive protests and clashes, with state media blaming "US and Israeli agents" for the unrest, amid reports of at least 34 deaths and 2,200 arrests. (Πρώτο Θέμα: RSS )

Russia launches massive attack on Ukraine with 242 drones and 36 missiles, causing casualties and blackouts, amid escalating tensions near NATO borders, prompting Ukraine to call for increased pressure on Russia. (Πρώτο Θέμα: RSS )

ΤΟ ΒΗΜΑ: Russia launches Orsk missiles at Lviv, Ukraine, causing casualties in Kiev and a blackout in Belgorod, escalating the conflict in the region.

Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: Ukraine labels Russia's Oreshnik missile use near EU and NATO border a grave threat to European security

Trump backs Russia sanctions bill, potentially imposing 500% tariffs on countries supporting Moscow, in a significant escalation of economic pressure. (HOKANEWS.COM - Ethan Collins)

Container shipping faces uncertainty in 2026 due to overcapacity, US-China trade tensions, and decarbonization pressures, with three possible scenarios emerging. (Upply - Jérôme de Ricqlès)

Mexico's US exports reached historic highs, achieving a record trade surplus, as reported by the US Census Bureau, marking a significant milestone in bilateral trade relations. (La Jornada )

Chrome extensions secretly collected AI chat data from 900,000 users, sparking concerns over data privacy and security breaches, highlighting the need for stricter extension regulations and user vigilance. (Arabian Post - Arabian Post)

Rio Tinto and Glencore have resumed merger discussions, aiming to form the world's largest mining company, potentially transforming the industry's landscape. (Australia news | The Guardian - Mark Sweney)

Japan's Chikyu vessel to extract rare earth minerals near Minami Torishima, decreasing reliance on Chinese imports and boosting domestic supply. (The Hindu )

Indian stocks decline amid potential easing of China trade curbs, sparking concerns over increased competition and trade implications for Indian markets. (India News Network )

Venezuela's crisis escalates geopolitical tensions, boosting gold and defense stocks, says DBS report, citing increased investor demand for safe-haven assets. (ANI News )

Hong Kong's stock rally falters as investors reassess China's economic prospects, sparking caution and uncertainty in the market, amid concerns over growth and policy implications. (South China Morning Post )

Asian markets post modest gains, mirroring Wall Street's trend, as China's inflation rates remain stable with no significant changes reported, indicating a steady economic outlook. (Seeking Alpha )

US equity futures trade cautiously in Asia amid geopolitical concerns and potential weekend market risks, sparking iEthan Collinsnvestor uncertainty. (FXStreet )

Discord files for initial public offering, valuing the platform at $15 billion, as tech industry sees resurgence in listings and growth. (Arabian Post - Arabian Post)

Glencore's shares surge 8% after confirming merger discussions with mining giant Rio Tinto, sparking potential industry consolidation and growth opportunities. (The Independent - Anna Wise)

Bosnia faces instability due to economic and political challenges, threatening regional security amidst global turmoil and uncertainty. (weareiowa.com )

The US Senate voted 52-47 to advance a resolution limiting President Trump's military action in Venezuela, with all Democrats and five Republicans supporting the measure. (Foreign Policy - Rachel Oswald)

Storm Goret hits France and Britain, causing widespread power outages and disruptions with 213 km/h winds, affecting tens of thousands of residents and businesses, with crews working to restore electricity and transportation services. (Πρώτο Θέμα: RSS )

uk: The UK is bracing for Storm Goretti, bringing heavy snow and strong winds, with amber warnings issued for potential disruptions and hazardous travel conditions nationwide.

Πρώτο Θέμα: RSS: Storm Goretti brings severe weather to the UK, with strong winds, snow, and frost causing disruptions to daily life and transportation across the region.

The Independent: Storm Goretti brings widespread power outages, impacting tens of thousands of residents and businesses across the affected areas, with crews working to restore electricity.

Western Canada's glaciers saw significant ice loss in 2025, marking the second-highest decline on record, highlighting concerns over climate change impacts on regional ecosystems and water resources. (CBC | Top Stories News )

Australia's southeast, particularly Melbourne, faces a severe heatwave with record-breaking temperatures, reaching 43 degrees, and prompting heat-related warnings and precautions amid persistently high conditions. (9News )

The Age - National: Melbourne reaches record high of 42.9 degrees Celsius due to intense hot winds, marking the city's hottest temperature on record.

The Age - National: Australia's south-east remains under heatwave warnings over the weekend, with high temperatures and extreme conditions expected to persist in the region.

Indonesia's Health Ministry reports 63 cases of "super flu" are under control, with the situation being closely monitored to prevent further outbreaks and ensure public health safety. (ANTARA News - Latest Indonesia News )