The Norwegian Nobel Committee has announced that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 is awarded to Maria Corina Machado a fearless advocate for democracy and human rights in Venezuela. Recognized for her unwavering commitment to promoting democratic principles amid escalating repression, Machado is celebrated as a symbol of civilian courage and resilience in Latin America.

The Committee praised Machado’s tireless efforts to unite Venezuela’s fractured opposition and her steadfast resistance against authoritarian rule. “Maria Corina Machado exemplifies the spirit of peaceful resistance and the enduring hope for a democratic future,” said the Committee chair. “Her work has kept the flame of democracy alive in a country overshadowed by darkness.”

Venezuela has experienced a dramatic transformation over the past decades from a relatively stable democracy to a nation plagued by dictatorship, economic collapse and humanitarian crises. Under the regime’s brutal control nearly eight million citizens have fled the country and opposition voices face systematic suppression through election rigging, legal persecution and imprisonment.

Machado has been a prominent figure in Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement for over two decades. As a founder of Súmate, an organization dedicated to fostering democratic development, she has consistently championed free and fair elections often risking her safety to do so. “It was a choice of ballots over bullets,” she has stated, emphasizing her commitment to peaceful change.

In the lead-up to the 2024 elections, Machado was the opposition’s presidential candidate but her candidacy was blocked by the regime. Undeterred, she supported another opposition candidate and helped mobilize hundreds of thousands of volunteers across the country to observe and document the electoral process ensuring transparency despite threats of harassment and violence.

The opposition’s efforts culminated in a clear victory for their candidate but the regime refused to accept the election results clinging to power through repression and misinformation. Machado’s leadership and the collective action of Venezuelan citizens demonstrated the power of peaceful resistance and the importance of international support for democratic movements.

Throughout her activism, Machado has faced continuous threats to her safety. She has chosen to remain in Venezuela living in hiding to continue her work, a testament to her unwavering dedication to her country’s future.

The Nobel Committee highlighted that Machado’s struggle embodies the core principles of the Peace Prize: uniting people across divisions, resisting militarization and advocating for a peaceful transition to democracy. Her example underscores that democracy is not just a political ideal but a vital foundation for lasting peace.

In awarding Machado the Nobel Peace Prize, the Committee reaffirms the global importance of defending democratic rights and the power of peaceful resistance. Her courage inspires millions to stand up against repression and to believe in the possibility of a brighter, freer future for Venezuela.

As the world faces increasing threats to democratic norms, Machado’s recognition reminds us all that the fight for freedom is a universal endeavor—one that demands resilience, unity, and unwavering resolve.

Venezuela has issued a warning of an alleged plan by extremists to attack the U.S. Embassy in Caracas with explosives amid rising tensions over Washington’s military presence in the Caribbean. Jorge Rodríguez, head of Venezuela’s National Assembly and its U.S. dialogue delegation stated that the U.S. had been informed through “three different channels” about a “serious threat” from right-wing groups posing as supporters of President Nicolás Maduro.

Rodríguez accused extremist sectors of the Venezuelan right of preparing a false-flag operation to plant explosives at the embassy which has been closed since 2019 following the rupture of diplomatic relations with the Maduro government. Despite the closure, the embassy maintains a security staff and Venezuelan police patrol the surrounding area. Rodríguez added that a European embassy had been notified to serve as a liaison for communication regarding the situation.

The U.S. State Department did not immediately comment on the warning. The embassy’s security measures have been reinforced and the situation is being closely monitored.

Tensions between the two countries have escalated as Venezuela denounces U.S. military activity in the Caribbean. Washington claims its naval deployments are aimed at combating drug cartels while Maduro views them as threats to sovereignty. The U.S. has conducted four strikes on vessels in the Caribbean since last month, asserting that the ships traffic drugs and that their crews are “narcoterrorists,” with the latest strike killing four people last Friday.

Former President Donald Trump severed diplomatic ties with Maduro in 2019, recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate ruler and evacuating U.S. diplomats from Caracas. Since then, Maduro has accused the U.S. of fabricating narratives to justify intervention while the U.S. has not indicated plans for a ground invasion. The deployment of over 4,000 troops in the region continues to heighten regional tensions.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has resigned just weeks after assuming office amid ongoing political turmoil and hours after unveiling a new cabinet further intensifying France’s long-standing political crisis.

The French presidency announced on Monday that President Emmanuel Macron accepted Lecornu’s resignation. Lecornu’s appointment nearly a month ago was met with expectations of stability but he faced mounting pressure in recent weeks as he struggled to pass a national budget through France’s divided parliament amidst a worsening debt crisis.

Lecornu named his ministers on Sunday evening promising a break from the policies of his unpopular predecessor, Francois Bayrou. However, just hours after announcing the new cabinet, Lecornu stepped down making his government one of the shortest-lived in French history. The cabinet was scheduled to hold its first meeting on Monday afternoon but Lecornu’s resignation overshadowed the event.

Sources report that Lecornu’s decision was driven by frustration with political deadlock. “I was ready to compromise but each political party wanted the other to adopt its entire programme,” Lecornu said outside the Prime Minister’s Office.

The resignation has sparked widespread political fallout. France’s parliament has been sharply divided between far-right and far-left blocs since President Macron called for snap elections in 2024. Lecornu’s departure has triggered opposition calls for Macron to resign and for new elections to be held.

Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally and the largest party in parliament dismissed Lecornu’s cabinet as “pathetic” and called for a return to the polls, stating, “The only wise decision is to return to the polls.” Her party colleague, Jordan Bardella, echoed the sentiment, asserting that “National Rally will be ready to assume its responsibilities.”

On the far-left, Jean-Luc Melenchon of France Unbowed urged President Macron to step down while François-Xavier Bellamy, leader of the smaller right-wing Republicans party which collaborated with Macron’s government expressed confidence that his party has “nothing to fear from a dissolution of parliament.”

Financial markets reacted negatively to the political uncertainty with the CAC 40 index dropping more than 2 percent following Lecornu’s resignation. The development raises concerns over France’s ability to pass a budget and address its economic challenges amid ongoing political instability.

A BBC investigation has exposed disturbing allegations involving Charles Mwesigwa, a man operating a sex trafficking network out of Dubai’s most upscale neighborhoods exploiting vulnerable women and potentially connected to the deaths of two women.

According to the BBC, Mwesigwa, who claims to be a former London bus driver, runs an operation offering women for high-end sex parties with prices starting at $1,000 (£740). Undercover reporting reveals that some women are subjected to extreme and degrading fetishes, including requests to defecate on them; acts that some clients demand as part of their sexual preferences.

The investigation uncovered testimonies from women including young Ugandan women who believed they were traveling to Dubai for legitimate work in hotels or supermarkets but instead found themselves trapped in Mwesigwa’s network. One woman, “Mia,” told the BBC she owed over $27,000 (£19,918) after weeks of forced work with debts accruing for air tickets, visas, accommodation and food leaving her forced to work under duress.

Moreover, the BBC reports that two women linked to Mwesigwa have died after falling from high-rise apartments with their deaths officially ruled as suicides. Family and friends, however, believe these incidents warrant further investigation. One victim, Monic Karungi, arrived in Dubai from western Uganda in April 2022 and was found dead from a fall just four days after moving to a different apartment. Her family claims she was trying to escape the network and was arguing with Mwesigwa prior to her death.

Another woman, Kayla Birungi, died in 2021 under similar circumstances also falling from a Dubai high-rise. The BBC found that her body was buried in an unmarked grave in Dubai’s Al Qusais Cemetery, a site often used for unidentified migrants. Both women’s families report that toxicology reports found no drugs or alcohol in their systems at the time of death raising questions about the official findings.

The investigation also highlights allegations of racialized abuse with victims recounting that clients often requested extreme acts targeting Black women and that police in Dubai appeared unwilling to intervene. Lexi, one of the women, told the BBC she was told by police that “Africans cause problems for each other” and that they did not want to get involved.

The BBC traced Mwesigwa to a middle-class neighborhood in Dubai’s Jumeirah Village Circle through open-source intelligence and undercover research. In a covert meeting, he boasted about running “like 25 girls,” claiming they were “open-minded” and capable of performing “pretty much everything.” When asked about “Dubai porta potty” fetishes, Mwesigwa said he could send the “craziest” women for such acts.

Mwesigwa, who has used multiple aliases denied running an illegal sex ring claiming he only helps women find accommodation and that women follow him to parties because of his “wealthy Dubai contacts.” He told the BBC that he loved his business and would continue regardless of any allegations.

The investigation also features accounts from Troy, a former operational manager for Mwesigwa’s network who detailed how security at nightclubs was paid off to facilitate access for women and how the operation was designed to remain under the radar by using proxies to rent cars and apartments.

Despite repeated requests, the Dubai police have not responded to inquiries about the death investigations and the BBC reports that official case files for Monic and Kayla have not been made available. The police reportedly stopped investigations into Monic’s death after finding drugs and alcohol in her apartment although toxicology reports are unavailable.

Mwesigwa responded to the BBC’s questions denying any involvement in illegal activities and dismissing the allegations as false. He stated, “These are all false allegations,” and claimed that Monic died with her passport and that both cases had been investigated by Dubai police.

The BBC’s investigation raises urgent questions about the extent of exploitation, the safety of women in Dubai’s high-end nightlife and the adequacy of law enforcement response to such grave allegations.

President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Sébastien Lecornu as France’s new prime minister tasking him with navigating a deeply divided parliament to secure consensus on the national budget. The appointment marks a significant shift in Macron’s government amid ongoing political instability and mounting public protests.

Lecornu, 39, a close ally of Macron and a former defense minister is known for his loyalty to the president and a political career rooted in both the conservative right and Macron’s centrist movement. His promotion reflects Macron’s determination to push forward with a pro-business economic agenda, including tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy as well as reforms to the retirement system.

In an unusual move for French politics, Macron’s office announced that Lecornu would engage with all parliamentary forces left, center and far-right to forge compromises on the budget and other key policies before forming his cabinet. Lecornu’s rise follows the resignation of François Bayrou who lost a confidence vote earlier this week plunging France into a political crisis.

Lecornu’s career began as an assistant to a Member of Parliament at age 19 and saw him become France’s youngest ministerial adviser in 2008. He later served as mayor of Vernon and was elected president of the Eure department in Normandy in 2015 making him the youngest-ever to hold such a position.

The political landscape remains turbulent with Macron’s parliament fractured into three main groups; left, center, and far right without an outright majority. The government faces the challenge of passing a budget amid calls for further upheaval and protests. The political crisis has been compounded by the recent ousting of Bayrou, a veteran centrist after he failed to secure support for his debt-reduction plan and the brief tenure of his predecessor, Michel Barnier.

Meanwhile, France is bracing for a day of widespread protests scheduled for Wednesday under the slogan “block everything.” Authorities plan to deploy approximately 80,000 police and gendarmes across the country as demonstrators organized largely through social media prepare to blockade fuel depots, stage road and school protests and hold strikes particularly targeting transportation services in the Paris suburbs.

The protest movement which has no centralized leadership is reminiscent of the yellow vest protests of 2018 but differs in its lack of a unifying focus or style. The government fears these demonstrations could escalate into a repeat of the yellow vests which evolved from fuel tax protests into a broader anti-government movement.

A larger wave of strikes is also planned for September 18 further testing Macron’s fragile political standing. Public dissatisfaction remains high with many critics accusing the government of instability and ineffective governance amid ongoing economic and social challenges.

As Lecornu prepares to lead the government through this turbulent period, the key focus will be securing parliamentary support for the budget and restoring stability in a country facing mounting unrest and political fragmentation.

Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has resigned amidst escalating violence and public outrage over recent government actions and widespread protests. The resignation comes as the country grapples with the deadliest unrest in decades sparked by allegations of corruption, social media restrictions and economic dissatisfaction.

The protests erupted last week following the government’s decision to ban 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram citing non-compliance with registration requirements. Critics argued that the ban was an attempt to suppress anti-corruption activism and dissent, leading to mass demonstrations across Kathmandu and other cities.

Tensions intensified on Monday with thousands of protesters many identifying as Generation Z taking to the streets armed with placards and banners. Clashes between protesters and police turned violent resulting in at least 19 deaths and nearly 200 injuries. Security forces used tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets and live ammunition to disperse crowds that scaled walls of official buildings and set fire to key government sites.

The violence persisted into Tuesday, with protesters setting fire to the parliament building, the headquarters of the Nepali Congress Party and the residence of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. Several other political homes and government offices were vandalized amid the chaos. The death toll has now risen to at least 22 with many injured receiving treatment for gunshot wounds and injuries caused by rubber bullets.

In response to the unrest, Nepal’s Minister for Communication, Prithvi Subba confirmed that police had used force to control the protests, including the deployment

In a historic and deeply symbolic celebration, Bishop of Rome Leo XIV officially commenced his Petrine Ministry today during a solemn Eucharistic liturgy held in St. Peter’s Basilica and Square. The event marked his succession as the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church succeeding his predecessors with rites rooted in centuries-old tradition.

The celebration began inside the basilica where the new Pope paused in prayer at the tomb of Saint Peter accompanied by Eastern Church Patriarchs. This moment underscored the unbreakable link between the papacy and the Apostle Peter, the church’s foundational figure. Following prayer and incense, the procession moved toward the square carrying the Bishop’s insignia: the Pallium, the Ring of the Fisherman and the Book of the Gospels.

As the Laudes Regiae hymns filled the air, a tapestry depicting the miraculous catch of fish originally crafted for the Sistine Chapel hung prominently at the basilica’s entrance symbolizing Peter’s role as a “fisher of men.” The scene was completed by the image of Our Lady of Good Counsel from the Marian Shrine of Genazzano.

The liturgical rites emphasized the symbolic importance of Peter’s role with the Pope receiving the Palliuma woolen vestment symbolizing Christ’s care for His flock and the Ring of the Fisherman representing the authority and seal of faith entrusted to Peter. These insignia are central to the papal office recalling the biblical and historical foundations of Peter’s leadership.

The Liturgy of the Word featured readings in multiple languages including Spanish, Italian, Latin and Greek, highlighting the universal nature of the Church. The passages from Acts, Psalms, and Peter’s First Letter reinforced the symbolism of Christ as the cornerstone and Peter’s unique role among the apostles. The Gospel from John recounted Jesus’ threefold question to Peter: “Do you love Me? Feed My sheep,” underscoring the pastoral mission conferred upon the new Pontiff.

Following the Gospel, three cardinals representing different continents approached the Pope to place the Pallium on his shoulders, offer prayers and present the Ring of the Fisherman. A prayer to the Holy Spirit was then led invoking strength and unity for the new Pope in his ministry.

The moment of public allegiance, known as the Rite of Obedience saw twelve representatives from around the world pledge their loyalty to Leo XIV. The celebration continued with a homily, the recitation of the Creed and intercessory prayers in multiple languages including Portuguese, French, Arabic, Polish, and Chinese reflecting the global reach of the Church.

The Eucharistic liturgy culminated in the Offertory chant “You are the Shepherd of the sheep,” and the Pope’s prayer over the bread and wine seeking the fruits of redemption for all nations. Pope Leo XIV then led the congregation through the First Eucharistic Prayer and the Communion Rite praying for unity, charity and protection for the Church.

Before concluding, the Holy Father addressed the assembly briefly offering a blessing inspired by biblical imagery of the vine and vineyard invoking divine protection and salvation for the Church. The celebration ended with the singing of the Regina Caeli and the Pope’s blessing marking the beginning of a new chapter in his leadership.

This solemn and richly symbolic celebration not only inaugurated Pope Leo XIV’s papacy but also reaffirmed the enduring traditions and spiritual foundations of the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV has revealed the profound inspiration behind his papal name emphasizing its significance in the Church’s ongoing mission to uphold human dignity and social justice.

Recalling Pope Leo XIII’s groundbreaking encyclical Rerum Novarum which addressed social issues during the dawn of the industrial revolution, the new Pope highlighted the relevance of this tradition in the modern era. “Today, the Church offers her treasure of social teaching in response to another industrial revolution—the developments of artificial intelligence,” Pope Leo stated. His choice of name, he explained is rooted in tradition but also looks forward confronting the challenges of a rapidly changing world and reaffirming the Church’s commitment to protecting the vulnerable.

Addressing the Cardinals whom he described as the “closest collaborators of the Pope,” Pope Leo XIV expressed deep gratitude and a humble awareness of the immense responsibilities ahead. “This yoke,” he acknowledged, “is clearly far beyond my strength—as it would be for anyone.”

The Holy Father reflected on the recent days marked by mourning as the Church bid farewell to Pope Francis. Viewing the death of his predecessor and the subsequent conclave as “a paschal event,” he described it as enveloped in the light of the Resurrection. He paid tribute to Pope Francis’ humility, dedication to service and peaceful transition to eternal life urging the Church to cherish this legacy and continue its mission with renewed hope grounded in faith.

The Pope emphasized the importance of encountering Christ in the stillness rather than in thunder or earthquake describing the “whisper of a gentle breeze” as a profound moment of divine presence. “It is in this quiet stillness,” he said, “that we encounter God most intimately and it is this encounter that must guide the Church today.”

He also spoke of the Church’s dual roles as “womb” and “flock,” “field” and “temple,” praising the unity and resilience of the faithful during recent times of mourning, which revealed the true greatness of the Church’s communal spirit.

Looking ahead, Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed the path set forth by the Second Vatican Council especially as renewed under Pope Francis. He highlighted themes from the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, including the primacy of Christ, synodality, the sensus fidei (faithful’s supernatural sense), popular piety, care for the poor and active engagement with the world.

“These principles reveal the merciful face of the Father, made manifest in the Son,” he affirmed.

Concluding his address, Pope Leo XIV called on the Cardinals and the entire Church to pursue this path with “prayer and commitment,” echoing Saint Paul VI’s prayer that “a great flame of faith and love” may once again ignite across the world, illuminating the way for all people of good will.