Archive August 26, 2025

Diosdado Cabello, the head of Venezuela’s Popular Power for Interior, announced on Monday that Caracas would deploy 15, 000 troops to help with border security in the states of Zulia and Tachira.

The minister also announced the seizure of 53 tonnes of drugs so far this year, saying, “Here, we do fight drug trafficking, here, we do fight drug cartels on all fronts.”

According to Cabello, who called on Colombian authorities to do the same to “ensure peace along the entire axis,” the increased security on the border with Colombia would also involve aircraft, drones, and riverine security.

Following accusations by the Trump administration that Venezuela’s left-wing president, Nicolas Maduro, was involved in cocaine trafficking and worked with drug cartels, Venezuela’s troops were redeploying to the Colombian border.

Both Maduro and Cabello have been accused of working with the drug-trafficking organization Cartel de los Soles (“Cartel of the Suns”), which Washington has labeled a terrorist organization by officials in Washington, DC.

The US announced last week that it had increased the reward to $50 million for the arrest of Maduro on drug charges as a result of the accusations made. Cabello’s arrest or prosecution were to be pursued for a $10 million to $25 million reward, which was increased by the US earlier this year.

In response to Washington’s threats, Maduro has accused the US of trying to stoke the Venezuelan government and launched a nationwide campaign to recruit thousands of militia members.

According to Maduro, who was quoted as saying in local media on Monday, “I am confident that we will overcome this test that life has imposed on us, this imperialist threat to the peace of the continent and our country.”

By early next week, the USS Newport News and the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie will be arriving in the southern Caribbean, according to a report from the Reuters news agency on Monday.

According to two Reuters sources who were informed about the deployment, the missile cruiser and attack submarine would accompany the US amphibious squadron that was scheduled to depart Venezuela on Sunday.

According to reports, the squadron is reportedly containing 4,500 US service members, including 2,200 Marines, and includes the USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale.

In Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, riot police have used tear gas and a water cannon to disperse thousands of students who are protesting the lavish benefits that members of parliament receive.

As protesters attempted to break into Indonesia’s parliament building on Monday, they threw rocks and sprayed fireworks at riot police as they clashed with them.

Protesters set on at least one motorcycle on fire, but authorities did not release information on the damage, injuries, or arrests.

Recent reports that 580 House of Representatives members have been receiving a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3, 075) since September 2024 shocked the protesters.

Due to the economic hardship that the majority of the population faces, they view the allowances as unfair.

In the poorest parts of the nation, the housing benefit is equivalent to 20 times the national minimum wage.

One of the organizers of the demonstration, Gejayan Memanggil, claimed that demonstrators were protesting against “corrupt elites” in the government as well as policies that favor conglomerates and the military.

One Piece, a Japanese manga series that has come to represent a popular protest against government policies, was a popular television show with one of the characters.

Ade Ary Syam Indradi, a police spokesman for Jakarta, reported to reporters that 1,250 police officers were stationed to keep the building secure.

House Speaker Puan Maharani or her deputy did not immediately comment.

Maharani stated to reporters on Saturday that Jakarta’s current prices had been taken into account and the wage amount had been carefully adjusted.

BREAKINGBREAKING,

In response to unproven allegations of mortgage fraud, United President Donald Trump has mandated the firing of Lisa Cook, the governor of the Federal Reserve.

According to his authority under the US Constitution and the 1913 Federal Reserve Act, Trump claimed in a letter posted on social media on Monday night that Cook was being fired “effectively”.

Trump cited allegations made by the US federal mortgage regulator last week, saying there was “sufficient evidence that you may have made false statements on one or more mortgage agreements.”

Trump wrote in the letter, which was shared on his platform Truth Social, that “the Federal Reserve has a lot of responsibility for setting interest rates and regulating reserve and members banks.”

The members of the Federal Reserve tasked with setting policy and overseeing it must have complete confidence in their honesty. They cannot and do not have such confidence in your integrity because of your deceitful and possibly criminal behavior in a financial situation.

If Cook, who was appointed by former president Joe Biden, didn’t resign, Trump threatened to fire her on Friday.

Trump’s extraordinary action is expected to raise more questions about the US central bank’s uncanny ability to reduce interest rates.

Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte, a steadfast Trump ally, claimed Cook had listed two properties as her primary residence addresses in a letter sent to US Attorney General Pam Bondi and Department of Justice official Ed Martin earlier this month.

Al Jazeera contacted the Federal Reserve for comment, but they did not respond right away.

During a meeting at the White House, President Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung have made an announcement that they are ready to speak with Kim Jong Un, the country’s hereditary leader.

As South Korea’s new leader, Lee, who has promised to “heal the wounds of division and war,” said his North Korean counterpart “will be waiting” for him.

In a speech in Korean, Lee said, “I hope you can bring peace to the Korean Peninsula, the only divided country in the world, so that you can meet with Kim Jong Un,” and that you will construct a Trump Tower there so I can play golf there.

Trump, who has previously met with Kim on three occasions, stated to reporters in the Oval Office that he intends to meet with the leader of North Korea once more this year.

I’ll see him someday, I promise. I’m anxious to meet him. Trump continued, “He was very good with me,” adding that he was close to knowing Kim “better than anyone, almost, besides his sister.”

Trump also stated that the US should be able to own the land where 28, 500 American troops are stationed in US military installations during his meeting with the president of South Korea.

“We spent a lot of money on the construction of a fort, and South Korea contributed as well,” Trump said. “I’d like to see if we can get rid of the lease and take control of the land where we have a massive military base.”

Following the impeachment of former president Yoon Suk-yeol, who briefly imposed martial law late last year in a move that was quickly overturned by lawmakers and led to his arrest on alleged insurrection charges, Lee made his first appearance in the White House after being elected in June.

Lee has publicly worked to improve relations between South Korea and its northern neighbor since taking office. However, Pyongyang has so far turned down diplomatic offers.

In an effort to rekindle trust, Lee declared last week that he would work to restore the so-called September 19 Military Agreement, which was signed at an inter-Korean summit in 2018. He would also suspend military activity along South Korea’s border with North Korea.

North Korea criticized Lee’s announcement, claiming it was made as South Korea and the United States conducted joint military exercises.

The drills demonstrated Washington’s desire to “occupy” the entire Korean Peninsula, according to North Korean state media.

North Korean state media cited Kim Yong Bok, first vice-chief of the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army, as saying, “If they continue to be in the military rehearsal, they will certainly face the unpleasant situation and pay a dear price.”

A “church raid”

Trump took to Twitter to denounce what he called “a Purge or Revolution” in South Korea moments before Lee arrived at the White House. What is happening in South Korea? It appears to be a revolution or purge. Trump stated on his Truth Social platform, “We can’t have that and conduct business there.”

Trump responded to his question about his post by saying, “I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding, but there’s a rumor about raiding churches… I did hear that from intelligence.”

According to South Korea’s official Yonhap News Agency, last month, the Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki’s team “investigated various allegations involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee” raided Unification Church facilities and officials connected to the religious sect.

Additionally, Seoul police detained the evangelical preacher Jun Kwang-hoon, who organized protests in support of President Yoon after he was ousted.