Machado escape planner feared US strike on her vessel as it fled Venezuela

12/12/2025 16:01 The Guardian

Special forces veteran Bryan Stern says he told US defence officials some of his planned route to reduce airstrike riskThe most dangerous moments came when salvation seemed finally assured.Many miles from land, the small fishing skiff carrying the Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel prize laureate María Corina Machado had been lost at sea for hours, tossed by strong winds and 10ft waves. A further hazard was the ever present risk of an inadvertent airstrike by US warplanes hunting alleged cocaine smugglers. Continue reading...

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Belgian PM meets Starmer in London as debate continues on using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine – Europe live

Bart De Wever will also discuss migration, security and economy ahead of coalition of the willing meeting and EU summit next weekRussia’s central bank said it was suing the Belgium-based Euroclear financial group, which holds Moscow’s frozen international reserves, as the EU moves closer to usin...

12/12/2025 17:33 The Guardian

Flooding remains threat in Pacific north-west as Washington declares emergency

Torrential rain has caused mudslides, washed out roads and submerged vehicles with more deluges expected on SundayDangerous flood waters from historically swollen rivers in the Pacific north-west were continuing to cause a huge threat on Friday as 100,000 people in the area were under evacuation war...

12/12/2025 17:01 The Guardian

‘There’s been a Badenoch bounce’: is the Tory leader finally cutting through?

Conservative insiders say the party and the public are warming to Kemi Badenoch after a difficult first yearAt a Conservative donors event last week, Kemi Badenoch was asked for a selfie by the former Spice Girl Geri Horner. The Tory leader was, her allies say, a little bemused. But they were clear...

12/12/2025 17:00 The Guardian

Pro-Palestine activists daub MoJ building with red paint in protest over hunger strikers

Protesters say David Lammy is ignoring warnings over deteriorating health of eight hunger strikers awaiting trialUK politics live – latest updatesPro-Palestine demonstrators have daubed the Ministry of Justice building in central London with red paint, demanding that the justice secretary meet eig...

12/12/2025 16:23 The Guardian

‘What is going on here?’ Meloni celebrated at Italy’s far-right Atreju Christmas festival

Week-long event organised by Brothers of Italy looks like winter wonderland but is chance for PM to flaunt powerWhen, out of curiosity, Leila Cader and her friends entered the gardens surrounding Castel Sant’Angelo, a prominent Rome monument that once served as a refuge for popes during times of w...

12/12/2025 16:04 The Guardian

Christmas tree in Durham village chopped down hours after lights switched on

Police appeal for witnesses after tree put up in tribute to war dead cut down in act of ‘mindless vandalism’A Christmas tree that had stood in a village for more than a decade has been chopped down hours after having its lights switched on.The tree, in Shotton Colliery in County Durham, was fel...

12/12/2025 15:42 The Guardian

Tory transport culture wars risked making roads less safe, says minister

Lilian Greenwood condemns Conservative ‘mixed messages’ and promises a system that works for everybodyUK politics live – latest updatesConservative policies that pitted drivers against cyclists risked making the roads less safe by inflaming tensions, a minister has said, promising that the era...

12/12/2025 14:00 The Guardian

Coalmine expansions would breach climate targets, NSW government warned in ‘game-changer’ report

Environmental advocates welcome Net Zero Commission’s report which found the fossil fuel was ‘not consistent’ with emissions reductions commitments Sign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podca...

12/12/2025 14:00 The Guardian

Indonesia floods were ‘extinction level’ disturbance for rare orangutan species

Conservationists fear up to 11% of Tapanuli population perished in disaster that also killed 1,000 peopleIndonesia’s deadly flooding was an “extinction-level disturbance” for the world’s rarest great ape, the Tapanuli orangutan, causing catastrophic damage to its habitat and survival prospec...

12/12/2025 13:42 The Guardian

UK imposes sanctions on four RSF officers for ‘heinous’ mass killings in Sudan

Senior commanders accused of atrocities against civilians face asset freezes – but no action against key backer UAE The UK has placed sanctions on four senior commanders of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces suspected of involvement in “heinous” violence against civilians in the city...

12/12/2025 13:09 The Guardian

Republicans and Democrats can work together on healthcare, says Trump, as rise in premiums looms – US politics live

President spoke at Congressional ball after Senate rejected two competing proposals to address imminent expiration of Obamacare subsidiesUS envoy John Coale held talks with Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko during a visit to Minsk, a Telegram channel linked to the Belarusian presidential adm...

12/12/2025 12:50 The Guardian

First Thing: Indiana Republicans reject effort to redraw voting maps in rebuke to Trump

Measure to add two GOP-friendly seats failed 19-31 after 21 Republicans joined 10 Democrats. Plus, how the Paris climate treaty changed the worldGood morning.Indiana Republicans rejected an effort to redraw the state’s lines on Thursday in a rebuke to Donald Trump and Republican efforts to add two...

12/12/2025 12:36 The Guardian

Card Factory issues shock profit warning during peak Christmas period

Retailer, which also owns Funky Pigeon, says economic pressure has hit shoppers’ confidenceCard Factory has delivered an unwelcome early Christmas surprise for investors by issuing a shock profit warning during the greetings card retailer’s peak trading period, which sent shares plunging by more...

12/12/2025 11:31 The Guardian

‘Cruel’ amendments being used to thwart assisted dying bill, says lead MP

Kim Leadbeater warns 1,150 Lords amendments are ‘unnecessary’ and designed to run down the clockUK politics live – latest updatesMembers of the House of Lords have proposed “totally unnecessary” and “very cruel” amendments to the assisted dying bill in an attempt to scupper it, the MP...

12/12/2025 11:01 The Guardian

Strikes could collapse flu-hit NHS amid worst crisis since Covid, says Streeting

Health secretary urges resident doctors to accept pay offer as he warns of pressures on health service from flu cases Wes Streeting has told resident doctors that strikes and a jump in flu cases over the Christmas period could be “the Jenga piece” that forces the NHS to collapse.The health secre...

12/12/2025 08:10 The Guardian

Dozens killed in hospital strike in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state

Conflict monitors say the junta has increased airstrikes year-on-year since the start of Myanmar’s civil warDozens have been killed in a military strike on a hospital in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state, according to an aid worker, a rebel group, a witness and local media reports, as the junta wa...

12/12/2025 02:07 The Guardian

‘I hope he loses’: Trump blasts Indiana Republican senate leader after his state redistricting effort gets blocked –as it happened

This live blog is now closed.Trump at a glance: president ‘sick of meetings’ as Ukraine-Russia peace deal talks drag onIndiana Republicans reject effort to redraw voting maps in rebuke to TrumpChris Van Hollen, the Democratic senator from Maryland, was among the lawmakers speaking out against th...

12/12/2025 01:15 The Guardian

Australia news live: gas company reaches final sign-off for Beetaloo fracking project; Mark Butler to meet state health ministers over funding standoff

Beetaloo Energy says it has reached final investment decision for its Carpentaria fracking project. Follow updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNSW SES urges commuters to beware of waterlogged roads and flash floodingThe NSW State Emergency Service is warning commuters t...

11/12/2025 21:28 The Guardian

US wants Ukraine to withdraw from Donbas and create ‘free economic zone’, says Zelenskyy

Ukrainian president says plan would not be fair without guarantees that Russia would not simply take over zoneThe US wants Ukraine to withdraw its troops from the Donbas region, and Washington would then create a “free economic zone” in the parts Kyiv currently controls, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has...

11/12/2025 20:20 The Guardian

Reform councillors accused of ‘rash promises’ as council tax rises loom

Warwickshire board says maximum 5% tax rise needed for financial viability despite election promise to cut costsReform UK council leaders have been accused of making “rash promises” after a local authority led by the party has been told it will have to increase council tax by the maximum amount,...

11/12/2025 20:02 The Guardian

Pressure on Maduro grows after US seizes ‘dark fleet’ tanker off coast of Venezuela

Move interpreted as escalation of US policy as Vladimir Putin ‘reaffirms’ support for South American dictatorUS politics live – latest updatesDiplomatic pressure on Nicolás Maduro has grown after the US interdicted a “dark fleet” tanker off the coast of Venezuela in a move that has been i...

11/12/2025 19:13 The Guardian

UK MPs face rise in phishing attacks on messaging apps

Hackers include Russia-based actors targeting WhatsApp and Signal accounts, parliamentary authorities warnMPs are facing rising numbers of phishing attacks and Russia-based actors are actively targeting the WhatsApp and Signal accounts of politicians and officials, UK parliamentary authorities have...

11/12/2025 18:58 The Guardian

Senior opponents of assisted dying bill urge Lords not to deliberately block it

Letter says there is danger of Lords losing legitimacy as more than 1,000 amendments tabled, delaying any voteWhat is happening to the assisted dying bill in the Lords?Letter: Lords’ block on assisted dying bill is a big riskSenior opponents of assisted dying legislation have called on peers not t...

11/12/2025 17:52 The Guardian

US pushing Ukraine to withdraw from Donbas and create ‘free economic zone’, says Zelenskyy – as it happened

Ukrainian leader says Washington has suggested that Russian troops would stay in region, but not advance furtherNato’s Rutte largely sticks to usual pleasantries, but says the clear political signal from Germany and other European partners is that “Europe is ready to take on more responsibility,...

11/12/2025 17:45 The Guardian

Wind gusts hamper firefighters as two bushfires force evacuations in Perth

Emergency warning issued for parts of Kenwick, Wattle Grove, Maddington and Beckenham in Perth’s south-eastGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGusty winds have hampered the efforts of firefighters to contain two bushfires that have threatened residents and homes in Perth.Eme...

11/12/2025 17:32 The Guardian

Germany drops promise to resettle hundreds of Afghans

Interior ministry will tell 640 people awaiting sanctuary ‘there is no longer any political interest in their being admitted’Europe live – latest updatesHundreds of Afghans previously promised sanctuary in Germany have been told they are no longer welcome, in a stark U-turn by the conservative...

11/12/2025 16:54 The Guardian

US lawmakers condemn seizure of Venezuelan oil tanker: ‘Trump is sleepwalking us into a war’

Unease grows in Washington, including among some Republicans, over Trump administration’s escalating military posture in the CaribbeanSenior Democratic lawmakers and at least one Republican have condemned Wednesday’s seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker off the nation’s coast, with one saying Do...

11/12/2025 16:20 The Guardian

‘Censorship pure and simple’: critics hit out at Trump plan to vet visitors’ social media

Some warn proposal will decimate US tourism industry as free speech advocates say it will lead to people self-censoringFree speech advocates have accused Donald Trump of “shredding civil liberties” and “censorship pure and simple” after the White House said it planned to require visa applica...

11/12/2025 16:00 The Guardian

Spain’s ruling socialist party accused of failing to act on sexual misconduct by senior men

Slew of allegations of sexual harassment hits party already battered by corruption claims and political setbacksEurope live – latest updatesSpain’s ruling socialist party, which has been battered by a barrage of corruption allegations and political setbacks, is scrambling to reassert its feminis...

11/12/2025 15:04 The Guardian

Disney to invest $1bn in OpenAI, allowing characters in Sora video tool

Agreement comes amid anxiety in Hollywood over impact of AI on the industry, expression and rights of creatorsWalt Disney has announced a $1bn equity investment in OpenAI, enabling the AI startup’s Sora video generation tool to use its characters.Users of Sora will be able to generate short, user-...

11/12/2025 14:31 The Guardian

BREAKING NEWS

12/12 17:55 - EU breaks fundamental vote rule to freeze Russian assets indefinitely: Live Updates 12/12 17:46 - A Trickle of Aid Reaches a Captured, War-Ravaged City in Sudan 12/12 17:44 - UN warns of 'regional conflagration' over eastern DR Congo 12/12 17:33 - Belgian PM meets Starmer in London as debate continues on using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine – Europe live 12/12 17:23 - Kiev and its backers waiting out ‘natural disaster’ Trump – expert (VIDEO) 12/12 17:10 - 'We'll concentrate on European military equipment and improve our defence': Romanian president 12/12 17:01 - Berlin summons Russian ambassador over increase in hybrid attacks 12/12 17:01 - Flooding remains threat in Pacific north-west as Washington declares emergency 12/12 17:00 - ‘There’s been a Badenoch bounce’: is the Tory leader finally cutting through? 12/12 16:50 - 'They're no longer hiding': How Russia is shipping liquefied natural gas to China despite sanctions 12/12 16:50 - Germany accuses Russia of air traffic control cyber-attack 12/12 16:43 - Russia hits back at Europe's plan to loan Ukraine €90bn of Moscow's frozen assets 12/12 16:28 - From nukes to AI, China seeks to write new global rules 12/12 16:23 - Pro-Palestine activists daub MoJ building with red paint in protest over hunger strikers 12/12 16:04 - ‘What is going on here?’ Meloni celebrated at Italy’s far-right Atreju Christmas festival 12/12 16:01 - Machado escape planner feared US strike on her vessel as it fled Venezuela 12/12 15:45 - Kremlin outlines results of Putin-Erdogan talks 12/12 15:42 - Christmas tree in Durham village chopped down hours after lights switched on 12/12 15:21 - EU looks set to indefinitely freeze hundreds of billions in Russian funds 12/12 15:21 - EU looks set to indefinitely freeze hundreds of billions in Russian funds 12/12 15:05 - Secret meetings between FBI and Ukraine negotiator spark concern 12/12 14:53 - Russian forces ‘completely cut off’ from Kupiansk, says Ukrainian commander 12/12 14:53 - Russian forces ‘completely cut off’ from Kupiansk, says Ukrainian commander 12/12 14:43 - ‘Backstabbing’ NATO chief ‘fueling war’ – Hungary 12/12 14:42 - Russia offers cutting-edge agricultural education to students from all over the world 12/12 14:24 - Russia Sues Holder of Frozen Assets Europe Wants for Ukraine Loan 12/12 14:13 - Paramount Says Money Is No Object. Warner Bros. Isn’t Convinced. 12/12 14:04 - EU ‘prolonging the war’ with plan to steal Russian assets – Fico 12/12 14:01 - US still pushing big territorial concessions from Ukraine 12/12 14:00 - Tory transport culture wars risked making roads less safe, says minister 12/12 14:00 - Coalmine expansions would breach climate targets, NSW government warned in ‘game-changer’ report 12/12 13:57 - Disney to invest $1bn in OpenAI to let fans create AI videos 12/12 13:42 - Indonesia floods were ‘extinction level’ disturbance for rare orangutan species 12/12 13:37 - 100,000 in Washington State Ordered to Evacuate as Rivers Rise 12/12 13:22 - How Ukraine Has Responded to Trump’s Peace Plan and Russia’s Demands for Territory 12/12 13:17 - US - Europe rift: Further deepening transatlantic divide would only benefit Russia and China' 12/12 13:09 - UK imposes sanctions on four RSF officers for ‘heinous’ mass killings in Sudan 12/12 13:01 - 21 Whimsical Products If You Appreciate A Little Fun With Your Functional 12/12 12:50 - Republicans and Democrats can work together on healthcare, says Trump, as rise in premiums looms – US politics live 12/12 12:36 - First Thing: Indiana Republicans reject effort to redraw voting maps in rebuke to Trump 12/12 12:35 - What New Delhi can learn from China’s war on air pollution 12/12 12:35 - What New Delhi can learn from China’s war on air pollution 12/12 12:31 - Germany summons Russian ambassador over cyberattacks on air traffic control, general election 12/12 12:26 - Eight wars ended? What’s happened to Trump’s peace deals 12/12 12:26 - Eight wars ended? What’s happened to Trump’s peace deals 12/12 11:31 - Card Factory issues shock profit warning during peak Christmas period 12/12 11:11 - Flu surge a challenge for NHS 'unlike any' since pandemic, Streeting says 12/12 11:09 - Ukrainian Zelensky rejects Washington peace plan 12/12 11:01 - ‘Cruel’ amendments being used to thwart assisted dying bill, says lead MP 12/12 10:22 - British banks oppose push to steal frozen Russian assets – FT 12/12 10:21 - ICC judges stoic in face of US sanctions over Israeli war crimes cases 12/12 10:21 - ICC judges stoic in face of US sanctions over Israeli war crimes cases 12/12 10:02 - Ukrainians, Worrying More About Power Cuts, See U.S. Peace Push as Just Noise 12/12 10:01 - How Power Cuts Are Affecting Ukrainians 12/12 09:59 - Cambodia worst it’s been “since the civil war” amid Thai conflict 12/12 09:59 - Cambodia worst it’s been “since the civil war” amid Thai conflict 12/12 09:33 - EU officials ‘raping the law’ – Orban 12/12 09:29 - Russian central bank says EU plans to use its assets are illegal 12/12 08:49 - The US is teaching its European allies a harsh lesson in who’s really in charge 12/12 08:36 - Swiss Eurovision winner Nemo returns trophy to protest Israel’s participation 12/12 08:30 - News24 | Exhausted people with ‘no strength left’ in Gaza face fear of massive storm approaching 12/12 08:10 - Strikes could collapse flu-hit NHS amid worst crisis since Covid, says Streeting 12/12 08:00 - Distrust of Trump, fear of China propel new political force in Taiwan 12/12 07:44 - LIVE: At least 14 people die in Gaza in past 24 hours amid storm 12/12 07:44 - LIVE: At least 14 people die in Gaza in past 24 hours amid storm 12/12 07:31 - Rights group accuses RSF of systematic sexual violence in Sudan’s civil war 12/12 07:31 - Rights group accuses RSF of systematic sexual violence in Sudan’s civil war 12/12 07:12 - The US is already at war with Venezuela 12/12 07:12 - The US is already at war with Venezuela 12/12 07:10 - News24 | Powerful 6.7 magnitude earthquake rattles Japan, tsunami warning issued 12/12 06:12 - Live: US plan allows for Ukraine to join EU in 2027, official says 12/12 04:37 - MoD to unify all intelligence units under single command 12/12 04:15 - News24 | 'We are suffering': Thailand, Cambodia evacuees want war to end 12/12 03:10 - Tsunami warning lifted after latest earthquake hits Japan’s northeast 12/12 03:10 - Tsunami warning lifted after latest earthquake hits Japan’s northeast 12/12 03:08 - Everyone in Ukraine except Zelensky ‘loved’ my plan – Trump 12/12 02:56 - News24 | Ukraine European allies fill the gap as aid falls to low levels amid US pullout 12/12 02:14 - N Korea’s Kim hails ‘ever-victorious’ army’s role in war against Ukraine 12/12 02:14 - N Korea’s Kim hails ‘ever-victorious’ army’s role in war against Ukraine 12/12 02:07 - Dozens killed in hospital strike in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state 12/12 01:15 - ‘I hope he loses’: Trump blasts Indiana Republican senate leader after his state redistricting effort gets blocked –as it happened 12/12 01:04 - Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,387 12/12 01:04 - Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,387 12/12 01:01 - If You Don't Plan To Leave Your Bed Anytime Soon, These 21 Target Products Make The Perfect Setup 12/12 00:34 - ‘Storm Highway’ Forecast to Send More Rain to Washington and British Columbia 12/12 00:02 - Disney, OpenAI strike landmark deal to let fans create AI-generated videos 11/12 22:58 - Tens of thousands evacuate as rains swell rivers in US and Canada 11/12 22:53 - Baby dies of exposure in flooded tent as Storm Byron batters Gaza 11/12 22:53 - Baby dies of exposure in flooded tent as Storm Byron batters Gaza 11/12 22:49 - ‘Not much left to stop Russians’ in the region – German journalist on Seversk liberation 11/12 22:20 - Could an end to the Ukraine war be near? 11/12 22:20 - Could an end to the Ukraine war be near? 11/12 22:08 - Zelenskyy says US seeking ‘free economic zone’ in eastern Ukraine 11/12 22:08 - Zelenskyy says US seeking ‘free economic zone’ in eastern Ukraine 11/12 22:00 - America Is Entering Its Third Civil War 11/12 21:57 - 'What will hold back the Russians?' Zelenskyy responds to new US peace proposal for Ukraine 11/12 21:36 - Paramount’s Warner Bros Discovery bid faces conflict of interest concerns 11/12 21:36 - Paramount’s Warner Bros Discovery bid faces conflict of interest concerns 11/12 21:28 - Australia news live: gas company reaches final sign-off for Beetaloo fracking project; Mark Butler to meet state health ministers over funding standoff 11/12 21:09 - Fyodor Lukyanov: Washington no longer sees Russia as Mordor