Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
Michael Dell Pledges $6.25 Billion to Boost Children’s Investment Accounts Under Trump Initiative 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Venezuela’s government announced plans to close its embassies in Norway and Australia while opening new diplomatic missions in Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe, marking a significant reshuffle in its foreign relations. President Nicolas Maduro’s administration described the move as a “strategic re-assignation of resources,” aimed at strengthening ties with nations it calls “strategic allies in the anti-colonial fight.”
The closures follow weeks of intensifying tensions between Caracas and Washington. Venezuela has accused the United States of preparing an armed attack and denounced recent U.S. military strikes on ships near its coast, which Washington claimed were drug-related operations. The U.S., in turn, continues to label Maduro’s government as illegitimate and linked to narcotics trafficking.
Norway’s foreign ministry confirmed receiving official notice of the embassy’s closure, expressing regret over the decision and emphasizing its intent to maintain dialogue with Venezuela. Norway, which does not have an embassy in Caracas, currently manages relations through its mission in Colombia.
The announcement came shortly after Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado received the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her fight for democracy, a recognition that she dedicated to U.S. President Donald Trump. Norwegian officials clarified that the Nobel Committee operates independently from the government. Kristian Berg Harpviken, the committee’s secretary, said the embassy’s closure does not affect its work.
Caracas stated that its new embassies in Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe would promote cooperation in agriculture, energy, education, and mining. Both African nations maintain close ties with Russia, a key ally of Venezuela and a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy.
The shift highlights Venezuela’s ongoing pivot toward nations opposing Western influence, aligning itself more closely with Russia and other anti-U.S. blocs on the global stage.
