1. U.S. Imposes De Facto Oil Blockade on Venezuela, Raising Regional Tensions

President Trump has ordered U.S. naval forces in the Caribbean to stop all sanctioned tankers heading to or from Venezuela, calling it a “total blockade.” The move has nudged global oil prices upward and could choke Caracas’s access to hard currency. Analysts warn it may destabilize the Venezuelan economy further and risk a wider crisis in the region.

2. Trump Designates Fentanyl a ‘Weapon of Mass Destruction’

A new executive order classifies fentanyl and some analogues as weapons of mass destruction. This lets Washington use national-security tools—harsher sanctions, intelligence operations, and pressure on foreign governments—against cartels and suppliers. Public-health experts are split over whether the label will actually curb overdoses or mainly serve as a political signal.

3. Europe Divided Over Using Frozen Russian Assets to Fund Ukraine

EU capitals and legal experts are debating whether roughly €190–210 billion in frozen Russian central-bank reserves can back new loans for Ukraine. Zelensky is lobbying hard, warning that failure would be “a disaster for every European.” But countries like Belgium and some jurists fear lawsuits and Russian retaliation against European assets.

4. WHO Opens Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi

The World Health Organization has launched its second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in India’s capital. Officials aim to integrate traditional and herbal remedies into formal health systems based on stronger scientific evidence. With about 40% of modern drugs having natural or traditional origins, WHO wants more research funding and better regulation, aided by tools like AI.

5. India and Ethiopia Upgrade Ties to a ‘Strategic Partnership’

During a state visit to Addis Ababa, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Ethiopia’s highest civilian honor. The two governments announced they are elevating relations to a strategic partnership. New agreements will deepen cooperation in energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and education, underscoring India’s growing engagement across Africa.

1. U.S. Imposes De Facto Oil Blockade on Venezuela, Raising Regional Tensions

President Trump has ordered U.S. naval forces in the Caribbean to stop all sanctioned tankers heading to or from Venezuela, calling it a “total blockade.” The move has nudged global oil prices upward and could choke Caracas’s access to hard currency. Analysts warn it may destabilize the Venezuelan economy further and risk a wider crisis in the region.

2. Trump Designates Fentanyl a ‘Weapon of Mass Destruction’

A new executive order classifies fentanyl and some analogues as weapons of mass destruction. This lets Washington use national-security tools—harsher sanctions, intelligence operations, and pressure on foreign governments—against cartels and suppliers. Public-health experts are split over whether the label will actually curb overdoses or mainly serve as a political signal.

3. Europe Divided Over Using Frozen Russian Assets to Fund Ukraine

EU capitals and legal experts are debating whether roughly €190–210 billion in frozen Russian central-bank reserves can back new loans for Ukraine. Zelensky is lobbying hard, warning that failure would be “a disaster for every European.” But countries like Belgium and some jurists fear lawsuits and Russian retaliation against European assets.

4. WHO Opens Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi

The World Health Organization has launched its second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in India’s capital. Officials aim to integrate traditional and herbal remedies into formal health systems based on stronger scientific evidence. With about 40% of modern drugs having natural or traditional origins, WHO wants more research funding and better regulation, aided by tools like AI.

5. India and Ethiopia Upgrade Ties to a ‘Strategic Partnership’

During a state visit to Addis Ababa, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Ethiopia’s highest civilian honor. The two governments announced they are elevating relations to a strategic partnership. New agreements will deepen cooperation in energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and education, underscoring India’s growing engagement across Africa.