Colombian President Gustavo Petro and US President Donald Trump

Trump hosts Colombia's Petro just weeks after calling him a 'sick man'

President Donald Trump is holding talks with Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House only weeks after threatening military action against the South American country.

Wednesday 8:23am

1:32

US President Donald Trump speaks during an event about the relocation of US Space Command headquarters from Colorado to Alabama in the Oval Office of the White House.

'We'll be kind': Trump suggests deal with Cuba, 'starting to talk'

The US president has predicted that the Cuban government is ready to fall.

Mon, Feb 2

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at United Nations headquarters

UN faces 'imminent financial collapse' without urgent action, chief says

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a letter to all UN member nations that cash for its regular operating budget could run out by July unless the organisation's financial rules are overhauled or all 193 member nations pay their dues.

Sun, Feb 1

Attendees hold signs at a news conference held by public officials and faith leaders calling for the abolishment of ICE.

Schools, stores closed in US strike against Trump's immigration policies

"No work, no school, no shopping" is the call in a nationwide no ICE protest.

Sat, Jan 31

Diógenes Quintero, 36, a member of the House of Representatives for Catatumbo.

Small plane crash in rural Colombia kills 15 including congressman

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said via social media: "I am deeply saddened by these deaths. My heartfelt condolences to their families. May they rest in peace."

Thu, Jan 29

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Federal Reserve keeps interest rates, Trump insists on lower

The Federal Reserve left its key rate unchanged at about 3.6% after lowering it three times last year.

Thu, Jan 29

Secretary of State Marco Rubio appears before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Capitol Hill.

Rubio defends Trump on Venezuela while trying to allay Greenland fears

The US Secretary of State addressed Trump's intentions, and his often bellicose rhetoric that have alarmed US allies in Europe and elsewhere.

Thu, Jan 29

Inmates get ready backstage.

Singing contest in Rio prison provides outlet for women behind bars

Many performed gospel songs, while others offered interpretations of MPB, the acronym for Brazilian popular music in Portuguese — including "Black Sheep" by the much-loved, late singer Rita Lee.

Sat, Jan 24

Afghanistan Veteran Simon Strombom.

'Really ill-informed': Afghan veteran slams Trump's NATO comments

A former army major is calling comments made by US President Donald Trump ill-informed and sensationalist.

Sat, Jan 24

Flames rise from flare stacks at the Amuay refinery in Los Taques, Venezuela.

US forces seize seventh sanctioned tanker linked to Venezuela

US Southern Command said forces apprehended the Motor Vessel Sagitta "without incident".

Wed, Jan 21

The guards were held hostage by inmates in three prisons following apparently coordinated disturbances.

Inmates in three Guatemala prisons hold 46 guards hostage

The inmate uprising followed the prison administrators' decision to strip privileges from some imprisoned gang leaders.

Sun, Jan 18

US President Donald Trump with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.

Trump accepts Machado's Nobel Peace Prize as a sign of 'mutual respect'

The Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said it was "as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom".

Fri, Jan 16

Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez, center, smiles flanked by Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, right, and National Assembly President, her brother, Jorge Rodriguez

Venezuela's acting leader to release more Maduro-era prisoners

A human rights organisation estimates about 800 political prisoners are still being detained.

Thu, Jan 15

A white-cheeked spider monkey licks a popsicle in the summer heat at the BioParque do Rio in Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil zoo animals treated to popsicles amid scorching summer

Jaguars, monkeys and other animals were given an iced diet prepared according to each species’ needs.

Wed, Jan 14

The Cuban flag flies at half-mast at the Anti-Imperialist Tribune near the US embassy in Havana, Cuba.

Cuban president says no current talks with US following Trump threats

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said online that for relations to progress, discussions could not be based on "hostility, threats, and economic coercion".

Tue, Jan 13

President Donald Trump attends a meeting with oil executives in the East Room of the White House

Trump tells Cuba to strike 'deal' before it's too late

Trump said Cuba long lived off Venezuelan oil and money. He did not explain what kind of deal he wanted to strike with the country.

Mon, Jan 12

In this March 12, 2020, file photo, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gives a press conference at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela.

Payout for Maduro's capture shines spotlight on prediction markets

Last week, an anonymous trader pocketed more than US$400,000 (NZ$698,200) after betting that Maduro would soon be out of office.

Mon, Jan 12

A relative embraces Diogenes Angulo after his release from prison in San Francisco de Yare, Venezuela, Saturday, January 10, 2026. Angulo had been detained two days before the 2024 presidential election.

Slow-moving prisoner releases in Venezuela enter third day

Members of Venezuela’s political opposition, activists, journalists and soldiers were among the detainees that families hoped would be released.

Sun, Jan 11

A couple sits on a bench at a viewpoint overlooking the U.S. embassy, center left, in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026.

US and Venezuela take first steps toward restoring relations

The Trump administration's visit to the South American nation marks a major step toward reestablishing diplomatic ties between the historically adversarial governments.

Sat, Jan 10

In this Nov. 9, 2017, file photo, US President Donald Trump, right, chats with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Trump has a China problem in Venezuela: Beijing's oil stakes

Some experts expect the US president to work with China in an effort to stabilise trade relations.

Sat, Jan 10

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks at 10 Downing Street, London, following the incident at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester

Britain says tanker seizure is a win for trans-Atlantic security

The UK Government argued the tanker seizure backed by British sea and air support was a win for trans-Atlantic security but tensions loom over Greenland.

Fri, Jan 9

A boat sails past the oil tanker Nord Star, Panama, on Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Why the US really has designs on Venezuela's oil

The nation has one of the largest oil reserves in the world, and some predict there won’t be enough oil to meet global demand in coming years.

Fri, Jan 9

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said that forces took control of the tanker in the Caribbean, and merchant vessel Bella 1 in the Atlantic. (Source: Secretary Kristi Noem via X/ Associated Press).

US seizes two sanctioned oil tankers linked to Venezuela

The United States seized two sanctioned oil tankers linked to Venezuela in back-to-back actions in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea, officials said Thursday.

Thu, Jan 8

President Donald Trump looks on as Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Washington

Rubio says he'll meet Danish officials next week to talk about Greenland

"He's not the first US president that has examined or looked at how we could acquire Greenland," the US Secretary of State said Thursday.

Thu, Jan 8

President Donald Trump dances as he walks off stage after speaking to House Republican lawmakers during their annual policy retreat, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, in Washington.

Trump says US will get 30 to 50 million barrels of Venezuela's oil

US President pledged to use proceeds from the sale of this oil "to benefit the people" of both countries.

Wed, Jan 7