UTRECHT, The Netherlands, Jan. 15 -- Utrecht University posted the following news: * * * After Venezuela * On the 4th of January 2026, the United States carried out a military operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Alexandra Hofer, international law expert at Utrecht University, sees the attack on Venezuela not as an isolated event, but as the outcome of multiple violations of the international legal system. The trouble for her is not so much whether Trump's more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, issued the following news release: * * * America Stands with the Brave People of Iran * "Iranians are rejecting the poverty, the repression, and the ruin brought forth by four decades of tyranny... From Europe and South America to right here in the United States Senate, we bear witness to the contrast between the Iranian people's bravery and the Iranian regime's brutality." WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- Rep. Gabe Amo, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * Amo Introduces Bill to Stop Failed Property Developer Trump from Acquiring NATO Territory * Washington, DC - TODAY, House Foreign Affairs Vice Ranking Member Gabe Amo (D-RI); Lead Democrat for the Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA); Congressional Friends of Denmark Caucus Co-Chair Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe Ran more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: * * * As Trump Continues to Threaten Greenland, Larson Cosponsors Urgent Bill to Protect NATO Allies from Illegal Invasions * Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) announced the introduction of the bipartisan No Funds for NATO Invasion Act (link is external) to prohibit the use of federal funds for an invasion of any NATO member state or NATO-protected territory, following Trump's th more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- Sen. Ted Budd, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Budd, Shaheen Lead Bipartisan Bill to Protect the Identity of Special Operations Forces Executing Dangerous U.S. Military Operations * Reps. Hudson & Harrigan will lead effort in House of Representatives Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Special Operator Protection A more PR

OSLO, Norway, Jan. 16 -- The Norwegian Refugee Council issued the following news release: * * * Catatumbo, Colombia: 100,000 displaced after a year of brutal conflict One year since an internal conflict escalated in Catatumbo, north-east Colombia, people are living in constant fear of forced recruitment, explosive devices, targeted killings and death threats warns the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). * Twelve months after the armed conflict in Catatumbo escalated sharply on the 16th January more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Cliff Bentz Statement Regarding the Events in Venezuela * WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congressman Cliff Bentz, (R-OR), has these comments regarding events in Venezuela: The night of January 2nd the United States sent military aircraft into Venezuela, capturing Nicolas Maduro, president of Venezuela and his wife, Cilia Flores. The raid lasted about 150 minutes, following several months of preparat more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Pat Harrigan Leads House Effort to Protect Identities of U.S. Special Operations Forces * WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) introduced the Special Operator Protection Act, bipartisan legislation to protect the identities of U.S. Special Operations Forces, federal law enforcement officers attached to SOF, and other Department of Defense personnel conducting  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- Rep. Lateefah Simon, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * Congresswoman Lateefah Simon Votes Against H.R. 7006 * Washington, DC - Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) released the following statement after voting NO on H.R. 7006: "Yesterday, I voted against H.R. 7006, the Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act. "Despite good work from Democratic leaders to incl more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Votes Against Spending Bill That Fails To Meet Needs of American People or Respond to Trump Administration's Abuses * Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) voted against the Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026, H.R. 7006, to fund certain federal agencies and governmen more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Center for Strategic and International Studies issued the following commentary on Jan. 15, 2026: * * * The Costs and Global Trade-Offs of U.S. Military Action Against Venezuela By Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park As the U.S. force surge into the Caribbean continues into its sixth month, the question arises: How much does this campaign cost? A rough answer is $31 million per day. Of this, $28 million was already in the budget, but about $3 million is unbudgeted. Th more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * Daines Statement on Venezuela War Powers Vote * U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement today regarding his vote on the Venezuela War Powers Resolution: "The War Powers Act grants presidents clear authority for the use of limited military force. President Trump was well within this authority when he brought Nicolas more PR

SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Jan. 16 -- Demand Progress issued the following news release on Jan. 14, 2026: * * * Vance Breaks Tie as Senate Republicans Kill Venezuela War Powers Vote Washington, D.C. -- On Wednesday, Senate Republicans and Vice President J.D. Vance blocked a final vote on the bipartisan Venezuela War Powers Resolution introduced by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Rand Paul (R-KY) by sustaining a point of order. The maneuver passed 51-50, with Vice President Vance breaking the tie, ki more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued the following news release: * * * DHS Releases More Details About the Three Violent Criminal Illegal Aliens Who Violently Beat a Law Enforcement Officer with Weapons * Federal law enforcement officers are facing a more than 1,300% increase in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest criminals and lawbreakers WASHINGTON -U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released details on the thr more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: * * * Duckworth Statement After Republicans Blocked Venezuela War Powers Resolution * January 14, 2026 [WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the Senate failed to pass a bipartisan War Powers Resolution -which Duckworth cosponsored-that would have prevented the use of the U.S. Armed Forces to engage in hostilities within or ag more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: * * * Durbin Statement On Republicans' Vote Against Venezuela War Powers Resolution * January 14, 2026 WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the Senate failed to pass the bipartisan war powers resolution, which would block the use of the U.S. Armed Forces to engage in hostilities within or against Venezuela unless authorized by Congress. more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: * * * Gallego Statement on Venezuela War Powers Resolution Vote * WASHINGTON - Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), a Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Iraq, released the following statement after Republicans voted to block the Venezuela War Powers Resolution offered by Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia: "I fought in Iraq, and I know what happens when we rush into a war that doesn't need to happen. We can more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * Gillibrand Statement On Failure Of War Powers Resolution * Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement following the failure of the resolution to require congressional authorization for military force against Venezuela: "Today's vote sends a clear message to the American people: Republicans will not keep the presi more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Cautions Against U.S. Military Strikes on Iran * Washington, D.C. \- Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today issued a statement urging the Trump administration to not undermine the protest movement in Iran by using military force, which he argued would result in ramifications far beyond the protests more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- Rep. James McGovern, D-Massachusetts, ranking member of the House Rules Committee, issued the following opening remarks on Jan. 13, 2026, at a hearing to consider five bills reported out of the Education and Workforce Committee: * * * Thank you, Madam Chair. Today, we're considering five bills reported out of the Education and Workforce Committee. Let's be honest about what these bills do. They cut people's wages. They mess with people's retirement savings. And they han more PR

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida, Jan. 15 [Category: Media] -- The Poynter Institute posted the following news release: * * * IFCN awards $750,000 to 25 fact-checkers to build financial sustainability * ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -The International Fact-Checking Network at the nonprofit Poynter Institute has awarded $750,000 grants to 25 fact-checking organizations, providing flexible support to help fact-checking newsrooms keep publishing through a period of rapid funding contraction while they strengthen more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Jamestown Foundation posted the following commentary on Jan. 15, 2026, in its Eurasia Daily Monitor: * * * Russia Leverages Venezuela to Expand Influence in Western Hemisphere By Sergey Sukhankin Executive Summary: * Moscow has condemned the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro while avoiding substantive retaliation, demonstrating both symbolic solidarity and an unwillingness to jeopardize relations with Washington. * The Kremlin's relationship wit more PR

NEW YORK, Jan. 16 -- Hughes Hubbard and Reed, a law firm, issued the following news: * * * Jeremy Paner Breaks Down Sanctions Risks for US Companies Entering Venezuela Jeremy Paner spoke to Global Investigations Review on potential sanctions and legal risks for U.S. companies looking to enter Venezuela following President Donald Trump's efforts to get U.S. business to return to the country. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated he may ease sanctions on Venezuela following a meeting more PR

NEW YORK, Jan. 16 -- Hughes Hubbard and Reed, a law firm, issued the following news: * * * Jeremy Paner Discusses Legality of US Seizing Oil Tanker Near Venezuela Jeremy Paner discussed the legal theory used by the U.S. government in its seizure of the M/T Skipper oil tanker on Dec. 10, 2025, with WorldECR, a journal on export controls and sanctions from Dow Jones. The seizure of the oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela was one of the Trump administration's initial moves against Venezuela,  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Kaine, Schumer, & Schiff Slam Use of Procedural Motion to Sidestep Their Venezuela War Powers Resolution * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), and U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) slammed Republicans' procedural motion to sidestep their War Powers Resolution to block the use of the U.S. Armed Forces to engage in hostilities within o more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: * * * Krishnamoorthi Opposes State Department Funding Bill That Fails to Restrain Trump, Including in Venezuela * WASHINGTON -Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) voted against the fiscal year 2026 State Department funding bill and released the following statement explaining his vote: "I voted against this bill because it puts no guardrails on the Trump Administration's reckless use of taxpaye more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: * * * Lujan Statement on Senate Republicans Voting to Block Consideration of War Powers Resolution * Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after Senate Republicans voted to block consideration of a bipartisan War Powers Resolution that earned bipartisan support last week : "Just last week, the Senate voted with bipartisan support to advance a war power more PR

DORAL, Florida, Jan. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Defense Southern Command issued the following news release: * * * Maritime Interdiction Operation, Jan. 15, 2026 Through Operation Southern Spear, the Department of War is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere in partnership with U.S. Coast Guard through the Department of Homeland Security and The Justice Department. In another pre-dawn action, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear,  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, D-New York, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on Jan. 15, 2026: * * * Meeks Cautions Against U.S. Military Strikes on Iran Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today issued a statement urging the Trump administration to not undermine the protest movement in Iran by using military force, which he argued would result in ramifications far beyond  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Merkley: Senate Fails to Stand Up to Trump's Unconstitutional Strikes Against Venezuela * Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley -a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee-today released the following statement after the Senate voted to block U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA)'s War Powers Resolutionaimed at stopping unauthorized U.S. military action in Venezuela: "The Tru more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release: * * * Military Nominee Cannot Answer Senator King Question: "What is the Mission" in Venezuela? * WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, in a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), Senator Angus King (I-ME), laid out his concerns over the Trump Administration's larger strategic goals following military actions in Venezuela, as well as the general lack of clarity in U.S. cyber defense capabilities. Du more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: * * * Murkowski: "Congress has an obligation to ask hard questions before--not after--hostilities escalate." * Washington, DC - This evening, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement on tonight's point of order vote regarding Senate Joint Resolution 98 : "This evening, I, for the fourth time, voted in favor of the War Powers Resolution for Venezuela. "Nicolas Maduro was a bru more PR

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, Jan. 15 [Category: Environment] -- The Union of Concerned Scientists posted the following news release: * * * New State Bills Seek Big Oil Legal Immunity as Trump Escalates Venezuela Oil Grab * CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (January 15, 2026)-Republican state legislators in Utah and Oklahoma introduced bills late last week aiming to shield the fossil fuel industry from future litigation that seeks to hold it accountable for its role in the climate crisis. The bills reflect a rap more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * Padilla Statement on Republicans Blocking Effort to Rein in Trump's Unlawful Military Action in Venezuela * WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) issued the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked a bipartisan war powers resolution to end U.S. military involvement within or against Venezuela that has not been explicitly authorized by Congress: "The Senate Re more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13153) on Jan. 14, 2026, by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Clayton Thomas. Here are excerpts: * * * Protests in Iran: Possible U.S. Responses and Issues for Congress Since late December 2025, nationwide protests have swept Iran, prompting a government crackdown and raising new questions about the stability of Iran's authoritarian government, a longtime U.S. adversary. Presi more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- Rep. Linda T. Sanchez, D-California, ranking member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, issued the following opening statement on Jan. 13, 2026, at a hearing on maintaining American innovation and technology leadership: * * * Thank you, Chairman Smith. I also want to thank the witnesses for being here today. I can't begin this hearing without addressing the elephant in the room: Why are Republicans hosting this hearing today? Is Congress' top focus really more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * Reed Rips Trump for Eliminating Nearly $2B in Grants to Treat and Prevent Addiction, Provide Mental Health Services * WASHINGTON, DC - In a shocking blow to public health and a major setback for families struggling with a loved one's addiction recovery or mental health treatment, the Trump Administration unilaterally terminated nearly $2 billion in federal health services grants administered by th more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Jimmy Gomez Confronts Trump Administration in Telephone Town Hall as Constituents Raise Alarm Over Immigration Enforcement and Rising Costs * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jimmy Gomez hosted a telephone town hall tonight to hear directly from constituents as communities across the country grapple with aggressive immigration enforcement, rising costs, and growing concerns about holding Republ more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, issued the following news release: * * * Sen. Rick Scott Reintroduces No Relief for Allies of Dictators Act * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Rick Scott reintroduced the No Relief for Allies of Dictators Act to revoke existing and deny future U.S. visas to foreign nationals who enable or benefit from regimes in Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Bolivia to protect our national security and stop those who support evil dictators from entering U more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime and Fisheries, issued the following news release on Jan. 15, 2026: * * * Evaluating Progress After Historic Investments in the U.S. Coast Guard U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation's Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries, will convene a hearing titled "The  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: * * * Senator Markey Votes to Oppose Trump's Illegal War for Oil in Venezuela * Washington (January 14, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement tonight after voting with the minority to advance the debate on preventing the Trump administration from further military action against Venezuela without congressional approval. The vote to advance debate failed, 51-5 more PR

LONDON, England, Jan. 15 -- SOAS, University of London issued the following "In the Media" news: * * * SOAS in the Media: January 2026 Explore the highlights of SOAS experts in the media discussing key issues and topics this month. For more updates, follow our SOAS press account on BlueSky (@soaspress.bsky.social). * * * Political and social changes in Iran * Senior Lecturer Narguess Farzad spoke to Channel 4 News on the wider aspirations of young people in Iran seeking societal freedom  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 [Category: Political] -- Public Citizen issued the following news release: * * * Trump's New Wave of Critical Minerals Negotiations Raises Human Rights, Environmental Concerns * WASHINGTON, D.C -Today, President Trump issued an executive order directing the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate trade agreements with other countries to secure access to their "critical minerals." This development comes on the heels of a letter from 35+ organizations released last month des more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: * * * Warren Questions Trump Military Nominee: Is It 'Sedition' for Someone in the Military to Question Whether an Order is Legal? * Nominee would be responsible for future military actions in Venezuela but said he would not say questions about the legality of orders is "seditious" Video of Exchange (YouTube) Washington, D.C. - At a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senato more PR

ST. LOUIS, Missouri, Jan. 16 -- Washington University in St. Louis issued the following news: * * * WashU Expert: Assessing geopolitical, economic risks ahead By Sara Savat, sara.savat@wustl.edu Political instability is generally bad for the economy. It has the potential to cause uncertainty among investors, leading to market volatility, inflation and, eventually, slowed gross domestic product (GDP) growth. At least in the short term, though, the U.S. invasion of Venezuela and capture of P more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * WATCH: Sen. Schiff Condemns Republican Capitulation on War Powers Debate, Urges Continued Push to Check President Trump's Military Use on MS NOW * Schiff: " There's no more important time than now to reestablish Congress's power to say no to the authorization of military force." Washington, D.C. - Last night, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) joined MS NOW's The Briefing with Jen Psaki to call more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * WATCH: Senate Republicans Block Sens. Kaine, Paul, Schiff, and Schumer's War Powers Resolution to Block Future Military Action in Venezuela * Washington, D.C. -Today, a majority of Senate Republicans voted to block U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer's (D-N.Y.) resolution that would have prevented the administrat more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (TNSLrpt) -- Climate-driven Global Renewable Energy Resources and Energy Demand - A report from World Meteorological Organization, Geneva, Switzerland and International Renewable Energy Agency, Masdar City, United Arab Emirates - January 2026 (65 pages) * * * The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) issued a report assessing climate impacts on global renewable energy resources and demand throughout 2024. The document anal more ST

MONROVIA, California, Jan. 16 -- World Vision International issued the following news release: * * * Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Venezuela: Children Face Hunger, Malnutrition, and Protection Risks Caracas - Eleven days after the United States' military incursion into Venezuelan territory, the country is navigating a profound humanitarian crisis, institutional control by the ruling Chavista movement under new leadership, and direct external oversight from Washington. The intervention, whi more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, issued the following news release: * * * Young Statement on Procedural Vote Related to Venezuela War Powers * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) released the following statement regarding today's procedural vote in the Senate on the Venezuela War Powers Resolution: "I support President Trump's decision to bring Nicolas Maduro to justice, but I am deeply skeptical about sending American troops to stabilize Venezuela. I strongly b more PR