Latest News
- Inside Venezuela’s ‘hell on earth’ prison: inmates face starvation and electrocution
- Iran Reverses Death Sentence for Erfan Soltani: No Execution Planned
- Passenger Plane Surrounded by Police at Barcelona Airport Following Warplane Escort
- Ukrainian street cleaner takes a moment amid drone attack
- CIA Releases Haunting Video Encouraging Chinese Citizens to ‘Reveal the Truth’
- Netanyahu instructed Trump to cancel air strikes against Iran
- Real-life Popeye, with Brazil’s ‘largest biceps’, dies at 55
- Youth confesses to killing man on Kent beach by stoning him, claims paedophilia
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Global Reaction to DE Elections
Inside Venezuela’s ‘hell on earth’ prison: inmates face starvation and electrocution
4:28 am
TL:DR
- Following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, many prisoners were released from El Helicoide prison.
- Former inmates describe horrific torture, including beatings and rape; methods like ‘the Russian’ drive inmates to madness.
- Reports of unsanitary conditions and extensive human rights violations persist.
- Human Rights Watch highlights limited family visitation rights.
- Critics have long called for the prison’s closure, which is now underway after Maduro’s ousting.
Inside Maduros ‘hell on earth’ Venezuelan prison where inmates ‘are electrocuted and starved’
In Caracas, a former shopping centre-turned-prison has towered over Venezuelans for decades.
Since the US captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro weeks ago, many political prisoners inside El Helicoide have been released, and are sharing details of what goes on inside the ‘hellish’ jail.
Inmates told of being allegedly strung up, beaten and raped – with many having bags of human faeces on their heads for hours.
One torture method, known as ‘the Russian’, saw inmates put into windowless cells painted bright white with lights that never turned off – driving them insane.
Former inmates told the Telegraph the lights only flickered off if a prisoner was being electrocuted in another room.
Rosmit Mantilla is an opposition politician in Venezuela who said those inside were raped with rifles and electrocuted on their eyeballs.
‘Almost all were hung up like dead fish whilst they tortured them,’ he said.
‘Every morning, we would wake up and see prisoners lying on the floor who had been taken away at night and brought back tortured, some unconscious, covered in blood or half dead.’
Mr Mantilla recalled urinating in the same place where he kept his food, because there was no space to even lie down.
One activist who spent more than two years inside El Helicoide told the Financial Times a guard told him ‘welcome to hell’ as he entered the building.
Victor Navarro was imprisoned for six months in 2018, and told the New York Times he was held in a 13×13 foot cell with 16 others, including minors, journalists and students who protested against Maduro.
After capturing Maduro, President Donald Trump said he was closing down a ‘torture’ chamber in Caracas.
Shortly after, the interim President of Venezuela, appointed by Trump, Delcy Rodriguez, announced a large release of prisoners from El Helicoide.
There have been calls to shut down the prison for years, which haven’t come to fruition until now, after Maduro was ousted.
Former prisoner Navarro said: ‘I believe every prisoner released deserves a celebration. But I cannot celebrate until everyone is free.’
How did El Helicoide come to be?
Though it’s known as a torture prison now, original plans for the building saw architects draw up 300 shops, eight cinemas, a hotel and a show palace.
It dates back to the 1950s, and was a squatter’s complex until the government took it over in 1975.
In 2010, it was made into a prison for Venezuela’s feared secret police, who hunt down opposition activists and torture them.
Some 18,000 people have been arrested under Maduro’s reign for opposing his government, many of whom were sent to El Helicoide.
In August, Human Rights Watch found that prisons like Helicoide in Venezuela restricted the ability of families to visit and deliver food.
A UN team representative who went to El Helicoide, Francisco Cox, said the prison was ‘brutal’.
He found unsanitary conditions, sexual violence against women prisoners and torture methods.
Iran Reverses Death Sentence for Erfan Soltani: No Execution Planned
4:22 am
TL:DR
- Erfan Soltani, a shopkeeper detained amid Iranian protests, is no longer at risk of execution.
- Initially charged with colluding against internal security, his death penalty is under reconsideration by authorities.
- Human rights groups express ongoing concerns about his safety despite the regime’s backtrack.
- Protests in Iran, spurred by inflation, have resulted in over 2,000 deaths and 20,000 arrests.
- Tensions between Iran and the US have escalated, with Donald Trump warning of potential military options.
Erfan Soltani won’t be executed after Iran backtracks on death sentence | News World
A shopkeeper facing execution over his involvement in the Iran protests is no longer at risk of the death penalty.
Erfan Soltani, 26, was detained last week as Iran has been swept by mass protests against the regime, reportedly leading to thousands of deaths and arrests after violence.
He is thought to have been the first Iranian protester facing the death penalty since the latest demonstrations.
Soltani’s family said he could be executed at any moment before the Iranian regime appeared to make a U-turn.
Iran’s media said today that Soltani’s charge is ‘colluding against the country’s internal security and propaganda activities against the regime’ and that the death penalty does not apply to it if confirmed by a court.
However, human rights observers remain worried over his fate despite the apparent backtracking.
Hengaw, a Norway-based Kurdish human rights group, said that although his execution was postponed, they have ‘serious and ongoing concerns’ regarding his life.
Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, insisted there was ‘no plan’ to hang people, while the country’s judiciary labelled foreign reports about his execution plan as ‘fabrication.’
Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran earlier in the week after the mounting death toll, saying that the US military was looking at ‘some very strong options.’
The US president said today he has been told that the regime’s deadly crackdown against protesters is easing and there are no plans for mass executions.
Protests have swept through Iranian cities and towns in recent weeks, sparked by unhappiness over rampant inflation. The regime was quick to shut down the country’s Internet, although some people have been able to use the satellite Starlink.
More than 2,000 are feared dead and almost 20,000 people have been arrested during the unrest, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.
The protests and Trump’s involvement have further soured the already tense relationship between Tehran and Washington.
The US, which has at least 19 military bases in the Middle East, began pulling military personnel from some of the locations.
Iran issued a threat to Trump live on state TV and during pro-regime rallies, saying that ‘next time the bullet won’t miss.’
While the Iranian regime and the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are holding onto power, Iranian opposition abroad has gathered momentum.
Reza Pahlavi, the crown prince and the son of the last Shah of Iran who was toppled, has emerged as a prominent voice.
Trump described him as ‘very nice, but I don’t know how he’d play within his own country.’
He continued: ‘And we really aren’t up to that point yet.
‘I don’t know whether or not his country would accept his leadership, and certainly if they would, that would be fine with me.’
Passenger Plane Surrounded by Police at Barcelona Airport Following Warplane Escort
3:55 am
TL:DR
- A Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul to Barcelona declared an emergency due to a Wi-Fi name containing a bomb threat.
- The plane, carrying 148 passengers and seven crew, was escorted by Spanish and French warplanes.
- After landing at Barcelona El Prat Airport, no explosives were found following a security inspection.
- The incident, investigated by Spain’s Guardia Civil, did not disrupt airport operations.
- Passengers described the atmosphere as “eerie” with armed police present.
Passenger plane ‘swarmed by police’ at Barcelona airport after being ‘escorted by warplanes’ | News World
A passenger plane from Turkey to Spain declared an emergency after a Wifi name containing a bomb threat appeared mid-air.
The Turkish Airlines plane was en route from Istanbul to Barcelona when pilots alerted the air traffic controllers to an incident.
A passenger had created a wireless network on board the plane and set the network name containing a bomb threat, the airline’s spokesperson said.
The plane carrying 148 passengers and seven crew members was escorted by Spanish and French warplanes over the Mediterranean, El Nacional reports.
Flight TK1853 circled three times over the sea before landing at Barcelona El Prat Airport at about 10am. It was reportedly escorted to a safe area before passengers stepped out.
No explosives were found on board after specialist teams with sniffer dogs inspected the cargo.
Footage taken by passengers appears to show armed police officers standing on the tarmac.
A sniffer dog and its handler can then be seen inspecting each suitcase one by one after they were lined up outside the plane.
A passenger, who shared images of the incident on social media, said the captain told people to ‘disembark one by one according to their seat numbers.’
He described the atmosphere as ‘eerie’ when the plane was surrounded by ‘armed personnel.’
The Catalan government said it has activated a special plan used for aeronautical emergencies to ‘monitor the risk situation on a flight landed at El Prat.’
Yahya Ustun, Turkish Airlines’ spokesperson, said: ‘It was detected that a passenger established an in-flight internet access point and set the network name to include a bomb threat.’
Spain’s Guardia Civil is investigating the incident, which did not affect Barcelona Airport’s operations.
Ukrainian street cleaner takes a moment amid drone attack
3:28 am
TL:DR
- A Ukrainian street cleaner, Olha, remained unfazed as a Russian drone exploded nearby while she was shovelling snow in Lviv.
- The incident occurred near a playground and was captured on video, going viral online.
- Mayor Andrii Sadovyi called Olha to check on her safety after the explosion, commending her courage.
- Nine residential buildings and local schools suffered damage, but fortunately, there were no fatalities.
Ukrainian street cleaner pauses briefly during drone strike
This is the moment an incredibly brave Ukrainian road cleaner watches a Russian drone explode just metres away from her, before casually getting back to work.
Footage captures 59-year-old Olha working hard, sweeping up the snow moments before and after a Russian drone exploded in Lviv, near the monument to a former Ukrainian nationalist leader, Stepan Bandera.
Out of nowhere, the sky fills with bright shades of red and orange as Russia launches an air raid.
Olha barely flinches when the drone detonates as it lands on a children’s playground nearby, sending dangerous sparks flying into the air.
After taking a very brief pause to collect herself, she gets back to shovelling the snow, completely unfazed by what just unfolded.
Recalling the moment in an interview with Radio Liberty, Olha said: ‘We were standing and I was cleaning the bus stop.
‘I didn’t know anything was going to fly in. Then we were told to run and it just flew over our heads.
‘There was a very loud and dull explosion.
‘I thought it was a mine, but the policeman said it was a Shahed [Russian drone].’
Your courage today has impressed everyone in Ukraine
When she returned home later that day, she received a call from Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi to check if she was okay after the explosion.
He said: ‘I don’t know whether to thank you or to scold you.
‘Your courage today has impressed everyone in Ukraine. I want to thank you for serving the community and for your work.
‘But I also want to stress that when there is an air raid, please take care and stay safe.
‘I understand there is work to be done, but your safety comes first.’
The video showing Olha’s commendable courage quickly went viral on social media as users were stunned by how calm she was during a near-death experience that would have sent many fleeing for their lives.
Historian and journalist Vakhtang Kipiani joked: ‘The nervous system of this Ukrainian woman, Olha from Lviv, should be recognised as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.’
Others noted how tragic it is that something so deadly has become a common occurrence.
One X user commented: ‘Yeah, it’s rough, but as it’s been happening for years, people just kinda used to the danger.
‘It’s sad that it’s like that in 2026.’
Another user wrote: ‘Resilience in the face of the day-to-day many challenges.
‘Ukrainian’s intestinal fortitude is nothing short of a country believing in sovereignty, which is forthcoming.’
A tractor driver who was clearing the snow nearby suffered minor injuries in the attack but is reported to be fine.
Nobody was killed in the attack; however, the city has been damaged by the blast.
Nine residential buildings were damaged, along with stained-glass windows at a local church and windows at nearby schools, according to reports.
CIA Releases Haunting Video Encouraging Chinese Citizens to ‘Reveal the Truth’
3:08 am
TL:DR
- The CIA encouraged individuals with knowledge about China to share information via a social media video.
- Steps for anonymity included using public Wi-Fi, VPNs, and cash for device purchases.
- The video targeted everyday Chinese citizens, emphasising safety precautions for sharing sensitive information.
- This outreach follows previous recruitment efforts aimed at gathering intelligence amid rising US-China tensions.
- The agency continues to pursue insights amid political and economic conflicts between the two nations.
CIA issues eerie video urging Chinese citizens to ‘share the truth’ about government | News World
The CIA has urged anyone who knows the ‘truth’ about China to come forward and share confidential information with them.
In a bizarre video on their social media accounts, alongside videos of Chinese businesspeople working, the intelligence agency gave instructions on how to give tips about Xi Jinping’s government.
‘The CIA wants to know the truth about China, and we are looking for people who know and can tell the truth,’ they wrote in Mandarin.
The video went on to outline some steps that those with ‘information’ on China can take to let authorities know.
They include ‘assessing risk to yourself/family, using public wifi or non-personal devices, using VPNs, avoiding traceable apps, submitting information on the CIA’s website, and deleting all traces afterwards’.
‘Purchase new or used devices using cash or gift cards without providing any personal information related to you. For used devices, perform a factory reset,’ they urged.
‘Find a public place with public Wi-Fi for an anonymous connection. It’s crucial that your screen is not exposed to any surveillance cameras or other people… Download a web browser and VPN (Virtual Private Network) software from a US or Western company.
‘Now, you need to create a new anonymous email address on the Western email supply platform for contacting us only. It is very important that you absolutely do not enter any personal information that can be traced back to you when creating this account.’
They concluded: ‘If your circumstances allow, consider going abroad first and then proceeding with step one. When you send us a message, please provide your temporary location and contact information at that time. If you are unable to travel abroad, any or all of these steps can be performed by a trusted close relative or friend.
‘After you contact us, the CIA will consider the information you sent. During this time, please continue with your usual daily routine.’
The CIA released a similar video last spring during what appeared to be a recruitment drive for foreign spies.
That video, which targeted everyday Chinese citizens, read: ‘Do you have any information about economic, fiscal, or trade policies?
‘Do you work in the defence industry? Do you work in national security, diplomacy, science, advanced technology, or deal with people who work in these fields?
‘Please contact us. The information you can provide is important, and we value your insights on these topics.’
At the time, a CIA official told Reuters: ‘If it weren’t working, we wouldn’t be making more videos.’
CIA Director John Ratcliffe has previously said: ‘One of the primary roles of the CIA is to collect intelligence by recruiting assets that can help us steal secrets.’
Tensions between the US and China have continued to simmer beneath the surface for many years now.
Last spring, when Trump gave a speech announcing tariffs on Chinese imports to 20%, China signalled it was ready for ‘any type of war’.
Xi Jinping issued a warning to the US, a move that showed a deepening rift between the two global superpowers – and also played right into Trump’s plan to ‘disorder’ global affairs.
China vowed to ‘fight until the end’ and dismissed the fentanyl crisis as a justification for tariff increases on Chinese imports.
And as China continues to cozy up with Russia and North Korea, the United States appears eager to get any information they can on what’s going on behind its borders.
Netanyahu instructed Trump to cancel air strikes against Iran
2:47 am
TL:DR – Cancel air strikes against Iran
- Benjamin Netanyahu urged Donald Trump to delay strikes on Iran for Israel’s preparedness.
- Tensions escalated, prompting evacuations and airspace clearance.
- Trump claimed Iran had stopped executions, attributing it to new intelligence.
- The White House reported halting 800 executions in Iran.
- Iran’s Foreign Minister denied plans for executing protesters.
- Internet services were cut in Iran amid ongoing protests and reported killings.
- Erfan Soltani’s execution threat was lifted after mass protests against the regime.
Netanyahu instructed Trump to call off air strikes on Iran
Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly spoke to Donald Trump and urged him to hold off on unleashing any strikes on Iran to give Israel more time to prepare for any retaliation.
With embassies in Tehran being evacuated and airspace being cleared, strikes on Iran seemed likely but a last-minute phone call averted an all-out attack, according to the New York Times.
As tensions neared boiling point, Trump suddenly claimed that he had received information from ‘very important sources on the other side,’ that Iran had stopped killing dissidents.
‘We were told that the killing in Iran is stopping, and there’s no plan for executions,’ he said.
‘There’s no plan for executions or an execution. I’ve been told that on good authority. We’ll find out about it. I’m sure if it happens, I’ll be very upset.’
On Thursday, the White House claimed that 800 executions were halted in Iran, adding that Trump continues to closely monitor the situation.
‘We saved a lot of lives yesterday,’ Trump said in a phone call with NBC News.
Shortly after Trump’s comments, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Fox News that there are no plans for the ‘hanging’ of protesters.
Middle East does not want a war with Iran
Delegates from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt have also been asking the Trump administration not to attack Iran.
That comes as the Saudi’s believe the US attacks will turn their own population agains the government.
The Iranian government has cut off internet service across the country with two Iranian officials telling the New York Times that at least 3,000 people had been killed.
Iran Human Rights Director, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said: ‘Horrifying eyewitness accounts of protesters being shot dead while trying to flee, the use of military-grade weapons, and the street execution of wounded protesters all point to a planned and widespread crime carried out with the aim of mass killing civilians.
‘Ali Khamenei and the individuals and institutions acting under his authority have committed one of the gravest crimes of our time. The international community has a duty to act immediately to prevent the continuation of this killing. The people of Iran urgently need help.’
It came as a shopkeeper facing execution over his involvement in the Iran protests is no longer at risk of the death penalty.
Erfan Soltani, 26, was detained last week as Iran has been swept by mass protests against the regime, reportedly leading to deaths and arrests after violence, caused by outside parties has caused flare-ups across Iran.
He is thought to have been the first Iranian protester facing the death penalty since the latest demonstrations.
Soltani’s family said he could be executed at any moment before the Iranian regime appeared to make a U-turn.
Iran’s state-controlled media said today that Soltani’s charge is ‘colluding against the country’s internal security and propaganda activities against the regime’ and that the death penalty does not apply to it if confirmed by a court.
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