International
Venezuela to slash six zeroes from currency
AFP
Venezuela will slash six zeroes off its inflation-battered currency the bolivar to make it easier to use, the central bank said on Thursday.
The change will take effect on October 1 with the issuance of new currency notes, called the digital bolivar.
“All monetary amounts expressed in national currency will be divided by one million,” the central bank of President Nicolas Maduro’s beleaguered leftist government said.
It said the goal of the change is to “facilitate” the use of the bolivar.
It is the third time in 13 years that Venezuela — suffering the worst economic crisis in its modern era — has used such a measure.
In August 2018, the government lopped five zeros off its bank notes, having taken off three in 2008.
In 2018, the government replaced the ironically named strong bolivar with the sovereign bolivar.
The once-wealthy oil producer is enduring its fourth year of hyperinflation and its eighth year of recession.
From January through to May prices rose 265 percent.
Inflation was almost 3,000 percent in 2020 and more than 9,500 percent the year before, according to central bank figures.
“It was an expected decision,” economist Cesar Aristimuno, director of Aristimuno Herrera & Associates, told AFP.
“By itself it was necessary … the billing and accounting processes for companies were already practically impossible.”
People had even resorted to using a shorthand for prices, saying “thousands” instead of “millions.”
There is such a shortage of bolivars that long queues are a regular sight outside banks.
Transactions made in the local currency are usually done by card payment or bank transfer rather than in cash.
Inflation is so bad that the everyday economy now works mainly in dollars, with many stores listing prices in the US currency.
Back in May the government tripled the minimum monthly wage but the new amount was still not even enough to buy a kilogram of meat.
However, Aristimuno warned that while “convenient” this measure will not transform Venezuela’s battered economy.
“We cannot hope for economic miracles from this decision, taking into account that … it comes without any underlying economic announcements” that could reduce inflation or boost GDP.
The Maduro government is under international sanctions championed by the United States, which is pushing for his ouster and does not recognize him as the country’s legitimate president.
With the currency overhaul, the central bank will issue new notes with face values of five, 10, 20, 50 and 100 bolivars and a one-bolivar coin, Communications Minister Freddy Nanez said on Twitter.
International
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubiocould potentially form a Republican presidential ticket for the 2028 elections.
Speaking during a dinner with law enforcement officials as part of National Police Week, Trump publicly praised both officials and said they could make “an ideal team” for the next presidential race.
“Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?” Trump asked attendees before adding that the pair “sound like a good combination.”
The president highlighted his vice president’s performance in office, stating that their current partnership has been highly effective. “JD is perfect, that has been a perfect formula,” Trump told reporters later.
He further suggested that a Vance-Rubio pairing could represent a strong presidential and vice-presidential ticket, although he stopped short of offering any formal endorsement.
“I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate,” he said, while clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as an official backing of any future campaign.
So far, neither Vance nor Rubio has publicly confirmed any intention to run in the 2028 presidential election.
Rubio previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but withdrew after losing the primary race to Trump. Later, in a December 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he said he would be among the first to support Vance if he decided to run for the White House.
Vance, meanwhile, has recently dismissed speculation of any political rivalry with Rubio amid growing discussion about potential future GOP leadership.
International
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday of violating a Victory Day truce that was reportedly agreed with mediation from the United States, claiming that Ukrainian forces carried out attacks on Russian territory as well as on the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Despite the declared ceasefire, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian military positions using attack drones and artillery.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces made twelve attempts to advance toward Russian-held positions across several sectors of the front line.
It also alleged that Ukrainian strikes targeted civilian infrastructure in Crimea, several border regions, the Caucasus, and other areas including Moscow and Perm in the Ural region.
The Defense Ministry estimated around 8,900 violations of the ceasefire in total, including more than 7,000 drone attacks and over 1,000 strikes involving tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launch systems, and mortars since the truce came into effect at midnight.
Russia said its forces responded “symmetrically” to what it described as violations by Ukrainian troops.
Earlier, the Kremlin denied claims that Ukraine attempted to sabotage a military parade in Red Square marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
“No attempts were made. Everything went well,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told local media.
International
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Talks Progressing, Signals Possible Deal on Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is holding “very good” talks with Iran and stated that there is a strong possibility of reaching an agreement to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’ve had very good conversations over the last 44 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll reach an agreement,” Trump said during an event held in the Oval Office at the White House.
The president’s remarks came just hours after he announced a temporary suspension of the military operation aimed at escorting vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to Iran’s blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Trump explained that the pause in operations is intended to facilitate diplomatic negotiations between both sides and prevent further military escalation in the region.
“We’re in good shape, and right now things are going well. Now we have to achieve what we need to achieve. If we don’t, we’ll have to go much further,” the Republican president warned.
In a post published on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump reiterated that if Iran accepts Washington’s proposed conditions, military operations and the naval blockade affecting the Islamic republic would come to an end.
However, he also issued a new warning to the Iranian government, stating that the United States would respond with attacks “of greater intensity” if Tehran rejects the agreement promoted by the White House.
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