U.S. President Donald Trump says Venezuela will transfer up to  50 million barrels of oil to the United States following a dramatic power shift in Caracas. Trump claims the oil will be sold at market prices, with proceeds used to benefit both Americans and Venezuelans. U.S. officials say the move follows years of sanctions over disputed elections and foreign alliances involving China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba.

Iran is facing its most serious internal crisis in decades as nationwide protests turn deadly and pressure mounts on the ruling regime. At least dozens have been killed and more than a thousand detained as demonstrations spread across hundreds of locations, fueled by economic anger and political repression. Intelligence reports now claim Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has prepared a contingency plan to flee to Russia if security forces fail, defect, or lose control of the streets.