## Trump administration formally designates Venezuela’s Maduro as member of a foreign terrorist organization

Authored by edition.cnn.com

The Trump administration could have expanded authority to take action against Venezuela starting Monday, as the US designates Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his government allies as members of a foreign terrorist organization.

Still, administration officials have been making the case that the designation — one of the State Department’s most serious counterterrorism tools — will give the US expanded military options for striking inside Venezuela.

Cartel de los Soles is used to describe a decentralized network of Venezuelan groups within the armed forces linked to drug trafficking, experts say.

The US military has killed dozens of people in boat strikes as part of the anti-drug-trafficking campaign.

Seventy-six percent of respondents say the Trump administration has not clearly explained the US position on military action.

Trump is hoping that the pressure is enough to force Maduro to step down without taking direct military action, according to a US official.

In a statement, the Venezuelan government rejected the designation of the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization, calling it a “ridiculous fabrication.”. »

### Colombia bans all new oil and mining projects in its Amazon

Authored by news.mongabay.com

Acting Environment Minister Irene Vélez Torres said the entire Colombian Amazon will be made a reserve for renewable natural resources.

It seeks to prevent forest degradation, river contamination and biodiversity loss that threatens the continent’s climate balance,” Vélez said.

She also called on other Amazonian nations to adopt similar protections, highlighting that Colombia controls just 7% of the Amazon biome. »

### Putin is playing a long and sinister game - here’s what Ukraine deal really means

Authored by inews.co.uk

The plan was strongly criticised as kowtowing to Putin, with European leaders warning it would “leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack”.

Many military analysts and academics have warned that Russia may use a ceasefire in Ukraine to regroup before reattacking.

Trump said the plan was “not his final offer”, and later announced an “updated and refined peace framework” created in partnership with Ukraine. »

### Bar owner ‘won’t apologise’ for banning solo drinkers

Authored by independent.co.uk

A bar owner who banned solo drinkers has defended his policy, saying he won’t apologise despite facing criticism.

In a video posted to the bar’s Instagram page earlier this month, he explained the door policy.

Just when the bar’s absolutely packed and it’s like a nightclub in there, we don’t, because it’s not safe. »

### Senators call on prime minister to ban advertising for sports betting

Authored by cbc.ca

Two senators are calling on the federal government to ban advertising for sports betting in Canada.

A letter to the prime minister from Charlottetown Sen. Percy Downe and Waterloo Sen. Marty Deacon asks the government to have the CRTC ban all advertising for sports gambling apps and websites.

The act calls for more regulations around sports betting advertising, whereas Downe and Deacon are calling for a complete ban. »

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