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Afternoon Edition

Venezuelan Opposition Leader Kidnapped Hours After Release

Monday, February 9, 2026 Maya Sutton | Daily Brief Editor Standard International

Venezuelan opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa was abducted late Sunday night by heavily armed men in civilian clothes — just hours after he and 34 other political prisoners were released. Nobel Peace laureate María Corina Machado said Guanipa was “kidnapped” in Caracas, and his son confirmed he was ambushed by about 10 armed men around 11:45 p.m. local time.
Why it matters: The Maduro regime is signaling that even high‑profile releases offer no real safety — and that repression remains the default tool of governance.

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Portugal Rejects Populism as Moderate Wins Presidential Runoff

Center‑left candidate António José Seguro defeated hard‑right populist André Ventura with 66.7% of the vote, according to official results. European leaders praised the outcome as a reaffirmation of democratic stability amid Europe’s rightward drift.

Sources: AP | MSN

France’s Jack Lang Resigns Over Epstein‑Linked Tax Probe

Former French culture minister Jack Lang resigned as head of the Arab World Institute after investigators uncovered alleged past financial links to Jeffrey Epstein, prompting a tax investigation. Lang denies the allegations but stepped down after being summoned by the Foreign Ministry.

Sources: AP | MSN

Israeli President Confronts Grief — and Protests — in Australia

Israeli President Isaac Herzog received a warm welcome from Australian officials but faced mass protests accusing him of war crimes. His visit follows a December terror attack near Sydney’s Bondi Beach that killed 15 people, and the government’s show of solidarity has sparked fierce national debate.

Sources: CNN | MSN

Japan’s Takaichi Promises Tax Cuts After “Historic” Election Win

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi celebrated a landslide victory, with her Liberal Democratic Party securing 316 seats — its best result since 1955. She vowed to deliver tax cuts and maintain her cabinet as she consolidates power.

Sources: Al Jazeera | MSN

Quick Hits

  • Pakistan reels from a deadly mosque bombing, — with Islamic State claiming responsibility. [Source]
  • Iran sentences Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi — to six years in prison amid escalating repression. [Source]
  • Bitcoin crashes below $63,000, — marking its worst single‑day drop since the FTX collapse. [Source]

What to Watch Today

Venezuela’s next move: If Guanipa remains missing, expect international condemnation — and potential sanctions chatter. Portugal’s political direction: Seguro’s win may stabilize Lisbon’s relationship with Brussels, but Ventura’s 33% signals a durable populist base. France’s Epstein fallout: Lang’s resignation could trigger a broader reckoning across France’s political and cultural elite. Japan’s policy shift: With a historic mandate, Takaichi now has the political capital to push major reforms — including security and immigration changes.

By The Numbers

66.7%

Vote share won by Portugal’s new president

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316

Seats won by Japan’s ruling LDP in its landslide victory.

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15

Victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack at the center of Herzog’s visit.

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$63,000

Bitcoin’s crash point in today’s market rout.

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Bottom Line

This afternoon is defined by political shockwaves in Venezuela and Portugal, fresh Epstein fallout in France, and a deeply divided Australia confronting grief and fury. Japan’s prime minister tightens her grip after a historic win, and global tensions continue to simmer beneath every headline.

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