U.S. NEWS

Interim Venezuelan Government Recognized by OAS; DOJ Expands "Fentanyl Pipeline" Task Force January 27–31, 2026

On January 27, the Organization of American States (OAS) officially recognized the Caracas-based Transition Council as the legitimate interim government of Venezuela. The move allows the Council to access billions in previously frozen international accounts to fund humanitarian relief. In Washington, the Biden administration announced a "Transition Support Package" on January 29, including technical advisors to help restart the country's oil production infrastructure under U.S. oversight.

Domestically, the Department of Justice announced the expansion of its "National Fentanyl Pipeline" task force on January 30. Utilizing new AI-driven surveillance technology, the DOJ reported the seizure of over 50 million lethal doses in a single week across five border states. Additionally, the U.S. Treasury reported on January 31 that national inflation has dipped below 2% for the first time in four years, signaling a potential interest rate cut in March.

Sources:

• The Wall Street Journal: "OAS Recognition Shifts Billions to Venezuelan Transition Council." (Jan 27, 2026)

• The Washington Post: "DOJ Deploys AI to Combat Fentanyl Surge in Border States." (Jan 30, 2026)

• CNBC: "Inflation Hits 1.9%: Markets Rally on Hopes of Fed Rate Cut." (Jan 31, 2026)

WORLD NEWS

Global "Carbon Border Tax" Takes Effect; New Middle East Stability Pact Signed

January 26–February 1, 2026

January 26 marked the first day of the Global Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (GCBAM). This international agreement, signed by 40 of the world’s largest economies, imposes a tax on imports from countries that do not meet strict emissions standards. The move is designed to prevent "carbon leakage" and has already prompted major manufacturing shifts in Southeast Asia.

In the Middle East, a historic "Stability & Energy Pact" was signed between Iran and a coalition of Gulf states on January 28, mediated by the UN and China. The agreement includes mutual non-aggression clauses and a joint venture to develop the world's largest solar farm in the Arabian Desert. Meanwhile, in London, the UK government survived a "No Confidence" vote on January 30, allowing the Prime Minister to proceed with the February snap election campaign.

Sources:

• Reuters: "The Green Wall: Global Carbon Tax Reshapes International Trade." (Jan 26, 2026)

• Al Jazeera: "Tehran and Riyadh Sign Landmark Energy Stability Pact." (Jan 28, 2026)

• The Guardian: "UK Government Narrowly Survives Vote Ahead of February Election." (Jan 30, 2026)

FLORIDA NEWS

Florida Signs "Healthcare Price Transparency" Law; Lake Okeechobee Discharges Cease January 27–February 1, 2026

Governor Ron DeSantis signed the "Patient Right-to-Know Act" on January 27, requiring Florida hospitals and clinics to provide binding, up-front pricing for all elective procedures starting July 2026. The law aims to end "surprise billing" and foster competition among providers. State officials estimate this could save Florida families an average of $2,000 annually in out-of-pocket costs.

On the environmental front, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced on January 29 that discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries will cease for the remainder of the dry season. This is credited to new reservoir completions that successfully diverted 100 billion gallons of water south to the Everglades. In Miami, the "Winter Art Basel" concluded on February 1 with a record $1.2 billion in sales, largely driven by digital-physical hybrid assets.

Sources:

• Tallahassee Democrat: "Price Transparency Law Aims to Slash Florida Medical Costs." (Jan 27, 2026)

• Miami Herald: "Everglades Victory: Lake O Discharges Cease as New Reservoirs Fill." (Jan 29, 2026)

• Florida Politics: "Art Basel Miami Sets New Record with $1.2B in Global Sales." (Feb 1, 2026)

TECH & SCIENCE NEWS

Colossal Biosciences Announces Birth of "De-Extinct" Thylacine; Neuralink Human Trials Reach Phase III January 28–January 31, 2026

In a world-first, the Texas-based firm Colossal Biosciences announced on January 28 the successful birth of a healthy Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) joey, created using advanced CRISPR gene-editing and a surrogate host. While currently in a controlled environment, the company plans to introduce the species back to Tasmania by 2030, marking the first successful "de-extinction" in human history.

In technology, Neuralink announced on January 30 that its Phase III human trials have successfully allowed a volunteer to control a robotic exoskeleton with 95% accuracy using thought alone. This milestone is expected to lead to FDA approval for paralyzed veterans by early 2027. Additionally, on January 31, a new "Quantum-Resistant" encryption protocol was adopted by the world’s major banks to protect against the threat of future quantum computing hacks.

Sources:

• Scientific American: "The Return of the Tiger: First De-Extinct Thylacine Born." (Jan 28, 2026)

• Wired: "Neuralink’s Exoskeleton Success: The Future of Mobility is Mental." (Jan 30, 2026)

• Nature: "Global Banking Shift: Quantum-Resistant Encryption Goes Live." (Jan 31, 2026)

✅ That concludes this week’s Sunday Roundup.

The transition from January to February 2026 was marked by restoration and regulation. The OAS recognition of a new Venezuelan government and the Global Carbon Tax signaled a reshuffling of global power and priorities. Florida took a massive step toward healthcare affordability, while Science achieved the "impossible" with the birth of a de-extinct species. As we head into February, the boundaries between the past and the future continue to blur.

Thank you for trusting AzM News as your source for timely and in-depth reporting. We invite you to continue following our coverage and to subscribe to AzM News on YouTube for daily updates and exclusive content. Join the conversation on social media by engaging with our posts and sharing your thoughts. Your participation helps us foster a vibrant community of informed citizens.

Posted by Carlos Ferreira Follow me on X or BLUESKY

U.S. NEWS

Treasury Freezes $5B in Cartel Assets Linked to Maduro; Supreme Court Upholds "Border Tech" Funding January 20–23, 2026

On January 20, the U.S. Treasury Department announced the largest single-day asset freeze in its history, targeting $5 billion held in shell companies linked to the "Cartel of the Suns" and the detained Nicolás Maduro. The action is part of a broader strategy to starve the remaining regime loyalists of funding while the transition council in Caracas organizes.

In Washington, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on January 22 to allow the federal government to continue its "Smart Wall" initiative, a multi-billion dollar project deploying AI-integrated sensors and autonomous surveillance towers across the Southern Border. Additionally, the Department of Transportation announced a New Year's initiative on January 23 to fast-track the construction of 500,000 new EV charging stations by the end of 2026 to support the growing electric fleet.

Sources:

• The Wall Street Journal: "Treasury Cripples Cartel Finances in Post-Maduro Crackdown." (Jan 20, 2026)

• The Washington Post: "SCOTUS Rules in Favor of AI-Driven Border Surveillance Towers." (Jan 22, 2026)

• USA Today: "Federal Push for 500k EV Chargers Begins Nationwide." (Jan 23, 2026)

WORLD NEWS

UN Establishes "Venezuela Stabilization Mission"; EU Signs Energy Pact with North Africa January 19–24, 2026

The United Nations Security Council voted on January 20 to establish the UNVSM (United Nations Venezuela Stabilization Mission). This international peacekeeping force, led by a coalition of Brazilian and Colombian troops, is tasked with ensuring humanitarian aid reaches Caracas and preventing civil unrest following the capture of the previous administration.

Across the Atlantic, the European Union signed a landmark "Green Hydrogen Pact" with Morocco and Tunisia on January 22. The deal aims to pipe clean energy under the Mediterranean to power Southern Europe’s industrial hubs by 2028. Meanwhile, in Southeast Asia, Thailand and Vietnam finalized a new regional maritime security agreement on January 24 to protect local fishing rights against foreign encroachment.

Sources:

• Reuters: "UN Authorizes Peacekeeping Mission for Venezuelan Transition." (Jan 20, 2026)

• Le Monde: "The Sahara Link: EU Finalizes Green Hydrogen Deal with Africa." (Jan 22, 2026)

• Al Jazeera: "ASEAN Nations Bolster Maritime Defenses in South China Sea." (Jan 24, 2026)

FLORIDA NEWS

Florida "Blue Economy" Bill Passed; Miami Tech Week Announces Record 2026 Projections January 20–25, 2026

The Florida Senate passed the "Blue Economy & Reef Protection Act" on January 21, allocating $450 million for the restoration of the Florida Reef Tract and the promotion of sustainable ocean-based industries. The bill includes tax credits for companies specializing in autonomous ocean cleanup and coral farm technologies.

In Miami, organizers for the upcoming "Miami Tech Week" released data on January 23 showing a 30% increase in venture capital registrations compared to last year. Local officials credited the surge to the state's new "Safe Screens" legislation, which has attracted developers focusing on ethical AI for children. On January 25, the FWC reported a successful end to the winter manatee feeding program, with significantly lower mortality rates than previous years.

Sources:

• Miami Herald: "Florida Bets Big on the Ocean: $450M Blue Economy Bill Passes." (Jan 21, 2026)

• Florida Politics: "Miami Tech Week 2026 Poised to Break All Previous Records." (Jan 23, 2026)

• Tampa Bay Times: "FWC Celebrates Success of Seagrass Restoration and Manatee Health." (Jan 25, 2026)

TECH & SCIENCE NEWS

HELIOS Fusion Reactor Achieves First "Net-Positive" Run; Apple Unveils Vision Pro 3 with Neural Interface January 19–24, 2026

In a monumental moment for physics, the HELIOS experimental reactor in California achieved a "Net-Positive" energy gain on January 19, producing three times the energy it consumed for a sustained ten-minute period. This marks the first time magnetic confinement fusion has reached a duration suitable for potential grid integration, signaling the beginning of the end for the fossil fuel era.

In consumer tech, Apple held a surprise "New Year" event on January 22 to unveil the Vision Pro 3. The headset features the first consumer-grade "Neural Linkage" band, allowing users to navigate spatial interfaces using basic thought patterns and eye movements. Medical researchers on January 24 also announced that a similar interface has allowed a paralyzed patient to communicate via text at 60 words per minute.

Sources:

• Scientific American: "The Fusion Age Begins: HELIOS Reactor Shatters Energy Records." (Jan 19, 2026)

• The Verge: "Apple Vision Pro 3: The Neural Interface is Now a Reality." (Jan 22, 2026)

• Nature: "Brain-Computer Interfaces Reach New Speed Milestones for Patients." (Jan 24, 2026)

✅ That concludes this week’s Sunday Roundup.

The final full week of January 2026 delivered transformative progress. The U.S. and UN moved in lockstep to stabilize Venezuela through financial and peacekeeping efforts, while Florida secured its environmental future through the Blue Economy Act. Science stole the headlines as fusion energy finally crossed the net-positive threshold, and Tech entered a new frontier with the first neural-controlled consumer devices.

Thank you for trusting AzM News as your source for timely and in-depth reporting. We invite you to continue following our coverage and to subscribe to AzM News on YouTube for daily updates and exclusive content. Join the conversation on social media by engaging with our posts and sharing your thoughts. Your participation helps us foster a vibrant community of informed citizens.

Posted by Carlos Ferreira Follow me on X or BLUESKY

U.S. NEWS

Maduro Defense Claims Diplomatic Immunity; Federal Reserve Hints at "Digital Dollar" Pilot January 13–16, 2026

Attorneys representing Nicolás Maduro filed a series of motions in the Southern District of New York on January 14, arguing that his capture violated international law and that he maintains head-of-state immunity. The Department of Justice countered on Friday, January 16, stating that because the U.S. did not recognize the Maduro administration as the legitimate government of Venezuela at the time of the operation, immunity does not apply. The judge has scheduled a high-stakes evidentiary hearing for late February.

In Washington, the Federal Reserve released a "White Paper" on January 15 outlining the framework for a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot program. While not a full rollout, the move signals the U.S. government’s intent to compete with the digital yuan. On the economic front, national retail data from the holiday season revealed a record shift toward "social commerce," with over 40% of purchases originating directly from AI-curated social feeds.

Sources:

• The Wall Street Journal: "The Maduro Motion: Legal Battle Over Head-of-State Immunity Begins." (Jan 14, 2026)

• Bloomberg: "Fed Outlines Roadmap for Digital Dollar Pilot Program." (Jan 15, 2026)

• Associated Press: "DOJ Rejects Maduro’s Claim of Immunity in NYC Court Filing." (Jan 16, 2026)

WORLD NEWS

EU Passes "Digital Sovereignty Act"; Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Post-Raid Venezuela January 12–17, 2026

On January 13, the European Parliament officially passed the Digital Sovereignty Act, a sweeping piece of legislation that requires non-EU tech companies to store European citizen data exclusively on servers located within the continent. The law, which goes into effect in 2027, is expected to create a significant infrastructure hurdle for major U.S. cloud providers.

Meanwhile, the situation in Venezuela remained volatile throughout the week. While the U.S.-backed "Transition Council" has secured major oil fields, a severe shortage of medical supplies in rural provinces prompted the Red Cross to launch an emergency appeal on January 17. In the Middle East, a new trade corridor between Saudi Arabia and Israel saw its first commercial convoy on January 15, marking a quiet but historic step in regional economic integration.

Sources:

• Le Monde: "Europe Asserts Control: Digital Sovereignty Act Becomes Law." (Jan 13, 2026)

• Al Jazeera: "Red Cross Warns of 'Invisible Crisis' in Rural Venezuela." (Jan 17, 2026)

• The Jerusalem Post: "The Abraham Corridor: First Trucks Cross New Trade Route." (Jan 15, 2026)

FLORIDA NEWS

Florida "Safe Screens" Law Signed; Record Manatee Migration Observed in Blue Spring January 14–18, 2026

Governor Ron DeSantis signed the "Safe Screens Act" on Wednesday, January 14, making Florida the first state to require social media platforms to implement mandatory "night-time lockouts" for users under the age of 16, unless parental overrides are provided. The law also bans the use of "infinite scroll" algorithms for minors, citing concerns over mental health and dopamine addiction.

In environmental news, state biologists at Blue Spring State Park reported on January 16 that a record 980 manatees were spotted seeking warmth in the spring vents, the highest count since record-keeping began. The surge is credited to the success of seagrass restoration projects in the Indian River Lagoon. Additionally, the Miami-Dade County Commission approved a proposal on January 18 to convert several abandoned shopping malls into "Work-Live" affordable housing hubs.

Sources:

• Tampa Bay Times: "DeSantis Signs Landmark Social Media Restrictions for Minors." (Jan 14, 2026)

• Orlando Sentinel: "Blue Spring Shatters Manatee Count Records Amid Cold Snap." (Jan 16, 2026)

• Miami Herald: "Mall-to-Housing: Miami-Dade Approves Bold Rezoning Plan." (Jan 18, 2026)

TECH & SCIENCE NEWS

First CRISPR-Based Cure for Sickle Cell Enters Final Phase; Starlink V3 Launch Improves Global Latency January 13–18, 2026

The FDA announced on January 15 that the first CRISPR gene-editing therapy designed to "functionally cure" Sickle Cell Anemia has completed its final human trial phase with a 98% success rate. The treatment, which involves editing a patient's own bone marrow cells, is expected to be commercially available by late 2026, though the projected cost remains a subject of intense insurance debate.

In technology, SpaceX successfully deployed its first batch of Starlink V3 satellites on January 13. The new hardware features "Inter-Satellite Laser Links 2.0," which SpaceX claims has reduced global internet latency to under 15 milliseconds, effectively bridging the digital divide for remote surgical teams and high-frequency trading platforms alike.

Sources:

• Nature: "CRISPR Milestone: Final Results from the Sickle Cell Cure Trials." (Jan 15, 2026)

• TechCrunch: "Starlink V3: The Laser-Link Revolution is Here." (Jan 13, 2026)

• Scientific American: "Gene Editing and the End of Hereditary Blood Disorders." (Jan 17, 2026)

✅ That concludes this week’s Sunday Roundup.

The week of January 12–18, 2026, was a testament to legislative and scientific boldness. As the Maduro trial entered a complex phase of international law, Florida set a national precedent for child safety in the digital age. Europe asserted its independence from big tech, while Science moved closer to eradicating a debilitating genetic disease. The world enters the second half of the month with a clearer vision of the digital and biological frontiers of 2026.

Thank you for trusting AzM News as your source for timely and in-depth reporting. We invite you to continue following our coverage and to subscribe to AzM News on YouTube for daily updates and exclusive content. Join the conversation on social media by engaging with our posts and sharing your thoughts. Your participation helps us foster a vibrant community of informed citizens.

Posted by Carlos Ferreira Follow me on X or BLUESKY

U.S. NEWS

Maduro Pleads Not Guilty in Manhattan; Supreme Court Weighs Federal "Agency Deference" January 5–9, 2026

Following his dramatic capture in Caracas, Nicolás Maduro appeared in a federal court in Manhattan on January 6. Amidst unprecedented security, Maduro pleaded not guilty to charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States. The Department of Justice announced it would seek a trial date by early summer, while the State Department worked to manage the diplomatic "transition council" currently overseeing Venezuelan oil assets.

In Washington, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on January 8 regarding a pivotal case that could further dismantle federal agency power. The ruling, expected by June, could strip the EPA and FDA of their ability to interpret ambiguous laws without explicit Congressional approval. Additionally, the Labor Department reported a surprising "January Jump" in hiring, with 280,000 jobs added in the first week of the year, primarily in the tech and healthcare sectors.

Sources:

• The New York Times: "Maduro in Chains: Former Leader Pleads Not Guilty in NYC." (Jan 6, 2026)

• The Washington Post: "SCOTUS vs. The State: Arguments Begin on Agency Deference." (Jan 8, 2026)

• CNBC: "Job Market Defies Gravity: 280k Added in Early January Surge." (Jan 10, 2026)

WORLD NEWS

High Seas Treaty Officially Ratified; Tensions Ease in the Korean Peninsula

January 7–11, 2026

On January 7, the United Nations celebrated the official ratification of the "High Seas Treaty" by the 60th necessary nation, bringing the landmark environmental pact into force. The treaty establishes the world's first framework for creating marine protected areas in international waters, aiming to protect 30% of the oceans by 2030.

In East Asia, a rare diplomatic breakthrough occurred on January 9 when North and South Korean officials agreed to restore a military "hotline" that had been severed for over two years. The move followed a joint proposal by China and the U.S. to create a "Sanctions for Stability" trade corridor. Meanwhile, in Brazil, the new administration announced a 40% reduction in Amazon deforestation for the year 2025, marking a decade-low.

Sources:

• BBC News: "A Victory for the Blue Planet: High Seas Treaty Becomes Law." (Jan 7, 2026)

• The Guardian: "Seoul and Pyongyang Restore Direct Military Link." (Jan 9, 2026)

• Reuters: "Amazon Deforestation Hits 10-Year Low in Brazil." (Jan 11, 2026)

FLORIDA NEWS

DeSantis Signs "Florida Fair Insurance" Bill; Everglades Invasive Species Bounty Reaches Record High

January 5–10, 2026

In a swift move to start the legislative year, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the "Florida Fair Insurance" bill on January 6. The law creates a $3 billion state-backed fund to subsidize private insurers who commit to a 10% premium reduction for homeowners by the end of 2026. Critics argue the fund is a "temporary fix," but supporters claim it is the only way to prevent a total market collapse.

Further south, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) reported on January 9 that the 2025 Python Challenge resulted in the removal of a record 1,200 invasive Burmese pythons. Due to the success, the state announced it would double the bounty for "super-sized" captures starting in February. In Miami, city officials unveiled plans for a new "Sea Wall Park" in Coconut Grove to mitigate rising high-tide flooding.

Sources:

• Tallahassee Democrat: "DeSantis Signs Emergency Insurance Relief Into Law." (Jan 6, 2026)

• Miami Herald: "The Great Python Cull: Record Numbers Removed from Everglades." (Jan 9, 2026)

• Florida Politics: "Miami Unveils $500M Sea Wall Strategy for 2026." (Jan 10, 2026)

TECH & SCIENCE NEWS

Mars Laser Communication System Sets Speed Record; Lab-Grown Heart Tissue Successfully Integrated January 6–11, 2026

NASA announced on January 8 that its Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) system successfully transmitted high-definition video from a distance of 150 million miles, the distance from Mars to Earth, at speeds comparable to home broadband. This breakthrough ensures that future astronauts on the Red Planet will have real-time communication capabilities with Earth.

In biology, a team at the Cleveland Clinic announced on January 10 the first successful integration of lab-grown "bio-synthetic" heart tissue into a human patient. The 3D-printed patch, grown from the patient’s own stem cells, successfully repaired a damaged ventricle without the need for immunosuppressant drugs. This marks a significant leap toward the future of "printing" entire replacement organs.

Sources:

• Scientific American: "Broadband from Mars: Laser Tech Revolutionizes Space Comms." (Jan 8, 2026)

• Nature Biotechnology: "Patient-Derived Cardiac Patches: A New Era in Surgery." (Jan 10, 2026)

• Wired: "Why the High-Speed Mars Link Changes Everything for Artemis." (Jan 11, 2026)

✅ That concludes this week’s Sunday Roundup.

The second week of 2026 was defined by accountability and innovation. The world watched as Nicolás Maduro entered the U.S. legal system, while the UN secured a future for the oceans via the High Seas Treaty. Florida took its most aggressive step yet to solve the insurance crisis, and NASA solved one of the biggest hurdles for Mars exploration: high-speed communication.

Thank you for trusting AzM News as your source for timely and in-depth reporting. We invite you to continue following our coverage and to subscribe to AzM News on YouTube for daily updates and exclusive content. Join the conversation on social media by engaging with our posts and sharing your thoughts. Your participation helps us foster a vibrant community of informed citizens.

Posted by Carlos Ferreira Follow me on X or BLUESKY

U.S. NEWS

Operation Absolute Resolve: U.S. Forces Capture Nicolás Maduro in Caracas Raid

January 3–4, 2026

In a stunning military operation codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, U.S. special forces supported by over 150 aircraft, launched a large-scale strike on Caracas in the early hours of January 3. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and flown out of the country. By Saturday evening, the deposed leader arrived in New York City to face charges of narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking in the Southern District of New York.

The raid, which mirrored the 1989 capture of Manuel Noriega, has drawn sharp reactions globally. While the Trump administration stated the U.S. would "run" Venezuela temporarily to stabilize its oil industry and transition power, legal experts and international bodies like the UN have raised immediate questions regarding the legality of the incursion. In Caracas, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was named acting president by the Supreme Tribunal as she demanded Maduro’s immediate release.

Sources:

• PBS News: "U.S. strikes Venezuela and says leader Maduro has been captured and flown out of the country." (Jan 3, 2026)

• The Guardian: "Nicolás Maduro: from bus driver to Chávez successor to US detainee." (Jan 3, 2026)

• Associated Press: "Maduro arrives in New York following his capture, facing narco-terrorism charges." (Jan 4, 2026)

WORLD NEWS

Global Trade Pact 'Alliance 2026' Goes Live; Historic Peace Summit in the Balkans

January 1–4, 2026

January 1 marked the official commencement of "Alliance 2026," a comprehensive trade agreement between 15 Indo-Pacific nations and the European Union. The pact aims to eliminate 90% of tariffs on renewable energy components, signaling a global shift toward green industrialization. Markets in Singapore and Frankfurt saw an immediate 2% bump in tech manufacturing stocks following the activation.

In the Balkans, a historic peace summit concluded on January 3, with leaders from Serbia and Kosovo signing a "Framework for Shared Prosperity." The agreement, mediated by the UN, includes provisions for joint infrastructure projects and a simplified border crossing for students and medical professionals, marking the most significant step toward regional stability in over a decade.

Sources:

• Reuters: "Alliance 2026: Green Trade Pact Reshapes Global Markets." (Jan 1, 2026)

• Le Monde: "Balkan Leaders Sign Historic Peace Framework in Brussels." (Jan 3, 2026)

• Financial Times: "New Year Markets: Tech Stocks Rally on Tariff Reductions." (Jan 2, 2026)

FLORIDA NEWS

Florida Legislature Convenes for Insurance Reform; Miami Hosts Record-Breaking New Year’s Concert December 30, 2025 – January 4, 2026

Ahead of the formal session start, Florida lawmakers met in committee on January 2 to finalize the "Homeowner Relief Act of 2026." The bipartisan bill proposes a state-backed reinsurance fund to stabilize the property insurance market after the volatile 2025 hurricane season. Governor DeSantis expressed optimism that the bill would significantly lower premiums by the end of the month.

In South Florida, Miami’s Bayfront Park hosted a record-breaking New Year’s Eve concert, drawing an estimated 250,000 attendees and pushing hotel occupancy to 98%. Simultaneously, the news of Maduro’s capture sparked massive, impromptu celebrations in Doral and Little Havana, as the local Venezuelan-American community reacted to the upheaval in their home country.

Sources:

• Miami Herald: "Miami’s Big Night: Record Crowds and Revenue for New Year’s Eve." (Jan 1, 2026)

• Tallahassee Democrat: "Insurance Reform Tops 2026 Legislative Priorities." (Jan 3, 2026)

• Florida Politics: "Celebrations in Doral: Local Venezuelans React to Maduro’s Capture." (Jan 3, 2026)

TECH & SCIENCE NEWS

Private Rover 'Selene-1' Lands on Lunar South Pole; AI Diagnostics Integrated into Hospitals December 29, 2025 – January 3, 2026

A historic milestone in space exploration was reached on December 30 when the "Selene-1" rover, built by a Houston-based firm, successfully touched down in the Shackleton Crater on the Moon's South Pole. This mission is the first to begin actively mining ice samples for hydrogen fuel conversion, a critical step for future manned Mars missions.

In healthcare, three major U.S. hospital networks announced on January 2 the full integration of a new "Generative Diagnostic AI" into their emergency rooms. The system, which cross-references patient symptoms with global medical records in real-time, reportedly reduced diagnostic errors by 15% during its pilot phase, marking a new standard for AI-assisted clinical care.

Sources:

• Scientific American: "The New Lunar Gold Rush: Selene-1 Begins Mining Operations." (Dec 31, 2025)

• Wired: "AI in the ER: How Generative Tech is Saving Lives in 2026." (Jan 2, 2026)

• NASA Press Release: "NASA Congratulates Private Partners on Successful Lunar Landing." (Dec 30, 2025)

✅ That concludes this week’s Sunday Roundup.

The first week of 2026 was dominated by the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro, an event that has sent shockwaves through global politics and sparked massive celebrations in Florida. While Operation Absolute Resolve redefined American foreign policy, the world also saw the start of a massive green trade pact and a historic private lunar landing. Florida enters the year focused on insurance reform and economic growth, setting the stage for a transformative 2026.

Thank you for trusting AzM News as your source for timely and in-depth reporting. We invite you to continue following our coverage and to subscribe to AzM News on YouTube for daily updates and exclusive content. Join the conversation on social media by engaging with our posts and sharing your thoughts. Your participation helps us foster a vibrant community of informed citizens.

Posted by Carlos Ferreira Follow me on X or BLUESKY

↑ Back to Top ↑

Browse The Sunday Roundup Archives