DNA

OSLO/ CARACAS: Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, recognized for her unwavering commitment to democracy, human rights, and peaceful resistance against authoritarian rule in Venezuela. The announcement was made by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo on Friday, ending weeks of speculation over this year’s recipient.

Machado, 58, is one of Latin America’s most prominent voices for democratic reform and has long stood at the forefront of Venezuela’s opposition movement. A former member of the National Assembly (2011–2014), she is the founder of the civic group Súmate and leader of the liberal party Vente Venezuela.

In its citation, the Nobel Committee praised Machado for “her courageous and peaceful struggle to restore democratic institutions and defend fundamental freedoms in Venezuela despite threats, imprisonment, and political disqualification.”

Machado remains banned by the Venezuelan government from holding public office and from leaving the country. In a recorded message shared shortly after the announcement, she said, “This award is not mine alone — it belongs to every Venezuelan who continues to dream of freedom and refuses to surrender to tyranny.”

Her recognition comes at a pivotal time for Venezuela, where Nicolás Maduro continues to tighten his grip on power amid growing economic hardship and international isolation. Machado, widely viewed as the legitimate leader of the Venezuelan opposition, was prevented from contesting the 2024 presidential elections, despite winning the opposition primaries.

In recent years, she has drawn international attention for her steadfast opposition to the Maduro regime. In 2024, she went into hiding after publishing an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal titled “My Country Is Dying, but I Still Have Hope,” describing the dangers she and other activists faced.

Meanwhile, the decision to award Machado the Nobel Peace Prize came as a surprise to many observers, who had speculated that U.S. President Donald Trump might be in contention for his claimed role in brokering the Gaza ceasefire agreement earlier this year. The committee, however, did not acknowledge Trump in its announcement, focusing instead on grassroots movements and human rights defenders.

Political analysts say the choice of Machado sends a strong message in support of democracy movements facing repression worldwide. “This award underscores the global importance of peaceful political resistance,” said Lars Peterson, a senior fellow at the Oslo Peace Institute. “It reflects the committee’s belief that courage under dictatorship deserves more recognition than transactional diplomacy.”

Machado has previously been included in BBC’s 100 Women (2018) and TIME’s 100 Most Influential People (2025). Her Nobel win marks a significant moment for Venezuela’s pro-democracy forces, giving renewed visibility to their struggle on the world stage.

As celebrations broke out in parts of Caracas, supporters hailed the award as a moral victory. “María Corina is the voice of a silenced nation,” one activist said. “This prize gives hope that the world has not forgotten us.”

The Nobel Peace Prize will be formally presented in Oslo on December 10, 2025. Whether Machado will be allowed to attend the ceremony in person remains uncertain, as the Maduro government has yet to comment on the announcement.

Paris, Oct 9 (AFP/APP/DNA):World leaders on Thursday welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas, which could help end the two-year war in Gaza.

– Palestinian Territories –

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said he hoped that the deal “would be a prelude to reaching a permanent political solution”, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

– United Nations –

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for all hostages to be released “in a dignified manner” and for a permanent ceasefire to be secured.

“The fighting must stop once and for all,” he said, urging the immediate, unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

– Turkey –

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan singled out his US counterpart Donald Trump for praise, thanking him for demonstrating “the necessary political will to encourage the Israeli government toward the ceasefire”.

– European Union –

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the deal “a major diplomatic accomplishment”, which was “a real chance” to end the conflict and release the hostages.

Among European leaders, Trump ally Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy called it “extraordinary news”, while French President Emmanuel Macron said he hoped it would pave the way for a “political solution”.

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the developments were “encouraging” and he was “confident” of a solution this week.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, one of Europe’s most vocal critics of Israel’s offensive in Gaza, said the civilian population should now be supported and “the atrocities experienced… never repeated”.

– UK –

Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the “tireless” diplomatic efforts of mediators Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the United States, as well as regional partners to secure what he said was a “crucial first step”.

“This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza,” he added.

– China –

Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Beijing hoped for a “permanent and comprehensive” ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible, adding: “China advocates adhering to the principle that ‘Palestinians should govern Palestine’.”

Rajshahi, Bangladesh, Oct 8 (AFP/APP/DNA):In the swamplands along Bangladesh's mighty Padma River, snakes slithering through villages have become an unrelenting menace, leaving residents terrified and hospitals overwhelmed with bite victims.
              Doctors and experts warn snakebites are on the rise, driven by heavy rains, shrinking habitats and shifting farming practices.
              Bangladesh -- among the nations most vulnerable to climate change -- has seen nearly 15,000 snakebite admissions this year, with 84 deaths reported so far.
              Farmer Ananda Mondol broke down as he recalled how a snake bit his ankle while he was working in a rice field this year.
              "I couldn't talk, I couldn't move," the 35-year-old from Nimtola, a village in the northern district of Rajshahi, told AFP.
              "I vomited, lost control of my bowels, and saliva was coming out of my mouth."
              He spent three days in intensive care, and is still plagued by sleepless nights and persistent muscle pain.
              The father of four has not returned to the fields since.
              His wife, Sunita Rani, a traditional healer, said the family cannot afford further treatment.
              Across the villages of northern Bangladesh, similar stories abound.
              "Sometimes, they even lie with us on the bed," said Rezina Begum, as she washed clothes by the river. 
              Another villager, Mohammad Bablu, told AFP he dreads walking through the fields.
              "My heart races," he said. "Only yesterday they killed seven snakes."

Snakebite surge as Bangladesh hit by record rains

Rajshahi, Bangladesh, Oct 8 (AFP/APP):In the swamplands along Bangladesh's mighty Padma River, snakes slithering through villages have become an unrelenting menace, leaving residents terrified and hospitals overwhelmed with bite victims.
              Doctors and experts warn snakebites are on the rise, driven by heavy rains, shrinking habitats and shifting farming practices.
              Bangladesh -- among the nations most vulnerable to climate change -- has seen nearly 15,000 snakebite admissions this year, with 84 deaths reported so far.
              Farmer Ananda Mondol broke down as he recalled how a snake bit his ankle while he was working in a rice field this year.
              "I couldn't talk, I couldn't move," the 35-year-old from Nimtola, a village in the northern district of Rajshahi, told AFP.
              "I vomited, lost control of my bowels, and saliva was coming out of my mouth."
              He spent three days in intensive care, and is still plagued by sleepless nights and persistent muscle pain.
              The father of four has not returned to the fields since.
              His wife, Sunita Rani, a traditional healer, said the family cannot afford further treatment.
              Across the villages of northern Bangladesh, similar stories abound.
              "Sometimes, they even lie with us on the bed," said Rezina Begum, as she washed clothes by the river. 
              Another villager, Mohammad Bablu, told AFP he dreads walking through the fields.
              "My heart races," he said. "Only yesterday they killed seven snakes."