Sense of uncertainty looms over Venezuelan university amid escalating tensions with US

Students at the Central University of Venezuela (Universidad Central de Venezuela) are increasingly gripped by uncertainty as they worry that rising tensions with the United States will disrupt their lives.

Currently, teaching activities and exams are progressing as usual at the Caracas-based university.

However, some students say they still feel stressed as they can feel the real impacts of the escalating tensions.

"Maritime blockade has led to a shortage of resources related to public transportation in Venezuela. Reduced service frequency has made it difficult for me to attend the class on time," said Julio Blanco, a student.

"Sometimes I also feel worried and wonder what to do if the worst-case scenario really happens. But generally speaking, I try to digest this unease," said Juan Sanchez, another student.

Most students say they remain optimistic about the future despite growing concerns about escalating tensions with the United States.

Study remains their major focus, and they are also looking forward to the upcoming year-end holiday.

"Being subjected to waves of rumors for so many years makes people not really believe many things. There is no heightened stress or fear," said Corina Aristimuno, secretary of the Central University of Venezuela.

The Venezuelan government on Thursday condemned the United States' seizure of a giant oil tanker off its coast, calling the move "a blatant theft and an act of international piracy."

The sharp denunciation follows U.S. President Donald Trump's confirmation of the military action on Wednesday.

In a related escalation, the United States imposed new sanctions on Thursday targeting three nephews of Venezuelan first lady Cilia Flores, as well as six crude oil tankers and associated shipping companies, ramping up pressure on Caracas.

The tanker seizure and new sanctions form a dual economic and military thrust in Washington's protracted campaign to remove President Nicolas Maduro from power.

Sense of uncertainty looms over Venezuelan university amid escalating tensions with US

Torrential rain from Wednesday evening has pounded dilapidated homes and crumbled tents across Gaza Strip, claiming lives and compounding the humanitarian situation in the war-torn region.

At least 14 people were killed in the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours as homes collapsed and tents sheltering displaced families were flooded during a powerful winter storm, Gaza's Civil Defense said on Friday.

A woman taking shelter in a war-damaged house voiced concerns that the makeshift shelters, which were previously destroyed or severely weakened during recent Israeli bombardments, offer no real protection from the storms.

"The house leaks and stones would fall when it rains. It's not safe. We're afraid it could collapse on us any moment. But we have no choice and no other place to go, so we have to stay here," she said.

Rescue teams responded to 13 collapsed or partially collapsed houses, saving 52 people and moving them to safer locations. Search operations are ongoing after more than 15 homes were damaged across the territory.

"From the early hours until now, rescue crews and Civil Defense teams in northern Gaza have been working to retrieve the missing from beneath the rubble of this house. So far, they have recovered one victim and a child who was injured, but five people remain trapped under the debris and their condition is still unknown," said a rescue worker.

Victims died beneath the rubble rather than from missiles, highlighting the compounded dangers facing displaced families forced to shelter in unsafe ruins, with no alternative refuge available after more than two years of war.

"People sat peacefully at home, taking shelter from the wind, rain and cold. Suddenly, around three or three-thirty, the house collapsed on them for no reason except the torrential rain and flooding," a resident said, recalling the disaster.

Torrential rain brings more deaths, destruction to war-torn Gaza