CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — The United States military carried out “large scale” strike inside Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday morning, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, according to President Donald Trump.

Leaders in Connecticut are responding to the military action.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) shared the following statement.

“If we’re starting another endless war, with no clear national security strategy or need, count me out. Maduro is a cruel criminal dictator, but President Trump has never sought approval from Congress for war as the Constitution requires – and our military deserves. We’ve seen several Administrations lead us into conflicts without objectives or timelines and with disastrous consequences. President Trump has also articulated no clear end game to prevent further chaos, violence, and bloodshed in Venezuela. The American people deserve—and Congress should demand—facts and clarity.”

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) called the strike the start of an “illegal war” between the U.S. and Venezuela.

“President Trump thinks he is above the law. He steals from taxpayers. He thumbs his nose at the law. And now, he is starting an illegal war with Venezuela that Americans didn’t ask for and has nothing to do with our security. How does going to war in South America help regular Americans who are struggling? How does this do anything about drugs entering the U.S. when Venezuela produces no fentanyl? What is the actual security threat to the United States? And what happens next in Venezuela? He cannot answer these questions – and that’s why there was no briefing to Congress to explain this action, and no briefing scheduled. And Maduro’s illegitimate election does not give the president the power to invade without congressional approval, nor does it create a national security justification. That contention is laughable. This is about satisfying Trump’s vanity, making good on the long standing neocon grudge against Maduro, enriching Trump’s oil industry backers, and distracting voters from Epstein and rising costs.”

Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) said the Trump administration acted without congressional approval.

“Maduro is an illegitimate ruler, but I have seen no evidence that his presidency poses a threat that would justify military action without Congressional authorization, nor have I heard a strategy for the day after and how we will prevent Venezuela from descending into chaos. Secretary Rubio repeatedly denied to Congress that the Administration intended to force regime change in Venezuela. The Administration must immediately brief Congress on its plan to ensure stability in the region and its legal justification for this decision.”

State Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding (R-Conn.) shared that he hopes Maduro is brought to justice, calling him an “integral culprit” in the “narcotic ring” in the United States.

“President Maduro has been an integral culprit in fostering the narcotic ring in our country which has killed far too many Americans. I hope he is brought to justice and we can continue to address the substance abuse crisis that our state and country continues to face.

The Chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party Ben Proto shared the following statement.

“President Trump promised to stop the flow of drugs into the US that have been killing millions of Americans. Nicolas Maduro, who declared himself President, while getting about 30% of the vote in the last so called free election in Venezuela, was given multiple warnings to stop the flow of drugs from his country into America, was offered help by the Trump administration in stopping the flow, but he continued to, not only allow the flow of drugs, but condone it and profit from it. Presidents have long used their constitutional authority to intervene in other countries when those countries posed a danger to America and Americans. President Trump did just that. Unfortunately Democrats, particularly Jim Himes, Chris Murphy and Dick Blumenthal are more interested in playing politics than in protecting Americans. Nearly 1,000 Connecticut residents died from drug overdoses in 2024 and we have seen an increase in overdoses in 2025. If only Democrats cared as much about Americans as they do about a drug lord running another country who profits from the death of Americans.“

Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) demanded that Congress must be briefed before further action.

“As information about U.S military strikes in Venezuela unfold, I have more questions than answers. Nicolas Maduro is a brutal dictator who caused so much harm to his people. However, as Americans we must seriously weigh the consequences of attacking a sovereign nation and committing to “run Venezuela.” Congress must be briefed immediately, before this situation continues to escalate. I will comment further as credible information becomes available to Members of Congress.“

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) shared the following statement, claiming that there could be “severe repercussions for American interests.”

“President Trump’s unilateral decision to attempt a regime change operation in Venezuela by using military force to capture Nicolas Maduro and declaring, ‘we will run the country’, threatens global order and is a fundamental violation of the Constitution, which gives Congress the responsibility of authorizing major military actions that could have severe repercussions for American interests.

“America’s unprecedented global strength and prosperity was built on this principle of restraining military force through democratic bodies like Congress. President Trump has shredded this principle, and along with it has destroyed American credibility and emboldened our adversaries to act with similar aggression. This new foreign policy that President Trump and his advisors have used to justify this act of war, including invoking the 200-year-old Monroe Doctrine as a justification for America to do whatever it pleases in the Western Hemisphere, is the exact same reasoning that China would use to justify invading Taiwan, and which Russia has used to assault Ukraine.

“President Trump has also now threatened Cuba with similar language, and is preparing a giant corrupt giveaway to oil companies by claiming that the United States will acquire Venezuela’s oil. This is corruption of the highest order. Maduro was an authoritarian who stayed in power despite the will of the people, but that does not justify the United States in starting a war to benefit some of the world’s wealthiest corporations.

“President Trump did all of this without the consent of Congress, and without providing any details or day-after plans. The full consequences of this act of war will not be known for some time, and they may require putting American boots on the ground in Venezuela, as the President has said he was prepared to do. The American people do not want to be dragged into another endless conflict distracting from the rising cost of living and the affordability crisis. Whatever happens next, the responsibility will be squarely with President Trump and his contempt for the Constitution and for Congress.”

Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) echoed the statements of his fellow Democrats.

“This is yet another authoritarian power grab by Donald Trump. As he indicated in his address, it’s clear it’s about the oil!!! And securing that oil!!! And securing it with the use of our brave men and women in the United States military!!! The Constitution entrusts Congress, not the President, with the power to declare war for a reason. It’s Congress’s responsibility to decide whether the nation goes to war or not! That’s why I’m joining with others in calling on the President to immediately brief Congress—and for Congress to assert its authority under the Constitution and the War Powers Act—to let this President know he does not have the authority to unilaterally commit our country to yet another endless war.“

This is a developing story. Stay with News 8 for updates.

There was clutch fourth-quarter defense, inspiring two-way play from Toumani Camara and another stat-stuffing performance by Deni Avdija.

But perhaps no one or no thing meant more to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday than Donovan Clingan.

The starting center’s combination of defense, emotion and dominance powered the Blazers to a 114-108 win over the Boston Celtics before 17,949 at the Moda Center.

“I think he was our best defensive player,” Blazers acting coach Tiago Splitter said of Clingan. “Just his presence, reading every situation, talking, leading. He was a big part of our win.”

Clingan finished with 18 points and 18 rebounds, recording his ninth double-double of the season, as the Blazers (13-19) ended a three-game losing streak. He was suffocating early, producing 11 points and eight rebounds in the first quarter. He was clutch late, adding five points and six rebounds in the fourth. And he was a mountain of energy and intensity throughout.

He stared down Celtics players after monster two-handed dunks. He came oh-so-close to drawing a technical foul in the second half, when he towered over a Boston player after finishing a dunk. And he punctuated big shots with screams to the rafters and raised arms.

The Blazers seemed to feed off his energy and emotion, riding it all the way a much-needed win.

“He’s one of those dudes that scores (and) looks at the opponent,” Splitter said. “He tries to bring some juice every time he (has) a good play or a block or something like that, just to pass (it along) to the rest of the guys, the energy, the belief that he has. He’s very important for our defense, for our offense, for the whole locker room’s energy. He’s one of those guys.”

Of course, it took more than Clingan for the shorthanded Blazers to topple the Celtics (19-12).

Camara finished with 20 points, made four of five three-pointers in the second half and played imposing defense. Avdija overcame a shaky first half that included five turnovers to produce 24 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. Shaedon Sharpe added 26 points and five rebounds and Caleb Love scored 18 points off the bench, which included 10 crucial points in the fourth quarter.

Boston had control for most of the first half and built a 10-point lead in the third quarter, thanks in large part to a breathtaking performance by Jaylen Brown, who torched the Blazers with 27 points on 11-for-16 shooting before halftime.

But Splitter tweaked his defense to feature a swarm of double teams and blitzes at the Celtics’ All-Star forward, and it helped fuel a second-half turnaround.

Portland opened the third quarter by outscoring Boston 12-2 and Brown managed just 10 points on 3-for-8 shooting after halftime.

Still, like most of the Blazers’ games this season, the outcome came down to clutch time. And this time, the Blazers’ defense was the difference.

Portland held Boston to three points over the final two minutes, 41 seconds of the game, allowing just one field goal — a Derrick White three-pointer with 43.0 seconds left. Otherwise, the Blazers’ defense was stifling, forcing two missed shots and four turnovers, including two on the Celtics’ final two possessions of the game. The Celtics scored just 45 points in the second half, including 23 in the pivotal fourth quarter.

“I think Sidy (Cissoko) brought energy,” Splitter said. “Toumani always (does). D.C. was protecting the rim, his rebounding was huge. But as a group, the energy was there. We were fighting every screen. They have great players that can shoot the ball. They’re one of the best shooting teams in the league. So (we) had to fight all those screens, getting over or under, and (we) did a good job navigating those positions.”

Top performers

Avdija finished with 20 or more points for the 26th time this season and recorded double-digits in assists for the fifth time this season.

Brown finished with 37 points, seven rebounds and four assists for the Celtics, who had won four in a row and nine of 11.

A pair of reunions

Anfernee Simons returned to the Moda Center for the first time as a visitor, finishing with 13 points, three rebounds, two steals and one assist in 19 minutes.

Simons, who spent his first seven seasons with the Blazers, was traded to the Celtics in the offseason in a move that brought Jrue Holiday to Portland. Simons came off the bench for Boston on Sunday and swished his first shot — a three — 17 seconds later. But his shot was mostly cold the rest of the night as Simons made just 4 of 11 field goals, including 2 of 6 threes.

Meanwhile, Payton Pritchard, who went to West Linn High School and played for the Oregon Ducks, recorded nine points, five assists, five rebounds and two steals in 38 minutes.

At NEXT, we love sharing all kinds of Pittsburgh stories with our readers. But if we had to pick a favorite topic, it would be covering new restaurants. Can you blame us?

The regional food scene shows no signs of slowing down: There were so many openings this year we couldn’t possibly visit them all. Our favorites of the year include dishes from India and Poland to Brooklyn and Korea. Some of them are tucked away in tiny boroughs and some are in busy city neighborhoods, but they’re all deliciously unique. If you haven’t tried these places yet, put these eateries on your list now.

Roman Hladio

Chief Reporter

Tatva’s curries or biryanis are stellar, but they play second fiddle to all the small plates and sides that you can’t help but order droves of. Its Punjabi samosas are about the size of your palm and dusted lightly with spice so you can devour them before any sauces hit the table and still get a flavorful bite. The pastry is flaky yet doesn’t crumble to dust between bites, and the filling is just the right texture — you’re never left fighting through a large chunk of potato to reach those rich spices or sweet peas. If you were raised a carnivore — like myself — and have an innate disinterest in vegetarian cooking, you need to try the Hara Bara Kabab off Tatva’s Tandoori menu. The spinach and pea patties are creamy, spicy and have an uncannily crisp crust that makes them irresistible. I’ve shamelessly ordered two portions in one sitting, and they’ve been my gateway drug to other vegetarian and vegan entrees.

Jennifer Baron

Events & Jobs Editor

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Stepping into Polska Laska sets the scene for a memorable dining experience: Nestled within a narrow brick building — like a humble mini flatiron — the iconic corner storefront beckons with its bright red double doors, large windows and cheerful sign decorated with stencil lettering and folk art motifs. Taking a seat in the sun-bathed interior is more akin to having dinner at your grandmother’s kitchen table than it is a formal dining setting. For this patron, it even feels more like home, since I am also the proud owner of several 1950s-era Formica kitchen tables and have collected vintage dishware for decades. Receiving the genuine warmth of owner Olive Visco, it’s hard to not be equally smitten with the proprietor, the place — and those signature pierogies — equally. With delicately braided edges, the vegan potato and sauerkraut pierogies had me hooked. On a steamy August day, the Vegan Golabki did wonders, with buckwheat, potato, kapusta, stuffed cabbage and tomato gravy. Fresh beet salad provided side dish perfection.

One of my favorite things about Visco’s approach is that her menu features locally sourced ingredients and is constantly changing, which means you should keep going back to try all the new things she’s perfecting. The best way to keep up with the rotating specials of the week before they sell out is by following their Instagram to drool over the irresistible photos. When riffing on the ‘rogi, Polska Laska thinks way outside the dough. During their first year in business, they’ve served everything from Pumpkin Beer Cheese Pierogies to The Vegan Cowboy Pierogi with potato, soy chorizo, corn, pepper, pickled red onion, jalapeño and vegan cheese and sour cream.

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Turkish/Greek cuisine always shines most during warm weather if you ask me. That’s especially true at AVVA, which offers ample outdoor seating on its spacious wrap-around porch and patio, which is heated and covered during the winter for outdoor diners who don’t mind keeping jackets on. The dinner menu includes meze staples like banaganoush, hummus and htipiti, plus shish kebabs, lamb chops, bronzino, salads and much more. The real standout for me, though, was brunch. The savory egg plates with haydari yoghurt, warm chili butter, sujuk, capers and hollandaise sauce paired with Turkish coffee make for a delightful start to a slow weekend morning.

AVVA, which opened in April in the former Mike & Luke’s Front Porch location, does offer indoor seating in its dining room, but space is limited, and reservations are recommended. After brunch, stop and walk around Aspinwall’s charming business district, which includes Spark Books, Bella Christie’s Sweet Boutique Bakery, Rosebud’s gift shop, The Sōl Collective and Aspinwall Beans ’n’ Cream.

Aakanksha Agarwal

Contributing writer

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When a long-mythologized New York pizzeria chooses Pittsburgh for its first out-of-state expansion, we pay attention. F&F, from Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli of Brooklyn’s Frankies restaurants, ended up being one of my favorite openings of 2025 by doing something very simple very well.

Pittsburgh already has great pizza. Just ask Joe Manganiello. But between deep-dish, Neapolitan, Detroit-style and classic red-sauce pies, F&F finds a fourth (or 20th) lane. Call it hybrid NYC-Neapolitan if you will.

The pizza comes thin, lightly chewy, crisp underneath and flexible enough to fold. The classic cheese is my baseline, all tomato-ey bright but restrained, mozzarella in soft pools, finished with a good drizzle of Sicilian olive oil. The clam pie, a Brooklyn signature, is more expressive with chopped clams, garlic, breadcrumbs, and finally, a squeeze of lemon, tasting faintly of the ocean.

What seals it is how easy the pies are to eat. Three slices in, a fourth still feels possible. Add buttery olives, stewy beans and greens, and a properly cold, bitter Negroni, and there’s no real reason to leave.

Aakanksha Agarwal

Contributing writer

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Top Pot & KBBQ is an all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue and hot pot spot where both happen at the same table. You can choose to do one or both, and each setup comes with a built-in grill and a simmering pot. I love that you’re cooking as you go and setting the pace yourself. There’s also a sauce bar stocked with soy, garlic, chili, sesame oil and other essentials, which you’ll want to visit early and often.

Once orders arrive, the table fills quickly. Thinly sliced galbi and bulgogi, pork neck, shrimp and assorted seafood are accompanied by enoki, shiitake and oyster mushrooms, leafy greens, tofu, corn and noodles. Broth options range from mild and savory to tom yum–style, and the breadth of ingredients keeps the experience varied from start to finish. There’s beer, soju and cocktails to pair with the dishes.

The fun comes from the collective momentum. Someone inevitably will be fighting off a food coma mid-meal. Someone else might create an unhinged sauce that becomes the table standard. You eat in rounds, pause to talk, then jump back in. Service is good at walking first-timers through the process, then backing off once you’ve got it.

One quick note of wisdom: Don’t come right after washing your hair. With open grills and steaming broth at every table, the experience is immersive and intensely aromatic. Accept it, plan accordingly, and consider it evidence of a night well spent.

Honorable mentions:

Roman Hladio

Chief Reporter

I can’t give you a firm date on when this one will return to Pittsburgh, but since it was one of my favorite meals of the year, I can’t pass up a chance to heap praise. If you’re looking for the best burrito in Pittsburgh, you have to track down Chef Beth. Her homemade tortillas have a little tug to them that not only makes them an ideal vessel for stuffing full of toppings, but also just makes them fun to eat. The braised lamb and beans inside coat your mouth and leave you licking your teeth for just one more taste. If borscht happens to also be on the menu when Zozula next rolls around, save a bit of your dill yogurt for dunking your burrito in. You can thank me later.

Technically, Balena Bagels opened at the tail end of 2024, but they became the talk of Castle Shannon throughout 2025, so we’re being cheeky and including them here anyway.

I’m always on the hunt for great bagels in Pittsburgh. It turns out that I’ve got lots of kindred spirits in the South Hills. And they found them first.

I had wanted to check out Balena Bagels since our food writer, Aakanksha, mentioned them in one of her restaurant roundups. So, a couple weeks ago, I popped down to this cute shop in Castle Shannon (right by the Willow Station on the T). But no luck – or should I say “no lox”? They were sold out two hours before the 2 p.m. closing time.

Fortunately, owner Audrey Brown was there and graciously pulled a spare bagel from an emergency bagel kit for me (which absolutely should become a thing!).

Brown was also kind enough to spare a little time to talk shop with a fellow bagel nerd.

I asked Brown what she’s learned in the past year that she didn’t have in mind at opening: “Cream cheese is super important! People really want it,” she said. “We’ve had to figure out how to make our own cream cheese, and what flavors we want to make.”

One team member, Michelle, acts something like a cream cheese sommelier when it comes to determining which flavors to make for the shop. Brown said, “Michelle does a lot. She has this super sense of smell. If she doesn’t like the smell of something, we have to move on. … We just try different things until we hit what we want.”

It’s clear there is both passion and expertise in the bagels that Balena makes. The chew is great. It’s got that signature bagel tang. And the shop is clearly home to a team of people committed to serving the community what they desperately want: a darn good bagel with tasty cream cheese.