News
January 9, 2026
President Donald Trump said he has “canceled the previously expected second Wave of Attacks” on Venezuela due to the country’s release of political prisoners and its cooperation in rebuilding its oil and gas infrastructure.
In a Truth Social post early Friday, Trump said Venezuela’s decision to free “large numbers of political prisoners” is a sign the country is “Seeking Peace,” calling it “a very important and smart gesture.”
Trump added that Washington and Caracas are “working well together,” particularly on rebuilding the oil-and-gas infrastructure in a “much bigger, better, and more modern form.”
Because of that cooperation, Trump said he has called off the “previously expected second Wave of Attacks,” though he emphasized that U.S. ships “will stay in place for safety and security purposes.”
The announcement came hours after Venezuela began releasing a number of imprisoned opposition figures, activists, and journalists, both Venezuelan citizens and foreigners.
The releases were described by Venezuela’s leadership as a move to “seek peace,” less than a week after former President Nicolas Maduro was captured by U.S. forces to face drug-trafficking charges.
Trump, who has signaled that the United States intends to shape Venezuela’s transition, said in a Fox News interview Thursday that the releases came at America’s request.
He praised the government of acting President Delcy Rodriguez, saying, “They’ve been great. … Everything we’ve wanted, they’ve given us.”
Jorge Rodriguez, head of Venezuela’s National Assembly and brother of the acting president, said a “significant number” of people would be freed, framing it as a gesture by the “Bolivarian government” intended to “seek peace.”
Advocacy group Foro Penal identified some of those released, including opposition leader Biagio Pilieri, linked to Maria Corina Machado’s 2024 campaign, and former electoral authority Enrique Marquez.
Hennepin County prosecutor calls on the public to share Renee Good shooting evidence with her office
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has called on members of the public to send any video or other evidence in the fatal shooting of Renee Good directly to her office. Moriarty said Friday that although her office has collaborated effectively with the FBI in past cases, the Trump administration’s decision to keep the investigation into Wednesday’s killing of Good by an ICE officer in federal hands concerns her. She said she’s worried that the FBI won’t share evidence with state investigators. She also said her office is responsible for the investigation, despite the Trump administration’s decision to assign it solely to the FBI.
US intercepts fifth sanctioned tanker as it exerts control over Venezuelan oil distribution
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military says U.S. forces have boarded another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea as the Trump administration continues to target sanctioned tankers traveling to and from Venezuela. The pre-dawn action was carried out by Marines and Navy sailors launched from an aircraft carrier that is part of the extensive force the U.S. has built up in the Caribbean. That’s according to U.S. Southern Command, which declared “there is no safe haven for criminals” as it announced the seizure of the vessel called the Olina on Friday. The Olina is the fifth tanker seized by U.S. forces as part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to control the production and global distribution of Venezuela’s oil products.
Trump meets with oil executives at the White House on Friday, seeking investments in Venezuela
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is meeting with oil executives at the White House on Friday. He hopes to secure $100 billion in investments to revive Venezuela’s oil industry. The goal rides on the executives’ comfort with investing in a country facing instability and inflation. Since a U.S. military raid captured former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, Trump has said there’s a new opportunity to use the country’s oil to keep gasoline prices low. The meeting is set for 2:30 p.m., and is currently set to occur behind closed doors. The full list of executives has not been disclosed, but Chevon, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips are expected to attend.
Iran supreme leader signals upcoming crackdown on protesters ‘ruining their own streets’ for Trump
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s judiciary chief has vowed decisive punishment for protesters, signaling a coming crackdown against demonstrations. Iranian state television reported the comments from Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei on Friday. They came after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s support for the protesters, saying Trump’s hands are “stained with the blood of Iranians.” The government has shut down the internet and is blocking international calls. State media has labeled the demonstrators as “terrorists.” The protests began over Iran’s struggling economy and have become a significant challenge to the government. Violence has killed at least 62 people, and more than 2,300 have been detained.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Independent journalists Jonathan Choe and Cam Higby say they have uncovered multiple “ghost daycares” in Washington state, licensed childcare providers listed as operating on official state records but appearing inactive or nonexistent when visited in person.
Appearing on The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, Higby said publicly available data on the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) website appears to be changing during the investigation. He said daycare pages that previously displayed addresses, total available slots, and maximum licensed capacity now show missing or blank fields, with some listings showing “zero” where enrollment-related figures were previously visible.
Hoffman told listeners DCYF attributed the changes to a website update aimed at federal ADA compliance. He criticized the explanation and questioned why major website modifications would occur during the holiday season.
Choe said he and Higby have identified at least four locations they now describe as “ghost daycares,” sites allegedly registered as functioning daycares but where residents either denied any daycare existed or refused to engage. Choe said federal-level law enforcement sources he has spoken with believe the locations merit investigation for potential fraud.
Both journalists emphasized they are not claiming all Somali-run daycare operations are fraudulent. Choe said they hope the majority are legitimate, and that honest providers should condemn any operators abusing the system.
Higby highlighted one example of a daycare he said received roughly $2.4 million since January 2024, yet appeared inconsistent with an active childcare business. Hoffman added that during the holiday season, typically a peak enrollment period, daycares should have been near capacity, but some visited sites appeared empty.
The discussion also touched on political backlash and accusations labeling the journalists as “extremist influencers,” which Higby said reflects the scrutiny their reporting is generating. Choe also cited audit concerns raised by Magnuson alleging hundreds of millions in childcare-related funds may have been difficult to audit, arguing the lack of accountability warrants deeper investigation.
Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director (ICE) Todd Lyons said Tuesday the agency is conducting its largest immigration operation ever in Minneapolis.
He said in an interview with Newsmax that Department of Homeland Security officers, under Secretary Kristi Noem, have deployed to the city to target fraud, arrest suspects and remove immigrants with criminal records.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced he was dropping out of the 2026 gubernatorial race and not seeking an unprecedented consecutive third term in office.
“I didn’t run for this job so I could have this job,” he said in a statement released early Monday. “I ran for this job so I could do this job. Minnesota faces an enormous challenge this year. And I refuse to spend even one minute of 2026 doing anything other than rising to meet the moment.”
The Democrat’s departure could quickly reshape Minnesota’s 2026 electoral landscape. The governor, once seen as a durable incumbent after serving as former Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate in 2024, has spent recent months fending off criticism of his administration’s response to fraud in state welfare programs. Pressure has grown from both within and outside his party; President Donald Trump and numerous Republican rivals blamed Walz for persistent oversight failures, while internal Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) voices questioned whether he could still unify their base.
The Secret Service heard a loud noise at the home around midnight and found a person who had broken a window with a hammer and was trying to get into the house, The Associated Press reported, citing two law enforcement officials who were not publicly authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The man had also vandalized a Secret Service vehicle on his way up the home’s driveway, one of the officials told the AP.
The Secret Service has said that a man was physically detained by agents early Monday morning.
In a statement sent to Newsweek, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said: “An adult male was taken into custody by the Cincinnati Police Department after being detained by U.S. Secret Service personnel for causing property damage, including breaking windows on the exterior of a personal residence associated with the Vice President.
“Shortly after midnight on Monday, January 5, the man was physically detained by Secret Service agents assigned to the Vice President’s home. The residence was unoccupied at the time of the incident, and the Vice President and his family were not in Ohio.
“The U.S. Secret Service is coordinating with the Cincinnati Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office as charging decisions are reviewed.”
| Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has pleaded not guilty in a federal court Monday, according to multiple media outlets. |
| The appearance began shortly after noon in front of Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who has handled the Maduro case for years. Maduro’s wife Cilia Flores has also pleaded not guilty during the appearance, the BBC reported. |
| Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States. |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
